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Weighing yourself after weight loss surgery is a given, but your surgeon may not always tell you what you need to know about it. Do you know why you should weigh in, how often, and how to do it? What ups and downs should you expect to see, and how seriously should you take them? Whether you are prepping for surgery or are well into your weight loss journey, becoming an expert on weighing in can help you lose more weight. Why Weigh Yourself? Yes, you weigh yourself to know how much you weigh. But what is the point if you are on your weight program and your doctor will weigh you at your next appointment? Weighing yourself can have some benefits. It can help you lose more weight by keeping you accountable. Just like logging your food can make you think twice before taking that extra bite, knowing that you will face the scale can keep you from serving yourself another portion. It can be motivating. When you see the number of the scale go down, you might be more eager to wake up early for your workout, or order a salad instead of a sandwich. It can be empowering. Knowing your weight gives you another piece of information about your body, and embracing rather than avoiding yourself can empower you to do your best for yourself. How Often? You can weigh yourself as often as you like, but it does not make sense to take too many weigh-ins too seriously. For many people, a good rule of thumb is to do a weekly weigh-in. You can take this weight as your “official current weight.” Some people like to stay off of the scale between their weekly “official” weigh-ins, while others like to weigh themselves daily, or even more than once a day, just to see what is going on. That is fine, as long as you do not take each weigh-in too seriously and do not let it bother you. How to Weigh Yourself You may be a 10, 20, or 40-year veteran of weighing yourself, but there are better and, well, worse ways to do so. It may be worth reviewing or revising your weigh-in practices to get better results. Here are some guidelines for accurate weigh-ins. Weigh yourself at the same time of the day for your weigh-in, usually first thing in the morning. Choose the same day each week to weigh yourself. Wear minimal or no clothing. Use the same scale, and a trustworthy one, each time. Mistakes to Avoid In theory, weighing yourself is as simple as stepping on the scale. Not! Your weight can be deceptively high or low if you find yourself making any of these mistakes. Weighing yourself after a heavy meal. While 1 lb. of lettuce has only 50 calories, it weighs…1 lb. If it is in your stomach, you will weigh an extra pound. Weighing yourself in the morning before you eat anything can help avoid the problem of extra weight inside your stomach. Weighing yourself wearing shoes or clothes. Heavy shoes and a full set of clothes can weigh 5 or more lb. That is a big chunk of weight that is not yours! Weighing yourself with too much salt in your system. With salty foods comes sodium, with sodium comes thirst, and with thirst comes extra water. Water is heavy. It can still be in your system the next morning, and show up on the scale. Weighing yourself right after exercising. Exercise does help you lose body fat, but it also helps you lose body water through sweat. You can lose a few lb. of water in one workout, and your body weight might be artificially low right after. Weighing in Monday morning. If your weekdays are picture-perfect in terms of eating, and your weekends progress from Friday night at the bar to Sunday afternoon in front of the TV, your Monday morning weight can be variable, and possibly high. Friday morning may be a better time for you to weigh in. Getting inaccurate numbers can be bad in many ways. You might get discouraged for no reason if your weight shows up as higher than it really is. You could become confused about how what you eat affects your weight if there seems to be no correlation. You might have trouble detecting regain, and not modify your diet until you have gained more than you wanted. Choosing a Scale On top of making sure you are ready for a good weigh-in, you need to make sure that your scale is also ready. Using a cheap scale can drive you crazy because it may not be accurate. It could be difficult to read, or it could vary within a few pounds even if you are the same weight. There are many affordable Body Scales that are highly accurate. You can find features that help you read the scale easily, track your weight, and see other information. These are some features to consider. Digital read-outs. Bluetooth connectivity to your smartphone. Memory of your recent weights. Measurements such as body fat and lean muscle mass. Use the scale to help you on your weight loss journey, and you can consider it another weapon in your weight loss arsenal. The more tools you have, the better your weight loss success can be!

