UnicornR'Us

Hello,
My starting weight was 250 and current weight is 124.
I'm new to the forum. I want to remain anonymous at this point and I didn't want to post in Facebook. I had my gastric sleeve done in May of 2022, I've lost a total of 125 pounds. The thing I didn't think about was how my self esteem has not changed. I was thinner in my late teens and 20's, but gained weight after having 5 children. I am now in my late 40's, I don't really regret the choice I made about the surgery. The thing I didn't prepare myself for mentally is the depression factor, I had depression prior to surgery and had been on med's. After my surgery I am still on meds, but I feel like things have started to get worse over the last 4-5 months with more weight loss.
I find it very uncomfortable to get attention that I didn't before from males. It get's very uncomfortable to the point where I try to avoid places that have large groups of people. I'm married to a wonderful man for over 20 years, he is so supportive and loving. Once I lost the weight it has turned into more of a focus on my body and how great he tells me I look. Strangers like males coming up to me and asking me for my number, or flirting with me to excess. I don't like it, it makes me beyond anxious and has lead I think to me becoming more depressed. I just want to blend in and not be noticed like I used to be. I know how crazy this sounds but it's difficult for me because I'm very shy especially and I've never liked attention. Sorry this post may sound stupid or pointless but to me I didn't realize I would become more depressed and anxious after I lost weight.
I thought weight loss was going to be an amazing thing, I paid out of pocket for the surgery myself. There is a downside to the weight loss that also no one talks about and it's the Hair loss. Your hair get's very thin if you are not maintaining your Vitamins. It still becomes thin and falls out due to the stress of the surgery. I'm okay with my hair but the hair loss was unexpected as well. I wanted somewhere I could vent about all this. I feel like the focus is more now on my body and how it looks, especially with my husband. Sometimes it's great but at other times it becomes overwhelming.
I feel like something is wrong with me, I should be happy? I don't crave attention and wanted the surgery to feel healthy and for me. I fear the warm months coming, the summer I hated the most when I was overweight. Now that I've lost the weight I'm also just wanting to go back into that shell and become invisible again, especially around the opposite sex. This is not the part I expected to have to deal with, I forgot how to deal with this type of attention. Maybe this is something that others would love to have, but it can also become overwhelming, very overwhelming. Sorry I'm rambling, just didn't know where else to post this in case my complaining is unjustified and stupid?

Almost at 5 months and officially 50 lbs to goal weight. Have been following my exercise regime and feel more toned. Clothes that I had saved from many years ago are loose, I may need new clothes for my vacation next month or will use safety pins to wait it out until mid summer. Feeling confident and energetic so booked a few activities that I wouldn't be willing to do prior to surgery. Increased my calorie a little bit since I'm lifting heavier this week but stay within 800 calories.

Thank you for your responses. Maybe this does apply to some but it sounds like it is more of a hit and miss and should be taken with extreme skepticism. I'm just over two weeks out from surgery and lost 9 lbs the first week and nothing since. I realize I am in the dreaded stall but it certainly doesn't bode well for my progress if using a 3 month formula to calculate my total loss!

Hello!! I finally got to starting my exercise routine and boy does everything hurt 😂 I'm back on track with my fluids and Protein. I'm sort of meal prepping since I'm an accountant and have tax deadlines this week and want to make sure I do not skip meals.
I had a doctor's appointment yesterday with my primary, my BP is down a lot, she still doesn't want to remove the pills but agreed that I can take half if my BP is above a certain number in the afternoon, and in 3 months we can see about taking it a couple times a week until I reach goal to remove, she will feel comfortable if I was in the 150s, a little less than goal but maybe it is possible who knows.
Hope everyone is doing well and everyday closer to your goal!

I was on vacation and needed a strapless bra for my outfit - the bra that I packed with me was a 44DD and it was literally falling off of me, I even tried stuffing it and putting a sports bra over it but it was wayyyy too big. I borrowed someone’s with a 36 band and it was tight but it worked! I couldn’t tell you the last time I was able to borrow someone’s piece of clothing and have it actually fit!

Hope everyone is doing well.
I’m officially 3 months and almost a week out of surgery and 60 pound down since first thinking about WLS and that puts me at 50% weight loss from what I put as my goal weight.
Had my 3month appointment last week. We went over calorie goals, macro distribution, any issues we are having and learning curves. We went over goal weight and the RN said that most of the patients say they have 20-30lbs to go on the 6-month appointment and during that appointment is when we go over the goal weight we should be aiming for and what we need to change to reach that.
I should be able to get back on track with Protein, fluids and exercise this week. I’m going to start with having Protein Shakes again at least daily (some days I was trying to meet it only with food) and carrying my 48oz water bottle with me every where and go back to weighing myself weekly.
Wishing everyone good and positive energy in your journey!

