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I've found since I turned 60 (65 now) it's easier to stay at my goal weight. I rarely feel hunger pains and I guess I eat regularly enough that I don't feel hungry. Christamas Eve we were in a car accident (hit from behind) and after that I started getting stuck more often. I've had my lapband 16 years now and I know what its like to feel stuck, but experience has helped me avoid that. However after the accident, I felt some soreness around the port. Saw my gastric practice and everything checks out fine. I have to wonder if age has started me losing my appetite? Will see my family doctor again soon.

So as I mentioned in my last thread, I had VSG in 2014. I did quite well for a decent amount of time but after really losing focus of my diet and lifestyle I have had significant regain. I have literally had GERD my entire life. When my surgeon initially told me that VSG WAS an option, I decided to go ahead with it thinking it was a much 'safer' option than RNY. He did reassure me that the GERD I had was directly related to my significant abdominal weight and that with weight loss it would subside. It DID, and eventually I went from a double strength PPI twice a day to a H2 blocker (at my lowest weight) a few times a week. I thought I was over the moon with this! However, fast forward about 4 years and now my GERD is worse than ever, I literally have productive reflux now. I will be sitting and talking to my husband and what I ate a couple hours ago will just shoot up to my throat without warning (I just read another thread saying this same thing). I get it SO bad when I lay in bed that I will run to the bathroom and literally spit out acid. When I had my VSG I had a hiatal hernia repair too, and I was under the impression that was a permanent fix but i'm thinking maybe not. I have EGD this Thursday and frankly, I am petrified scared of what she will find. I'm not worried about my sleeve but I AM worried that there is irreversible damaged to my esophagus or God forbid, esophageal cancer is found. IF I am found to not have anything significant, I've decided to go ahead with a revision for my longterm health. I have been on PPIs for decades. I want off of them. And I want to conquer the regain.

Congrats on your weight loss! Major WIN love it! I'm only 11 months postop and I went from my heaviest 313 to now my smallest I believe 179. (I don't own a scale 😮) I'm really metabolically well, no longer on any diabetes medications, which is a major win. I do not want to get bogged down with reaching the lowest weight. I'm in various bariatric groups and I noticed a reoccurring event, People are consumed with the lowest weight and they're also overconsumed with stalls in which stalls happen. In fact I believe I'm in a stall now. Get as low as you like just try not to become over consumed with that number lean into being metabolically well. From my analysis on various groups that number plays with a lot of people's mental health and some people seem to never be satisfied with their current loss. We can't live like that!

Thank you, girlie!! I'm so super excited!! Finallyyyyyyy. LOL! I feel so much better than at 244. Worlds apart! This has been my first goal for so many years. Getting under 200. Years ago I went from 277 to 177 by getting in 10k steps a day and eating very clean. Then slowly gained over many years. Then I got down to 200.6 from 2021 to 2022 and had been 265 lbs. (But lost 100 twice and over 60lbs 3 times in my life. Always came back though.) This time I started at 244 and now am around 198, didn't weigh today. But NEVER going back to the 200s. NEVER. It's too hard to lose and when I gain it's just fat usually and makes me feel weaker. And I know I lose some muscle every time I lose. But muscle is hard to gain. Not good. So as long as I eat under what I burn I'm good! Forever! And it's much, much, much easier with the surgery than ever was before when I lost. Always felt hungry. I do now sometimes even if I'm full but eating 3 bites, I imagine anyone would feel hungry still. But working a lot more now on purpose too. It's helping A LOT! Staying busy is the best thing! I read that action is the best antidote to anxiety!! And it's very true. 💗

