Nay143

Started out at 235. My surgeon said I can safely expect to get to 160-170 by my one year anniversary. Pleasantly surprised us both when I got to the mid 160's at my 3 month post op checkup.
I had picked an ultimate personal goal of 120, for the only reason that it was in the middle-ish of the healthy BMI range for my height. I got to 127 at 7 months, and decided to stop as I felt I was getting to small.
Am at 9 months post op today and weighed in at 116.2 this morning.
Long story short, once you are on your "forever diet" I suspect our bodies decide what a realistic weight will be.

There's no reason to let people into your house who want to challenge your decision about your health. They don't get a vote and they don't get to make you feel badly.

I think my goal will be safe BMI. Thanks for the chart!
That would be about 150 for me. Also, a very big goal is getting a report that says I no longer have a fatty liver. That really, really bothers me. Livers and Kidneys are important and I want good "grades" for my organs.
Tomorrow, the interventionists are coming to my house. Those are friends who think I should not have surgery. They think I look just beautiful and fine and I should accept myself the way I am.
Now, I am going to explain that this is not about just wearing smaller clothes, it is about getting rid of the fat around and in my liver, getting healthy. Health is the reason I work so hard in the gym and walking. However, that is just not how they think. Its only about looks. I wish they could relate their illnesses to their weight and what they consume.
One of them is my shopping buddy who is 40 or 50 pounds overweight, has diabetes, smokes and almost lost her foot last year due to complications from PAD and diabetes. I love her and I spent a lot of time helping her during her recovery. I also want to do this for her, to show her by example, and not to be enabler for either of us. I won't go shopping with her, or eating out now. I think she is sad, and worried I won't be there for her.

I am only about 7 weeks out, but I spent a hell of a lot of time thinking about this one....
My current goal is 170 pounds. (I am 5'8")
I think I set my goal weight where I did for several reasons:
1. I lived at that weight, after losing the excess weight on my own through diet, for 5+ years a decade ago pre-surgery. I felt ok at that weight, at that time.
2. I think the old, fearing failure, "this #$*T will never work" me needs some security in setting a goal I can actually envision myself in right now. There is some comfort in knowing I CAN get there. Not sure my brain can handle the expectation of setting a lower goal yet. Kinda messed up, but honest. The fear of setting a goal I will possibly never achieve is really overwhelming, at least at this point in the game.
3. I look at this initial goal as a step, not a stop. Hopefully, as I become healthier in body, that fraidy, never gonna happen brain will start to catch up a little too. At that first goal met, I will see how/what I feel and adjust as needed.
So grateful for this tool that allows me to dare for and dream of more, even if a little at a time....

I originally said 199 and they said no problem (after being 300+ for years, 199 sounded like a pipe dream!). When I got down to around 220, I told them I wanted to aim for 170-180. They said as long as I worked really hard at it, that should be do-able. Got down there no problem. Once I got there, I said I wanted to be a normal BMI, so I was aiming for 150. They told me that that was pretty unrealistic - only about 10% of their patients who started at my weight could achieve a normal BMI. They said my weight at the time (around 175 or so) was perfect for me. Ha! That was pretty much all the incentive I needed. I doubled down and got down to 150 - actually, below!

I asked my Surgeon this question. His response surprised me. He said he doesn't care about the #'s. He says that your body can still be losing inches and not budge on the scale. He says He wants me to be in a healthy BMI. I thought this was interesting. I've only been morbidly obese for the last 21 years, after I had my children. Of course I want to put my goal at my lowest but I will be happy with the health benefits the most. I also heard another way to get over the stalls, is to take a piece of yarn and measure your waist every month and put it on a wall. That you can visually see the change with the inches measured than the # on the scale. I also plan on doing monthly body measurements. Between muscle gain, fat loss, Water weight our bodies can look differently on the scale than they truly appear.

This sight has been such a help to me. I went through both of my other surgeries not having anyone to talk to. There is so much available now and this site is so helpful in setting up a plan for success.
I initially picked 160 as a goal because I just have not reached that weight for 25 years and it seemed like something I could achieve. Now, after reading about the success stories I think I should pick a weight that puts me in the normal BMI range. So, 145 would be more realistic. My other big goal is to not have a fatty liver. That really bugs me.
I felt my best at 135 which is where I was in high school and early 20s. I thought I should aim for 145 and see how I am. Have the liver test and see if it is healthy. If so, I would accept 145.
I am 62 and I know that I do not have a lot of wrinkles because of the extra volume in my face. My face is where I lose it first so I do not want to be a thin person. Just a healthy person.
So: How did you pick your goal? And, how do I edit my goal? Thanks!

Aww no problem hun, I was the same. when did you have your surgery?

