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So glad to hear your checkup went well and everyone’s plans a little different depending on their surgery their age, their activity levels, their medical conditions so you’re probably gonna get a lot of answers. My team doesn’t give a calorie goal either but once I showed her my Fitness app which logs my level of activity as well as my food blog she told me I needed to increase my carbohydrates and protein, which has been really scary and hard to do especially because I went three days without losing and then actually gained a pound after I increased it but I’m trusting the nurse practitioner that she knows what she’s doing and hoping it will work out. I haven’t had my three week stall yet so maybe that’s what’s going on. I mean, I’m eating probably a third of what I did before surgery and I’m exercising 10 times more so there’s just no way that I would be gaining. Oh, I should add that. I weighed myself this morning and. I lost that pound plus another one so I really lost 1 pound in the three days well in four days I guess. I do remember from my sleeve, but it does slow down quite a bit at a certain point. I just don’t remember when and how much. I am also trying to focus on the fact that I feel healthier and have more energy and I’m in a better mood than I have been in years.

I hope your day gets better soon! I completely understand where you're at, I've been in the same slump for a few weeks 😖 I'm hoping its the colder darker days doing it. You've been doing great, so just know its one day..you got it down!

I posted this in my surgery date group: I feel like Christmas has been harder than Halloween and Thanksgiving as far as making healthy choices. I think Halloween, I still wasn't eating completely normal so it helped me avoid candy. Thanksgiving, I don't really like pie so that helped. But Christmas, there have been all types of goodies around (including the baked goods I made for my neighbors) that its easy to take a piece of a cookie or a little chocolate and not think much of it. I for sure eating less than I would have in the past and only taking a 1/3 or 1/2 of a cookie still feels like a win, but I hope I can kick this habit after Christmas, because I don't want to get too comfortable again with grabbing sweets when I'm craving one.

I live alone too so I had no support in my home. I told a few people, one of which had had the surgery, but apart from phone calls to see how I was I really did it alone. I did get a lot of support and information from this forum and my GP was also supportive and interested in my progress. In saying that, I’m pretty independent and organised & I was very confident and comfortable with my decision to have the surgery. I didn’t have any psychological or emotional issues, was very mobile & didn’t have any co morbidities before my surgery. My recovery was pretty smooth though slow as I had issues with low blood pressure & hypoglycemia. Both of these I had experiences with before but occasionally not regularly and o knew how to manage them. I had no issue getting in or out of bed and my pain was easily managed with the prescribed meds (for about 4 days) and then didn’t need anything. I prepared well with all the over the counter meds my surgeon recommended (not that I needed them all) and had shakes, broths, soups for the first two weeks on hand. So I didn’t have to go anywhere or get anyone to shop for me. I think looking back I probably would have got my groceries for purée and soft food stages delivered simply for the convenience and not having to deal with weight restrictions for carrying things and the lethargy. Grocery shopping can be exhausting, (I did it after my hysterectomy last year & wish I’d done after offer my sleeve and gall removal.) I had a cleaner and a gardener so I agree with @BigSue’s suggestion about that even if it is for just a couple of weeks or so. Not everyone’s recovery is the same. We come in to it at different weights, with different medical histories and different existing medical conditions. There will be similarities but also variations. Do your research. Lots of people have shared their recovery and journey here to give you an idea of what you might experience and give you an idea of what you might experience. All the best.

Hi guys, I've been very up and down with my emotions on this journey I have taken only 6 weeks ago. I am struggling mentally with intrusive food thoughts and I am coming to terms with just how serious a problem I had around food and still do, its early days. I know many of you have been through the same struggles emotionally. I was just looking for your experiences to reassure me that I'm not alone in this and that things will get better. I don't regret having the sleeve because I am feeling so much better health wise, I'm just struggling! I don't eat or crave junk food anymore, I just miss eating and my mind is telling me I'm hungry when I know I'm not! Thank you for hearing me out again! x

