WLS Veteran's Forum

Hey folks! I’m rounding into my two year surgiversary, and am just so grateful for the surgery and the health it has given me. I find myself feeling a bit like a baby bird ready to leave the nest and start truly living (as much as a 45 year old woman, married with two kids can be considered a baby anything!). That being said, I’ve lived such a limited life, I really haven’t figured out what I want to do with the freedom this surgery has provided. My beginnings of a bucket list include running a half marathon and working up to do five pull-ups. It’s pretty modest so far. ? My question: what’s on your bucket list? What bold things are you dreaming of do…

I am close to the 3 year mark post bypass. At times I am able to eat 1.5-2 cups of soft food like a smoothie or soup in 15-20 minutes. However a typical meal of 2 oz meat and half cup of veggies so 1 cup of solid food is all I can eat. I can eat either 2 eggs or 1 egg and 1 piece of toast or a pouch of high protein oatmeal. Only my spouse knows about surgery and others have made comments about not eating much but I say I just had a meal or snack etc and I guess it looks ok. I am planning on attending meals with unknown coworkers. It will probably be lunches and dinners for multiple days in a row. So what tips do you have so I can explain why I eat so little…

As we head into 2022, someone else started a thread on refocusing. To help with that I thought it would be great if we can share some recipes we all love that are healthy I'll start. 1) I do ground chicken taco's a lot! Easy make ahead that reheats well. 1 onion, diced 1 can green chilies 1 lb ground chicken 1 package taco seasoning 1/2 C chicken broth instead of water in the taco meat Flour tortilla - I get the fajita size. You could leave this out and put the mixture on a salad mix and it's delicious! Pico to top 2) Another one I do is a cold Thai Chicken salad like this one (https://pinchofyum.com/chopped-tha…

Most of the veteran posts, lets face it.... are "Help, I've regained!" And the response I see over and over and over and over is... "Go back to basics...starve yourself at 1000 calories a day (or less)...start drinking protien shakes....do keto...blah blah blah" I don't mean to criticize heartfelt advice...and I know some of ya'll are genuinely trying to help. But why in the world would you tell someone to do the same thing over again....that didn't work the first time? It seems nuts to me. My two cents: see a bariatric therapist. Stop the self punishment. Stop the self sabotage. Stop the self harming extremes. Get down to the real reaso…

It has been 4yrs since my (initial) WLS. Within that time I made great new friends, found love, had a revision, lost a parent, witnessed a pandemic from one of it’s epicenters, had plastics, had new additions to my extended family, relocated, had one child graduate from high school and more. Almost none of these things were weight related but somehow everything else in my life seemed easier to focus on without worrying about weight. My weight has been stable since I hit goal a few years ago with only minor fluctuations. I’m proud to say I will always identify as a WLS patient. I thought I wouldn’t feel like one years out but I find I am consciously ho…

Hi there, I’m coming up on year 3 after gastric sleeve surgery. I’m very healthy and maintaining within 5 lbs. of goal. I see my physician who recommended my surgery annually. My surgeon scheduled me for an annual Zoom call. Any particular reason I need to do it? I think I will ask my physician if she can add this to the package of things she manages for me (which includes bloodwork.) My question is do you still see your surgeon annually?

I'll be 7 years post gastric sleeve in December. I never reached goal, but lost 80 lbs. I managed to keep most of it off for about 4 years and slowly the carbs crept back into my life and the weight gain began. I gained 35 lbs back and I'm so disgusted with myself. It took me so long to get the courage to finally have WLS. I was so nervous and afraid that I swore if I put myself through surgery I would never gain all my weight back. I've tried Keto, and did really well for about a year and a half until I was no longer losing and just couldn't commit to the lifestyle. It seems I've lost any will power I may once had and I really don't want to get a revision if I ca…

I’m four, nearly five years out and had out some weight on because I rediscovered sugar. I’m now involved in a running battle with sugar and eating. intermittent fasting really helps, low carb helps but I now have this intense reaction to carbs and I’m at a loss. the extra weight - just a few pounds now, goes if I fast. The obsession with food goes too. But I get cramps and am sure I’m not eating enough when I do fast. feel a bit stuck! Had chips last night and my blood sugar shot up to 20 just after then down to four within 3 hours. But, if I do intermittent fasting, blood sugar stays constant at around 6. anyone dealing with similar?

