Queen ApisM

I got the sleeve, and I will admit, sometimes I wonder "would my weight loss be faster with the bypass?" Especially times like now, when I am dealing with slowed down weight loss even though I am sticking to program. But then, when I really analyze it, I don't think I would be doing anything differently than I am now. I'd still be eating the same amount of calories, per my program's advice. I would be working out the same amount I am now. So, the tool would be different but I'm not sure I would be doing anything differently as a result so in the end, does it matter? People do incredibly well with both surgeries, and others "fail" with both options (I'm using fail loosely, but basically to mean not reach their goals or even much weight loss with either surgery).
It's easy to get caught up in this sort of thinking, so I try not to do it. Especially because I am totally at peace with the sleeve (I was not so keen on bypass unless I needed to do it based on medical advice). I just have to use the tool as intended.

I got the sleeve, and I will admit, sometimes I wonder "would my weight loss be faster with the bypass?" Especially times like now, when I am dealing with slowed down weight loss even though I am sticking to program. But then, when I really analyze it, I don't think I would be doing anything differently than I am now. I'd still be eating the same amount of calories, per my program's advice. I would be working out the same amount I am now. So, the tool would be different but I'm not sure I would be doing anything differently as a result so in the end, does it matter? People do incredibly well with both surgeries, and others "fail" with both options (I'm using fail loosely, but basically to mean not reach their goals or even much weight loss with either surgery).
It's easy to get caught up in this sort of thinking, so I try not to do it. Especially because I am totally at peace with the sleeve (I was not so keen on bypass unless I needed to do it based on medical advice). I just have to use the tool as intended.

Pre-diabetic (on massive amounts of metformin), high blood pressure, and a heart issue pre surgery. Now, hope is the heart issue will improve but not be fully rectified.
I haven't taken metformin since surgery (11 months now) and my A1C is great. Fasting sugars are great. Vitamin D which is usually extremely low is normal again. My blood pressure is way down - meds have been cut but I will probably never go off them because they are for BP as well as my heart issue. in fact, I probably should drop the meds again but we are trying to keep me at the highest levels I can tolerate without completely tanking my BP since I need it for the other issue. At my latest heart echo, there was slight improvement in my heart - the cardiologist is excited to see the next echo in a year, since I would have sustained 100+ lb loss by that point.

My program has never restricted carbs post surgery, in fact they encourage a balanced diet and higher calories compared to some of the programs out there. I eat carbs on a regular basis, but that is coupled with watching overall calories and prioritizing Protein. While I eat carbs, it is also nowhere near what I used to eat. I don't eat a lot of bread. The exception is a light English muffin as part of my Breakfast sandwich - for some reason those English muffins don't bloat me the same way as other bread. Rice might be a few spoonfuls, the same with Pasta. My tummy really cannot handle carbs in large amounts so pasta is no longer the go to food it used to be.

My marriage hasn't changed. My husband has been very supportive and a big cheerleader before and after surgery. I am lucky and cannot complain about anything. So far, I think our connection is stronger especially physically. My sex drive is through the roof now. 😲
I am curious, though, what could happen if I get closer to goal. I'm 12 lbs from the lowest weight I have ever been while he has known me. I hope this won't happen, but part of me wonders if he will feel insecure as I continue to lose. I don't think so, but I'm enough of a realist to recognize it is a possibility.
Edited to clarify that I'm 12 lbs from the lowest weight the hubby has ever seen me at since it wasn't clear.

My marriage hasn't changed. My husband has been very supportive and a big cheerleader before and after surgery. I am lucky and cannot complain about anything. So far, I think our connection is stronger especially physically. My sex drive is through the roof now. 😲
I am curious, though, what could happen if I get closer to goal. I'm 12 lbs from the lowest weight I have ever been while he has known me. I hope this won't happen, but part of me wonders if he will feel insecure as I continue to lose. I don't think so, but I'm enough of a realist to recognize it is a possibility.
Edited to clarify that I'm 12 lbs from the lowest weight the hubby has ever seen me at since it wasn't clear.

