Search the Community

I’m less than 2 weeks out of my op well 2 weeks tomorrow, the scales have gone up a pound is this normal to gain a pound? Im not sure if I’m hormonal as my periods were all over the place before surgery. as apparently I’m peri-menopausal I know with that I’d put around 3-4lbs on until it was finished . this is disheartening to see. I’m only 14lbs down since the 11th October, I don’t know but I expected to lose weight quicker. I'm literately feeling like I know nothing about this process. 😞

Thank you so much for your help. I appreciate it. you’ve helped me so much. I was given 9 days to prepare for this op. It was so rushed and I don’t feel I had time to educate myself properly and there isn’t a good support system here, you don’t get to see someone for 6 weeks about it. The blood thinning injections for 2 weeks are causing such an itchy stomach now. And it’s not even around the incisions it’s just where I’ve had to inject my stomach with them. they finish soon though.

Had my bypass on 21st so 2 days post op and I went out shopping today! This is sooo different than my sleeve 8 years ago. I think I was in the bed for at least a week with pain. I think getting up more and my doctor prescribing me some topical pain relief as well. So far no hunger so I am just trying to keep ice and water in the little medicine cups. It helps me not be too overwhelmed. Nauseous for sure, And gas! I will try the heating pad. I TOO was up 4 lbs do to all the iv fluids and gas they pump in you. But hoping to see that drop soon! Good luck to all!

Exactly as @Hop_Scotch said. It’s the way it goes for all of us. You may have odd weeks you lose more others you lose less but you’ll find your general trend, while still downwards, does slow. Just wish surgeons, nutritionalists, etc. would tell people this. It would save a lot of angst & worry. Heaps of home workouts videos on you tube from low to higher impact, strength training, yoga, etc. I bought some resistance bands & you could also buy some weight cuffs for ankles & wrists. Congrats on your weight loss so far.

You are absolutely correct @RickM. Though I should have explained that maltodextrin is used to sweeten (& thicken) foods. So the labelling while correct is also misleading. Maltodextrin is just a sugar alternative they use so they can say no added sugar but it has the same calories as sugar, will spike your blood sugar levels more than sugar & does nothing to reduce your craving for sugar & sweet tasting foods. It is a real challenge to find foods that don’t have added sugar, sugar alternatives or artificial sweeteners in them these days - nigh on impossible. I swear they’re all out to get us & keep that addiction going strong. It took time & effort but I’ve neutralised most of my desire for sweet things & find sweet foods are crazily too sweet. If I want anything sweet I go to fruit. Reading the nutrition panel & ingredient list is really important so you can make the most informed & best decision for you. But as I said the protein component is the most important consideration in the first weeks.

I created a blog entry with the same content below here, but I feel like no one ever reads BP blogs, so am posting in the forums for good measure. Sorry for the dupes! Also sorry this is so long! ---------------------- It's been 3 years, y’all. I’m a 5’2” female and was 235 lbs & 45 yrs old at the start of the 2 wk liquid diet. Didn’t lose any weight prior. I was on high cholesterol and blood pressure meds, diagnosed with fatty liver, pre-diabetic, peed every 20-30 mins, and snored like a freight train (so said Mr.) Day of sleeve surgery: 223.2 lbs No recovery issues, but I became dumper on sugar (still am). I got off my meds, eliminated liver and diabetic diagnoses within a month. I can hold my pee like a superhero (including not having to go once during a 9 hr flight pre-covid!), and I sleep so silently that Mr. admitted to checking on me during the night in the beginning to check if I was even alive. I ate VERY little during weight loss phase compared to most, but it worked for ME…I didn’t suffer any medical/nutritional issues nor any angst throughout. I tracked everything I ate/drank, weighed myself every morning and took my measurements every Wednesday (I STILL track and weigh daily - its just habit now -, but no longer take my measurements regularly) Reached goal of 127 lbs 7 months after surgery. I had zero stalls. I had a tummy tuck, arm lift and breast lift at 14 months post op. Lowest weight: 109 lbs (this was a month or so after plastics, but quickly gained back to 115-ish) I’ve basically been 115-ish +/- 5 lbs since a couple months into maintenance. Weight this morning: 116.0 lbs even. Happy place is below 120 and/or that my clothes still fit, LOL. These days I exercise semi-regularly, running minimum 5km 2-3 times a week supplemented with the occasional 20-30 min strength training sessions at home (I continue to hate strength training exercises but consider it a necessary evil), and various other for-fun cardio activities. Part of me wanted to get back to higher exercise levels so I can get the “fitter” look I had back then, but I long ago reconciled myself with the fact that I don’t want it THAT badly. Maybe someday I may change my mind, but I’m cool with it for now. I average 1800-2000 cals a day. I drink alcohol and carbonated water on the regular, use straws, chew gum, drink coffee, and eat popcorn, fried foods and carbs. I love desserts. At 3 years out, my restriction is still in effect and could probably eat about 1-1.5 cups of food in volume at one sitting before I need to tap out: some things I can eat more of (salads) than others (dense protein & fluffy bread). I will barf if I eat too much or too fast. I have energy for days, and am more than satisfied with how I look and feel. Life is good. Had my 3 year follow up last week and I continue to be the picture of health, and my surgeon asked again if I wanted to be on a poster. Ummmm, no thanks. Regrets? ABSOLUTELY ZERO. Well, except maybe that I didn’t get a v-shaped tummy tuck incision vs the straight line one that I got. Just means that I can’t wear higher cut bikini bottoms without my scar showing (see the last pic in the collage below). But I mean, really, I’m just nit-picking at this point. This forum has been a constant in my life for the past 3 years, and I’ve made some great connections and some actual REAL friends. Its really nice to engage with others who know what the eff you are talking about, even if its just about food porn and clothes sometimes, lol. Hugs and Congrats to those who made it to the other side with me, and Hugs and Good Luck to those on their way.