Hello All, after being away for quite some time I am BACK to inspire, motivate, encourage and to be encouraged. I had my gastric bypass in Sept of 2015 and today I weighed myself and the SHOCK of seeing the scale read 201after 5 years was a SLAP in the face. Now today I need to lose 35 pounds. I need all of your help and encouragement. How do you lose weigh post gastric bypass? Can my stomach shrink? Has anyone else had this experience? Help need to reach my goal weight again. Please see recent photo below.

Hi! Long time lurker, first time poster (I think, LOL!)! October 2021 will make seven years since I've had VSG. At my highest I weighed 314, on my day of surgery I weight 290, and at my lowest I weighed 157. I've had a significant amount of regain to say the least (I won't go into the whole sob story). I ballooned up to 242, and decided back in December to get my ass back into gear. I'm now 223. My short term goal is to get back to onederland, as per my username. I would like to be 175-180 by my surgiversary, and mu ultimate goal weight is to be able to maintain within a range of 150-160. I think one of my biggest mistakes along my journey was not really plugging into the…

I am still within 10lbs of my goal, but I've gained 25 lbs during this COVID fiasco. I'm convinced it's all wine calories from the lock downs! I maintained under my goal weight for 3 years and now here I am... creeping. So - getting back at it. I'm paranoid, no correction... terrified of regain. You can see the first pic shows where I am today and the second shows where I was two years ago. People around me are "fish toshing" me, but this is where it starts. This is where you have to get a grip and get on track. It only gets worse from here if you don't. So - I'm gonna get back to it... NOW. Any suggestions for "getting back to basics?" I do well …

Hi, I just wanted to find someone who has had gastric bypass and has had the weight off for a long time, and is doing well on their journey. I need some inspiration and help to keep me going. I need preferably a walking buddy and a person who had gastric bypass for a long time to go grocery shopping. If anyone is interested please let me know. I don't have much support but myself and the pandemic has made it hard for me to cope and I don't want to go back to being big again.

Hoping to catch up on long timers... time really changes how some of us are doing. I’m from 2006 (lap bander) . Still well and maintaining a 80 + weight loss. No more fills for me. I just try to do what works... mostly.. ..no one is perfect! It took me years to abide. Perhaps my band taught me what I can and cannot do... enough times for me to change habits. I see many people come through for a few years; I don’t often see long term vets posting about life years later. Please share your long term WLS lives. Thanks... stay healthy... despite a pandemic.

Haha.... just noticed this forum and the requirements to post here... I hit 18 months March 4th, I guess that makes me a vet lol! Current stats: 5'4.5" and between 126-129 pounds depending on the day. Hit my goal at 7 months and was well under my goal by a year. Overall I have been maintaining for a year now.... did have some challenges recently and weight was beginning to creep up... but I managed to quickly ditch those few extra pounds and am back at my happy maintenance weight. I get thrilled every time my husband or daughter comment at how skinny I am. My daughter says she never realized I was really overweight or "fat" until I lost it all. Now when we look at ph…

Vets- how many of you are still 'regulars' here? I still want to chat with people about being in the bariatric community, and really enjoy the support I get from forums, but it seems like there's almost NOBODY here that was here 4 years ago...

I had gastric bypass surgery 5 years ago. I was incredibly determined and managed to lose 180 lbs. in a year's time. I'm 5' 9.5" and I went from a size 28 to a size 10. Now, I've regained a lot of weight and I'm starting over. I thought it might be helpful to list the steps that caused my weight gain. My goal is to tackle these 6 and starting moving in the right direction. Does anyone else have additional things that contributed to regaining weight? Stop weighing yourself Stop tracking your food intake Stop exercising Drink liquids with meals and ignore the 15 minutes before/30 minutes after rule Start eating your old favorite foods S…

