Wobblybelly

My advice that worked for me ☺
Don't feel defeated if the scale stays the same sometimes. My weight, after the first few months, seems to have weeks of staying the same then starts dropping again. This happens regularly to me.
Don't worry about loose stools in the begining. They usually end. I'm a year out and it no longer happens unless I've had much too much fats or sugars in a day.
Walk more and move more. If I have a week doing nothing I can guarantee the scales won't budge.
Drink as much as you can by always having a sports bottle of Water or sugar free drink to sip throughout the day.
As time goes on don't deprive yourself of anything long term. If I fancy chocolate or cake I have some, but only a little bit. Your body needs to be trained to eat healthier and less but not deprived of anything ( the more you think you're not able something the more you crave it). You will find you don't fancy sugary things as much though and you'll know that too much leads you to the toilet !
If you eat more than you should and feel sick it helps you judge the amount /what you can eat. Use it as your deterrent rather than an inconvenience. It helps keep you in check.
Trust in the surgery , it will work !
Throw your clothes away every time you go down a size .... you need to be positive that you won't ever need them again! Keep one of your biggest items of clothes though to hold up against you every time you feel down ... It gives you a buzz and keeps you on track.
Measure your waist, hips, chest, top of thighs top of arms, neck and knees on the day of surgery and do it every month. That'll be your success marks rather than the scales.
Use it as a tool not as a magic cure . The weight will come off the first year and after that it is down to you again not to put it back on by eating the wrong things again. I'm 13 months out and still losing weight .
1 year out and I try and do 1500 cals over 3 days and then 2 days of 900/1000 cals. It constantly confuses my body then to stop my metabolism slowing down.
Always use a small side plate or bowl for food and use a teaspoon. You never again want your mind to associate a full big plate as normal!!!
Enjoy the magic and work with it. I'm so thankful I had it done.

1. Take a good before photograph of yourself, so that you have something to compare to after surgery. Many times we are blind to our obesity. We do not see ourselves. Therefore when the weight begins to drop off rather dramatically, we question if this is really happening. Photographs are a good visualization of our success. Many people carry a before and after photo with them, just to remind themselves of their success.
2. Walk 30 minutes each day, every day until surgery (or equivalent exercise). Walking helps the recovery process go smoothly and minimized the pain levels from surgery.
3. Wean yourself from caffeine and carbonated beverages now. After I gave up my 6 diet coke a day habit, I suffered from a week of severe withdrawal syndrome consisting of severe headaches and body aches. I was miserable. You don't want to combine the effects of caffeine withdrawal with the effects of surgery.

I hit a milestone today I am super excited about!
I have finally lost 300 pounds! I have been stalled the past few months and finally lost those last 6 pounds to hit this milestone! I am so thankful to be making this journey.
It still feels like a dream to me. It's crazy how I went from having to be on oxygen 24/7 and hardly being able to cross a room without getting out of breath to being able to walk for 6 miles and still be ready to go out and do other things!
I am loving life right now and wanted to share my excitement at hitting this milestone with you!
 

You look phenomenal! I know loose skin tolerance is a personal and individualized thing, but I can only dream that my skin looks as great as yours when I am at goal! Congratulations on reaching goal!

You won't know what is normal for you until 1 year post-op at least.

I had a hard time finding this, too! Go to the main menu line at the top of this page, hover over "Patients" and click on "My Surgery." Then you'll see your info. Updating weight is in the second tab there, under Progress.

