Search the Community

Ok, ladies… this is the stuff many of us wonder about but don’t talk enough about… we all understand the impact of our hormones and cycles on our lives, but how does the presurgical diets, surgery and post surgical steps impact your hormones and cycles? Did it have little to no impact? Leave you a quivering mess? Make periods come more or less often? Or randomly? experiences from any stage of the process and stage of life is helpful!! I am pre-surgical but have been loosing weight and my cycles have gotten longer and less consistent when I have them (it also could partially be my age of 42). I also used to feel a hormone surge right before my cycle would start and that has shifted. I am going to talk to my regular dr in two weeks about me, but wanted to hear other experiences. Thanks for sharing!!

My surgeon is avid about me getting 6 to 8 servings of fruit and vegetables a day. From the beginning he pushed it. Having said that, if you do decide to eat fruit this early on, avoid the ones with peels like grapes, apples and even cherries because I remember a couple of times I had a bad case of foamies because those darn little skins (even after chewing forever on them) getting caught up in my throat.

I am still pre-op and hoping to have my surgery in October but it looks like it may be pushed to January or February. All the things you mentioned are huge fears of mine. I started at just over 300 and I'm 5'4". Currently I'm held back my weight because I can't run with my kids or join them at water parks (much more to mention) and take a lot of meds. However, I'm fairly active now. We walk 2 miles a day (I try to get 9000 steps a day) and there's always errands and practices to do with 4 kiddos. I'm tired all the time now but it's manageable. I don't want to become weak on top of constant fatigue especially since I have young kids and a husband. I have a high muscle mass ratio now and don't wanna lose that. I grew up on a farm and now live in town but still considered strong "for a woman." I don't want such saggy skin that I look much older or sick. These are some of things making me apprehensive about the surgery too. Everyone tells me it's still worth including family who have had wls. However, being constantly tired and weak worry me. Skin removal will not be option for me because we are on 1 income and budget closely to make that work. Surgery is already costing too much. I have OCD and worry my obsession/compulsion will transfer to my food. Thank you for your insight. I hope you find a good medium with your diet so you're not obsessively thinking about it. And please know you are still you. You still have all those amazing qualities. You just have to find yourself again after such a huge change. Your whole life has been rerouted and your brain has to accept it first. You were a workaholic and now your obsess over your food instead. You redirected your skills. Now find something else to direct it too such as a hobby or make food fun with new recipes so it doesn't seem like a chore. Sent from my SM-S115DL using BariatricPal mobile app

My goal is to lose enough fat under my loose skin so that plastic surgery goes well. People say that the less fat under the skin, the more likely that it heals well because there is a better blood supply. I don’t even know what my ideal weight would be and my surgeon never mentioned a goal weight. I have lost 145lbs and am down to 185 and while I am happy with my size, I think I have more to lose. At some point I need to see a plastic surgeon to confirm.

For those that set a goal weight with their dr/program… did that get done before or after your surgery? I’m just curious because no one in my program asked me that question or set a specific goal. We talked about the progress I’ve made so far and what I did to get there (lost 50 pounds so far, 15 of that was since starting with the program… surgery is in august). I’m hoping to loose (at least) another 15 pounds before the surgery. I have no idea what weight I want to be - just healthy and feel better. Granted I’m a higher bmi to start (highest weight was 382 … down to 331, I’m 5’3” and 48). Just for the sake of getting there I’d like to be under 200 - nice to see 1 in front of that number, but even when I played sports and was lifting weights I bounced between 145-160 so I’m not sure if it’s possible to see those numbers - let alone get below them to a “normal” bmi.

My goal was to be under 200 pounds since I started at almost 400. I am at 187 now and while that is still about 40 pounds over ideal body weight for me, I feel great and all my labs are good. I'm happy with the way I look too, but I was never in this for a perfect body, just healthy. I just started maintenance and I don't know if I'll lose anymore. I'd like to weight 150 or 160 which is my lowest weight an adult, but I'm OK where I am too. I have a ton of loose skin and I feel like that accounts for some of this weight too, but maybe but a lot. Either way, I'm very happy! Sent from my Pixel 5a using BariatricPal mobile app

Aug 16th is when my VSG is scheduled. I was preparing myself for bypass … but my surgeon actually suggested VSG after we talked and said if we need to go further, a revision to DS (since I’m a high BMI) is her suggestion. But she’s optimistic that I will be able to meet my health goals and do well with VSG - so now the countdown begins. She will do a hernia repair and also check out my liver while she’s in there - and biopsy if needed. Not looking forward to the 8 day liquid diet… or blood thinner injections - but I am looking forward to all the benefits to come. I’m 48… slightly concerned my thyroid will be a challenge with loosing, but I have managed to loose 50 pounds in the past year (15 of that the last 3 weeks) so I think I have a good momentum going into this. Looking forward to seeing everyone’s progress!

