Kristinqtpie

Weird, loud gurgling stomach noises are totally normal and often embarrassing!

It’s normal to feel like you are the only one who is gonna fail weight loss surgery.

I’ve read so many posts recently asking if particular experience, symptoms, feelings were normal. I thought we could have an area where you can know you are not alone! I know there’s a lot of lurkers that may have questions also but don’t ask
I’ll start:
1) Yes! It is totally normal to have second thoughts and feelings of anxiousness prior to surgery. It is major surgery that is going to affect the way you live for the rest of your life. I would question it if you DIDN’T experience a little of both
2) I also think it’s normal to have the feeling afterwards of “what have I done to myself ?” You are not only a hormonal mess afterwards but you’ve mostly likely just lost your source of comfort. It make takes weeks or months to come to grips with it. Or you may experience the complete opposite and have total elation!! That’s ok too !

It does get better 👍🏻 Hang in there 😎

I started with a BMI of 36 and the loss has been extremely slow. I also have PCOS which is a hormonal condition, and was warned that we tend to lose slower anyway. I have only lost 16 lbs in the 7 weeks since surgery. I am disappointed, but it's still 16 lbs more than I would have lost. I weigh every day and track everything - Protein, calories, carbs, Water, exercise, poops. I know I'm doing everything right - but I ate 1300 cals or less a day for years prior to surgery (have been tracking everything in MFP for 7 years now) and still didn't lose. In the back of my mind is the fear that I will be the only one that surgery doesn't work for because my metabolism is so broken.
I stalled on day 10 and have had many since - I just keep trying to change things up to kick start it again, but it does feel a little like spinning plates in the air, LOL.

My Pre-op will be for 12 days beginning on April 17th. My boys keep me in check especially when I want to snack at nights. "They have no problem telling me "mommy go to bed". lol. It's hard especially when there are tons on restaurants near my home and all I can smell is fried chicken and what not.

They did not mentioned loosing but they encourage to make lifestyle changes ahead of surgery. Their focus is more on getting my blood pressure down and physical activity which activity which I do anyway and eating healthier.
Good luck on your journey!

Thank you for sharing your story SteveT74! You’ve done a great job! Kudos!

I started the process with a BMI of 37.5 last April and I weighed in at 256 during my first bariatric consult. On the day of surgery (12/17/18), I weighed 234 and I had a BMI of 34.5. By New Years Eve, I was down to 224. On January 15, I was down to 212. By January 30, I was down to 204. On February 15, I was down to 197. On March 1, I weighed 196.7. March 15, I weighed 196.1. Today I weighed 193.2. So you can see that it came off fast and has leveled off. I have lost 2 inches off my waist since March 1, so the inches are coming off if the weight isn't. I follow a strict diet and exercise program--which is pretty intense, but I am really enjoying it. I feel awesome. Here's some photos documenting the journey.
Last Summer this is me at 255 or so:

This is me on Surgery Day (12/17/18) (weight: 234):

This is me on January 17, 2019 (Weight: 210)

This is me on February 28, 2019 (weight: 197.8)


This is me on March 23, 2019 (Weight: 192.1):


So, the weight loss has slowed up, but that's ok. I want to lose another 10-15 pounds, but I don't "need" to lose that weight. I am more concerned at this point with improving my physical conditioning and strength. The weight came off so fast that I didn't really "see" the difference in the mirror, but the photos show a dramatic change. I still hasn't really sunk in yet, but it's kind of like winning the health lottery. I am look healthy and fit. I am no longer diabetic according to my doctors. My BP is normal and my blood tests look great 3 months post op. Huge improvements. Honestly, having this surgery is the best thing I ever did for myself. I wish I had done this sooner--but better late than never. Obviously, the surgery helps get the ball rolling and gives you the tool so that the rest of the changes you make in your lifestyle will actually work for you. I have tried to do this before with hardcore dieting and exercise and I would just hit a wall and then lose ground. Not anymore!! If 191 is my wall, that's ok for me--but I think I'll still lose some more weight over the next few months, but the changes won't be as dramatic or noticeable (on the scale or otherwise).

April 16th! I’m super excited!!

Ill be going home the same day. Same as Colchabay. Where did you do yours at?

Did they use anything on them? Steri strips, glue, etc?

I lost 18 lbs in 22 days my bmi was 39. I was the smallest in the group of ppl that were in the classes at same time. I dont know if 39 is considered lower bmi.

Hi! Question for the low end BMI people who got the sleeve. How has your weight loss been afterwards? Did you drop fast, slow, steady? I know everyone is different but kind of curious. Thank you for your feedback!

