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All dairy except cheese gives me dumping syndrome. Although I guess that is the stomach emptying too fast, not bowel problems. It sucks though. Hoping it will get better. I never had dairy issues before. Ever.

I workout an average of 4 days a week, and the workouts are pretty intense. I used to be a runner, but I could never stick with it consistently. It took me a long time to admit to myself that I hate running! So I do taekwondo twice a week, then the other days I do classes in the gym, like Insanity, Zumba, Rowing, or Body Combat. So fun. So motivating. I really believe in finding something you enjoy so you stick with it.

@@JamieLogical - yes, the $7000 is if you get the surgery in Hospital Angeles by Dr. Kelly. $4800 is for him to do it in the clinic.

My BMI was 29 and the first surgeon I really wanted wouldn't do it unless I had a BMI of at least 30. I refused to gain weight to lose weight, so I went with my second choice of Dr. Ramos-Kelly. He had done them before and we talked on the phone about it. He basically was like, well I don't recommend it for that low of bmi, but if you are intent on doing it, I am a good surgeon and will do it for you. It cost about $4800 in the clinic. He was a good surgeon, but I didn't care for him personally or his facility. I would recommend it being done in a hospital (Like Hospital Angeles) where if something really went wrong, you probably won't die. But it is more expensive there. You have to weigh it all and see what works best for you. Feel free to PM me if you have any other questions!

I paid $4800 in Mexico. I live in So Cal close to Mexico so I just drove; no major traveling expenses.

My surgeon says 900-1100 calories from 3 months post op until forever. Every surgeon has different guidelines I suppose. Somedays I manage to eat a little more than that, but it is with purpose as I am very active. I log everything.

I recently hit goal and am about the same bmi as you. It is hard to be at goal (or under in your case) and not be 100% in love with everything, but nobody is going to be, ever. I have chicken arms and big thighs still. My face deflated and my hair is falling out. My stomach will never be very flat due to rapid weight loss and having three kids. We definitely need to give ourselves some slack and appreciate the good and how healthy we are. I still remember a quote from Cindi Crawford from a long time ago basically saying that the photos of her in magazines, she wished she looked like that. Congrats on how far you have come! You are beautiful!

Thank you for the educational response. I had no idea, and am now the wiser! I hope my question wasn't insulting, it was genuine and out of curiosity.

Seeing as you are 5'10" and your bmi is still considered obese, I am curious why you would want to even consider stopping already? If your weight is still melting off, I say go with it until your body is ready to level out more on its own!

Thank you everyone for all the support!

I did it! I hit my goal today! I started with a goal to lose 50 lbs (I started off low BMI). I never expected it to come off this quickly, but it did, and I won't complain! My goal was somewhat arbitrary, so I don't know where my weight will really level out, but I am now going to try and transition into maintenance mode. My life has only changed for the better since surgery. I have been very active even since before surgery, but now I can move so much faster, and I don't get nearly as winded. My anxiety (which was originally mostly caused by my extreme misery from being overweight) is completely gone. My marriage has vastly improved. I make an effort to look nice, which also has an effect on my mood. My relationship with food, while is still not perfect, is leaps and bounds better than it was before, and it continues to improve. A lady told me yesterday that I remind her of her good friend who is also blonde, tall and SKINNY! What?! It is surreal to hear someone call me skinny! In short, my physical, mental, and emotional well being have sky rocketed. VSG has been a godsend.

I am almost 4 months out and still struggle with it. If I eat without distractions, I find it much easier. I also eat with a baby spoon if it's yogurt or Soup.

To answer Cape Crooner, I determined my goal weight somewhat arbitrarily. I lost weight before I got married (12 years ago) and was really happy at that weight, which was 142 (I am 5'9"). To round it off, I just made my goal an even 140 lbs. I hit my marriage weight of 142 last week! BMI of 21! Sweeeet! Only two more pounds to goal, then maintenance. It seems so weird to be this weight. Like a beautiful dream! Dietbelle, I am not 100% sure as I was never a coffee drinker, but I think doctors discourage any caffeine after surgery.

The same thing happened to me last year when I began a new workout that involved jumping a lot. I was caught off guard to say the least. I found that if I don't drink for an hour or so before I workout and pee just before I start the workout I am fine. If I don't do that, I will end up wetting myself. Trial and error. Glad I didn't give up! Keep with it and find something that works!

I haven't gained a ton of weight, but I lost only 2 lbs over the last month, but in the last 4 days they are back. This is the week where I am nowhere near getting my period and I usually lose the most on this week of my menstrual calendar. The only thing I did differently? Got up to 900 calories like the doctor wanted me to. So, yeah, I am a bit panicky that I am just going to get bigger and bigger by upping my calories to a more realistic point. I know 2 lbs is not much, but I have not fluctuated up at all so far in my weight. I have had no official stalls. Maybe I am just being paranoid. Thanks for all the advice. I do agree that for my activity level, my calories and even Protein seem low. I will work on it.

