Search the Community

Hi Connor I meet with my surgeon on March 3 to decide bypass or sleeve I'm hoping for sleeve but not sure. How bout you? Where are you sitting at this point? Where are you from? April is so close! Hopefully you can get it done in April. At my rate it looks like I maybe a July or August surgery. Sometime this week my coordinator is supposed to call with my appt dates. I'm getting very impatient lol. I started all this back in December. But had to wait for seminar which wasn't until late January. I have UPMC luckily with that insurance I just have to do a 6 month supervised diet, NUT/support group classes each month. (Due to a high BMI) Along with physic eval, labs, ABG pulmonary test, upper GI X-ray, and endoscope. My coordinator said she can get three of the tests scheduled and done in one day! Which is great... I also have to lose 5-10% weight in these 6 months What's the update with you?!? How are things going?

Seems like you have it all under control and are well in your way. Sad you had to wait for a seminar. Why couldn't you still start without the class? I too had to do all this. And yes a lot can be done all at once. Drink lots of water. That will help with hunger for your 5-10% loss. Time will go fast!

Hey guys, I go in and meet with my surgeon again on March 31 for my pre-op appointment. On April 4 I will begin my 10 day liquid diet, and the surgery is scheduled for April 14. I know that, with time, I will have this, and other, questions answered by my surgical team. However, at this point, a million things are going through my mind. My main question is, how much time did you guys take off of work? At one of the surgery meetings I had at the bariatric center, we were told that it would require 2 - 3 weeks off of work but for more sedentary positions (such as my job) it is possible to return to work after as little as one week but it all depends on the surgeon and his decision. I know that everyone's post op experiences are different so that also plays a role. My surgery falls on a Thursday and, when I requesting time off, I told my boss that I would plan to be back sometime during the middle of the following week but it could change, and if it did I would let them know. So, the question is, how long did you guys have to take off, especially those of you with desk jobs? Thanks for the input!

In my opinion, there is no conflict at all. I really believe we should love ourselves at all sizes and ages etc. If you don't, you will never find self love even when you are "thin". Self love runs very deep... or not... and you would be amazed at the number of normal weight, attractive women who lack this. Once you ahve lost weight, you may have excess skin. I am astounded by the numbers of people who seem to despise themselves over that issue. It has been my observation that if there isn't at least some level of self love and acceptance, they are still unhappy after plastic surgery. love yourself, but make the best decisions to live a high quality life - it was increasingly difficult to live that high quality life the heavier and older I got. People tell me I look 10-15 years younger since losing weight and I feel about 20-25 years younger. Just do it - get healthy - there is no conflict.

I had band to sleeve revision May 28. I love my sleeve. It is so different than the band. I wish I had done this years ago. My band slipped MAy 2014 they removed all the saline and I gained back 87 lbs of the 100 that I had lost with the band. I am 4 weeks post op today with the sleeve and I have lost 19 lbs. I think it's going to be a slow steady losing pace but I am also learning good eating habits along the way. I also am 50.

This was my main concern pre-op and I can say that 10 weeks out - it is not gone, but it is much less! Much, much less! I don't eat anything that has a lot of sugar. It is the one thing I avoid post-op like the plague. Carbs - I'll try. Fat - I'll try. But sugar I keep at a distance because I too was a severe sugar addict! One good thing about detoxing off sugar is eventually your body rejects it. My dad brought home a Protein shake that is different than my usual. It had 44g of sugar instead of 6g my normal one has. I drank half of it and felt like shit. That was about 1 month post-op. So eventually your body does say "Keep that shit away from me". Cravings... my cravings have really shifted have sugar to salty post-op. I do crave sweet things occasionally but I keep them out of sight, out of mind. I used to be a person who would have a brief thought of McDonalds and then be in my car at 1am getting 10pc mcnuggets, large vanilla shake, 3 choc Cookies, a mcchicken, and some cheese sticks! Now I can turn down ice cream when people offer me! So much more willpower after surgery!!! I don't know if I will ever have my trigger foods again... it is something I've discussed with my therapist/addiction specialist and she told me that one day I will learn that I can have a treat and trust myself to not go overboard. I don't have that trust yet... but each and every day it builds more. On the same note, our post-op diet is a forever diet. I don't eat perfectly... but no one does all the time. I eat well 90% of the time and 10% of the time I'll have some kind of snack. And I will also add that post-op it is easier for me to get back on track, saying no to food is not a problem anymore. I don't feel powerless to sugar anymore! And it's an amazing feeling!