I can totally relate to a lot of this. I was 48 when I had surgery 2 years ago and did not look my age. I have also lost over 200 pounds. Now I definitely look my age or older and I don't recognize myself sometimes. I did not have wrinkles before and now I do. That bugs me. But I just try to remind myself why I did this, and it was to get my life and health back. I do have energy now, so I'm lucky there. I probably have a more relaxed eating approach than a lot of people. I do not believe in good or bad foods. I have no forbidden foods. I pretty much eat what I want. Luckily, even before I did this, I preferred healthy foods like veggies and did not like things like fast food or fried food. I am proof you can be fat on healthy food. Too much of a good thing is still too much. I have "junk" like ice cream when I want it. Like, I am not a chocolate person except during PMS, and then it's like I NEED it and I have some. I just keep my portions of everything much more reasonable now. I do track food just to make sure I get my protein and keep my carbs reasonable but I'm not completely militant either. It certainly can be exhausting tracking everything, but I can't promise that I track every single taste. I just make sure to track all my meals and snacks. For 2 years, this has worked for me. I have eaten this way the whole time. If something changes, I will adjust, but for now it's working. I just started maintenance so we will see how that goes. I am lucky that I don't work at the moment. I am an RN, but when my son was born I stayed home with him (11.5 years ago! [emoji15]) and I've been planning to go back but something always happened to keep me home. I really do plan to get another job soon. I know what you mean about work t extra hard as a fat person. I always felt like I wanted people to see that I wasn't lazy just because I was fat, because all fat people aren't lazy! It will be nice not having to worry about that when I go back. I became a nurse in 1997, and I was fat the whole time I worked, so that will be a first. I do live in fear every day of gaining all my weight back, but I hope that if I keep eating like I'm eating I will be OK. That is all I can do. When I look at all the loose skin, it can be discouraging sometimes. It's really bad on my arms and legs, but I know how hard I have worked to lose weight and even if I didn't have a weight problem, skin does tend to sag as you get older, and I am going to be 51 in 2 weeks. I would love to have it all removed, but it's just not in the budget right now since I paid out of pocket for my surgery. Maybe it will be when I get a job, but I refuse to be ashamed of my body. I'm proud that it carried me through being so morbidly obese for so long and it's still here carrying me. It has put up with a lot of stress and it has been strong for all of it. I'm definitely weaker than I was but I'm working on strength training now. I know I'm rambling here but I just want to say you're not alone in your feelings. You have accomplished so much. Just try to remember that! Sent from my Pixel 5a using BariatricPal mobile app

I got the sleeve, and I will admit, sometimes I wonder "would my weight loss be faster with the bypass?" Especially times like now, when I am dealing with slowed down weight loss even though I am sticking to program. But then, when I really analyze it, I don't think I would be doing anything differently than I am now. I'd still be eating the same amount of calories, per my program's advice. I would be working out the same amount I am now. So, the tool would be different but I'm not sure I would be doing anything differently as a result so in the end, does it matter? People do incredibly well with both surgeries, and others "fail" with both options (I'm using fail loosely, but basically to mean not reach their goals or even much weight loss with either surgery). It's easy to get caught up in this sort of thinking, so I try not to do it. Especially because I am totally at peace with the sleeve (I was not so keen on bypass unless I needed to do it based on medical advice). I just have to use the tool as intended.

