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like someone above, I was also diagnosed with mild sleep apnea during my pre-surgery sleep study. The technician (or whoever it was who called me with the results) suggested that I get a CPAP machine, but when I mentioned it to the PA at my bariatric center, he said it was up to me, but it was pretty likely the sleep apnea would be gone after I'd lost about 20 lbs or so. I didn't have a repeat study after losing the first 20 lbs, but I was in a research study a few months post-surgery that involved three sleep studies (they were studying brain waves), and the pulmonologist who ran one of the studies told me I did not have sleep apnea. So yea - my weight loss "cured" it.

Got my results from the colonoscopy. What they removed was 2 adenomas. 1 medium and 1 large. Stage 1 cancer. No further treatment needed since there was no chance for it to spread since it was caught and removed so early. Need to be watched closely with more frequent colonoscopies to make sure it doesn't come back. I also have to have a small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) test done in the next week or so. All my stomach polyps came back pre-cancerous but benign. Now I have to have a large uterine fibroid removed and tested and see a colorectal specialist for 2 other...things...removed. Then another endoscopy to check my stomach to see if polyps have come back. After that, if none have, I should be cleared for the revision. If they have, then I need to have them removed and tested and see what's next. So I still have AT LEAST another 3 months of this crap before I can even remotely look at the revision. And that's still a huge maybe at this point. My weight loss has completely stopped, I can barely work out (I can only do 30-45 min tow to three times per week instead of 1 1/2 - 2 hours 5 days per week...no weights, no core or strength training...just the treadmill if I go easy and the bike), and my diet is a mess because I still (even on 80mg of Nexium per day) get break through GERD and excruciating pain in my colon area that we're still investigating, so I can kinda sorta stick to my diet, but on really bad days I eat whatever will stay down and not hurt (like mashed potatoes, beans, bread, etc). I try to be religious with my diet when I'm having good or even ok days. But I'm literally about to lose my mind over here. I just want the GERD and polyps to STOP. I want the pain to stop. I want to get back on my diet PROPERLY. I want to really work out again. I miss my life the way it was before. Fun times over here, lemme tell ya.... 😵‍🙄

