rjan

Thanks for the encouragement! My head is definitely playing games with me, Lilly66. 😋 I've been stalled for about 2.5 weeks. The weight I am now is almost exactly the lowest weight I ever was in my adult life - I reached it about 17 years ago after about 5 months of dieting. I stalled there for months and months, and then of course ended up gaining from there. I worked so hard, both before and during the stall, and it was so disappointing. I'm sure many of us have had similar dieting traumas that are hard to forget!
I'm sure it's not an accident that this is the weight I've stalled at again - my body is apparently pretty comfortable here. Part of me is telling myself that I actually would be fairly happy if I could maintain at this weight - I just crossed from obese to overweight, my blood sugar has improved and I don't feel hungry all the time like I did before surgery, and my joint pain has improved somewhat. Those are not small achievements! But of course another part of me really wants to just reach a normal weight, and I don't want to "waste" the surgery.

So 12 days post op of my revision from band to sleeve I woke up to a 102.9 fever. Went to ER after talking with my Dr. once I got to ER after blood work I was Being admitted and treated for Sepsis. After more testing I had a leak. I spent 6 days in the hospital had a Stent place in my stomach and the abscess removed. I’m certainly at home on day 3 with a TPN bag. Absolutely nothing by mouth and IV to keep me alive pretty much. I have a very long road to recovery.

I was miserable for the first week or two. These were the milestones where I felt way better:
4 days out: gas pain finally stopped stopped
8 days out: found a Protein Powder I could tolerate - went from starving to just hungry
13 days out: started on solid food - went from hungry to usually pretty satisfied
3-4 weeks out: started being able to feel the weight loss in how my body felt
7 weeks out: energy finally back

Hang in there! In a few months, you'll barely be able to remember how bad it felt.

Wow! That's rough to not have the scale move for the first month. How much have you lost in the second month? Where did you start?

I am also happy I had my surgery right before the lockdown. I often feel faint or tired after eating - I'm glad I don't have to deal with eating in social situations right now. I've also been pretty low energy in general, so don't feel like doing much anyway.

I started looking into this surgery because I was pre-diabetic and starving all the time. Like I just finished a huge meal, and my stomach hurt, but I still wanted to eat and eat and eat. My hunger has been increasing and getting worse over the past 10 years, along with gradual increases in my fasting blood sugar and other symptoms of metabolic syndrome like skin tags. My dad has diabetes (and got it when he was about 5 years older than I am now), so I knew what was coming.

The thing that really excited me about the surgery was that it provides a mechanism to reset your metabolism, to actually CHANGE your hormonal balance and your set point so that you naturally feel satisfied at a lower weight, and eating less food with less hunger. Now I am 2.5 months out, and I really feel it working - with the smaller stomach, it gets full faster, so ghrelin (a hormone that your stomach makes when it is empty that makes you feel hungry) starts to DECREASE quickly after you take your first few bites. Studies show that ghrelin levels are about 50% lower after bariatric surgery than before. And that has an effect - you really, seriously, truly feel much less hungry, even though you are eating way less.

In contrast, normally when you go on a diet, your ghrelin levels INCREASE compared to when you started. Studies show that after a 3-6 month diet without surgery, your ghrelin levels will increase by 50%. And that has an effect - you are much more hungry and so you want to eat even more and gain the weight back - it may even make you feel like an addict!

Since before my surgery, I would often feel hungry even when my stomach felt full, I can totally see why you'd be scared that you'd still feel really hungry even when your new small stomach is full. And I can tell you from experience - being hungry with a full stomach feels miserable! I can see why you'd be scared of that!

But I really want to assure you - the surgery works as advertised. You will feel satisfied, even when you are eating way less food than before. For me, the change in my hunger is like night and day - it's amazing!

I waited to fly home until 6 days after surgery specifically because I did not want to be dealing with this. It's hard to predict ahead of time how you will feel on which day because it varies so much among patients. I was definitely not ready to fly on day 2, when I checked out of the hospital. I'm glad I waited.

I like both head hair and face hair, personally, but I know not everyone likes beards.

I'm only 2 months out, but from reading here, it sounds like having your hair still a bit thin is very normal at 8 months out - hopefully it will come back with a vengeance soon.

I was miserable for the first week or two. These were the milestones where I felt way better:
4 days out: gas pain finally stopped stopped
8 days out: found a Protein Powder I could tolerate - went from starving to just hungry
13 days out: started on solid food - went from hungry to usually pretty satisfied
3-4 weeks out: started being able to feel the weight loss in how my body felt
7 weeks out: energy finally back

Hang in there! In a few months, you'll barely be able to remember how bad it felt.