You ready for a long story? 😎 My exercise history is definitely one of extremes. I was very athletic in High School (Secondary School). I played football (American), was on the swim team, and ran track and cross country (not all of those every year). Afterward I spent time in the US Army where running was the norm, so I ran quite a bit. My recollection is that I was running roughly 30 miles a week at that time, so actually a lot more than the minimum required. Unfortunately I was badly injured while I was in the service and was barely able to even walk for a long, long time. Once I mostly recovered from that, I got heavily into powerlifting for almost a decade. I had convinced myself that due to bad knees I shouldn't run anymore, so instead i just focused on the strength training as well as a tiny bit of cardio on the elliptical. Unfortunately, I tore up my back in a workplace accident, so from that point on, no more heavy lifting for me. This was really the beginning of my descent into inactivity and severe weight gain. The heavier I got, the less I was able to even move, until using a cane or walker had become the norm. In addition, during this time I ended up having multiple surgeries, including 5 different shoulder surgeries, multiple knee surgeries culminating in a total knee replacement, and even open heart surgery for a bad heart valve. Fast forward a lot and about 9 months after my bypass surgery, I was walking and backpacking pretty consistently. A bit like you, I decided mostly on a on a whim to just try jogging a bit. It was more to see if I could even do it than anything else. You have to understand with my health history, lots of my doctors would say I shouldn't run. I say I'm going to do whatever I need to do to keep myself healthy because I suspect at some point, I'll need both a revision to the knee replacement and a new heart valve. My ability to survive those surgeries at an advanced age is going to be highly dependent on my overall health. Anyway, back to running. I was so shocked at how well and relatively pain-free the running went, that I decided to start training for a 5k. From there it's just snowballed and I've now done around 20 or so different races between 5ks, 10ks and Half Marathons. I'm not super fast (I am 60 afterall), but I am still pretty competitive in my local races, at least for my age. I'm also lucky that I'm now retired. This means I have the time to train appropriately. I typically run 4 to 5 days a week and average between 25 and 35 miles a week. I'll probably ramp that up in 2025 because I'm targeting a fall marathon and I'd like to be around 50-60 miles a week at peak fitness before the race. At this point running is my passion, but I do still strength train twice a week to keep what strength I do still have. As an aside, I'm strongly considering becoming a Certified Personal Trainer. Not really because I needed the knowledge, or because I expect to work in the industry (I am happily retired after all). My real goal is to help others where I can on their journey to fitness. I feel I can better relate to those that are struggling than a lot of CPTs that have always been fit. I also at least want those I work with to know I do have some knowledge of the subject (even though I've frankly probably forgotten more about training than a lot of CPTs even know). I'm really glad you're going to keep after it. You might surprise yourself in terms of what your capable of!

Oh wow! Thank you for sharing! I love seeing before and after pics because I'm 6 weeks post-surgery and I want more results and feel impatient but I know it takes time. I'm down almost 30 lbs since beginning pre-op liquids. So you give me hope that I can get there too. I know you feel so much better! That's what I want. More energy and less pain. My rt hip gives me trouble so less weight will help. Hopefully! Well congrats again! You are inspiring me today!! 😍

Find something you enjoy doing. While I have been a gym rat forever, I always take up things that I look forward to and it has to always be sustainable for me. So some years ago I took up tennis and would go twice a week, I also took up Taekwondo, martial arts and now Pilates. My two Pilates classes a week are the highlights of my week, I look forward to them and I shop cute workout outfits weekly because I like to look good when I go. It is much easier to build on the workouts (movement) you enjoy, so if you enjoy a certain activity (swimming, cycling, tennis, padel, Pilates, yoga, hiking, dancing, whatever it is) you will always feel a bit more motivated to build on that. So for me, I go for Pilates twice a week and I lift and do strength and conditioning another 3 days a week to add to my classes. I love jogging, HIIT and plyos and do that for my cardio, but even brisk walking is really really good to maintain weight loss. Keep it simple. Also, I find it much draining to workout after work, so I workout at 5:30 AM before work (except for my Pilates classes because my studio doesn't run classes that early), this allows me to get it out of the way and have my evenings free to do what I like (which is be with my kids, bake, chill). It also helps that I have a fully equipped gym at home that I have built. I always kept weights, a bench, jump rope and resistance band at my old house and would mostly workout at home early in the morning, if you can keep some weights, a walking pad and some resistance bands at home (if it is an option) do that, it works great for busy days or mornings where you don't have time/the will to go to the gym. This is what has worked for me. It has to be enjoyable and sustainable for you.

Omg lucky! What a fantastic score!!! We don't have thrift stores here 😭😭 We do however, have those budgeted stores which I visited but barely found anything nice. I got 2 shirts but were still abit tight on me which were like 3 USD each..