Hello again to all the WL Veterans....Queen of Crop here...sleeved 10 years ago this October. Lots 88 lbs and have gained back 25. I live in Amsterdam and have no WLS support here (nor did I ever have it). So after keeping my weight off for 5 of the 10 years, started gaining again due to poor choices about 5 lbs a year for the last 5 years. I used to listen to Reeger Cortell's wonderful podcast that she did for years; in fact I was a guest on her show one month. She mentioned weight loss medication; that it might be an option. But I don't know anything about it and not even sure they would offer it here. (There is very little obesity in Holland; at 155 lbs I feel like I a…

Hi! It’s been YEARS since I was on this forum! I was very active from 2014-2016. Loved the support, hated the drama. I had VSG in 2014 and although I was a bit on the slower side losing because I was considered a “lightweight” (ha) at my surgery weight of 235, I was very successful. My low weight was 142 for about 15 minutes, but after a little bounce weight of 10-12 pounds or so, I maintained there for several years and was even running! Me—running at almost 50 years old! I was a WLS success! **Record screeching noise** not so fast..... 2018: On my Quest to stay active by finding new and fun activities, I decided to get on roller skates again at 51 years old. Let…

I can't believe I'm in this place again! I was sleeved in December 2014 and lost 101 pounds. I was thrilled and kept the weight off for 5 years. Then slowly but surely I began to gain... I have been eating whatever I want, not exercising, and basically just being a slug. I finally got the courage up to weigh myself and see the damage, and I've gained 40 pounds!! I have tried to return to the basics but feel constant hunger. I am depressed and pretty hard on myself. I don't like the way I look and I feel like a loser (not a weight loss loser either). I guess I'm just looking for advice, encouragement, and tips to get this weight back off. Thanks community

I am almost 10 years since the day I was sleeved. I weighed 278 pounds when I had my surgery. I got down to 173 pounds and now I am back up to 220 pounds. I am feeling like a failure. I am terrified of putting all of the weight back on. How are others doing this better? How can I get some of this weight back off? If you are continuing to lose weight what are your daily macros? I’m not even sure if I have restriction anymore. Is there a way to find out? I started drinking sodas probably a year after I was sleeved. Have I ruined it for good? Is anyone else in the same boat? I’d love to have some help and support.

You're going to get a chuckle out of this but I've had to start getting my husband to hide the scale from me. I was weighing daily and water/fluid and daily fluctuations were discouraging me, so he encouraged me to just way once a week, on Monday mornings. I couldn't resist looking every day, so he finally had to hide the scale from me from Monday after I weighed in until the next Monday morning so I wouldn't obsess about it. How often do you find yourself weighing?

I lost 100 lb (BMI 40 to 23) and have maintained my weight since my surgery. I've had a lot of problems with energy and low blood pressure though since the surgery, both of which I hoped would improve with time, but it's now 2 1/2 years. Anyone else had problems with energy or low blood pressure? Tips, ideas...

Had VSG Nov 2015. Since 2017 my labs have come back high for Vitamin A & Copper. Ive discontinued my vitamins & had diet change to reduce the accumulation of the Copper & Vitamin A, but to no avail & they are continuing to increase. I don't know what to do & I'm very scared that I'm damaging my liver & brain. I am trying to determine if I need to see a Hepatologist or some other specialist. To date, my nutritionist, surgeon, & PCP don't know what to do. Has anyone else gone through this? Did you find resolution? Sent from my SM-G960U1 using BariatricPal mobile app

I'm almost 2 years post surgery and never hit my goal weight. I didn't have that much to lose, weight before surgery - 190, 5"4 but I only got down to 140. Covid has hit, I'm a bit blue and I'm up 15 pounds. I'm disgusted with myself. I'm going back to protein shakes in morning, any suggestions? I've continued to take bariatric multivitamins, do I need to continue for the rest of my life? What kind of protein do you eat on a daily basis? I can only eat so much chicken and eggs. I need some variety. I have no energy and probably down due to the pandemic. What are you doing to stay motivated? Thanks!

Hi just wanted to check in and see what people are doing differently to deal with what’s going on in the world at the moment. My husband and I were sleeved in Oct 2013 and have started to struggle in the last 2 yrs with 20-30 lbs gain. I’m in Aus and we are only to leave the house for exercise, shopping and essential travel. Neither one of us are working since we returned to Australia so that definitely adds to the stress.

