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It is different for everyone. I track and am 3 months out from surgery. I find it really helps to know what my macros are at the end of the day. I don't weigh my food very often because I'm really good at portions (I used to be a chef) but tracking keeps me accountable. And my surgery has a malabsorpative component so I really have to be careful I'm getting enough food. I will say though that when I researched it, most studies show that people who track their food (at least for a few months) lose more weight in general weight loss attempts and maintain that weight loss better. I don't know how that translates to bariatric surgery, they probably haven't studied it, but when you have a carb limit to stay in ketosis (not every doctor requires this but some do), or a high protein goal to reach, tracking your food can be helpful. I sometimes take a break for a day if I've been out a lot or I'm traveling or away from the internet. I figure doing it most days is good enough for me. I trust that the habits it is helping me cultivate will kick in on days I can't write things down. Plus sometimes it really surprises me how I might think I'm doing well on protein or low on carbs and then I put things in and find what I assumed was true was not in fact true. LOL
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Today was my last visit before surgery!!! I learned some stuff I didn't know: I only have to be on clear liquids for a few hours the day before surgery; I'll be on my LSD until then. Also, I'll have an abdominal binder after surgery. I haven't heard anything about that from any of my research. Did/will any of you have that? I have to have a few more preop blood tests tomorrow. Also have a lot of meds (seems like a lot to me) that I'll be on for a little while right after surgery. Here's the most interesting thing: they told me to stop taking my blood pressure meds the day of surgery and don't re-start them. The thinking is that they don't want me to get weak/dizzy from low BP when I'm not eating, and after that once I lose sufficient weight I probably won't need them anyway. So I'm going to take my blood pressure every day after surgery just to keep an eye on it. That's cool because I was wondering how that worked. Also yesterday my husband took my "before" pictures for me. They're painful to look at, but they had an interesting effect on me. Seeing them reassured me that I do need this surgery and I am doing the right thing. I learned at Jenny Craig (one of my many diet attempts) that we don't see our bodies accurately in the mirror but photos don't allow our minds to do whatever they do to filter the images. That is certainly true for me; I barely recognize myself in pictures: I'm a lot bigger than I see myself in the mirror. Looking forward to taking those "after" pictures!!!
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February 2024 Surgery Buddies?
Newtransformation79 replied to NickelChip's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I can only imagine the relief. I had no staples with the sleeve.CONGRATs on the weight lost. I get the loose skin, I am noticing it on my arms and my fuba. I just had glue over my incisions that I broke out week 1 and by week two I had to take it off due to how red and itchy they were getting. When I went for my 2 week she said that was fine , too just make sure I didn't soak them or put the cream on them directly. They have now healed and just like a scab, I am month PO OPP. -
Gerd with weight loss Plateau
catwoman7 replied to Wonderwoman14's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
also, I've never heard that people with GERD lose weight slower than people who don't. You're probably losing it slower because you didn't start off at a very high BMI to begin with. -
I use NetDiary (track every day!) and I love it! I wear my apple watch everyday and I stay in competition with myself to see if how many times a week I close all 3 rings on the fitness. At work I walk every single work day for 30ish min on my lunch break. I do go to the gym as well to weight lift and a little more cardio. Not every day but about 3-4times a week. Take pictures! That is what encourages me, I have been documenting my journey and its amazing to look back at and see how far I have come. I weigh myself at least once a week, I am trying to stay away from the scale because I tend to beat myself up if I am up a lb in a day (WHICH CAN BE ANYTHING! late dinner, salt and not enough water) but I get flustered so I can't do that. Most importantly, What is your "why?" Why did you choose WLS? What or who is/are motivation?
