Search the Community

I would say my relationship with food has improved a lot but that took some time. I'm one year post op and now I focus more on the quality of food rather than the quantity. I was just devouring my food before the WLS but now I seem to savor and enjoy food better. For instance, if we go out to have burger - I'll ask for a burger with less cheese, sauces etc and swap the fries with salad if possible. I will also eat the patty and leave the bread. I'd share the dessert with my wife, just one spoon and I'm satisfied. I also don't keep any junk food at home. If I get the urge to eat something, I will eat a cucumber with lime and salt and that will satisfy the cravings. My advice to you - Focus on losing weight for now and enjoy the little victories you achieve along the way and you will soon be able to join your family for meals etc but in a healthier way. Good luck

Thanks! It feel awesome. I was really worried that my face will be saggy after loosing weight but luckily no sagging so far. I feel younger too 😃

This is interesting (though I’m sure not for you). Out of curiosity did they say if this is a temporary or permanent issue? Wondering if it is similar to how other hormones & enzymes can go crazy while we are losing but settle again (often at a better level) once our weight stabilises. How are they treating you? Since my gall removal I don’t absorb protein well so I take creons which are a pancreatic enzymes which can firm bowel movements up for some. Wonder if they would help you too? Sorry for the questions.

The time when you are losing is a wonderful opportunity to change your relationship with food. To assess the situations & emotions that drive you to eat. Many of us used food to comfort & soothe us & doing the head work is an important aspect of the long term success of your weight loss. Some found therapy very helpful in discovering how to take away the power of those emotional drives & learning how to better manage them. (Your surgeon or their team will be able to recommend someone you can work with if you.) That old adage of eating to live not living to eat is true but the realisation & acceptance of it doesn’t occur overnight. I still find enjoyment in eating, dining out, etc. but I don’t turn to food to make me feel better. You can’t totally get rid of cravings (desire for specific foods, textures or flavours) but they’ve lost most of their power over me now & occur infrequently. If I do crave something, I recognise the craving for what it is & I choose what to do about it. I may ignore it or if I choose to satisfy it I make better food choice & watch portions. Want something salty have nuts. Want something sweet have fruit. I used to enjoy having something sweet after dinner & I’d often buy a special sweet treat on the weekends (too many patisseries). Now I rarely eat sweet foods & rarely go to the patisserie unless buying for others. Don’t want it or miss it either.

Whenever we lose a lot of weight in a short period of time, a substantial amount of the weight loss is actually water weight not fat. To lose 21 pounds of fat in two weeks, you would have to burn at least 5,500 calories in addition to what you consumed that day. A stall is nothing more than our bodies rehydrating to normal levels. As you are regaining depleted water weight, you are actually losing fat pounds even though the scales are not moving. Don't get discouraged. Once your composition levels normalize, the scales will start registering the fat loss again.

OK, anybody have persistent diarrhea? They are apparently just now connecting the loss of pancreatic function with WLS. Sometimes. Google it. I went for months to the GP, and they threw antibiotics at this gas/poop problem; while I ate yogurt to get it to stop. Horrible gas as well. BAD stinky gas, lol sorry. Nothing worked. I ASKED MY WEIGHT LOSS DOC TOO. "Oh no, no diarrhea reported with this." That was horse hockey as well. I then went to a Gastrointestinal specialist, who did a protease enzyme test. Turns out my pancreas is not working. While it is not life threatening, it is darn inconvenient. I am not posting this to have you not have the surgery -- I still would have done it, even if I had a crystal ball. BUT if you have those symptoms, Google it, ask your doc, and maybe even if your WLS doctor says nope, go to a Gastrointestinal one. It can be managed. FYI.

That’s me too, even tho it’s been 3 yrs I am still losing weight but it’s very very slowly. The biggest chunk is gone, Thank goodness 😀 My doctor is happy with my progress and tells me I look healthy and I feel so much better. I figured surgery is probably it for when it comes to Turkey waddle neck but was hoping someone had a secret trick. Lol I have noticed with time and more activity I’m getting toned and my other areas are looking better and I may not need anything done. My neck and my arms tho, Eeeeek

From what I understand, hormones are stored in fat. When we lose weight, those hormones go into our blood. So, things that may have stopped functioning the way they were supposed to - because of the weight - begin functioning again.

