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I haven't seen that outcomes calculator before. It's quite interesting. I'm three years post op, but I put in my data prior to surgery and it predicted that I would be 259lbs in my third year, I'm actually about 210. I think that calculator is pretty conservative, so it's definitely very realistic in what you can achieve. I think a lot of people, e.g. on these forums are doing much better than what would be predicted by that calculator, but it really is up to the individual.

I hate to ask this question but I am month 4/6 in pre-approval process. My whole life I have tried anything you can think of and I have been so very sure each one was the answer. I usually lose between 8-12 pounds each attempt and then stall. It's been the same thing pre-op. I did intermittent fasting with being gluten free since 7/31/19, no problem fasting 20-22 hours but when I would try to do alternate day fasting or 24 hour fasting I would gain with the lower calories. I have researched starvation mode and most experts agree it does not exist. I ended up averaging 19 hours and plateaued at 12 pounds after 3 months and then started gaining again even with the fasting. When I did my pre-op I was at one of my lower weights (my weight plot looks like shark teeth) and was told I was not allowed to gain at all during the process or my surgery would be denied. As part of my pre-op I have continued intermittent fasting for an average of 16 hours but I also gave up all grains, dairy, sugar, and soy. I have lost another 12 pounds for a total of 24 but cannot get any lower. I've played with calories, food types, anything I can think of. I track all my calories and activities and range 1200-1500 being mostly on the lower end of the range and get at least 30 mins of walking 5 days a week. I have no emotional issues with food and am very disciplined. I do have Hashimoto's thyroiditis but my hormone ranges are good according to my bloodwork. My thyroid is almost not existent except for a large nodule so my endocrinologist wants me to have me thyroid removed in addition to the sleeve. My big fear is that there is something weird with my metabolism and that I'll have the surgery and not be successful. It sounds crazy to even say that but this is a support group and that is my truth.

I'm guessing you may have had a morphine pump in the hospital (or some other narcotic), so that's probably why it felt worse when you got home. It's most likely gas pain - it should work its way out in a few days. The getting in and out of bed thing is common. To be honest, I didn't have any pain at all other than when I was getting in and out of bed. It felt like I'd done 1000 crunches - but that'll go away soon, too.

Well, one thing that will be different and should help is that you will only be taking in anywhere from 600-1,000 calories max during the weight loss phase. After that, maintenance phase will get up to 1,200-1,400 calories daily range, depending upon where you find your body begins putting weight on and is no longer losing is what will determine the magic number for you to maintain. I know, this 600-1,000 cal daily sounds impossible, and prior to WLS it would have been for me. Your smaller pouch helps restrict you, as well as fewer hunger pangs. Congratulations on your 24lb weight loss! We’re same height and that’s better than I did pre-op. You can do this!!

You can do this!!! Whenever people talk about "food funerals" I just reminded myself that the last 5 years of my life was a food funeral. I ate so much crap that I was finally sick of it. Good luck!!!

So I recently had gastric bypass and I’m recovering well. I haven’t been nauseous at all, one of the lucky ones. I haven’t felt hungry, but also haven’t felt full (still on liquids). But, I still have the drive to eat. I don’t think it’s necessarily emotional eating, because I’m feeling pretty stable and good right now. I just like food, and enjoy eating. It’s almost like I lost a hobby. I haven’t given in or anything, and it’s really not that bad. I’m trying to focus on my other interests, and I’m guessing that this will level out over time. But I’m curious, anyone else deal with something like this? Any tips?

Below is an edited version from 3 weeks ago when I was conceivably talking about getting a bypass with the medical group. Now the Doctor Thinks a Sleeve Would be Better Then a Bypass. With battling weight most of my life 10 years ago I got a lap band put in. I am now 57 years old, 15 years ago I was diagnosed with type two diabetes At the time my Lap Band was put in my weight was 230 pounds. That might not sound like a lot of weight but for a male 5’8 it was a lot for me. In addition to having type two diabetes I have also had two neck surgeries and three back surgeries over the years. The Lap Band gave me significant weight loss. I got down from 230 to 160-165. I also lowered my Metformin from 1000 mg to 500 mg. I lost approximately 70 pounds of weight and maintained this weight for about nine years. To say that it was an easy road for me would be lying, I was constantly having the band loosened tightened loose and tightened like being on a roller coaster. I had problems with the Lap Band being so tight that I was having major acid reflux problems. In addition to that I had some small ulcers around my esophagus next to my Lap Band. Last year I decided I had enough of this and had a lot of Fluid taken out of my band. The major acid reflex went away immediately however, I still have some ongoing small minor heartburn and a small cough because the Lap Band is still in place but a lot of the fluid has been taken out. Because of that removal of fluid I have gained back for the first time in 10 years 35 pounds. Now I am back up to taking the same amount of diabetic medicine Metformin 1000 mg because of the 35 pound weight gain. The bariatric center in Los Angeles is now recommending that I conceivably switch to a Sleeve. This decision is not completely final yet and the acid reflex problems I’ve had for so many years which only really developed soon after getting the Lap Band 10 years ago. As in all surgeries there are risk concerns for changing the body anatomy, any advice or opinions from anyone that has been down this same kind of road would be much appreciated. Thank you for your time and concern. Hopefully one day I can help someone else.

You poor thing! I hope they figure it out. I hope I didn't come across as flippant - as if the results are all up to the individual's commitment. I know there are a range of factors outside your control which can really slow you down. Trust me! Right after my surgery, I got a range of chronic illnesses, one caused painful arthritis so I couldn't move or exercise at all, I was also quite dizzy (which turned out to be a brain lesion) and had some vision issues (uveitis and some other inflammation which was causing migraines). Anyway, while they tried to figure it all out, I was on steroids/prednisone for about 18 months (which is a great way to gain weight quickly) and tried a lot of medications (in and out of hospital for months) for different issues which caused me a ton of side effects. However, there is always hope, I went on a biologic medication last year (took ages to get approved because it's very expensive) and am finally, finally getting on top of symptoms and figuring out my way forward with a healthy lifestyle and trying to get on top of my mental health. Hopefully, your medical team will figure it out and help you. I know that it gets frustrating because some people seem to have their surgery and BAM hit goal within a few months, whilst others get stuck with a bad deal (whether it's a medical issue or something else). Please know that you're not alone! Make sure that you take care of yourself!

Do not feel bad about contacting your surgeon’s office as long as you are pleasant and considerate when you speak to them. Remember, in this case you are not just a patient, but also a customer that they are going to make a bunch of money for taking care of. Without you (and other patients) there is no them. Btw, I work in a medical clinic as a nurse and sometimes something will fall through the cracks. A gentle reminder you are waiting is completely acceptable. Hope you get your answers soon!

Whoop! Hope I can keep this pace going. I’m sure it’ll slow, my initial rolling seven day average was around 10-12 for the first couple weeks and it’s been hovering right around 4lbs a week since. Once I got past the low energy stage I feel like hyper-mode has been activated. No food issues. I’m capable of eating anything it seems nothing disagrees with me, just making good choices every day, and the restriction is still very high, an ounce or two depending on what it is. Ate some raw jalapeños even. I haven’t been this light since college (in the 90s). Doesn’t seem possible... wish I did this years ago.