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The insanity of American health insurance
FifiLux replied to NickelChip's topic in Insurance & Financing
Yeah I haven't looked in to the plastics side of things as to what is covered for me. I do recall it being mentioned at one point by the psychiatrist I had to go see and I think he said it had to be a few years and then a decision process but at this stage it is too soon to be thinking about that. My big (literally and figuratively) problem area is my legs, thighs in particular. Even after loosing so much weight, with a bit more to go, there is no way I would wear anything that would show anything above my ankles. As it is I have to go back into hospital next week for a few days to have the tube in my stomach removed and them to monitor me to see if my leak has fully closed. -
I have not been big on taking body measurements during my journey so far. I’ve maybe taken 4 throughout. I’ve also tried to resist frequent weight taking due to the many warnings. I do biweekly (or occasionally weekly 😉) weighing. But!! I have lost 16 inches around my waist which seems like a lot, but I have absolutely no concept and can’t find any thing about expectations for losing inches or what is good for benchmarks. What have been your “YAY!” moments for measurements?
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HELP!! 3 weeks Post Op: I Ate 5-ounce dinner!!
summerseeker replied to Avea9's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
No you have not stretched your pouch with just one 5 oz meal. Fact In a few weeks your restriction will kick in. Your internal stitches and staples will have healed and you will begin to feel so full. Its easier then to know your signals. Now you need to look for sneezing or a runny nose as full signals. Thats why you are given the weights to stick to. You could tear your stitch line its so new. It is often said on here, Just because you can does not mean you should -
Thank you NickelChip for these ideas. I'm also having trouble. I asked my surgeon if my sugar addiction was going to be a problem after surgery and he said "no". Since I had the sleeve, I don't get dumping syndrome when I eat sugary things. I start over every morning, every afternoon, and every evening - lol. Because of back pain, I hadn't been able to walk very often, but I've been trying to get around the neighborhood a 1-2 times a day on the days I work from home. I want to get serious with weight loss so that my pain will lessen. I know sugar is an inflammatory agent - but, sugar addiction is real. brandycsiz we can do it!
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What are good problems you have?!
omrhsn replied to AmberFL's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
I can't use my weight as an excuse not to do things now. I miss the days when no one would ask me climb a ladder or do anything that requires physical activity (not really) haha. My foot size is smaller now so I can't wear many of my nice shoes. Time to buy new ones. I used to wear size 11 and now between 9.5 and 10 -
October 2023 surgery buddies
Wildflower Bohême replied to Shotputqueen's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Great job on everything so far!! I applaud you on your dedication to moving your body!! I also take my measurements once a month, on the 1st. I totally relate to everything you said, including the early stall! I had a stall at 2 weeks and it lasted a month. I cried at my 3 week appointment, as I had gained 6 pounds. I thought my surgeon would think I was non-compliant, even though I was only getting 3-400 calories a day. She hugged me and told me that it was literally impossible for me to be non-compliant at this stage! It was just my body freaking out at itself, and the goal over time was to add a lot more calories. I haven't been able to do much more than a little slow walking, even at nearly 4 months out and just short of 40lbs down from surgery weight. I think it has to do with sleep, about which I have huge issues. I feel like once I get better with that, I'll be able to add a lot more movement. I'm hoping that will help get me through future stalls, which I know are very likely to come and are super normal. Still doesn't make it easy! Also having trouble getting my 64+ of liquids. It's a daily struggle that I don't always meet. My surgeon chose to leave the hospital and physician's group 3 months after my surgery, because the powers that be were making decisions about the program that she felt compromised the program's (and her) integrity. She's moved to a more holistic private practice now, and even though they don't take my insurance, she offers a special rate for follow-ups to her former surgery patients. I'm totally going to go see her for my 6 month f/u and beyond, because the hospital has now ended their bariatric program, and I adore my surgeon and her holistic attitude. I feel really lucky. -
Inches Lost! Your experience? Expectations?