im just about to look into posting my story and update my surgery details but could not do so easily and without not first attempting to seek any help I can before I literally lose the plot! I am now coming upto 13 weeks post mini gastric bypass. (Tuesday) on Valentines Day I underwent the surgeons scalpels I paid privately after the usual circumstances of hitting rock bottom and saying quite literally… ENOUGH! Money is not plentiful and I used my small inheritance from my late father. Lucky, I was able to do so. I live near Manchester in the UK and am seeing my surgeon next Wednesday after discussing my symptoms with the dietician. but… I’m struggling. I have zero support network with experience. A loving family yes but no one I feel can validate or reassure me. I have medical study experience but not enough experience or knowledge to explain my symptoms away. my most recent message I’m still awaiting reply to from my surgeons medical secretary as follows:- Hi (name removed for anonymity) Did you receive my message yesterday please? I spoke to the Dieticians yesterday too and they’ve arranged a consultation with surgeon to discuss further issues. Next Wednesday. I am hoping to attend in person but currently struggling with flu type symptoms. I don’t have other people who have had bariatric surgery to speak to who could be a support network or provide support. Do you know if there is a professional forum, overseen contact group or other network or other supportive services? I don’t feel I am having a good recovery and feel I am struggling. Plus, I feel I am that poorly now perhaps I was dismissed too readily or swiftly in my previous contacts. I am losing weight much much faster than all my peers I read. I’ve lost over 4 stones in just 13 weeks. Far too fast and I’m drained, lethargic, can barely hold my head up (albeit have flu too) but in May too! Not normally a fluey month as the norm?? Infact, I microsecond passed out yesterday and cracked my head on our bathroom sink - simply due to standing up from the loo! I do not have a supportive GP or GP surgery and am currently in the process of changing surgeries now BUT am writing to them and conducting a private appointment firstly as I do not trust full follow through handover transparency. My surgery requires professional evidence or correspondence of everything to even follow up. For example, they have borderline eGFR results and two scans showing kidney stone and cyst in situ YET won’t conduct further tests or refer until surgeon sends a letter too! It’s absurd! it’s the main reason I paid to get this surgery completed to try to be well and improve my life and stay away from GP Doctors who possibly practiced nothing more than general medicine for 5 years! I’m constantly having to contact you directly, but seem dismissed by quotes of it’s week 4, or week 6, or only week 8 or now it’s only week 16, go back to Soups and fluids, try a quarter of an egg instead of a full Egg. I’ve gone back to fluids only 3 times now! When then can I tolerate real food? Something I can use my teeth with would be nice now? I cant eat any meat barely at all now, (not even minced), swallowing gets more difficult, indigestion, heartburn is agony, my nails are like paper, my periods have disappeared completely albeit this could be normal as I’m 10 years post menopausal, my face is gray and sallowed. I look like death. I’ve just returned back from holiday but spent 5 days in bed due to tummy pain, bowel problems, agonising indigestion, feeling unwell. I also take 3 x baricol chewables a day, a Multivitamin tablet and a calcichew a day. I’ve read everything I can find, researched this surgery for 6 months prior to having it, watched videos on YouTube, nothing seems to validate or reassure me. I studied medicine myself for 2 years albeit I know this is extra bit of knowledge of human anatomy and practice, I certainly do not have the knowledge to explain my symptoms away. I know this is not psychological as I cannot tolerate warm, cold, mashed, puréed, anything I’ve been told to try and going back a step to try again. When then am I to carry on until? Perhaps until I pass out again or end up in A&E on a drip? I cant get anything down me. If I do manage one meal a day, it’s a quarter of a starter portion and I’ll nearly always vomit it back up or experience the pain in my tummy or severely painful heartburn or severely offensive and debilitating flatulence. How long until I can eat? How long until I can drink plentiful fluids without issues? Ie. More than 500 ml in a 24 hour period? How long until I feel well? How long until I can eat what my family eats albeit in a starter portion? A healthy clean hearty non processed meal! How long until I look and feel well? How long until I can eat without severely offensive flatulence? It’s disgusting and far too painful to keep inside or even attempt to get to a more private location! Once it’s there, it’s impossible to hide and I don’t feel confident even in taking my children to school! How long will my stools be pale yellow or grey? How long will this horrendous pain in my tummy last? Because it’s interfering with my daily life now too. I’m now buying omaprezol over the counter. Lamazeprol isn’t available over the counter like I was advised yesterday. How long until I can sleep a full Night without being woken by agonising heartburn or stomach pain? These are the questions I’d like to ask a support network rather than mither yourself, to then mither surgeon to then mither dieticians or worse my GP. I’m getting very frustrated now, mainly through a lack of support I think. I don’t like to join public forums or online networks normally but I don’t feel I can get the answers of validation or reassurance currently. Yet, I’ve paid over £12000 for the surgery and 2 years post surgery support. Where is the support please? Once I receive your reply I’ll Know whether to mention the letter requirements in my appointment too. I am so sorry I have to keep contacting you, mithering surgeon but I’m getting frustrated and upset now. I want to be well not worse. Plus, the more issues, symptoms I have the more neurotic I feel, yet I have nowhere else to ask. Regards So after reading this I hope you or anyone could offer some guidance or insight. simply put I am also at my wits end and do not want to regret this life changing surgery but I’m beginning to do so with intent and massive frustration. looking forward to any replies. I have copied and pasted this from my post yesterday. I don’t know what further info you’d like but am willing to explain absolutely anything if it will help you to support / advise. I can say today is a better day - I’m not well by any comparison and sleep deprivation is definitely affecting my cognitive function BUT I have managed one full bladder toilet trip and eaten twice today. Two rice cakes with 3 cheese dress and some pickled tiny chopped shallots. tiny fresh plum tomatoes with 3 x tender soft grilled bacon medalions on a slightly toasted Oatcake. all chewed three times (within an inch if their life) and each meal takes an average of an hour to eat and get down me. tummy pain 6 / 10 which is absolutely amazing in comparison to norm. nausea in situ but no vomiting today. a normal opening of bowels with the exception of colour as above. wind still offensive embarrassing but not as repetitive. 2 small cups of tea. 200ml sugar free cordial.

