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I am taking biotin 10,000 mcg, vital Proteins Collagen with my morning shake, and skin hair and nails supplement now before surgery to hopefully help with that, we shall see

-phone -charger -slippers -extra undies -pajamas (if you don't want to walk around in your gown) -set of clothes for the next day -hairbrush Mine was just an overnight stay. I was not allowed to wear makeup, perfume, or even deodorant before my surgery. But I took all three for when I woke up. I HATE going barefaced or thinking I smell. They gave me a special soap to bathe at home pre-op. I bathed the night before using their soap, and I washed and straightened out my hair. I also put my hair up the next morning and bathed again with their soap before leaving for the hospital. After surgery, I mostly slept through the rest of the evening. The next morning, however, I put on fresh clothes, my deodorant, my perfume, and my makeup. It made me feel more comfortable and secure.

Nope. Do not miss being big at all. I was very happy to get rid of my large clothes. One of my motivators for the surgery was my size was limiting the clothing & designers I could buy & wear (I loved clothing & fabrics, the designs, etc.) I’d kept clothes at lower sizes so as I lost I was able to wear some of those but at times the weight loss meant I missed my window to wear them or only wore them once. I donated a lot of it. The only clothing I’ve kept, regardless of size, were special pieces - because of the memories or the clothing designer. I have kept more items that are a size too big - just in case I guess. I’ve altered clothing in the past but it never really worked. Plus you’ll drop so many sizes it’s impossible. I dropped 6 sizes. You can’t just run in a seam. The whole outfit really needs to be recut.

Chapstick/lip mask- dry lips are a thing. Some people get sore throat so a mouth spray may be worth considering- biotin spray— i think some people used it. I stayed in hospital gown, but would have liked having a robe or warmer pjs to wear while walking will be nice for you, if you think you might use them— but take OLD stuff, you may have some drainage or bleeding - so dont go buy something special. Slippers/slides you can wear walking. A phone charger, long cord. I took a book- but never touched it- looked at my phone some, but walked and slept. That’s about it. Maybe a bonnet /scarf to sleep in, so your hair doesnt bother you/get tangled— I wore mine up in a bun the entire time. Toothbrush.

I haven't posted an update in awhile, but there hasn't really been much to report. I tried sliced deli roast beef last week and it was too soon, my stomach really hurt for about 45 minutes, then stopped. I guess I'm just not ready to digest beef at the moment. I had pretty good success with turkey though. This week, I tried a chicken quesadilla and managed to take 2-3 bites and was okay. I had a bit of a stall "weight loss" wise from the 13th through the 20th, but got on the scale this morning and was at 325lbs, so I managed to lose 5 more pounds since the 12th, bringing my weight loss since surgery to 27lbs, 60lbs since I started this journey. I'm probably going to avoid the other forums and topics as this page as they seem to be pretty cliquish. I'm going to continue posting in this journal because I enjoy it and think it's fun to keep a history about what I'm going through. My next doctors appointment is in four days, so I'll probably post another update then.

some surgeons will tell you not to gain more than 10-15 lbs after plastic surgery because doing so can affect your results, so if you think you can get down to your lowest weight and stay there indefinitely, then go for it. However, if this new weight is your body's new set point (the weight it's happiest at), know that it will likely be a constant struggle to keep it lower since you'll be fighting biology to stay at that lower weight. most people don't see a lot of loss after plastic surgery - usually five lbs tops. Although I suppose if they do A LOT of lipo, it could be more. They did a ton of lipo on me (I lost over 200 lbs), but I didn't have a significant loss after plastic surgery. I looked a lot better, though - and my clothes fit better.

Happy belated 64th birthday! I sure hope you are stressing less and less as you inch through the home stretch to retirement! Congrats on your weight loss achievement and continued success. Thanks for sharing your journey! Yes, there are still surgeons who perform Lapband. I just had a consult last week. I've spoken with a few doctors how are against the other radical, irreversible procedures. There is more money in these than lapband and many of them have abandoned their lapband patients altogether. Even if I were a candidate (My BMI not high enough) I would NEVER consider removing stomach after watching my sister slowly waste away to nothing and die over a course of 5 years because of a botched procedure. Countless doctors and nurses at her bedside ICU would tell me they wished they would stop doing these surgeries because there is nothing that can be done to fix complications once they arrive. I have to do self pay for the procedure and they can schedule it pretty much anytime. My only real concern is additional out of pocket $ for complications such as rejection, slippage, dilation, etc. You're success and happiness is great to know as I contemplate taking the lapband leap! Thanks and best wishes!