Nepenthe44 replied to BKJ's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
I've had moments of yay each time I was able to fit into the old clothes in my closet that didn't fit anymore. This week I took out my favorite pair of jeans from high school (during my restricting phase no less) and they were perfect. I was also happy when my waist dropped below 40 and 35 inches, which are considered cutoffs for disease risk for men and women respectively, at least in the US. I didn't start taking measurements religiously (once a month) until pretty far into my weight loss, but I ordered an eShakti dress for a wedding in 2018 at about 30 pounds below my highest weight and my measurements were 61-57-70 (chest-waist-hips). The day before surgery, my waist was 46 inches and hips 57 inches. My last measurements, from about a week ago, were 38.5-32.5-39.5. I've lost 30 inches from my hips, 24 from my waist, and 22 from my chest. (Yes, my WHR actually increased, but I've also been taking low dose testosterone for about 2 years.) Things have started to plateau, but I still have a sundress that I want to be able to fit into and I imagine I'll get there. -
Hi! I have only spoken to them once since my surgery as I told them I was not losing weight and kept having issues with low blood sugar after surgery which I never had before. they advised I upped my protein and then stopped responding. im 5’5. Daily calories unknown I eat whatever I want whenever I want as it makes no difference to the scale and hasn’t for over a year. I calorie counted back in January this year, I track everything down to oils when cooking , weighing out everything etc I was between 1600-1800. Would still be hungry on these calories aswell. before surgery when dieting previous years I was on 1800 and lost 5 stone in 4 months. Now no matter what I do or track or eat nothing works?!
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Bouncing weight loss for past week??
NickelChip replied to CuteAsDuck's topic in Gastric Bypass Surgery Forums
The reason for erratic weigh-ins (and the infamous three-week stall) is that in the early stages of running a sustained calorie deficit, your body does not burn much fat. Your body worked hard to store fat and considers it a precious commodity that it does not want to part with for no reason. For extra energy to make up for a lack of calories in the short term, your body first burns glycogen. 1 gram of glycogen is bound with 3 grams of water, so as you burn it for fuel, you also flush out this water weight. Only when the glycogen reserve is used up does your body turn to burning fat. The first few weeks after surgery, you were probably lucky to get in 600 calories per day. Your body was burning glycogen like crazy. When the numbers first dropped on the scale, that was almost entirely water weight. Now that you're a couple weeks out, you're allowed to have some pureed food, and you can probably get closer to your protein goals with your shakes. With a few extra calories coming in (still nowhere close to what you need every day to power your bodily functions), your body is at least reassured you are not in imminent danger of starvation. It's taking a look at your empty glycogen reserves with horror and doing its best to fill them back up with the calories you are giving it, like a squirrel storing up acorns for winter. For every gram of glycogen your body puts into the storage cupboard, you've got 3 grams of water tagging along for the ride. Meanwhile, you can rest assured that your body is also burning fat to keep your engines running. However, when you step on the scale, it can't really tell you that you've burned 4 pounds of fat and also stored 7 pounds of glycogen and water. It's just going to tell you that you've gained 3 pounds. But you've done nothing wrong. This is your body doing what evolution programmed it to do since humans lived in caves and constantly had to battle short-term food shortages. Once you've restocked that glycogen, you'll start being able to see the fat loss on the scale again, and in your measurements. As long as you keep doing what you're supposed to do, your weight will move in the right direction. But not as a straight line. Weight loss looks a lot more like a staircase with drops and plateaus, and a lot of small fluctuations that have nothing to do with fat. Try not to let it drive you crazy! -
I also didn't get any calorie guidelines -- even fat/etc. I got protein goals, and was just told to keep my sugars and carbs as low as I could for the first month. When I started on soft foods, they gave me a bit more advice for carb/sugar limits and fibre goals but it was a pretty broad range. My team basically said it was because every 'body' is different and will react/thrive/etc with different levels, but that while still technically in 'recovery' it's more important to focus on protein and nutrients that you need as opposed to the fats/carbs to limit. I mostly did my own research, put a limit in my food tracking app, and am making my own notes on what amounts I can have over a day and still be on track. Like for me personally, my targets are 80g+ protein, and under 45g carbs & 25g fats per day. I can go over one or the other by 5-10 grams without it seeming to affect my weight loss, as long as it's not both on the same day. (Most days it's not even an issue but I'm still only 2 months in myself. Early days!)