Hi! Yesss. I'm making sure to get protein but it seems very hard to get to 60 grms daily. Not room for anything! I don't like feeling overfull so just small amounts 3 times a day and the rest of the time it's waterrrr. LOL! I definitely want it to just be my lifestyle, which now it totally is. I eat clean 98% of the time and mostly one ingredient foods, like just grapefruit or cucumbers. Or just some grilled chicken. Seems to be working well for me. Sugar and junk doesn't feel right in my belly. Ha, needed that to happen YEARS ago! LOL! But ah well, it's this way now and I'm grateful. Thank you for your advice. I am 51 so very aware that as I lose I'll look older but I'll just save up for a facelift in my 60s! LOL! Some of them look wonderful. Totally worth it to feel better in my last phase of this life. You only live once! I want it to be fun! My husband is supportive either way so I'm thankful for that and for him. He's been great through everything. And he's changed his eating habits along with me. Helps me a lot! And he's lost 30 lbs on his own. He's at the gym now. LOL! But I am here waiting for our grocery order to arrive. I do love leg day though. And we swim and go into the sauna when we go. Feels awesome after working out! I need to gain muscle. Men gain it so easily! I'm so jealous of that. Blah! Well anyway, so I'll see how I look in my face etc if I get pretty small. Will decide if I should gain a little. I was ok at 155 but still big around my belly. No likey. So for sure planning for normal BMI and somewhere between 124 and 134 lbs most likely. Thanks again!

Thank you! And I love that I finally should be able to eventually get to a comfortable weight and balance everything well enough, with trial and error, to stay there. Thanks for all the good info. I'm going to remember to be flexible! 💗

Hi there! I’m Kelly I’m 42 and in January I made the decision to pull the trigger on bariatric surgery. I have been battling my weight my entire adult life. Things started getting really out of control when I was a junior in high school and my mom was diagnosed with cancer. At her behest, I joined Weight Watches when I was 20 years old and I have been a member off and on with mixed results ever since. I managed to lose weight easily after having my first two children but between my second and third child I had a miscarriage, gained 15 pounds and it’s been downhill since. My third child is 11 years old and I still haven’t lost the baby weight despite trying weight watchers, 21 day fix, keto during the keto craze. In 2023 I saw a doctor to inquire about trying at GLP-1 at pretty much exactly the same time as the shortages began. Between shortages and having a doctor tell me that I could never take a GLP-1 because of my mom’s cancer I spent about 6 months researching and trying to get on. GLP-1. I managed to join a telehealth company that fall and I was able to get my hands on prescription and box of Saxenda to hold me over until seeing my new PCP. I did pretty good on Saxenda and my new PCP was able to transition me to Wegovy. I managed to lose almost 35 pounds with Saxenda and Wegovy. Unfortunately, my insurance did away with coverage for all weight loss meds starting January 1 of this year. So I made myself an appointment for myself with a bariatric surgeon. I’ve already accomplished my sleep study, an abdominal ultrasound, an upper GI, and 4 of my 12 ‘lifestyle classes’. My surgeon originally suggested a sleeve for me, but after my scope I think it’s going to be a RnY because despite me thinking I did not have reflux, I had grade B esophagitis. I’m kind of kicking myself, that I didn’t start persuing this when I was messing around trying to get a GLP-1, but hindsight, you? Anyways, I’m happy to be here and happy to get ready to start my new life.

Congratulations, well done you I didn't set any specific goal but aimed for being in the 'healthy' bmi range but didn't worry if I didn't make it as I knew I would already be so much healthier than I was pre-surgery. I went a couple of kg lighter than now but felt it didn't suit my face, looked very tired and older, so I am trying to stick to the 64/65kg but tone up more. Your body will find its eventual weight and don't put pressure on yourself to achieve something that you may not be able to maintain as I think that is where a lot of us have failed in past diets etc., we set targets and don't meet them so get stressed and self sabotage or the other side, which used to be my big problem is that I would reach a goal and then think it had been easy to get there so no problem to eat or drink more as I could just get back to a diet again. Don't think of this as a diet but a lifestyle tool that you now use, keep up with your protein requirements and exercise and your body will do its best for you.