I had 5 incisions that they used dermabond on to seal them (no strips, no glue, no staples, no stitches). I'm 4 months post-op and they're still visible but fading nicely because I use Bio-Oil on them daily. They should be invisible by the end of the year.

Yes, I’m a self pay 30. Didn’t even attempt insurance.

One week away!!!! Getting a little nervous but way too excited for that to matter! My 4/3 twins, let’s pray this next week is not stressful and our surgery and recovery goes smooth! ❤️

April 8th for me. Excited & anxious. I see so many on liquid diet 2 weeks before, but I’m only required 2 days before. Wonder if I should start a few days before that? Tomorrow is my birthday, and I’m giving myself the tools to acquire good health this year. Cheers to the best year to come! I’ll be cheering all you losers on!! 😘

I had to call around but I found numerous surgeons that would do the procedure at 30. Others had to cut off’s at 32. Sometimes the receptionist will say no but if you asked to speak to a nurse or doctor they will come back with a yes.

i was low BMI and i lost 50lbs within a month then it slowed it way down im 3 months out and i am losing 1 to 2lbs a week. I haven't had any issues other than battling Constipation.

I’m “low BMI” 5 weeks post op. I would say yes, compared to others who are not categorized as “low”, my weight is definitely coming off slower. That said it seems to be somewhat consistent. It slowed to a crawl during week three but never officially stalled. At that point I was losing .2 pounds every day or every other day.
now I seem to be losing about .2-.4 pounds a day at this rate. My BMI is already back down to a 27. I’m not dissatisfied with my progress until I start comparing my stats with others losing 10 pounds a week. I’m wanting to lose 60 pounds. I have already lost over a third of my excess weight and I’m only a month and a week out.

@alwxla8 that’s me! I’m in full food mode...doing the food funerals before my diet which probably isn’t the best. 🤦‍♀️

Damn, you guys. I look good.

I’ve heard of Prosper and United Medical Lending. I hope that helps!

I had my Bariatric History Appointment today and was told I am an excellent candidate for the RNY Surgery. I have to see a nutritionist, and phycologist. I also have to have an EGD and do a sleep study. The Dr. says we can most likely pick the surgery date on April 16th at my next appointment with him. SUPER EXCITED to start my lifestyle change. 😍

Due to insurance and scheduling issues, I had to wait 8 months before my surgery. This gave me a LOT of time to weigh the pros and cons, examine my motives, and get psychologically ready for the change. It is different from other surgeries - this is ELECTIVE. You are choosing to put yourself at risk. Like many others, I lost hundreds and hundreds of pounds on my own..... only to have it all come back, plus. After a life time of this, my metabolism was totally screwed up and the brain-stomach-hormone mechanism was also screwed up. I had no "stop button." I never felt full. I ate very healthy food, but could never stop once started. Meanwhile, I had given up, wheat, sugar, all artificial sweeteners, colors, flavors, alcohol, caffeine. I ate nothing fried, only healthy grains, my homegrown veggies/poultry/ and eggs. I maintained an active lifestyle with my garden and animals.
One day, feeling afraid of the surgery, I suggested to my PCP that perhaps I should just try again to do it on my own. She very kindly told me, "If you could have done it on your own, you would have." She was right. I was just fooling myself, maybe thinking I was weak for not being able to do it on my own. But I came to the realization that my body would NEVER lose weight because of all the damage I had previously done. Weight Loss Surgery was the final tool I needed to bring my metabolism and hormone mechanisms back to a more normal baseline.
I was still scared, even laying on the Pre-op bed, I was crying and told my surgeon I was just scared about making such a big decision for an elective procedure. He reassured me that none of his patients had ever come back to him and said they wished they had never done it. He was right. I am only 3 weeks post op. I did have a complication that has now been handled, and I can say that my life looks so different. I feel better already, having lost 31 pounds since beginning the pre-op diet. I am very, very glad, even at this early point, for having done the surgery. I think this is one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life.
Preop, it is like you are looking up at a cloud layer that is obscuring the sun. All you see are shadows (doubts.) Afterwards, it is like you are flying above the clouds in the sunshine, looking down at the clouds that are now bright and white. It's all about the perspective of where you are, and you can never get above the cloud layer unless you bravely make the decision to go forward.
That being said, you must be determined that you will do everything you can after surgery to be successful. No cheating, no compromise. Surgery is a tool - you still have to do your part. My best suggestion is to give up all addictions BEFORE surgery so you don't have to deal with them on top of the recovery. (Caffeine, sugar, simple carbs, processed foods, artificial anything, alcohol, and of course smoking.) Determine that these are lifestyle changes that you will never go back to. That is my slogan: "I'M NEVER GOING BACK!"