I started as a low bmi'er (29). My goal was to go from 190 lbs to 140 lbs (what I weighed when I was married 12 years ago). It has been only 3 months post op, and I am about 5 lbs away from goal. I am happy with my body, for the most part, but I really want to get to goal. Truly, I would love, love, love to get into the 130's. I am still in the honeymoon phase, right? My surgeon recommends me eating 900-1000 calories per day at this point. I am just starting to get to that calorie range, or at least close. I drink lots of Water and get about 65 grams of Protein a day. I exercise intensely 4x a week (I burn about 450-650 calories depending on what I am doing). But I am gaining weight. How in the world is that possible? I would love to get up to 1200 calories a day with my activity level, but seeing the scale number creeping up makes me want to just restrict more, which isn't very difficult, but probably not the healthiest. Basically, I have struggled with my weight my whole life, I make this huge decision and spend all this money for weight loss surgery, and I am terrified I am just going to end up big again, even doing all that I am. I feel defeated. Anyone have this happen? How did you remedy it?

I never heard one word about NOT chewing it, so I do. Daily. I love it. I have never noticed being gassy from swallowing too much air with it. Then again, I also use straws, so...

I had it done in Mexico at a clinic with Dr. Kelly. Except for getting really sick for two days from the anesthesia (probably would have happened anywhere), all went well. Have had no complications since. That being said, I would not recommend it, especially in a clinic. I know others rave and rave about it, but I truly got the feeling that if something had gone really wrong, I would not have gotten the care that I would have received in the states. I happen to speak a fair amount of Spanish, which was awesome, because NONE of my nurses spoke English. At least if you are going to do there, I would go with having it done somewhere like Hospital Angeles. I should have done it there, but it was more expensive and I wanted to save money, even though Dr. Kelly very strongly recommended doing it in the hospital. Something to think about. This is your health! P.S. I also wouldn't strongly recommend Dr. Kelly. Surgery was great. Before and after? Not so much.

My energy started to return after about 2 months post op. Adding calories and more real foods is what helped a ton. When I was just eating 400 calories max and relying so heavily on Protein drinks, I was really tired. I am only 3 months post op and workout intensely at least 4 times a week. My energy is through the roof!

As someone whose dumping syndrome seems to be getting worse over time, I envy you. The grass is always greener on the other side, right? Imagine every time you eat you aren't sure if you are going to have explosive diarrhea, and it can include foods that never used to give it to you, so you are never sure. For example, I can eat yogurt, and 95% of the time it is fine, but if it isn't, I have about 5 seconds to make it to a bathroom. It has gotten so I am getting afraid to eat if I know I have to go anywhere, which is all the time! And sometimes it takes effect within 10 mins, other times an hour or hour and a half. *sigh* Not to downplay constipation, I know it is a big deal too. Congrats on your recent bowel cleansing! As someone whose dumping syndrome seems to be getting worse over time, I envy you. The grass is always greener on the other side, right? Imagine every time you eat you aren't sure if you are going to have explosive diarrhea, and it can include foods that never used to give it to you, so you are never sure. For example, I can eat yogurt, and 95% of the time it is fine, but if it isn't, I have about 5 seconds to make it to a bathroom. It has gotten so I am getting afraid to eat if I know I have to go anywhere, which is all the time! And sometimes it takes effect within 10 mins, other times an hour or hour and a half. *sigh* Not to downplay constipation, I know it is a big deal too. Congrats on your recent bowel cleansing! As someone whose dumping syndrome seems to be getting worse over time, I envy you. The grass is always greener on the other side, right? Imagine every time you eat you aren't sure if you are going to have explosive diarrhea, and it can include foods that never used to give it to you, so you are never sure. For example, I can eat yogurt, and 95% of the time it is fine, but if it isn't, I have about 5 seconds to make it to a bathroom. It has gotten so I am getting afraid to eat if I know I have to go anywhere, which is all the time! And sometimes it takes effect within 10 mins, other times an hour or hour and a half. *sigh* Not to downplay constipation, I know it is a big deal too. Congrats on your recent bowel cleansing!

Yes, mine were the same as JamieLogical's. At the beginning I was going through food withdrawals (more mentally than anything), was pretty tired, and I felt like I lost my best friend, food. The first couple weeks were rough mentally, but then the weight started melting off, slowly started adding more foods, and my anxiety vanished! I only had 40-50 lbs to lose and now being within only a few lbs from my goal weight only 3 months later, this was the best decision ever! Working out is so much easier, and my confidence is so much better. Good luck with your decision!

I have made Protein mug cakes out of them, but it is still nasty, but it gives a nice alternative to drinking it. I occasionally get dumping syndrome from Protein shakes, so I am thinking to quit them all together. I am only 3 months post op, but if I am really careful, I can usually get 60+grams of protein through food. A couple of months ago it would have been impossible without the shakes though. I feel your pain.

Congrats! You won't regret it!

I get it, but it is usually within 10 mins of eating something (usually dairy related). Severe stomach cramps, then diarrhea couple of times. Leaves me weak and tired. I only get it occasionally. I don't think it is anything to worry about, and I have heard it gets better with time. I am only 3 months out, so we'll see. Some get it right after eating and some get it like you, after a while. All falls within the range of normal, I believe.

Went to Mexico with 29 BMI and zero comorbidities. Best thing I ever did for myself.