Sleeve_Me_Alone

It is so, so important to remember that stalls are a completely normal, expected part of WLS. Nobody loses weight at a set pace the ENITRE time and then magically just stop when they reach goal. Weight loss is not linear - it is an up and down, start and stop, stall and restart process. So you need to make peace with the fact that you will not lose weight every week, when you do lose weight it will be variable, and that all of this is normal and healthy.
That being said, a true stall is usually considered 3+ weeks, although this definition varies amongst doctors/dietitians. Regardless, a week or two with no movement, or even a slight gain, is NOT a stall. Most people's weight fluctuates 5ish pounds day over day - meaning you may weight 2lbs more today than you did yesterday and in reality, didn't actually gain any weight. I would suggest not weighing everyday. Its not helpful or healthy and can actually lead to some really unhealthy habits. Pick a set day each week to weigh - I weight on Tuesdays because I had surgery on a Tuesday so I'm tracking week over week from my surgery day. Also, take measurements and pictures. While you may (often) not see the scale move, your body WILL be changing. Keeping tangible data helps remind you that there is still progress and gives your brain concrete evidence. Lastly, you just need to give it time and trust the process. WLS is not magic, it takes time and consistency. This isn't just another diet we can give up on, this is the rest of our lives. Hang in there, you are exactly where you are meant to be.

It is so, so important to remember that stalls are a completely normal, expected part of WLS. Nobody loses weight at a set pace the ENITRE time and then magically just stop when they reach goal. Weight loss is not linear - it is an up and down, start and stop, stall and restart process. So you need to make peace with the fact that you will not lose weight every week, when you do lose weight it will be variable, and that all of this is normal and healthy.
That being said, a true stall is usually considered 3+ weeks, although this definition varies amongst doctors/dietitians. Regardless, a week or two with no movement, or even a slight gain, is NOT a stall. Most people's weight fluctuates 5ish pounds day over day - meaning you may weight 2lbs more today than you did yesterday and in reality, didn't actually gain any weight. I would suggest not weighing everyday. Its not helpful or healthy and can actually lead to some really unhealthy habits. Pick a set day each week to weigh - I weight on Tuesdays because I had surgery on a Tuesday so I'm tracking week over week from my surgery day. Also, take measurements and pictures. While you may (often) not see the scale move, your body WILL be changing. Keeping tangible data helps remind you that there is still progress and gives your brain concrete evidence. Lastly, you just need to give it time and trust the process. WLS is not magic, it takes time and consistency. This isn't just another diet we can give up on, this is the rest of our lives. Hang in there, you are exactly where you are meant to be.

It is so, so important to remember that stalls are a completely normal, expected part of WLS. Nobody loses weight at a set pace the ENITRE time and then magically just stop when they reach goal. Weight loss is not linear - it is an up and down, start and stop, stall and restart process. So you need to make peace with the fact that you will not lose weight every week, when you do lose weight it will be variable, and that all of this is normal and healthy.
That being said, a true stall is usually considered 3+ weeks, although this definition varies amongst doctors/dietitians. Regardless, a week or two with no movement, or even a slight gain, is NOT a stall. Most people's weight fluctuates 5ish pounds day over day - meaning you may weight 2lbs more today than you did yesterday and in reality, didn't actually gain any weight. I would suggest not weighing everyday. Its not helpful or healthy and can actually lead to some really unhealthy habits. Pick a set day each week to weigh - I weight on Tuesdays because I had surgery on a Tuesday so I'm tracking week over week from my surgery day. Also, take measurements and pictures. While you may (often) not see the scale move, your body WILL be changing. Keeping tangible data helps remind you that there is still progress and gives your brain concrete evidence. Lastly, you just need to give it time and trust the process. WLS is not magic, it takes time and consistency. This isn't just another diet we can give up on, this is the rest of our lives. Hang in there, you are exactly where you are meant to be.