I read my post and it made me seem so negative. I’m definitely not trying to do that. This journey was the best decision I made. I was scrolling on my phone and I couldn’t find many pictures of the old me… I only took 1 before picture the day before I had the surgery. I was also hiding behind someone or only took upper body pictures . Then I look at recently, I have so much more pictures, taking selfies, and even full body pictures. So I am sharing here with my before and after. First 3 before and the rest after.

@julie. I think it’s weird that everyone’s pre op diet is so different. My nutritionist told me that it use to be all shakes before surgery but she asked the surgeon to include something chewy to help us not quit. I have to say it’s not simple. My surgeon is one of two drs at University of Miami hospital who does Bariatric surgery. He told me my husband could stay with me because the floor is his and he can specify a lot of things. I’ll be staying 2 nights because of distance and my age. Just liquid the day before surgery for me and two weeks after also. Then every 2 weeks the next step. I would love a slice pizza or a grilled cheese sandwich right now. It hasn’t even been a week yet:)

BariLife Just One multivitamin with iron - this is once a day multivitamin BariLife Bari Bursts calcium bites - 3 of these a day

first of all, most people who aren't the size of the folks on "My 600 lb Life" tend to lose somewhere in the 15-25 lb range the entire first MONTH. So at only two weeks out, you are way, way ahead of the game. secondly, you are starting out at a MUCH lower BMI than most WLS patients, and starting BMI is one of the factors that determines your rate of weight loss those first few weeks and months. So your rate of weight loss would be expected to be at the lower end. So again, esp given your low starting weight, you are way ahead of the game. third, you have likely hit the infamous "three-week stall". The vast majority of us have our first major stall within the first month or so after surgery. It's usually the third week, hence the name, but it can happen any time during that first month or so post-op. It usually lasts 1-3 weeks. I had mine during weeks 2 & 3. After it broke, I dropped like six or eight lbs practically overnight. so first, you need to manage your expectations. You are not going to lose like someone who starts out at over 600 lbs. But again, you are currently WAY ahead of most of us even "normal" WLS patients at this point. Secondly, the stall: you just have to ride it out. The only thing you can do is make sure you are following your plan to a "T", and stay off the scale. Stop weighing every day. Just weigh every few days or once a week until it breaks. And it WILL break as long as you're compliant with your plan. if you want more info on the three-week stall, do a search on this site for it. You will find over 17,000 posts on it. And no, I am NOT kidding.

Massive congrats on your progress so far! I remember your initial profile pic, and you can so tell you have lost in your face! It's funny as I am the same in that respect - seem to have visibly lost in my face first, and folks I haven't seen for a while (and don't know I've had WLS) ask me if I've done something to my face as its different (good different) haha. I totally agree with the new normal takes some time to get used to. I am at the 2 month mark now and still have to remind myself that I will lose more weight, albeit I have slowed now to about 2-3lbs per week, even with exercise everyday. RE the out of breath part, I was the same - would struggle to walk up an incline for 2 mins without being out of breath and sweaty, now I can do it no problem. Keep up the great work, I am sure the stall will move soon.

This is a new video Dr. Weiner (bariatric surgeon in Tucson) put out through his podcast this week. He is one of the best resources out there for reliable information on bariatric surgery and the science of weight loss. This 55-minute video is all the most up to date information to get you started with all the basic questions you might have (and if you want more in-depth information, he has hundreds of other videos that dive deeper). He talks about nutrition, exercise, surgery, and GLP-1 meds.

Bony joints are real. I had to learn to sleep with one hand between my knees because of that. Placed just below the knee as if it’s cupping the side of it otherwise my hand gets sore from the pressure of the bony knees. Or I sleep with the upper leg pushed forward so I’m on my side but more twisted over. I used to wake every 90 minutes because of pain & to reposition myself. I can go up to 3 hours on a good night now. Wait until you get pressure pain from that little bony knob on the side of your elbow though. The worst. Ouch!

So many awesome WIns this week ladies! My win for the week is keeping moisturized and hydrated. I will share this for neck, face, under eye! It is heaven! I love a good face routine. While loosing weight it's important to focus on our neck as it may start to droop! Well we have to focus on our entire bodies! So many changes!

