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I had the Argon-zapping revision surgery in June 2022. I started losing weight, to the extent that people noticed. I lost 40 pounds from my pre-surgery weight. My 16th-century dresses fit better. I noticed that I would get stuck at a certain weight. I also got constipated. Getting unconstipated helped with the weight loss. At 40 pounds lost, I got stuck for a long time. I got frustrated. At one point, I got an appetite for pastries, and I went on a tear. I gained 20 pounds. I thought that perhaps the revision wasn’t working. I have lost 13 of those pounds (being poor-ish helps). I just had a telehealth visit with my surgeon. She said that I am at a better place than expected! She gave me more information about revision surgery. One procedure isn’t enough, and I should have been scheduled for the second procedure and been followed by their obesity surgery team. I will be scheduled for the next surgery in August. If you’re frustrated about weight loss after revision surgery, speak with your surgeon, and ask if there are further surgeries that are part of your plan. One surgery isn’t the end-all of your plan!

RickM, thank you for your reply. I'm slowly realizing it's a completely different journey than when I had my sleeve 14 years ago. I'm going to try to stay away from the scale for a while (I was using it every 3 days because when I was sleeved, I was really losing weight fast). After my sleeve, I lost 15 lbs first week, 9 lbs second week, and it just melted off. Over the summer, I'd lost 78 lbs altogether. So this is a really big change. But I'm sticking to my plan, my vitamins, and working on upping my water intake. Since May 11, I've lost 43 lbs, so in retrospect, it's really not so bad. 😊

Behind paywall, here is verbiage: Ozempic is under review by European drug-safety regulators after they received reports of suicidal thoughts linked to the popular weight-loss drug and another medicine in the class. The European Medicines Agency said Monday it is evaluating the safety risk for patients who take the drugs, manufactured by Novo Nordisk, after learning that three people who took the medicines reported thoughts of self harm or suicide. Suicidal behavior isn’t listed as a side effect for Ozempic—and a related drug called Saxenda that is also subject to the review—in the European Union, the EMA said. Novo Nordisk said the company’s studies of Ozempic and Saxenda, as well as its continuing monitoring of their use, haven’t shown a link to suicidal thinking or thoughts of self harm. “Novo Nordisk remains confident in the benefit risk profile of the products and remains committed to ensuring patient safety,” a Novo Nordisk spokeswoman said. Depositary shares in Denmark-based Novo Nordisk were flat in trading on the New York Stock Exchange midday Monday. Ozempic, Saxenda and other drugs targeting a gut and brain hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1, or GLP-1, have exploded in popularity after studies found they can help people lose significant weight. Companies initially developed the class to treat people with diabetes. Ozempic, which is approved for diabetes treatment, has a sister drug named Wegovy that is cleared for chronic weight management in people who are obese. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said it doesn’t comment on external research or individual reports, but may evaluate them. It said clinical trials for Wegovy didn’t support an increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior. Prescribing information for Wegovy, however, includes a warning and precaution for these risks because it has been reported in clinical trials for other weight-management drugs, the FDA said. The EMA said it would consider whether to expand its inquiry to other GLP-1 drugs. The agency said it began its review after the Icelandic Medicines Agency reported suicidal thoughts by one user of Ozempic and similar thoughts by a user of an older drug in the class called Saxenda. A third case reported by the Icelandic agency involved thoughts of self-injury by a user of Saxenda. Write to Melanie Evans at melanie.evans@wsj.com

