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Ok, I can speak on this since I literally went through this exact thing. First of all, you are in a stall. The first one usually hits around 3 weeks, but it can be a little earlier (like it was for me) or a little later. Keep eating what's in the plan, no more and no less, and get your walking in (maybe look into getting some ankle and wrist weights). That leads me to my 2nd point. Look for non scale victories. Anytime I hit a stall, I started trying on clothes and rings and looking at my neck and face and chin. The scale may not be moving, but that doesn't mean things aren't happening. The first time I was able to sit in a booth and there was space between my stomach and the table, I was elated. When my clothes were literally falling off me and my ring came off twice, I was ecstatic. Just because the scale is being stubborn doesn't mean progress isn't being made. Third, you have to eat. This will sound crazy, but if you restrict too much, your body will think it's starving and it will hold on to every little bit of weight it can. My dietician wanted me to stay at 700-800 calories per day, 50 or less carbs, 50 or less fats, and 60-80g protein. My body didn't like that at all. Not one bit. I hit stall after stall, would drop maybe 1 or 2 pounds, then nothing. I started experimenting and found that between 1050 - 1200 calories per day, 25-35 carbs per day, 70-90 fats per day, and 90-95g protein per day was where my body was happiest. I work out for 45 min - 1 hour 5 days per week. And then I started seeing MUCH better results, both on and off the scale. Now, I'm not saying that works for everyone, and those amounts are specific to MY body, and my body alone. But at about 3 1/2 months post op, I knew I had to do something. You body NEEDS food. It's like depriving your car of gas and then being surprised it won't go. Same thing. Lastly, I was in such a disordered way of thinking and behaving that I HAD to go to therapy. I'm still in it, actually. I had myself working out 2 hours per day every single day, living on flavored water, 300-400 calories per day, 10-15 carbs per day, almost no fats at all, and 40 or so grams of protein. And the less weight I lost, the harder I pushed my body and restricted what I gave it. I was so afraid of eating because I was convinced every bite would put all the weight back on. I was, at one point, eating 1 meal per day that I would make stretch all day and loading up on flavored water to curb the hunger pains. It's scary to think about what I was doing to myself. Find a therapist that specializes in bariatric surgery, and if you can find one that also works with people with eating disorders, that's even better. That's what I did. I still struggle sometimes, but I remember how far I've come and how much healthier and stronger my body is, and it helps me push past the feelings of wanting to cut my food and load up on water again. But a therapist is really important right now. I waited until I was in the thick of it before I even posted about it here, and I was encouraged to find a therapist, which was the best thing I could have done. I swapped one disordered way of thinking for another. I'm making my way back from it, but I'm still a work in progress. You can do this. I wish you all the luck

We are almost bariatric date twins as I'm getting the RNY on 11/29! Sent from my SM-S901U using BariatricPal mobile app

Hi everyone! I am brand new to bariatric surgery and have only just had my first consultation visit. I am concerned that my food allergies are going to prove this journey even more difficult than it would be without them. My 2 food allergies are dairy and any and all sunflower products (seeds, oils, lecithin, etc.) Does anyone else have "rare" food allergies and are coping just fine? Or is it actually going to be harder? My doctor says I should be okay because I will be working with the dietitian. I am just curious to see how others have been coping 😊

I see both of these mentioned, and was wondering people's take on them. I did fill out the web form for Obesity Control Center as well as called and left a message. Over a week ago. No response from them... Thanks!

I don't have any real insight to offer you, but to say if you aren't already, perhaps it would be beneficial for you to see a counsellor or therapist who has had experience with overweight/obese people as well as bariatric/weight loss procedures. A lot of people think that after weight loss surgery they will lose lots of pounds/kilos every week until they goal weight, however, just like weight loss for people who haven't had weight loss surgery, weight loss can be ad hoc, they experience stalls (even in the early stages), there are gains,weight loss slows down, etc. You are likely experiencing a typical weight loss stall,...it can be a week or even more before weight loss kicks back in. Problem is we put so much focus on the goal of scale weight loss that we forget about all the non scale achievements that we experience. Improved fitness, reduced cholesterol, reduced blood pressure, better sleep, better quality time with friends and family, etc etc etc.

