Sunnyway

Well said, Arabesque. If we continue eating the foods and Snacks we used to eat or look for Keto snacks (which are heavily processed foods), we are very likely to regain all that has been lost.
Even though "bariatric/keto snacks" and "protein bars" are sold on some bariatric sites does not mean that they are appropriate or good for us. Instead, look to whole foods, healthy foods, while avoiding those that lure us into eating more--sugar, flour, rice, Pasta, processed foods. Read nutrition and ingredients labels like a boss!
Lest you think I'm preaching, I can only tell you that I speak from experience. I've done all these wrong things in the past and paid the price--and I'm still tempted by them.

Here's the Weight Loss Magic Soup I've been making. It's delicious, filling, and has only 57 calories per cup:
32 oz chicken stock
3 cups V-8 juice (you can use low-sodium V8 or even Tomato juice, homemade or store bought)
2 cans Italian diced tomatoes
1 small onion
2 cloves minced garlic
1 package sliced mushrooms
3 carrots, peeled and sliced
1 zucchini, diced
1 yellow squash, diced
2 cups fresh or frozen green beans
1 can kidney Beans, drained and rinsed
3-4 cups shredded cabbage
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Salt and Pepper, to taste
In a large frying pan sprayed with cooking spray, sauté garlic, onions, carrots, and mushrooms for about 5 minutes.

In a large crockpot, combine sautéed garlic and vegetables with the remaining ingredients. Cook on high for 2-3 hours, or until vegetables are cooked. (I have made this in a large stock pot on the stove instead of in a crock pot.)

This makes a large batch of Soup. If you would like to freeze portions of it to use later, undercook the vegetables just a little. Pour the soup into freezer Ziplock bags and let as much air out as you can. Lay the bags flat on a cookie sheet and freeze. Once the soup is frozen flat, it is easy to layer in your freezer and won't take up much room. To thaw, place the bag in the fridge for 24 hours and then reheat.
https://www.favfamilyrecipes.com/weight-loss-magic-soup/

Absolutely, you can mix up the veggies to your own taste and with what is abundant. For example, I like canned "fire roasted" diced tomatoes or even fresh cherry or grape tomatoes. Two cups of this Soup is only 114 calories and very filling for even dinner.

It does get better. It's normal to have regrets at your current stage.
I am one of the very rare bariatric surgery patients to have serious complications. However, after a challenging year, I've lost a total of 115 lbs and my life is totally normal. I eat regular food and have resumed all of my prior activities.
A year ago I was in hospital due to peritonitis and sepsis arising out of bariatric revision surgery. I rued my decision to have RNY>RNY revision surgery. I spent 7 weeks in hospital with 3 endoscopy procedures and two open surgeries, followed by 3 weeks in a rehab facility before returning home. I had an open surgical wound for another 3 months, requiring daily dressing changes. I'm lucky to have survived at all, with organs and limbs intact.
Because of the endoscopy procedures my pouch and anastomosis were stretched so I now have minimal physical restriction and will have to watch my diet and record my intake for the rest of my life. I accept that and hope to lose more, but will be content if I don't continue to lose.
If you read the many stories on this site you will see that regrets pass and the vast majority of us are ultimately happy with our decisions to have surgery. Life does return to normal. You will be able to eat normal food. If you follow an appropriate food plan and learn how to eat differently during this period of restriction you will lose weight and keep it off.

Since you have had such meager support, it's up to you to read and learn more about how to make a successful return to normal life minus the excess poundage. There are many excellent books available. You may be able to get some on Amazon.de or have them sent to you by someone in the US (or on Kindle in English). Here are a few of the books I recommend. There are many other excellent books and cookbooks to support you.

You may ultimately still need breast reduction surgery, but you will be in better shape before you proceed with it. In the meantime, make the most of the tool you have been provided. Hang in there. Day by day, it will get better.

Update: It's been a month since I posted the photo of my Hair loss last spring. This morning I noticed a lot of 1-2" long hairs on top of my head. I can actually part my hair and the scalp is not so prevalent. I lost most of the hair in June, so it's taken 6+ months for it to noticeably grow in.

