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My sense of smell was very heightened for at least the first week after surgery. I'm about a week and a half out and it seems to be calming down. Thank goodness... we have 5 dogs and 3 cats in the house! My doctor gave me meds for nausea, I hope yours will give you something!

HI my lovelies ❤️ I am just about 3 months post op (surgery was 12/6/24) and 1 lb shy of being down a total of 40lbs. While this is great I feel like I should be down more, or wish I was down more. I can't help but see others with close to 60+lbs down within the same time frame. I know we're not supposed to compare ourselves, it's literally the worst thing to do, but I can't help it. I was apart of the Tuesday Talks meeting last week which there were 2 women there that assured me that they lost at a similar pace, losing about 10lbs a month every month after the surgery. One of the nice ladies explained that 10lbs/month = to 120lbs down in 1 year. When I thought of it like that, I did feel better and more assured however I am still struggling with self depleting thoughts. Also, the last 2 weeks I been struggling with eating the wrong foods and snacking on foods I shouldn't be eating which I'll beat myself up even more mentally. My biggest struggles are iced coffee with sugary syrups and pizza/chips. I will have these about 1 x a week the last 2 weeks. How the day goes is it's usually a Sunday, I'll get a sugary coffee for breakfast and then end the day with 1 of those single serving bag of chips and 1 slice of pizza. I've done this now the last 2 Sundays. While it may not seem like a lot Im worried that I will start sliding down the wrong path and give into my old ways even more. The luxury of this surgery is Im incapable of overeating now and these foods still stay within a "normal" caloric range for the day (about 1400cals) but still, I know I shouldn't be eating them at all. I also workout 5 days a week now and have been consistent with this since late December. I do about 1.5 miles on the treadmill at the gym 3xs a week and then do a step ups aerobic type of exercise 2 days a week at home. I always leave my workout super sweaty with a high calorie burn on my Apple Watch. So with all this being said, I feel like I eat perfectly 6 days a week w 1 day where I'm "off", workout 5 days a week every single week taking off 2 days usually Wed and Sunday to let my body rest. Is there anything else I could do to speed up my weight loss? Or do you think this is "normal" and I'm on a good path? I also do these week to 2 week challenges with my bf that help me stay on track too. For example we did one from 2/12 - 3/1 and the rules were no junk food, fried foods or sugar and workout 5 days a week. I completed the challenge and lost 6 lbs total. But it was the day after the challenge where I ate pizza and iced coffee w mocha. We started a new challenge today which ends on Saturday 3/9. After that I'll be partaking in Ramadan beginning Monday 3/11 this year which will also help to keep me disciplined. Please do share your thoughts and how you combated your bad food habits? Also, please be kind ❤️ Thanks for reading! xoxo

2 week post-op appointment today and the doctor approved me to add cooked veg and fruit to my menu! I am so excited to have some veggies! I was also told I can drop one of my protein shake supplements as long as I hit 30g protein from my food, which I have been able to do most of the time since starting soft proteins.

How frustrating when you're already doing so much! All I can offer is my experience with my pre-op liquid diet. For the weeks, I had 3 protein shakes per day, sugar-free jello, broth, and the occasional sugar-free popsicle. Averaged around 600 calories per day and around 20 carbs or less per day. It was effective, if not pleasant. I lost about 6.8 kg in 2 weeks.

Dr. Josh Roller (Roller Weight Loss) has a GREAT segment on the podcast he’s on going over best surgeries if you need revision. I just finished listening to it. It’s on Spotify (& others) “The Skinny Truth”. I’m set up to get the Modified DS in the next few weeks with him.

I was so disappointed that my stall lasted so long, I took out the tape measure one day and decided to measure myself. In all I lost 15 inches !!!! That made me happy again PS.... I'm still KathyLev ...I got a new computer,but I couldn't sign in ...so I had to start over with a new acct. *sigh*

Hi all, After my prior post regarding the complaint I had - I finally have my surgery date for the 28th of this month, after almost 5 years since my first GP consultation about the sleeve (yippee!). With that being said however, they gave me 4 weeks notice because they now want me to lose another 3.5kg pre-surgery. For context, I was 135kg at my highest, they wanted me to stay below 130kg, and I'm now 124kg. They didn't give me a reason why, I have always had ok blood test results, I'm not pre-diabetic or anything either. The last consultation I had in-person with my surgeon also said 130kg would be fine, so again, don't really understand the change. Believe me when I say, my diet is STRICT. I'm on 1000 calories a day, high protein, super low carb (less than 40g per day easily), lots of water (at least 2 litres minimum), and an average of 10-15k steps per day, with at least one hike per week. I've been doing this for the last couple of weeks, but I am really really struggling to get this last few kg's off beforehand. No sugar - no fruit, nothing. I really think my PCOS is not helping the situation, but I'm really worried in the event I'm not at the 121kg they want. I have been that weight recently, I was down to 119kg this time last year with the help of Saxenda, which I then had to stop taking in June because every pharmacy I could order from were sold out. I haven't been on it since, so the fact I have maintained this weight loss honestly I'm just pleased with at this point. If anyone has any ideas as to how I could lose this last 6lbs or so, I would be greatly appreciative. I've lost 0.5kg so far over the past 4-5 days, but I'm so stressed I'll get to the hospital and they'll turn me away. Thank you! x

I am having the same struggle that you are having.. lately when people have been asking how am I losing the weight I just tell me.. working out 5-6 days a week, high protein, low carb and fat diet. That seems to do the trick. If they want to know more then I will tell them about the flavored waters that I am drinking and some of the high protein food that I am eating.

