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rate of weight loss is affected by so many factors that's it's kind of pointless to compare (and comparing can stress you out if you're a slower loser, but there's nothing wrong with being a slower loser!! I was one of that crowd and ended up losing all of my excess weight). Yes - height is one of the factors, but so are age, gender, starting BMI, genetics, metabolic rate, body composition (your percentage of fat vs muscle vs bone vs water), activity level, how closely you stick to your clinic's food plan, yada yada yada. About all you have control over is your activity level and how closely you stick to your program. If you do well with those, and your weight is generally trending downward, you're golden!

I know I am a little late on this but here goes lol. First off, congratulations on getting your surgery! When I first got mine I thought that the "normal" BMI range was way too low. I think I just thought that because I had never weighed anywhere near the normal range. I currently weigh about 158 which is right at the highest end of normal on the BMI scale. I think the weight I am right now is great. I was ~130 at one point in time which is still in the normal range but that was way too low. I looked gaunt and sickly and my face was sunken in. Basically I guess it probably varies from person to person and whether you are male or female probably plays a role (i.e. if I was female, 130 pounds might not have looked so unhealthy). The normal BMI weight may seem like it is too low now but that may change as you lose weight. I would recommend focusing on your body being healthy rather than what BMI or weight you are. Your doctor can help you determine if your body is in a healthy state at the weight you are. Anyway, congratulations on being two months post-op! The pre-op is a grueling process but it is absolutely worth it. I wish you the best of luck. -Joshua

Curious to see how much weight y’all lost at 3-4 months???? 😃

The closer you are to goal, the more slowly you lose but in saying that you may have reached your balance & are in maintenance. That is the calories you are consuming are equal to the calories you are burning. To lose more you either have to consume less or increase your activity. Whatever weight you end up at has to be sustainable. Many bariatric patients end up at a weight that is higher than what they may have initially wanted. But they’re at a weight they can maintain while still enjoying & living the healthy & happy life they want. It’s fine to eat several smaller meals across a day or graze on three meals as long as caloric intake is constant. It just has to work for you. I eat three meals and about 4 nutritious snacks every day because I can’t physically consume enough in three meals to maintain - my restriction kicks in & I can’t eat any more. My total caloric intake sits at about 1200 calories a day. Another path you could look at is Dr Matt Weiner’s videos & books about resetting your basal metabolic rate which could enable you to lose more if you are interested. The intent is to reset your metabolism to run faster so your body burns more calories just to function. I guess the big questions are do you want to have to take appetite suppressants for the rest of your life to maintain at a lower weight? Do you want to live your life consuming fewer calories &/or maintaining a higher activity level to stay at a lower weight? You may say yes to either of these questions & that’s fine. It’s your decision. Congrats on your weight loss & good luck whatever you decide.

My program was no bread, pasta or rice or any other processed carbs as well. My program was strongly protein first then nutritionally dense foods. Processed carbs like bread, pasta, etc. are generally considered nutritionally poor. But there are lots of different plans about. For the first couple of months all I could eat was my protein & maybe a couple of beans or a small cauliflower floret at a meal. I couldn’t imagine even trying to eat a heavy carb that swells in your small tummy & fills you up more. Actually that could be why you have the foamies - too much in your tummy & it’s literally oozing up as the bread, rice, etc. swells. I’m two years out & I still can’t eat bread, pasta or rice. They sit like dead weights in my tummy. Mashed potato is the same. Doesn’t bother me though. If I want pasta I eat fresh zucchini noodles. I tried plant based pasta but it filled me up too quickly. I was able to eat rolled oats from very early out & still eat them very regularly. I also can eat multi or whole grain crackers (vita wheat multi grain crackers & wholegrain rice crackers). I eat these as a snack. Everyone is quite individual in what they are able or unable to tolerate. What I can eat successfully, you may not. What you can’t tolerate now, you may be able to eat successfully in time. The carbs may just be too heavy for your tummy to handle at nine weeks out.

Oh yeah, you were much smaller than me at your starting weight. My doctor told me that the smaller I get, the harder it will be to lose weight as I won't be using the same amount of energy to burn calories, as I did at 350lbs. Its absolutely amazing to see the various starting sizes of people who have undergone this surgery and are on this journey. I am honestly trying to get down to your starting weight lol

According to his “calculations” for BMI it was right where I should be. I know better though: I’ve been very lean and with a 6 pack at 165 when I did bodybuilding. I don’t expect to hit that weight again nor do I want to. I’d be emaciated if it was for any length of time.

