Search the Community

I am hoping it is just hormonal or just normal lumps and bumps - but you just never know! I am glad that everything is okay so far - good that you got it checked! It is definitely harder to tell, like when my boobs were bigger nothing felt strange, but now they are saggier and smaller everything feels strange haha I feel that on the cold front!! I have also had this Christmas flu that has been going around and I have been unwell for the last 2 weeks so I just want it to budge before Xmas! I hope you get your wrapping done!

I need to get back on working out; I have been slacking. I'm doing okay food wise though so that's good. I just got my bloodwork done so I'm waiting to hear back on how all my levels are since surgery. I had my first cookie and first small glass of wine this week at a baby shower; it was nice to feel more normal again, but also not go crazy.

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!

I'm on day 3 of my pre-op liquid diet. My surgery date is the 30th. Three protein shakes a day, and I can blend fruit (apple and/or berries) with some protein powder for a smoothie and also non-starch veggies for pureed soup. No sugar, no carbs, no dairy. Thank goodness for my Magic Bullet and immersion blender! It's going okay so far. My cravings are all head hunger because the liquid diet is keeping me full. I'm also having doubts every day. I know I need to do this because whatever I lose, I will just gain back and then some. I've lost 60 lbs. over and over again for the last 15 years. I can never keep it off. So, this surgery isn't necessarily to help me lose as I know I can do that on my own, but to help me maintain loss and keep it off for good. There are so many things I love that I am looking forward to doing, things my weight has been preventing for most of my adult life. Shopping "normal" sizes, traveling, socializing, horseback riding. I just need to focus on my long-term goals.

I never stopped taking stool softeners twice a day since surgery and I'm over a year out. I was concerned to continue as I didn't want my body to become reliant on them but I was told softeners were not like a laxative and only brings more water into the intestines to keep things moving regularly and avoid constipation. With a laxative your body becomes dependent on them. Big difference. The last thing I want is to get constipated and have a weight stall because of it. I haven't had one day of constipation so there is no need to stop taking them. It will not harm you to do so.

New Week New Win! I say continued weight loss of about 2.5 pounds a week is a win being 5 months out it's still steady and that's good. I have until April which is my surgiversary to make it to goal weight I think I shall be there way ahead of time 👊🏅🏅

I had surgery on 12/2. I started my preop diet on 11/15. The entirety of the last 6 weeks has been nothing but just protein powder. Premixed protein drinks. Clear protein. I am to the point where I can actually no longer stomach any amount of protein drink. They have started making me nauseated. And a lot of it is that I have to take my time with them and I can't just down them quickly like I used to. So far I have tried: -All of the fairlifes. These used to be my absolute fav. So far, the regular nutrition plan 30g protein chocolate ones are the best, but hard for me to find, especially in bulk. The strawberry/strawberry banana ones and vanilla ones are way too sweet. -A lot of premier protein flavors are gross to me. They were gross before surgery and are extra gross now. Same with MuscleMilk brand. -I have unflavored Isopure that I put into a lot of things, and this is fine as long as someone else makes whatever I am drinking and doesn't tell me that they put protein powder in it. It's like I can immediately tell, which tells me this is mostly mental. -Dutch chocolate isopure powder. Okay, but still protein powder-ish. -Isopure clear drinks. So far these have been my favorites, but it's a lot of liquid for me to take in, 3x a day, especially when I'd just prefer plain ice water. -H2Protein: sometimes these are too sweet, sometimes they are okay. I just ordered some of the protein shots in hopes that maybe the 3oz size will make it easier to get my protein goals, which have been severely suffering these last two weeks. Any advice?

