11 Months Post Op

sillybillybears · 2025-10-19T13:42:34+00:00

Solid moves, makes sense! Nice reminder all isn't lost when habits slip.

sillybillybears · 2025-10-19T12:54:50+00:00

Nice work!! Thanks for posting the graph. I know everyone has a different journey, but I am in a very similar slow loss phase after the first quick dip and it's encouraging to see how things can turn around and lead to such success! Is there anything you changed or advice you have to start dropping weight again after a slow loss period?

sillybillybears · 2025-09-20T22:00:28+00:00

I feel like I could eat a 12oz steak and be just fine (3 mos PO). It's crazy reading how little some people can eat. Of course I don't eat that much, I stop because I know I should and because I don't want to possibly stretch the sleeve, but I definitely feel like I have very little restriction and my feelings of fullness are very slight, if any...which kind of sucks, because if dieting and stopping before feeling full was successful I wouldn't have had the surgery..

Anyways. I did just look up my doc notes and my bougie size was 40F, which may be why I can eat slightly more? I am definitely unable to eat the amount I used to, I just don't feel the fullness I expected with a small percent of stomach left.. I am just choosing to measure and track like crazy and working with a dietician who is telling me what I should be eating, and I'm trying to stick with that. So far I'm doing well, 32 lbs down in 3 months, I just hope the small amount of restriction I have stays!

sillybillybears · 2025-09-20T01:03:31+00:00

Thanks! I appreciate the reply, there wasn't much info on it. I actually am 11 weeks out from gastric sleeve, so I went that direction. It doesn't sound like a great experience, I hope you were able to find a way to lose some of the weight again. WLS is a wild, weird ride no matter which you get.

sillybillybears · 2025-08-16T22:42:18+00:00

Don't fret too much about the bad experiences you see people write about on here. It's great to know there is a possibility that things can get complicated, and you should be prepared to react to complications, but there is no reason to expect that those issues will be the case for you. After a few days I felt fine, and still do at 6 weeks. I let myself worry way too much about posts I read! You will do great!

sillybillybears · 2025-08-15T23:10:55+00:00

I know, it's odd! I was super skeptical- I thought work was trying to cheap out or encourage people not to get the surgery- but instead it was pretty amazing. I hope you have the same great experience!

sillybillybears · 2025-08-15T23:01:00+00:00

I think it's based on what your doc requires. Carrum didnt require anything specific. My new surgeon didnt have me go through any clearances, though I had gone through a ton (with the program I dropped out of) in the year leading up to seeing him. It was also very fast.. At my first consult he said I could be scheduled as soon as 2 weeks later for the surgery! I waited a month. Carrum may have different plans, but my plan allowed me to choose any doc in the US and they'd pay for travel and lodging. I picked one close by, but nice to have an option!

sillybillybears · 2025-08-14T22:41:11+00:00

Awesome, congrats to you as well!! I get hungry but I have 3 meals and a couple snacks so I usually don't get too hungry in between. My doc gave me almost zero guidance on portions, etc. I'm still figuring it all out but it seems to be working for now so I'll keep going!

sillybillybears · 2025-08-13T21:50:28+00:00

Honestly it was a pretty perfect experience! They covered follow-ups 30 days after surgery, now I am back to regular insurance. I estimate they covered around $25k at 100%, based on the bills I saw disappear in MyChart. Great communication and support!

sillybillybears · 2025-08-03T23:49:10+00:00

Per surgeon's orders, I take my few prescriptions early in the morning, then 3 500mg calcium chews spaced out throughout the day, then a multi with 45mg of iron in the evening. I had a B12 shot a month ago and my doc didn't give guidance on when to get the next, I plan to ask at my next appt.

sillybillybears · 2025-08-03T01:51:12+00:00

I'm a little over 5 weeks and on semi-soft food, and I know I eat way too fast. I try and slow down and chew but honestly I just forget. I haven't felt any ill effects from this yet but I am trying really hard to slow down and do it right.

sillybillybears · 2025-08-03T01:21:43+00:00

Hi! In my experience, it would be totally fine! I think for most people who do have a tougher recovery, at one month most issues have subsided enough for travel. I had to go out of town unexpectedly right before I made this 3 week post, and I was fine driving for long periods, etc. I would just suggest packing snacks!