Congratulations on achieving onderland! Yay! What weight to stop losing at & how to pick a goal weight are interesting questions and you’ll get different responses. I believe it comes down to where your new set point is (the weight your body is happy at & will keep pulling you back to). It’s the weight where you’re not losing anymore and you have reached a sustainable balance of the number of calories you consume and the activity you do. It’s the weight where you’re happy with how you look & feel too. I had a goal (same as yours) which was the low weight I always dropped to before regaining back up from. I exceeded that. I kept losing until my calorie intake which I was increasing and activity level was in balance. I eat in a way that is sustainable & I don’t feel like I’m missing out or if I’m on a continuous diet or that I have to exercise first hours a day. Some reach a weight but found it wasn’t sustainable or they didn’t feel comfortable at so they gain a little. Remember your new set point may not be where you would like it to be. Also your lowest weight may not be where you end up either. Bounce back (a regain of 10 - 20lbs) is always a possibility & can be due to your body resettling, you realising you need more flexibility in the what you eat & the activity you do to find a better life balance, some conplacency, your new set point, etc. Be flexible in your goal. If you don’t reach it, that’s okay. You’ll be in a better healthier place regardless of the number in the scale. Reach a sustainable balance (food intake & activity) in your life that allows you to live & enjoy your life & doesn’t restrict or limit you. All the best.

I did it! Made it to Onederland. Feel relieved but not losing my focus! Also had to buy some new clothes already! Pants were sagging. Yay! Ahhhh! I'm so glad I got here! 198.4. :::sigh::: Haven't been here since probably 2014. Long time! I just want to keep going. I keep changing my final goal though. How will I even know what I want? Been heavy since age 3.5 years old. How did you choose a goal weight? I go between 124 and 140. LOL. I'm 5'3". I have been 155 before as an adult but still felt big around my belly and hips so need to definitely go further. Thanks in advance for your thoughts on this! 💗

I LOVE and I MEAN LOVE SWEETS! I'm looking forward to people sharing low sugar or no sugar added sweet treats (Recipes and Favs). I have been eating sweets ever since my surgery. I have never stopped eating sweets. I'm a great cook so I make all the sweets myself! From my own protein bars to even Yes my own chocolate. I never stopped eating sweets and I still continue to lose weight, I just make a lot of dupes and it's very satisfying ... I'm 11 months postop. Let's get to sharing those tasty treats.

I think I can count this as NSV! So I am pretty certain my body is done losing weight and I am going to stay at a healthy 165-170lbs, I am cleared to exercise again (i.e walking, hiking, stationary bike, lower body weights). I am back to working out 6 days a week with 3 of those days being strength training/cardio. I have never been in this spot where I am just maintaining, meal prepping is a thing that I do and I don't dread it, working out is just part of my day, not binging and just being able to eat sweets in moderation or if I go crazy then the next day I just get back on track and don't slip. Is this what regular, never been obese people live and feel?! I was reflecting on the past year and reflecting how much I yo-yo'd since I was 12yrs old. How I was killing myself putting junk in my body every single day, easily eating 5000 calories if not more a day, eating well and losing the water weight 10lbs then get discouraged and give up. The day I decided I was going to go through with the gastric sleeve and take my health back was the day I read this!

My weight loss Instagram handle is the same as mine on here!

After having both the gastric sleeve and now the Rouen y bypass, I regret not doing the bypass first. The sleeve sucks ass and the gerd almost killed me, seriously. I’m glad I lost the weight but for 5 years I hated food after the sleeve before the bypass. I hope I can enjoy food again since I had the bypass last weekend. 3 months of hell nasty protein shakes then hopefully I can enjoy food. I really miss it. Also I developed a bad painkiller regimen I’m trying to get off of. It really sucks.

Spartan maker thankyou for your post it really give me something to think about. I have always hated being hungry too and I think my head is trying to control me again! I have always loved eating and even though I'm not craving junk food I think I am missing eating. I got into a habit of looking at recipes and looking at healthier food options online shopping. I am always thinking about food which is definitely not helping. Today I sat with my 'hunger' and found that if I waited a few minutes and diverted my attention away from food I was fine. The mind is such a powerful thing I can hardly believe it! My mind has tricked me into eating more and gaining weight my whole life and it's what has got me here! So I need to change it up and use sone CBT practises to push away the intrusive food thoughts. Thank you so much you really helped me to see this after reading your reply!