Oddly enough, when we discussed VSG vs bypass in my initial consult, he said the usual for VSG patients is around 60% of excess weight lost long term, so that would make even less sense for his goal weight. I’ve had a lot of issues and complaints with the facility where I had my surgery in the first place, so this just adds to the list of frustrating advice I’ve been given. My surgeon can’t even get my starting weight before surgery right to track my progress correctly despite me showing him on my paperwork what I weighed the day of surgery.

that's really odd. Those who give you a goal (and not all do) often give you one that's right around the average weight loss (which is about 70% of excess weight - which, statistically anyway, is about where you'd expect to end up). There are definitely people who make it to a normal BMI, but my surgeon said only about 10-15% of his patients do, and the statistics I've read appear to back that up. Your surgeon giving you that number as a goal seems unrealistic. Possible, of course, but not terribly realistic.

Starting weight 339, my surgeon seems to think my goal weight should be 150. At 5’11 and competing in everything from bodybuilding to crossfit over the years with a massive weight increase the last two, I think this goal is totally unattainable. He’s going strictly by BMI based on height and not taking into account my history or frame. That said, my current goal is 220 with a long term of 199.

A protein shake can do the trick before or after weight loss surgery, or any other time you need a boost of protein beyond what you can get from your foods. How do you find one that has the amount of protein you need, tastes great, and is low enough in carbohydrates to be good for any weight loss diet? Stop looking, because BariatricPal Clean Whey Protein is a match! BariatricPal Clean Whey Protein delivers 25 grams of high-quality whey protein in each scoop. It is made with real Dutch-process cocoa or classic vanilla and it tastes rich and creamy, but it has only 1 gram of sugar. The total carb count is 1 carbohydrate, meaning this shake can be part of your low-carb or keto diet. BariatricPal Clean Whey Protein Highlights: 110 calories 25 grams of protein from Grass-Fed Whey 1 gram of carbohydrates 500 million CFU Bacillus Coagulans Patented Aminogen® protein-digesting enzyme 10% of the daily value for calcium Suitable for gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, gastric band, and BPD-DS patients Suitable for pre-op and post-op liquid, pureed (mushy), semi-solid, and solid foods diets Gluten-Free Lactose-Free Non-GMO Each tub of BariatricPal Clean Whey Protein contains 15 servings. BariatricPal Clean Whey Protein has other advantages. It contains patented Aminogen®, an enzymatic blend to support the digestion of protein. Plus, the shake has 500 million CFU of Bacillus coagulans, a probiotic which can promote a healthier gut environment. BariatricPal Clean Whey Protein can be used anytime. Start the day off with a low-sugar burst of protein for breakfast, or have a quick shake for a snack or small meal later. Just mix a scoop with water or your favorite beverage, such as milk for extra protein, or almond milk for creaminess. With BariatricPal Clean Whey Protein, you can get the protein you need to tide you over, without taking in excessive carbs. What exactly is Aminogen® and how is it beneficial? Aminogen® is a special patented protein-digesting enzyme blend that can help you get the most out of your whey protein while eliminating any bloating or constipation. The addition of Aminogen® to whey protein, such as is done in BariatricPal Clean Whey Protein, is scientifically proven to improve digestion and retention of protein within the body. Another benefit of Aminogen® is that it reduces some of the gas, bloating, cramping, and constipation that can occur when some people eat a higher protein diet and include whey protein products. As some people know, this protein “gassiness” is not a pleasant side effect, so Aminogen® is a sought-after addition. Overall, Aminogen® is a valuable component to whey protein products, like BariatricPal Clean Whey Protein. It can help you digest and absorb more amino acids, which will then assist you in building and repairing your precious hard-earned lean body muscle. Available online at The BariatricPal Store https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/bariatricpal-clean-whey-protein

You got this! No reason to be nervous. Everything will go fine, and you'll have a new tool for losing weight.