Why Weigh Yourself? Yes, you weigh yourself to know how much you weigh. But what is the point if you are on your weight program and your doctor will weigh you at your next appointment? Weighing yourself can have some benefits. It can help you lose more weight by keeping you accountable. Just like logging your food can make you think twice before taking that extra bite, knowing that you will face the scale can keep you from serving yourself another portion. It can be motivating. When you see the number of the scale go down, you might be more eager to wake up early for your workout, or order a salad instead of a sandwich. It can be empowering. Knowing your weight gives you another piece of information about your body, and embracing rather than avoiding yourself can empower you to do your best for yourself. How Often? You can weigh yourself as often as you like, but it does not make sense to take too many weigh-ins too seriously. For many people, a good rule of thumb is to do a weekly weigh-in. You can take this weight as your “official current weight.” Some people like to stay off of the scale between their weekly “official” weigh-ins, while others like to weigh themselves daily, or even more than once a day, just to see what is going on. That is fine, as long as you do not take each weigh-in too seriously and do not let it bother you. How to Weigh Yourself You may be a 10, 20, or 40-year veteran of weighing yourself, but there are better and, well, worse ways to do so. It may be worth reviewing or revising your weigh-in practices to get better results. Here are some guidelines for accurate weigh-ins. Weigh yourself at the same time of the day for your weigh-in, usually first thing in the morning. Choose the same day each week to weigh yourself. Wear minimal or no clothing. Use the same scale, and a trustworthy one, each time. Mistakes to Avoid In theory, weighing yourself is as simple as stepping on the scale. Not! Your weight can be deceptively high or low if you find yourself making any of these mistakes. Weighing yourself after a heavy meal. While 1 lb. of lettuce has only 50 calories, it weighs…1 lb. If it is in your stomach, you will weigh an extra pound. Weighing yourself in the morning before you eat anything can help avoid the problem of extra weight inside your stomach. Weighing yourself wearing shoes or clothes. Heavy shoes and a full set of clothes can weigh 5 or more lb. That is a big chunk of weight that is not yours! Weighing yourself with too much salt in your system. With salty foods comes sodium, with sodium comes thirst, and with thirst comes extra water. Water is heavy. It can still be in your system the next morning, and show up on the scale. Weighing yourself right after exercising. Exercise does help you lose body fat, but it also helps you lose body water through sweat. You can lose a few lb. of water in one workout, and your body weight might be artificially low right after. Weighing in Monday morning. If your weekdays are picture-perfect in terms of eating, and your weekends progress from Friday night at the bar to Sunday afternoon in front of the TV, your Monday morning weight can be variable, and possibly high. Friday morning may be a better time for you to weigh in. Getting inaccurate numbers can be bad in many ways. You might get discouraged for no reason if your weight shows up as higher than it really is. You could become confused about how what you eat affects your weight if there seems to be no correlation. You might have trouble detecting regain, and not modify your diet until you have gained more than you wanted. Choosing a Scale On top of making sure you are ready for a good weigh-in, you need to make sure that your scale is also ready. Using a cheap scale can drive you crazy because it may not be accurate. It could be difficult to read, or it could vary within a few pounds even if you are the same weight. There are many affordable Body Scales that are highly accurate. You can find features that help you read the scale easily, track your weight, and see other information. These are some features to consider. Digital read-outs. Bluetooth connectivity to your smartphone. Memory of your recent weights. Measurements such as body fat and lean muscle mass. Use the scale to help you on your weight loss journey, and you can consider it another weapon in your weight loss arsenal. The more tools you have, the better your weight loss success can be!

My surgery was July 23rd. First couple of days were a lot of pain some nausea. Today I am getting up on my own. Hard to just drink liquids. Can’t wait to be able to eat something but I have to do protein shakes for next 10 days.