It is so, so important to remember that stalls are a completely normal, expected part of WLS. Nobody loses weight at a set pace the ENITRE time and then magically just stop when they reach goal. Weight loss is not linear - it is an up and down, start and stop, stall and restart process. So you need to make peace with the fact that you will not lose weight every week, when you do lose weight it will be variable, and that all of this is normal and healthy.
That being said, a true stall is usually considered 3+ weeks, although this definition varies amongst doctors/dietitians. Regardless, a week or two with no movement, or even a slight gain, is NOT a stall. Most people's weight fluctuates 5ish pounds day over day - meaning you may weight 2lbs more today than you did yesterday and in reality, didn't actually gain any weight. I would suggest not weighing everyday. Its not helpful or healthy and can actually lead to some really unhealthy habits. Pick a set day each week to weigh - I weight on Tuesdays because I had surgery on a Tuesday so I'm tracking week over week from my surgery day. Also, take measurements and pictures. While you may (often) not see the scale move, your body WILL be changing. Keeping tangible data helps remind you that there is still progress and gives your brain concrete evidence. Lastly, you just need to give it time and trust the process. WLS is not magic, it takes time and consistency. This isn't just another diet we can give up on, this is the rest of our lives. Hang in there, you are exactly where you are meant to be.

It is so, so important to remember that stalls are a completely normal, expected part of WLS. Nobody loses weight at a set pace the ENITRE time and then magically just stop when they reach goal. Weight loss is not linear - it is an up and down, start and stop, stall and restart process. So you need to make peace with the fact that you will not lose weight every week, when you do lose weight it will be variable, and that all of this is normal and healthy.
That being said, a true stall is usually considered 3+ weeks, although this definition varies amongst doctors/dietitians. Regardless, a week or two with no movement, or even a slight gain, is NOT a stall. Most people's weight fluctuates 5ish pounds day over day - meaning you may weight 2lbs more today than you did yesterday and in reality, didn't actually gain any weight. I would suggest not weighing everyday. Its not helpful or healthy and can actually lead to some really unhealthy habits. Pick a set day each week to weigh - I weight on Tuesdays because I had surgery on a Tuesday so I'm tracking week over week from my surgery day. Also, take measurements and pictures. While you may (often) not see the scale move, your body WILL be changing. Keeping tangible data helps remind you that there is still progress and gives your brain concrete evidence. Lastly, you just need to give it time and trust the process. WLS is not magic, it takes time and consistency. This isn't just another diet we can give up on, this is the rest of our lives. Hang in there, you are exactly where you are meant to be.

It is so, so important to remember that stalls are a completely normal, expected part of WLS. Nobody loses weight at a set pace the ENITRE time and then magically just stop when they reach goal. Weight loss is not linear - it is an up and down, start and stop, stall and restart process. So you need to make peace with the fact that you will not lose weight every week, when you do lose weight it will be variable, and that all of this is normal and healthy.
That being said, a true stall is usually considered 3+ weeks, although this definition varies amongst doctors/dietitians. Regardless, a week or two with no movement, or even a slight gain, is NOT a stall. Most people's weight fluctuates 5ish pounds day over day - meaning you may weight 2lbs more today than you did yesterday and in reality, didn't actually gain any weight. I would suggest not weighing everyday. Its not helpful or healthy and can actually lead to some really unhealthy habits. Pick a set day each week to weigh - I weight on Tuesdays because I had surgery on a Tuesday so I'm tracking week over week from my surgery day. Also, take measurements and pictures. While you may (often) not see the scale move, your body WILL be changing. Keeping tangible data helps remind you that there is still progress and gives your brain concrete evidence. Lastly, you just need to give it time and trust the process. WLS is not magic, it takes time and consistency. This isn't just another diet we can give up on, this is the rest of our lives. Hang in there, you are exactly where you are meant to be.

Many people think they are a "slow loser" but in fact they just have unrealistic expectations from shows like My 600 Lb Life, which features people who lose "fast" because they are much bigger than your average WLS patient. You may still be a slow loser; I can't tell how much of your 33 lb weight loss was before surgery, but I lost about 9 lbs on average per month for the first 6 months after surgery, and my surgery center said I was doing great!
Try to focus on things you can control, like eating and drinking and exercising the way your surgery center recommended, and don't worry about the scale. You might also focus on how your clothes fit or other "non-scale victories".
You might also consider reaching out to your surgery center to make sure you're on track, and consider seeing a bariatric therapist.
Good luck!

Yes, its very likely you caused some strain that is resulting in pain. I would imagine, after that much work, you'd be sore regardless of surgery. But as you stated, there are no red flags, so you're probably fine.
Post-op Constipation is VERY common; its almost unavoidable in those early days. As others have said, fiber and Water are your best friends. I use a Prebiotic fiber called Just Better Fiber - you can get it from their website or on Amazon. It has been a game changer for me. I was using colace before that, and it only worked partially. Miralax is another option, as it BeniFiber or any other similar supplement. Definitely get on something though, before it becomes a serious problem. And have hope, it doesn't last forever!