My marriage hasn't changed. My husband has been very supportive and a big cheerleader before and after surgery. I am lucky and cannot complain about anything. So far, I think our connection is stronger especially physically. My sex drive is through the roof now. 😲
I am curious, though, what could happen if I get closer to goal. I'm 12 lbs from the lowest weight I have ever been while he has known me. I hope this won't happen, but part of me wonders if he will feel insecure as I continue to lose. I don't think so, but I'm enough of a realist to recognize it is a possibility.
Edited to clarify that I'm 12 lbs from the lowest weight the hubby has ever seen me at since it wasn't clear.

My marriage hasn't changed. My husband has been very supportive and a big cheerleader before and after surgery. I am lucky and cannot complain about anything. So far, I think our connection is stronger especially physically. My sex drive is through the roof now. 😲
I am curious, though, what could happen if I get closer to goal. I'm 12 lbs from the lowest weight I have ever been while he has known me. I hope this won't happen, but part of me wonders if he will feel insecure as I continue to lose. I don't think so, but I'm enough of a realist to recognize it is a possibility.
Edited to clarify that I'm 12 lbs from the lowest weight the hubby has ever seen me at since it wasn't clear.

I'm so sorry you are not getting the support you deserve at home.
As someone mentioned, some of this could be coming from a place of fear - surgery is a big deal. I also think that people who haven't dealt with weight issues do not understand how truly complex physically and emotionally, and how our bodies are legitimately hardwired to make sustained weight loss difficult if not impossible for most. Has your husband met with or attended any information sessions with the surgeon? If he hasn't, perhaps you can get him to do that? I found that many of the information sessions touch on the science behind why this is the best way to get significant, sustained weight loss for many people.
Having said that, even if he won't attend such a session (you can probably find virtual ones that you could attend from home) or won't listen to the information, you need to do what's right for you. You are the one living in your body. You are the one who knows your struggles and desires. Don't let other people dictate what you do. Unfortunately, it will be harder without good support, but that's what this board and similar communities can help provide.

I'm so sorry you are not getting the support you deserve at home.
As someone mentioned, some of this could be coming from a place of fear - surgery is a big deal. I also think that people who haven't dealt with weight issues do not understand how truly complex physically and emotionally, and how our bodies are legitimately hardwired to make sustained weight loss difficult if not impossible for most. Has your husband met with or attended any information sessions with the surgeon? If he hasn't, perhaps you can get him to do that? I found that many of the information sessions touch on the science behind why this is the best way to get significant, sustained weight loss for many people.
Having said that, even if he won't attend such a session (you can probably find virtual ones that you could attend from home) or won't listen to the information, you need to do what's right for you. You are the one living in your body. You are the one who knows your struggles and desires. Don't let other people dictate what you do. Unfortunately, it will be harder without good support, but that's what this board and similar communities can help provide.

Yep. It's crazy.

I was self-pay as well, and it was never an issue at any of the practices I consulted with. Now, I will admit I was really stressed out about any complications happening since insurance probably wouldn't cover them but the risk of staying as overweight as I was at the time of surgery was definitely going to land me in the hospital at some point.
Definitely talk to other practices and see what they say.

I agree with what @LookingForward22 said regarding finding the right program. I also switched programs and even though it really extended my timeline, I am so happy I did.
I would also say: research all options (bypass, sleeve) but don't get railroaded or let others convince you of which one is right for you. I always preferred the sleeve, but tried to convince myself that a bypass was better. I was doing all the mental gymnastics for it - it would be faster weight loss (not necessarily true), more weight lost (also not necessarily true) - when in my heart I was not comfortable with re-routing my insides so much and I wanted to still have a pyloric valve. It was so liberating when a surgeon reminded me it is simply a tool and will be as successful as you make it. He wasn't trying to tell me what to do, just to make sure my decision fit my needs and comfort level. That was so important. I personally have no preference for others, just make certain you are an informed recipient of the surgery you get and are 100% on board with the decision and the inherent risks for both (as there are differing risks for each type). Sleeve brings risks of GERD (and is contraindicated for anyone with GERD already) but bypass has other risks. Neither set of risks makes one inherently better or worse - you just need to be aware and ready to accept those risks.
And don't get surgery until you are mentally ready for it. That's just good advice across the board. You need to be in the right mindset to make it work.
Good luck!

