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I am 7 weeks post-op and have lost around 45lbs from my highest weight. Recently, I saw some friends I hadn't seen since well before I started losing weight and who do not know I had WLS. They immediately noticed and commented on my weight loss, which made me terribly uncomfortable. They of course asked what I was doing and I simply stated I'm focusing on high quality protein and frequent, small meals because that's what my body seems to like best (all true). Then I quickly pivoted and asked how they were doing, blah blah blah. People LOVE to talk about themselves. Give them the chance, and they will run with it.

I have been eating really bad for the last week and I’m now discouraged 🥲 how can I clean my system and start over. I was sleeved April first and has only 54 lbs (I been at 245 for almost 2 months now) and I know I should be down more than that. I really wanna make this sleeve work the way it’s supposed to so I’m willing to start over but don’t know if I have messed it up

Hello! I am looking to introduce myself and possibly get some advice or insight from others! I had a VSG in October of 2016. Weight DOS was 288, lowest weight I reached was 198 within about 6 months of the procedure. I developed terrible reflux that I managed with OTC medications, and maintained this weight loss almost effortlessly (I did go to the gym 4-5x weekly and ate small portions - stuck to the rules as best as I could) until the end of 2019. But to backtrack a little - I was diagnosed with breast cancer in May of 2018, so by the time I was through with chemo, steroids, horrible lethargy...you get the picture... the weight piled back on within a year of finishing treatment, and by the end of 2019, I had gained 60lbs back. I am in no way trying to play the "cancer card" or blame it on that, I know I am fully responsible for the way my weight journey has turned out, but if I had to pinpoint when it started to go downhill, I'm pretty sure it aligned with that. Presently, I am at 261 and am seeking a revision due to the reflux, a severely dilated fundus that was seen on both a CT and an endoscopy, and the weight regain. I guess I am just looking for others who are also seeking a revision, or others who have recently had one who may have any words of wisdom! Lastly, I have Harvard Pilgrim and my authorization has been submitted by my surgeon and is now in the "pending medical review" stage. Anyone else with HP, roughly how long did it take to hear back? My program coordinator said anywhere from 1 to 2 weeks, but I was just wondering if anyone had any personal experience. Thank you for reading and I'm looking forward to "meeting" more people on here!

I’m headed back into the office for the first time in 18 months and I am 60 pounds lighter. Not sure why I am so nervous but I guess I’m not sure what to say about my weight loss. No one at the office knows I had WLS. And you can’t really tell over zoom. Thoughts?

Thank you for your feedback. I have some flavorless isopure that I’m experimenting with today. In hindsight, I REALLY should have done the experimenting PRIOR to surgery, but here we are. I’ve broken it down to protein per gram of the isopure, which is about 0.86 protein/g. Which is about 1/2 teaspoon. For my first experiment I mixed 1 tsp spoon with a quarter cup of milk and a little coffee. I knew I wouldn’t drinking the whole thing, but it was good! Soooo baby steps. I still haven’t t figured out how much I’m physically able to drink in a certain time period, say thirty minutes. I will get there. My second experiment is about 2 oz sugar free pudding and 2 tsp spoon of isopure. I can taste it but I’m trying to just power through. Through a recommendation from a friend/coworker who has had the sleeve as well, I will be trying Ensure Max protein chocolate variety later in the day. i am currently WAY behind with my water, but it’s Monday morning and life is happening. I will do my best to make up for this later. I gotta pick my battles at the moment. My next priority will be finding a proper multi vitamin, preferably one can effortlessly swallow, because the bariatric advantage one is huge and gross. this reply of thanks has turned into an update. Sorry! I’m sorta using this thread as a personal log.

We all heal & recover differently & they did a lot of pulling, pushing, cutting & suturing inside you so it’s ok to still be experiencing pain or discomfort. Most is likely muscular now but as @Jaelzion suggested, call your surgeon & ask for some stronger meds to tide you over. Hope you feel better soon.