So just wandering if this has happened to anyone else. I was well and truly on the way to menopause before surgery, I hadn't had a period for six months and hadn't had a "regular" cycle for over 12 months. The day after surgery I get a period ok that's fine but as I lost weight my periods start to become semi regular again ??? I am 56 and thinking they should have stopped by now. So just curious if this has happened to anyone else

How is your relationship with food post op ? I’ve always depended on food to fill my emotions when I was depressed or anxious. I absolutely hate it but I am worried about I am going to handle my stress and anxiety after surgery. I want to be healthy and to feel good and not hate whenever people take any pictures of me or hide behind everyone in photos. Go out with my boyfriend and friends and family. :( it’s been so hard because of my weight gain. My sisters had a great dinner with my mom the other day and I didn’t go I missed out on memories because of how nothing fits. So I understand my relationship with food is something I am willing to give up. Especially for my health.

There is a three week stall that everyone talks about. I’ve thought about this and another fact that the body “initially” heals in 3-4 weeks. It makes sense to me that the 3-4 week time is when the body is slowing the heal and trying to shift back to maintaining the rest of the body. Then, coming from a calorie deficit, it tries to add weight back on. I’d also say 500cals is too low, your body may be sensing starvation. Did you team recommend this low of a calorie count?

I'm similar to you (surgery scheduled for 3/13) and around the same weight, though my BMI is higher because I'm 5'3". As a person who has worked in tech and traveled for many years, I do wonder if you're pushing it a little bit. When I had a hysterectomy (after two c-sections), I took 4 days off and went back to work the following week from home. I was so committed to my job that I didn't even consider the fact that I could have taken 6 weeks off through short term disability. I truly thought it would be easy. I mean, after each c-section, I was up taking care of the baby and my kids immediately. This laparoscopic hysterectomy seemed like a drop in the bucket, but I was wrong. My body and mind tired really fast. I felt like I constantly needed to take a nap. The work I produced was subpar and I wasn't able to contribute to meetings or brainstorming sessions properly. With this VSG surgery, I know I'll need to drink only liquids for the first 10 days... that's going to seriously zap my mental energy, all while trying to heal internally. Apart from the physical aspect, there's the emotional one to consider. This is a whole new way of life that I am committed to giving myself time to adjust to. If I just get right back up and go to work, I will be distracting myself from what I need to deal with today vs. tomorrow. These are just my thoughts of course. Only you can know yourself best. Plus, your work situation might be very different from mine. Just hope these thoughts can help give you a different perspective. Good luck with your upcoming surgery!! Wishing you a very fast, easy recovery!

First, I bet what your Dad said really hurt. I'm sorry he said that to you. I'm not sure what people are thinking when they hear the words "weight loss surgery." Sometimes I get the feeling they assume someone snapped their fingers over your body and now the excess weight is just going to melt off of you. If that were true, maybe..MAYBE you could see a difference in 3 weeks. But this isn't a magic bullet and you're not going to melt away. Your body has figured out how to store and hold that fat for many years. It's not going to let go so easily. I know this going into surgery (mine is scheduled for 3/13), but I'm sure someone will need to remind me when I'm a few weeks - and many months - in. I'm so happy you can feel the difference yourself, because you're the only one who matters when it comes to this. Take care and good luck on your journey!