The good news is that this seems to be fairly normal - our weight loss when we start a major effort, surgical or not, tends to be front loaded - lots of initial loss, mostly water weight, and then slows down. Plus you are just getting in.to the "three week stall" window where weight loss typically slows or stops for a bit while the body absorbs what has happened to it, and then resumes (though usually at a slower rate.) The not so good news is that as a revision, weightloss is typically slower and less than with the original surgery. My simple minded thought on this is that originally, our stomachs will hold 32-64 oz, but now after your original WLS and whatever stretch and adaptation it goes through over the years, it might hold 4-6 oz, yet you have adapted to that (learned how to eat around your sleeve/pouch) and still regained. So things will be slower. And, the biggest loss tends to be around surgery time when we are stuck with the highly restrictive pre- and post-op dieting. Additionally, the RNY is metabolically similar to your original VSG, so it doesn't provide a big change over what you had - so it is much slower going the second time around. (The DS, duodenal switch, is stronger metabolically than either of the others, so does work somewhat better on regain, but few surgeons offer it, or mention it.) Those who I have seen who have done really well with revision weight loss are those who take the "I'm not going to let that happen again" attitude and really knuckle under and get, and stay with, the program.

Let me introduce you all to the many ways I’ve eaten eggs this past week. 😂 I was feeling a little heavy so wanted switch up my diet back to keto (which has worked for me in the past) and decided on a slightly modified egg fast to get back into things. Lost 7lbs of water weight in 4 days. Eggs with avocado (my modified one a day veggie choice) and feta, hard boiled eggs with mayo and hot sauce (not pictured), snickerdoodle cream cheese egg crepes, scrambled eggs with cheese, hard boiled eggs and chipotle mayo, a pizza chaffle moth marinara (my modified one a day veggie choice), garlic bread? ( this recipe needs work but the flavor was good), the recipe called it a crustless quiche (with mayo added), mini lemon cheesecakes (these were SO good!), and then cloud eggs with homemade hollandaise (these were just ok). Annnd what I ate for breakfast this morning was these reverse scotch eggs.

Thank you. I do understand the reasons and how necessary the pre-diet is. Not doing it is not a question, I do understand the need to get the liver as small as possible. My concern was I’ve been doing the pre-diet in sort of a “Light” version, trying to figure out ahead of time (with my nutritionist’s encouragement) the flavors I like and the mechanics (like what blender works best, powder vs premix, etc etc). I want to know what I like, get the shopping out of the way and be ready to roll when the time comes. I was surprised to see the scale dropping, thought to myself Wow, I can lose weight just drinking one protein shake a day? Might want to rethink this whole thing- and then I started taking my glucose readings. What I’m worried about is it’ll be 2 more months minimum before the surgery, mandated by insurance prerequisites, and my diabetes has taken a turn for the worse. Up to this point, it’s been borderline but OF COURSE now my numbers have started spiking and I’ve started losing weight. My insurance has a BMI of 40, or of 35 with health issues. I’ve bounced around between 37 and 42 over the past few years, have the health issues (diabetes, heart, high blood pressure). I’m seeing the endocrinologist this week to probably be started on medication and I hope that gets things under control quickly. My worry is the weight I’m losing has been unexpected. I know from family members that weight loss was one of the first signs of diabetes. They regained the weight eventually, but it was rather dramatic, and muscle, not fat so there wasn’t even a silver lining there. So. That’s my worry- if this weight I’ve lost (and will possibly keep losing for a little while until medication and diet modification stops this) added to the weight loss from the 2 week liquid diet could slam the brakes on the bypass surgery at the last minute.

The pre op diet is also known as a liver shrinking diet. It’s in place to reduce the size of your liver to make it easier fir your surgeon to see where they’re operating. This is it’s real purpose. Of course losing some weight pre surgery also benefits your health & recovery, can help with breaking some habits & getting you in the right mind set for what’s to come. I’ve never heard of any one on this forum having been denied surgery because of pre surgical weight loss but that’s not to say it hasn’t happened. Check with your insurance company to be sure. All the best.