I take a medication that I've been taking for years and it's small enough that I was allowed to swallow that one whole at first. The medication the gave me for post-op care and nutrition were given to me in liquid form or I was to use the pill grinder that they sent me home with. The multivitamin they gave me was evil though. The only times I've thrown up post-op was those damn vitamins. They were huge liquid capsules that I was told I need to break open and swallow the fluid inside *shudders from the memories* until I was able to eat solid foods. After the first two times I threw up taking them, I called my surgical team and they told me it was ok to wait until I could swallow them. I tried again at 4 weeks and swallowed it whole and it was fine unless I swallow it on an empty stomach, which is tricky because all the pills at first felt like a meal in and of themselves. Once you have your surgery, your surgical team will be able to be more specific about what they recommend FOR YOU as everyone's mileage may vary. I was given three different recommendations in case, one wasn't available when I went to refill or what have you.

This sounds so frustrating. Could you track everything you eat, even for one week (on my fitness pal or similar) and get a handle on what you're actually taking in? Do be careful about drinking calories - so easy to do with sweet tea etc. Totally empty. I do that with alcohol sometimes 😟 NickelChip is absolutely right - it might be really helpful to eat more whole and freshly prepared foods. Protein first (it really honestly does fill your sleeve up), veg second and carbs (including coating on chicken, etc) a very long way behind.

Looks like Covid is getting us all! I hope you are both feeling better, and that this week is a better one. ❤️

Has anybody else seen weight gain after surgery? I’ve been a little lazy to count my macros or weigh myself daily, but I did today and noticed I’ve gained 3 pounds. It’s so weird.

Sorry I'm a bit sporadic here. I'm nearly two weeks post op (tomorrow is 2 weeks) and have no trouble at all drinking smoothies, Optifast shakes, tea, thin soup etc. In fact I'm a bit worried because I can easily have a cup (250ml) or more quite quickly - say within ten minutes. I go to Sydney on Wednesday to meet with the bariatric GP and dietician at my surgeons office so I'll ask them about this. If I have anything a bit thicker - pureed but thinnish chicken soup for instance - I can feel it sitting in my belly as a lump for a minute or two, so I'm hoping when I move onto puree on Wednesday it will slow me down a bit. Water I find difficult - it makes me burp painfully and feels really rough. I've had something called Vital Zing drops recommended, they add flavour, and apparently help to make water easier to drink. Problem is I don't like flavoured water and I particularly hate artificial sweetener. So I'm battling on with water. I'm hoping the tea I drink is helping to keep me hydrated! I used to drink sparkling water so perhaps I'm also not used to plain water. I haven't had sparkling since the op for obvious reasons! I've wanted something savoury and a bit solider so I've been having my husband's home made hummus for lunch, 100g. It feels a bit lumpy in my belly too but I get sick of all the sweet shakes and things. He thinned it out a bit with the aqua faba but it is still thicker than could be drunk through a straw. I've lost ~9kg so far since start of pre-op diet - 107 to 98. So it's good to break the 100kg barrier. The next one is 96kg, which I got down to in 2023 with a gastric balloon.

@Karla83 I’m one day after surgery and that’s definitely true for me and it’s only sips of water. I can feel it. As soon as the water hits my banana stomach…I feel the pain. Mine is like intense muscle spasms. Liquid pain meds about every 3-4 hours. For me it doesn’t take it away. Still very uncomfortable. Walking already and my pain started back up really intense once got back in bed! This is a short period of time compared to a lifestyle change! Where the majority of pain is though is where my hernia was repaired.

Here is some info: https://www.uclahealth.org/news/article/semaglutide-weight-loss-what-you-need-know#:~:text=After 68 weeks%2C half of,nearly a third lost 20%. https://www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/NEJMoa2032183 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-024-02996-7 You should know rather quickly (a month or so) if it’s working for you. Speak with your specialist about all of your concerns.

Great news, keep doing what you are doing. You are in the toughest few weeks with so much to re learn, go slow. Be kind to yourself, dont compare yourself to anyone else. Sermon over

KEEP THIS STAGE SIMPLE: Get your FLUIDS. Get that PROTEIN. Get MOVING. Three little things! This is the schedule I kept for Weeks 1 & 2 post-op. I bought 1 oz glasses at Walmart in the baking aisle. I bought 12 of them and used 6 per hour. They only cost me 97 cents each. I drank half an ounce every 5 minutes. After every ounce I drank, I got up and walked a lap around my downstairs. IF you start fiber now, take the fiber sparingly! Don’t overdo it, just get some. You can get constipated/gassy if you have too much. If you’re having gastro issues, eliminate the fiber until you get to soft foods, as your new stomach and sensitive track might not be ready right away. Use apple juice only if you need it for low blood sugar, and ONLY drink half-juice-half water dilution. Don’t drink straight juice. I use Hydrolyzed Collagen, by Codeage. I really like it. Also, drink decaf coffee only, of course.