Hello! My name is Meagan, I'm 34 new! I've struggled with my weight since...well...pretty much as long as I can remember. I've always been plus size but was an athlete in high school so I was really fit and toned at 150lbs, but would still dread going clothes shopping because 9/10 times it resulted in me crying in the dressing room. Since HS, its been a non-stop struggle to lose weight. I've tried every diet there is to try, gym memberships, work outs, trainers, medical fitness programs, supplements. You name it, I've tried it. Not only am I dealing with genetics (my paternal side of the family is very much overweight and has a host of medical problems because of it) but I also was diagnosed with depression and anxiety about 10 years ago. My current weight is the largest I've been at 265. I'm tired, y'all. I'm tired of working so hard, of following the meal plans and doing the work outs and seeing zero results. I've always struggled with my self esteem because of my weight and this past year it hit an all time low. I started to research bariatric surgery options a few weeks ago and am ready to start the process. However, I just found out that surgery is not covered by my insurance (through my job) and the bariatric program I want to go through, requires insurance before I can start the program. What insurance company have you all seen that covers surgery? Supplemental plans? Help.

Yep, like everyone has said, it's definitely a thing. I'm about 7 weeks post op, surgery was 4/15, and for the last 2-3 weeks, I experienced zero weight loss. I'd been following my diet religiously, exercising etc. About 3 days ago the scale finally moved, but instead of seeing a 3-4lb difference like I was in the beginning, I'm only dropping one pound at a time. But, this is fine with me, as long as things are moving! Trust me, I know it's disheartening, and you're wondering how it could be physically possible to not lose weight while eating so little. You may think you're "doing it wrong" or the surgery didn't work (lol), but in actuality, your body is finally done purging the glycogen and water stores and is now using fat for energy. After your body makes that adjustment, the weight loss will continue.

I've commented on other posts on this topic. Most days I drink 120 oz. or more. I do not work in AC so I drink 2 52 oz. mugs at work each day plus whatever "extra" I drink. I find myself peeing less frequently than before weight loss (I am a believer in that I now have less pressure on my bladder.) There is less urge. But when there is an urge, I void what seems to be a lot.

I occasionally have what I call a “hungry day.” I eat all day on those days. Typically they happen a day or two after a big exercise day, but they very well may be related to hormonal shifts. I have had a partial hysterectomy (no uterus, kept ovaries), so I have no idea where I am at in my “cycle” at any time. As long as this is just happening infrequently to you, and you don’t get sick/have pain from overeating, I wouldn’t worry too much about it. Sometimes our bodies just need extra. I still lost all my excess weight. I would be concerned unless it becomes a regular/frequent occurrence. 💕

1) I know some surgeons use weight loss meds like phentermine after surgery. Topamax is another option (I take it for migraine prevention but I have been taking it for 20+ years so I have no idea if it has helped me lose weight). Whether this is the right answer for you is a conversation with your PCP and surgeon. 2) Have you tried protein water? How short are you on protein? Are you tracking your calories/macros/water intake? Can you snack on things that are high protein but lower in fat than cheese, like tuna, egg whites, deli meat? Good luck!

I will be 15 months post RNY on 6/9. My HW was 325. I am 5'6-5'7 range. And I am currently 183...3 lbs away from my GW. It's also the GW my plastics team desired me to be at for my panniculectomy. With that being said, by the time I go in for my procedure I will be between 170-180 and afterwards and after swelling has settled 160-170 range. I will be perfectly fine there. BMI is an outdated tool that does not take into account your muscle build, fat percentage, athletic type, etc. It shows a body builder with very little body fat and all muscle to be overweight even obese . So it's not a very accurate tool to measure by. I would base my goals on how you feel. How healthy you are. Your non-scale victories. Fat percentages. Body measurements. Etc. But not BMI. I used to wear 4x/26 now I wear L/XL and 12s. That's a pretty big difference. And that makes me happy .I used to have high bp. Now they ask me if a resting heart rate of 55 or bp of 95/50 is normal for me. Prior to being morbidly obese and when i was athletic, it was. Now it is once again. To me, makes me happy at nearly 180. But if I continue to lose weight after my panniculectomy, I won't be mad. Whatever my body chooses to do, I will let it. Unless of course it starts to go lower than Im comfortable with.

I hate the idea of doing the same thing every day or every week. Routines suck all the fun out of life. Before the pandemic I was traveling to a different city every week for work and I loved my life. Living trapped in my apartment with every day the same as the last caused me to gain so much weight. There has to be a place for spontaneity and adventure in life and still living healthy. I'd rather be fat and enjoy changing up my life day to day vs. be thin and do the same thing every single day with no variation. I've been traveling a few times a month again since April and I've still managed to lose about 25 lbs even though I haven't had surgery yet.