When I make home recipes, I literally add up all the ingredients (and things like Protein, fat, etc) and then figure out how much it yields (for example, 14 cups) and then calculate the serving breakdown. Not fun, but that's how I do it.

I just mean Water weight, some people retain a lot of water weight.
You can build recipes in the my fitness pal app too. Exactly how you make them and then you know exactly what you are eating.
If you are not hitting Protein and eating such low calories your body may be in starvation mode too. Try to focus on getting that protein in, it is important for lots of reasons.

I got the sleeve, and I will admit, sometimes I wonder "would my weight loss be faster with the bypass?" Especially times like now, when I am dealing with slowed down weight loss even though I am sticking to program. But then, when I really analyze it, I don't think I would be doing anything differently than I am now. I'd still be eating the same amount of calories, per my program's advice. I would be working out the same amount I am now. So, the tool would be different but I'm not sure I would be doing anything differently as a result so in the end, does it matter? People do incredibly well with both surgeries, and others "fail" with both options (I'm using fail loosely, but basically to mean not reach their goals or even much weight loss with either surgery).
It's easy to get caught up in this sort of thinking, so I try not to do it. Especially because I am totally at peace with the sleeve (I was not so keen on bypass unless I needed to do it based on medical advice). I just have to use the tool as intended.

I got the sleeve, and I will admit, sometimes I wonder "would my weight loss be faster with the bypass?" Especially times like now, when I am dealing with slowed down weight loss even though I am sticking to program. But then, when I really analyze it, I don't think I would be doing anything differently than I am now. I'd still be eating the same amount of calories, per my program's advice. I would be working out the same amount I am now. So, the tool would be different but I'm not sure I would be doing anything differently as a result so in the end, does it matter? People do incredibly well with both surgeries, and others "fail" with both options (I'm using fail loosely, but basically to mean not reach their goals or even much weight loss with either surgery).
It's easy to get caught up in this sort of thinking, so I try not to do it. Especially because I am totally at peace with the sleeve (I was not so keen on bypass unless I needed to do it based on medical advice). I just have to use the tool as intended.

All good advice above.
Don't compare yourself to others when it comes to weight loss speed - even if they are in a similar weight range. Just focus on your program and stay the course. We are all different and will lose at different rates even when stats are similar. Even if you are a "slow loser" that does NOT mean you will not get to your goals. It just may take a little longer.
Be prepared that weight loss is not linear, even with WLS. Others mentioned the stalls, but it can't be overmentioned that your body will lose how it wants to, and it may not match your expectations or emotional needs. It is very frustrating but do not get discouraged.
Being cold all the time is a real thing. Also, if your tail bone starts to hurt when sitting, it is very common. I recommend getting one of those cushions.
Take pictures and measurements! Seriously, this really helps when weight loss (the scale number) is not cooperating. I've made it through so many stalls by pulling out the photos and seeing the major differences. And, also looking at my measurements, which have still changed during stalls (highly encouraging). I also started making note of all my non-scale victories because it is about so much more than the scale, even though that is nice too.
That's what I can think of this early in the morning. Best of luck!

I definitely feel less back pain now.
I will say, I did experience increased pain for a bit - from my tailbone! I sit a lot for work, and as I lost weight, I really was getting uncomfortable, sitting and standing. I was a mess. But it was easily fixed with a special cushion on my chair. Now, no pain and my back is the best it has been in literal decades. It's a fairly common thing as we lose fat around the tailbone area so nothing to worry about.

LOL - I had the opposite. My husband insists I am walking taller and less hunched than I was! Goes to show this is all very individual.

LOL - I had the opposite. My husband insists I am walking taller and less hunched than I was! Goes to show this is all very individual.