He Hey guys !my insurance said they cover all the bariatic services my PA asked me to ask them. The requirements I believe they said there was no required supervised diet however I do have some history with phertamine. My bmi is right at 40.4. I’m gonna ass a screen shot of the blue home plan for bariatic ! I think it should be an easy process as far as what they’re asking for. I hope to have my surgery by June fingers crossed. Anyone have experience with novant ? In Nc Pasted what the picture has in case visibility is hard.  A thorough preoperative evaluation for bariatric surgery must include all of the following: 1. Evaluation of the patient's understanding of the procedure to be performed, including the procedure's risks and benefits, length of stay in the hospital, behavioral changes required prior to Page 8 of 21 An Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association Bariatric Surgery and after the surgical procedure (including dietary and exercise requirements), follow up requirements with the performing surgeon, and anticipated psychological changes. 2. 3. Evaluation of the patient's family/caregivers support and understanding of the information in #1. Within 12 months prior to surgery, a thorough nutritional evaluation by a physician, registered dietician, or other licensed professional experienced in the issues of bariatric surgery, who has had a meaningful conversation with the individual regarding the dietary and lifestyle changes required to ensure a successful outcome over time. Nutritional assessment must follow American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) guidelines. Pre-operative assessment must document that the patient has a good understanding of the diet and nutritional changes that are associated with bariatric surgery and has the capacity to comply with these changes. Per the ASMBS guidelines, " *..it is essential to determine any preexisting nutritional deficiencies, develop appropriate dietary interventions for correction, and create a plan for postoperative dietary intake that will enhance the likelihood of success. Not only should the practitioner review the standard assessment components (i.e., medical co-morbidities, weight history, laboratory values, and nutritional intake), it is also important to evaluate other issues that could affect nutrient status, including readiness for change, realistic goal setting, general nutrition knowledge, as well as behavioral, cultural, psychosocial, and economic issues." 2019 guidelines for perioperative nutrition, metabolic and nonsurgical support are available at: 4. https://journals.aace.com/doi/pdf/10.4158/GL-2019-0406 Within 12 months prior to surgery, a formal psychosocial-behavioral evaluation performed by a qualified behavioral health professional (i.e., licensed in a recognized behavioral health discipline, such as psychology, social work, psychiatry, psychiatric nursing, etc., with specialized knowledge and training relevant to obesity, eating disorders, and/or bariatric procedures), which assesses environmental, familial, and behavioral factors, as well as risk for suicide. Any patient considered for a bariatric procedure with a known or suspected psychiatric illness, or substance abuse or dependence, should undergo a formal mental health evaluation before the procedure. 2019 guidelines for perioperative nutrition, metabolic and nonsurgical support are available at https://journals.aace.com/doi/pdf/10.4158/GL-2019-0406 5. Appropriate medical work up may include a chest x-ray, upper gastrointestinal series, endoscopy, appropriate pre-op labs and ECG. A complete physical examination by the attending surgeon and an assessment of thyroid levels is required. If the patient has comorbid conditions (e.g. diabetes or 6. cardiovascular disease) the patient must be capable of undergoing the procedure. Anesthesia clearance for surgery. The first five criteria must be met before seeking prior plan approval for adults and adolescents; the sixth must be met prior to surgery. Surgical procedures must be performed at a facility capable of providing gastrointestinal and biliary surgery (preferably JCAHO accredited), AND that has equipment and staff capable of managing a morbidly obese patient (appropriate instruments, beds, lifts, monitoring equipment) AND that can manage short and long term complications of bariatric surgery.

My first two weeks I dropped a lot of weight about 21 lbs but I am on the fourth week and have been stuck at about 203. I was at 201 at the end of the first two weeks then I went up two lbs. I am getting frustrated because I am exercising, hitting my protein goals/liquid goals and I am not getting above 500 calories a day. I just feel like crying (I have been crying) and feel like maybe having PCOS that this weight is still not gonna come off even with this surgery. It sucks to not be able eat most things and go through this to just be stuck like this. Even if I could just get to 199 within a week I would be happy but I see the scale is going up little by little. Everyone keeps saying trust the process but I just can't right now. Sent from my SM-S908U using BariatricPal mobile app

It took 65 pounds for me to really see the difference in my clothes and then it was like overnight, I burned through all the available clothes in my closet. Unfortunately, when you're bigger, it seems to take longer to feel the results. Now that I've lost 140, when I gain 5, I can FEEL it whereas before 5lbs was not even a blip on my radar. Give yourself some grace and stay the course.

If you're like me and carry your weight evenly all over your body, your weight loss is not going to be obvious for a while. I'm 4.5 months post op and my husband can finally start to see it in my face. I've lost nearly 50 pounds since surgery. The only reason why I know that my clothes are fitting differently, is because the skirt that I wear when I go to town, now needs a belt. All my other bottoms have either elastic or drawstring waists, so it's hard to gauge my size. I can see it in the t-shirt I took my picture in, the night before surgery - but there hasn't been much change in most of my clothes.

So I don’t think phentermine is working perfectly for me. It doesn’t give me energy at all. I actually took a nap yesterday on it and I am doubting its power to control cravings. I have to admit I am celebrating a belated bday because my husband was in hospital during mine and I have had two bday lunches where I was able to skip the bread and substitute salad with my protein so that’s better but I am still hungry at night which is my biggest problem I think. I am supposed to try this for a month and check back in but I see my family dr today who has also been trying to help with my weight so I am hoping maybe she can adjust the dose at least today while I am there. Fingers crossed that one of these meds helps me.