I had one 3 months ago. No problems and I'm very pleased

I had it done 5 months ago and have had no complications at all . I don't get reflux , diarreah or dumping (apart from 2 weeks after surgery when i tried a piece of chicken while i was still on pureed food 😱). I was 310 lbs at my heaviest. 301 when i started my pre op 2 week diet. 288 on surgery day. Now 223 lb. There are is no food I can't tolerate. I was 55 on the day of surgery, feeling 70. I now feel like my age again now! I was diabetic with high BP. Now diabetes blood tests and BP are in normal range. I was a size UK 26 (US 22) and am already , just 5 months later, in a UK 18 (US 14). BMI at present is 36 and it was 50. I wish I'd done this sooner when i was less obese . When i first considered it, age 50, I was 270 lbs ...... then in 5 years on went another 32lb! Go for it, you won't regret it 😁 PS Hair loss was minimal and not noticeable , saggy skin i much prefer rather than my fat skin!

I've made the down payment to secure my OR date. Thank you both for your input/support. I am nervous about the surgery itself, but I think we are all that way before any procedure.
I would like to hear from any others regarding their personal experiences with this procedure. I am having my surgery in Toronto on May 15th. Post-operatively, did anyone have any difficulties with driving or any other day to day activities?

I had it done 5 months ago and have had no complications at all . I don't get reflux , diarreah or dumping (apart from 2 weeks after surgery when i tried a piece of chicken while i was still on pureed food 😱). I was 310 lbs at my heaviest. 301 when i started my pre op 2 week diet. 288 on surgery day. Now 223 lb. There are is no food I can't tolerate. I was 55 on the day of surgery, feeling 70. I now feel like my age again now! I was diabetic with high BP. Now diabetes blood tests and BP are in normal range. I was a size UK 26 (US 22) and am already , just 5 months later, in a UK 18 (US 14). BMI at present is 36 and it was 50. I wish I'd done this sooner when i was less obese . When i first considered it, age 50, I was 270 lbs ...... then in 5 years on went another 32lb! Go for it, you won't regret it 😁 PS Hair loss was minimal and not noticeable , saggy skin i much prefer rather than my fat skin!

I had it done 2 months ago and it has been great. I had minimal pain and have not had any dumping or vomiting, I don't have reflux or nausea with it either. Wounds healed with no trouble and I had no problems in theatre despite being diabetic with very high BMI. I can eat a normal diet already. I have already lost loads! I'm very happy with the choice I made, best decision ever and I already feel healthier than I have a decade or more.

I guess what I'm trying to understand is why there's so much anger and vitriol instead of compassion and more understanding. None of us get to a place where we need surgery because we've made good choices or had 100% transparency or honesty with ourselves or with others. Sometimes there are issues that run a lot deeper with some folks than others. You just never know a person's background or story.
I also know from my own past (I'm almost nine years out) and many of my friends in the WLS community we all had experiences where when we first had surgery and were doing remarkably well, we felt invincible and full of conviction and top of the world with our choices and actions. It's easy to get to a place of high-ground when you feel that way, which is why I think it's important to remember that it doesn't always stay that way. There are always going to be times when you question others actions, and that's normal and fine. But remember, there are probably others doing the same to you. Extend the same kindness you'd want for yourself.

Being judgemental with each other NEVER helps. Support is not judgemental. Support is support. You're there through the good times and the bad listening, lending an ear, giving the best advice you can through a supportive and encouraging lens that won't further damage someone(s) already struggling.

Mines on the 16th and I start my 2 week pretty op diet on Sunday. I feel very excited but SO anxious. I've list 17 lb in 6 months and it has been hard going but I wanted a good start before surgery. Then this week I have put on 5 lbs due to snacking so I'm on a bit of a downer now as to how bad the pre op diet will be. I think I am motivated enough to stick to it but I fear it will be so hard to get through. I know this will be my new beginning but I feel so cross with myself that I let myself come to this obese stage having been a very slim teenager . I'm 55 so I know this is my last chance really. Roll on November when this waiting anxiety is over! Good luck to you all and I look forward to this time next year when we can post about our new lives x

I was 55, had the surgery a week ago.
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Tomorrow is my big day 10/14/16 a fresh new start in life, not nervous just ready to begin this new journey. 5 day liquids was a breeze since I prepared myself, no food in the house, cabinets were cleaned out, only have broth, sugar free Jello, ice pops, crystal lite, and Premier Protein Shakes!!!. Looking forward to running and chasing my grandkids, going to the amusement parks, and doing all of the things that I cant do in this state. I pray all goes well for all of us scheduled this month, and look forward to sharing experiences. #imwiththewinninglosers

I just had surgery on Monday 10/10. Still very sore and learning a new way to eat. Trying to make sure I'm getting enough Water and Protein in!
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I'm 55, surgery in 2 weeks . 294 lb......ready and waiting !