"Eat less, move more" is the simple way to stay slim, but some scientists now suspect body weight is much more complex. One area of research is "obesogens" which are chemicals absorbed from the environment and food that are thought to disrupt the way hormones operate, potentially leading to weight gain. Research by Harvard University found that women (men less so) struggled to maintain weight loss after higher levels of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) were found in their blood. https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/press-releases/pfass-chemicals-environment-body-weight/ http://journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmed.1002502 https://coach.nine.com.au/2018/07/26/11/10/obesogenics-chemicals-weight-gain

Oh Nic Darlin' you are from a GOOD area for support. There ate between oodles and a gangoozel of Houstonians on here I joke there must be a big poster at Doctor Offices and Hospitals in that area of Texas. It must say WANT EMOTIONAL SUPPORT? GO ON LINE AND JOIN BARIATRIC PAL! You can't swing a 10-GallonHat without hitting a Houstonian! I would say my bestest Bari-pals hail from Houston , Dallas or Fort Worth. And you rank among the smartest because you are seeking it at such a young age. Your skin will firm back up to smoothness. My poor 72 year old hide mfff! It says You used me , abused me, stuffed me full of blobby fat, now you expect me to get with the program and smooth out? Ain't gonna happen, go purchase shapewear with the money you save on food, sleekness just ain't gonna happen. You get what you get. So I will live with it. Just pray at my age I don't find a lover at MY age, once I disrobe and everything starts rolling out I may resemble Janna the Hut or his wife Guardalla. But at least at 72 I may luck out, his eyesight may be failing and he won't notice.. But here I am , Bariatric God mother or Granny to you all, much life wisdom but trying to better my life like everyone else. We are All Works in Progress, if after my surgery I don't Dance in the Sunlight I will happily Hula Hoop in place, knowing I have a better future and longer life ahead. And until someone tries to throw dirt over my face I will Rock It with All I Got! That's Me Frustr8 the Bold, the comedy relief of BP, I may startle you but I'll never make you yawn! And I love most Everybody!😛👍😛

@lauratro very impressive! Have you had any skin removal yet? If not, you'll lose another 10-20 lbs (potentially) with the removal.

Depends what all youre consuming but you might be going into sugar detox? In which case, you can add a little sugar back into your diet or just power through. Ibuprofen isn't approved by all surgeons and my surgeon doesn't want me taking it now (I'm 10 days until surgery) so check first before taking it.

Hi Lindy, I have actually done that before via a diet called Keto. It’s quite successful and yes, the withdrawals are crazy and the migraines even worse. It is def worth it. So..... I had my bypass on 10 July everyone. It’s the 27th of July and I’m still in hospital. A day after surgery, I had major tummy pain. All obs were done however, nobody picked anything up because everything (blood pressure, ecg, oxygen etc) were normal. So after 3 Medical Emergency Team calls at my bedside, fainting, bed hopping in between ICU and normal wards, it turned out I had leaky gut. So in for surgery I went again. I came out with drains, nose time down to my stomach and loads of everything else into my arm. I have a pick line which all my meds go through and been fed nutrients the same way. If anyone is un familiar with a pick line, it is a mega canula that goes to the main artery above your heart. I have been nil by mouth for 2.5 of the 3 weeks I’ve been here. And guess what. I put 8kg on in a single week of fluid. Then I lost it. And yup. It sure as hell went that I didn’t not lose any weight doing that either. Lol. No food the whole time and i lost nothing. I have to say this though, the reason I didn’t show any signs in the obs was because I was so healthy. Losing weight at this stage is the last thing on my mind. I need to get healthy again to be able to lose weight properly and not be because I am sick. I am more appreciative of carrying that little bit extra because it got me through. Basically, even. The doctors were very concerned. I’ll be here a while still however I appreciate my body so much more than I ever have.