I had the revision due to weight regain (not more weight loss from where the sleeve got me). Fourteen years ago, I had the sleeve. It was great, and I kept the weight off for 6 years. In 2014, life began to take its toll, and I gained it back. It took a decade and a half, but it happened. I still had restriction right up to this second surgery. There were other factors, however, like severe depression and anxiety after the death of my parents (18 months apart), a divorce right in between those 18 months, a job transfer I was not expecting and was not happy about the year after that, and then seriously quarantine-ing with my daughter and having to teach from home for a year and a half. Then the medications they put me on which eventually led to drinking alcohol every day.

I use a patch a day plus one chewable high ADEK. I don't understand a handful of day vitamins... I guess it depends on your doctor but that seems extreme. Why did you have the revision? I had to have one for gerd. I had no choice. If you had the revision for more weight loss, the consensus is that it is usually much slower IF your sleeve was done right. The reason behind this is if one ate around the sleeve, one would have a high chance of eating around the bypass.

I'm the complete opposite. I love my revision. I literally feel normal (pre-any WLS) with the added benefit of controlling my weight loss. Literally the only side effect I have now is slight constipation (3 to 4g miralax a day does the trick) but I had that with the sleeve too. I wish I wasn't so scared to do the bypass in the beginning. It would've made my life so much easier. I really hope it improves for you.

I feel "less" restriction with the bypass. That could be because I still felt sleeve restriction, even after all these years. Up until this second surgery in June, I could never eat more than 1/2 a burger. I couldn't eat more than 1 slice of pizza, with maybe just the toppings of a second slice. So, now, I don't feel any different as far as restriction. What's different this time is the constant worry that whatever I eat is going to make me sh** myself or cause extreme nausea, vomiting, and pain. I didn't have that fear with the sleeve. When I got the sleeve, I was really very careful with my eating (just like now), but I would feel restriction more quickly up in my chest. This led to the "foamies" once or twice, but I never puked, felt nauseated, got sweaty, had abdominal pain, or got diarrhea . Also, the sleeve is NOT a malabsorptive surgery, so I knew I was going to absorb everything I consumed seeing as my intestines were complete and intact. I never feared malnutrition like I do now. With the sleeve, I didn't take handfuls of pills all day long. I took one multivitamin a day, and that was it. With my sleeve, I didn't exercise for like the first year and a half, I just lived my daily life going to work and back. The weight fell off daily. I kept that 149 lbs off for 6 years. Now, with the revision, I've been stalled for a month. I don't know if 45 lbs is all I'm ever going to lose. It's a possibility seeing as my body is already used to the limited calories. I am exercising now, but the scale isn't budging. I did and do understand that because it's a revision the weight loss will be slower, but a whole month with only a 2 lb loss is even worse than a regular person with no surgeries who just diets. A kind person mentioned that it's still very early for me in this bypass experience and things may get better. I'm hoping and praying that they do.

I appreciate your input on this topic, @CarmenG. 1) Is there one or two main things you don't like about the bypass, or is it just more restrictive overall? And 2) Have you done much exercise in either case? Just wondering if that was a factor in your weight loss.

Welcome all! I agree with @tamra. Feeling all the things. And like @MeNotYou worried about losing my hair is one of those things. I’ve always had great hair, and now I’m messing with that one thing…but still ready for it! Also, as an avid baker, wondering how I’ll do with no sugar, but willing to only bake savory and eat little if it. Goodbye my beloved crème brûlée… It’s dumb, some of the things I worry about, especially since I’m aiming to avoid cancer with this surgery. Vanity and food addiction!

@Arabesque and @Jeanniebug made a lot of good points. I'm going to make one or twelve more: Since the statistics say the average weight loss is about 70% of one's overweight amount many patients choose a goal weight, or their surgeons choose a goal weight, that assumes the 70% excess weight loss. 70% being an average that means slightly more than half of people will lose more. Of course most people that go with the 70% excess weight loss often have another number for which they are hoping; As I said in another thread I had so much excess weight to lose that choosing a goal weight was ridiculous. I figured I could worry about a goal weight when I got into the nationhood. As I said in the other thread, I also didn't want to choose the wrong goal number that could make a 500+ pound loss a failure. Good luck, Tek

Hi just now seeing this. I went pack to basics and intermittent fasting. The two protein shakes and one meal is what you have to do to get weight moving. Also you can never eat regular again to maintain the weight loss. That’s what I found works for me. I keep my calories around 1000 or less per day and I’m fine. If I splurge one day I only eat a little of the bad item. Also no leftovers of not good food choice items.

Hi Everyone ☺️ I got my call!!! Surgery date is August 14th!!! Nervous and excited all at the same time. I'm excited to have a vital tool to help me along my journey. My husband is excited for me and very supportive. I worry about things like I'm sure most individuals are, like blood clots, hair loss and general pain. But I figure I've come this far, and I'm in it to succeed!

