Desertcanary

So not smoking for 3 weeks so you could pass tests and then smoking right before wls - sounds like recreational smoking and not need. It makes a person wonder if you are really ready to take this seriously. You came here looking for validation and got it from two 'lay people', and a wth from others. So take your pick and good luck.

15 lbs from goal. It's taken me a bit but Im there ! SW: 268 Weight day of surgery: 245 CW: 150

PS: weight loss doesn't include the extra 175 lbs of soon to be ex lol
So total I count is 293 lbs

Hi. I'm 51 and had gastric sleeve surgery on 02/09/2017. It is a wonderful tool and I have no regrets.

Officially reached my 1 year mark!
Sw=217
Cw=153
Gw= 140

OK, I know that I posted a photo before joking that I was going to buy the flamingo suit and wear it to my daughter's wedding. Well I did buy the suit and I did wear it to a Department of Michigan Veterans of Foreign Wars Testimonial dinner for the State Commander and President. I became what I hate, the center of attention. As I am running for the position of Department of Michigan Jr. Vice Commander 2017-18 it helped me get noticed (not sure if it was good or bad) and I was definitely the talk of the event.

Oh, and I am wearing new white Chuck Taylor's and matching flamingo sox.

http://www.obesityaction.org/educational-resources/resource-articles-2/weight-loss-surgery/weight-loss-surgery-nutrition-and-hair-loss


This is a good explanation.

Eqyss Megatek horse Shampoo is a great product. It is made by Ovation Cell Therapy. It is safe for humans. Amazon sells it.

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You're okay. It is normal to stall at 2-3 weeks post op. I went up a pound. Just keep doing your program. You are doing amazing! The weight is coming off. I thought the hunger would disappear but it didn't. I eat when I'm hungry but only a few bites and I am satisfied. I eat a little less at my next meal and journal my intake to keep on track. You are doing really well.

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You're okay. It is normal to stall at 2-3 weeks post op. I went up a pound. Just keep doing your program. You are doing amazing! The weight is coming off. I thought the hunger would disappear but it didn't. I eat when I'm hungry but only a few bites and I am satisfied. I eat a little less at my next meal and journal my intake to keep on track. You are doing really well.

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Thank u for writing this!! It's good to see the what life can be like on the other side
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Good morning from Amsterdam....I'm an American but I was a relatively early sleever; was sleeved in 2011 in Germany; so I am going on 5 years out. I am 63 so I was 58 when I was sleeved. I lost 87 lbs in the first year (and kept a blog every Sunday and turned it into a book called Queen of Crop). I reached my goal weight and kept it off until just about 6 months ago. About year 2 I found I could eat anything and everything but I still watched what I ate and I was on a regular exercise program. My life changed dramatically and I loved the feeling of being a normal sized person. Last year, some of my old habits started coming back; snacking, eating sweets and drinking a glass or two of wine most nights. A few lbs kept creeping in and now I am 10 lbs over goal. All of this is because I have gotten to relaxed with my eating; my exercise is still good. So I just this weekend bought the book, The 5 Day Pouch Test and will start it in the next few days once I get prepared. So for me, being one of the veterans of this surgery, it was THE best thing I ever did, and still is. But like all normal weight people, you have to be smart about what you put in your mouth. And I simply got too lazy. So long term: it has been fabulous and I will get this weight off; should never have let it get to 10 lbs. My own doing....looking forward to feeling that honeymoon restriction again. Like everyone says, IT'S A TOOL...BUT A POWERFUL ONE. I probably should write a Queen of Crop 2....what a life I have had in the last 5 years!!!! WOW