39.5 lbs in three months is failing? Ah...no. That's actually pretty average, unless you're the size of someone on "My 600 lb Life". I was about there at that point, and I started off much heavier than you. stick to your plan and stay off the scale for a few days. As long as you stick to your plan, the stall will eventually break and you'll be on your way again. This is all VERY normal.

LindsayT firstly yes I’d absolutely adore you as a friend, I need one with absolute desperation. I feel very vulnerable and alone currently so without sounding a complete desperate loopiloo yes please. (Big arms outstretched never letting go) catlady0626 - thank you so so much for replying. Yes I have fever including occasional rigours and cold parameters intermediate. Paracetamol added to my daily medicines which does seem to calm. I do have flu like symptoms to accompany and just arrived back from holiday on an aeroplane though so have not made any connection to twists tears or similar. It’s actually crossed my mind I have herniated more prolifically at my umbilical and perhaps developed a hiatal in honesty. But don’t want to sound neurotic. summerseeker - your reply is so helpful and makes a lot of sense to reassure. I cannot tell you thank you in words to warrant how grateful I am for your reply. The ‘posterise hypertension’ I am struggling with is horrendous and must be BP but I’m not a fainter. It was the icing on the cake so to speak yesterday that started my panic. I knew all this I was struggling with was not normal but seemed to be dismissed on every contact by my care team. Therefore, I’ve waited and listened and tried 6 further contacts but began to feel I was either being neurotic or impatient or a time waster. However, reading your reply and everyone I’m replying to now had made me realise - I am not right and I need to act. Janetdekker - thank you thank you to you for replying. I’d love to get probiotics down me but I am barely able to swallow some days. It’s so hard getting anything down me or should I say to even stay down at the moment. I seem to have a day or two in say 10 days I get some foods down and I think I’m through the worst but then regress back to start. But I’ll buy some probiotic yoghurt drinks and see if I can keep these down to see if they help. It’s infuriating and so frustrating. I can’t thank you enough for taking your time to reply to me. to update further information that may help any further advice, thought share that I dearly appreciate. ive actually counted the week number today and I’ll be 13 weeks post-op on Tuesday next week. (Feels a lot longer) ive lost over 4 stones in this time frame and I’m so weak currently. I kid you not, I feel breathless making a cup of tea. I feel worse than when I endured pre-eclampsia and emergency section with my son. I felt I may die at that time but it’s feeling more similar as each day passes. Im utterly exhausted / spent. im 46 years old, 3 children and am 5 ft 9 inches. Weighed 21 stone 4.5lbs on Friday 10th February and now weigh 17 stone 3lbs. I feel The weight loss is much too fast as I cannot get enough protein or nutrition into my body. The loose skin and muscle deterioration seems quite extensive (I feel very soggy all over of this makes any sense) but admit my worrying in my current situation has me feeling quite neurotic so I’m trying to prioritise my worries to keep sane! today, I have managed to get 4 small strawberries down (chewed to a purée before attempting to swallow) with around 12 bites of clean spaghetti bolognese (meat removed and chopped into pieces no larger than rice and each mouthful chewed three times) and 300ml of fluid and a small cup of tea today. However, I’ve been in bed all day with tummy pain, vomited and other end loo trips within 20 minutes of eating. No full bladder urination. Swallowing is difficult and eating the strawberries took 20 minutes. The 12 bites of spaghetti Bol took an hour to get down me. I tried a smooth yogurt prior to bed but have just been woken up by tummy cramping / vomited it back up and checked my messages to see all your kind and helpful replies. I take lansaprozol time- delay tablets x 2. 3 x baricol chewables, calcichew x 1 and have just added 12000 mm/mg tablet of biotin today. If my nails get any thinner I’ll have none covering my fingers and my hair loss is devastating! 1-3 ciclixine / odansetron a day for sickness and nausea too. I can’t go a day without at least one a day but they do come with the side effect of drowsiness so they make me literally zonk. I don’t like this so much but it’s helped me gain a few hours sleep I guess as a positive. is there any other infirbation I can provide that may help with any of your thoughts / ideas / advice / suggestions? Obviously I’m new and am unsure of what further info will help you to support me. I can’t thank you enough for your replies and I’m so sorry if I sound like some neurotic banshee in a state of panic. I honestly don’t know what thoughts I trust in myself at the moment. I just feel so very poorly. thank you again for any wisdom. 💕💕💕