Hello Sorry for my not- perfect- english, at first. I got support to get MGB in my home country ( Europe) because of some health problems and BMI 35. I feel quite well even with my problems but I know it will not get better but worse in future. Tried to take off weight for 30 years through different weight loose programs, now even walking makes some pain but I survive it. I’m working in children’s day care and its quite intensive. And my nutrionist suggests to continue with diet plans and I feel quite depressed because of that. Does anybody have experience with such a BMI like mine and which are results? Is it worth operating or did you get toooo lean after MGB? Thanks

Is anyone in Southeast Michigan in search of a workout buddy or have any advice on how to get started working out post-surgery?! I don't know where to begin... Get a trainer. Join a class. Should I focus on the areas of loose skin? I'm lost! I've lost 50lbs since my surgery in March, but in the last month, I've only lost six pounds, and it is freaking me out. Thanks!

Baggy britches? LOL panties are loose!

For me I am only supposed to take in 400-600 calories until I hit stage 4 after 3 months. Then it’s 600-800 calories til 6 months, then 800-1000 from 6-12 months. After that I should be 1000 - 1200 calories for life. I’ve seen others go up to 1000 this early so it could have to do with starting weight, amount to loose, etc. but I’d double check that. Aside from that, there is a well known stall around week 4 (some have it at week 2 or 4). Stick with the program your surgeon gave you and you’ll be fine.

Yes! WLS is a tool for success. Once you reach a certain size it can be extremely hard without medical help to loose enough weight and this is one way to get medical help. You still have to work hard at it and you still have to monitor diet and exercise but the modification makes the weight loss more achievable!

Has anyone experienced flushed, warm skin on their upper and lower arms after WLS? It goes away after a while. I am about 6 days post-op and  I have spoken to the doctor who does not seem concerned. I’m concerned!

That is great news! Pain is a B*tch! I notice since loosing a bunch of weight that I hunch over a lot. I told a friend that I think my upper body was being held up by my big stomach so I didn't need to use muscles to sit upright. haha I don't know if it is accurate or not, but what i do know is I hunch and don't like it. It starts hurting my lower back so I am constantly forcing myself to sit up straight.

Congratulations on your new life! Sounds like you are having a ton of fun! Cracked me up that you don’t think that your body has changed much but loosing 14” from your waist is HUGE! Is it that you can see that you still have the same type of shape? My stomach is always gonna be big, my stomach & hips are the same measurement. (That means I stick out as much in the front as I do in the back 🤣) I have always been this way. I have to buy a size 12 pants for my waist but my hips are a size 8 & I weigh less then 140. The only thing that is gonna change that is a tummy tuck & that’s not feasible for me. You are right, we all suck at tennis! Enjoy all of the new things you can do😽

Hello everyone, it has been awhile since my last update so I guess it is about time. So, really no complaints. Life if good, everything is going well and I am chugging along at a very satisfying pace. I have lost 113 lbs total and 76 lbs since surgery! I measured myself for the first time since surgery the other day, really most of my body measurements are the same which I find a little weird after loosing 113lbs. I do carry most of my weight in my belly, and have small arms and small legs so I guess it makes sense. I lost a total of 4 inches all over my body PLUS 14 inches in my waist alone. No bad I suppose. I can eat anything except COLD chicken (I guess it is too dry cold) but it makes me sick every time I tried so I stopped. I also struggle a bit with actual soft bread, it doesn't make me sick but it hits me like a brick. Toast, crackers, wraps are all fine though. I eat a very balanced diet of everything as my dietician recommends while making sure I hit my protein and fluid goals. I usually don't have room for carbs once I eat the protein but every once in a while I get some in and I don't mind it. I have splurged a few times with treats, very minimal a few bites 2 or 3 times. Haven't had any issues with that and I have never dumped. The list of NSV's could go on for days. I played tennis the other day for the first time since loosing weight and the difference was unbelievable. I didn't even get out of breath while running back and forth across the court, because really we suck at tennis so there is a lot of running but it is fun. My knees don't grind, my feet and ankles no longer swell even after walking all day, I don't walk up the stairs all on one leg anymore, I FIT ON ROLLER COASTERS!, I walk around the water park in my bathing suit now. I bought a new bathing suit and feel good in it. I don't find excuses to drive place even when it is less than a mile away, I just naturally walk. (I live in the city) I went from a size 26 jeans to a size 18/20 depending on the cut. From a 4x tshirt to a 2x tshirt. My shoes are loose, probably don't need "wide width" anymore. Still working through my skinny days clothes so I have only bought 1 new outfit for a nice dinner because I don't have anything other than jeans, and mostly tshirts that fit now. By the end of the year I will need an entirely new wardrobe! I am looking forward to the shopping. (For once in my life!) I could go on and on but you get the hint! I hope everyone is well! ❤️