I'm going to have surgery in June with the likelihood my date is moved up. I had joined a Facebook bariatric group thinking I'd find support and possibly friends there, but unfortunately left the group due to the outrageous number of posts regarding how soon people could eat pizza, drink alcohol, eat I cream or drink soda pop, etc., etc. then the myriad of unhealthy recipes that were posted was upsetting, even as I scrolled past them. Then, I came here. It's the same difference. The people who have knowledge are vastly outnumbered by the addicts and self indulgent. What's worse is if anybody speaks the truth, which is that the vast majority of people here are seeking a quick fix, don't want to put in the work, are food addicts and compulsive over eaters, and even lazy, then they risk the wrath of people who disagree and want to mess up for their own ignorant and selfish reasons. Stupidly and indulgence win out the day.
I'm always from the school of thought if I know something or have information I ought to impart that to others. Knowledge is power and the truth is always better.
It pisses me off to have to keep my mouth shut so that stupid or misinformed people win out the day spreading their crap all over these forums and ruining it for those of us who actually can use the encouragement and not use this site as a crutch for our self indulging.
I was thinking of leaving.
Then I realized I'm not alone after reading a post on here expressing the same outrage. Plus, I'll stick around for the few people who actually can use the help and viable info, not to mention have real issues with support outside these forums for reasons beyond what is normal, either they have limited net access and funds, or get a doctor that isn't up to par, plus I feel it's my duty to give out the correct information. And yes, there is actually correct information about this stuff. It's really easy to find and a great doctor will give it.
Some of what I read is preposterous. Reading stupid crap such as it's okay to drink soda or pop because the stomach muscle left over from the surgery won't stretch - B.S! NOT TRUE, and if that isn't the worst if it, not acknowledging what sugar and fake sweeteners do to our bodies is the icing on the cake. Nobody is that daft in 2017.
Rather than attack and change the nature of the addictions, people seek any excuse to indulge them. It's tiresome and boring. Have some guts, and stop spreading stupidity to others.
Believe it or not, some of us want to be healthy and actually live longer by correcting the habits that got us here in the first place.
If you don't like it, fine. It's not my job to encourage bad behavior, not for myself or anyone else. Leave a rude comment or not, that's your bit. At the end of the day it's about adding years to our lives and making the best out of a tool that not everybody has an opportunity out to use.