So the surgeon was really nice and I felt comfortable with him - had already researched him and also got good feedback from another patient of his. Sadly the health dept will no longer cover boob jobs, ended in 2024, they will do arms, tummy, legs etc though. He says my boobs are still doing well for my age and weight loss so unless I was very self conscious about them he thought it was not worth the cost (EUR 10k!!!!). He said my stomach didn't need any work as it is looking very well. My thighs he could do a small lift but he didn't think it would be very noticeable so again he didn't think it was something to consider unless I really wanted to. For my lower legs/calves he said my lyphodema is too bad that he could not cut there and that all he could suggest would be a few rounds of liposuction on them but then they would look worse probably because the legs would become saggy, whereas now they are large but "steady". The arms he said he could certainly do something with and I agreed he could submit my request to the health dept for approval. I would have to pay just under €3k contribution but I wouldn't mind that. Will see if I get the approval, once I get the approval it is then approx 5 months wait for a surgery date. I guess I am happy that firstly he doesn't do what he considers unnecessary surgeries and secondly that I am may not not looking so bad that surgeries are not vital. I will be investing in some new good bras instead of €10k for now

I found this statement interesting. Can you define what real hunger is for you? What I mean is what are you actually feeling? I'm not claiming to be an expert, but I sometimes think we overuse this concept of "head hunger" vs. "real hunger". I know I've been guilty of that as much as anyone, but i think we should keep in mind that much of what people call real hunger is also "in our heads". A better way of differentiating hunger signals may be to call them homeostatic hunger and hedonic hunger since these happen somewhat differently. While this is oversimplified, homeostatic hunger starts as a signal from our stomach by way of production of ghrelin, which in turn activates AgRP neurons in the hypothalamus. Simply put, it may originate when the stomach is empty, but it's our brains that tell us it's time to eat again. This is not something we actively control. It's the bodies way of trying to keep you from starving to death. Hedonic hunger on the other hand is your body seeking pleasure from food. We like to say this is the one we want to control if weight loss is the goal, under the assumption that overall calorie intake will be less if we don't "give in" to cravings. Here's the thing, though. While scientists don't fully understand what's happening, we do know that dopamine and endocannabinoid receptors are being activated in our brains. Interestingly, just seeing or smelling certain foods can trigger these same processes. I wanted to explain this because it wouldn't be wrong to say all hunger is head hunger. The good news there is we also can be in control of both types of hunger, since they are both "in our heads". In terms of your specific situation, I think it would be rare to already be experiencing a lot of homeostatic hunger this early after surgery. On the other hand, it's probably not unheard of. For me personally, I was really bad at understanding what true hunger felt like. As a former obese person, I hated feeling hungry and would rather feel the overstuffed feeling in my guts since at least then my brain would quiet down. I'm not saying I've got it mastered, but I'm beginning to understand that when I'm truly hungry, I have other things going on like feeling weak, feeling irritated, and/or having brain fog. The strong urge to eat that i sometimes feel without those symptoms is probably more just my brain trying hard to either seek pleasure, or keep me from starving to death.

That looks like so much fun. I’m 99% sure I couldn’t have done that at my starting weight (or starting stamina was probably the bigger issue). People don’t realize the surgery doesn’t just change your appetite or capacity. It is the metabolic changes that are life changing.

So tomorrow I have my first appointment with a cosmetic surgeon. As the health service here covers some plastics following weight loss surgery (have to be in sufficient saggy need) I am going with an open mind and closed wallet 😉 I would love to get a boob job, preferably a lift but open to implants, and then possibly discuss my legs and arms but I am not sure I want to go through the pain of those. I don't mind the idea of scarring on legs as no way I would be showing them now, dislike them so much everything is ankle length, so even with scarring it would be an improvement as I could at least wear tights and possibly something knee or mid calf length.... oh to dream such things

We went to visit friends this weekend in CO and I went snow shoeing for the first time! I don’t know that I could have done it at my starting weight. My legs are still sore cause you have to walk differently than you do normally, but we went over 3 miles and it was so much fun!