I completely understand that. That’s why I’ve gone down to protein shakes, tuna salad, egg salad etc. mainly I have three shakes a day and pushing the water. I’m almost back to my lap band weight. I’m so afraid of not making the weight I need to get the surgery. You got this. It’s a journey.

Hi- im 5’2’’ and started at 195. I lost 12lbs in the three weeks I had to surgery, then went into surgery at 183.6. I am currently 8 weeks and 3 days, and weigh 155.6 today. I agree- it will come and I’d prefer to lose more slowly so my skin has some chance of recovering too- even though i know that is a bit of a pipe dream. I try to keep in mind this is not a magic wand, it comes down to my choices with this tool I’ve acquired. I am still only eating 2-3 oz at a time, 2-3 small “meals” a day and a protein shake to make sure i hit my protein goals. Im hitting fluid goals at about 68-70oz fluid, so still working on that too. Also, I think my body has some memory of these weights, and I tend to get “hung” around some that i stayed at before- ie, 165, current one 155, and coming up 145… so expecting some resistance on these numbers- and more slowly as i get closer to goal. I do FEEL tons better though- less joint pain and tiredness, so that is a WIN! For me, the numbers on the scale mean less that how I feel- so im enjoying it!

I had my surgery on January 25th, 2023, Im 5"1 and I weighed 210 lbs. Today I weigh 157 lbs. So it's almost been a little over three months and I feel better but still have some issues when it comes to eating. Some days I cannot eat a bite and on others, I can eat a small meal without difficulty. I am happy with my decision to make this lifestyle change overall.

it's the three-week stall - right on time! stick to your plan, stay off the scale, and it'll break. Does every time...

ditto on three months (at least for me!). I didn't lose that much, though - no one else would have noticed. As Arabesque said, the most you can do is keep on top of your protein and supplements.

Three months is pretty common & that’s regardless of taking additional vitamins or supplements or not (save your money on those - they may only benefit your new growth). Of course for some it’s a little longer & others a little less. Just make sure you’re meeting or very close to your protein goals. Most of the accelerated hair loss is down your body’s reaction to the surgery, anaesthetic, hormonal fluctuations, stress, etc. Remember, your new hair hair is still growing at it’s usual rate. In a few months you may start to see the little fluffy bits of your new hair growth. Many of us cut our hair shorter. Shorter hair looks fuller & bouncier than long & it will take less time for your new hair growth to grow to reach your shorter length hair. You can always grow it again. If your hair loss is significant or noticeable try wigs or hair pieces or once the hair loss has slowed/stopped maybe look at hair extensions.