Today was my one month post op appointment and I gave her my phone with the summary of all my macros for the past week since I’ve been on soft food and a “normal” portion size (3/4 cup) and told her my current steps and she was really happy. I was worried that since my stomach was not operated on and I can tolerate foods and the larger portion of the range that I was eating too much for a month out and she said that with my level of activity I actually need to increase my protein a bit and the carbs as well and that my calories were fine to go up with that. She said that my loss is excellent and to keep doing what I’m doing just to increase my protein to 90g. She even said that I can add more veggies and some other foods as tolerated. I was worried about trying like asparagus and corn or rice paper (I’ve been craving spring rolls since I seen a recipe while on purée). I had already done my grocery order for this week and was going after there to pick it up so I added them rice papers to my cart for next weeks grocery run. I went ahead and scheduled my appointment for next month but she said that if I am still doing this well I can reschedule to my three month for my labs. I’m pretty excited! I did not feel like this after my sleeve. I feel like I have a handle on this, I am actually enjoying the healthier foods and the exercise. My energy's and my mood have improved tremendously. .

So I have what I think is Dumping Syndrome or Reactive Hypoglycemia and it is seems like it is caused by 2 things. Taking a shower and exercise. For some reason after I take a shower at night my sugar crashes so bad I have to take glucose tablets to bring it back up. I don't take hot showers (I hate being hot), just warm and it doesn't happen all the time but often enough that I found a pattern and it doesn't happen when I take a shower in the morning only at night. It also happens after I exercise. I eat dinner at 5:00 p.m. I wait at least an hour, hour and 1/2 and I am not a gym rate that I am doing it for hours - 30 minute treadmill, 10 minute rowing machine (I had a total knee replacement so I do this for my knee at a slow pace to get the bend in) and 3 sets of arm exercises with free weights. Literally there are times I have to stop while I am exercising because I can feel my sugar going down. There have been times it has crashed as low as the 50s. I have talked to the doctor about this and the physician's assistant said have protein before you exercise. Well I am having dinner before I do, which is always a protein vegetable and a small amount of carbs. Has anyone else had this issue? I want to exercise but I am afraid every time I do that this will happen and it happens more often than not. I have taken to as soon as I am done exercising to just automatically taking 2 glucose tablets which is adding extra sugar in but in order to have it not crash on me. Thanks in advance for any responses!

I've been feeling so tired with my gym routine and having to go after work around 3 pm and not getting home till past 430 or so then barely spending time with the kids because I am tired and have no time n I have alot of running around so I decided to try to a morning class. 8 am before work and we'll ladies I think I am into it. It feels amazing that I am debt free Hahaha I've done my workout and I am actually free for the rest of the day .. i can go home early n actually see my kids 🤣 I did a body attack class and attached my chart!

So good to hear from you. Yea for me it was when there were “alot of fun things lately” a few times in a row that it started to be an issue. Just watch it that you’re still doing right like 90 percent of the time or whatever number works for you. It was about this time that I started gaining with my sleeve so I’m not trying to be a downer. Just as cautionary tale that about now when the hunger comes back and your feeling good is when it’s easy to get off track. You’re doing great staying in touch here and you will get to wonderland soon I’m sure. Just stay mindful that your not eating off plan too often. Trust me I know It’s easier said than done. I’m off plan way too often and I haven’t lost anything else when I should be losing for sure with the chemo increasing my metabolism. I’m actually scared I’m going to gain when I’m done in 6 weeks. At least the steroids will be done then which are what’s making me so darn hungry. I just gotta kick the carbs somehow and I don’t think I can start Wegovy until after surgery at least. Wish me luck.