I lost hair and started wearing chemo caps and headscarves and finally bought a wig. Then I made a new friend who is utterly bald due to alopecia. Her courage in going hairless has been inspirational and I have become much less self-conscious about my thin hair. My hair has started growing back (but is still very thin). My head gets cold so I do wear baseball caps and knit stocking caps but I'm no longer embarrassed to go bare-headed inside.

Update: It's been a month since I posted the photo of my Hair loss last spring. This morning I noticed a lot of 1-2" long hairs on top of my head. I can actually part my hair and the scalp is not so prevalent. I lost most of the hair in June, so it's taken 6+ months for it to noticeably grow in.

Well said, Arabesque. If we continue eating the foods and Snacks we used to eat or look for Keto snacks (which are heavily processed foods), we are very likely to regain all that has been lost.
Even though "bariatric/keto snacks" and "protein bars" are sold on some bariatric sites does not mean that they are appropriate or good for us. Instead, look to whole foods, healthy foods, while avoiding those that lure us into eating more--sugar, flour, rice, Pasta, processed foods. Read nutrition and ingredients labels like a boss!
Lest you think I'm preaching, I can only tell you that I speak from experience. I've done all these wrong things in the past and paid the price--and I'm still tempted by them.

It took one year and two weeks post surgery (plus 7 months pre-surgery), but today, nekked, on my own scale, I hit ONEderland, 199.6 lbs. Yipee! I know it's transitory and I'll bounce back and forth for a while, but this is the first time my scale has shown under 200 lbs for about 25 years. I've gone from a size 30-32 to an 18-20.
My hair is growing back. My brother is moving back home after 30+ years as an expat. I've booked a southern Caribbean cruise for April and he's going with me. All is good!
Just when I finally got all skinny leg pants, I discovered that the "in" style is again baggies. Well, there are some things you just can't win.

Dental issues due to WLS aren't unheard of, but based on the number of posts I've seen about it during the eight years I've been on this and other boards (i.e., hardly any) it seems like it's pretty uncommon.
I talked to my dentist about it before I had RNY because I was really freaked out about it. He said he'd read about it in the professional literature, but he's never actually seen it in his patients who've had WLS. He said it's most likely due to acid - from either vomiting or GERD (or silent GERD - when people don't realize they have GERD). He had me start using a prescription high fluoride toothpaste before going to bed, and his hygienist puts a fluoride varnish on my teeth every six months. He said both would go a long way toward preventing any issues. To be honest, I think he probably did that to placate me because I was so freaked out, but that's fine - I'd just as soon do whatever I can to protect my teeth, especially now that I'm in my 60s when even non-WLS people start having issues.
anyway, sorry this is happening to you.
P.S. dry mouth can also cause dental problems because bacteria is more likely to grow in that environment. Could that be a culprit? (there are a lot of meds that can cause dry mouth)

I went through this too, check out my profile and my very first posts you will see how bad I was. it does get better I can 100% guarantee you of this. it might take a couple of months, but you will get there. I am 18 months post op and forget I have even had the surgery sometimes, I even wish the post op period lasted longer now. The restrictions you feel will get less over time and it will become easier and enjoyable to eat again. Like Summerseeker said your hormones will be all over the place too. I cried multiple times a day, even screamed in the shower "why Me" as is why did the surgery make me feel like this. I couldn't even talk about the surgery without crying and told people never to consider getting it done but the crying got less the eating got better. Now I couldn't recommend the surgery more. Its the best thing I ever did, and you will feel that way soon too.

Having WLS is like learning to swim.
You can read everything there is about swimming technique and breathing technique, watch videos about how your limbs are supposed to move, how to keep your body afloat on the Water etc. etc. etc....
... but all of this is worth zilch as soon as you hit the cold water for the first time.

