BKLYNgal87

The rationale behind the pouch test is not necessarily to jump start the weight loss again. It's not about caloric restriction. As you thought, reverting back to a liquid followed by pureed diet helps to tighten up the stomach a bit again, closer to the size it was immediately post-op. When you eat less (or less bulk) your stomach shrinks. When you eat more, it expands. This is what you want to try to mitigate and manage long term. There have been times in this past year when I started eating more than I should at one time or snacking too often or falling victim to the carb monster, so I started doing the pouch test to boost my restriction.

Some people use the 5:2 plan to get back on track, some use the pouch test, some do both or neither. Everyone is different. Whatever plan works for keeping you at goal weight and keeps you accountable in the long run is what you should do.

I'm going to go out on a limb and assume you don't work in the medical field, k?

Want to know why it seems like everyone on here has a different plan and experience? Because of two universal truths of medicine:

Every.

patient.

is.

different.

&

Every.

physician.

is.

different.

I hope this clears things up. Let common sense be your guide and you will do fine on your WLS journey, whether you reach out for support on this site or not.

Admittedly, as a stats nerd this article and associated study made me snicker. The Lancet is really going downhill in terms of quality publishing.

"The study also found that more than 50 per cent of the world's 600 plus million obese people live in only ten countries: the United States, China, Russia, Brazil, Mexico, Egypt, Germany, Pakistan and Indonesia." - which would only make sense given the population of all those countries.

Nothing like a big, fat statistical nothingburger.

I never had reflux pre-op. I suffer from it every day post op, and my 1 year surgiversary was two days ago. So for some people it doesn't go away so quickly. Continuing to take a daily PPI is probably in your best interest now. As would be continuing to follow the high protein/low carb/small meals diet strictly. I've just found when I eat less crap my reflux is better. It's probably anecdotal but can't hurt!

YES, LIPSTICK!! YOU GO GIRL!!

You look positively SMASHING

I haven't really been interested in finding out exactly what my sugar threshold is but last time I had some frozen yogurt I was running to the bathroom within 20 minutes. Excellent deterrent!

Congrats on your successful journey thus far! Keep up the great work

I'd be OK with weighing around 150-155lbs because that's within the healthy BMI range for my height. But I'm shifting focus away from the scale (trying to limit myself to one weigh in a week) and on to building lean muscle and toning up. I work out 5-6 days out of the week and weight train at least 3 of those days. Got to get rid of some of this arm and tummy flab for summer!

I am dating again as well. My rule of thumb has been to not divulge the weight loss, especially early on. This hasn't worked out too well in practice when bouncers or bartenders ask for my ID when I'm out with guys. They give me weird looks and ask me if my license is indeed mine. Makes for an awkward conversation with my date . When it comes to online dating especially courtship is rather long as two people who are complete strangers get to know eachother. My medical history is something I find deeply personal and I always try and make calculated risks when it comes to bearing my soul to someone. That being said, nothing is more attractive than self-confidence. You should be proud of your accomplishments - let that pride shine through in how you act and how you carry yourself.

Iron? Not that I'm aware. Biotin helps some people with hair regrowth. Not much to be done about it falling out though. It's a physiological reaction to things like surgery and diets. I take 2x 2500 mg Biotin a day and far as I can tell it helps a little as long as I consistently take it.

I also had a wonderful experience with Dr. Bessler and his group. Can't recommend them enough!

Feeling sad, yesterday a long time friend died of complications of wls. She had the gastric by pass in 2002 I believe and lost alot of weight but she was still considered overweight. Last year she had the sleeve and had complications. I am recently sleeved 4/2014 and just feel so in awe about her dying. I KNOW that there are always complications and risk with any surgery. I am just down and nervous and do not want to make any mistakes or have any complications.Feeling some type of way......I NEVER KNEW ANYONE who has died from WLS.

That is really horrible to hear about your friend. I am sorry for your loss and your friend's family's loss. But, question, she had bypass then the sleeve? Not possible. Perhaps they did a revision or something on her pouch or intestines to correct damage. All surgical interventions carry risks, and revision/corrective surgeries even more so unfortunately. The best way you can honor your friend's memory is by taking care of yourself, physically and emotionally, and making the most out of your weight loss journey and your life in general. Each day is a blessing and an opportunity. Best wishes.

Question - would you have been able to lose 3.8 lbs per week without the surgery?

