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I had my first weight increase since surgery, 2 years ago. Just 1 pound but I jumped straight on it and its gone. The weather has be atrocious here, very wet and windy and it curtailed my walking. I just sat around watching tv all the Christmas/ New year period, its so bad for me.

We all lose at our own rate. There isn’t a date by which you must lose your weight. I always felt if my dietician & surgeon were happy I should be happy too. As @catwoman7 said the last 20lbs (about 10kg) can be the hardest & take the longest to lose. While I reached my goal at about 6 months I kept losing for another 11 months & lost another 11kgs (which was the weight my body wanted me to be at - my new set point). The last months I was losing grams each week. So, yes not everyone reaches their goal, but it may not be over for you yet. You are still losing. Remember a loss of 1-2lbs (0.5-1kg) a week is considered a healthy rate of loss. We just had a medically supervised kick start in the beginning. Congrats on your weight loss so far.

Hello all, long-time member who has been away for a while. January 8th I am scheduled for a revision lapband to bypass. The band was successful for years and no doubt saved my life but it has run its course and the weight is going back on and the band is maxed out.

Do not give up hope! My surgeon told me to get all my info from the internet! I even put myself on a 2 week pre-surgery liver shrinking diet. I got no help from him whatsoever. I worked with a nutritionist from my insurance company to figure out what I should be eating. My daughter had an amazing surgeon. we have both done amazing and kept the weight off for over five years Do not turn to drugs. The weight will come back on as soon as you stop.

Hey everyone!! how is everyone doing? I was exactly 6 weeks post op yesterday and it was my 33rd birthday! I’ve lost 20lb since the op but 40lb since liver reducing (3 weeks of liquids) finally onto textured foods but prioritising protein and liquids still. I’m now 248lb the lowest I’ve been is 224lb in adult life so I’m excited to get past that weight! I also get married at the end of June so determined to do the best possible. after 4 years of waiting for the op, I can’t believe it’s now done!! Xxx

For the purée stage a food processor comes in handy and I got some tiny containers at dollar tree that were a little over two ounces that worked well to store leftovers. Tylenol, stool softeners, soluable fiber or milk of magnesia (or whatever combination your team recommends) and a good thermometer are good to have on hand as well as ice packs that you mentioned. I had one that is made for the lower back that comes with a belt like thing velcros around you with a pocket for the ice pack. It comes with two ice or heat packs (my team said no heat though). I got it on Amazon a long time ago for my back but I tried it for my tummy and it works. Great for icing while still being able to do things. The one I got is called magic gel. My waist was about 48” I think when I started and it just fit though so keep that in mind. It may fit up to 50?? Don’t stock up too much on the protein shakes because your tastes may change a bit and tastes for sweet stuff is a common change. Your dr may give you a stomach binder if you don’t get staples but if not ask if they have one or are okay with you ordering one (Amazon) if you feel like the jiggling is causing you pain. The compression really helped me. Also while you are in hospital you can ask for ice packs too. Other things that have really come in handy not for recovery but for a little later In the process were the Baritastic app which is free but familiarize yourself with it no so you can start logging your measurements and weight right before your start your preop diet. It sends reminders for your vitamins and you can log your fluids and moods (there is a little diary) and even your bowel movements. I also got a pair of Bluetooth headphones which make my exercise (walking) a lot more fun and a fitness watch is more important than the headphones. They have some on Amazon for like $20 my friend got one and says it works fine to log her heart rate and distance. The apple Watch has a fitness app that lets you set goals and stuff and it’s pretty user friendly. I have a much older one that I haven’t used in forever but I got it out and updated it and it works just fine. The cheaper ones may have a fitness app too I’m just not sure. That’s all I can think of for now. I’m sure others will think of some things I am forgetting.