Post op day 5 after sleeping most of the day yesterday I woke up early with my 5.5 year old and let my husband sleep in. I ready to get up anyways because I guess of maybe reflux. I’ve never had it before but something in my sternum area was bothering me. my belly button incision is still pretty sore while getting up, bending over, and to the touch. It doesn’t, and never did require anything more than Tylenol (which thankfully I have the dissolvable). I had little meltdown involving some tears over trying to stomach yet again another protein shake I hate. Everyone’s beloved fairlife can go straight to hell. So I haven’t even reached 10g of protein yet people, imma die. Also I need to find another multi vitamin. so I pick myself up and brush my tank teeth (all this fake sweet stuff in protein waters/shakes/vitamins/chewable gas x/dissolvable Tylenol/sugar jello/sugar free popsicles is giving the worse taste in my mouth). i did manage with no problem 32 oz of water, 1/2 ounce at time using a med cup, spaced 3 min apart sometimes longer if was doing something. My goal tomorrow is to increase that by another 16 oz, we’ll see. Ok so after feeling like I was being a major baby about the cussing protein shakes I decided to white knuckle it and do 1/2 oz shots with 5 min in between. I had a cup of water for rinsing my mouth out and an empty cup to spit the rinse into between shots. And I managed 2 oz. and the after taste was STILL after the rinse. I had a sugar free popsicle for the first time, and even though I am totally over artificial sweeteners, it felt nice to bite into something. hungry and desperate for something that was palatable, I sent my husband to Panera to get 4 cups of different soups. I chose to strain the broccoli and cheese soup and water it down to slide off of spoon. I ate 1/4 cup by toddler spoonfuls every 3 min. I had to reheat 3 times for 19 sec. I wanted to eat the entire cup, but atlas I did not. I was satisfied and then passed out for a nap. I will be having that for dinner as well. Healthy? Not really, but I need some motherfarten calories, ANYTHING that doesn’t make me gag. today was better than yesterday. I took a lovely shower and did my hair. the end.

Protein is important for the rest of your life. Everyone should be eating protein regardless if they are bariatric patients or not. Your body needs it for healing, muscle & bone health, digestion, … https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/functions-of-protein#TOC_TITLE_HDR_9 The daily recommended amount is 0.8g per kilogram for a non bariatric patient. (I’m required to reach 1.2g of protein per kg of weight in maintenance.) My surgeon was ok if I didn’t meet my protein goals each day to begin as long as I was making an effort to be close. It gets easier when you can eat more. If you can’t tolerate the shakes try bone broth, well strained cream soups or consumes, wonton soup broth (no wontons or vegetables of course). I struggled with shakes too so would dilute them & just rode out one a day for the two weeks.

Oh yes. Most definitely don’t compare yourself to others. There are too many factors which influence our rate of loss: age, gender, staring weight, genetics, etc.. If you’re losing a couple of pounds a week on average you’re doing fine. As long as your weight loss trend is going down you’re golden & celebrate every pound & inch you lose. Don’t forget you likely will experience stalls along the way when you do t lose anything for a week or more. Watch keto. It’s very high fat & you may find your cholesterol levels are higher as your losing weight as it’s released from your fat. Better to look to low fat, low carb, low sugar high protein while you are losing. What plan did your surgeon & dietician give you? I’d avoid the popcorn too until you’re in maintenance. It’s very easy to overeat slider food. Congrats on your weight loss so far.

Hi everyone: I know that it may take some time for people to respond but I keep going to the doctor to complain but its not helping. In 2015 I had the sleeve but after losing 50 pounds, within 5 years I gained it all back. In July 2020 I had the bypass. I'm down over 110 pounds which is amazing. The problem is that I'm finding that even foods, that I originally could eat after surgery, I now can't eat. Almost everything I eat makes me nauseous or I get sick. I'm literally dependent on protein shakes and quest bars as my only source of viable nutrition. I was prescribed zofran but so far that hasn't helped at all. Did anyone else have similar experiences? Any guidance, thoughts, tricks or food suggestions would be appreciated. I really have found that all natural proteins make me sick. Thanks, Phil