I was sleeved seven years ago and have maintained my goal weight since then. I have been suffering greatly from severe GERD for several years with a dramatic increase in daily pain and discomfort for the past two years. Finally diagnosed with a Gastric Diverticulum. I’m seeing the GI specialist in a few weeks and am expecting they will schedule me for a laparoscopic resection surgery. Anyone have any experience with this? Is there a post-surgery diet to follow? Did it eliminate or lesson your symptoms? Thanks so much for any insight!

My surgery was January 2012. Just curious how others are doing that are 7 years or more from surgery.

No excuses, but I gained 10 pounds in 2020. COVID didn't help. Tracking my daily calorie intake backfired because the app said I needed 1200 calories/day but I really didn't. It doesn't take into account that bariatric patients have different needs. And oh I ate so much chocolate and cookies the last two weeks of the Christmas holidays. So I decided that instead of waiting for the new year, I would get back on track starting the day after Christmas, Saturday 12/26/2020. Saturday I had 670 calories and Sunday I had 720 calories. Easy peasy. No problems, no withdrawals, no cravings. I got in a 10 minute walk on Sunday and already a 20 minute walk in today (Mond…

I’m looking for a forum, an online chat, not video meetings like overeaters anonymous. I have my gastric sleeve in April 2015. Prior to the sleeve I lost 62 pounds on my own. When I had the surgery , it was like it destroyed my metabolism and I could no longer lose. I lost 5 pounds from the surgery despite eating a protein based 300-500 calorie, high intensity exercise plan. My surgeon did not want follow up visits, and although I insisted twice, he could give me no answers, and ran no tests. I eventually, after 6 months, lost 25 pounds, much slower rate than before the surgery. That was it. For the next 3 years, despite my hunger having never been diminished, I still cou…

I'm not really sure that I'm asking for advice, more just griping. I'm over 2 years out from surgery. I eat healthy - pescatarian and mostly fruit/veg/protein. Almost no refined carbs (my body does not like them). I'll let myself have a small dessert on my birthday, Thanksgiving, and Christmas (knowing I wont feel great after) - something fairly low cal/sugar. Stay under 1000 cal /day (any more than that and I gain - even though I'm still teetering on an obese weight). I have two issues: 1. It seems like every month new foods do not do well with my stomach. So far: dairy, most raw veg, some cooked veg, some fruit, cocoa, peanut butter. New this month - apples.…

I had my VSG surgery in April 2017 & kept the weight off until you guessed it...Covid coupled with 2 back to back injuries. I’m now up 38 lbs from my lowest weight it 27 from where I was really maintaining. I feel really down and need to reset it all: track my protein, start my vitamins etc. I’ve let slider foods & poor snacking choices in & need them out! I need some help with accountability & just a group I can turn to when I get the cravings & give in: after dinner or after 3:00. I would like to share my food log so I am committed to tracking. Are there any groups I can join or anyone want to commit with me?

Backstory- bypass was almost 2 years ago. No complications and took reflux meds for 1-2 months post op as procedure. I had plastic surgery in Feb and had some reflux a few days later (I thought this wasn't possible with bypass but assumed maybe from local swelling and irritation form being intubated). The surgeon had me back on the meds for 1-2 months. It seemed to have gone away until October. It's not bad just that I feel/hear a sensation like bubbles pop almost like drinking carbonated soda (which I haven't touched in over 2 years). So the surgeon has me start them back 2 weeks ago. Here's the scary part. Yesterday morning I drank my protein drink as always …

I posted a while ago about my weight loss, and regain and taking control again. Started at 320 or there abouts 5'2" and 54 years old 10 years ago. VSG. Lost weight and got to 180 pounds. Over 8 years I regained to 220. Started slow weight loss / getting back into control in mid July this past year. I have now lost 30 pounds. Back to 190. I started my weight loss with a BMI over 54 in the 300's. I am still considered obese at 190 and a BMI just under 34; but darn it, I am so flipping proud of myself. Yes, I am 64 years old. No, I can't really exercise ... but I do some short walks and I garden and vegetable garden, take care of my chickens. …