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You have got this! One of the best steps/tool towards your weight loss goals! I am now 5.5 months Post Op, and I wish I would have done it sooner! I won't lie, the first few days are uncomfortable, but it will go away pretty quick!
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Initial Visit-Mixed Emotions
Jessie203 replied to Jessie203's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I just realized that I sounded like I was rambling and not making sense but I can’t figure out how to edit it. Your reply actually calmed me down some!! I am on GLP-1 pills and have been on getting on a healthy self journey for a few months now. I am surprisingly not wanting any fast food at all besides the pepperoni on cheese sauce pretzel crust pizza from little Cesars 😂 i started a “you don’t need that or only eat very little” thing with my almost immediately after starting that journey. Mind over matter. So far it has helped me because mannnnn lol Not doing that has made dieting fail. A part of me knows that this surgery will help me be thinner which would make me healthier. Losing the weight will solve some issues but I feel undeserving since others have a higher SW. and being 160 felt okay (that’s only 30 lbs down from CW) even if I was still overweight/obese -
You may have reached your new set point - the weight your body is happiest at & is easiest to maintain. Unfortunately, your new set point may not be the weight you wanted to settle at. You can lose below your set point but your body will gravitate back to it. It’s why we’d struggle to lose some weight in the past but then quickly return to the weight we were - the higher weight was your set point. Remember too, muscle weighs more so if you’ve been lifting you will have more muscle & weigh more than if it was just fat. If the scale is messing with you, stay off it for a while & rely on body measurements or the fit of your clothes.
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Does your weight fluctuate for no reason ?
NickelChip replied to KathyLev's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
Weight fluctuations are definitely normal. Salt intake, water retention, hormones, even how much food is still in your digestive system, all influence your weight at any given moment. I'm pre-op, but I traveled last week and just the change to salty foods and restaurant meals was enough to make me gain nearly 10lbs. I thought it was from the unhealthy food and was so distraught, but it was almost all fluid retention because less than a week at home eating my normal healthy diet and it was all gone. Just keep track of what you're eating, but don't starve yourself! That will just cause more problems. -
February 2024 Surgery Buddies?
NickelChip replied to NickelChip's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I had a nice weekend in NYC and the Hudson River Valley, and managed to get 25k steps in one day by walking from my hotel in the Financial District to a venue on W 26th St in Chelsea! It was a great walk and I didn't even feel exhausted by the end of the day. Sore feet, sure, but not terrible. I was excited to buy a bunch of new T-shirts for the summer at Old Navy as my old tops are very large now. I figure they should get me through to the fall, and at 50% off, it was a bargain. My weight hasn't really moved much, but I was pleasantly surprised to compare last month's photo to this month's. 6 lbs wasn't a lot on the scale but seems to be more visible than I expected. I'm still having trouble with vomiting if I eat anything reheated. It's making it hard because I just can't cook every single meal, and if I go to a restaurant, it's enough for 4 days but reheating makes me sick. It's getting warmer now so I'm opting for some cold dishes like smoked salmon and cucumbers or Greek salad with chicken. At least with salad, the chicken is okay a second time because it doesn't get reheated. -
Gerd with weight loss Plateau
Dominick702 replied to Wonderwoman14's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
I’m going jump in on this discussion if you all don’t mind. I had gastric sleeve in January 2019 (5’2” 210lbs). Within 6 months, my weight was 130lbs and i didnt like how i looked (cheeks sinking in), so i started increasing my calorie intake. Its January 2024 and im currently 175, trying to get back down to 150. Ive done it all…. gym 3x a week, personal trainer, nutritionist, dietician, logging my foods, staying within the 1500 calorie range, etc. Still no change. I got tired of the assumptions and guessing game (you should eat this, limit your fat, carbs, calories, do cardio, lift weights) and did my own research. I found out about a few scientifically proven tests that give 99.9% accurate results in regards to how many calories my body NEEDS just to function, how much lean mass and fat mass i have, etc. Low and behold, my body needs at least 1600 calories to function. Being active throughout the day, gym 3x a week, my body NEEDS roughly 2400 calories just to maintain my current weight. In order to lose weight, i have to consume 500 calories less, so thats 1900 calories. At 1500 calories a day over the past 3 years, my body was running on fumes, holding onto everything i ate, and going into hypoglycemia because it didnt have any fuel storage to pull from. -
Hello all, this is my first post on this forum. I'm scheduled for the SADI on Jan 10, 2024, and have mixed emotions. My weight now is 270 lbs (BMI is 36.5) and I'm 5 ft 11.5 inches tall. I'm somewhat concerned about losing too much weight and looking anorexic as well. My goal weight is around 190 lbs. I still have time to decide between the SADI or the gastric sleeve. Reading some of these posts may help decide which direction to go.