I am facing the same dilemma concerning quitting dipping tobacco. I am trying to decide if I want the bariatric surgery and been told I need to quit dipping before I can have the surgery. I am willing to quit pre surgery and for a while post surgery BUT, I REALLY DO NOT HAVE ANY DESIRE TO QUIT DIPPING. I understand the health risks associated with dipping and am willing to live with that. Am 61 years old and have already given up drinking and smoking and cut way back on what I eat but still need to lose weight (about 60 lbs.). All the response to this post are still about smoking and long term health associated with dipping. As previously stated, I want to dip and am willing to live with the risks. So, the question is, how will dipping post surgery effect the healing process for surgically repaired area and at what point can I dip again after surgery? Any info out there on this?

It's quite the conundrum. I have heard of instances where a person was denied surgery for losing weight pre-op and disqualified by insurance, but it depends also on your number of co morbidities which can allow for a lower BMI. I may have seen the same video you are referring to and like you, was worried that if I lost too much weight, insurance may deny me. If there's any truth to it...IDK. But I had a very high BMI and lots of preexisting conditions, so I was worrying needlessly. I say check with your insurance plan and ask your doctor for specifics. Good luck!!!

According to my doctor , the insurance company goes by your weight on the first day of your doctor visit. I was in the same boat ... lower BMI and pre-existing conditions. The pre surgey diet would put me on the edge of the required BMI . I have United Health care and it was no problem !

Hi there. I’ve been watching a few videos on the 2 week pre-diet and was wondering… I am on the lower end of qualifying BMI, only qualifying with my insurance company because of other health complications. Can the weight loss of the pre surgery diet present a problem or is the insurance process already sealed before the diet begins? I yo yo between a BMI of 37 and 42, have been more diet conscious since starting with the nutritionist and am dropping a few pounds a week. With a minimum of 2 more months to go before the pre op diet, I’m worried I’ll be pushing the margin (though know I’ll never see a healthy weight without this surgery)

I started walking day 1 after surgery to prevent blood clots every few hours for 5-10 minutes. I continued on with that until I was up to a mile once a day. Started inside on my treadmill and walking outside for now until it gets too hot. Today at 10AM it was only 70 degrees with a cool breeze so pushed myself to go round the lake a second time for 2 miles total. 😤 Not bad for someone who was almost completely sedentary pre-op, My bariatric team advises nothing harder than walking until 6 weeks after surgery. Weeks 2-4 light physical activity. Low impact walking and stretching. Weeks 4-8 add cardio activities. Increase walking distance and/or speed. Biking, water aerobics. Easier on joints. 5xs a week for 30 minutes and build from there. Week 6 add strength training twice a week in addition to cardio. I have yet to start the strength training. I had a hiatal hernia repair at the time of my RNY so I'm a bit apprehensive to start. But I do look at the weights as I pass thru the room to go sit in the infrared sauna. LOL Good luck @Nicnak

Hi! I'm new here but I read this and wanted to reply. At my two-week appointment, I was told to wait one more week before getting on the treadmill. However, since the surgery, I was told to walk around inside my house (South Texas so too hot to walk outside after surgery) 4 times a day. I was literally counting 600 steps 4x a day. Tomorrow, I'm getting on that treadmill but still gonna take a slow stride. I'm freaking out because my weight loss is so slow. BUT, the PA told me I could use the treadmill at 3 weeks and I could start driving, just to be very, very careful because of the seat belt. Maybe start with just walking at a comfortable pace.

I’d wait a bit longer for anything intensive. Like others have said it was about six weeks before I was cleared to lift weights. But until that point, it was mild stretching to stay limber and walk, walk, walk.

I was told to start walking right away and more intense/weight exercise at 6 weeks. And even then, my surgeon said if it hurt my abdominal area to stop and try again in a week or so.

Hey! I just hit a month post op and the past week or so I’ve noticed every day my weight fluctuates 4lbs (roughly)… has anyone else noticed this? I feel like losing/gain 4lbs a day seems a little crazy… just wondering if this is another one of those “wait it out moments” for us. Hope everyone is doing well!