Has anyone else used the kitchenaid spiralizer? I saw the posts about the zoodles, which prompted the search for a spiralizer. I tried one of the plastic cheapy ones with little success. I have a kitchenaid, but not sure about the $100 price tag. HW 385 SW 359 Sleeved 10/5/16

I had to go to an urgent care center about 1 week before my surgery on 10/3/16 and found out I had gout. The doctor there actually tried to talk me out of the surgery. He congratulated me on my current loss of 30 pounds but told me because I am in a commuter relationship and happy and very healthy looking I should not have it. When I told him it my choice to,have the surgery as a tool for healthy weight maintenance he backed off and was happy for my resolve. Sometimes I think,they try to test how willing you are to stick to the change and use your tool. Sent from my VS980 4G using the BariatricPal App

Hi Philip, Congratulations on your surgery and 19 pounds down! I'm excited for all the positive things coming your way. I bet you can't wait for your next food progression. take care of yourself. I hope you bounce back from surgery quickly. Jenn

I am in my 4th month of my 6 month diet. I have had 0 luck. I have lost and gained the SAME 4 POUNDS over and over its so frustrating I have given up sweets, I have begun to drink even more water, (I don't drink sodas, so I gave up fruit juices and tea) I have increased my veggie intake and also my protein and STILL no luck. I am at my whits end. I even bought a treadmill for my house and I use it twice a week for 45 minutes each time (No, I'm not speed walking, but doing the slower longer pace) My killer vice is we eat out A LOT. So I have been trying to at least cook more, so I have more control of what goes in the foods.. but again.. SAME 4 POUNDS.. Sorry I am just so disappointed. Have you started eating smaller bites and going without water/liquid 30 minutes before and after a meal? I'm having trouble with that one but the time is getting better... I'm up to 10 minutes now where before I had to have something while I was eating. Good Luck!!

I was hungry on day 8 too and my NUT started me on soft foods at that point. My surgeon's plan moves to lean Protein and either zucchini, summer squash and green Beans on day 10-14 depending on how you are feeling. I'd ask your NUT.

That’s awesome! I’m in Concord now. HW: 311 CW: 262 SW: We’ll see on May 10!

Thanks for all the information. It is very helpful as I am trying to decide what to do. I think I am most rattled by the fact that (1) the proposed change in venue is so last minute and (2) one of the reasons I selected the doctor I did was because he does his surgeries at a hospital. I wanted an experienced, reputable doctor who performed surgeries in a hospital and I found one and I was very happy about that. Then it was all changing less than 24 hours before the surgery. My preference for a hospital is probably based on two things (1) no prior experience with surgeries, etc. and (2) when I researched doctors and locations, etc. I found quite a few who sounded like they just opened up shop in a strip mall and started doing surgeries. So that made me decide I wanted to be in a hospital. If anything goes wrong, or if anything unexpected occurs, I want to be in a place that is the best equipped (with machines, instruments and staff, physicians), etc. to handle whatever the emergent situation is. Also, having -0- medical background and -0- experience with any type of surgeries or hospital stays, I don't really understand (1) what it means that a doctor has a dispute with a hospital over patient care or (2) why that dispute means I can't have my surgery on 10/15, but can have it on 11/03. What type of dispute has a planned resolution set to occur two weeks out? Again, thank you for all the info. I haven't made a final decision on how to proceed, but I appreciate all comments and info!!

