ANewJourneyAwaits

One other piece of advice I have is that you are focusing on the all or nothing approach that isn’t going to serve you well long term. Let’s pretend you only lose 90% of your excess weight. Isn’t that a heck of a lot better than where you are at now?

I started off at over 48 BMI and 339 lbs. I had 174 lbs to lose to get to goal. I knew this was a huge amount so one thing I did to help myself was I committed early to losing weight. I lost over 50 lbs before surgery by sticking to low carb, and I just hit 90 lbs overall right after my two month surgery-versary. I’m over halfway there, with 84 lbs remaining. If you’re worried about the honeymoon, you have control over that. Start today, because every pound you lose now is weight you don’t have to lose later. And stop worrying about averages or anecdotes. You aren’t an average, you’re one person being given a tool that you can do amazing things with, or you can waste entirely. The success is about the person.

I echo that it is a mindset/attitude battle and what Ms. SSS said. I started with very similar stats to you, I am 5'7 as well. I discussed it with my surgeon and he echoed that the individual dictates the success and not the surgery. I chose the sleeve because:
Like Ms.SSS said, I didn't want to have my intestines messed with. It freaked me out. My surgeon said I would lose roughly the same amount of weight either way, if I followed their plan. I am not prone to GERD and did not want to spend extra time under anesthesia. I didn't want dumping syndrome. Thus far, I don't think I have experienced this yet. Things have set wrong in my pouch but that's about it. I specifically asked them in depth would I be able to lose the weight that I wanted and they confirmed, yes. The surgeries are much more advanced than even 4-5 years ago. There is no 18 month window where you start to regain. If there was for everyone, then why would anyone ever do this? The 18 months is a honeymoon period, as someone else said. In either surgery, you will have to have discipline. This isn't a miracle cure. Both can be stretched back out. Anecdotal experience isn't indicative of success or failure. If that were true, all the RNY friends that I have regained almost all their weight back (both were over 400lbs) while my one sleeved friend has kept it off. I don't think that means RNY doesn't work. They just fell back into poor eating choices and never truly changed their mindsets. They thought it was the easy way out and it's not. Gastric sleeve has been the right choice for many, myself included.

Whatever you choose in the end, know that it has to be mentally first and it is basically a reset to unlearn bad habits, train for good habits, and give you 6 months to a year head start on your weight loss. Just like with anything, like Mando said, the success is your choice.

@RTL1234 I am doing fine! I am on my period today (it didn't change my cycle or anything) and am super tired. I already am battling fatigue after surgery but on top of the period, I am super tired. How are you doing? Do any of you have instagrams that I could follow? I've begun mine but still too nervous to leave it open to the world but let me know if you want to follow too. I am ANewJourneyAwaiting. I've not done my weekly weigh-in because of my TOM. I will next week. I did have two nonscale victories. I jacket that used to kind of fit but be way way too tight on my upper arms is now loose! Like a normal oversized jean jacket and a ring that didnt fit my ring finger anymore is now too loose for my ring finger and fits the pointer finger. Super happy. And I got my engraved medical ID Bracelet.
@K Be Good! To echo what RTL said, I hiccup and burp all the time. After Water, after food, just whenever. Ha, ha. I hope you feel better soon and don't have COVID! Stay safe out there!

@mil_unloaded I did a 2 mile walk the other day as you saw, and my mom told me to cool my jets too, as I am only 3 weeks out of a major surgery. Glad you are getting your exercise in and not feeling sick! I've only had one bad pouch day. You are doing amazing!

How is everyone doing other wise?

- if both surgeries are just as easy to fail as they are to succeed, why do the research charts show this difference?
Research is based on averages. The numbers you are quoting do not apply to everyone in exactly the same way....it is an aggregate of those who reach goal AND those who don’t. 1 person loses 100 lbs. Another loses 40 lbs. Average weight loss of this “control group” is 70lbs...which is no where near what each person actually lost. @catwoman7 probably explained this better than me In her earlier post, lol
Second, if you need to rely on averages for your peace of mind, it may be worth your while then to look into the makeup of the studied. Age, gender, starting weight, lifestyle habits, medical conditions, genetics, etc. Daunting, yes, but more informative and contextual.
But really, wanna beat the average? Stick to plan more consistently than the “average” person (barring any medical conditions of course).

Also, I wanted to ask, did you get to choose the size boujie you wanted for your sleeve or know what size Dr used for you??
Doc just did his thing with no input from me. I have no idea how what size he used!

Also, did you cravings and hunger completely return after 6 months or it does but slightly?
My hunger levels and occurrences has not returned to pre-op levels. I can’t remember when I first felt hungry though (it was months in)...but I do remember it was a rare occurrence. Even now at 2+ years out, i still have days of just not wanting/forgetting to eat. When i do get hungry, it isn’t the ravenous kind of hunger though. And it doesn’t take much to satisfy it.

