ladyscorpion04

Tell me what life is like? Are you able to eat more than a half cup, are you still losing or have you regained?
I'm 5 months post sleeve and wondering how things will change over the next 6 months. Would love your insight.

Nash, exactly the same for me! I watched it from time to time before, but now that I'm scheduled for surgery (March 4), I find it much more compelling. For one thing, I now understand the procedures they are having (and I'm horrified at how poorly some of them eat after surgery).
I talked about the show with my surgeon, and she hates it because it's very hard to relate to the people on that show. She would like to do "My 300-Pound Life" that shows normal, relatable people getting surgery to de-mystify the process and inspire people.

Today marks my 1 year anniversary for me and my weight loss surgery. Vertical Gastric Sleeve Surgery
Start weight 245lbs
Current weight 159lbs
Goal weight 130lbs
The hardest part is trying to get this last 30 lbs off and they my Tummy Tuck.< a class="ipsAttachLink ipsAttachLink_image" href="/monthly_2020_07/20200707_142725.jpg.0057148de973703c2cbbd16db5d233bf.jpg" data-fileid="102851" rel=""> 
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WHEN POOP HAPPENS STALL BREAKS LOL

I started with a gastric sleeve surgery done in July 2019 weighing just shy of 350lbs. I had a lot of issues and tough recovery and it required a revision to a gastric bypass at the end of February 2020. I do not own a scale in my home as I would obsess over the number and with the whole Covid situation I was not going to in person dr appointments but today finally I was able to go and I weighed in at 187lbs!!!! That number seems crazy to me. I was over 200 at the age of 12 and I’m now 46. I want to laugh and cry at the same time. This last year was probably the hardest thing I’ve ever been through and I am not back to being 100% healthy yet but I am so excited to finally be under the 200lb mark.

It seems different surgeons recommend different progressions through the stages. Mine was two weeks on liquids, two on purées (think thick sludgy liquids) & two weeks on soft foods (think mushy) but with the advice to step back a stage if I experienced difficulties at each new stage. Your tummy will soon tell you if it’s not ready (healed enough) to tolerate denser foods.
Did your surgeon or dietician give you a list of foods to eat at each stage? I followed the recommended food lists very closely. If they didn’t, give them a call & ask for some advice.
Go slowly. You are healing. Don’t push yourself through a stage just because you’re craving specific foods.

Hope your recovery continues to go well for you.

The amount, and speed, of weight loss in the first six months after bariatric surgery is mainly determined by genes, so one person's results are in no way predictive of anyone else's. There are gender-specific differences in weight loss that you'll also likely benefit from.
Genetic expression, however, is dependent upon environment, so we can all help our DNA along after surgery -- and for the rest of our lives -- by following key evidence-based bariatric rules such as no liquids 30 mins before or after meals, staying hydrated, practicing Portion Control, mindful eating, Protein first veggies second, chewing food extremely well before swallowing, not slipping back into old eating behaviours and food habits, reading labels if you eat packaged foodstuffs, getting in at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity aerobic physical activity per week, getting enough sleep, and taking all of the required Vitamin and mineral supplements.
Wishing you well with your surgery!

it seems like most people have had their lapbands removed - so they've been an issue for a LOT of people, it seems. Most surgeons refuse to place them anymore. VSG has pretty much replaced it.
rate of weight loss depends on so many factors that knowing where other people were at various junctures probably isn't going to be of much help. I was a very slow loser, but I was very committed, and I lost 100% of my excess weight.
factors in your rate of weight loss include gender, age, metabolic rate, how active you are, starting BMI, whether or not you lost a fair amount of weight before surgery - I'm sure I'm leaving some out, but those are all major ones.
P.S. it's very common to gain back 10-20 lbs during year 3 post-op. So besides that bounce back, yes, I've been able to keep my weight off. But it's a struggle every day. There's a significant minority of patients who stop paying attention and gain back a lot weight - and unfortunately, a few gain all of it back. You really have to commit to monitoring yourself for the rest of your life.

Enchiladas ! Made with carb counter tortillas
(Don't judge my choice of cheese 😂)
Boyfriends plate vs mine

Nope, not hard at all...given that I had two bites of saucy Pasta a couple weeks ago and barfed. I learn quickly (well most times, at least, lol)

Fettuccine alfredo topped with pan-seared lemony garlic-y shrimp.
I ate 9 shrimp (99g), skipped the Pasta and sauce: 155 calories.

@Maria Isabel I agree 100% with this post:
Depending on the brand of your Multivitamin, you may not be getting the specific nutrients for Hair growth. Another thought, maybe you have a medical condition that affects your hair like hypothyroidism. Definitely discuss with your doctor and get a full panel of bloodwork to rule everything out.
I also struggle with fine, thin hair. Here's some suggestions:
Find a supplement designed for healthy hair. Caution: There are LOTS of companies out there that claim their vitamins/supplements give you full, lush hair. They can get VERY expensive, so approach with skepticism and do your homework before investing. Consider how your hair care routine is affecting your hair: type of Shampoo and the frequency you shampoo can make a difference Consider scalp oils and massage. I use 3 types of oils and make sure to do a deep scalp massage the night before I shampoo. Consider occasional "hair masks" or treatments. I've done them, but not consistently. I noticed when I do take the time that my hair appears fuller and is more manageable for a few days afterward. sleep on a silk pillowcase. Standard cases lead to increased breakage. Just a warning: despite all of the above ^ as well as the countless others I've tried, my hair is still baby fine and thin. My Hair loss started after I gave birth to my first child. Having weight loss surgery certainly didn't help, but I wouldn't say it's directly responsible. Personally, I've resigned myself to it. My grandmother also had fine, thin hair and wore a wig for most of her adult life, so I've probably drawn the short straw in the genetics department.
Recently, I discovered TOPPERS. They're sort of a partial-wig that only goes on the top of your head. I just couldn't accept or tolerate a full wig and a good friend of mine is a hairdresser and she recommended that I get a hairpiece. Not just for vanity, but for my own confidence and mental health. I mean it does get tiresome spending every morning trying to strategically style your hair to hide the loss. So, I spent a lot of time on YouTube watching wig and topper videos and decided to take the plunge about 2 months ago. I could not be happier. I love it!
Best of luck!