I understand your frustration. When I was about one week post op, I hit my first stall. ONE WEEK! I only had water, some broth and that’s it. So why the heck wasn’t I losing weight?? To make matters worse, my hubby, who ate take out twice that week, lost three pounds. WHAT!? I was totally insulted… and I started to think it was my body again. Always trying to keep me fat. Years of struggle and here I am eating 400 cals a day and not losing anything?? One week later, a small movement. But every time I changed food stages, another stall. That was four stalls in six weeks. Very frustrating. I knew my BMR was 1400, so staying around 600-800 calories with high protein and low carb would HAVE to work. It’s not the program as much as it is the science. a couple things I’ve noticed… 1. If I’m sick or have an allergy episode, I will stall or even gain 2. if I drink Gatorade or artificial sweeteners of any kind, I will stall 3. if I don’t have regular daily bowel movements, I will stall. This one is so hard to deal with. 4. If I don’t get enough sleep, I will stall. 5. When I started eating higher protein than recommended (90 recommended, I have 110), I will lose. Even if the carbs go up slightly. 6. If I eat too many processed foods in a day, like protein bars, drinks or snacks, I will stall. 7. If I don’t get enough pure water, I will stall. You might have some sensitivities like these or others…. Really examen what you’re taking in, not just the calories and fat. It’s a puzzle you gotta figure out for yourself. It’s hard work. But I believe you can do it. Just vent and get back in there! 😃

you've probably hit the infamous "three week stall" (most people have this early stall. It's usually the third week after surgery, hence the name, but it can happen any time within the first six weeks or so). Mine was weeks 2 and 3. Just stick to your plan, stay off the scale, and know that it'll break and you'll be on your way again. No need to do anything different.

Thank you for the insight! Hero brand specifically caters to it being a protein/fiber ‘bread’ with no carbs - so in theory it would contain more vital nutrients (for a wls patient) in one tortilla wrap than in an entire head of cauliflower and doesn’t contain sugar like cauliflower. I think the intrigue of that fact actually lures me! I know it’s processed so that’s where I get nervous. To your point, I have noticed the ‘heaviness’ of foods affects me. Things that are more dense seem to make me nauseated and things that are light like sautéed veggies and lean proteins sit really well with me! I knew going into this I’d have to give up a lot and so far the only thing I miss is bread/tortillas/pastas. But I’d rather have health than have those things. So seeing a ‘bread’ with protein and no carbs makes me very excited. One day I’ll be able to try it, but at only three weeks in, still letting my little tummy heal. PS. Saw your birthday is July 21 - I’m July 20!!!!

Thanks for your feedback! 28,000 calories in just three days is insane even for the old me haha

Funny you mention this @MandoGetsSleeved. Almost 4 years out & I experience odd things too. Like, the last couple of days, I’ve been having prawns for lunch. Now I often eat prawns for lunch but this time my restriction kicked in every time before I ate the number of prawns I’d usually eat. The pack of green prawns I bought was always two meals for me no problems. This time I got three meals out of it. I don’t rely on my restriction to signal to stop eating so this was strange. Plus I almost got the foamies yesterday. Don’t know why. Just an idiosyncrasy of my sleeve I think.

I've known of several WLS people on the east coast who went to Dr. Capella in New Jersey (that is, if you're willing to travel - some people are, some aren't). All he does is body contouring for massive weight loss patients, and his prices are supposedly pretty reasonable for the New York area. I don't know what they're running now, though. https://www.capellaplasticsurgery.net/post-weight-loss-surgery/ (I actually traveled for mine - to Chicago - about two hours away - but I know people who've flown places to work with a nationally-known plastic surgeon (and Dr. Capella is one)). Also on the east coast who's nationally known is Dr. Joseph Michaels in the DC area (I think he's affiliated with Johns Hopkins University). But again, that'd mean traveling, of course, I've known several WLS patients who've gone to him https://www.josephmichaelsmd.com/ a lot of these really well-known surgeons will do consults over the phone (you'd have to send them pictures so they know what they'd be dealing with) - not sure about these two, but I'm guessing they do). Also, most plastic surgeons will charge you for a consult - maybe $100 or so - but they take that off your surgery if you go with them. I had three in Chicago and one from a surgeon in Mexico - the Chicago ones all charged for the consult, but I felt is was money well spent.

it was the pickles. Yes - sodium makes some people retain water like crazy. Plus there is no way you'd gain 3.7 kg of real weight in three days. To do that, you would have to eat 28,000 more calories than your body needs in those three days. So yea, no. It's just water.