You're at the low end of normal. As stated, if you have no symptoms, rejoice! Your heart is having to work a lot less then it used to. Note that it's pretty common for bariatric surgery patients to have lower than average BP. It happens because we're dropping fat so quickly. As we lose weight, there is less need for the blood volume you previously had, so you actually lose blood volume. (No, you don't bleed, it's absorbed naturally.) What does not drop as quickly are the size of your veins and arteries. They are bigger than normal because they are used to having to contain higher blood volume. At this point, it's simple physics. Less fluid in a closed system will be under lower pressure than more fluid. For most people, this will adjust over time. Some people unfortunately do end up with hypotension, either temporarily or permanently. If you do start having symptoms: Make sure you stay hydrated. Up your salt intake, especially if you're not getting much. As you probably know, salt raises blood pressure. An increase in salt consumption might help. Do be careful however. For some people, this carries certain risks. Talk to your doctor -- especially if you are still on high BP meds, you probably need to stop them -- there are also treatments available for low blood pressure.

I've suggested this to others as well, but this is the after beriatric surgery book my hospital gives us and it's amazing, I was so surprised to see so many people going into different stages lost about what to eat, so I definitely suggest it to anyone who doesn't have specific instructions from there doctors, it even has a shopping list page for entering the soft food stage, definitely worth a look, it's a pdf you can get from Google I put in a link https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.ohsu.edu/sites/default/files/2021-05/OHSU-Health-After-Bariatric-Surgery-Nutrition.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwj5743qsM_6AhV8EkQIHYDdBQYQFnoECBYQAQ&usg=AOvVaw2f1Jo4y-xc-It0KRJzFcyc Sent from my SM-G996U using BariatricPal mobile app

As @ShoppGirl said, if it happens, it's temporary. Even if you do lose some, you'll get past it. As to what, if anything you can do about it, there are some things that may help? Research on this is kind of sparse, but collagen, as well as biotin (a.k.a. vitamin B7), supplementation may help. Collagen is the main protein found in bone broth, so you could get extra protein from the bone broth, and potentially help ease the impact of post surgical hair loss. If you don't like or want to use bone broth, you can also buy collagen powder that you can add to other foods. Some collagen supplements have B7 in them as well. There are a few minerals such as iron & zinc that are also helpful. In addition, vitamins C, B2, B9 & B12 are important to hair growth. In short, make sure you're taking your bariatric multivitamin and it should keep the shedding to a minimum.

I'm not On real food yet, not even on soft foods yet but I wanted to say I've seen a few people saying there plans aren't specific about what to eat or when or different things. If you type in "ohsu bariatric handbook" into Google, there's a pdf file you can download, (I'll try to put a link in) for after beriatric surgery and they give examples of times, food, and alot of different guides to help..... it's actually the program I'm working with and I love how detailed they are about different things https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.ohsu.edu/sites/default/files/2021-05/OHSU-Health-After-Bariatric-Surgery-Nutrition.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwjrjIKH_8z6AhXSKUQIHQ50BF8QFnoECBgQAQ&usg=AOvVaw2f1Jo4y-xc-It0KRJzFcyc Sent from my SM-G996U using BariatricPal mobile app

I was in high school (late 90’s) and saw some kind of dateline/news special about bariatric surgery. By that point I was already doing diets with my mom. It had been in my mind since. Fast forward 20 years to 2019 and I had my appendix removed. At my post op appointment my surgeon (who also happened to be a bariatric surgeon- I didn’t know that when the hospital asked me if I had a surgeon I preferred. I chose him because he had previously saved my dads life) asked me if I had thought about weight loss surgery. I said I had and he recommended that I sign up for the program his office offered, so I did.

Only you know WHY you made the choices you made. If you don’t know why or are worried you will do it again you may want to consider a bariatric therapist to get to the bottom of things and get some coping tools that keep you from turning to food. I have heard many people on here swear by how much they have helped them. I know that I struggle with emotional eating and I am having a really hard time keeping my weight off (I am a year and a half out). I do not have anyone who specializes in bariatric therapy near me, unfortunately, but really wish I had the option to see someone. You have come so far already. Give yourself every tool available to you to succeed. You can do this.