Lastly, can you just do complete Keto during the first year after surgery so you stay under 20 net carbs and in ketosis? Or our body doesn't need to be in fat burning mode because of the surgery?
I didnt do full-on Keto during weight-loss phase because there was no way I could get in the percentage of fat required...but I did do ultra-low carb (20 net carbs max) during that time.
But number of grams of carbs consumed is no where near as important as total calories consumed for weight loss. Though going low carb does tend to make me look lean. For my body this is good, cuz i can see more muscle definition, but for my face, not so good, as I look Skelator-ish. Since I have been consuming a higher number of net carbs (anywhere in the 100-175 range) my face looks much nicer, but the bod looks “soft”

P.S. sorry this was so long

I echo that it is a mindset/attitude battle and what Ms. SSS said. I started with very similar stats to you, I am 5'7 as well. I discussed it with my surgeon and he echoed that the individual dictates the success and not the surgery. I chose the sleeve because:
Like Ms.SSS said, I didn't want to have my intestines messed with. It freaked me out. My surgeon said I would lose roughly the same amount of weight either way, if I followed their plan. I am not prone to GERD and did not want to spend extra time under anesthesia. I didn't want dumping syndrome. Thus far, I don't think I have experienced this yet. Things have set wrong in my pouch but that's about it. I specifically asked them in depth would I be able to lose the weight that I wanted and they confirmed, yes. The surgeries are much more advanced than even 4-5 years ago. There is no 18 month window where you start to regain. If there was for everyone, then why would anyone ever do this? The 18 months is a honeymoon period, as someone else said. In either surgery, you will have to have discipline. This isn't a miracle cure. Both can be stretched back out. Anecdotal experience isn't indicative of success or failure. If that were true, all the RNY friends that I have regained almost all their weight back (both were over 400lbs) while my one sleeved friend has kept it off. I don't think that means RNY doesn't work. They just fell back into poor eating choices and never truly changed their mindsets. They thought it was the easy way out and it's not. Gastric sleeve has been the right choice for many, myself included.

Whatever you choose in the end, know that it has to be mentally first and it is basically a reset to unlearn bad habits, train for good habits, and give you 6 months to a year head start on your weight loss. Just like with anything, like Mando said, the success is your choice.

I echo that it is a mindset/attitude battle and what Ms. SSS said. I started with very similar stats to you, I am 5'7 as well. I discussed it with my surgeon and he echoed that the individual dictates the success and not the surgery. I chose the sleeve because:
Like Ms.SSS said, I didn't want to have my intestines messed with. It freaked me out. My surgeon said I would lose roughly the same amount of weight either way, if I followed their plan. I am not prone to GERD and did not want to spend extra time under anesthesia. I didn't want dumping syndrome. Thus far, I don't think I have experienced this yet. Things have set wrong in my pouch but that's about it. I specifically asked them in depth would I be able to lose the weight that I wanted and they confirmed, yes. The surgeries are much more advanced than even 4-5 years ago. There is no 18 month window where you start to regain. If there was for everyone, then why would anyone ever do this? The 18 months is a honeymoon period, as someone else said. In either surgery, you will have to have discipline. This isn't a miracle cure. Both can be stretched back out. Anecdotal experience isn't indicative of success or failure. If that were true, all the RNY friends that I have regained almost all their weight back (both were over 400lbs) while my one sleeved friend has kept it off. I don't think that means RNY doesn't work. They just fell back into poor eating choices and never truly changed their mindsets. They thought it was the easy way out and it's not. Gastric sleeve has been the right choice for many, myself included.

Whatever you choose in the end, know that it has to be mentally first and it is basically a reset to unlearn bad habits, train for good habits, and give you 6 months to a year head start on your weight loss. Just like with anything, like Mando said, the success is your choice.

Both fatigue and food not sitting right in your pouch are very common in the first couple months after surgery!! I took naps daily until I was about 3 months out! Also got the foamies quite a few times too.
Hang in there, and with time, it will all get better and your energy will come back!! Best of luck to you!!

This is me, 4 months postop... but I was bald before surgery.

I had the sleeve, I did not want my intestines rerouted. Usually the surgeon knows what is best for you according to your case, ie: gurd etc.