Yes, its very likely you caused some strain that is resulting in pain. I would imagine, after that much work, you'd be sore regardless of surgery. But as you stated, there are no red flags, so you're probably fine.
Post-op Constipation is VERY common; its almost unavoidable in those early days. As others have said, fiber and Water are your best friends. I use a Prebiotic fiber called Just Better Fiber - you can get it from their website or on Amazon. It has been a game changer for me. I was using colace before that, and it only worked partially. Miralax is another option, as it BeniFiber or any other similar supplement. Definitely get on something though, before it becomes a serious problem. And have hope, it doesn't last forever!

I am still losing, but already have a good bit of lose skin/squish. I will tell you without reservation, that I would rather have a little extra skin jiggle than be fat and miserable and unhealthy and on the fast track to early death. Do I wish things were super toned and tight? Sure, don't we all? But the reality is, I've carried around over 100lbs of extra weight my entire adult life, I'm not ever going to have the body of a person who was always thin. But what I do have is my life back, a healthy relationship with food, a body that I've learned to love and be grateful for, and YEARS of my life given back. For me, the skin is a reminder of how far I've come and what I've done for myself as an act of love.
I would suggest to anyone considering surgery, that they focus on their mental and emotional health first and foremost. You have to be in a good place INSIDE before you are ready to make the OUTSIDE changes. Truly, this is a life long journey and you will only be as successful as you're willing to be, which starts with the head work. I think having done a ton of therapy and getting myself into a good headspace before surgery is what has allowed me to accept the less desirable parts of the process and not get hung up.

I am still losing, but already have a good bit of lose skin/squish. I will tell you without reservation, that I would rather have a little extra skin jiggle than be fat and miserable and unhealthy and on the fast track to early death. Do I wish things were super toned and tight? Sure, don't we all? But the reality is, I've carried around over 100lbs of extra weight my entire adult life, I'm not ever going to have the body of a person who was always thin. But what I do have is my life back, a healthy relationship with food, a body that I've learned to love and be grateful for, and YEARS of my life given back. For me, the skin is a reminder of how far I've come and what I've done for myself as an act of love.
I would suggest to anyone considering surgery, that they focus on their mental and emotional health first and foremost. You have to be in a good place INSIDE before you are ready to make the OUTSIDE changes. Truly, this is a life long journey and you will only be as successful as you're willing to be, which starts with the head work. I think having done a ton of therapy and getting myself into a good headspace before surgery is what has allowed me to accept the less desirable parts of the process and not get hung up.

I am still losing, but already have a good bit of lose skin/squish. I will tell you without reservation, that I would rather have a little extra skin jiggle than be fat and miserable and unhealthy and on the fast track to early death. Do I wish things were super toned and tight? Sure, don't we all? But the reality is, I've carried around over 100lbs of extra weight my entire adult life, I'm not ever going to have the body of a person who was always thin. But what I do have is my life back, a healthy relationship with food, a body that I've learned to love and be grateful for, and YEARS of my life given back. For me, the skin is a reminder of how far I've come and what I've done for myself as an act of love.
I would suggest to anyone considering surgery, that they focus on their mental and emotional health first and foremost. You have to be in a good place INSIDE before you are ready to make the OUTSIDE changes. Truly, this is a life long journey and you will only be as successful as you're willing to be, which starts with the head work. I think having done a ton of therapy and getting myself into a good headspace before surgery is what has allowed me to accept the less desirable parts of the process and not get hung up.

I am still losing, but already have a good bit of lose skin/squish. I will tell you without reservation, that I would rather have a little extra skin jiggle than be fat and miserable and unhealthy and on the fast track to early death. Do I wish things were super toned and tight? Sure, don't we all? But the reality is, I've carried around over 100lbs of extra weight my entire adult life, I'm not ever going to have the body of a person who was always thin. But what I do have is my life back, a healthy relationship with food, a body that I've learned to love and be grateful for, and YEARS of my life given back. For me, the skin is a reminder of how far I've come and what I've done for myself as an act of love.
I would suggest to anyone considering surgery, that they focus on their mental and emotional health first and foremost. You have to be in a good place INSIDE before you are ready to make the OUTSIDE changes. Truly, this is a life long journey and you will only be as successful as you're willing to be, which starts with the head work. I think having done a ton of therapy and getting myself into a good headspace before surgery is what has allowed me to accept the less desirable parts of the process and not get hung up.

