catwoman7

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

I'd read to expect $8k-$10K per procedure, with the lower body lift (LBL) counting as two procedures since they're doing front and back. But for the rest - arm lift, breast lift, etc - count on about $8K-10K each. I found this to be pretty much on the money during my consults (I went on three consult visits) - the quotes I got were pretty much what I expected. I had an LBL, arm lift, and a breast lift - it was done in two visits a few months apart - and my total bill was right around $40K. I'm retired - so I didn't have to worry about work. However, plastic surgery was much more painful and a tougher recovery than gastric bypass was. After the first week or so, though, it was more discomfort than pain (and that discomfort lasted for a long time), and I was driving after about 10 days. I guess I could have gone back to work after two or three weeks (if I worked, that is...) I also got a quote from Dr. Francisco Sauceda in Mexico. He was quite a bit cheaper - it's been awhile, but I think it was around $26K for everything. But I decided I'd rather go to someone within driving distance from here in case I had any complications. It'd be a lot easier than having to fly somewhere (esp out of the country) if I couldn't find a doctor here to deal with complications.

I haven't but I know a few people who have. Some went back to basics (not all the way back to liquid diet and protein shakes, but (dense) protein first, then non-starchy veggies, and then, if you have room, a small serving of fruit or whole grain carbs). They also lowered their average calorie intake a little every week or two until they found a level that they'd lose weight at. There are also a few who did Weight Watchers.

I'm not sure if mine did at all - but then, I lost over 200 lbs. I finally had plastic surgery to get rid of it.

fluids go right through you so you're not going to stretch your stomach. I was worried I was drinking too fast at first, too. I think some people can just drink faster than others. I did try to force myself to slow down, though - just in case...

some people take up things like knitting to keep their hands busy. Or anything that gets them out of the house. I try to get out of my house since I'm not as likely to think about food when I"m out and about. When I was stuck in the house this past winter (with the polar vortex), I did jigsaw puzzles (not all the time, of course...but when I needed to keep myself from mindless eating...)

I think I lost 15 lbs then

we must have been posting at the exact same time. You're still VERY early out. What you're feeling is very common and usually passes pretty quickly. I had the same thoughts early out, but not for long. I had to remind myself that I'd tried to lose weight many, many, MANY times and it'd always come back. I came to the realization that the only way to permanently deal with the problem was WLS. I'm really glad I had it - although the first couple of weeks, I felt the same as you do. It's very common.

if you're early out, that is a common feeling that usually passes fairly quickly. If you're further out, you might want to consider therapy. It's no fun feeling that way!

I thought the pre-op diet was the worst part of the whole ordeal. In spite of being nervous being rolled into surgery, I was glad the damn pre-op diet was over! All you can really do is white knuckle it and keep reminding yourself it's only temporary. I savored my V8 and chicken broth - and I ate sugar free popsicles and sugar free Jello with abandon since they were the only things that resembled real food. It does get better by day 4 or so, though. I wasn't as hungry because my body had gone into ketosis by then. But still, it sucks.

buyer's remorse during the first few weeks is normal - and so is being emotional due to a flooding of hormones. You'll get through it and will most likely end up being very happy you had the surgery

pretty much everybody has that. It happens within the first 4-6 weeks after surgery. We call it the "three week stall" because it usually happens the third week, but not always. Mine was week 2 and 3. My weight loss started up again during week 4, and I dropped like 6-8 lbs within a couple of days. Do a search on this site for the three week stall - you'll find literally hundreds of posts on it.

I don't use MFP, but as far as macros go, it depends on your plan. Most people are told to focus solely on protein and fluids at first, since you'll be eating so little the rest doesn't really matter quite yet. We were told to aim for at least 60 grams of protein per day, and that seems to be pretty common.

very common. Another often heard reason is that estrogen is stored in fat cells, and when you start losing weight quickly, the estrogen floods your system. Whatever the reason, it'll stabilize after awhile.

Four years out and in maintenance for 2.5 years. I can maintain my weight if I stay within a 1500-1700 range.

I've read about that on another site. Evidently, people have found limited success with those procedures. They'll lose some weight, but not a lot.

there isn't a difference in hair loss between the two surgeries that I'm aware of. Hair loss can be a side effect of any surgery, but it's more common in weight loss surgeries because we're not taking in much protein or calories those first few months. This would be true of either surgery. AND..not everyone loses hair. And some people just lose a little - not enough for anyone else to notice. Even if you're one of the unlucky ones who loses a lot, others may not notice - and in the end, it all grows back. It's totally worth it.

are you tracking everything you eat? Stalls don't normally last for two months - you may have put yourself in maintenance. Be sure you're sticking to your program. I have to weigh and measure most things - I am NOT good at estimating.

some people become lactose intolerant - at least temporarily (although sometimes permanently) after WLS, and some people can't tolerate sugar alcohols (the artificial sweeteners they put in a lot of those things). SO maybe one of those??