So, I posted previously that I was having a hard time getting all my Protein and Water in. That is still kind of true but at day 7, it's like I turned a corner. I can drink normally (not a gulp, but not a tiny sip like before) and I can get in 1.5 oz of food at a time (protein first, then fruit or veg, as per the diet) and an 8 oz shake so I can get closer to my protein goal. I am terrified of stretching my sleeve out because I can drink more and I can get more at day 10. I do 8 oz of Protein Shake before it gives me 42g of protein in one go. And NONE of my tastes have changed and nothing has "sat" wrong with me. I have tried pureed fruits (baby food), sugar free popsicles, eggs (they got "caught" the first time but we made them runny so now they are okay), ricotta bake, and tomorrow tuna puree. Nothing has made me ill yet. I don't get hungry like before, but I do feel hunger sometimes and it isn't head hunger.
The only problems I have now is the stupid redness from my incisions as an allergic reaction to the glue, I get hot flashes sometimes from the hormones I guess, and I am still very tired, even when hitting water goals.
I don't know, I guess I thought I was going to only be able to tolerate food a little, not like anything that I previously did, have no hunger pains, and get sick from a lot of the stuff I've tried. So far, none of that has happened. From what I read, my experience isn't super normal and I hope I am not doing something bad to my sleeve without knowing it. Anyone else have this? I am curious.

Edited to add: I feel very, very little restriction when I drink water now. It's there with food, certainly, but water seems to go on down easily.

So, I posted previously that I was having a hard time getting all my Protein and Water in. That is still kind of true but at day 7, it's like I turned a corner. I can drink normally (not a gulp, but not a tiny sip like before) and I can get in 1.5 oz of food at a time (protein first, then fruit or veg, as per the diet) and an 8 oz shake so I can get closer to my protein goal. I am terrified of stretching my sleeve out because I can drink more and I can get more at day 10. I do 8 oz of Protein Shake before it gives me 42g of protein in one go. And NONE of my tastes have changed and nothing has "sat" wrong with me. I have tried pureed fruits (baby food), sugar free popsicles, eggs (they got "caught" the first time but we made them runny so now they are okay), ricotta bake, and tomorrow tuna puree. Nothing has made me ill yet. I don't get hungry like before, but I do feel hunger sometimes and it isn't head hunger.
The only problems I have now is the stupid redness from my incisions as an allergic reaction to the glue, I get hot flashes sometimes from the hormones I guess, and I am still very tired, even when hitting water goals.
I don't know, I guess I thought I was going to only be able to tolerate food a little, not like anything that I previously did, have no hunger pains, and get sick from a lot of the stuff I've tried. So far, none of that has happened. From what I read, my experience isn't super normal and I hope I am not doing something bad to my sleeve without knowing it. Anyone else have this? I am curious.

Edited to add: I feel very, very little restriction when I drink water now. It's there with food, certainly, but water seems to go on down easily.

I’ve been promoted to full liquids! Yay!!! I’m so happy!
(Also for those laughing about my fart—very little is truly sacred for me, I only apologize for the TMI because I know other people can be sensitive to it, I think farts are hilarious. 🤪)

Today was a rough day mentally. I now see how much I turned to food when I was upset. Not having it today was new. First time I struggled mentally with cravings. I have an appointment with my counselor tomorrow. I’m trying to identify when I feel this way and writing it down.

Otherwise, I ate too fast today and I felt like a lump at the bottom of my throat. Definitely felt uncomfortable but not sick. Won’t be doing that again. Every day is better. Though I’ve been at a stall for the past 4 days. Sigh. Still so glad I did this surgery. I am looking forward to soft foods next week.

I want to agree with the poster above. The first week for me was super rough. Day 7, I turned a corner and every day gets better.

Today was a rough day mentally. I now see how much I turned to food when I was upset. Not having it today was new. First time I struggled mentally with cravings. I have an appointment with my counselor tomorrow. I’m trying to identify when I feel this way and writing it down.

Otherwise, I ate too fast today and I felt like a lump at the bottom of my throat. Definitely felt uncomfortable but not sick. Won’t be doing that again. Every day is better. Though I’ve been at a stall for the past 4 days. Sigh. Still so glad I did this surgery. I am looking forward to soft foods next week.

I want to agree with the poster above. The first week for me was super rough. Day 7, I turned a corner and every day gets better.

Today was a rough day mentally. I now see how much I turned to food when I was upset. Not having it today was new. First time I struggled mentally with cravings. I have an appointment with my counselor tomorrow. I’m trying to identify when I feel this way and writing it down.

Otherwise, I ate too fast today and I felt like a lump at the bottom of my throat. Definitely felt uncomfortable but not sick. Won’t be doing that again. Every day is better. Though I’ve been at a stall for the past 4 days. Sigh. Still so glad I did this surgery. I am looking forward to soft foods next week.

I want to agree with the poster above. The first week for me was super rough. Day 7, I turned a corner and every day gets better.

@mil_unloaded I had a terrible reaction to the surgical glue. Just be sure to watch it.
@RTL1234 Right?! I can drink pretty normally and it felt wrong? I just expected to not like the same stuff, have a harder time eating, and not be able to drink. I feel great today other than my incisions. I even went for a 30 minute walk today. Felt nice to get some Vitamin D and fresh air.