I am still losing, but already have a good bit of lose skin/squish. I will tell you without reservation, that I would rather have a little extra skin jiggle than be fat and miserable and unhealthy and on the fast track to early death. Do I wish things were super toned and tight? Sure, don't we all? But the reality is, I've carried around over 100lbs of extra weight my entire adult life, I'm not ever going to have the body of a person who was always thin. But what I do have is my life back, a healthy relationship with food, a body that I've learned to love and be grateful for, and YEARS of my life given back. For me, the skin is a reminder of how far I've come and what I've done for myself as an act of love.
I would suggest to anyone considering surgery, that they focus on their mental and emotional health first and foremost. You have to be in a good place INSIDE before you are ready to make the OUTSIDE changes. Truly, this is a life long journey and you will only be as successful as you're willing to be, which starts with the head work. I think having done a ton of therapy and getting myself into a good headspace before surgery is what has allowed me to accept the less desirable parts of the process and not get hung up.

I am still losing, but already have a good bit of lose skin/squish. I will tell you without reservation, that I would rather have a little extra skin jiggle than be fat and miserable and unhealthy and on the fast track to early death. Do I wish things were super toned and tight? Sure, don't we all? But the reality is, I've carried around over 100lbs of extra weight my entire adult life, I'm not ever going to have the body of a person who was always thin. But what I do have is my life back, a healthy relationship with food, a body that I've learned to love and be grateful for, and YEARS of my life given back. For me, the skin is a reminder of how far I've come and what I've done for myself as an act of love.
I would suggest to anyone considering surgery, that they focus on their mental and emotional health first and foremost. You have to be in a good place INSIDE before you are ready to make the OUTSIDE changes. Truly, this is a life long journey and you will only be as successful as you're willing to be, which starts with the head work. I think having done a ton of therapy and getting myself into a good headspace before surgery is what has allowed me to accept the less desirable parts of the process and not get hung up.

Skin can be dealt with too. Check out the plastic/reconstructive surgery forum. Lots of us on here had a variety of skin removal surgeries (myself included). I agree with @Sleeve_Me_Alone though, even if I hadn’t had the extra skin removed I’d still trade be thrilled to be happy & healthy.

I am still losing, but already have a good bit of lose skin/squish. I will tell you without reservation, that I would rather have a little extra skin jiggle than be fat and miserable and unhealthy and on the fast track to early death. Do I wish things were super toned and tight? Sure, don't we all? But the reality is, I've carried around over 100lbs of extra weight my entire adult life, I'm not ever going to have the body of a person who was always thin. But what I do have is my life back, a healthy relationship with food, a body that I've learned to love and be grateful for, and YEARS of my life given back. For me, the skin is a reminder of how far I've come and what I've done for myself as an act of love.
I would suggest to anyone considering surgery, that they focus on their mental and emotional health first and foremost. You have to be in a good place INSIDE before you are ready to make the OUTSIDE changes. Truly, this is a life long journey and you will only be as successful as you're willing to be, which starts with the head work. I think having done a ton of therapy and getting myself into a good headspace before surgery is what has allowed me to accept the less desirable parts of the process and not get hung up.

I am still losing, but already have a good bit of lose skin/squish. I will tell you without reservation, that I would rather have a little extra skin jiggle than be fat and miserable and unhealthy and on the fast track to early death. Do I wish things were super toned and tight? Sure, don't we all? But the reality is, I've carried around over 100lbs of extra weight my entire adult life, I'm not ever going to have the body of a person who was always thin. But what I do have is my life back, a healthy relationship with food, a body that I've learned to love and be grateful for, and YEARS of my life given back. For me, the skin is a reminder of how far I've come and what I've done for myself as an act of love.
I would suggest to anyone considering surgery, that they focus on their mental and emotional health first and foremost. You have to be in a good place INSIDE before you are ready to make the OUTSIDE changes. Truly, this is a life long journey and you will only be as successful as you're willing to be, which starts with the head work. I think having done a ton of therapy and getting myself into a good headspace before surgery is what has allowed me to accept the less desirable parts of the process and not get hung up.