Total Scale Victory and Random Observations: I now have lost more than I weigh. I have lost 190 lbs. from my highest weight of 374. The first 50 was using Victoza for Type 2 diabetes. My bariatric program has my starting weight as 343. SW=325. CW=185. My program doesn’t give goal weights. For my own satisfaction, 174 would give me a normal BMI. I’d like to end about 170 knowing that some gain/loss is possible as things settle. I’m 5’10”. I have gone from a size 30/32 to a 14. I haven’t been this size since early high school. I look forward to doing things rather than dreading them. I’ve been off all diabetes meds since surgery. I am still using my CPAP although I’ve had the pressure lowered twice. I see the sleep program in December and we will re-evaluate then. I suspect I will still have a need for it. My cholesterol medication will be re-evaluated in December as well. My doctor thinks it likely I will remain on that med due to family history. That is the only medication I take other than my vitamins and supplements. I track in LoseIt. I track every bite, every day. It keeps me accountable to myself and I foresee it as something I will need to do forever. Today is the first time I ever exported my progress to a spreadsheet. On other groups, I see so many questions that ask how much someone has lost at a given point. I honestly never knew what I did. These are my totals lost from first to current month: 16, 19, 17, 15, 15, 18, 4, 9, 17, 10. I exceed my liquid goals every day and never tracked that after the first week. I’ve never had any trouble with liquids and I know roughly what I drink each day as I know what my mug holds. I also ran my macros for the first time. Since surgery, I’ve kept protein to 40-50% of my diet with fat and carbs 25-30%. I’m still at 800-1000 calories per day. My program has said that is relatively low at this point but as long as I am losing and not feeling hungry, it was fine. My hunger has not returned. I am grateful for that. I’ve tried to build successful habits that will serve me for the long haul. I’ve been walking since coming home from the hospital. I started at 5-10 minutes per day. Now, I try to walk 45-60 per day at a moderate pace. I use 5 lb. weights and do toning exercises for 10-15 min. most days. I’ve started seeing virtually a therapist recommended by my program. I don’t have a history of trauma or eating disorders but I didn’t get to my weight by having a healthy relationship with food. Plus, I was very moody and short-tempered following surgery. I feel great and have more energy than I have in years. But This. Is. Work. I’m ok with that and try to keep my focus on progress and health. I follow what my program suggests and make my own decisions within that framework. There is no short cut to this. There’s no pouch reset, fasting, diet pills and how soon can I eat at McDonalds. I ranted on here one time about hating the word “pouch.” I still do. I hate pouch reset even more. 🙄😫 I don’t believe in it. We don’t need to reset. We need to make the best decisions and choices we can without needing to be perfect. Sure, you lose weight with it, but it’s simply because you are going back to not taking in many calories….and most of us have been down that road before. I continue to absorb the wisdom I get here from those who have gone down this road before me or are on it now. I still hate shopping even though it is not as difficult as it once was. I’m still not sure who I see in the mirror and am uncomfortable with focus on my weight loss. I could eventually benefit from plastic surgery, but I don’t know if that will be in the cards. Enough for now……thanks for reading.

My stomach didn't like pills of any kind for the first 3 months, so I did liquid, gummy, or crunched up tablets. I was a bit more sensitive than the norm in most ways until I was fully recovered at the 6 month mark. Now I can take my supplements in pill or capsule form, no problem. Although, when taking a handful of my herbal supplements, even 3 years later, I have to do it over the course of 30 minutes to an hour, just because of the large amount of Water it takes to get 10-20 caps down.

I have been using it daily. I feel good and I am losing weight pretty steadily. I will be 10 weeks out tomorrow. I use it every morning in my 32oz of decaf tea. I get my Protein and my liquids. I don't feel hungry either. I think (and it is just MY opinion) that if it wasn't giving my body what it needed I would not feel as good as I do. I have energy and I sleep really well and wake up pretty good too. Once I'm awake I get up no more lying around for hours dozing. I use the GENEPRO every morning and I drink a RTD premiere Protein shake for lunch every day. I then usually do protein filled meal for dinner with my family. My doc said I can start adding veggies but once I eat my protein I am pretty full. And I listen to my bent been sick yet and I hope that continues!

I too gained almost nothing 5 months out and pregnant. This last pregnancy I gained 50 pounds and wanted to cry. WLS 6/12 Baby born 9/13 Baby born 10/15 She is 11 weeks. I have 30 pounds to go.