Its been 3 years, y’all. I’m a 5’2” female and was 235 lbs & 45 yrs old at the start of the 2 wk liquid diet. Didn’t lose any weight prior. I was on high cholesterol and blood pressure meds, diagnosed with fatty liver, pre-diabetic, peed every 20-30 mins, and snored like a freight train (so said Mr.) Day of sleeve surgery: 223.2 lbs No recovery issues, but I became dumper on sugar (still am). I got off my meds, eliminated liver and diabetic diagnoses within a month. I can hold my pee like a superhero (including not having to go once during a 9 hr flight pre-covid!), and I sleep so silently that Mr. admitted to checking on me during the night in the beginning to check if I was even alive. I ate VERY little during weight loss phase compared to most, but it worked for ME…I didn’t suffer any medical/nutritional issues nor any angst throughout. I tracked everything I ate/drank, weighed myself every morning and took my measurements every Wednesday (I STILL track and weigh daily - its just habit now -, but no longer take my measurements regularly) Reached goal of 127 lbs 7 months after surgery. I had zero stalls. I had a tummy tuck, arm lift and breast lift at 14 months post op. Lowest weight: 109 lbs (this was a month or so after plastics, but quickly gained back to 115-ish) I’ve basically been 115-ish +/- 5 lbs since a couple months into maintenance. Weight this morning: 116.0 lbs even. Happy place is below 120 and/or that my clothes still fit, LOL. These days I exercise semi-regularly, running minimum 5km 2-3 times a week supplemented with the occasional 20-30 min strength training sessions at home (I continue to hate strength training exercises but consider it a necessary evil), and various other for-fun cardio activities. Part of me wanted to get back to higher exercise levels so I can get the “fitter” look I had back then, but I long ago reconciled myself with the fact that I don’t want it THAT badly. Maybe someday I may change my mind, but I’m cool with it for now. I average 1800-2000 cals a day. I drink alcohol and carbonated water on the regular, use straws, chew gum, drink coffee, and eat popcorn, fried foods and carbs. I love desserts. At 3 years out, my restriction is still in effect and could probably eat about 1-1.5 cups of food in volume at one sitting before I need to tap out: some things I can eat more of (salads) than others (dense protein & fluffy bread). I will barf if I eat too much or too fast. I have energy for days, and am more than satisfied with how I look and feel. Life is good. Had my 3 year follow up last week and I continue to be the picture of health, and my surgeon asked again if I wanted to be on a poster. Ummmm, no thanks. Regrets? ABSOLUTELY ZERO. Well, except maybe that I didn’t get a v-shaped tummy tuck incision vs the straight line one that I got. Just means that I can’t wear higher cut bikini bottoms without my scar showing (see the last pic in the collage below). But I mean, I’m just nit-picking at this point. This forum has been a constant in my life for the past 3 years, and I’ve made some great connections and some actual REAL friends. Its really nice to engage with others who know what the eff you are talking about, even if its just about food porn and clothes sometimes, lol. Hugs and Congrats to those who made it to the other side with me, and Hugs and Good Luck to those on their way.

I have the same problem! I am now 4 months post op. I don't lose weight every week and I believe that is partly to my psych make up and past history with food. If I get hungry I inevitably think I'm going to starve. As kids, we always went to bed hungry due to having a mentally deranged "mother." My husband tells me: You're not going to starve! So I tell myself: "You're not going to starve!" Cheating with food was an accepted norm for me because I didn't/don't want to feel like that deprived kid anymore. It's a struggle but I'm so glad I accepted the challenge to be on this journey. I can't wait until "I get there!"