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A Wise Thought for you both now and in the Future
THE PAIN OF THE PROCESS IS ONLY TEMPORARY; THE FEELING OF ACHIEVEMENT WILL LAST FOREVER
Love ❤and Prayers 🙏and Hugs to you both from 10 and half months out 👸Frustr8 & it's STILL getting better as days go by😛👍

Can someone please post a picture of the consistancy of your puree. It's my first day and I'm so afraid im doing it wrong.
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There's some soft foods on there aswell, but there labelled so you dont get confused with the pureed and soft food.
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Hi hun, the consistency of apple sauce. Theres a link with some pics and recipes. I'm on my last week of pureed food.< p>https://www.pinterest.co.uk/foodcoachme/bariatric-pureed-soft-recipes/Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk

Hi hun, the consistency of apple sauce. Theres a link with some pics and recipes. I'm on my last week of pureed food.< p>https://www.pinterest.co.uk/foodcoachme/bariatric-pureed-soft-recipes/Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk

This is really a brilliant observation and guidance!!!
All of our tools "mature" that means we all experience the ability to eat more over time. It's partly why Dr. Weiner on YouTube warns about the myth of "everything in moderation" because the crap food most of us ate is toxic to our systems and a few bites of pizza will turn into 3 pieces by 3-5years out! So it's best to learn new eating habits/relationships with healthy food and realize what true portions look and feel like to us while we're in that first 18mo honeymoon period.
Now like Tea said, many of us had larger capacity tums after surgery. I know my surgeon gave me a larger pouch and a shorter malabsorption. From the start I could easily down 4oz of Water or more! Never had one moment difficulty with any full liquid or soft food (or any food). I was a liquid pro!
I'm now 4lbs from my Goal #3 and on my forever diet. And make no mistake, it is a diet. But all animals have a "diet" so I don't look on this as a bad thing. But I actively gave up eating as a hedonistic free-for-all event when I decided to have surgery. I plan my day, weigh, measure, and log my food every day. I weight every day. I exercise every day. I monitor my Fluid every day. This is part of my job. And it's become easy peasy and second nature to do this. I find comfort in it.
I'm sorry for your complications that kept him from performing the expected surgery. But as many said before, you can get considerable help from the surgery. You have to find out the specifics of it though as @RickM already wisely counseled! You really can't expect to be loosy goosey with your food and "sorta" eat healthy. You must really apply yourself until you know what your new "tool" will and won't help with and until you know if you have any leeway or if you will just simply need to work a little harder.
I have to work harder. I'm on a hormone blocker for cancer remission that puts me in super menopause (so super hormone imbalance) + hypothyroid. But I've still lost about 155lbs in the lasts 2 years. So it's possible. I'm 5'4" and weighed 287lbs when I started changing my life for the better. ((hugs)) Hang in there!

Hi!
Wait a couple of weeks and see what your progress is like.
The if surgeon performed the malabsorption part of the surgery, you will lose weight, how much is the variable so you may just have to work a little harder but you still have a tool to assist you
👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
The things you may have to concentrate on now is Portion Control and dietary/lifestyle changes. Many people (after the very intial stages) STILL have to focus on this anyway.
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You didn't lose much of an advantage.
You may have gained the advantage of skipping all the ill effects of changing the stomach size ( nausea, vomiting, tightness, etc.) And advance straight into a more veteran style (years out when the restriction is relaxed to the point of nearly normal portions)
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Make sure the nutritionist/dieticians you see craft and tailor a plan just for you. Please let us know how everything goes as this will help others
p.s. I can still drink at a normal rate like prior to both of my surgeries, so youre not alone
💗CONGRATULATIONS ON A SAFE SURGERY💗

Thank you for the response!!
So i just got back from my docs appointment and it turns out the excessive diarrhea is not normal, most likely i have slme kind of infection. He has sent me for a stool test on Monday then I've got another appointment with him on Thursday to discuss the results of the test. He said the most i should be going is 4 times daily.
He also wants to rule out dairy intolerance, so he's asked me to change my Protein Shakes. He also asked me to try the probiotic. You were spot on!
As for the Poopouri, thats so funny cos i ordered it a couple days ago from Amazon.
Thanks again for your response, it was definitely spot on!!

Yes, couple times an hour at least.

I've seen a full video by Dr. V indicating that exercising before you are able to fully get in your proper nutrients will hinder you from losing weight. I intend to wait 4-6 months before working out - until my body can burn & take in enough calories. The first year is your honeymoon period - don't put more stress on yourself. Good luck!

Hey hon I this video Dr V is talking about going to the gym and doing power workouts and hard core classes. He totally wants us to walk daily in the beginning.

Walking, climbing stairs, and non-energy depleting workouts are totally different from doing a full blown 45 minute calorie burning workout. What are you burning when you are barely eating? The concept is really common sense - do simple exercises starting out and work yourself up to jogging, weight lifting, cycling when you have enough calories to burn off.