I started off the same way! And my medical problems got in the way and I've gained 10 pounds back 😭
However I'm still waiting for surgery. But I don't have much of a taste for meat either! I'm gonna have to try those dinners though. You're welcome to message if you'd like to chat!

It's just a lot and I'm worried about screwing up lol but thank you!

It's funny. I was just contemplating extensions as well. My naturally curly hair got super dry around 10 weeks and my hair was bypassing tangles and becoming knots. Out of frustration and a little bit of post-VSG depression I gave myself a big chop. I'm going to get consult with my hairdresser to assess the strength of my hair.

Hey everyone! This is Ashley. I had surgery on October 6th and had to start my pre-op diet in the beginning of June of this year... My heaviest weight is 356 lb... The day of surgery I was at 313 lb... And as of today I am at 264 lb!!! I was so thinking excited when I hit the 90 lb mark of weight loss ! Can imagine what if you like once I lose 100 !!! My goal weight is about 180 lb. Some about 85 lb away from that goal I believe ... More than halfway there just from the pre-op diet and 2 of post-op!?!
It took me a while to be more comfortable with trying new foods as I was terrified of throwing up or having dumping syndrome... I had the gastric sleeve and things have been going much better than expected! I'm able to eat very healthy but lots of different types of foods which is really exciting! I even ate a sliced apple the other day which some people can't tolerate the skin and I did create!
The reason I'm reaching out to y'all is because I'm dealing with chronic Constipation. The only time that I can really go to the bathroom without any pain is if I take milk of magnesia... I tried to avoid it but The 2 weeks ago after realizing I hadn't gone to the bathroom in 2 and 1/2 weeks but I had no stomach pain or anything so I totally lost track of it! I had a bowel movement " naturally" If you can even call it that took two days to get out last Sunday and Monday... It was an extremely painful experience and extremely hard to the point where put it this way. I had to plunge the toilet a couple times just to be able to get it down.... Details are gross I know but this is what this page is all about getting help for our gross details! I just now took more milk of magnesia because I haven't gone since that severely constipated situation...
I have been very good about eating very healthy and drinking a lot of Water and getting my Protein intake. I have however unfortunately not been great at taking Vitamins and keeping up with them. I ordered some more vitamins today and decided to get back on track. Even before surgery I was deficient of Vitamin D very severely as well as low on Iron to the point of anemia. So I'm wondering if my nausea that I've been having isn't just constipation but also Vitamin deficiency and if maybe that's why I'm constipated as well... I also ordered benafiber tablets to see if that helps...
Do you guys have any advice on how to go better? What do you do when it's been a few days and you haven't gone? In the past? If I don't go for three or four days pre-surgery I had to get stomach cramps and pains and things like that and that's not happening this time around. Advice is welcome. There is hope if we just stick together. I love you all so much. You are like a family to me! I look forward to your responses!!
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Hey girl! Stay hydrated! Stay on top of your fluids, Anxiety could’ve boosted that heart rate pretty quickly. It’s a life long change. Don’t beat yourself up, stay focused and aim for the prize of better health. I’m 4 days post op of bypass. I initially felt terrrrible but I’m keeping up on fluids and walking. I came home 10 lbs heavier from the gas and fluids too, this morning I’m down again to my preop. Do your best and focus. Mind over matter. You got this. Take your time and let your body adjust, we made some big changes!

Hello All,
I've been lurking here for a while and have appreciated your transparency and vulnerability. I was on this forum almost ten years ago after having a gastric sleeve. I never met my goal weight; over the years, the weight returned. Last month, I was only 50 pounds short of my highest weight. So, on December 12th of this year, I had a revision to gastric bypass. I feel a little discouraged right now because I don't feel I'm making the progress I expected. I lost 11 pounds my first week, but I am only down another 3 pounds for the next 3 weeks. So, I am only down 14 pounds at three weeks post-op. I do not have an appetite at all and am having difficulty getting anything down but liquids, although I was cleared to begin soft foods today. I couldn't even engage in the puree phase too much. Protein Shakes are very hard to get down, so I've transitioned to Isopure (which is more of a liquid). Despite eating little to nothing, my weight loss is slow. It could also be attributed to my starting weight being a little lower than most. I started at 5'2, and my starting weight was 222. Additionally, I take bipolar meds, which are known to cause weight gain. Any words of advice or encouragement? I'm feeling down right now.