I'm 55, surgery in 2 weeks . 294 lb......ready and waiting !

HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY
TODAY is one month since my pre op and 2 weeks since my operation.
below is a list of why I'm VERY happy today...
>TODAY I STILL HAVE NO REGRETS
>TODAY IN TOTAL I HAVE LOST 38LBS
>TODY I HAVE HAD MY FIRST STAGE TWO MEAL
>TODAY I'VE BAGGED THE FOLLOWING FOR CHARITY
- 9 SUITS
- 20 SHIRTS
- 4 JACKETS, ALL FAR TO BIG
>TODAY IVE JUST WALKED 2 MILES
>TODAY MY EMOTIONALLY CHARGED 14 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER SAID SHE WAS PROUD OF ME (AND HER HUG WENT ALL THE WAY AROUND)
There is along way to go but I am super motivated!
TOMORROW...... I WILL STILL HAVE A POSITIVE MENTAL ATTITUDE

Freed me from being self-conscious. Nobody wants to walk in every room, at every party, every meeting being the "fat guy" or the most heavy.

Mine is in 11 days time and I am so scared but so excited too. Such mixed emotions. I fear all the things that could go wrong so much so that I tell myself not to do it. Then I look at my 21st body and think of my last few decades of life ahead (I'm 55) and I know I want to be fit and enjoy them. I know the diabetes and weight will send me to an early grave so it must be done. So you are not alone in being scared.My mum and dad's anniversary is the week after my operation and I can't wait to give them their card as it will mean I'm still alive lol

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Hello and congrats. You will be ok. It's normal to feel nervous. Be positive and avoid negative thoughts or talks. It's a process but all will go well. We are all here together to support one another and you will be so happy you did it and you will see how healthy you will feel. There may be challenges along the way but it's normal. I was ado very nervous and wasn't sure if I wanted to go through it but I think I let my fears get in the way and I am glad I went through if. It has changed my life for the best and it will also change yours for the best. I wish you all the best and know we are here for you.

Only 5% of people who do it in their own can maintain that loss. Not great odds but maybe you could be one of them. Why haven't you changed your eating habits and exercised before - or if you did - what were the results? I gave up pretending I could do it myself.

The odds of losing weight and keeping it off as a morbidly obese person vs an obese person are even lower, by the way. Scarily low. Some doctors say that it's verging on impossible to lose and maintain significant weight loss once you surpass a certain BMI. The odds of losing significant weight and keeping it off after surgery are WAYYYY higher. Not to mention, if you gain your weight back after surgery, you still have all the tools you had before you started gaining it back: your surgically altered stomach, the new habits and tastes you've acquired, and the knowledge your obtained about eating healthfully during the surgery and weightloss phase. The same is not true for people who lose and gain without surgery.
If you feel that you could do this on your own, more power to you! I mean that without sarcasm. Go ahead and try to do it again on your own. But do you really see a significant, sustained loss if you go that way? Ask yourself honestly, and answer yourself honestly. Until you know this is what you want to do and you're really ready and committed to it, you're better off trying on your own anyway. This surgery, the requirements leading up to it, and the huge lifestyle and habit changes that come after it are for life and they are enormous, and no one who is not completely sure they want it and completely committed should take it on. You'll know when you're ready. Maybe you already know and you're just afraid, as we all were. Only you can know. I wish you nothing but health and happiness.