You've gotten some good advice, but I'd also recommend talking to your bariatric care team. Each of us has our own experiences to draw on, but your team should be able to draw on hundreds or even thousands of patients to better advise you in light of your particular background and surgical outcome.

I use myfitnesspal. I've used it for a number of years and generally find it's the best and easiest to use. There are a couple of things you have to get used to: Anyone can add a new food, This can be a blessing if what you find in the database does not work for you. Don't find what you need? Add it. The downside is that some common foods have dozens of entries and a fair number of them will be wrong. The entries that have been verified as correct by staff have green checkmarks, so you'd be well advised to look for those. It's not as easy is log small portions accurately of some foods because not all entries have weights in grams (or even ounces). They may only have a "serving", so you're stuck estimating a percentage. This is compounded by issue #1 in that you may have to look through multiple entries to find a "good" one. The flip side is that if you do find an accurate entry that is properly entered by weight, our small portions are fairly easy to accurately enter. Both Meals and Recipes can be built and saved. This generally works well, except that when building a recipe, you can't see all the nutrition info for an ingredient. This can be a problem again due to issue #1 above. What you find you have to do is check after you add the entry if it looks right. if not, it's back to editing and finding a different ingredient entry. Lately I've been seeing a lot of glitches, especially around my water consumption. I'll add water, then check again later to find that it's missing. Finally the biggest gripe: this program is not customized for bariatric patients. At the end of the day if you "Complete This Entry", you'll get a nasty message telling you that you're not eating enough.

That helps a lot, actually. My goal is to lose 145 altogether, though 135 would put me at 200 which would be fine. I started in May (with surgery in August) and have lost 85 so far, so I'm optimistic about hitting my goal by spring, much as you have. We'll see. If you are comfortable, can you say a bit about what foods you are not eating, and what kind of Bariatric surgery you had?

My experience, and mine alone. I had the lapband in 2008. Had it for 7 it 8 years. No WLS restriction is more miserable compared to what I had experienced with the lapband. The pain in my chest, the having to void in a public restroom because the pressure in my throat. When I had the lapband restriction, it was THE most unnatural feeling. With the RNY, you will live a much smoother and normal life. As long I chew well, I literally have zero side effects from the RNY. It has been over a year. Hard to explain, but for once, I feel so normal now. To me, when I get full, it's very similar to getting full before any WLS. You just have to learn your body's clues. If one doesn't want to dump, you stay away from those foods. One stays away from foods when they are allergic to them. Most do not dump anyway. As far as safety. This may help you out. RNY is not the same surgery as it was many years ago. It is laparoscopic, so much safer, so much so that many surgeons now do the RNY even as an outpatient procedure now. I was released within 24 hours. https://www.pennmedicine.org/updates/blogs/metabolic-and-bariatric-surgery-blog/2019/may/is-bariatric-surgery-safe

Do yourself this favor and stick to your pre op diet until surgery day anyways so you can really think this through. I think you are just having last minute jitters. I had sleeve so I can’t really speak to dumping other than only about 30% of bypass patients dump to any degree and many of them who do can still have sweets and fat just in much smaller portions. Once you are back to regular food, traveling and eating out shouldn’t be an issue (it is also doable during the staged return to eating it will just take some planning). You will eat smaller portions, but you will be able to eat most of the same foods you eat now (I can tolerate everything I ate before). You will of course make healthier choices the majority of the time and eat smaller portions but I eat at restaurants all the time. In terms of catching up with friends over dinner I think you will be an even better dining companion because you will be less focused on the food and more on the conversation. I go out with my best friend now and I have noticed that our conversations tend to go deeper and our lunches run longer but I actually think that’s kinda cool. As for the glass of wine, teams seem to be all over the map about when or if they allow alcohol again. My team was fine with it after 3 months but of course it’s empty calories so everything in moderation. I honestly think you are starting to morn the loss of food a little and that’s not uncommon. If you find that you really have a hard time with all this you may want to consider a bariatric therapist. As I’m sure you have heard, the surgery will fix your stomach but it takes some work on our part to fix our brains and that’s a very important part to being successful with all this. And if you really aren’t ready, there is no shame in rescheduling. This is a major surgery and only you know if you are ready.