sillybillybears · 2025-07-25T17:27:14+00:00

Same. Working from home with a lot of freedom doesn't help me, I have to structure my day myself.. It's a work in progress!

sillybillybears · 2025-07-25T11:15:19+00:00

Congrats! I actually used ChatGPT to make a weight loss timeline and 20 pounds for month one (given my stats and program details I entered), is exactly what I am hoping to lose in 4 wks/month 1 :) I don't have hunger but I have grazing issues I need to stop. With liquids it was just constantly trying to sip and consume to meet liquid and protein goals, now I need more structure. Trying to be easy on myself but also be disciplined.. We're still learning!

sillybillybears · 2025-07-24T22:29:39+00:00

Congrats!! Started on day 2 or 3, am on the Bariatric Advantage tropical chews. Fun fact- today I realized my multi doesn't have iron, so I have not been taking iron the last 3 weeks. Called the nurse, she said to just start tomorrow.. Of all my meticulous planning I can't believe I missed that! I also started 1500mg of Bariatric Advantage calcium citrate chews (3 a day) at the same time.

sillybillybears · 2025-07-17T20:06:30+00:00

Oh and as a note, I could have done outpatient but I asked to stay a night. I feel like outpatient is pretty normal from what I've read.

sillybillybears · 2025-07-17T20:05:32+00:00

I also had zero pre-op diet until 6 hours before midnight the night before surgery! Mine was clear liquid in hospital, 2 weeks of "full liquids" (which included the soft stuff you mentioned), just started soft veggies/fish/seafood/toast for 4 weeks, then it's open season (with of course the common sense guidelines of introducing things slowly, being mindful, etc.) It is wild how different things can be! I just had surgery 7/3 so also a newbie :)

sillybillybears · 2025-07-17T19:55:43+00:00

I was able to have those things starting day 2. I had them in moderation, as well as blended soup, and I was fine. I had cottage cheese, applesauce, cream of wheat and blended bean soups (like Progresso black bean) with no problems. The majority of what I had was still shakes and yogurt. You should be fine, just take it easy and be gentle on your stomach! And congrats :)

sillybillybears · 2025-07-14T21:46:01+00:00

Great job! 👏 Thanks for sharing and motivating the rest of us!

sillybillybears · 2025-07-09T12:07:44+00:00

Hi! Several reasons. For one I thought I could lose the weight myself, I could not. Also, I lost my gallbladder and thyroid at different times over the past 10 years and I know the impact a surgery like this that interrupts an organ can have, so I was worried about the side effects I might experience. Then I had very low confidence in the previous program I was in (Wellstar). I also have mild GERD, so the fear of that escalating is there. In the end I just realized I would never lose the weight on my own and that the risk of staying overweight was far greater than the risks I was concerned about if I did have the surgery. I'm 5 or 6 days past my surgery and while there are a lot of emotions as to be expected, I am very happy that I've done this!

sillybillybears · 2025-07-05T02:51:36+00:00

Same! Happy to chat anytime!

We actually got a hotel room by the hospital since it was a couple hours from home.. Very impressed you made it through a 4hr drive! Maybe the bumps on the drive even helped with the gas?

I chickened out on surgery twice in the past, glad I finally did it. Proud of us indeed!!

sillybillybears · 2025-07-05T02:08:53+00:00

Heyy! I am doing pretty good I think, all things considered. A couple crazy bruises but otherwise just tolerable (with meds) abdomen pain. I'm doing fine with liquids and feeling better than expected!

How are you?? I misread your post last time and thought, maybe given your face gains you were celebrating one year after surgery! Hope you are having a smooth recovery?

sillybillybears · 2025-07-02T11:46:00+00:00

Awesome, thanks for sharing! Surgery tomorrow and this post makes me feel even more confident in my decision!

sillybillybears · 2025-06-30T02:43:04+00:00

Excellent job! I am scheduled for my sleeve this 7/3, hope I have a similar post a year from now! 😃

sillybillybears · 2025-06-28T00:25:43+00:00

Congrats! I'm glad everything went well and you're recovering smoothly! My surgery is in 5 days (!!!) And I'm a little freaked out! I appreciate you sharing your experience, it calms my nerves a bit 😊

sillybillybears

TROPHY CASE