Hi @Lilia_90! thank you for checking in, and unfortunately not yet 😭 Friday I FINALLY got the okay to do more than leisurely walk, I can do cardio and lower body workouts. I went on the stair master lasted only 20min (pathetic! I used to do 35-40min with juice left in the tank) then did the treadmill for 25 but I am building back to where I was just going to take me a min. I was off 7 weeks, but I did do lower body today, just bands and omg my legs were burning and I was actually sweating LOL so Hopefully with the consistency I will be back to where I was SOON! I miss how lean I felt and looked hahah. The boobies are healing well, still in my post op bra. I really am jealous of others recovery process. Mine seems so cautious which I get but so far its been worth it. They look great and settling where they are supposed to.

lol great minds...(i.e., ice cream!)...it was another unusually warm day for this time of year around these parts, so i made Mr. take me out to get some. they were out of pistachio (my fave flavour) so we went to the grocery to buy a tub (and a box of sugar cones) instead. no keto ice cream for me...this is the full fat-sugar-cream version, ha. this likely will be the last picture of me standing upright today, i think...as i ate the entire thing and the anticipated dumping im about to experience will surely have me regret it in 3..2..1...

A typical pre-op is dependent on your insurance and your surgeon, but most require things like: A series of monthly visits with a dietitian. 3 to 6 monthly visits are fairly common A visit with a psychiatrist or psychologist. Depending on the outcome, you may need to undergo treatment for an undiagnosed eating disorder One or more education sessions typically done over a series of weeks. This is to better prepare you for both the immediate post-op diet, as well as long term expectations. These are sometimes, but not always done together with the dietitian visits. Clearance from your primary care doctor and depending on your health history, clearances from other doctors such as a cardiologist or endocrinologist. Numerous blood tests, both to look for potential problems and to set a baseline. Again depending on your health history and your surgeons preferences, you might need to have things such as an endoscopy and/or a swallow study done. Some people may even need additional imaging done such as CT or MRI scans. As a diabetic, they may require your A1C to be below a prescribed value. This is for your safety. Honestly I'm probably forgetting some stuff. If so, I'm sure others here can chime in. In terms of lifetime changes to your eating patterns, you need to make sure you're prepared to make better food choices for life. It's a sad fact, but a pretty high number of people that have weight loss surgery eventually gain the weight back. This can be avoided by learning how to make better food choices now, so you don't fall back into old habits once the stomach restriction eases off. It's often misunderstood by those not familiar with bariatric surgery that weight loss post surgery is "easy". Yes, the initial loss can be easier that it would have been otherwise, but keeping the weight off is just as hard, if not harder that it would have been had you not had the surgery. This is why learning how to eat better is so important. People that lose weight naturally and keep it off do so through repeatedly making good food choices and strict discipline. That knowledge carries over really well to long term weight maintenance. The people that fail weight loss surgery often found initial weight loss easy, but sometimes really struggle once they get to maintenance since they don't know how to eat like a "normal" person. Add in the fact that a formerly obese person trying to maintain weight typically can't eat as much food as someone that was never overweight even if they are the exact same body size, and you can see why retraining yourself here is critical. Throw in the fact that (at least in my opinion), most obese people either have an eating disorder, or at least suffer from disordered eating, and it's obvious that the surgery is just a small component to overall success. TL;DR: IMO, It's better to take your time and do it right.

I wouldn't say extreme but once my hair stopped falling out and started the growth phase I did notice my scalp is itchier and I sometimes see dandruff, which I never suffered from before. I recently switched to an oat milk based shampoo which seems to be helping with the itch. My hair is really annoying me as it is coming back thick (which it was before) but with a curl/kink to it so the crown part where so much regrowth is happening is all thick, puffs up and out but then the longer parts are thin. I asked my hairdresser to cut it all short a few weeks ago and she refused as she said it has such a kink to it that it would look worse shorter and I just have to try and brave it out another few months.