I had a long 8 months to wait for this surgery and thought I was very prepared. I read this forum from back to front. 20 years worth of problems and advice. I didn't know it all though, I didn't know that hormones live in fat cells and when we loose a lot of weight quickly we had all these hormones rushing around our bodies like puberty on steroids. I was having a tough time of it with nausea and vomiting too. I cried for a week and did not know why. I asked for help on here and got it. The answer, too many hormones at a time when I was overwhelmed with trying to do everything right. I think you need anti nausea medication.
So, You are not alone. Its normal to feel like you are. As you have realised its big surgery and now you have to get to grips with it, there is no going back. IT WILL GET BETTER.
You wont have to chew food like this forever, it just helps your tiny stomach digest your food so that you get the nutrients from it. Your headaches could be from dehydration, its tough to get all the liquids and food in early on, it feels like it will never get better but it does. Just do your very best everyday to get your liquid and Protein onboard. That way you will improve every day and doing that will improve your mental health a little
Please seek counselling for your eating disorders, hopefully you can find one who understands bariatrics too. OR talk to us on here, you can rage, cry and get these feeling off your chest and it may help a little bit. We don't mind, the ones before us did the same for us. You are not alone

On February 1st I finally got my gastric sleeve! I guess the old saying 3rd times a charm worked. I've gone in 3 times to get my sleeve the first they found a MASSIVE haital Hernia. 1/3rd of my stomach in my chest. So fixed that. 2nd time they sent after waiting for hours because they had no beds. ( I have to travel 1 1/2 hours to get there) on Feb 1st we got it done. I'm home, with such minimal pain that it's wonderful. I hope and pray for all coming g up for surgery that you have as little di omfort as I have had.
Sent from my SM-S901U using BariatricPal mobile app

It's great that you have a post-operative appointment with your bariatric surgeon! Here are some questions that you may find helpful to ask during your appointment:
How is my recovery progressing? What can I expect in terms of weight loss in the next few months? Are there any specific foods or supplements I should be avoiding? How often do I need to return for follow-up appointments? What signs should I look out for to indicate a complication? Can you explain the long-term effects of the procedure? How can I manage any potential nutrient deficiencies? Are there any physical activities or exercises I should avoid at this time? How can I manage or prevent any potential long-term side effects? Can you provide any additional resources or support groups for post-operative patients? It's important to take the time to ask your surgeon any questions or concerns you may have, as they are the best source of information for your specific situation. Don't hesitate to bring a list of questions with you to your appointment to ensure that you don't forget anything.

Update: It's been a month since I posted the photo of my Hair loss last spring. This morning I noticed a lot of 1-2" long hairs on top of my head. I can actually part my hair and the scalp is not so prevalent. I lost most of the hair in June, so it's taken 6+ months for it to noticeably grow in.

Update: It's been a month since I posted the photo of my Hair loss last spring. This morning I noticed a lot of 1-2" long hairs on top of my head. I can actually part my hair and the scalp is not so prevalent. I lost most of the hair in June, so it's taken 6+ months for it to noticeably grow in.

Update: It's been a month since I posted the photo of my Hair loss last spring. This morning I noticed a lot of 1-2" long hairs on top of my head. I can actually part my hair and the scalp is not so prevalent. I lost most of the hair in June, so it's taken 6+ months for it to noticeably grow in.

I don't think it matters that much whether you lose the weight slowly or quickly. That skin was stretched out to cover whatever your heaviest weight was, and once it's stretched out, it's not likely to bounce back. If you're young and not very overweight (maybe 20 or 30 lbs), it could snap back, but at the weight most of us start at, you'll probably have at least *some* loose skin. I'd follow my program and not try to eat more just for fear of loose skin. You want to lose all the weight you can, while still remaining healthy. This is your one opportunity in your lifetime when you have a chance to lose a massive amount of weight with a lot less effort than it took before surgery (granted, it does take effort, but the surgery really helps it along!) I lost over 200 lbs, and I had a TON of loose skin (have since had it removed). Honestly, no one knew it was there except for me and my husband . For most of us, it's pretty easy to hide in clothes. I think I'm speaking on behalf of most/all of the "vets" here who've had to deal with loose skin - we'd take the loose skin any day of the week over being morbidly obese again. ANY DAY!