All good advice above.
Don't compare yourself to others when it comes to weight loss speed - even if they are in a similar weight range. Just focus on your program and stay the course. We are all different and will lose at different rates even when stats are similar. Even if you are a "slow loser" that does NOT mean you will not get to your goals. It just may take a little longer.
Be prepared that weight loss is not linear, even with WLS. Others mentioned the stalls, but it can't be overmentioned that your body will lose how it wants to, and it may not match your expectations or emotional needs. It is very frustrating but do not get discouraged.
Being cold all the time is a real thing. Also, if your tail bone starts to hurt when sitting, it is very common. I recommend getting one of those cushions.
Take pictures and measurements! Seriously, this really helps when weight loss (the scale number) is not cooperating. I've made it through so many stalls by pulling out the photos and seeing the major differences. And, also looking at my measurements, which have still changed during stalls (highly encouraging). I also started making note of all my non-scale victories because it is about so much more than the scale, even though that is nice too.
That's what I can think of this early in the morning. Best of luck!

All good advice above.
Don't compare yourself to others when it comes to weight loss speed - even if they are in a similar weight range. Just focus on your program and stay the course. We are all different and will lose at different rates even when stats are similar. Even if you are a "slow loser" that does NOT mean you will not get to your goals. It just may take a little longer.
Be prepared that weight loss is not linear, even with WLS. Others mentioned the stalls, but it can't be overmentioned that your body will lose how it wants to, and it may not match your expectations or emotional needs. It is very frustrating but do not get discouraged.
Being cold all the time is a real thing. Also, if your tail bone starts to hurt when sitting, it is very common. I recommend getting one of those cushions.
Take pictures and measurements! Seriously, this really helps when weight loss (the scale number) is not cooperating. I've made it through so many stalls by pulling out the photos and seeing the major differences. And, also looking at my measurements, which have still changed during stalls (highly encouraging). I also started making note of all my non-scale victories because it is about so much more than the scale, even though that is nice too.
That's what I can think of this early in the morning. Best of luck!

All good advice above.
Don't compare yourself to others when it comes to weight loss speed - even if they are in a similar weight range. Just focus on your program and stay the course. We are all different and will lose at different rates even when stats are similar. Even if you are a "slow loser" that does NOT mean you will not get to your goals. It just may take a little longer.
Be prepared that weight loss is not linear, even with WLS. Others mentioned the stalls, but it can't be overmentioned that your body will lose how it wants to, and it may not match your expectations or emotional needs. It is very frustrating but do not get discouraged.
Being cold all the time is a real thing. Also, if your tail bone starts to hurt when sitting, it is very common. I recommend getting one of those cushions.
Take pictures and measurements! Seriously, this really helps when weight loss (the scale number) is not cooperating. I've made it through so many stalls by pulling out the photos and seeing the major differences. And, also looking at my measurements, which have still changed during stalls (highly encouraging). I also started making note of all my non-scale victories because it is about so much more than the scale, even though that is nice too.
That's what I can think of this early in the morning. Best of luck!

All good advice above.
Don't compare yourself to others when it comes to weight loss speed - even if they are in a similar weight range. Just focus on your program and stay the course. We are all different and will lose at different rates even when stats are similar. Even if you are a "slow loser" that does NOT mean you will not get to your goals. It just may take a little longer.
Be prepared that weight loss is not linear, even with WLS. Others mentioned the stalls, but it can't be overmentioned that your body will lose how it wants to, and it may not match your expectations or emotional needs. It is very frustrating but do not get discouraged.
Being cold all the time is a real thing. Also, if your tail bone starts to hurt when sitting, it is very common. I recommend getting one of those cushions.
Take pictures and measurements! Seriously, this really helps when weight loss (the scale number) is not cooperating. I've made it through so many stalls by pulling out the photos and seeing the major differences. And, also looking at my measurements, which have still changed during stalls (highly encouraging). I also started making note of all my non-scale victories because it is about so much more than the scale, even though that is nice too.
That's what I can think of this early in the morning. Best of luck!