Jamielogical thank you for your inspiring words of motivation I had the VSG about 3 years ago and regain weight to the point I was thinking there is no way to get it back off. After reading your story I have the motivation I needed to not give up the fight and reclaim myself.

i "co-wash" (wash hair with conditioner and rinse well) at every shower (then apply leave on conditioner after shower). i wash with volumizing shampoo maybe every 3-4 days. and i'll use clarifying shampoo maybe every 2-3 months (usually just before i henna my hair) this works for me as i have relatively healthy scalp and hair. someone with hair that leans oily may find extended co-washing makes their hair look limp and more oily. and someone with a flaky scalp may find the flake build up from not shampooing get kinda ick. in which case maybe shampoo more often?

Officially 5 months post-op today. Here are some progress photos of today compared to two months ago (I missed my 4-month photos because I was on vacation) and to my highest weight, which is almost a year ago. I've been basically stalled for the past 4 weeks with only 2 lbs lost and a lot of bouncing up and down. With vacation, my good habits have slipped a bit. It's too easy to take "just a bite" of this, and also that, and maybe a "taste" of something else... to the point that it adds up way more than I think in a day. And I'm not back in the routine I was in before with walking every day. I have an appointment with my dietician on Tuesday and am hoping to get back on track this week. I still want to lose 25-30lbs so I can't lose focus!

as everyone has alluded to above, the number on the scale is often not very indicative of your overall progress. i had a goal weight and goal BMI number. turns out neither were where i wanted nor ended being at. its weird because a certain weight number looks totally different on me at different times. at one point in my life 115 looked "fat" on me. 5 years ago it looked malnourished. then 3 years ago it looked awesome. these days (i'm 6+ years out), i go by how my clothes fit me (i.e, body measurements). so long as my clothes still hang well on me, i'm all good! when they start getting looser or tighter, then i'll make efforts to correct. so i guess i'm saying if your clothes start hanging looser on you, that is a better sign of your weight loss vs. the number on the scale. good luck! 😍

I am so sorry this has happened to you. Its a rare complication that I havent seeen on here before. I have a diabetic husband who heals ridiculously slow up to me. He had a leg ulcer that took 9 months to heal. I seem to heal over night. I am not squeemish but if I was in your shoes I would ask the nurse to change my dressings more often, so that I wouldn't need to. At least until you stop weaping. The surgery has your hormones all over the place anyway so that won't help your mood. Look at it for what it is, a small inconvenience. Keep your chin up and your reward will be that hopefully, your diabetis will be gone. Take your vitamins, sleep well and eat as well as you can considering you are only 6 weeks out, it will all help the healing process x

I can speak to minoxidil for eyebrows because I had almost no eyebrows left after years of thyroid issues and I started using it a few months ago on my brows and I'm slowly getting my eyebrows back! I also have some chronic thinning hair issues on the top and a patch at the back of my head. With the surgery hair loss, it's gotten so much worse that I wear a hat all the time. I decided to go ahead and use minoxidil for that, too. I'm okay with having to use it every day forever since I know it was not great pre-surgery, anyway, so it's something I might as well address now. I'm at almost 10 months post-op and the hair loss has completely stopped and the new growth is visible. If I had been pleased with my hair thickness pre-surgery, I would have just waited it out without using anything. My guess is by summertime it will look a lot better. In the meantime, hats and big headbands are my go-to. For reference, I use a 5% foam on my brows (Rogaine brand) and a 5% liquid spray on my head (If you are in USA, the brand is Dabida and I buy it on Amazon in a 3-bottle pack for about $40). One container of foam will last at least 6 months or more since I use the tiniest bit on the brows. The spray is 60mL per bottle and I use 4 sprays daily, which is supposed to be equal to 1 mL, so a 3-pack should last about 6 months. You could use the liquid on brows but the foam is easier to manage. I put it on brows and head at night before bed. It does seem to dry my hair a bit, so I bought a really good hair masque to use weekly for deep conditioning.

My surgeon said no to caffeine. Two reasons were Gerd and Barretts. It would increase the stomach acid. I love coffee and drank coffee until the day before surgery. Almost 2 weeks post-up and I have not had any coffee. It was a bit difficult, but I don't seem too bad. I had started incorporating more water for months before my surgery and changed my coffee habit by mostly only drinking at work. That seems to help.

I get that, I said that for about two weeks and amazingly I turned the corner a few days ago. Yes, I'm still hungry but I am forcing my self to drink more protein drinks (cafe mocha) in-between meals and lots more water. I found both has helped me considerably and I am used to getting hungry so it's not as bad now. How are you feeling now?