catwoman7

I'd talk to the surgeon who did your surgery. Getting sick right after you eat could be a stricture.

well, I wouldn't go so far as to say "effortless", but it's very do-able. Trying to maintain in the 130s would have been really tough.

at first I wasn't happy being back at 150 (I wanted to see those 130s again!!), but my PCP said to try to stay within the 140-160 range because 130s were way too low for me. My normal BMI range goes up to 154 (I'm 5'6"), so I'm within the normal range. I've come to accept it and admit it's probably a good weight for me. I have a large frame and am pretty muscular (according to the DEXA scan, my muscles alone weigh 117 lbs), so the upper end of a normal BMI range does make sense given my body composition. Plus it's not too difficult to maintain at this weight. I think it would have been a constant battle to remain in the 130s. My body was just not comfortable with that - and given my fat percentage was 22% at 146 lbs, that percentage would have been lower in the 130s - so I can see why my body wasn't happy!! (plus I am almost 60 years old - lots of PCP's - including mine - prefer their older adults to be in the 23-27 BMI range to give them a little "cushion" in case they get sick. I'm at a 24 BMI now). as far as clothes, I wear a M/L (depending on manufacturer) or a 12, usually. At 138 I could get into some 10's and most M's, but no smaller. These big a** bones and broad shoulders just aren't going to get into anything much smaller. The bones are in the way. I envy these people who can fit into a size 6 or 8 at 150 lbs, but there's no way I could do that, not even after plastic surgery (which I've had). BUT......M/L and size 12 are pretty normal sizes, after all...

FluffyChix - you may want to consider getting a DEXAscan to see how much of that "fat" is actually "fat". I had one at 146 lbs - when I thought I still had about 20 lbs to go. Nope. My body fat was 22% - normal, but definitely on the low side for a female my height. That "fat" I had was just loose skin. The technician - and my PCP who saw the results - said it was time to stop losing weight (I did go down to 138 after that, which even I admit was too low for me, but in retrospect I'm glad I did because over the next year I gradually put on 12 lbs ("bounce back") and now am at a healthy 150 (give or take a couple of pounds depending on the day). anyway, the scans they do at medical clinics only measure bone density - not body composition. But there are commercial places - as well as sports labs at universities - that measure both. I paid around $150 for mine - but you may find lower prices at a university. I found it very worthwhile as I thought before I had it that I still had a ways to go. Nope.

absolutely - start now! I did and I was really glad I did. I lost 57 lbs before I was rolled into the operating room. And at a BMI of 50, there's no way it's going to affect your approval. Unless you're using some really unhealthy approach to lose weight pre-surgery, you're not going to get down below a 40 (or 35) BMI by then. plus, eating better and exercising will ease you in to the post-op way of life so it won't seem so radical once you've had surgery. You'll be used to at least some of it. I started eating more protein, fewer carbs, and fewer calories post op (my dietitian had me eat 2300 or fewer calories). I also took the time to gradually wean myself off coffee and soda then - and practiced waiting 30 minutes after eating to drink anything. And I started an exercise program. I think it was very helpful and eased the transition into post-op life.

You started out with a really low BMI for a WLS patient. I don't know how tall you are, but I'm guessing you're starting to close in on your goal weight. I didn't hit that until much later (because I started out at over 300 lbs), but I can tell you the last 15-20 lbs are a BEAR to get off. It took FOREVER. I know this isn't particularly helpful, but I just wanted to let you know that I know where you're coming from and yes, it's really frustrating. I just stayed the course and it eventually.....S-L-O-W-L-Y....came off, but like I said it took forever, and I wasn't sure I was ever going to get there. Even now, at a normal BMI, it takes me forever to take off even five pounds. That took like a week when I was at 300+. I can now empathize with those skinny people who used to complain about how hard it is to lose weight when they only had like five pounds to lose. I used to roll my eyes when I heard that. No more...

nope - liquid goes right through you. I could drink more than I thought I should be able to as well - I was told not to worry about it.