I am not open about my surgery. Very few choice people know that I have gotten done. When they ask how I lost weight I say, I am sticking to a lower carb diet, cut out alcohol and am walking for 30min 5x a week. This is all true so technically I am not lying lol If they ask why I have lost so much, I just tell them well because my family all have health issues so I want to take control before that happens to me. Usually works. I get compliments and when people ask "Have you lost weight?" I just smile and say ya a little. I just make it light and don't make a big deal about it. This is my journey no one elses.

Hi folks! I had surgery on Feb 27. Stayed at hospital overnight to verify I passed the swallow leak test. They also wanted to make sure I could drink. Now I’m home. Everything feels 10x better, but I’m still getting spasms in my stomach (nearly) every time I swallow something. It has prevented me from much intake since it is so exhausting. I’m never hungry though now so I just give up eating. My lack of interest in food is a bit scary. I feel like I’m flipping from an over-eater to anorexic. My doctor required a two week full liquid pre-diet and a 24 hr clear liquid only pre-diet. I lost 15 lbs pre-op. I’m 5’3” and started at 210. Since surgery, I’m down another 9 lbs. I’ve been averaging about 1.5 lbs down per day. Yesterday was the first day I was able to finish 2 protein shakes (finally)! I know this rate of decline won’t continue indefinitely, but I’ll be at my target by summer the way things are progressing. I feel like this is a roller coaster and I’m just barreling down a high peak. It is exciting and scary all at the same time.

I only stayed because I live alone and did not have anyone to come stay with me. I am at 3 weeks tomorrow and doing great.

I am at 3 weeks now and I feel great. I took 1 pain pill after I got home. I cut it in half. I took a couple of Tylenol at night for the tight incision on my right side. That’s it. It was truly not very bad at all.

It really is. I am absolutely certain that I would never *ever* have lost the weight I did if I hadn't been here from day 1. 20lbs loss in a month is amazing. Compare that to ANY diet you did in your life before surgery - unbelievable. Yes there will be stalls and regains, but if you stick to your programme then the general trend will be downwards. I hope you will be happy with where you land 🤩

I am 5 1/2 weeks post op and I think I am just beginning to get the sensation of being "full" back. It definitely feels different than before VSG; it's more of a pressure in the area where my chest and abdomen meet than a feeling of fullness where my larger stomach used to be. I also get hiccups. Weird, but common, so it seems.

How exciting! They should provide most of everything so you don't have to pack much Button up shirts/pj tops and loose pj pants were what I used the most. I brought gas x and constipation meds because they only provided what the Dr prescribed. So extra stuff that you might use like allergy meds etc. I would bring. Also make sure you are allowed to take them. My Dr did not allow any arnica of any type even though that's a common supplement, So just double check. I spent the 1st week pretty much in bed and relaxing and then going to Drs appts. I did bring a lanyard to hold my drains and an extra long phone cord to keep my phone charged. Compression socks and faja if your dr doesn't give them out, mine did. Some recovery houses even give you all the toiletries. The hospital I went to sent me home with toothbrush, toothpaste, compression socks, slippers and a thermometer. So You might not even need basic stuff lol. Good luck though! What are you getting done and who are you booking with if I can ask?

The Bariatric Hospital I went to has a very good post op program. They have in person monthly and weekly online support meetings. The Doctor that started the program many years ago is the moderator. He said they started out the pre liquid diet at 2 days. But they ran into issues with the liver being too big. In one instance he said he went to move the liver and it split because it was so big. So, that's why they will not work on anyone that has less than a 2 week pre op liquid diet to shrink the liver. If they go in to do the surgery and someone didn't follow the 2 week diet, they wouldn't do the procedure. They are very safety conscience and take it seriously along with their follow up program. I would go into what all is done but it's fairly lengthy. I'm just a few days from being a month out. I started the Puree'/soft food phase about a week early. Because I was having issues with constipation and needed to get in some fiber. MiraLAX alone wasn't doing the job. Ever since, I've not had an issue. I've even cooked up some ground chicken. But you will fill up fast. Half a cup and I'm full. One scrambled egg with a 1 tsp of salsa & 1 Tsp Mashed Avacado and I can just get it down then I'm done. I've been trying to eat to meet my protein goals, but that is just impossible. I have one shake (premier protein) and I'll mix 60 Grams of Chobani greek non fat yogurt, with one scoop of powdered Premier protein and 1 tsp of PBfit2 to get a chocolate peanut butter yogurt. Don't forget the Sugar free popsicles, it really helped my stomach. Hot food or broth seemed to hurt my stomach a little. But the cold didn't. My Insurance doesn't pay for a Dietician either, however with the Bariatric program it only costs $25 per visit. Between the Surgeon and Bariatric hospital they charged my Insurance $75K so I'm sure they use part of that to cover some of the cost. Do you use the Baritastic app?