I has my VGS about 6 weeks ago. I have always had a good appetite, was a chubby child. In my teens through to about 50, I was able to manage a good appetite with a lot of physical exercise and I loved it, loves my muscles. I ran, power yoga, spinning. some weights, never a body builder. I had my child at 35 and that was hard on my body. I had/have a lot of back problems so slowly my running was taken away, then spinning. I managed to keep up. Power yoga routine, but it was hard on me. Went thru menaopause and divorce at 50 and life unraveled. COVID hit and with personal issue I went to work and came home to lay in bed for two years. The weight piled on, muscle went away and I couldn’t find my motivation anymore. I felt like I had thrown away an adult lifetime of fitness that I had worked so hard for and had wanted so badly. I decided to go for surgery because I just felt at this stage in my life, I wouldn’t be able to get back to my previous fitness and weight loss at this age was just about impossible. I had the surgery, did well. I am getting plenty of protein, but all the plans I had for creating a new physical fitness rebirth haven’t gone nearly as well as I wanted. I am not giving up, but everything is just harder. Still trying to find my MOJO. I have lost weight, but maintaining and maybe building a little are my Quest. Getting older, losing your hormones is discouraging. It happens to everyone, but you can’t really prepare and “ be ready” because it’s like having a child, you just don’t know how it really is until it happens. I am really interested in any supplements or tricks, certain exercises routine a anyone has learned. I am trying to focus more on weight training. I have never really like just doing weights. That is one thing I loved about power yoga, it a lot of muscle work without feeling like just doing a bunch of boring reps!!I am researching EAA supplements. Would love some testosterone, but that is costly over time. Look forward to figuring out this journey with this group!!

Tomorrow, it'll be five months since my surgery. I can share that the first two months were the hardest. I now find myself eating intuitively. The only food that I avoid is bread. My weight loss has slowed down, but continues to steadily decrease. On my surgery date, I was at 229 pounds. I currently weigh 173. The biggest change is that my knees and back are no longer in pain. I am able to work out without any issues. The only down side is that I have begun to lose my hair in clumps. While this has been frustrating, I am so thankful for this surgery. I feel so much more comfortable in my own skin! I hope all my February surgery pals are having a positive journey as well!

The last pounds can take ages. In the end I was losing grams (ounces). Have a chat with your surgeon & dietician & review everything. This may be your new set point so losing less than this and maintaining a lower weight will be very difficult. It could also be an extended stall. You’ve been doing so well I can understand you being concerned.

That was me too. I bounced between 60-75kg (healthy weight to overweight range) most of my life but peri menopause then menopause & suddenly I was obese. Could lose a couple of kilos but would take several weeks & that as on those extremely low calories diets of 500 calories a day too. I’d gain the weight back like in days. The surgery boosted my metabolism & I keep it burning by eating regularly now - no more meal skipping for me which was how I used to try to maintain my weight. The fatigue will improve as you begin to eat more each day. Try an electrolyte drink to give you a boost on days you need a little more energy. You may be able to start some fruit soon. I think I could from my third month. Check with your dietician. The sad news the weights won’t help with your loose skin. It will only help with the muscular structure under your skin which has been stretched out. My arms are quite nicely toned from using resistance bands. I even get compliments which I think is hilarious as my loose skin is still there but then I don’t wave my arms about too much 😉. Only way to get it rid of it is surgery. All the best with your progress.

I started seeing a slowdown in weight loss around 13 months post OP and now the scale is hardly moving. I read that the rate will be high at first and will slow down as you about to reach your goal weight. I still want to lose 5 kg more but I'm not stressing about it. Planning to start exercising and hopefully that will help. I read some people here have tried fasting / IF to jumpstart the weight loss. I remember you posted about trying IF. How is that working for you? The important thing is to not stress too much about. I always remind myself that I've gained all that weight over a number of years and to lose it all over a few months would be a drastic change. Good luck

My losses slowed down about the same times as yours. Once I went nearly three months before I lost again. I tend to go down in blocks of 5lbs at once. I try and walk more. I am thinking of going swimming again but the loose skin is holding me back. Try and change things up a bit. Finds some new foods. Expanding my diet like being on holiday has really been good for my weight loss. I think that at some point we have to call it a day but I am sure you will go further than you are at the moment, My problem is that I am not too bothered if I stay at this weight.

