Hello everyone! I’m glad to be a part of this group and look forward to sharing and hearing about everyone’s journey, whether it’s contemplating weight loss surgery, newly post op like myself, or those with years of experience. I feel there is value in learning from everyone.
so for me, I have struggled my whole life with my weight. I have been up....and I’ve been down, but for me the weight always finds it’s way back to me. I know everyone has their own personal reason for having this procedure. My reason is more than just to lose weight. I have very significant spinal degeneration and have already had three spinal fusions on my low to middle back. Every surgery I am left with more debilitating symptoms. My hope is that with the gastric sleeve as my tool, I can lose the weight and actually keep it of. Less stress on my spine may buy me time until I need another spinal surgery.

My journey has been a long one, but I hung in there! Lol I began my 6 months of managed weight loss on December 18, 2019. I only had one month left until I would qualify for surgery, but my back surgery in March of 2020 left me unable to return to work. I lost my job AND my insurance. Luckily I was able to get on my husbands insurance fairly quick, but because I skipped a month of weight management appointments I had to start the whole process over again! Needless to say, it was a long road to travel, but on February 1st (surgery day) I was down 60 lbs! My starting weight was 275, so I went into surgery at 215lbs.

Here I am today at day 20 and for the most part things are going well. I am down another 13 lbs and starting my second week on puréed diet Monday. My biggest issue so far is heartburn!! I was already taking Omeprazole 40mg but the reflux is persistent! My bariatric nurse advised me it’s ok to take 1 tums and that has helped some. Has anyone else had persistent heartburn post op, and did it go away after a while? So far that is my biggest concern.

By the way, I didn’t mention my goal weight is 150, so I now have 52 lbs to go. I see many of you are losing lots of weight very quickly. I sometimes feel like my surgery wasn’t as effective, but I try to remind myself that it may be slower for me.

well, that’s my story! I look forward to hearing from others as I continue my journey! Thank you!

Welcome! Don't worry about other people losing faster, I was kind of a slow loser too but the good thing is, my weight loss kept going and going. It took almost two years to reach goal but I got there! Just be patient and stick with your plan. Sorry, no insight on the heartburn issue because I've never experienced it. But I know a lot of sleevers have, so I'm sure someone will come along who can address that.

Hi there

I am new here too,had surgery 9 days ago.My weight loss so far is zero which is a bit alarming but im told not too worry too much about it, I am 59 years old ,maybe the weight loss is a bit slower for us older ladies.Like you I have struggled all my life with weight but despite a bit of pain initally I am delighted to have had the surgery. We have begun the journey.I have not suffered heartburn but maybe your doctor could increase the dose ,i hope that is some help.Good luck on you journey

Mary

I had my surgery on 1/28/21.

I only lose 18 pounds. I had the bypass, I am 61 years old and it does seem like I am losing slowly, I even came home ten pounds heavier. At surgery I was 276 now I am 258

Thank you all for your input. It’s comforting to know you’re not alone! I heard a great analogy today regarding weight loss surgery...

”You can choose to ride the wave til it ends.....OR, you can open your sail and keep on going!”

Im going to choose to open my sail (my mind) to new lifestyle changes and just keep on going! Best wishes to all!

Congratulations on your surgery & your weight loss so far. Don’t worry about your rate of loss. There are slow losers & fast losers but they’re all losing. A lot of factors influence your rate of loss: age, gender, history of weight loss, activity, etc.

As for the heart burn, did your surgeon put you on esomeprazole? It will calm your stomach acid which is irritating your healing tummy & also rising as you’re not eating much. (Stomach acid can also make you think you’re hungry when you’re not.) Some surgeons prescribe them for a short time, some for longer as reflux/gerd can be an issue for sleevers. I still take one every day because I had stress & diet related reflux pre surgery.

Good luck on your journey.

Hmmmm, that’s interesting. I am taking Omeprazole 40mg. But I don’t know if that is considered extra strength?? It would be nice if there were a slow release that lasted 24 hours (maybe mine already is?) I will definitely talk to my surgeon about this at my next appointment. Thanks for the input, I greatly appreciate it.

I have just made a gorgeous lunch which i would like to share with you all

i had my surgery 19 days ago and my surgeon has me on puree diet now

i had a poached egg quater soft advacodo and some smoked salmon

it was really easy to swallow , high in protein and tasted delicious

i also had an expresso with a drop of cream

all stayed down and it felt like somewhat normal eating

calories 280

protein 20 gram

i was starting to gag with the awful taste from the protein drinks

this is like mana from heaven

???

Sorry i meant i had my surgery 10 days ago gastric. By pass

For breakfast i take protein shake and for dinner i take soup and some hummus

i have discovered fantastic yougart

Made by nestle

its called kvarg

i get vanilla flavour

one large pot has 90 calories

protein 17 gram

tastes lovely

I had VSG 2/09/21 so I’m only two weeks out from surgery. My doctor has me on Protonix to prevent gastric reflux and so far it’s helped tremendously. No problems with stomach acids really. My problem is I seem to have hit the dreaded “three week stall” early! No matter how closely I track and watch what I’m eating (I’m on puréed foods now), I’m stuck at the same weight! It’s incredibly frustrating. I’m 52 and guess things are a little different for us older gals... I’ve only lost 12 lbs since my surgery. I sure could use some words of encouragement.

Hello, and thanks for your input. I see my surgeon today and will ask about the protonix.
Don’t let yourself get too upset about what the scale says! Everyone will lose weight at a different pace. Plus, 12 pounds in less than a month is a LOT of weight to lose. My doctor told me, as long as I make sure I’m getting 80 grams of protein each day and at least 64oz of water, the weight will continue to come off.
My husband had this procedure 5 years ago, and I recall he would stall out and stay at the same weight for a few days, then all of a sudden he would drop a couple of pounds all at once!
I just saw your statistics....we are nearly the same! I’m 53, my surgery was Feb. 1st, I’m only 5’6”, I was 275lb at the start of my 6 months pre-op and 215 the day of surgery. I am down 14 lbs. We could be great support for one another! Please feel free to continue to share! Best Wishes!

Yes we are very similiar profiles would love to keep in touch

i have finally list some weight happy to report down 7 pounds in 13 days post op

well done To you on your weight loss a long and hopefully successful road ahead for both of us ?????

mary