I think everyone adjusts differently. I’m now off the puree diet and onto the sort diet and feel like I’m eating lots of potato and cheese. It’s weird because usually this would be foods I would avoid on diets. I get between 600-800 calories a day with the help of baby Bells (high in protein), a protein shake and a protein yoghurt. I’m meant to be working to 50gs of protein for dinner but am finding a meal difficult because it’s always protein first and that means I don’t get to the greens and veg. I’ve been quite active, swimming 3 times a week, 40-60 lengths a time so my nutritionist said I can eat more to ensure I have energy. I’ve just come out of the slump 5th week slump, and am loosing again which means it’s gone from water weight to burning actual fat which is great. I was a bit worried about the pause in weight loss. is anyone else struggling to get to eating lots of greens and salads? So over eating yoghurts, smoothies and high protein cheese with potato. I want to feel like it’s a healthier plate. Can anyone eat a salad yet? My op was on the 9th of June

Did you loose weight with the pre op diet? how much? issues with hunger or fatigue?

Actually if you have enough skin and enough issues, like back pain and/or rashes it becomes "reconstructive surgery" and is completely covered by many insurances. As it was with mine. My insurance was in Nevada, though I had by Abdominoplasty at UCLA because it was particularly challenging and not many surgeons were anxious to do it. Good luck, Tek

Hey everybody, I was just wondering something, for those of you who had any type of weight loss surgery and that live in california did you guy get skin removal along and or along with a body lift after your surgery? If so did your insurance cover it? And if they did what type of insurance do you have that'll cover everything? And does anybody know what health insurances cover the skin removal and or body lift, that's in California?

Hello Melly and welcome in here. To fill in your profile, Go to the top of the page, By your name is a little down arrow. Click on it and scroll down to My surgery. You can then fill it in. On the top left of this page you will see surgeon and below ' progress' This you can update every time you loose weight, which I find very satisfying

How long it took your doctor to complete your surgery? About 2 hours. I had a routine RNY. How long was your hospital stay? I stayed for 3 days. How was your doctor's bedside manner? My doctor and his PA were great. They answered all my questions. What can I expect when I get to the hospital before surgery? I arrive at 7:15am for a 9:30am surgery. Get there when your surgeon says NOT when the hospital tells you. If I had listened to the hospital I would've missed my surgery completely! The put 2 iv's in me, 1 in each hand, different sizes. Just in case one blew out. I saw my surgeon, anesthesiologist, and the nurse that would be in the operating room. Once I was taken back to pre-op it all happened very quickly. What was your biggest struggle at the hospital and at home? Realizing my limits. This is MAJOR SURGERY! Give your body grace and allow it time to heal. When did you go back to work? A little over 4 weeks post-op If there was one thing that you could have changed, what would it be? Nothing. I'm content with how things have gone so far. What did you pack to take to the hospital? I packed an extra long phone charging cord, toiletries, book, some crosswords, I downloaded some movies to my phone in case the wifi wasn't dependable. I wore loose clothing and crocs to the hospital, wore the hospital gown at the hospital(in case i bled or got sick- better their gown then my clothes), and wore the same clothes to come home. I found that between sleeping, walking(they were pretty clear they wanted me up as fast and as often as I felt capable) and drinking slowly the TV in the room was extra enough. Oh and chapstick! That will really help with any dry mouth! Eye drops will help if your eyes get irritated easily. I think that's everything. Sent from my SM-F926U using BariatricPal mobile app

First, congratulations on your successes. It was a huge change to your life choosing Gastric Bypass and making the commitment to 'do it right.' Perhaps it's time for another dramatic change in your life. @Recidivist said most of what I was going to suggest. Weight control does not need to be the center of your life. There are zillions of people that maintain a healthy lifestyle without making it the only thing in their life. You can do it to. The issue is you can't just decide not to focus on healthy living. Focusing on NOT doing something still makes it the center of your life. If nothing else changes healthy living will fill your life again. No, you need to fill your life with something else. Work doesn't seem to be it. What is it? This will get you away from where you are quicker that anything else. You are capable. Pretty is skin deep. Beauty is to the bone. Good luck, Tek