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How is everyone doing??? I'm 6 weeks away from exactly 1 year and honestly, feeling a little defeated that I'm not further along. I'd really hoped to be at goal (about 25lbs to go) or AT LEAST have hit 100lbs down (about 11lbs to go). The weight loss has slowed to a creep the last couple of months, so I'm fairly certain neither will happen. In fact, I'm starting to wonder if I'll really lose any more weight at all! Of course, I have to look back and be grateful for how far I HAVE come and what I HAVE accomplished. Nearly 90lbs lost, better mobility, back pain gone, asthma significantly improved, some 47 inches lost across my body, labs all perfectly normal and within healthy ranges, finally feeling at peace with my body..... The list truly goes on and on. This is the work of WLS though, isn't it? Balancing the good with the bad, the hard with the joyful, the work to be done with the progress already made. How are you all doing?

Thanks@Crisscat! I was the opposite. I was so quiet and spacey on my surgery day. All went well and I'm home now recovering.

Do the INTERNAL work first, and don't stop. Counseling, books, support groups. Do whatever you need to so that you are in a healthy place mentally and emotionally BEFORE surgery and then keep going because you WILL need it after. I did a ton of work before surgery and felt like I was in a really good place, but I didn't keep up with most of it post-op and really struggled for a while. The hormonal changes, body changes, and lifestyle changes all add up and suddenly I didn't recognize myself or my life anymore. this is a lifelong process, you will be a WLS patient for the rest of your life, and making sure you are taking care of your WHOLE self is so, so important.

I’m doing way better then I expected. I’ve lost 137.5lbs weighing in at 142.5lbs. I never really set a goal weight with my surgeon and nutritionist it was more of I want to be able to get off most of the medication I was taking so that’s what we were focused on and it let me not worry about the scale so much. I’m happy to say I’m off all meds with the exception of my AFib meds which unfortunately I’ll never be able to come off of and I’m ok with that. But I think I have finally reached my first stall hard to believe lol as I’ve been stuck on 142.5 around 3 weeks now and again I’m ok with that. Just ready for the next step of skin removal surgery. They always say those last few pounds are always the hardest to come off. So don’t beat yourself up to bad. You’ve done a great job so far and some don’t even make it that far so be proud of yourself. It’s definitely the way I’m trying to look at WLS as a lifelong process and one that takes work that’s for sure lol. Whoever said this was the easy way out surely has no clue lol.

Thanks for the confidence booster! I'm not so self conscious anymore but i carry a lot of my weight lower body more so my legs and that's always been something that made me self conscious. It's becoming less and less now i'm at a point where i want to get married we put it off because of surgery my parter told me just to say the word and we will do it. I'm really starting to look forward to the future.

Nice job. More to come

Coughing after surgery isn’t that uncommon after abdominal because some patients build up mucus & then cough to break it up & bring it up. It’s important to cough & bring up the mucus to reduce the risk of an infection or pneumonia. Make sure you use a pillow against your abdomen to support your tummy when you cough. Breath exercises like breathing slowly & deeply can help. Check with your surgeon though as the cough should be easing or gone by now. Doubt it is reflux unless you are also experiencing more severe heart burn symptoms, burning in your throat, sour taste in your mouth, trouble swallowing or breathing. A 40mg PPI is a high dose so should be controlling any reflux or excess acid production you may have. But always best to check with your surgeon too.

It sounds like you’re doing everything perfectly! But don’t worry. The weight will start to drop again. Summerseeker mentioned weight loss like a staircase and I found that to be true for me. Keep up the great work. You’re really doing well! 40 lbs down is great! 😁

This is my first post so I hope I’m doing it right. I haven’t told anyone at work either. My boss knows that I have some “health issues” and my medical providers have decided that the best resolution is surgical. It has allowed me to explain my need to come in late or leave early for appointments. I may open up more about it at some point but for right now I’m good. I have a few close friends that know and are very supportive but it is definitely not something I want to “go public” about. I am happy with my decision to have WLS. I know it’s the right thing, I’m just not interested in hearing others opinions about my decision.

This was the best thing to read today! I hope my surgery and recovery goes smoothly too.