I made this post in another thread as a response to someone else, and then I realized it's something that might help others after they've had their surgery and find themselves struggling. Maybe you're seeing an increase in hormones all of a sudden...maybe you're discovering there's a lot more work involved in getting and keeping the results you need after having the surgery. Maybe you're struggling to change your relationship with food. Whatever the case is, maybe this will help "I never really had the emotional ups and downs, mostly because at the time I had PCOS, and the influx of estrogen from both my surgeries actually normalized my hormones for a few months each time lol What I DID have, however, is the emotional issues that came with changing my relationship with food. I had NO IDEA that would be a thing lol Changing what you eat, how you eat, when and why you eat, how often you eat is like breaking up with a toxic partner. You've been together for a REALLY long time, and even though you KNOW it's a terrible, unhealthy relationship, it's really all you know and you're so dependent on it you don't think you can function without it. And now you have to figure out how to. You have to completely retrain your brain, learn the difference between true hunger and head hunger (there is an actual, real difference), and you have to learn to read the nutrition labels, track your calories and Protein and carbs, work out, don't cheat (and don't make excuse after excuse and justification after justification for why you went back to the toxic relationship even after you knew it was bad for you, yet still gave in), measure food, track fluids, take HONEST accountability for your actions (which isn't something most of us had been particularly good at) and make adjustments as needed to stay as compliant as possible for the long haul. Contrary to what so many think, there's actually a LOT of work that has to happen after the surgery. The surgery itself is just a tool. It's not a miracle cure. It won't fix all the issues if you don't put in the actual work. Just eating smaller amounts without making any of the necessary changes isn't enough, and that's a hard lesson many learn later on. All of this is such a mind eff, and takes a toll on a person. It's a lot of changes, and a lot of work, thrown at a person all at once. And no matter how ready you think you are, it can still cause so much emotional turmoil, and understandably so. What I, and so many, don't realize is that we all have ED (eating disorders) in order to get to being obese and morbidly obese (or in some cases, super morbidly obese). It's not just anorexia or bulimia. I genuinely didn't know that. We have to retrain our brains to get out of that, and sometimes that requires help, and we have to be ok with getting that help. And because we have to do that, we then get incredibly frustrated and defeated feeling when the weight comes off slower than we thought it would, or we hit stalls (or in my case, stall after stall after stall - which is COMPLETELY normal, by the way, and should be expected). I said all of this to say there's SO many different reasons we can have emotions all over the place. Influx of hormones all at once, changes in relationship with food, changes in routines and increase in the things we don't particularly like doing (or not doing anymore), learning we have to do a lot of work to get and maintain the results we want after the surgery, learning PATIENCE with the rate of weight loss and trusting the process (easier said than done, believe me, I know), realizing that body dysmorphia is REAL and we can and do struggle with seeing ourselves as anything other than our formerly obese selves (I'm 182 pounds and I still see 421 pounds sometimes when I look in the mirror), and of course, hair loss (also COMPLETELY normal, and will eventually stop). You won't go bald, there's nothing to prevent it or stop it, you need to increase your protein, biotin doesn't slow it down, and it's a COMPLETELY normal part of the process that many of us don't know about until it happens and then we freak out. So give yourself some grace and just know this is normal. You're doing great, and we're all here for you, just like everyone was here for me "

My son’s wedding was today and I managed to eat with everyone without getting sick. I’ve struggled with not taking one more bite when I feel a bit full. I think maybe I’m learning finally. I’ve had to set a timer after eating to not take a drink too soon. I never realized what a set habit it is to drink while eating. I am able to eat solids now as long as I take small bites and chew a lot. I don’t know that my stall has broken yet. I went down almost two lbs but nothing else yet. Trying to not get discouraged over that. I didn’t measure before hand so I can’t say if I’m losing inches at least. I was just too discouraged at my weight before surgery to measure anything. I will say even with the little bit of progress I’ve made since surgery I was comfortable in my dress at my son’s wedding. I’m sure when I see pictures from it I will be my worst critic but for tonight I feel pretty so I’ll take it.