Good afternoon, everyone. I'm new here. I was looking for some kind of forum where I could interact with others like me. I think I may have found it. I live in South Texas, and I had a sleeve gastrectomy in Mexico in 2009 when I was 35. I initially weighed 340 lbs and lost 149 lbs. and went from a size 32 to a size 14. My goal was a 12, but I was really happy. I was exercising 5x a week on the elliptical for a whole hour nonstop! I kept the weight off for approximately 6 years. Unfortunately, all kinds of tragic events started changing my life. In 2014 my father passed away, and I took it really, really hard. I ended up on Xanax and Ambien. In 2015, I got divorced. In 2016, my mother passed away. In 2017, I was transferred from a job I really enjoyed to a brand new location with all different people to work with. Then the COVID Pandemic kept me teaching from home for a year and a half. It was literally one heartbreak after another. Rather than looking for actual help, I helped myself... to pills, alcohol, and crap food. Over the past 9 years, I regained all my weight. Even though I still felt restriction in eating (i.e. only half a burger or 1.5 slices of pizza, with no sides or drinks and I was done). I was 10 lbs away from my original weight before my sleeve. Last year, though, my school district sent out an email stating that WLS was now covered by our insurance. I was so excited! I looked into it, made many calls, and thought coverage was out of the question because I had already had a surgery. Our insurance covers "one surgery per life." However, since my first surgery was private pay, they went ahead and accepted covering my revision to a bypass. Today is my 18th day post op. I've lost 42 lbs altogether since May 11, but only 10 of those lbs since the surgery. I feel a little blue because I was hoping for more than a 10lb loss in 3 weeks. I lost more weight at the beginning when I started a semi-liquid diet to prepare for surgery. I was doing 3 shakes and one solid, no-carb meal. I know that revisions are slower than virgin surgeries. I am doing as much reading and research as I can. I just can't help it, I guess. After my sleeve, the weight loss was phenomenal. Right now I am consuming 450 cals, 60 g protein, and keeping my carbs under 40g. I am walking around my house (not outside because South Texas) 4x a day and was told I could start on the treadmill this coming Monday. Maybe I'm doing something wrong? I'm also trying to find ways to consume fiber without a lot of carbs. I've eaten 1/2 cup of pinto beans twice but, man, that's a lot of carbs. I wanted to try raspberries, but I'm afraid of the little seeds getting stuck in my sutures. Any advice, thoughts, suggestions?

I am back to excercising but i gain weight according to my scale afterwards. I drink tea and gerber apple juice which doesnt have much carbs. I usually drink things under 30 grams of carbs and i keep my calories under 500 a day

KNOW YOUR WHY & why you are doing this. You will have buyers remorse at some point, but it will be temporary. I've had days where I've literally thought, what have I done? I miss abusing food, ect. But it's short lived & then you remember, you're losing weight, taking care of this body you hold up a permanent residence in & after awhile, you don't really care about food like you used to. I use to live to eat! I could eat sooooo much until I was sick. I had binge eating in a bad way, now I can't believe how much I could eat in a single sitting! Would last me a week now haha! I am 5wk PO down 31 lbs since surgery. My starting weight was 248 lbs I am currently 217 lbs I want to be around 135 lbs is when I felt optimal but I felt good at 150-160 lbs in the past too. I am 5'6 See where my body puts me & how far I'm willing to go. I am not going to cheat on my diet until maintenance stage, it's just not worth it. The honeymoon stage you keep hearing about it real & you only get ONE so I'm taking full advantage of it. If you have any questions or anything you can message me anytime on here or my toktok @kno_ur_why.