The benefit to him is the years you are adding to your life, and the significantly better health you will have during those years. For example, check out these articles.
https://asmbs.org/articles/weight-loss-surgery-reduces-risk-of-coronary-heart-disease-by-40-percent
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/07/180716103541.htm
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25466723
You've reduced your risk of coronary heart disease by 40%.
If you already had diabetes, your chance of remission is 40% - if you don't have it you've reduced your chances of getting it by 74%.
You've reduced your risk of certain cancers (breast, endometrial) by 77%.
If he does not see your improved health and longer life as enough of a benefit to him, then he is not the sort of person you want to be with.

I waited to fly home until 6 days after surgery specifically because I did not want to be dealing with this. It's hard to predict ahead of time how you will feel on which day because it varies so much among patients. I was definitely not ready to fly on day 2, when I checked out of the hospital. I'm glad I waited.

Looking good!
Personally, I think you'd look even better if you grow your hair out more...but that's just me, I like hairy guys, lol.

Looking good!
Personally, I think you'd look even better if you grow your hair out more...but that's just me, I like hairy guys, lol.

Lol #2.
But seriously, I also like that I got my surgery just before quarantine.
In addition to the things you said, it has taken some time for me to get my energy back - I am glad I don't have as much to do right now. Also, I am glad that I don't have to try to eat in social situations until after my new stomach and I have had some time to get to know each other.

Lol #2.
But seriously, I also like that I got my surgery just before quarantine.
In addition to the things you said, it has taken some time for me to get my energy back - I am glad I don't have as much to do right now. Also, I am glad that I don't have to try to eat in social situations until after my new stomach and I have had some time to get to know each other.

Why on earth would you miss food after WLS? You still have to eat!
It sounds to me like she's talking about missing something more specific than food - like binging (which you definitely can't do), or certain foods.
I'm 6 weeks post-op, and in that "not hungry and sometimes have to force myself to eat" stage. But here's a blog I really enjoy from a WLS patient who loves to cook and eat and posts tons of recipes. She still seems to enjoy food!
http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/
Sorry your family is not more supportive - but it is good this forum exists for that.

That sounds like a weight loss stall. They happen after surgery too. Stalls happen to EVERY person who loses weight. The weight doesn't come off in a smooth manner, but in a series of rushes and trickles. You'll always lose weight fast at the beginning, but you can expect a stall to appear 3 weeks - 2 months after you start. It can last 1-3 weeks.
I just got out of a 2 week stall. They are incredibly frustrating and demoralizing, even if you are expecting it - which I was, because I read about it on here.
You can spend a lot of energy tweaking your food or exercise routine if it makes you feel better. (I'd suggest focusing on exercise before you try starving yourself.) But honestly, even if you just ignored it and kept on doing whatever you're doing, it will probably break on its own on about the same time frame.
The important point is not to give up! I know it feels terrible, and people telling you that it's normal and will go away eventually doesn't make it not feel terrible. But still, it's normal, it will end, and you'll get there!

We have very similar stats - my surgery was on March 11th. I was 204 on the day of surgery - lost 19 lbs since then. It's really slowed down after the first few weeks - I've also only lost 3 lbs over the past two weeks.
On the other hand, this is the lowest weight I've been in a decade. 6 more lbs, and I'll be the lowest weight of my adult life. And last time I was at this weight, I was STARVING all the time. Right now, I have to remind myself to eat most days. So I'm feeling pretty confident that the weight loss will continue. Even at a lb a week, I'd reach a normal weight by 2021. That would have been impossible before this surgery.

This forum has been so helpful to maintaining my positive attitude. There are other slow losers here who are farther along in their journey - so you see it does work!

As for the drinking, I did drink alcohol once since my surgery. However, I will try not to do that again for a while. I'm less worried about calories or slowing my weight loss than other issues. As NovaLuna says, bariatric surgery definitely changes how you process alcohol - I could tell this from my try. And studies show increased risks of addiction and alcohol related death or health problems after bariatric surgery. I had some issues with alcohol in my 20s, and I don't want to trade one problem for another.

But please don't beat yourself up about it! That won't help. It's a really tough time right now for most people. Taking it day by day and doing our best is all we can do.

Oh man, I hate threads like this. Not because of anything y'all are doing or saying, but because of the constant reminder of what we've been dealt with this coronavirus sh*t...it's just rough to see the amount of hard times we are having. I feel bad for the people whose surgery got cancelled and their life put on hold. I feel bad for us that have had the surgery and are struggling for one reason or another. It's like I can feel all y'alls pain. I'm glad we have this forum, and we have GOT to be here for each other. Hang in there, I love you all.