Just curious if anyone has tried this and what their success was like. My bf wants to lose a big chunk of weight and proposed this, and of course he has my support! I know all programs have VERY different pre-op plans, but mine was 3 weeks (based on BMI) of nothing but 4 (plan approved) protein shakes and raw non-starchy veggies with zero topping/seasoning. I adhered to this diet 100% in 2018. I had already lost 40+lbs at that point and lost 16lbs in the 3 weeks before surgery. Obviously my caloric needs are far lower at 168 than at 300+ lbs, so I am planning to do 4 lower calorie protein shakes (Premier, Quest, GNC Lean) and the same restriction on veggies. I'm plan…

I'm new here, first post. I'm a guy, had RNY in 2003. Before surgery I binged because of OCD. In 17 years there is too much to even summarize. My OCD has had several serial outlets over the years. I've been happy with my weight for 15(?) years. My pouch is still post-op size, still works, still looks the same it did right after surgery. My plan is perhaps different than most folks. I never counted calories, carbs, or much else. Initially focus was on protein. 3 meals per day. I look forward to getting to know folks. Some folks may remember me as Tek back when, elsewhere.

Just wondering.... are there any foods that still ( or all of a sudden ) make you barf ? I ask because I am like 10 years out from a sleeve and the last two times I tried to eat some ( skinny pop ) popcorn..... it came right back up on me. I haven't had that happen in a long time. The first time, I thought, that I probably over ate popcorn; which had been a slider for me.... but then I decided to have some today .... like a month later.... and that did NOT work out well. So... I was wondering have any of you Vets had this experience with anything ?

So, I am nearly 15 years (yes years) postop. I started at 315 and plummeted to 142 within 10 months of surgery. I was super happy but I was also sick. I didn't have energy, I looked sick...but I was SKINNY! For the first time in my adult life, I wore a SMALL! I loved and hated it at the same time. Then I was told to gain weight because due to all the excess skin, I was really underweight and it was NOT healthy for me. Well, long story short...I can eat pretty much anything and not dump. Then my portions started growing and my snacking came back. I gained, I lost, I gained, I lost...you all know how that goes. I got back up to 230 and was miserable again. I …

Good morning all. First time posting. I was sleeved in 2014 - never hit goal. Lost 80 lbs and gained almost all back. I have tried a few times to regain control - but portions, carbs, wine, sweets and sliders have all undermined all I went through. Lack of good consistent followup with a nutritionist and surgeon contributed (I moved away from where I had surgery). So, here I am. I have tried to restart the plan again and again with limited success. Of course Covid has kept me home and cooking for family- I am a good cook and a “foodie” to my detriment. I have some walking issues but expecting delivery of a indoor recumbent bike soon! I have never done well with sup…

It has been a ruff few months. Back at the end of June my youngest (29) son admitted himself into rehab. He got out early-mid Sept. and has been living with us till his apartment is ready. My mom (72) is back on pain meds (she was addicted most of my childhood) and i'm always the person everyone in my family seems to think can "fix" everything.... I CAN'T. So i went to counseling a couple of time (she and i didn't connect) but stopped going. Until about a month ago my weight loss has been uncontrollable... i just kept losing and size 0 is on the edge of being too thin. So, i'm here "confessing my sins" to y'all..... Some of the only people that understand. I confess …

I have not been on here in years but don’t know where to go for help. I had the sleeve on 6-10-13 I lost 135 pounds and was extremely happy with the results over the years I was able to maintain and would go up and down a little but stayed within 10 pounds of my lowest weight of 140. Then COVID hit and now I am working from home and don’t get out much and I am weighing in at 180. I am terrified to gain my weight back and can already feel it in my joints and such just the weight I put on. I can’t seem to get back on track. I need any ideas/tips that anyone can offer. Someone that has gone though a weight gain of 40 lbs and got it back off. thanks

Hello My name is Missy and I have been on my journey since 2009. I started with the Lapband procedure which I spent the longest amount of time from 2009 through 2015. After experiencing an erosion of my stomach in 2015 the band had to be removed and in 2016 my surgeon conducted a revision which is the Gastric Bypass. I was extremely happy at one point in my life because I began to lose weight again. Unfortunately 6 years later I am facing a slow weight loss phase in my life and I am trying to fight from getting where I once was. If anyone is experiencing any of these complications, please share and together we can overcome some of these challenges …