This last Friday, March 17,2017, marked two years since my Gastric Bypass Surgery. I'm posting this mostly for myself but also for those that are researching and wondering what it might be like further out than the first few weeks or months.
My whole, long winded experience: The first 10 weeks after my surgery I followed the post-op diet to a T. My surgeon had given me the green flag for a regular diet at my one month follow-up appointment and I stayed on course. Until 5 weeks later when my niece came to visit. I thought choosing to indulge a little was an okay and well-thought out decision. I wanted to be "normal", or rather, like a skinny person, meaning occasionally choosing a few bites of less than healthy foods or Desserts When post-op members say it's a slippery slope they are not B.S-ing you. I was so impressed with my new found restraint, just one fry or 2-3 small bites of dessert and I. Was. Satisfied! Now I know, I was just ignorant. My pouch was probably still swollen. What started out as a few bites a few days in a row turned into a handful of bites once a week and only if I went specifically, and out of my way, to get it. I quickly learned how many grams of sugar I could have before I'd dump and I became an expert at playing "Sugar Limbo", eating just under the amount that would make the stick (my blood sugar) come crashing down. Then I started bringing Atkins candies into my house, it just kept sliding from there. But of course I continued to be rewarded with steady loss because well duh, that's what the honeymoon period is all about. The first 11 months I weighed in once or twice monthly and saw a steady loss through the first 8 months. From mid November to February I bounced between 211.6 and 216.9 and I was consuming 50 - 125 grams of processed sugar a day.
Just one month shy of my one year anniversary I moved from a state that I loved, Colorado, back to Wisconsin to be near my daughter and her growing family. I dislike Wisconsin but I love my daughter, it was not an easy decision. I was more content and regularly active while I lived in Colorado but my I missed my daughter and she missed me. I went from working with my personal trainer twice a week, walking my dog 0.5-3 miles/day (depending on weather) and hiking 4-12 miles in the mountains most weeks to sitting on my bum looking at grey, dismal skies and snow for weeks while I waited for my new grand baby to arrive. The depression hit me like a brick wall. I turned to poor food choices more frequently and it was made easier by living with someone having pregnancy cravings, who am I not to indulge or maybe even encourage those? And a son-in-law that was more than happy to participate and contribute to my coping method. For months nothing went any of the millions of ways I had prepared myself for. I anticipated returning to work for the same hospital system that I had been employed by for 15 years before I traveled but there was not a position I was interested in. I wanted to take my nursing career in a different path so I applied for 15-20 office and public health positions and did not receive any calls. I could write a short story alone just about how that made me feel. I anticipated being back to work within 6 weeks of my move and it was 8 before I even got my first interview. It went well and the feedback was so positive that I was certain I had it on lockdown. I was told I'd know in a week, two at the most. Several weeks and calls later and even more applications sent I was told I didn't get it but they wanted me to shadow for another position I had applied for. Two weeks later I was offered a position I didn't apply for and wasn't even sure I was interested in. My savings was depleted and so was my resolve so I accepted.
Meanwhile my 12 year-old dog, and best friend and traveling buddy for the previous four years, became ill. I thought it was the stress of going from just the two of us in a 1200 sq. foot apartment to us with two more adults, a newborn and two cats. I continued to turn to my old friend, food, for comfort. My processed sugar consumption was up to a minimum off 100 grams a day, my workouts were scarce and I wasn't journaling any longer. I had gained 15 pounds in 8 weeks. Even with starting to work out twice a week again I only managed to maintain at that new weight. I also aggravated a shoulder/neck injury that I had gotten the previous September when I was rear ended by a 16 year-old when she was reaching for her cell phone that fell on the passenger side floor. Just short walks or holding my grand baby left me in pain for hours.
When I started my new job I experienced more stress in the first two months than I did in the 2 years of travel nursing combined. It's proven to be a tough job in a tough environment.
I had taken my dog to to the vet and changed his diet several times and spent a small fortune on medications but he continued to lose weight. In August I finally got my own place and had myself convinced that was going to be the cure for what was ailing my pup. But on August 26th I returned from work to find him unable to walk, he tried to greet me at the door like normal but just kept tipping over. When I brought him in to the vet I found out he had lost another two pounds in 3 weeks and in total had lost 40% of his normal weight since becoming ill. I made the tough decision to let him rest in peace.
I can not even begin to explain how that has affected me. I miss him so, so much.
I continued to have severe shoulder/neck pain from the simplest activities so I pursued a diagnosis. When I went to the doctor appointment and saw the scale I woke up, a bit. I had gained 21.5 pounds in 7 months. I found a safe, affordable trainer to work with but our schedules weren't going to mesh for the rest of the calendar year! I took what I could get. But I continued to fight the premise that diet makes the biggest difference. For reasons too in depth to ever post here I'll just say, I strongly dislike being told what/how to eat by anybody. Apparently including myself. Apparently even though I worked on that issue for 5 years prior to surgery, well my entire adult life really but with true intent for the last 5 years. Btw, it turns out I sustained two tears in my shoulder and that is why more than a year later it still hurts like the dickens.
I have bounced between 229 and 233 since September. Admitting that I need to make more consistent and long lasting changes to my diet is the first step in getting back on track. I was told by my team that I could expect to lose 65% by now, I've lost 50% by their calculations but 55% by my more conservative ideal weight of 165.
In the past I might have apologized for writing what may appear as excuses to some but not anymore. I write it as a reflection so I can see what's going on. My weight is not where I wanted it to be at this point post-op but even worse than that my life has taken a giant throat punch in the last year and in general I'm not where I expected or even strived to be. But I don't quit anymore and I sure as shooting don't let myself only see the negatives. I have a list as long as my arm of NSV's. The most recent of which is that when I spilled the juice from my fruit cup it didn't land on me but instead went right through the gap of the legs I am now able to cross due to my 79 pound loss. Unfortunately it landed on the chair I was sitting on, creating a triangular wet spot for everyone in the meeting to see when I stood up.
Not being where I think I should be does not make me less proud of where I am... 

You're okay. It is normal to stall at 2-3 weeks post op. I went up a pound. Just keep doing your program. You are doing amazing! The weight is coming off. I thought the hunger would disappear but it didn't. I eat when I'm hungry but only a few bites and I am satisfied. I eat a little less at my next meal and journal my intake to keep on track. You are doing really well.

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After my RNY gastric bypass surgery, I found that softer foods such as chili and Soups went down much easier than harder foods such as steaks. So this is what I relied upon. I made my own high Protein chili and soups. I have included recipes at the end of the following article. http://www.breadandbutterscience.com/Surgery.pdf

I was sleeved 2/09/2017. I am down 28lbs. I feel really good and tire quickly. My clothes are really loose now. I am going to the gym and walking more.

It's my 1 year today.  