We have very similar stats - my surgery was on March 11th. I was 204 on the day of surgery - lost 19 lbs since then. It's really slowed down after the first few weeks - I've also only lost 3 lbs over the past two weeks.
On the other hand, this is the lowest weight I've been in a decade. 6 more lbs, and I'll be the lowest weight of my adult life. And last time I was at this weight, I was STARVING all the time. Right now, I have to remind myself to eat most days. So I'm feeling pretty confident that the weight loss will continue. Even at a lb a week, I'd reach a normal weight by 2021. That would have been impossible before this surgery.

This forum has been so helpful to maintaining my positive attitude. There are other slow losers here who are farther along in their journey - so you see it does work!

As for the drinking, I did drink alcohol once since my surgery. However, I will try not to do that again for a while. I'm less worried about calories or slowing my weight loss than other issues. As NovaLuna says, bariatric surgery definitely changes how you process alcohol - I could tell this from my try. And studies show increased risks of addiction and alcohol related death or health problems after bariatric surgery. I had some issues with alcohol in my 20s, and I don't want to trade one problem for another.

But please don't beat yourself up about it! That won't help. It's a really tough time right now for most people. Taking it day by day and doing our best is all we can do.

We have very similar stats - my surgery was on March 11th. I was 204 on the day of surgery - lost 19 lbs since then. It's really slowed down after the first few weeks - I've also only lost 3 lbs over the past two weeks.
On the other hand, this is the lowest weight I've been in a decade. 6 more lbs, and I'll be the lowest weight of my adult life. And last time I was at this weight, I was STARVING all the time. Right now, I have to remind myself to eat most days. So I'm feeling pretty confident that the weight loss will continue. Even at a lb a week, I'd reach a normal weight by 2021. That would have been impossible before this surgery.

This forum has been so helpful to maintaining my positive attitude. There are other slow losers here who are farther along in their journey - so you see it does work!

As for the drinking, I did drink alcohol once since my surgery. However, I will try not to do that again for a while. I'm less worried about calories or slowing my weight loss than other issues. As NovaLuna says, bariatric surgery definitely changes how you process alcohol - I could tell this from my try. And studies show increased risks of addiction and alcohol related death or health problems after bariatric surgery. I had some issues with alcohol in my 20s, and I don't want to trade one problem for another.

But please don't beat yourself up about it! That won't help. It's a really tough time right now for most people. Taking it day by day and doing our best is all we can do.

We have very similar stats - my surgery was on March 11th. I was 204 on the day of surgery - lost 19 lbs since then. It's really slowed down after the first few weeks - I've also only lost 3 lbs over the past two weeks.
On the other hand, this is the lowest weight I've been in a decade. 6 more lbs, and I'll be the lowest weight of my adult life. And last time I was at this weight, I was STARVING all the time. Right now, I have to remind myself to eat most days. So I'm feeling pretty confident that the weight loss will continue. Even at a lb a week, I'd reach a normal weight by 2021. That would have been impossible before this surgery.

This forum has been so helpful to maintaining my positive attitude. There are other slow losers here who are farther along in their journey - so you see it does work!

As for the drinking, I did drink alcohol once since my surgery. However, I will try not to do that again for a while. I'm less worried about calories or slowing my weight loss than other issues. As NovaLuna says, bariatric surgery definitely changes how you process alcohol - I could tell this from my try. And studies show increased risks of addiction and alcohol related death or health problems after bariatric surgery. I had some issues with alcohol in my 20s, and I don't want to trade one problem for another.

But please don't beat yourself up about it! That won't help. It's a really tough time right now for most people. Taking it day by day and doing our best is all we can do.

Personally, my symptoms if I eat something that doesn't agree with me (or eat too fast or don't chew well enough) are stomach pain/cramps, nausea, lightheadedness, fatigue, and sometimes a racing heart. Often, I have a feeling like the food or Fluid is sitting above my stomach and taking some time to get there, though this particular feeling has been fading away as I progress.
I have never, not once, actually vomited - not even close. (Which I count myself lucky for.) I also seem to have a reaction pretty quick if I'm going to have one at all, which also seems like a good thing.
I am 5 weeks post-op, and I often feel tired and lightheaded after I eat even if there is no pain or nausea. Not always, but usually. I try to plan 20 minutes to lie down after I eat. I'm hoping this symptom goes away someday, or else I'll never be able to eat out!

As an update, I tried pickle on my 4 week anniversary, and a raw cucumber about 4 days later. I cut them both into tiny slices and took my time and chewed well. I'm happy to report no issues! Now I'm having one mini-cucumber per day as an afternoon snack. It's a nice crunchy addition to my diet.

As an update, I tried pickle on my 4 week anniversary, and a raw cucumber about 4 days later. I cut them both into tiny slices and took my time and chewed well. I'm happy to report no issues! Now I'm having one mini-cucumber per day as an afternoon snack. It's a nice crunchy addition to my diet.