Elidh

WOW! Very noticeable difference - well done!

Wow, Mike - you are an inspiration!

I had minimal post op pain, no nausea, was able to consume liquids and all the ensuing food stages with no problem. I don’t get very hungry, really, and I stick to the my bariatric program very faithfully. Not saying this to toot my horn, but just to let you know that just because it seems easy doesn’t mean there’s a problem! My biggest piece of advice is to not weigh for 3 weeks post-op, then only once a week. You’re doing great, Viking!

Have you spoken to your nutritionist to see, if at your activity level, you might need to increase your calorie intake?

It’ll get better; just hang in there! ?

Hi Angie, I had a very easy, pain-free recovery and no nausea. Now I’m at 14 mos. out from VSG surgery. Have lost 51 lbs. so far, with about 10-15 lbs. more to lose. I had my nutritionist appointment yesterday and she was pleased and said I was doing fine, even though my rate of loss is really slow at this point, especially when I compare myself to others (which we’re not supposed to do!).

Hair loss is common about 3-4 months after ANY major surgery, not just bariatric. There’s usually nothing you can do to stop it. My hair loss lasted maybe 2 or 3 months, but the rate of loss is back to normal now.

I find I swallow more air not using a straw, and that using a straw is much more comfortable. I started using one a few weeks after surgery. If it had caused discomfort, I would have stopped.

Sorry to hear that, Lisa….Did you have a question?

I just had my 1+ year appointment with my nutritionist yesterday. She had no problem with my drinking coffee, but suggested that it not count as part of my daily 48-64 oz liquid requirement, as caffeine is a diuretic. And my labs did show minimal dehydration, so I’m upping my water intake (but keeping the coffee!).

Wow - 5 years. Well done!

Lisa, there are a variety of potential causes for abdominal pain, some serious, others not so much. You should call your surgeon or PCP, as none of us on a forum can help you with that. Do call!

I will cross all appendages for you, too! (and will include a prayer as well ?)

Just a little loose skin on belly, but not bothersome enough to do anything (like cosmetic surgery) about.

FLUID!! Try to not weigh for 3 weeks post-op. I know it’s hard to stay away from the scale, but we all gain right after the surgery. The weight loss WILL happen.

Congrats, vikingbeast - thanks for sharing!

My BMI was 34.3. Sleeved (self-pay) in July 2020 at age 67, and have lost 51 pounds. My weight loss has really slowed down (maybe a pound/month now), but I am SO GLAD I went this route. I am about 10 pounds from goal. One of the best things I have ever done for myself. ZERO REGRETS.

I've also heard that folks have sometimes worn ankle weights to increase BMI. Just sayin'.....

Don’t stand up super straight when they measure you.

Woo-hoooo!

I’ve had a few folks stare and eventually say “I didn’t recognize you”, without them specifically mentioning anything about weight loss. Weird…..

What others have said. I also brought a loose robe for walks in the hallway.

I had my surgery in July 2020, and I was self-pay due to a lower BMI. My surgeon said if I gained 18 lbs. I could qualify, but that was not going to happen as far as I was concerned. 3-4 lbs. maybe, but not 18. I went to Cleveland Clinic because they had done a heart valve replacement on me the year before and there was some degree of comfort having them do the sleeve surgery. $26,000 out of pocket. Ouch.

Many of us on puréed and soft food’s don’t get a strong “full” sensation, as the food slides through easier, so just go by the amounts your surgeon or nutritionist recommend. When you are on solid foods, you’ll likely feel that full feeling. I am 14 months post-op and still don’t get a strong hungry feeling, just get a wee bit peckish. I eat 4 times/day whether I’m hungry or not, in order to get all my calories in.

My advice is. DO IT. DO IT. DO IT! I would do it over again in a heartbeat. I am happier than I have been in many many years.