I hear stories about dehydration fairly often (so try to keep up on your fluids if at all possible!!) - but not stories about not being able to stand. It's a bit painful getting in and out of bed - but once you're up - or down - you're fine. It really wasn't a problem for me. As far as someone staying home with you, my husband took a week off but ended up going back to work after two or three days - i just didn't need him here. It was nice to have someone bring me beverages and stuff, but it really wasn't necessary. I should add, though, that I didn't have hernia surgery - just the gastric bypass - so hopefully someone who had both will respond.

Hi everyone, nice to meet you all! I’ve just started my WLS journey and have so many questions. I’ve been researching things day and night. So far I’ve had my intake appointment, set up an appointment for a bariatric psych eval, made an appointment for an upper GI series, set up three of six requires nutrition appointments all of which are one month apart, and my first appointment with the surgeon will be 8/1. In your process, what came next for you? About how long between your initial consult and surgery? Any input is sure appreciated.

where did you hear that the average is 5-15 lbs a week? NO ONE loses that fast. Maybe 5 lbs a week the first MONTH (and it wouldn't be five lbs each and every week - most of us experience the dreaded "three week stall" - but a 15-25 lb loss the first month seems to be pretty average, unless you're the size of someone on "My 600 lb Life". After that drop the first month, you'll settle to into a slower rate for a few months, maybe 10 lbs a month, give or take, for the next few months - and then it'll slow even further. so I don't know where you heard that figure, but it's not accurate. You need to adjust your expectations or you're going to be frustrated and disappointed. As long as you comply with your clinic's plan, the weight will come off. Don't stress over this and more importantly, don't burn yourself out - you don't want to crash and burn. Just follow the plan. Depending on your starting point, it can take a year or more to get to goal - it took me 20 months. You want to jeopardize your health.

Is there a day when the pain should begin to get better. I'm three days post-op after a gastric sleeve on Monday and the burning pain across my left quadrant seems worse now than before they let me go home Tuesday?

I’m three weeks post op from Gastric Sleeve. Only my husband and older kids know I’ve had the op. I’m a very private person and don’t like talking about myself or drawing attention to myself. I’ve been on annual leave since the op and go back to work next week. Unfortunately, I work with 200 mostly females and there will be a fair few who won’t be able to stop themselves asking me how I lost weight (12 kgs down so far) and I know this because 5 years ago I lost 20 kgs and they did the same… not sure how I will handle the questions this time and honestly I feel really nervous going back because of it.

Hello guys, It's my 20th day post gastric sleeve and I am still struggling with the incision pain, especially around my biggest incision. It's been difficult for me ever since the surgery with little to no improvement, but this week I came back to work (sedentary office job) and it's getting absolutely ridiculous. I can't bend over, I can't sleep on either of my sides, getting dressed in the morning takes three times longer than it should. If I move just right, the pain gets so big it makes me want to scream. I had a GP appointment a few days ago and she said everything looks to be in order. Didn't diagnose any incisional hernias or other stuff. My appointment with my operating team is scheduled for 19th of May and there is nothing I can do to schedule it sooner. I guess what frustrates me the most is of course the pain, as well as no visible improvement in the last week or two. Did anyone of you struggle with incision/scar tissue pain for such a long time? Do you have any tips on how to manage the pain/burning/tugging sensation? I appreciate any help/assistance!

The first three months are key. Many people lose 50% (or more) of their eventual total during the first three months. Take full advantage of this "honeymoon" period by strictly adhering to your diet. The weight drops off quickly during the first three months and then slows progressively each month following. You get one "honeymoon" period, and that's it.