totally normal. Also, your weight loss so far is totally normal. I think a lot of people have unrealistic expectations because of shows like "My 600 lb Life" - but you need to remember that those people start out MUCH heavier than the average WLS patient. Most of us seem to lose somewhere in the 15-25 lb range the first month. Of course, you'll always find people who lose more or less than that, but most of us seem to fall somewhere in that range. So you're fine. And also, yes, most of us also experience our first stall sometime during the first month or so of surgery. So again, normal.

20 pounds in a month (when the average is 2 pounds per week without surgery) is actually really good. And yes, you're at the point where you'll hit your first stall. I tend to gain a few pounds when I hit one, too. Totally normal.

How’s everyone doing? I’m just about a month out from surgery. I’m about to be cleared to have regular food, but I’m not hungry at all. It’s a struggle to drink and get enough protein. I absolutely hate the shakes. My sister is coming to visit today, she had the sleeve two weeks ahead of me. She likes flavorless protein powder, so I’m going to try that. Otherwise, I see my doctor tomorrow and I’m finally going to weigh myself. I have decided to just weigh in monthly, at the doctors.

I have a question… I had surgery a month ago and lost 20lbs. (That’s it 😒) then this week I weighed myself and I gained 2lbs! Is that normal? I’m doing everything the doctor told me too. Drinking a lot of water, eating a ton of protein and exercising. Am I doing something wrong? Thank you!

@Spinoza is correct. It is easy to do because you can’t tell you’ve had enough yet. Besides the staples & sutures holding your tummy & digestive system together, a lot of nerves were cut. So signals we used to rely on aren’t working or aren’t working properly yet so those messages just aren’t getting through. It takes a good 8 weeks to be fully healed. So it may not be until you’re into your third month before you start to feel signals again. Oh, and your signals may be different to what they were. And, no you won’t have stretched your tummy or impacted your weight loss by doing this this one time. And you would know if you had damaged your tummy. Just tread carefully & slowly & follow your plan to protect your healing tummy & support your recovery.

I know it’s hard, it’s almost inbuilt, but try to avoid comparing yourself to others. Our weight loss experiences can be so different & comparing only leads to frustration, annoyance & sometimes depression. There will always be those who lose faster or those who lose more slowly than others. There isn’t a time frame in which you must lose your weight. You’ll get there in your time. Weight loss is erratic. Better to watch the general trend not the daily fluctuations. If the general trend is downwards you’re golden. Yay! As I always say: celebrate every pound you lose. P.S, @BlondePatriotInCDA - Ten pounds a month is still averaging about 2lbs a week which is generally accepted as a good rate of weight loss. And you’ve lost 80lbs! Worth being happy about.

Please don't wait to get signals a week after surgery. There's little or no feedback from our stomachs because all the nerves have been cut. Takes weeks or months to heal and tell you anything, and even then, as the others have said, the feeling of fullness can be really delayed. I am 28 months post sleeve and I have just learned to eyeball what volume and mix of foods my stomach can manage, and usually stop a bit before that for safety's sake. If I go beyond that I get a runny nose and sneeze (Vagus nerve stimulation). By then it's too late though. You'll learn how to manage as you go along. Just stick to small volumes at the start. At your stage you shouldn't be too hungry so you're just eating for fuel - treasure this time, it passes all too quickly. 😍 Stick strictly to the volumes you have been given. Weirdly I wasn't given any by my team so I asked for advice here and then stuck to THAT and it was very helpful.

I think in general terms shorter cuts hide hair loss better - IF you do experience significant loss. I lost a lot of hair, in three distinct waves. Plus my hair grows (and regrows) abnormally slowly. I'm 28 months post surgery and my last phase of regrowth is just about below my ears now. I've had to cut my hair shorter than I normally would for about 18 months but I think I'll finally be back to my usual below shoulder length soon. Have to say it's been an opportunity to experiment that I would never have had otherwise! Maybe try new stuff if you need to?

Thanks for your really honest post. I can see this happening to me and others years after surgery - there are just so many pressures to eat and drink things that aren't good. It sounds like you're ready for a change and to lose some of that regain if possible. I agree that there will be headwork as well as diet work to do. Arabesque's post is super sensible and I hope you can take all of that on board. I would just add, returning to the basics of protein first, veg second for a few weeks might let you see a loss again. Maybe set a time limit of 4 weeks adhering strictly to that and see how you progress? I like a glass or two of wine at weekends but if you can cut out alcohol completely (empty calories) then do. If not, then minimise. Think about why you need to have a few drinks in order to socialise online and think about what joy that socialising brings to your life (Vs the joy of being at your ideal weight). When you start losing weight again hopefully this will reinforce your new choices.