The restriction has physical symptoms. It’s a tightness across your chest. I find myself thumping my chest as if that will help move the food through my digestive system & ease the tightness - it doesn’t. The goal is not to feel the restriction as it is generally a signal you’ve eaten too much. Sometimes, though, I find it sneaks up on me. Stress, eating denser food or foods that sit heavily in my tummy (bread, Pasta, rice, cous cous, potato, & such) can set it off early when I’ve eaten very little.
You wont start to feel it until you’re more healed & on solid foods. It does fade over time & as you get better at recognising when you’ve eaten enough - not full but enough that you don’t need the next bite. Learning to recognise the difference between needing to eat & wanting to eat is some of that head work that gets talked about.
Vomiting can occur but generally you’re more likely to experience the foamies. You may feel your restriction at the same time because food is ‘stuck’ because it’s too dry, too coarse or you’ve eaten too big a bite or too quickly. You’ll spit up slimy foamy saliva & may regurgitate (not the deep muscle cramping of vomiting) the last bite or so of what you ate. My nose often runs with it. Often after you bring up that bit of food you can continue to eat after a short break. Another one of those learning things & getting to know your body’s idiosyncrasies. It’s not a common or frequent occurrence.
You may not get a drain after your sleeve surgery. I didn’t & no one I knows did, though seems more common in the US.

I’m a dumper, I can’t even eat a hot pretzel without feeling awful afterwards. Def not worth it in my opinion.

The more I think about it this may be done of those times where you have to set boundaries with your friends. I’d like to think they will enjoy your company Regardless they just think YOU will no have as much fun if you are left out. I have learned though that you can have just as much fun drinking non alcohol drink. I like iced coffee if you are allowed caffeine (black with milk and Splenda). If you give in and have even one drink though this time they may bug you that much more to have food you don’t want down the road. If you stand your ground this time though, they may not try to get you to have just one slice of cake at the next get together. If that makes any sense. Only you know your friends but it’s something to consider.

Just my thought, you can go out with your friends without actually drinking alcohol. I dont drink because I dont like it but I do go out with my friends and just have nonalcohlic drinks.

my clinic's instructions were to wait a year before trying alcohol. This was probably due to healing (early on) and the fact transfer addiction is a common problem. I've read and heard numerous accounts of people who never had a problem with alcohol before surgery who afterward became alcoholic (and since that runs in my family, I'm doubly careful)
I didn't have my first drink until I was about three years out. It hits fast and hard. I now drink an occasional glass of wine (maybe once every couple of months), and one glass is about all I can handle.
Personally I would be pretty upset if a "friend" tried to talk me into something that medical personnel told me not to.

Well, technically alcohol is not recommended for anyone, just like so many things we eat, drink, inhale, inject or whatever. The trick of such things is to be aware of the possible harms and to mitigate them as well as we can.
For Gastric Bypass folks the reason some foods and drinks are an issue is when we eat them they don't get to spend any time in our stomachs soaking in digestive juices anymore. Everything drops directly into our intestines.
Many/Most Gastric Bypass folks, of which I am one and this is true for me, report that alcohol hits quicker and harder. On the flip side it fades quicker and the after affects, if you have any, happen and fade sooner. Because of all this try it at home or in and otherwise safe place to see how alcohol affects you.
Now for the warnings and caveats:
Again, since the alcohol is not being doled to your intestines over time by your stomach, it is being digested and absorbed quickly and overwhelms your liver quicker which creates problems for your liver. Issues on the liver with overdrinking will happen quicker for us.
Then there is the whole addiction transfer thing to which we may be more vulnerable. Especially early post-op we've had food taken away and haven't gotten used to our new situation. With the quick buzz it's a not uncommon problem.
Especially early post-op alcohol on a healing surgery invites ulcers.
On to real life:
We're adults more or less. Most of us that drank pre-op will drink post-op. Try to be cautious and enjoy.
Good luck,
Tek