So today is my weekly weigh in day, and I weigh 349!!! It's the first time in 2 years I have been below 350 (1st time was when I did Keto, but as soon as I hit 320 it literally came back up and I never lost a single pound after I went back to my original weight). I'm figuring out the food portions, timing, measurements and I think I have it down!!! You guys have all been so amazing with all the meltdowns, crazy questions, doubting myself, etc I've done on here (I know, I was a bit loco lol ). But I seem to be losing at a nice steady pace (5-7 pounds per week) and I have to say, I'm really liking it. I feel like this is much more sustainable and maintainable than when I was doing keto (and surprisingly, a lot less restrictive! ) I'm 7 weeks post op today and honestly, other than my scars on my tummy, I would never know I had surgery. No pain, no more limitations, no problems at all. I still have to be mindful of how much I eat and how often, because as I have said before, I never lost any of my hunger hormone. But I make homemade smoothies with fruit or I drink a Protein Shake if I need a little extra Protein, or I just keep busy until I can teach my stomach and body that I'm NOT hungry and I HAVE eaten enough and I will NOT be eating anymore because I had my allotted amount and that's it. It's harder when you're still hungry, but it CAN be done. Especially when I see the progress on the scale. So so glad I had this surgery. I don't regret it at all. Not even a tiny bit. I just wish I had done it sooner. But I guess we all do, don't we? lol

Barebell has a few plant based bars that are very good. I get them at Trader Joe's or Whole Foods. Orgain has some plant based powders that aren't bad. I'm not aware of any whey free Protein waters, but maybe GNC would have options?

10000000% common and normal. Weight will fluctuate, stall, plateau, and do all sorts of other things. I'm 9 months out and it has NOT been linear. The most important thing to do is just stay the course and follow your plan. You don't need to exercise 5 hours a day, do a pouch reset, bulk up on laxatives, or any of that crap. You just need time and consistency. Hang in there, I know its frustrating but you're right where you should be!

10000000% common and normal. Weight will fluctuate, stall, plateau, and do all sorts of other things. I'm 9 months out and it has NOT been linear. The most important thing to do is just stay the course and follow your plan. You don't need to exercise 5 hours a day, do a pouch reset, bulk up on laxatives, or any of that crap. You just need time and consistency. Hang in there, I know its frustrating but you're right where you should be!

4 months for meat seems extremely long. Most folks are on a completely normal diet by then. I generally will always say "follow your plan" but if you are really struggling perhaps you could try some VERY tender meat - like crockpot cooked chicken, so that its super moist and soft? Tofu and hummus might also be good options. I was not able to eat anything more than my Protein for the first several months - so I get the struggle. I think around month 4 I was able to consistently add in veggies. Though I did often do Soups like broccoli cheese, beef stew, etc. and just chewed the life out of them, which allowed for a little more variety and some added Fiber.
@bariatric.meal.prep on IG has a new cookbook out that has recipes for all stages, as well as a wealth of info on her page. @theguacwarddietitian also has a ton of options/suggestions. If you aren't getting support from your clinics dietitian, maybe your PCP can give you a referral to someone else?

Clothing sizing has absolutely changed over the years. I am roughly the same weight now as I was in high school, but definitely NOT the same size. Additionally the size I'm wearing now fits completely different than it did the last time I was this size! I try really hard not to get too caught up in sizes. They are so arbitrary! It can be a little bit of a mind game.

First of all, take a deep breath. This is incredibly hard work and you are doing a great job.
Statistically speaking, people who are obese and have been for a significant period of time, only have about a 5% success rate of losing the weight and keeping it off long term. The reality is, obesity is an incredibly hard thing to overcome, and for most of us, surgery is the tool we need to succeed. That, in addition to counseling to heal my relationship with food and my body, has been absolutely life changing.
It sounds like you have done your homework about medications, surgery, and other treatments. You've come to a soundly investigated decision based on what is best for YOU. You are doing the mental and emotional work to set yourself up for long term success and wellbeing.
As for those around you who are naysayers - they do not live in your mind or body and have no right to opine on either. Frankly, folks who have never lived through a life of obesity and disordered eating simply cannot understand it or truly empathize. My husband is the MOST supportive human on the planet and has been my biggest cheerleader through every diet, exercise program, and finally surgery. Truly, he is a gift to me. BUT, he is rail thin and always has been. He openly acknowledges that he cannot understand a life with obesity and because he can't, he has trusted me to make the right decisions for myself and supports me unconditionally without reservation or opinion. If the people in your life cannot see their own bias and acknowledge that they cannot support you without their own opinions clouding things, then maybe they should not be allowed the space to speak into your life. You can love them, but they don't deserve the right to give you their opinions.
Only you can decide what is right for you and it sounds like you already have. Trust that. You got this.