I had surgery on 9/19. I've lost about 30 lbs... But the last 3 weeks I have went up and down 2-3 lbs, not really losing any. I tried drinking more Water, adding more Protein and nothing seems to be working. I am so discouraged! I hate to have done this for nothing. Could something be messed up? Sent from my 5054N using the BariatricPal App

I know what you mean about losing 100# and trying to imagine what that would be like. I am a LOT farther out than you considering my band time as well as my sleeve time and I've lost 132#. I never thought this day would come. During weight loss it is exciting each time the scale goes down, but after you get to goal and have time to think about it it's different. You sit back and think, "WOW! I lost a person!" Hind sight is the eye opener with WLS, that is when you figure out all the stuff you learned while you were losing it but didn't realize you knew it. If I knew then, what I know now... things would have been easier in some ways and harder in some ways. I have a box of Velveeta cheese in my cupboard. One day after I lost about 20# I was at the store and I realized... I've lost **10** of those! That's a lot of Velveeta cheese. Today when I need to get back on track I look at that old, nasty, expired, gross cheese and realize.... I have lost 66 of those. Melt that and glue it to your hips! That's a lotta lotta lotta cheese. That box is probably freeze dried by now but I do not care. I will never throw it away. That was what kept me realizing just how much I was losing and today it's my icon. ;o) In my wildest dreams I never thought I would reach a point where I had over 100# to lose. When I finally looked at myself and realized I was pretty darn fat and it was time to do something about it I just got depressed and ate more. Today I look back and I think it was all worth it. I wouldn't want to regain but I'm glad I have this journey. I have learned more about myself than I ever would otherwise. I have skills and knowledge that I wouldn't have if I hadn't have lost all that weight. I think there is something about being a 100# plus - person. Meaning, those of us who have over 100# to lose. It's just different, the mindset, what we learn, what we experience. Hard to explain but it's different emotionally and physically. I'm not saying it's better or worse, it's different. I'm glad I got fat because I wouldn't have had the journey. Someday I will be the wise old lady down the street and all the little children are going to want to come to my house and hear my stories. I already have a ton of them! But it's a journey like this that will create that little old lady I'll become someday. Lisa, I see you as being exactly the same. I think you will be the cool old lady down the street that kids will love.

Yes, I had a sleeve done in Mexico 10 weeks ago. I'm fortunate that I didn't have post op depression, but I have had post partum depression, and it sucks. I actually found a homeopathic remedy that helped with that. It is called Depressequel, though I'm not sure how easy it is to find anymore. It is nasty drops that you put under the tongue. You aren't alone in this, and things WILL get better. Get out a piece of paper and pencil, and write down all the happy things you have done in your past, and all your hopes and dreams for the future. Focus your mind on the positive.

I've lost over 30 inches from my chest, stomach, biceps, thighs and calfs. I'm down to 246 pounds for a total loss of 66 pounds. I went to Goodwill today and bought a 17.5 shirt, a XL sweater and a pair of 32x30 Wrangler slim fit jeans! I can clearly recall being in southern California and looking for 33 pants. I would have been 9 or just turned 10 as we moved to Oregon a month after I turned 10. Sad but true... This fat man can kiss my saggy ass !

I just had the surgery on Dec 23rd and it says not to lift over 10-15 lbs for the first 6 weeks on mine. My port is up on my shoulder and not close to my abdomen. I have had no problems and it was much easier than i thought it would be. I have had no solid food for almost 4 days now and have not been hungry at all, even during Christmas dinner at my sisters.

Here I can help you feel I bit better about your "slow" losses. I was sleeve 10/1 and down 44lbs.......you have lost at a really great speed. Don't be too down about it.

My surgery is scheduled March 1st but I will be there from Feb. 28 - March 10 because I am having some dental work done as well. So I will see you there! Do you know which hotel you are staying at? I will be at the Lucerna. Can't wait to meet you there! Tracy

I think anyone having extreme pain say 7-10 days post op your incisions shouldn't bother you that much, however if you get the leaking syndrome that could cause a lot of pain. Maybe just get checked out Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App