catwoman7

I think part of the issue is that most people's exposure to WLS is "My 600 lb Life". I'm not knocking the show at all, but the people on there are NOT typical WLS patients. I've been talking to pre-op groups for the last three years, and I don't think I've ever seen anyone in there who was more than 400 or so pounds. Most look like they're probably 200-250. Most surgeons won't operate on someone who's the size of "My 600 lb Life" people - which is why they go to Dr. Now. Anyway, those people are starting out at super high BMI's, which is why they drop so much weight so fast. For us more "normal" patients, that amount of weight loss, although possible, is uncommon. I've been hanging out on bariatric boards for the last five years or so, and just based on what I've heard and read, I'd say most of us lose somewhere in the 15-25 lb range that first month. You'll find some who lose more or less, but I'd say a huge majority fit somewhere in that range. So you are totally fine!!

pretty much everyone stalls sometime during the first month after surgery. As the above poster said, do a search on the "three week stall". You'll find hundreds of posts on it (it's called the three week stall because it usually happens the third week, but not always. Mine was week 2 and 3). also, PLEASE do not cheat this early out! Not only are you not setting yourself up for a successful journey, but you could severely hurt your new stomach! Those incisions still haven't fully healed! and also remember - people lose weight at vastly different rates for all kinds of reasons. Your level of commitment to your program will have a MUCH greater effect on your ultimate success than your rate of weight loss will. I was a slow loser from the get-go. I lost 16 lbs the first month. And I've lost all of my excess weight - over 200 lbs! JUST STICK TO THE PROGRAM! The weight WILL come off if you're diligent!

if you end up having to do the sleeve, keep in mind that lots of people have been very successful with it! In both cases, it's really more your level of commitment than the type of surgery.

3 years

sodium? hormones? constipation? Could be any of those. Give it a couple of days and see if it drops again.

you'll be hard pressed to find a surgeon who'll place a lap band anymore. Too many complications with them - a lot of surgeons just stopped doing them. RNY (gastric bypass) and VSG (the sleeve) are the surgeries most people get now.

enjoy it while it lasts - it will NEVER be easier to lose weight than it will right now, when you're almost never hungry and have no interest in food. All that will come back (hunger & appetite) - and then things will get a LOT more challenging.

I haven't but there are several people on another forum I'm on who have - and yes, it either cured or improved their reflux.

i'm not sure, but I would imagine they'd do something to keep your airways open so they don't close up during surgery - maybe with tubes or something?? also, it's good to know if you have sleep apnea so you can deal with it (CPAP machine). Sleep apnea can be dangerous. I found out through my sleep study that i have a borderline case, but I luckily didn't have to get a machine - they said it should resolve after losing just 20-30 lbs.

I don't know if there's much you can do about other than keep on top of your protein and vitamins so it doesn't get any worse than it would be otherwise. Just know it's temporary and it'll grow back...

it also could be due to the "hormone dump" that a lot of people have. Estrogen is stored in fat cells, so it's released during rapid weight loss. Should balance out within a few weeks...

the above posters are right - you'll feel the restriction when you start eating solid food.

lots of surgeons require a sleep study, but not all. Sleep apnea is pretty common in obese people. And no - it won't cause them to cancel the surgery. The anesthesiologist needs to know about it so they can plan accordingly.

people say that VSG is "less invasive", but removing 80% of your stomach seems pretty "invasive" to me. ...

actually, those foods you mentioned - fried, breaded, carbonated, alcohol - are things we're not supposed to be eating anyway. I get the same "side effect" from fried foods (not so much the other three - but I usually avoid those as well). It's a reminder (to me, anyway), NOT to eat them! I had a (catered) meal once from Cracker Barrel the day before a memorial service. There was almost nothing on the buffet that was on my plan, but I put together what I could (a piece a chicken with the skin removed - plus some of their greasy green beans). I was in the bathroom throwing up afterward. I just can't tolerate grease anymore - and that's a probably a good thing!! (other than when it's my only option!)

Just stick to your plan - that's pretty much all the control you have over your weight loss. Your body will lose the weight, whether fast or slow. I was a slow loser from day 1, and I ended up losing all my excess weight (over 200 lbs). I was very committed to my plan and almost never went off it while I was in the losing phase.

my own

the pre-op diet, in my opinion, was the worst part of the whole process. You'll just have to white knuckle it. It does get better after the first two or three days when your body goes into ketosis. I remember eating sugar free popsicles and sugar free Jello with abandon since they were the only things that somewhat resembled real food. We're talking like making a batch of Jello and eating half of it in one sitting!

I'm pretty sure I just wore the hospital socks - and then slip ons for the trip home. I agree with the others - your abs are going to be really sore for awhile, so you don't want to have to bend over to tie shoes.

it's all the protein and not taking in much - if any - fiber. As the above poster said, it'll be the same for awhile after surgery, too, if you're still on a liquid diet then (most of us are). I don't remember doing anything about it pre-surgery, but they told us to take stool softeners and something like Benefiber post-surgery to get things going. Just check with your clinic.

stalls happen. They're not caused by any particular issue (unless you're going off your program). I think it's your body's way of catching its breath and recalibrating. I just kept doing what I was doing, and the weight loss would start up again. I had my first one during weeks 2 and 3 post-op. The weight loss started up again during week 4, and I dropped like 6-8 lbs within a couple of days. I didn't stall *a lot* (although some people do...), bit I do remember stalling three or four times during my journey. They usually lasted a week or two. Although I remember near the end (maybe a year or so out?) stalling for like a month and thinking I was done - but no - it started up again.

I was allowed yogurt, but some surgeons insist on clear liquids only. Jello would be considered a clear liquid

it took 18-20 months. I lost 16 lbs the first month, then about 10 lbs (give or take) until about month 6. Then it dropped down to about 8 lbs - then down to like 5. After the first year, it was only 2 or 3 lbs a month. But I was very compliant with my program - I almost never went off - and the weight kept gradually dropping.

you don't lose as much the first month because the first month is a lot of "water weight", which you've already lost. Other than that, I'm guessing it's about the same. I lost 57 lbs pre-op, and I still ended up losing 100% of my excess weight.

some do some don't. It's definitely not universal. I'm not sure you're going to be able to get them to cover it if there's an exclusion in your policy. Some folks go to Mexico when they're in that situation since it's usually a lot cheaper