You were filled with fluid the day of surgery so you will be bloated for a couple days. Plus your body is still adjusting. It is not advised you weigh yourself before 4-6 weeks

I am still following my plan. I do not exercise but I am not a couch potato either. I walk 3-4 days a week. I am also having a lot of gas and nausea, which I am working with my Doctor to find out the cause. We have ruled out some things and are investigating others. I would like to start a bit of light aerobics and weights, which I hope will help with that calories in vs out balance. I know this is a life style change, just feeling a bit discouraged. Thanks for your comment.

I had mine down at QA Portsmouth I didn’t realise how much pain I would be in. I was not prepared. Nearly 2 weeks out now I’ve lost 14lbs but it’s been very difficult eating without it hurting. with soups and some puréed have gone straight through me so I tried flaked fish and vegetable mash and it seems to sit ok. I know you are supposed to wait until week 3 but technically I will be in week 3 on Monday the 25th October 2021. my surgeon was lovely but my op was definitely a shot in the dark. I left tier 3 in December 2020 and told I’d wait for my consultation until September because of covid making the lists long. sure enough in September I had my consultation on the Monday then by Friday I was phoned to say I had an op date 9 days later the 11th October 2021 although I had thought about it for a long time I hadn’t really realised how many emotions I would go through but I’ve heard your hormones are so out of whack. move had regret but only based on me thinking I’m not normal like my family but it’s getting better day by day. at least I hope it gets better than this. I know this was the right thing for me as I have PCOS and metabolic syndrome and I can never lose more than 1 stone. I really hope it gets easier and becomes more normal soon. thus has not been a walk in the park.

Hi Everyone, I had RNY surgery on Oct, 13th, 2020, so I am just over the 12 month post op mark. I notice my weight loss has slowed down a lot, and around the 8-9 month post op mark, I have stalled and I am not loosing any weight. I know this is normal but still worried that my body has reached it's set point. If anyone here has experienced this, let me know. I seem to have gained a pound each month and my weight is back up to the weight it was when I was at 9 months post op. I have lost 100lbs since surgery, but still have around 60 lbs. to go to reach my goal weight. Should I be worried? ( I will be speaking to my Bariatric clinic soon for my 1 year appointment so I will be talking to them about this) All advice and opinions welcomed. Thanks 😀

I’ve started soft foods 2 weeks post op as liquid agoes straight through me, I was allowed purée foods but imm managing to eat sift vegetable mash and mashed salmon a couple of bites. Does this harm me doing it so early on?

Like everyone else said it varies. My insurance did not require anything. My doctor required: 1 pre-op nutrition meeting, 1 psych evaluation, EKG and Blood work, and because I have gastroparesis I had to have a MRI and X-ray. I have now completed all that so we will be setting a date next week.

Hi all! I am so thrilled to see so many replies to this topic! I got so busy pre-op that I haven't been able to post until now. I hope everyone who has already had their surgery is doing great and wish everyone good luck who will have the surgery soon! I had my surgery on October 11th. Everything went very well. I stayed in the hospital overnight. My only complaint was on the first night when I was experiencing pain where the incisions were (now the incisions are just unbearably itchy because they are healing). I wasn't hungry AT ALL for the first week or so and had a hard time getting all my water and protein in. This last week, however, I have been a bit hungrier and have been making some protein smoothies which have been really good for me I think. I just posted this in a separate thread, but I am terribly worried because I am feeling no constriction at all during this liquid phase. I start soft/pureed foods on 10/25 so I'm hoping I'll feel the constriction. Also experiencing what I think is head hunger rather than real hunger. Again, wish everyone the best!

Those are all good things to help! I was traveling for work last week and I didn't use the Miralax and was lax (harhar) on my water intake and I got constipated. As soon as I got home and drank more water and started the Miralax again I had relief.

Now that I'm 6 weeks out I'm getting dry skin like crazy, but I'm too lazy to put lotion on. The dead skin is all over the place and so gross. It's hard to tell how much is from the surgery and how much is from the dryness from winter coming, traveling to dryer climates, and dry air in planes. Ugh!