I've never heard anything about that, but I just found this article where it lists gastritis as a risk of sleeve surgery (#7). I'd ask the surgeon - but I'm thinking that if gastritis can be a side effect of VSG, already having it before you even have surgery might be an issue. Although again, I'd just ask your surgeon https://www.ramsayhealth.co.uk/blog/2014/09/25/9-things-you-need-to-know-about-a-gastric-sleeve-surgery-sleeve-gastrectomy

they'll probably give you Versed first. It's twilight sedation, but it always knocks me out cold (well either that, or I don't remember a thing). If they don't offer anything, you can ask. But they probably give it everyone as a routine. being scared of surgery is very common - esp if it's your first one. But like the above person said, you'll be in the pre-op room - and the next thing you know, you'll be in the recovery room. It seems like only a few seconds have gone by!

that's weird he wants to take out your gallbladder after having you on ursodiol for six months. Ursodiol greatly reduces your risk of gallstones. I'm wondering why he's even bothering if he's planning on taking out your gallbladder once you're done with the ursodiol (???). fortunately, my insurance covers meds, so I just have a $5 (generic) or $15 (brand name) co-pay. $614 a month is nuts - although honestly, I'm not surprised. is the acid reflux one omeprazole? You can get that over the counter (Prilosec). Some of the related ones you can get over the counter, too. The OTC versions are not cheap, but they may be cheaper than the prescribed ones. I'd check it out. Nausea - I wouldn't think you'd need that for very long - maybe just the first few days. I wasn't on anything for nausea at all once I left the hospital

they pumped you full of IV fluids when you were in the hospital, and those fluids contain a lot of sodium to boot (which makes some people retain water). I've heard of people gaining 10+ lbs on those. I stayed off the scale for the first week or ten days just so that extra fluid would work its way out of my system so I wouldn't have a heart attack when I stepped on the scale.

I weigh myself every day but my dietititian would prefer I do it once a week (she said I get too obsessed with the number on the scale). However, in the past the weight always crept back on if I stopped weighing myself. Before I knew it, I'd be up 20 or 30 or 40 lbs. So maybe cut back on the frequency - but I wouldn't stop weighing altogether. But I am me and you are you... with plastic surgery, don't forget that many people have a 10-20 lb bounce back after they hit their lowest weight. Your plastic surgery work can be affected if you gain or lose more than 10 lbs, so many surgeons recommend you be at a stable weight for 6-12 months before doing it. I've gained 12 lbs since I hit bottom (and have come to terms with my higher weight - I'm still within a normal BMI range and admittedly look better at this weight). So I'm glad I waited - although maybe 12 lbs wouldn't have made much difference...

there's not much you can do about that short of plastic surgery. I took the plunge and don't have those issues anymore. Before, I did water aerobics, walked, did yoga, did TRX, the recumbent bike. My stomach slapped around with water aerobics and TRX and got in the way sometimes with yoga. I just dealt with it. I'm glad it's gone now, though.

just be careful - transfer addiction is a risk for bariatric patients. I've seen more than a few people post on various internet forums that they developed alcoholism after bariatric surgery. That's not to say you can't enjoy a drink once in awhile. But...watch it.

I had GERD pre-surgery. No way would I get the sleeve. GERD doesn't get worse for *everyone* who gets the sleeve, but it does for a sizable minority. There are several people on bariatric internet forums who've revised to bypass because of it. I would definitely get the bypass. I suspect this surgeon is just more familiar with the sleeve - and it's also a quicker, easier surgery, so less complicated for him. I'd be really tempted to get a second opinion. You're the one who'll have to leave with the potential GERD problem, not him.

I was already post-menopausal when I had surgery, but a lot of people are cold all the time after surgery. Even before they've lost much weight.

yes. You were pumped full of IV fluids in the hospital - and they contain a lot of sodium to boot. I've heard of people gaining 10 lbs or more from them. They'll work their way out in a few days. I just stayed off the scale that first week because I knew chances were good that my weight would be up, esp since I retain water when I get too much sodium!

yep - very common. I'm surprised you weren't informed of this. Unfortunately, there's not much you can do about it - if it's gonna happen, it's gonna happen. But it'll stop after a few weeks or months and then grow back. For most of us, even though WE notice, it's not enough for other people to notice. And it's a small price to pay in exchange for the weight loss.

it goes away for some, but not for all. I'm surprised they didn't tell you that that was a possible side effect of the sleeve.

I usually get caramel, coconut, and chocolate peanut butter. The fruit ones are good too, though

I was also told I had to be completely healed (scabs off) - that was about four weeks for me.

you're what we call a "lightweight". You're not going to lose as much every month as those of us who started out a lot heavier, and you're probably going to get to your goal way before 12 months is up. So...no worries!

You asked about 600-800 calories a day. Yes, that is fine for where you are

the only macro I really pay much attention to at this stage of the game is protein. I malabsorb it, so I need to average 100+ grams a day or else my prealbumin level tanks. I'm not particularly carb sensitive, so I don't really count carbs - although I do stick to healthy, complex ones. A lot of people ARE carb sensitive, though, so if you are, you'll probably still need to continue to limit those. I've never counted fats. I basically just switched over to straight calorie counting once I got to goal - except for the aforementioned protein - I still pay attention to that.

I had a glass of champagne on my 20th anniversary - three years after surgery!