The food guidelines for WLS have acidic foods which isn’t good for a GERD patient. The guidelines for GERD patients the food is bland. I can’t always do GERD eating since I need my protein and consuming yogurt, cottage cheese with other nutrients sometimes triggers my reflux. I don’t think it’s the combination of the two that’s stoping my weight loss. I may have built more muscle especially in my legs and arms but the belly muscle I’m still trying to build up.

It could definitely be the muscle gains offsetting the fat lost numbers on the scale, which is why the scale number isn't everything. Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe muscle weighs about 1.5x as much as fat, so as you approach your target weight you very well could be continuing to get healthier despite the number staying the same or slightly gaining. That's why the NSV's become more important after the initial loss! It's also worth considering how much excess skin may be present. If its a significant amount, you could estimate the weight of that and subtract it from what you see on the scale to get a better idea and avoid discouragement. In that case, the excess fat is gone, and all that's left is the number.

I read this article in the New York Times this week and thought it brought up a lot of interesting issues. With the alarming growth of obesity in young people, including children, there are a lot of questions about when should a patient become a candidate for WLS. With my upcoming surgery, I've had a few conversations with my teen/tween daughters about nutrition/healthy eating, as well as some of the possible genetic components of weight gain. Both of my girls are active and not currently at risk, but I know that my younger daughter is physically a lot like I was at her age, and I would do anything for her not to ever have to deal with weight gain the way I have as she gets older. I hope I can teach them both good habits now that they can carry with them. But what happens when a kid is already so large at age 16 that their quality of life is impacted? What's the responsible/ethical thing to do with regards to a surgery that can't be reversed? This is a very interesting read. In case you didn't read it, here's a link (it should bypass the paywall for non-subscribers until the end of November): https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/31/magazine/teen-bariatric-surgery.html?unlocked_article_code=1.7Ew.M7l-.QaJi8BjntPW_&smid=url-share

I like crispy tofu in the airfryer. Block of Tofu/Cornflour/Spices/Oil Spray/Salt/Pepper You need firm tofu. A couple of hours before you want to eat take the tofu out of the package and blot it dry, then stack a couple of sheets of kitchen paper above and below it (or clean tea towels) then put a plate with a weight on top of it for 5-10 minutes. In a big bowl add a a big tablespoon of cornflour and the spices/seasonings of your choice for example garlic powder/paprika/liquid smoke/dried lime rind Herbes de provence/ lemon zest and juice/ground bay Cumin/Tumeric/dried corriander Soy sauce/sesame oil/garlic/ginger MSG/orange juice and zest/maple syrup/clove powder/cinnamon/chilli/onion powder Mix your cornflour with your spices and seasonings until well mixed or if you have liquids in your seasonings until its a smoothish paste Wipe the tofu dry again and cut into cubes, tip the cubed tofu into the bowl with the cornflour and seasoning mix and shake the bowl vigorously until the tofu is covered in the seasoning mix. If some of the tofu breaks into crumbs this is not a problem. They will just be extra crispy crumbs! It's best to let the tofu marinade for at least 15 minutes to a few hours but I often skip this part because I don't have time. When you're ready to eat preheat your air fryer to 200°c/400°f. Open the airfryer drawer and spray with oil, tip the tofu in and give it a spray. Shake after about 7-8 minutes and then put back in for another 7-8 minutes of until crispy. Enjoy! You'll find a lot of youtube/internet recipes that are probably easy to follow then mine if you google "airfryer tofu". It's nice as a protein without feeling too "woodstock crunchy vegan"

FullSizeRender.MOV Hey loves checking back in! My surgery was 12/18! Today im down 20lbs im feeling excited about this upcoming month and hope to get down. I downloaded an app thats been very helpful with keeping realistic goals. I been walking and dancing as my workouts. Yesterday was my birthday and I was able to go out fine and order food obviously couldnt eat much and focused more on the meat than anything else but it felt amazing to just feel normal somehow. I do feel like im loosing weight so slowly but im trusting the process and I know iM eating dramatically less than before. Little by little. I want to do some lifting weights but I’m waiting til my month appointment to ask. I’m feeling so much better and almost back to normal. Before surgery 240 12/18 220 as of 1/11 still have one more week til im exactly one month post op.