Happy my soft phase is over this week, was feeling a little bored with food even though I was having different things, but I guess it was the cooking method and textured.

Found my sweet spot with food portion, I can have between 1oz to 2oz, but once I go a little over 1.5oz, I start the cues. So now my leftovers are 1.25oz which I know I will be satisfied with.

Had support meeting with nutritionist this week, went well, she answered all the questions we had and more.

I can't even conceive of eating any meat. My dietician and the reading said that my tastes might change... pureed Beans and legumes have made up the bulk of my diet and I've been craving kale salads (very Californian) and swiss chard and cooked greens. Basically, the very description of how my African-American Texas grandmother cooked and ate all of her long life. Fried chicken was a treat for the older generations and she thought fast food and "sugar water" was disgusting. My Russian mother turned into a veggie-lovin' hippie but the secret ingredient to all of our Cultural dishes seemed to be SOUR CREAM! Obviously, I've been thinking about how intrinsic food is to identity. I suspect it is to many of us; especially during the holidays. Having VSG has almost made the holiday foods more special as an observer than a mindless gobbler (almost!). Does anyone else have holiday foods or special cultural dishes with stories?

Your absolutely right! Thank you for reminding me of this I did this for me and am taking care of me.

Give yourself grace and Celebrate what you’ve overcome and done to get to this very minute. I started forgetting to eat because of writing deadlines then I tried shoveling the food in my face mindlessly as I worked and my body quickly reminded me that it wasn’t a healthy habit before surgery and it isn’t now.
Taking the time to plan out my “eating and drinking schedule” is tough for my go go go-brain. But, every time I do it it’s a contract with myself to slow down and practice self care. Isn’t that what this whole process really is?

Give yourself grace and Celebrate what you’ve overcome and done to get to this very minute. I started forgetting to eat because of writing deadlines then I tried shoveling the food in my face mindlessly as I worked and my body quickly reminded me that it wasn’t a healthy habit before surgery and it isn’t now.
Taking the time to plan out my “eating and drinking schedule” is tough for my go go go-brain. But, every time I do it it’s a contract with myself to slow down and practice self care. Isn’t that what this whole process really is?

Give yourself grace and Celebrate what you’ve overcome and done to get to this very minute. I started forgetting to eat because of writing deadlines then I tried shoveling the food in my face mindlessly as I worked and my body quickly reminded me that it wasn’t a healthy habit before surgery and it isn’t now.
Taking the time to plan out my “eating and drinking schedule” is tough for my go go go-brain. But, every time I do it it’s a contract with myself to slow down and practice self care. Isn’t that what this whole process really is?

I had surgery on 11/14. I am back to work full time and have a very high stress job. I am worried I may harm myself or fail due to my job. Work doesn't seem to be as supportive as you would expect.

As @SmolGojira says, there are lots of factors that will influence how much loose skin you have on your face & your body. But there are non invasive & minimally invasive things you can do to help to a degree if you aren’t happy.
First, give your body a chance to resettle after you’ve lost your weight. It can be quite amazing how your body almost reshuffles your remaining fat after you’re reached your goal. In maintenance you’ll be eating a broader range of nutrients including more carbs (multi/whole grain low processed carbs) which help too.
Initially I had lots of fine lines running down from under my chin. I did a series of RF treatments & with time & a broader diet most disappeared. This year I had some filler into the sides of my face in front of my ears where I had hollows totally empty of fat & that gave a slight & natural looking lift to the marionette lines around my mouth. I’ve also had one session of derma pen to help with acne scarring but will be transitioning to the combined dermal needling & RF instead which supposedly is more likely to provide skin tightening.
I also have dysport/Botox but that’s for my vanity wrinkles - LOL!
You can try taking collagen & silica. But like derma needling, topical or ingested collagen will still take about 3 months for you to see any effects (the natural skin cycle). Topical skin products like hylaurinic acid, Vitamin C, collagen oils & such can help make your skin, brighter, plumper, even out skin tone & texture & generally give you a healthy glow which will somewhat distract from any laxity you may have. I believe the effects of many of these will depend on you - your genetics, how your body processes/absorbs them & how much your skin is in need.
One bonus of the weight loss was the deep lines that encircled my neck (fat creases) are barely visible in some light. Best is I have a jaw line, cheek bones & visible eye lids (hooded lids no more), my neck is longer & thinner & I look like me because my face isn’t distorted by fat.
Before you do anything though, educate yourself. Be informed on the possible benefits & side effects. Don’t get caught up with what a beauty therapist is selling, influencers are promoting or latest fad. I started seeing a cosmetic physician this year for my treatments & I appreciate her honesty & straight talking about treatments & products. She often says don’t waste your money doing that.
Sorry for the long post.