I wish I would have been told about: (1) the post-op nausea and Constipation, (2) how sore my throat and esophagus would be, (3) how I would not progress to pureed foods as soon as others, (4) how my liquid intake should be 4 ounces, slipped remarkably slowly, (5) how I could not possibly down 64 ounces of Water and Protein right away, even when sipping at 4 ounce increments throughout the day, and (5) how I should have initially purchased liquid vitamins and Patches rather than chewable ones, because I could not swallow them.

The recovery from the surgery will be more about fatigue than pain. I was sore for a few days, but needed multiple naps per day for 2 months! All worth it of course! Best decision I ever made!

I still have two months to go to hit six months as I'm only 4 months post op, but I can tell you 4 months progress lol.
Surgery weight 321 pounds January 23 2020
Current weight 256 pounds May 24 2020
So 65 pounds in 4 months or 20.25% of my body weight from my surgery weight...

Do NOT cheat. You went to severe measures to lose weight -- you got your body cut open! I was tempted when I was still in the liquid to soft food stage. Once you're on a solid diet - you can eat A LOT more and it is SO much easier.
I was a sugar and carb addict before surgery and now I do NOT even want them. There are so many healthy options that taste amazing and your stomach/pouch is so small - you will get full eating them.
You can google around and see if you can find recipes that are low-carb, low-sugar and low-fat that mimic your favorite foods.. Try those instead!
It is mind over matter. Do NOT let this surgery be a waste. Many people can not afford to have it and/or their insurance won't pay for it... they'd love to be in your shoes.
Will power. Will power. Will power.
Good luck! You got this! I believe in you!
Like I said, I was where you are (brutal, nagging cravings) -- a few weeks ago but have totally changed my mindset.

I can't stand the shakes because I'm really not a big fan of sweets. I just moved on to the soft solids stage of my diet and the hard part for me is separating liquids from meals. I reccomend GENEPRO Protein powder because a tiny scoop is 30g of protein. You can put it in just about anything and it's amazing! And when you advance your diet there is a Keto version of pretty much everything you crave. Hang in there!

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I can eat the yogurt, cheese, applesauce, & mashed potatoes. I haven’t really ventured out with trying different foods yet. I made a mango sorbet yesterday with just chopped frozen mangos & a little splash of almond milk. I ate the entire thing, probably like 6oz. I’m getting tired of yogurt so I have to think of other things to make. I’m also vegetarian so I definitely have to think of foods to eat.

Here's a link to a Ricotta Bake recipe from BariatricBits, for when you are able to tolerate soft foods:
https://bariatricbits.com/single-serve-baked-ricotta/
It's quick and easy to make, and is less than 150 calories.

Once you are past your puree stage and can eat regular foods again, there are ways to get those foods you crave but still be healthy about it. For pizza, I make a ground chicken crust and do Tomato sauce and cheese and veggies. It's super high Protein and great for you.
I can't have Pasta, but I found chickpea pasta, which surprisingly, doesn't taste too awful and is full of good Fiber. There are ways to go about eating foods in a healthy way, but remember why you did the surgery. Your health is the most important thing right now.
You won't feel hungry for a while (or at all, for some people), so just eat healthy, drink your Water, and once you can eat real foods again, look for healthy alternatives for your cravings. You got this, hang in there.

When I got to soft foods stage I started eating cauliflower pizza. It's a good substitute that follows your diet when you have a pizza craving. I can only eat one piece before I'm full, even now, but it's delicious and beats the cravings. Also, when you get into general food stage you can always get the veggie made Birds Eye pasta which is made with zucchini and lentils. I like the Rotini Marinara. I add a small handful of shredded cheese, a little parm, and some salt and pepper then split it into three servings. It helps with the pasta cravings and taste like spaghetti minus the meat lol. That's my suggestion. Just try to find substitutes that fit within your diet. That's what I do. I know it's hard, but trust me, it's worth it! You had the surgery to lose that weight, so you just have to do what you can to fight those cravings!

No disrespect but this is nothing like any surgery you have had. During surgery no anesthesia I'm sure is not an option. Post no pain meds I'm sure can be and it's great you want to be "clean" however this is no joke....

Hi I had a lapband to sleeve revision surgery on 6/15. I feel ok just tired. I’ve read others comment on here and I’m exactly the same it takes me all day to get in my Protein. The only problem I’m having off and on is right side pain. It comes and goes. I’m not sure if it gas pains or what. It feels like a catch or a bad cramp then it will just go away. Have any of y’all experienced this??

Hello! I had VSG on June 11. It was outpatient surgery and it went very well. Since beginning pre-op diet on June 1 I am down 25 lbs. I am NEVER hungry. But always thirsty. Struggling to get enough Protein in daily. Tired and need a nap most days. It’s an adjustment. But I’m doing well. Definitely miss carbonated drinks. But doing well with giving them up.

This is so refreshing to hear. I just advanced to purée foods today. Surgery was 2 weeks ago. I puréed baked chicken and added mashed potatoes. I ate 2 tablespoons of the chicken and 4 small bites (1tsp) of the potatoes. I’m content. I’m handling this better than liquids, thankfully.