Thank you all! One thing to edit/add is that I consider the "pouch reset" a myth also from the perspective of shrinking my stomach, but consider it rather a "mind reset" of what I did in the beginning and getting back on track mentally. As @Arabesque says, weighing myself daily - Another mental reset for me. I can easily stick my head in the sand if I'm not on the scale, so no matter how painful it might be (especially after my last cruise where I went overboard with the um... adult beverages like sweet martini's), sometimes it takes that dose of reality to get you back on track. I'm back down to my standard weight (was easier than I thought to lose 10 when I paid attention which is a problem in itself), I still want to hit my goal of 155 - One day.... One day at a time. Glad I stopped by here this morning - Getting ready to head out on the boat. Was initially going to pack the standard stuff, but inspired to change it up: Cut up veggies for snacks, more water and Gatorade Zero, less adult beverages in the coolers. Will make sure to take a picture and compare to a year ago so I remember WHERE I want to be vs. where I am. Thanks ladies and gents!

My doctor is very kind and when I get emotional today he said that he wants me to remember how I felt seeing that number today. And that as long as it always goes down, one pound is a win. And he is right. We all get so wrapped up in the number rather than the feeling of all we have accomplished. The fact that all of us here worked so hard to get surgery and now are on this rollercoaster journey, only shows our strength. You’re doing amazing and know you will continue to! 1,5,7,18 etc…it’s all weight we no longer have to carry ever again 🖤

You need to call your team. The dietician will give you some really great guidelines and hints if you are loosing too slow. As we do not know your weight and height we can not really say..

I feel like as long as it doesn't bother you (in terms of digestion, or mentally/emotionally), it's fine. I love what @NickelChip said about it being a "planned indulgence". Back when I was in my twenties, one of my nutritionists said that it was good to have one moderately high calorie meal a week (ie a couple slices of pizza) because it would keep your body from going into 'starvation mode' in which it thinks it needs to save and store any calories it can. It made sense at the time, but I was also at the healthiest weight I had ever been and she worked for a local gym, so take that all with a grain or two of salt. For me, I know I can't have a planned indulgence, at least not without being pretty darned strict about said indulgence. For example, I 'indulged' today in a piece of soft-dried sweet potato -- but because I know it's basically just a little strip of 'healthy; sugar and carbs, my dinner tonight will be lower carb to make up the balance. My personal issues are less of a willpower - slippery slope but more of a mental anguish thing. In the past, whenever I've felt like I've done something 'wrong' diet-wise, I usually would end up either in a depressive spiral in which I blame myself, harangue myself and then end up eating my feelings -- or I'd end up punishing myself (either with more unhealthy food or by not eating at all for a few days -- neither of which were healthy reactions). ((I've been on both sides of the eating disorder spectrum, lol)) I feel like I'm probably in a good enough headspace these days that I could avoid all of that (from not feeling like I've done something wrong to begin with) but I'm just not confident enough to want to put myself in that position.

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year and a successful journey to better health. On March 1, 2023 before heading to the airport traveling to Piedras Negras, Mexico for my scheduled March 3rd VSG with Dr. Alvarez at Endobariatric; I logged my weight and recorded my measurements. I have kept a running spreadsheet, updating the stats the 1st of every month. Ten months later, I am down 75 pounds and fitting comfortably in a size 6. I am not finished. I had set my goal at 112 which in reality is too thin for me but I wanted to allow for the common 5 to 7 pound regain from the lowest weight, hopefully settling in the 117 to 118 range. I have not had one moment's regret. This is the greatest gift I have given myself and look forward to a healthier and more active 2024.