Actually it will be a little different, and for the better. Walking around with weights in a backpack is now commonly called "rucking" (after military jargon) and seems to be gaining popularity. Weights will work on shoulder, upper body and core muscles. There are alot of internet hits about rucking, just do a search.I bought a specialized backpack just for rucking. It has a compartment to put weights in that rides high on the inside of the pack, and keeps them stable (designed for the manufacturer's weights). Keeping weights high in the pack helps posture and keeps them from hitting lower back when walking, especially if the weights do sag your pack, walk fast or jog any distance. A hip belt might help but you don't want that tight.You will probably want sandbags full of sand in your pack. Less sharp edges and a little shapeable. Weights are expensive, but bricks are cheaper. So people will use sandbags or bricks wrapped up in duct tape. Also, foam pads, pool tubes, whatever, is commonly used to keep the weights at the top of bag as much as possible, and anyway you can keep the weight from moving. I've seen pictures of packs entirely lined with foam pads, front back, bottom and sides. Rucking is now a "sport" of sorts. Like the Spartan obstacle races I am sure you have heard about their is a rucking group, called GoRuck.com. (where I bought my built tougher than a M1A2 Abrams Main Battle Tank backpack). But this group is not about racing, it's about team effort. Groups do courses in small groups, no big production like a Spartan race, lots of military style boot camp exercises maybe things like carrying people on stretchers. Its run by veterans and has military and patriotic themes. All events are dedicated to a military branch or as a memorial to a battle (or tragedy). All groups must carry a flag for the team and a 25 lb weight for the team, and each person carries their own Water and supplies, and rucks their own 20lb weight. I am training for an event now. They have no specific listed physical requirement but videos I see they so pushups, crunches, bear crawls, and other exercises (backpack stays on) and other activities like carrying other people. In emails, I was told if one can jog a 5k, a Light challenge (7-10 miles) will be no problem. So I am training a couch to 5k and off days rucking bricks until a buy a good weight. Goal is to be ready next year for a June 6th event dedicated to D-DAY in Washington D.C. Sent from my XT1609 using BariatricPal mobile app

I ate two cub cakes, got violently sick throw the rest of them (10) in the trash can.

Red, you look awesome! We have almost the same stats and goal! I hope to be where you are at 10 months. Do you have a workout routine you like?! Your skin totally "snapped" back!!! LOL WAY TO GO GIRLIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hello I got the sleeve done June 19. What is everyone able to eat now? I’m still eating soft foods tried some beef but didn’t tolerate it. Ground chicken and turkey seems to ok so far. I’ve noticed I last longer in mornings with a mix of oatmeal and yogurt. Does anybody have any suggestions on what to eat getting kind of bored of chicken and turkey

Finally made it. Sore, sick, but excited... HW 302 STW 291 (01/08/18) SGW 274.9. (07/25/18) CW 274.9 GW 151

So - you are having your VSG on my 2 year anniversary . Good luck! I'm now 57. At the time of surgery I had daughters age 13 and 17. Once I had decided, we sat down as a family (my hubby and the girls) and I explained what I was doing and why. While I list my starting weight here as 271, that was my highest known weight. Looking back at photos I'm fairly certain I was over 300 pounds in 2015. I answered questions. Provided internet links. Offered to take them with me to my appointments. My younger daughter was a bit resistant - mostly because I think she was just afraid of me having surgery. So, long story short - I'll be 2 years out very soon. I now weight about 155 pounds . I am a nationally ranked fencer in my age group (as in en garde) and I can deadlift more than I weigh by about 20 pounds. (I started fencing about 10 months post op). What's the wrong message? The message you are sending is you have multiple medical problems and this is a way to fix it. If you needed a joint replaced, would you hide it? If you had to have surgery for an ulcer, would you not tell them? They can handle it. Explain it clearly as doing something for your health so you can enjoy more time with them and doing things with them. The emotional pain - not their problem. That you don't share. The physical - sure. My girls saw me with failing knees, asthma, severe arthritis and more. We'd go to amusement parks and I'd sit on a bench and hold bags. I wasn't going to die and be put in a 3x coffin. Tell them.

If I were not already so far into the process, I'd definitely take you up on that offer! Thank you! BTW, I'll be visiting Albany next summer for the commencement ceremony for Excelsior College, where I'll be graduating from in February 2019. I hope to be close to my goal weight by then.