I am the same. I did count a few times a week during weight loss phase, and for a whole month when I stabilized at 9.5 months out but then I ditched it. I know roughly how much I eat, and I do random checks too. When I was at my fittest I never tracked calories and that worked for me through adulthood and motherhood. I do however, weigh myself at least a couple of times a week, something I never did even while being in shape. What gets measures gets managed. Not gonna lie, the first few months are a mental challenge, while I rapidly lost weight, I was always anxious that I would stall/stop losing/gain weight. I was always worried and on edge. I know it's easier said than done, but your body will do its thing, stick to your plan and try to trust the process. I would also say that it will not always be like that. After I stabilized, I tested my body, I ate more/ate things I didn't for a while and saw if that changed anything. With time and through trial, I am much more relaxed now and my mind is at ease. That is not to say that I let go, not at all. I eat well, I workout daily but I am much more relaxed when it comes to the flexibility I allow myself. I understand my body much better and I trust myself to make the right choices with what I'm given. Another advise is, try to stick to your plan as much as possible until you've stabilized, maximize on the honeymoon phase where pounds melt off and it's easy. There will always be time to have a little bit of the things you can't now. If you haven't yet, try to find an activity you enjoy, walking, jogging, pilates, yoga, swimming, cycling ...etc. whatever it is that you can and enjoy doing, it makes all the difference. Also, freeing your mind of anxiety is the biggest gift you can give yourself. Good luck 💓

I’m not a calorie counter. Didn’t have to & I was happy about that. I’d done it before and for me it just made me think about food more and I found it annoying and frustrating. However I would check my calorie intake and I still do random checks especially about new foods or recipes. I was more vigilant about portion size because that was the requirement I was given (1/4- 1/3 cup from purée slowly increasing to a cup at around 6 months). I still watch that carefully though I’m more aware now of the portion size of what I’m eating without having to get my scales or measuring cups & spoons out regularly. And I can eat more than a cup of course. I’m probably equally vigilant about the nutritional quality of what I eat. (Sister-in-law was just telling me about a new protein bar she’d found and I’m googling the nutritional info & ingredient list & comparing it with the one I already eat.) If you are required to track your intake then you have to track every single thing you put in your mouth to eat or drink. It can be very easy to consume a lot of extra calories without realising it even ‘healthy’ ones. If your team hasn’t set this as a requirement, than do what you feel most comfortable with. You know your relationship with food and eating getter than anyone. Though I’d probably at the very least do random checks if it isn’t a requirement. Yes, stalls are frustrating and can be depressing. Remember they are an important part of the process and it’s the time your body shuts down to take stock of where you are now Whithead your weight loss and changing diet, and what your needs are around things like digestive hormones, metabolism, etc. Weight loss is stressful on your body & it needs to take a breath to better manage the changing situations much like you do psychologically during a stressful time. The stall will break when your body is ready. Stick to your plan and don’t stress your body more than you are required to by your plan. It will be okay. All the best and I hope your surgical site heals soon.