@mil_unloaded I had a terrible reaction to the surgical glue. Just be sure to watch it.
@RTL1234 Right?! I can drink pretty normally and it felt wrong? I just expected to not like the same stuff, have a harder time eating, and not be able to drink. I feel great today other than my incisions. I even went for a 30 minute walk today. Felt nice to get some Vitamin D and fresh air.

Thank you for this. ❤️ I think I get anxious over the little stuff and I really, really want this to work. I had it built up in my head that it was going to awful with food for the first months and I guess when that didn't happen, I just kind of panicked. It sounds SO SILLY saying that out loud. Unremarkable is still great!
Also, let me clarify that I cannot eat much. My pouch is small. Tiny portions fill me up (1-1.5 oz) and I have lost weight since surgery. It's just Water that goes through quite easily.

I still eat the pureed chicken salad that I made when I got the "all clear" for pureed foods.
I use canned chicken breast that I run through my food processor until it is almost the consistency of sand and then mix it with greek yogurt, hummus, salt, pepper, and a little garlic powder. Okay, I also throw in a tablespoon of gochujang because I like and can tolerate spice, but that is purely my preference. It comes out with a creamy consistency and went down fine for pureed phase.

it does in fact get better.

I have lost 15lbs now since surgery (11 days ago). Also, I just went for my first 30 minute walk. Felt nice to be out in the sunshine and fresh air.

It is such a personal decision. For myself, I decided it was still an okay time to do it. However, my surgery was at an outpatient surgery center. This made me feel more comfortable than being in the hospital near covid patients. Though at least at the local hospital they are keeping covid separate from other patients so you may not even encounter a covid positive person.
As someone in healthcare, I can understand that after any surgery you are in a weakened state, but it wouldn’t mean your heart or lung health wouldn’t fight for you. You may be more susceptible to acquiring covid, but it doesn’t mean you would have the worst case scenario if you did. Hope this helps a bit!
it definitely is a very personal decision. But know whatever you decide for yourself will be the right one!!

So, I posted previously that I was having a hard time getting all my Protein and Water in. That is still kind of true but at day 7, it's like I turned a corner. I can drink normally (not a gulp, but not a tiny sip like before) and I can get in 1.5 oz of food at a time (protein first, then fruit or veg, as per the diet) and an 8 oz shake so I can get closer to my protein goal. I am terrified of stretching my sleeve out because I can drink more and I can get more at day 10. I do 8 oz of Protein Shake before it gives me 42g of protein in one go. And NONE of my tastes have changed and nothing has "sat" wrong with me. I have tried pureed fruits (baby food), sugar free popsicles, eggs (they got "caught" the first time but we made them runny so now they are okay), ricotta bake, and tomorrow tuna puree. Nothing has made me ill yet. I don't get hungry like before, but I do feel hunger sometimes and it isn't head hunger.
The only problems I have now is the stupid redness from my incisions as an allergic reaction to the glue, I get hot flashes sometimes from the hormones I guess, and I am still very tired, even when hitting water goals.
I don't know, I guess I thought I was going to only be able to tolerate food a little, not like anything that I previously did, have no hunger pains, and get sick from a lot of the stuff I've tried. So far, none of that has happened. From what I read, my experience isn't super normal and I hope I am not doing something bad to my sleeve without knowing it. Anyone else have this? I am curious.

Edited to add: I feel very, very little restriction when I drink water now. It's there with food, certainly, but water seems to go on down easily.

Not totally the same as you but I've had no trouble with Water from about 4 days out. Can finish 500ml (sorry UK) in about 10 mins but my surgeon did ask me not to & to try & do it over 30 mins. Apart from veg I've not had issues tolerating anything either, meeting Protein goals & sometimes feel real hunger.
Please try not to worry, I know that's hard, I'm a worrier. This forum has helped loads though & I'm learning every person has a unique response to these surgeries. I've lost over 55% of my excess weight since late October by the way, so even people like us are capable of losing. You're not damaging your sleeve

The itch is so stupid. I wish I had told them to suture me up. The surgeon said I even had a reaction to the antiseptic. I have great skin for healing but not when it comes to be allergic to things. I get it from my mom! Glad yours are doing well!

I also need another week. I am going to email my boss tonight and take the rest of my time left from 2020 (it rolled over this year) so I have five extra days. I feel bad but I’m not at 100% yet.

I also had diarrhea. The Fiber and colace made it worse. So I was taken off it. After the purées and being off them, I’m much better.

I have an IG dedicated to this journey of anyone wanted to follow and I’d love to follow you lovely people! :) Mine is ANewJourneyAwaiting if you want to follow me.


I can’t wait to start being able to walk longer distances and start exercising. I can’t imagine it being cold as I live in Florida. It’s been just perfect days here.