I don't know if weight loss has put me in a mind state of "cleaning house" but I have been going through every room, closet and cupboard getting rid of junk and unnecessary items I've held on to for years. Losing the weight and an organized house feels reeeeally good. Even though I haven't tried this trick, it still made me smile. Happy Healthy Holidays everyone!

Well just got letter from insurance company...surgery is approved...paperwork says Jan 2,2024...tried calling surgeon and weight loss center...no answer..maybe took extra day off for holiday.... Totally excited been long time coming...thank God finally.!!

my boobies are so sad after breastfeeding two kids. I wear a 42C and I imagine once I am 1yr post op I will be down to a B. I barely wear bras now I usually wear bralettes now. Once my weight stabilizes I am going to get a mommy makeover with a tummy tuck and breast augmentation.

Hello I'm new here... 11 years ago I had gastric sleeve. Had Great success from 205 to 135 then after a horrific time in my life " DIVORCE" I went to 123 lbs. Then got divorce finally over moved to New state, have new career and put every lb back on and at this age weight for a women much harder to lose. I tried my old diet pills QYSMIA and ozempic lost 30 lbs 4 mths ( made me horribly sick) stop and put wt back immediately with diet pills kept getting sicker and sicker back on diet pills and nothing. For over 6months Gerd and reflux so bad when sleeping and anytime I was sitting or laying down. Couldnt eat many things. After several doctors endo and colonoscopy. I Went to ER with chest pain Heart burn so bad thought i was dying i was admitted for srveral days. A great Doc finally did another endo and found issue referred me to a fantastic bariatric surgeon. You name it I had it my stomach was pushed into my esophagus from hiatial hernia. So had to have surgery immediately. Revision repair of sleeve, duodenal switch, hiatal hernia. 5 hour surgery. It took a few weeks and some ups and downs. After surgery Stomach ulcer unknown Bleed, blood transfusion and 7 days in hospital I'm 3 weeks post op and on the mend. Feel Great. I definitely need a support group.

I’d ask simply him why. Why he’s removing it & why he wants to do two separate surgeries. Lap bands have dramatically decreased in popularity over the last years & not many surgeons do them any more. Failure, side effects, effectiveness, etc. seem to be the reasons. Some studies say the life span of a lap band is only 7-10 years so you’re at your band’s end of life now. Not all surgeons do the removal & revision in one surgery. Maybe your surgeon is basing his decision on your current health status. Maybe he wants to give you a recovery period between the two surgeries to ensure you’re fully healed. May be he wants to give you time without a weight loss tool to see how you respond in regards to self monitoring your food intake, etc. Just throwing some ideas out there.

17 lbs in one month at your weight this far out i think is not the norm. have you lost further weight since august? i.e., what do u weigh now? aside: we are roughly the same stats (tho im 5+ yrs out) and while i have been known to drop 5 lbs unwittingly in a month, i've never experienced a 17 lbs drop in a single month since way back in my 1st or 2nd month post op...but i weighed over 200 lbs back then) hopefully your doc/team has some answers for u now? ❤️ also: are you eating enough calories to maintain your weight, do u know? i have found that i need to eat alot of low volume, high calorie stuff to meet my caloric maintenance needs (and yes, often times this includes items not necessarily on a "healthy" food diet)

Oh we had our surgeries about the same time and i had to stay for an extra day too due to complications. Congrats on 60 lbs! Well i'm asian and while asians are known to be pretty quiet, when it comes to weight- they don't hesitate to comment. Whether it's your family, friend of the family, distant relative, or someone they've seen a few times at the store. They call you over for dinner and when you've finished, they tell you you're fat and pack up all the leftovers for you to take home. (Say no all you want, it's gonna happen anyway). That being said it's kind of concerning that they haven't said anything at all. I don't go out much so it's mostly dr's visits and they've noticed and said something right away. So i have a weird sample size. But i have to see i dont really take any comments to heart, i just wanted to see if anyone could tell and it's kind of a mixed bag atm..