Hello everyone! I'm checking in - @ShoppGirl- It sounds like you've really been through the wringer! You are a superstar for managing both chemo, a virus, and surgery recovery all at the same time and I hope you're being gentle with yourself and giving yourself lots of pats on the back! @Chatterbox - YES - portion sizes have gotten more flexible; for me taking an ADEK supplement has helped with the hair shedding; I've gone through that to a point as well and typically have VERY thick hair and I've noticed some extra shedding but even with that it hasn't thinned my hair dramatically. @Justarwaxx - You're doing great!! Please be kind to yourself! With increased activity level the calorie consumption does have to go up so you can keep up your energy! Now that I'm using my Fitbit I am able to better see my activity levels - I haven't hit 10k in a day but I got close a couple of days and my average went below 5k per day while I was sick as well (Gosh it's going around!) but I think the important thing is to LISTEN to your body, give it fuel, and just try to have more calories spent than you take in. I'm burning over 3k calories more days than not so if I eat a few carbs, a piece of bread once in a while, a half a sandwich, some veggies - that's ok. I think a lot of it is knowing and understanding the difference like so many have said on 'head hunger' vs 'physical hunger'. Usually at a given meal I eat maybe a total of a cup of food; I try to aim for at least half of each meal to be protein, then veggies, then maybe a little rice or other starch. I'm hit and miss on my food logging; I slipped for a few weeks and am trying to reset. I wanted to repost these recipes I used during the puree period because I don't know about ya'll but I tend to find things that work well and then totally forget they exist! Lately I've been doing lots of soups for myself and my family. I made an easy chicken noodle soup yesterday with half a rotisserie chicken breast, I steamed carrots and celery in the microwave until they were soft, sautéed some diced onion in garlic and onion with a little chicken broth, then added it all together with the cooked chicken breast cut up and more chicken brother. I threw in a small handful of egg noodles and let it all simmer. When I do something like a soup with meat I try to serve myself up a bowl that is heavy on the chicken and light on the veggies. You can do basically the same thing with broccoli, cabbage, and canned or fresh diced tomatoes. Fluids and healthy veggies with a protein is my go to; and I'm doing pretty well with my personal progress. You all got this! Don't get discouraged when you go through stalls; some weeks I will lose about 2 lbs and then the next week I might lose 6 lbs; it's all a process and the weight loss will slow and become more steady as long as you watch your calories, eat healthy at least 80-90% of the time - it's about getting your nutrients and staying at a calorie deficit. ❤️ Reposted recipes from earlier: "I'd say the hardest part for me continues to be the 'No drinking 30 mins before/after meals' but I use the Baritastic app to set a time. I also use the timer to make sure my 'meals' take at least 30 minutes. Want to make sure I don't rush and end up feeling poorly afterward. Things that have worked well for me during my puree stage include egg drop soup, chicken/tuna salad made with puree chicken or tuna, light mayo, and sometimes a bit of relish, and for added protein a boiled egg or two, with or without the yolks per preference. (Dill relish is healthier than sweet relish). I did allow myself 2-3 saltines with those, usually about 3.5 oz of the tuna or chicken salad makes me feel sated. Other recipes that have worked include the ricotta bake and unstuffed cabbage rolls, pureed low fat/0 sugar yogurt or cottage cheese with Genepro powder and cooked, strained strawberries or blueberries (I added a bit of 0% Milk to make it more of a smoothie), Riccotta pureed with either a bit of fruit or avocado, small serving of oatmeal pureed with fruit (test yourself with an ounce or two less than you normally eat for oatmeal because it sits heavy and often swells - add some zero or skim milk to make it thinner if needed. Other recipes include homemade no-noodle chicken soup of sorts with rotisserie chicken, chicken broth, and pureed carrots w/a little bit of onion powder or diced onion. I also made a homemade 'philly cheese steak' filling of sorts with some sautéed bell peppers and a bit of diced onion, some roast beef lunch meat, and cream cheese. Others speak highly of pureed refried beans with a bit of seasoning to taste more like taco meat, adding either a bit of mild salsa or a combination of onion powder and perhaps a bit of cumin. That's a personal choice, and definitely suggest going slow with your seasoning due to possible heartburn. You could add a bit of shredded low-fat/skim mozzarella or even low fat sour cream to round it out. Today I made 'chicken pot pie w/no crust' which was basically just cooked carrots and finely diced celery and onions with finely diced rotisserie chicken with a can each of 98% fat free cream of celery and 98% fat free cream of chicken. I haven't had any yet because I'm a little unsure about the celery, even cooked, but pureed and in a small serving I'm sure it would treat me fine. The Ricotta Bake I made was super simple and I know there are a lot of variations to the recipe online. I made my own marinara sauce by peeling about 5 smallish tomatoes, dicing them, and simmering them with a little less than equal parts water, Italian seasoning, and a bit of diced onion. The ricotta mixture was easy; just used 8oz ricotta cheese, 1 egg, 1/2 cup of grated parmesan (I used the shaker but fresh is better) and 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese. I put a layer of half the mix on the bottom of a buttered baking dish, topped it with 1/2 lb cooked and seasoned ground beef, then put the rest of the mixture on top. Poured about 3/4 of the homemade marinara over it then covered the dish with aluminum foil and baked at 400 degrees for about 20 minutes. It's basically a no-noodle lasagna. The Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls I made were equally easy - I used a rotary grinder (Works SO well, bought on Amazon for around twenty bucks) to grate half a head of lettuce. Instead of canned diced tomatoes I once I again peeled about 5 small/medium tomatoes and diced them, adding to the skillet along with maybe 1/8 cup diced onion and another 1/2 lb of the ground beef. For seasoning the recipe I used just had me add a packet of Italian Dressing Seasoning mix. The family enjoyed it and after pureeing the ground beef a bit I found it fine to eat, although slowly and very well chewed. Both it and the Ricotta bake probably make about eight 1/3 cup servings with about 22g of Protein each.