Everyone loses weight differently, for me it is first in my face/neck and waist, so it is easier for people to tell. I was told I was losing weight 1 week post op, and I had lost about 15lbs at that point, but I also retain a lot of water. I also believe that those that see you more often will take longer to tell you about your weight loss. I'm 3.5 months post op and last week my husband asked me if I'm losing weight lol. Just hang in there, keep doing what you're doing, and things will move in the right direction.

I'm a little over 3 months out and I've lost 47lbs from my heaviest (32lbs from surgery date). People just started noticing just in the past few days. My husband of course noticed within weeks after the surgery even though my clothes still hid most of my weight loss. I tried to pay attention to all the non scale victories, like my ankles weren't swollen anymore, my shoes and slippers fit better, and my rings could fit my fingers in the first few weeks. I also was happier that my blood pressure was down and that my sleep apnea has gotten better and that happened almost immediately after surgery.

Just home from having my sleeve converted to bypass on Friday at the Northern General in Sheffield by Mr Ackroyd who did the original sleeve, severe reflux and gain. Feel amazing compared to last time around. Good luck and plenty of health sent to anyone on a revision journey [emoji3] Kim Sent from my SM-G960F using BariatricPal mobile app

With an ESG, which is a non surgical weight loss procedure, there is less recovery time needed. I would have been fine flying at 14 days, the issue is ensuring you have appropriate food handy...may still be on fluids or pureed at this point. For surgical weight loss procedures, I was fine to fly within a few days (as I did to come home), not sure I would have been up to flying for recreational or work on a longish flight by day 14. I had two weeks off work for a desk job, it was fine for me. I've seen people posting about going back to work within days, (not something I would have been able to manage).

I totally agree with this. Don't stress too much about how much you have lost and if you look different or not. Focus your energy on healing and following the post-op diet. People lose weight differently. For me, I lost most of the weight on my thighs and lower body at first and for the first few months my face almost looked the same. 3 weeks is too early to see any noticeable changes to be honest and your body is still healing. That is also when most of us got the infamous three-weeks stall. At least that was the case for me. Good luck

I had my surgery in June 2015, and people didn't start noticing until October 2015, so four months. But I weighed well over 300 lbs, so I'm not that surprised that it took that long. *I* could tell, but I'm sure I still looked really heavy to others....it was probably hard to see nuances until I'd dropped a lot of weight (well, it was hard for ME to see nuances sometimes as well). I just checked my spreadsheet - at four months out, I was down 52 lbs. So I had to lose over 50 lbs for people to start noticing. Arabesque is right - take photos of yourself - or have someone else take them - every month. I had my husband take them every month on my surgery date until I hit maintenance. Sometimes you can't tell from one month to the next that you're looking thinner, but if you compare current photos to the ones from three or four months prior - yep - you can definitely see the difference. just to add that I thought that was a pretty sh*tty thing that your dad said.

I’m sorry your dad is being unsupportive. It’s always hardest to block out hurtful comments by those we love. Did you point out how much you’ve actually lost? It was early in the second month post surgery I think when a friend commented. I was wearing a more fitted dress that used to pull across my butt & tummy a bit in the past & now skimmed. I’d lost about 12kg ( 26lbs) in total. I was still wearing mostly the same clothes but they fit better. The only pieces that were verging on too big were those with proper waist bands everything else had elastic bands or drawstrings so could fit multi sizes. However, importantly, my staring weight was less than yours (based on what you want to lose) so it took less weight loss to see any difference. You’re losing weight from all over your body not just your torso. Try taking photos & body measurements - thighs, calves, upper & lower arms, waist, hips, breast & compare those too not just the scales & the size on your clothing tags. Remember the difference between one size & the next is usually 2 inches so, for e.g., your waist would have to be a good 2 inches smaller for you to need to drop a size (in a fitted waist outfit). General advice is if you lose about 10lbs you’ll drop a size but that really only applies to those in the healthy weight range & dropping say from a US size 12 - 10. If you’re smaller it takes less weight loss & vice versa. Your dad will be changing his thinking in another month or so. Keep up your great work.