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Hello! My name is Zach, and I am a 2nd year medical student conducting a research project, "Evaluating GERD symptom alleviation following robotic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery", which essentially seeks to evaluate the efficacy of robotic gastric bypass surgery in relieving GERD symptoms. I was interested in minimally invasive surgery long before starting medical school, and decided to spend my past summer working alongside a bariatric surgeon in my hometown. While working with him, I noticed how many of his patients stated that their GERD had resolved after undergoing robotic gastric bypass. My time there was limited, so I was not able to really share this survey with his patient population. Below is a link to a survey that follows the guidelines outlined in the official GERD health-related quality of life questionnaire. I would greatly appreciate your help with this! My goal for this survey is that your responses will allow me to publish a paper from an educational perspective, illustrating how efficacious robotic gastric bypass is at alleviating not only weight loss, but symptoms of GERD as well. While I hope that all of you have had nothing but success following your surgeries, I understand that this is not always the case. I would love to hear all of your various experiences and perspectives, whether they are positive or negative. This survey below is entirely anonymous. You should not be asked to sign-in to Microsoft in order to complete the survey, and I will not have access to your name or any other patient identifiers aside from your age. When you first open the link, you will see information regarding informed consent. After agreeing to participate, you will then see seven screening questions. After that, you will begin the actual survey, in which you will answer questions regarding various symptoms before and after your surgery. This survey should take about five minutes of your time. Survey link: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=5CBDHRt_fk2_8ubn-Q2YhAxSQabe5PdIrhihxZU9cCZUQ1hSQjE3WkozVEFHTUQ5N0RTNERSMUNPMy4u If this type of post is not allowed, I understand and apologize! I hope to have the opportunity to share your experiences with this survey and shed some light on the relationship between gastric bypass and GERD. Thank you all in advance! -
I'M TERRIFIED AND NEED GUIDANCE
Vanessa Correal replied to Vanessa Correal's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
I did it on janurary 29th... Part of me is regretting it but the other is just giving it a chance. I havent lost much weight so far, maybe like 6 pounds some thing like that. My mental health is just okay for now, but It's just frustrating to not being able to eat whatever I want... If you want, we can talk about our challenges ! i'm here for you if you need anything -
The Dreaded Calorie Talk
Arabesque replied to Bypass2Freedom's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I only got to about 600 calories at 6 months. Took me another year to get to 1300. Yes some programs, encourage people to consume around 1000 calories at about the 3 month mark. But you can only eat what you can physically eat. I even had that conversation with my surgeon at the 8 month mark when I had pushed up to about 900. He understood my position and was happy I was working at increasing my calories even though it was a slow process. I eat about 1500 calories now which according to those BMR calculators is about what I would need to consume for my age, height, activity level & to maintain my weight. It’s plenty of food. I don’t feel hungry. Some will say you need to get your calories up or your body will go into starvation mode & you’ll stop losing. Didn’t affect me like that. Didn’t slow my losing more than what is expected to happen. Didn’t stop me reaching my goal or exceeding it. But we are all different so your experience and needs may be totally different. If they do say increase your calories, don’t tie yourself up in knots about it. Just slowly increase your intake as you’re able. It naturally increases as you progress anyway. Those recommendations are based on averages too. Remember the recommended calorie intake for a woman is 2000 calories. I’d be as large as I was if I ate that much. lol!
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