I had VSG in Mx. at HospitalBC w Dr. Illan. I had a great experience and would absolutely recommend. They have a dietitian on staff who is extremely responsive (they had a lady before her who was garbage but replaced her due to patient complaints). They were great about answering questions before surgery keeping in touch after, etc. I have no complaints. Prior to surgery I met with my PCP, she was fully onboard and supportive. She pulled a full lab panel pre-surgery to make sure there were no concerns and does all of my post-op labs. She has been really impressed with my results and was pleased with the details of my experience. If there were complications, which are EXTREMLY rare with bariatric surgery, they more than likely would occur while still in Mx and the surgeon would manage IF anything went awry after you got home, an emergency room legally cannot turn you away and would absolutely have to treat you regardless of where the surgery took place. is there a possibility that if you needed to see another bariatric surgeon they would be hesitant? Sure. But you will never be flat refused medical care in the event of an emergency.

I'm in GA, but am working with Alabama Surgical Associates. https://www.alweightlosscenter.com/payment-options/self-pay-pricing/. I have UHC and our policy doesn't cover any bariatric procedures. So far I had a phone consult with Dr. Doucette. He wants me to lose 30 pounds before surgery - which because of my work schedule should be the end of Dec. I have a weight check in call with the Dr. in 2 weeks.

Even if you wanted it as OP says "right away", I don't think there's a doctor anywhere who's going to look at someone freshly out of bariatric surgery and even consider doing lipo.

So, my new insurance provider, Cigna, is not covering weight loss surgery--it is excluded for my company's policy with them. I contacted Sage Bariatrics, and self-pay for Gastric Bypass is $15k. I know there is a cheaper option in Mexico (OCC), and have sent them some questions. Can anyone recommend any other center of excellence that might have decent pricing, either in the USA, someplace else in the world? Thanks!

I'm with you and can eat more then I think I should. I can eat 1 scrambled egg and 1.5 ounces of chorizo. I'm also starting my 3rd week after surgery. I honestly can't feel my stomach getting full and someone elses post made sense to me that a lot of our nerves have been cut so maybe as we heal more we'll be able to feel that full feeling before we eat to much. I was never given any size or calorie advice from my bariatric team so its a really hard thing to judge.

I originally tried those chews and they made me want to puke. They are so big and you have to use so many. Now I also use the ProCare Health 1 a day w/45 Iron. I also take the Bariatric Fusion B-50, a B-12 Melt from Amazon, and a calcium/magnesium one from ProCare. My doctor gave us a sheet with about 20 combo fo brands and what you need to take to make sure you are complete in your vitamins. This is the best combo for me by far. This is what I Use... My Protein and collagen is from 1st Phorm 1stphorm My B-50 Vitamin and calcium chews are from Bariatric fusion My one a day Multi w/ Iron & Calcium are from ProCare Health And my B-12 is from Amazon

How did I forget that one!? Yes, this too, very much so. I've been dealing with hypoglycemia since I was a teenager. I worry about it getting worse, too. Also, Dr. Google and I have a very inappropriate relationship. 😂 I'm also in a bariatric complication group on Facebook and it's hard. People say to not read it and stay off. I don't want to have to have more surgeries, though, and I don't want to have the doctors on speed dial. I just want smooth surgery and new life!

Like others, not waking up is a concern. I've had many surgeries in my life. My odds are getting worse. I'm a bit anxious about complications. My biggest worries are: Post Bariatric Hypoglycemia, low blood pressure, and heart arrhythmia. Dehydration and bowel obstruction are other concerns, but not the biggest. I also have a weird worry that I am going to lose too much weight. I went to Dr. Google (LOL) and studied up on all the complications and the treatments. That has reassured me and calmed me down, a lot. Pretty much every complication can be treated. Some need to be recognized sooner than others, but with timely intervention they can be taken care of.

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