I'm almost 10 months post-op and am down about 80# give or take, which is 30# from my goal. I was stuck at about 163 for several months and am still struggling to get enough protein in. I've been in contact with my RD and she suggested smaller, more frequent meals to try to get closer to my daily protein goal. The problem is, I'm finding that since following this routine, I'm gaining weight and am now up to 169. I reached out to her again, and she is now suggesting adding a low-dose Rx med to the mix. I'm not sure how I feel about this. She wants me to eat more small, frequent, protein-packed meals yet is suggesting an appetite suppressant? Doesn't make sense to me. I've tried things like Builders Bars and can't finish one in one sitting. I've added Unjury Protein Powder to things like cottage cheese, yogurt & salsa, but that's only 22g - IF I can get the whole scoop in one day. I snack on stuff like string cheese (9g protein), but it's not enough. I walk 2 miles daily and am taking up swimming next week. I'm starting to feel like I'm never going to get over this hump. Anyone else ever been in this conundrum? On the bright side, my hair has stopped falling out and is growing back!

Coming up on 2 years post op and life has never been better. The gastric sleeve opened up a world to me that i thought would never exist. Ive learned so much about health, nutrition and exercise, that i wouldnt have if i didnt take the first step with the sleeve. I have a healthy relationship with foods now. I try to keep myself to the 80/20 rule. But i probably am closer to 90/10. Make good choices 80% of the time, and enjoy some of my favorite things the other times. Its funny tho, a lot of my favorites have no become healthy choices. So that makes life easier. I started this journey first just focusing on losing the weight. So for the first year i ran a lot and set a goal to run a half marathon. i completed that last may and then began to switch my focus to putting on muscle. This was hard because it meant i had to up my calories which for anyone in our situation, is a scary thing. So i bought a WHOOP strap and really dialed in how many calories i was burning and spoke with my nutritionist about a plan to get where i wanted to go. (whoop strap is apparently the most accurate fitness tracker out right now and ive found that my apple watch says i burn 800 more calories then the whoop says. just a heads up. IT wasnt easy but ive been doing it and got on a great routine. My lowest weight was 208. i now hover between 225-230. i weigh every few weeks but dont get too obsessed with the scale anymore. i know that if i stay within my calories that im fine. Its been a process and i had to learn a lot. it wasnt all easy but 110% worth it. This surgery opened a whole new life for me. I am extremely greatful.

I have the same thing but it is not from your band or from any weight loss surgery you can have this and never had that. it actually is still a mystery to science. some think it comes from being dehydrated so make sure you get lots of fluids and try drinking water first thing in the morning. they have meds for it but mine never last long its pretty painful but goes away in about 5 minutes

lots of people have gone through that (luckily, I only have 10 lbs that I'd like to re-lose, but even that's been a bear!!). Are you still tracking your food intake? If not, I'd start there. And go back to following the rules - as in eating the way we were supposed to be eating once we were a few months out - focusing on protein and non-starchy vegetables, with an occasional small serving of fruit or whole-grain carb. if you're a calorie counter, then track what you're eating now (without making major changes yet) for a couple of weeks to figure out what your average daily calorie intake is. Then cut back by 100 calories or so for a couple of weeks. If that's not working, then cut by another 100 calories. Rinse and repeat until the scale starts heading downward. But know that with only 35 lbs to lose, that scale is going to move pretty slowly. You could also try drastically increasing your activity instead - or in addition - to cutting calories, although that method is usually a lot slower. a lot of people have had luck with formal programs like Weight Watchers, Keto, or intermittent fasting - so those are options as well... good luck with it - it's not easy, although it's good you're catching it now while it's still not really out of control!

I just saw another post yesterday that people are peeing less after they lose weight, possibly because their smaller stomachs aren't pressing on their bladders as much. If your urine is not bright/dark yellow and is straw colored or almost clear, you are probably fine. Another thing to consider is how much sodium is in your diet. More salt could cause you to retain water. Also, if you used to have a lot of caffeine or artificial sweeteners or tea or alcohol and no longer do, those all cause more peeing for various reasons, so that could be why you are peeing less.

I would definitely get a full sex hormone panel to see if something is off. Have you been diagnosed with PCOS before? Losing larger amounts of weight will lower PCOS symptoms (excessive hair growth being one of them) for many people . How far out from surgery are you? There’s also the possibility of a vitamin or nutrient deficiency.