Sounds like you're doing very well so far. Keep up the post-op diet and walking regiment and you'll do great.

LOL - Yay for anatomy & physiology!

OMG Girl you look SO FAB!!! Look at those guns! You are so inspiring!

Incredible!! You look absolutely stunning!

I agree with the above. This surgery is about YOU, and you alone. It's for your health and well-being in the long term. Here's the thing about relationships in life - they come and go for more reasons than you can count. I understand you may care about this person a great deal. But his lack of support for you in this important life-altering decision must be an eye opener to some degree. It speaks to his character and a probable lack of maturity. You deserve a partner who is really going to be a partner.

That being said, even if he was 100% supportive of the surgery and was there with you every step of the way, that doesn't mean you'll stay together long term. I speak from experience. My ex-fiance was the epitome of supportive and loving from day one. But I realized as the weight came off that I became a different person. This is pretty common for post-op bariatric patients. Our weight affects us so much more than just physically. My feelings about myself changed and over time, and unfortunately so did my feelings about him. The foundation upon which we built our relationship wasn't healthy. It was broken and cynical. So we broke it off. It's sad and painful, but life goes on. He'll always have a place in my heart as my first love, but there will be others after him. However, everyone only gets one of themselves. Being kind and loving toward yourself needs to come first.

I'm inching toward 1 year post op. I tolerate most things, even fibrous foods. But thankfully a lot of sugar or fried food does NOT sit well with me. I had a few bites of a friend's baked banana bread the other day because I didn't think it had that much sugar in it but OH BOY was I wrong. 20 minutes later scrambling to find the nearest bathroom. A fairly mild case of dumping syndrome but it was enough to remind me to stay clear of baked goods!!

Thank you Dooter. I've been in a real life funk for the last few weeks and reading your post has definitely encouraged me. My fiance became my ex-fiance after being together 3 years, I had several panic attacks, and I somehow gained 5lbs back. It's a struggle to keep it together nowadays, much less eat right and go to the gym. But I don't want to fall off the wagon. I owe it to myself not to. I've come too far to to let the challenges of life defeat me. Hugs!!

Did you all see this?? Whoever wrote this craigslist "missed connections" post is my hero.

http://jezebel.com/behold-the-most-perfectly-scathing-missed-connection-of-1547148781

Delamoras - are you taking a daily PPI like prilosec (omeprazole)? For sure there are plenty of people who never lose the "hunger" sensation. But I find mine is easier to manage if I take my daily PPI early in the morning, so some of it must be due to stomach acid. Glad you are toning back the food. It's better to be safe than sorry this early out. It will get better. I can assure you of that.

Acid reflux post-op is probably the most common complication of vertical sleeve gastrectomy. Studies point to as many as 30% of patients have it for a couple of months, some end up with it longer term. I never had it pre-op, now I need to take a daily PPI. Most days it does the trick by itself. Hopefully I won't have to live with it forever but it's a small price to pay. 15 lbs from goal!

Holy Cr*p Girl you look AMAZING!!!!!

That's a good idea, I'm sure I can add in a Protien smoothie a day. Saw my new doc and nutritionist last week, they where both unhappy with my weight, said I need to gain, but didn't really give me advice on how to. The doc told me to stop working out which is dumb in my opinion. I just worked hard the last year to change my life style and don't want to through it all away. If did switch it up so now I'm doing more strength work and less cardio every week.

Hmm yeah this is not very helpful advice on the part of your doctor. Try the liquid calories, and/or add some higher fat Snacks to your eating plans every day, like cheese and nuts. I mentioned Ensure above because my brother, who is in the Marines, swears by it every time his CO tells him to gain 5 or 10 lbs.

As for working out, you can lower the intensity of the cardio routines and spend more time building up muscle tone with weights. Exercise is a great stress reliever and if I were you I wouldn't give it up because it helps with much more than just weight loss. Most important is to increase caloric intake and see how things go from there. Please keep us updated.

Edit: Oops. I just realized this thread was in the Vets forum. ::skulking away now::

Wow. Sounds like you've had a rough couple of months, and if I had to guess, the stress is the biggest contributor to your continued weight loss. It may be time to meet with your doctor for a physical to make sure you are okay health wise. If he or she thinks you need to gain some weight back, there's always Ensure shakes and strength training at the gym.