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K, I really intended to write up a post on my 2 year anniversary (back in October!), but just never got around to it. I did make/update a little "progress" pic collage about a month ago, that again, I had meant to accompany a better-late-than-never anniversary post, but yep, just didn't get around to it. Anyhoo....this pic has been sitting in my albums for over a month now, and since I honestly have no real intention to write up an anniversary post (I'm like 2 yrs + 4 months now, lol), I'm just gonna post it here so it doesn't go to waste: 2 weeks pre-op: 235.0 lbs Surgery Date weight: 223.1 lbs Goal Weight: 127 lbs (7 myths post op) Current weight: 113.9 (this morning) P.S. I'll try to do a proper anniversary post at the 3 yr mark...lol

I have been in a 26 day stall and my weight was driving me CRAZY as I was convinced I'd hit maintenance, but I felt slightly better after talking to my doctor on Wednesday when she told me my physical therapy was likely part of the reason my weight was fluctuating and not going under 201 but instead bouncing around from 201-204. I was incredibly frustrated and it just seemed like I'd never see under 200 pounds... BUT, this morning I weighed myself and saw 199.6 on my scale and... I cried! I'm so happy! It's super early here, not even 5am yet, so I'm trying to stop myself from waking everyone up to share my good news lol. Took me almost 13 months to get here, but I got here!

Hi all, I’m new to this community and this my first post. I have a tentative VSG date of April 12, 2021. Currently awaiting approval from insurance. Here is my problem: I am a single 40 year-old woman who lives alone with her dog. My parents who are in their early 70s and healthy have agreed to come help out 1-2 weeks post surgery. As the surgery date gets closer, my parents, specifically my mother are starting to become less and less supportive. She’s unsure if they will be able to help post-op, she thinks I should wait until summer, she’s worried about post-surgical pain, she thinks I should board the dog so they don’t have to take care of her, etc. I’ve officially been meeting with doctors and checking things off since October of 2020. I’ve been open and planning with my family for this for years. I’m frustrated with the lack of support from my parents and don’t want to wait until summer for surgery. I am able to take time off of work, and work from home when I get surgery in April. I have been hesitant to share this news or even my surgery plans even with my close friends. It’s too personal and too painful and I don’t really want to depend on them for help. I don’t have a partner or any siblings close enough to help out. Has anyone struggled with a similar issue? How terrible and painful and unmanageable is the first two weeks after surgery? I don’t want to do it alone, but I’m afraid my parents are not in a good space to move in for 1-2 weeks nd help me directly after. In fact, they seem downright unsupportive at times. Any advice, recommendations, or experiences are welcome. Thanks in advance.

I agree with OAGBPal. Follow your surgeon's plan during the weight loss phase - you can always switch to NOOM to maintain your loss (or lose regain, which is unfortunately fairly common) later.

I was almost 54 when I had my surgery & I lived alone too. I looked after myself without a problem. My pain was gone by day 4 & it had been managed easily by the pain meds. I Just had odd twinges after that. I made sure I had everything I needed at home before my surgery. I stocked up on Imodium, gas X, stool softener, broths, soups, protein shakes, hydralite, etc. so I didn’t need anyone to shop for me. My mother knew about my surgery but was having cataract surgery the same day so couldn’t help. I told two girlfriends. One did the to & from hospital run. Both rang or txt everyday & were willing to come around if I needed them but I was fine. But in saying that, our post surgical experiences can be different. If you did need them to help, do your parents live close enough to you to come on short notice?

FINALLY! Onederland! I can't remember the last time I didn't see a "2" as the first number on the scale. Seeing the "1" this weekend was just surreal. I think I must have stepped on and off the scale at least 10 times. What a motivator! I feel like I've accomplished the impossible and now ANYTHING is possible!! ~40 to go (I'd like to hit 50 just to have some wiggle room). For those who might be struggling after the first couple of months - Months 1-3 were EASY - weight just fell off. Month 4+, slowed A LOT (as in less than 8 a month) - Being able to eat pretty much anything I wanted without having an upset stomach didn't help. I was hoping to be under 200 by the end of December. Stalled (much of it my fault for choices I made, and simply my body catching up), got frustrated, felt sorry for myself, etc...and at times even wondered if it was possible or if I was just going to stop there with my weight loss. Booked a vacation and decided that I WOULD be under 200 before I left (next Sunday - nothing like cutting it close!). Got back on plan, made better choices, and quit feeling sorry for myself and WOO HOO - Major goal #1 accomplished. If you're struggling, hang in there, refocus, know you aren't alone in this journey and make up your mind that you CAN do this. NSV's this week - I didn't see the "OMG, PLEASE let this fat lady be seated ANYWHERE but beside ME on a plane" look. People actually look me in the eye rather than past me. Servers @ restaurants are concerned that the food they served me wasn't good because I didn't eat much. I got more work accomplished onsite because I didn't need a lunch break (quick protein bar and I was good to go). I could go to ANY store and buy some cheap clothes for vacation - Can't wait to rock that bathing suit coverup in Hawaii next week!

I live alone and undertook surgery by myself. I didn't need any help at all at home, and in fact, was happy not to have anyone around me fussing.

I didn't really have any pain at all to speak of. My husband took a week off to help, but he went back to work after three days. Honestly, even though I was grateful for his help - bringing me things, etc - I think I probably could have managed on my own even those first three days. It might be harder with your dog unless you have a fenced yard and can just let him/her out....or have a friend or neighbor walk him/her. Although there are a minority of people who do experience pain (although they'll send you home with meds for it), so I hate to say you'll have little to none, but that does seem to be the case for many of us.

I did a 2-week liquid diet (protein shakes) with no solid food at all. As others have said, it gets easier after a few days. Also, you won't feel this hungry again for months after your surgery.

Thank you! I can’t even count the pounds that were lost and seemed to pile right back on. I’m already feeling relieved to stop that cycle.