Hi Folks: I had my gastric sleeve on February 26 and have been losing at a snail's pace. I think one of my problems is not enough exercise. I'm not complaining, just stating the facts. I'm in the habit of having protein shake for breakfast for 160 calories. My favorite flavor is Vanilla. The got very boring and was really just like drinking milky water....so I put my thinking cap on and WHAT A DIFFERENCE!!! Instead of using all water, I used mostly water but 4 tablespoons of half-and-half. I added 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract. I substitute some of the water with ice cubes, put in all in the blender and whip the heck out of it. It takes a lot …

I can't believe that my 6 YEAR anniversary of VSG is coming up. Unbelievable!!!! Wow does time fly. I love to check in here. This website/forum was really a HUGE help to me in my surgery process and I learned so much from everyone through posts, questions etc. Just checking in to see who is still here that were active posters back in 2013/2014?? Hoping everyone is well!

Calling all vets- share your 2020 status and updates! I am now 5 years post VSG. I had good loss (75+lbs), fell off a bit had some regain, got bad health news, went Keto, lost regain....I am now the same weight as I was at my lowest after surgery. I feel pretty good. I do CrossFit 3-4 times a week. I still identify as a WLS patient, and I always will because it was the first step in my journey of taking control of my health. I am keeping my medical issue at bay. I continue on Keto and would like to lose about 20 pounds in 2020 and will be where I think would be a perfectly ideal weight for me. Hoping everyone is well!

Just curious for people who are out a ways, how often do you weigh yourself? Is there a set weight at which you take action to get back on track? Do you still track food? For me I'm still a relative newby, I weigh in weekly usually, bi weekly worse case. I focus on staying within 2.5 lbs above or below goal, if I get to either end I adjust my eating to fix it. I stopped religiously tracking foods about 6 months ago, though I do track off and on and spot check days for macros if I feel like I'm off.

Hey all, just checking in to see who's still here in May. What a crazy few months it has been. Continue to work every day and doing lots of work from home too so that's been nice. Got a handle on my 'graze' issue and have managed to really get the scale moving again! Hope you are all well and keeping the focus. Check in question- has the quarantine made it easier or harder for you to dial in your focus?

I’m looking for experiences of people who have needed to be on depression meds and have still been able to maintain weight loss. I feel best when I am on SSRI meds but the weight gain was always a side effect. I would like to believe that maybe after my surgery this will be a more manageable situation. Was anyone on meds before surgery and still had success? I imagine it would be slower weight loss? Thx for any input.

So last March I fell skiing and got a nasty concussion. Finally after one year I am able to function again. After hospital stays and med adjustments I gained 40 ibs. I am finally back on track. I am back to walking 2-3 miles on days that it’s not raining and I don’t have a nasty migraine. I cut out all the junk food and finally eating right. I usually eat 3 to 4 ounces of food and am full. I am 3 yrs out. I have a follow up with my dr via phone appointment tomorrow. Has anyone tried and succeeded on weight loss pills? I am thinking about mentioning it I just have no idea how to ask to try them. I am hoping it is going to curb the fake hunger. It’s all in my head bc if I …

Just checking who is still around during the pandemic?! Being a Nurse Practitioner I do take this very seriously but am working from home part of the day and found that 'the graze' was getting me into trouble so had to check myself and get real again! Hoping everyone is doing well. Next week following Easter I will be embarking on a 3 week pre-op style diet to do some work on my metabolic 'issue' under my doc's direction. Hoping to see some great results on both the scale and the diagnostic testing! So...who's still here? There are so many from 5-6 years ago that I miss and wish this Vet's board would still be super active. Please check in!!!

So, I guess since I hit 18 months post-op, I'm a vet. I've been thinking a lot about the surgery over the last few weeks. And since I'm stuck at home and don't really have anyone to talk this out with, I'm just going to put it here. I don't really think I have a question, just want to get it all out of my head. I really don't know how I feel about my surgery 18 months out. I had a ROUGH first 14 months or so after surgery. Well, I actually had a super time easy through month three, then I got really, really sick. Couldn't eat anything other than stuff that was basically yogurt consistency (after easily moving through the stages of food and eating shrimp/veg for dinne…