Well first off I love your name!! Lol I was born in long Island. Moved away when I was real little unfortunately though...but yeah I am right with you too, I have been at a stall to I guess, seems like forever though like around 4 weeks. I've actually only lost a total of 37lbs though!!! Which is wayyy less than I expected:( I also have been going through ALOT here at home though...I'm married to a a very mentally abusive guy and have zero friends or family but still I should be trying harder to lose the weight. Sent from my SM-G981U using BariatricPal mobile app

3 week post-op update: 1. I used narcotic pain meds for the first 4 days post op, then alternated Tylenol and Ibuprofen until 3 weeks post-op. I likely didn't need the meds after week 2, but that was my doctor's recommendation. 2. My drains were quite active for 2 1/2 weeks, and didn't come out until 3 weeks post-op. The surgeon originally told me 7-10 days, so I wasn't mentally prepared for 3 weeks. I understand that the drains take fluid off faster than your body could absorb it and see the value. But they were painful more often than not (pulling against the stitch that held them in place) and I was happy when they were removed. Well, not happy during the removal (that hurt like crazy, but subsided within an hour or so). 3. I can walk very nearly upright and am working to stretch to fully upright, shoulders back. No real pain, just tightness at this point. 4. My incisions are healing nicely and the surgical glue has come off. I moved to Mepitac silicone tape over everything but my navel. 5. The swelling is starting to be noticeably reduced from early days. Still a ways to go, but heading in the right direction. 6. I had surgery on Thu 9/30, then started working from home on Mon 10/4, with a couple of hours of rest time each day. By week 2, I worked from home a full schedule and did the same for week 3 because I still had the drains. Going to try to work in the office all next week, but expect to be zapped since I have been so idle I'm sure my endurance is down. Other than two follow up surgeon visits, I haven't left the house in 3 weeks. All in all, doing pretty well. The pain is mostly transient with weird random nerve firing and such. Some muscle pain, but not too bad unless I cough or sneeze or twist funny. Will update again with pics in a week or so.

Yes, they do all seem to be different. I can have protein shakes and a salad with 4 oz of protein for dinner and any veggies for the week.

My Surgery is Nov 1st and I’m super nervous too I also only found out last week wishing you lots of success

I don't think that's overzealous at all. My surgeon scheduled about a month or six weeks out. That gives you a month to get everything done.

Thanks to all the replies.....I think I have a rude awakening come Thursday next week lol 😂 Ill try to respond to each of you in one post: catwoman7: sounds like you went through a process with everything you had to do but thats not a bad thing. At least you had the piece of mind of knowing things were good to go ahead with the surgery, Kudos to you GreenTealael sounds like you had alot to do as well. Best to have everything done it seems ms.sss I guess I was angry and frustrated mainly because Im aware I am overweight and I suppose I just got tired of being told about my weight problem or in the case of the Dr for the colonoscopy, that Dr just sent a referral without even talking to me about it. Most Drs meet with their patients before they do any procedures or surgeries if possible. This Dr cancelled my consultation and had her nurse see me instead. I saw the Dr for the first time as I was going in 1 day surgery to get the colonoscopy. She didnt even follow up with me and cancelled my post op appt and had her nurse call me to see if I was good. Then I got a call from the weight management dept asking me to contact them for the referral they received from the Dr who did the colonoscopy. So yeah that angered me immensely. I thought I could lose weight on my own. I was in denial I guess because no matter how much I tried I would lose weight only to regain it back again. So I was angry with myself as well for failing at something I thought I could get a grip on my own. I decided to go ahead with the sleeve surgery after meeting and speaking with the gastric surgeon. She made me feel better about my obesity and made me feel like she would listen where others just kept filling out referrals. So I finally decided to go through with it and I have filled out mountains of paperwork x's 2 (they gave me the wrong ones at first) When all the paperwork was finally done I scheduled my appointment after watching an informational video first. I was sent even more paperwork to fill out and I mailed that back to them so I am happily waiting for next week Thursday to come. Im sure there will be more to it then I initially thought in comparison with what others have had to do. At least now I have an idea so I wont be so shocked after the visit. vikingbeast Im pretty sure its a group meeting on Thursday and afterwards its supposed to be a 1 on 1 visit with the Dr. But anything beyond that Im not sure of yet. I was hoping to schedule surgery first or second week of January but I may be over zealous for that date lol waterwoman I was angry because I felt I was being told the obvious and I didnt like to face the truth I suppose. I knew and know finally that I must do something to get my food addiction under control. Im eating just to be eating Im not even sure its to comfort myself. I just eat because I like food period. So I have to overcome that way of thinking so I can try to undo years of bad habits in eating. So here's to happy reading on this site to fill my mind with how all this works and hopefully Ill find even ground to be able to get the things I need to do done and schedule the surgery. I want to be able to be more active and shed this burdensome weight! Thanks for all the comments its much appreciated 😁

I work in the OR. I took two weeks off. Just be careful when moving patients over. Take the feet and let someone else do the sides. I felt great a few days after surgery. I know it’s not always the norm but I had a pretty easy recovery and I was thankful for it. I hope you do as well. PM me anytime

Not an operating room nurse but a final semester nursing school student, I had my surgery September 15 and I can do a lot of work with just minimal discomfort. I would however take at least 3-4 weeks off. Longer if you are required to lift people