Hey you guys! Thank you for keeping me in your prayers.
I’m back home since yesterday, I’m feeling great, no pain, sleeping well

@texasnewf So the thing we're all jumping on here to discuss is that this is the new post surgery honeymoon period. As a doc explained to me that in the first 2 months you will lose the MOST amount of weight you will ever lose as a direct result of this surgery. She explained that it was because of the extreme calorie/volume restriction.
But any of us can game the system from the get go. We do that by drinking liquid calories, or eating "slider" calories. Even from day 1 post surgery! If you eat high calorie (dense calories) with high fat and high sugar and highly processed, it will impact your health and also the rate of loss.
So in essence, you are trying to "game the system" because of your food addictions and food enmeshment. The honeymoon period as was said above, is to allow you time to begin breaking up with food. Embrace the suck. Embrace "boring" (ie not Chinese or Pizza). LOL. Embrace food antipathy. Keep your Protein high, carbs and fat low and learn that life is about more than that next fix--that next bite.
During the honeymoon phase you CAN actually rebuild your gut biome. By eating health foods: lean dense protein, veggies, healthy fats and a TINY amount of dark berries you get to where you crave THAT kind of food! You crave healthy foods prepared simply and cleanly. And at some point the cease to be "boring" and rather just "pure" or "cleanly prepared." But you don't get there if you continue to use your old food crutches of Chinese/Pizza/Mexican highly processed foods.
And I think that's what we're all kinda a little "undone" about in your post. And with the newest batch of newbies this summer...

But Sheribear I agree, the trade- off was worth it, and this is from someone who was a proficent bread maker. I have accepted it, shoot I even miss my Late Husband at times, but he won't be coming back either. And if his return meant he would be in perpetual pain, I could not be that cruel, even though at times I was tempted to sit him at curbside with a placard saying" Free for the Hauling " at nightfall I would have bring him back inside with a severe case of Sunburn. And in my experience NOTHING complains of pain more than a man, Once mine said when in the midst of an diarrhea attack, " You don't know what this pain is like!" Hey Bozo, you gave me 3 9 pound babies which I pushed out without surgical intervention! Let's just discuss pain levels, okay?" Turned on my heel and left the room before I could say worse. Mama wanted me to be a Lady after all, didn't she?

If monitoring my diet for life means a healthy lifestyle and extra time spent with my family then so be it. I made myself unhealthy with the food that I chose to over indulge in. I am currently 12 days post op from my bypass and I do not regret it. I spent my mother's day on a liquid diet (Optifast) and Memorial Day, I spent recovering from my bypass and on a pureed diet. I've studied this surgery for the past 10 years, contemplating until I was at my highest weight, miserable and unable to play with my kids. 18 months ago I began my journey to get healthy. I lost 85 pounds on my own but with a high BMI and still morbidly obese, I joined a Bariatric management program and worked through it and got my bypass. I'm clinging to every extra moment that I'll have with my family. I've enjoyed all the unhealthy crap, so on to find healthy stuff that still tastes good and share these new eating habits with my kids. To each there own, but I'm embracing it!
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Fluffy I believe you are right on. I think this is a troll but if not here are some questions for MarieMarie. We all know you have to be at least 100 pounds over your ideal weight with health issues to qualify for this surgery. I have noted that you have not said what your starting weight was prior to surgery however, if you are 100 pounds overweight how long are you going to stick with a WW diet and how long will it take you to get it off? Do you have that kind if time? The energy to go to a gym? If you did then shame on you. You should have tried it before the surgery. When you failed and hit rock bottom you would have thanked God that there was a tool out there to save your life. We ALL tried something else and failed. Now we are doing what we need to do to get HEALTHY. Its not about the looks or the clothes as much as it is about what I can do now compared to two years ago. I lost 132 pounds and stand 4’11. I currently weigh 117. I had asthma. That is gone. I had sleep apnea. That is gone. Acid reflux. Gone. What problems did you have? You needed some to get this surgery. Take meds for that? Is it more than your two Iron pills and three Calcium Vitamins? Have you given yourself time to feel the good effects if this surgery? Is there a reason you haven't posted your before weight, your loss and how long ago your surgery was? Regarding your lack of information prior to surgery stop blaming everyone else. You apparently have access to the internet since you posted here. Did you not know how to access the info you Needed? In that case there is Barnes and Noble or Amazon or a library. YOU SHOULD HAVE RESEARCHED and if you didnt its on you. I read everything good and bad that I could get my hands on.
To sum this up you say you are 40 years old. Then it is time to grow up take these tools and use them correctly. They can save your life. Remember this — only you can make this work. No one else. But also only you can make yourself fail. Only you. Its your choice. Bet your daughter hopes you live a long life. That is your choice. Nobody else can make it for you. As you have been told pull up your big girl pants and stop whining. If you wake up breathing thank God and make a Protein Shake and get on with your day. I hope you see a psychologist to help you and I wish you luck.