I wouldn't want to have to drink 6 more ounces (compared to Premier Protein) to get the other 10 g of protein. It would almost be easier to drink 2 Premier Proteins (22 oz) and then you get 60g of protein. But to each their own. Maybe they taste amazing.

Sleeved 6-19 any twins out there and how you doing

My summary after 1 week: 1. Room temp and warm fluids tolerated best. 2. New stomach did lots of "growling" but rejected nothing. 3. Nausea meds gave me a headache and made me dizzy. 4. Hunger still lives on! Surprised -- didn't expect that at all! 5. Cravings for a graham cracker on day 5, then club crackers on day 6. 6. Advice? Don't try to rush things - slow and steady gets you there. Stay ahead of hunger with proteins. 7. Regrets? Wish I had added 1 tsp Benefiber to each protein drink to avoid constipation. 8. Haven't managed 64oz fluids daily - only up to 48oz 9. Naps are wonderful. 10. Making grocery list for things I can soon have - cottage cheese, V8, creamy soups, spinach added to smoothies, applesauce, etc How does this compare with other experiences after one week?

One of my goals this year is an unassisted pull up. I'm working toward it but not there yet. I think in the next month I should be able to deadlift over 200 pounds. I can already deadlift more than I weigh. 10 push ups with 25 pounds on my back is one of the next goals. But I'm almost 2 years out and in better shape now than I was in college.

Griffon, I am right there with you. I had my Gastric Sleeve 6/22/18 and I lost 15 lbs on the pre-op diet and then was 300 lbs day of surgery. I came home and I had gained to 309 from fluids because I was so sick from anesthesia and morphine. At my 2 weeks post op I weighed 285 (down 24 lbs.) I have been at 285 for 2 weeks. Yesterday I seen my surgeon for my 1 month appointment and he was very happy. He stated it is very normal for your body to stall like everyone is saying after a large amount of weight is lost right after surgery. Your body will stall and then acclimate and then begin to lose. I have not had any junk food or carbs, I am stickily eating protein or protein shake with my miralax and walking. He said I should start to see about 10-15 lbs a month after the initial weight loss. Believe it or not this morning I was 283. Best of luck and try not to get frustrated.

Hi, I am 9 weeks out from surgery...started @ 313 lbs last week was 285 than weighed myself this morning and see I gained 5.6 lbs how is that? I have kept the same plan everyday as far as eating as was working real well until this AM. I stopped HBP pills like for 10 days maybe H2O gain? Anyone ever have this happen to them...please advise. thanks, Rob

Hi, I am 9 weeks out from surgery...started @ 313 lbs last week was 285 than weighed myself this morning and see I gained 5.6 lbs how is that? I have kept the same plan everyday as far as eating as was working real well until this AM. I stopped HBP pills like for 10 days maybe H2O gain? Anyone ever have this happen to them...please advise. thanks, Rob

Jess, take a deep breath, count to 10 it is ok to have anxiety I am sure I will be the same way Remind yourself there is a goal-getting healthy Good Luck, prayers, and please give us updates Dawn

Cool pics! I am 10 days post op and down 18 lbs since starting my pre op diet. (8 since surgery). Feeling good but ready for real food. Very tired of this liquid diet. 6 more days then purée. Ugh.

Update: 23 days post op. Life is almost back to normal. Still a little pain where I pulled a stitch but tolerable. Still in my stall, BUT inches are still coming off!!! So big advice, measure yourself because when you hit the stall (according to the scale) you're body is still working and may be inches going away or muscle building. Just trying not to be discouraged because this is a lifestyle change! Plus, not hungry and my food portions are so small it actually amazes me that I'm actually able to live on this. I also notice how much food governs our day to day activities and having to plan ahead when I go out (ex went to a Renaissance Faire and packed my bag of goodies. Looked at Faire foods, nothing I could eat (not paying $10 for a turkey leg that I'm only getting a bite out of) so ate what I brought). Also, sleeping in bed, finally!!!