Was running low on my Protein Shake, which the only one I have had post-surgery is premier chocolate and I do not even like chocolate but find it good. I reordered the caramel which I found good before and the chocolate Peanut Butter which is delicious like a butter finger or resees cup. I will be taking a few for my holiday vacation.
Last night I had a slice of ham too fast and just sat on the back of my throat, granted yesterday was a day I was eating everything fast so that did not help. Today is a new day and I'm making sure I take smaller bites and chew chew chew.
My weight has fluctuated a bit, but it has moved I think is the hormones (dry skin anyone) and the fact I took some stool softener too.

I have giggled a few times about your term 'nut walks' earlier! Glad to hear you are doing well!

Post op gas sucks. Sipping has helped because it can make me burp. Have felt it move to my shoulder and neck. The moment that I feel that I start gently moving that area and it usually disappears quickly if I start on it right away. If I wait to move the area it turns into more pain and I don’t want that at all. Lots of gas bubbles that feel like they are under my sternum and those are tougher to deal with until they move somewhere else. Walking in general helps those some.

It hurts to sip some still. Not as bad as day 1, but I have also learned how freaking tiny the sips have to be. Using the one ounce cups from hospital (30 ml) I can only sip about 5 ml at a time comfortably. If I did over ten ml it huuurts ! I am sure that will be better with time but keeping it very small and frequent.

getting up and down sucks, but walking hasn’t been bad for me. Just slow and deliberate. I walked around my yard with my pecan gatherer (weighs about two pounds) and used it like a walking stick that picked up pecans yesterday. No bending, nope nope - not going to happen. Dumped it every ten or so nuts (I just turn it and dump into a box.. does not strain any bit of me).. sat on my outside swing frequently too. Enjoying the sunshine and resting between nut walks. The swing movement was helping with the gas too.

my big incision hurts, the others I can’t really even feel. The big one I have to hold my hand against going up or down and will ache at rest. All of my incisions have big bruises around them, the big one is the worst. Dr apparently told my husband and mom that he could tell inside that I had already lost weight because the fat in my internal areas were already looking good for someone my size.

husband made me an enriched beef broth for me last night (he pressure cooked meat and veg in beef stock and strained it through my fine mesh strainer). Tasted good, and warm things soothe and don’t hurt as bad going down (but sips need to stay the same..)
And in the TMI category - be aware that this surgery can also trigger your period to come early. Another joy of womanhood. At least I don’t usually get cramps, just more to do when I go to the bathroom to pee.. (last month it came early when I got terribly sick with the flu too)


other than that.. I am down 2 lbs already from surgery weight. I was expecting to be heavier because of all of the fluids and other liquids they put into me in the hospital. 149.5 lbs to go to get to ONEderland lol
time to go do some more nut walks !

The way I found my "limit" was to start with 1 sip from a 1 ounce cup every 15 minutes. See how your body tolerates it. If it tolerates it well, then move to 1 sip every 14 minutes, then 13, and so on and so forth. It is a process but you will find your limit within a day or two. One of the one ounce cups should probably take you 2-3 sips to get through, although everyone is different so test that out. If you feel a new pain after your sip, stop and let it fully go away before taking another sip. I think these steps should help anyone with their Water intake.
Using those steps I was able to find my limit, then I would gradually increase it to my comfort level. I'm just about 3 weeks post op and I'm able to drink about 10-12 ounces an hour or so. It's really important you listen to your body though. The good thing is, as of week 4 your stomach should be healed up and your chance of it bursting/popping is significantly reduced at this point.

I have to thank you so much, apparently you were godsend and life saver. Because of you I went to the ER. When they did my gastric bypass, they found a Heidel hernia. When they corrected this item, it caused a pneumothorax and air trapped around my heart, all extremely life threatening. Also the swelling in my face, neck and chest is due to trapped air that they call rice crispies 🤣. Apparently this is extremely rare, but I want to make people aware this can happen. I'm currently in ICU with a chest tube, waiting to figure out what they are going to do with my heart.