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Oh yeah. I'm 3.5 years out and the honeymoon has long been over. If I weren't extremely careful about what I eat, it would be terrifyingly easy to fall off the wagon and jump on the regain train. The surgery still helps, for sure; even when I eat too much, I think back to how much I would have eaten before the surgery and realize that my overindulgence now pales in comparison. But it still takes a lot of effort and attention to maintain my weight. My first recommendation for you is to get back on the scale and see exactly where you stand. No matter how much you've regained, stepping on the scale isn't going to change it. Believe me, I understand not wanting to know (take it from someone who did not own a scale for over a decade before my surgery), but staying in denial will only make things worse. I found a fantastic podcast called "We Only Look Thin," hosted by a husband and wife who each lost over 100 pounds. They did NOT have WLS, but they have so much insight and advice. They address a lot of the things that you worry about, so if you are open to listening to podcasts, I highly recommend this one.

Yes a holter monitor or something similar, they will have you strapped up to an ECG monitor that you wear around your neck for 24 hours, with ECG pads/wires. If you show signs of anything, they may have you wear it longer. Hope it isn't anything serious and just your body reacting the surgery!

Congratulations! If you're nervous, be sure to ask for something to calm your nerves. They can give you something.

Feb 14th! I start my low carb prep diet on Wednesday! 2 shakes a day and a low carb/cal dinner!

I went on a road trip for the holidays at 2 months out. I took a giant lunchbox with me filled with protein shakes and ice packs, cheese and some other cold snacks (I can recommend a fantastic lunchbox on Amazon if you are interested). Then I filled the top of it with some Powercrunch protein bars, Quest sweet chili protein chips, Paleovalley meat sticks (they weren't too dry) and water flavoring packets (I like sugar free lemonade and the Jolly Rancher sugar free ones because I love sour things). I stopped every 2 hours to walk around and use the bathroom to ensure I was hydrating properly. And we stopped for 2-3 meals a day in addition to my shakes and snacks. It worked really well!! I didn't feel deprived at all. In fact, I felt better than I did on road trips before surgery because I stopped more often and hydrated better! Plus I was making wiser food choices.

I can't help from any specific experience, but on the East coast, I would suggest talking to Dr. Mitchell Roslin in NYC. He is one of the big promoter/developers of the SADI (modified DS) but is also long experienced with the traditional Hess DS along with the RNY and VSG. Having all of the major procedures in his toolbox, he can give you better advice as to which procedure best fits your specific needs; certainly better than your corner "WLS R Us" practice that just does the RNY and VSG. While he may not be a big fan of the RNY (common amongst DS capable surgeons who find that procedure better in most circumstances,) I have seen him actively refusing to do a DS to a lapband revision patient because the RNY was the more appropriate procedure in his case. Unfortunately, many surgeons will recommend whatever procedure they do as the best one, as it is the best for them even if it may not be the best for the patient. Finding someone skilled with all of the major procedures if very helpful when one has special needs.

I was very nervous for the same reasons. I started a modified bariatric diet a few months before surgery as part of the preparation, also stopped any caffeine or sugar. I have gastroparesis so eating before strenuous activity is never a good idea for me but I would feel so nauseous and lightheaded. After I started the bariatric diet I realized that even if I was hungry when I started my lap swim, I could still do a normal work out and feel good. The diet allowed me to maintain a consistent level of energy that I had never experienced before in my life. The 2 week liquid diet was not my favorite, days 2 and 3 were the worst for me, day 4 was better until the day of surgery. I didn't like it, but I still was able to exercise daily. I had one episode of woozy..reviewed with my nutritionist and found I was not getting enough sodium, added a daily broth and that took care of it. I know we're all different but this may be same for you and if it is, I'll be happy for you. I feel so much more free now. I don't have to worry about scheduling activities around food/hunger/etc anymore. I can plan my eating around my activities, if that makes sense?

I get where you are coming from. I'm on day 10 of the two week liquid (surgery on 1/15/24). I got super depressed for a while so I made myself go to the gym and do walking around days 4 or 5. Right now I walk about an hour at a quick pace to just distract myself. Allowed 4 protein shakes a day, sugar free Jello and Gatorade Zero in between (others on the list but I wasn't interested). Started this on January 1st and so far I've lost 21lbs. But I'm going crazy when my husband makes food or tells me what he's doing for supper. Hang in there.

I guess we're buddies also having surgery on January 18th and on liquid diet now. I only lost about 3 lb I'm a little disappointed cuz it's really hard not to eat and then see the scale just the same as the day before

I totally understand how you feel. I started 2 week liquid diet (3 protein shakes and jello) on Dec 13th. Had my surgery on Dec 27th, then 3 days clear broth, and am now back on 2 week liquid diet (4 protein shakes and jello). I can not wait til the 14th when I move to softs.