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I'm so thankful for making the decision of having my bypass surgery! I'm able to tolerate everything except bananas and eggs (boiled, scrambled, etc) I just recently saw my surgeon and I have another 60lbs to reach my goal weight of 170lbs!
HW: 325lbs size 24 pants
SW:312lbs
5 months post op: I'm 228lbs and wearing a size 14/16!!!

totally agree @OutsideMatchInside
I only been back on the forum for two weeks, but all these newbies are scary. They all say they are hungry, or they are posting questions about when they can expect to eat a slice of pizza or when can they eat "normal". The truth is, none of us will ever be able to eat normal again, no matter what your head is telling you. The more people who get the surgery and report low weight loss or none, will affect others in the long term...just like you said.
Some of these post really remind me of why I don't like forums in the first place, but I am determined to stay around. There are people like you and others who give great advice and remind me of the real purpose of the forum in the first place..all I can do is pray that the newbies learn sooner rather than later...

I too was on this forum and after surgery in 2012, I left. Now I am back and all I can do is smh. I now only post on threads from people who are really seeking advice. Yesterday I read about someone who went from band to sleeve, and said he couldn't stop eating all this food and drink. when asked if was doing the 30 min rule( no liquids before, during, or after) he said, sometime he didn't because he couldn't "stop" himself.
It is very obvious a lot people did not have the psych eval done. I will be honest, I did not have to through Aetna, they approved me without it. I think back and wish they had, but I somehow made it because of the willpower to change my eating habits and the willingness to want to LIVE. I don't think some of the people on here have the willpower or willingness, and it makes me worry how successful they will be in the end..and how they will affect others who are contemplating the surgery.

I have sympathy for those of you who have regained weight. I myself lost 120 pounds and at 2 years out my portion options became much larger, my ability to snack became apparent, and my weight started to yo yo.
So what happened. Well I felt very very depressed. I put on 15 lbs and was having nightmares about being back to my pre op weight. I also felt extremely depressed about the idea of having to be back on a diet and stay there the rest of my life. My weight loss with my sleeve was very easy and I had it had to really try not to eat. Suddenly all that changed. The scale began to rise.
So what did I do? I began dieting again. Counting calories, doing low carb, etc. what happened? I lost weight. And then gained it back and then some.
I found myself back in the same pattern of dieting and binging that got me obese in the first place. I felt very angry and in despair. I just knew I couldn't live like that again. I knew dieting had made me gain weight before and I would again. Skipping meals, going to bed hungry, not allowing myself to eat things I enjoyed, not enjoying family events because of the food, etc.
I decided I was done with all that. There was no way I was going to go back to dieting because I would be more depressed living like that than being overweight.
Instead I began to research anti-dieting. I discovered intuitive eating and it changed my life. I bought books, read stories and blogs, and made a pact with myself I would no longer diet. And I began to eat anything I wanted and to honor my bodies hunger and fullness signals. I soon found myself eating a normal amount of food without binging. My weight stabilized, my energy level shot way up, I regained my health. I stopped weighing myself or counting my calories. I finally had the energy to go to the gym- not for weight loss but for the fun I got out of it.
I now weigh about 128lbs at 5'6. I maintain my weight with no effort. I eat when I am hungry and I don't if I'm not hungry. I eat whatever makes me feel good and sometimes I even eat food that makes me feel crappy. I am active and fit. I don't think about food or have food rules. I allow all food in my home and I never binge on food because I don't need to as I am not deprived or hungry. I follow my bodies intuition.
If you are having issues like me I highly recommend reading intuitive eating and walking away from the diet mindset. Surgery is a great tool but no one can live on a diet plan forever. And who would want to?
Me and my daughter who I am also raising to be an intuitive eater and to love her body at any size.

Those are not terrible stats! Those are great! Almost everyone goes through a stall a few weeks after surgery. Usually it's around the 3 week mark but you have been losing weight all the way up to 6 weeks!

Do NOT compare your weight loss to anyone else's journey. There are many factors in play why someone might lose faster or slower than someone else. Sex, age, starting weight, activity, and medical issues all play a part in how our bodies react and lose.

You have lost 28 pounds! That is nothing to scoff at! BE proud of what you have accomplished already. If you don't stop comparing your journey to other's you are just setting yourself up for mental anguish, frustration, back sliding, and failure.

You can and will do this. Try to also take your measurements because sometimes the scale doesn't move but your inches go down.

You look so great! You deserve to show off. Thanks for sharing.

My surgery is on April 19th! My approval process has gone so fast I can hardly believe it.