It’s very likely your goal weight will not be your final weight - where you settle & maintain. This is controlled by your new set point, any bounce back regain, a settling weight, any lifestyle choices you may make & the weight you feel happiest & most comfortable at. I picked a goal weight that had always been my low weight in the roller coaster that was my weight loss/gain history. My surgeon said it was a reasonable goal. It put me at a BMI (love it or hate it) of about 23. Though I felt I would be happy if I just got close to that weight & a long way away from what I did weigh. Yes, I did exceed my goal but that was totally unexpected. It’s my new set point weight where my body is happiest. And I can fairly easily maintain it without limiting or restricting my life. Goal weights have the potential to mess with your head if you don’t reach it or maintain at that weight. It’s just a number on a scale often selected for emotional reasons. The bigger wins are improvements to your health & well being. Be flexible. Allow for fluctuations & influences beyond your control. Some people set a couple of goal weights. Like a good, better, best but recognising any would be an achievement which would improve their life.

Actually it’s not that common. It could just be others have not remained active on the forum or as you wondered they haven’t updated their stats. Their profile weight might be their lowest weight & not the weight at which they settled & maintain - there is a difference. The average weight loss is about 65% of the weight you have to lose to put you in a healthy weight range for either bypass & sleeve surgeries which is usually informed by BMI (love it or hate it) at the three year point. But with all stats there there are those who exceed that stat & those who don’t for many reasons. Some we have control over (dietary & activity choices) & many we don’t (medication, gender, age, genetics, health issues, mobility, set point, etc.) But statistically the number who reach their goal will be less & the number who exceed it even lower than those who lose the 65% average. Your goal weight is a weight you picked. It may be based upon BMI. It may be based on a weight you’d been before. Or a weight that seems okay to you. Some even adjust their goal weight as they progress. I call it my head weight or emotional weight. It often is not the weight you end up at. Some find they prefer to be at a higher weight - easier to maintain without limiting or restricting their lifestyle or they feel they look better or are more comfortable at a higher weight. There is also a bounce back regain weight many experience. You can’t really tell what your finally weight will be before your surgery. Some surgeons say they can predict approximately how much weight you may lose at specific points in your weight loss post surgery. I think it may be double the weight you’ve lost at 3 months but I’m sure some one will confirm the actual formula. Though again this is based upon stats & some exceed this & some don’t. And I don’t know if it takes into consideration bounce back regain or settling weight or is just the lowest weight you reach. Would be worth asking your surgeon about it though. The trick is not to get tied to your goal weight. It’s not your body’s new set point weight (the weight your body is happiest at). It can really mess with your head if you don’t reach it or you don’t maintain it. Even when maintaining, allow yourself some realistic fluctuation & wriggle room with your weight. Try & remember it’s just a number on a scale & there are many more important wins to celebrate like your health & well being. I am someone who exceeded my goal (based on the lowest weight I always cycled around in the past) & exceeded the stats (132% lost). Not by anything I did. It’s my body’s new set point & where it happily stabilised. My lowest weight was 48.2kg & then I settled at 48.5-49.5. I gained a couple of kilos because of a medication issue but resettled & stabilised at 49.5-50kg after sorting the issue. I find it pretty easy to maintain & not limiting or restrictive.

I think it just means they surpassed their initial goal weight. They didn't just reach their goal loss, they lost even more!

I sure hope so. I know I need to get back my positive attitude (like during my pre-op dieting, when I lost about 30 lbs in as many days). It's just hard with all the other things happening to me right now with the weight loss stall, insomnia, night cramps, skin issues, and lack of energy. I really just want everything to balance out already. Thank you for the encouragement, though.

If you're only 4.5 months post-op, you still have a LOT of weight loss left in you. You will likely continue to lose until at least 9 months post-op. It will slow down, but you are likely nowhere close to being done.

I think the time for the last hurrah is before your pre-op diet OP. Eating off plan so close to your surgery might actually jeopardise the procedure because the whole point is to shrink your liver so they can get in to perform it. I totally understand the cravings - we all do. But you will have this lots in the next few months and if you can get past them then you will see amazing weight loss. I wish you the best of luck.

You have a plan and it sounds really good OP. I wish you the best of luck with your weight loss and your knee replacements. Hope you're back to being as fit and active as nature intended really soon.

My hair started falling out 3 months in, grew back, and now it's falling out again (due to some non-surgery related health issues.). I feel your pain, and it will come back. I like to joke I had to trade my boobs and hair for a healthy body, which I suppose is a fair trade but it was very upsetting to go through!

I disagree with the idea that goal weights aren't important. If having a goal weight motivates you, go for it. I had three goal weights. My first was to get to "overweight" BMI. My second was to get to "healthy" BMI. My final was to get to Ideal Body Weight. I ultimately achieved all three and got down to 146.5. Now, in maintenance, my goal is to stay under 150. So far so good. Having an ambitious goal weight really pushed me during the final months when the weight loss slowed and it would have been easy to back off.