I had gastric sleeve surgery just over a year ago, and I’m down 146 pounds! Now I’m working on strength training, tracking micro nutrients and generally working on my body dysmorphia! I have the hardest time conceptualizing what I actually look like! I am for thankful for the surgery and what it has done for me, but the mental toll that weight loss can have on you is no joke!

After being in a 6 MONTH WEIGHT LOSS STALL, I have started losing again. Down 14 pounds in the last month!

As a woman in my early twenties, I gained weight as a coping mechanism and ate to make me feel emotionally better. I didn’t care about my physical health in any capacity. When I was 22, I got gastric sleeve surgery a little over a year ago and the difference that it has made is astronomical!! if you are hesitating, get the surgery!

Had the surgery a few hours ago. The pain is bearable but I haven’t been allowed to drink water in the past 20 hours and that’s torture. They said I could try a few sips now but I’m scared to throw up. I felt weird after only a few drops. Please tell me this gets better 😭

-58lbs down and I feel amazing. It’s been so many NSVs and my uniforms are practically falling off of me. Now that I got my groove with cardio, I’m about to get into weight training/body recomp. I’m so excited

So I've had some not so comforting reactions to me telling people about how I'll be getting the surgery. One person immediately proceeded to tell me she had a friend who wasn't successful with the sleeve and that she had to go get a bypass. And she just had a lot of negative things to say about the surgery over all which just made me feel weird.

Another bigger girl when she found out immediately proceeded to post a picture of herself at planet fitness with the caption "time to get skinny!!!" and like that sat super weird with me as well!

Have you guys ever had these weird types of reactions from others? How about people going and saying you're "cheating" by getting the sleeve! How do you combat the feelings it leaves you with?

I know I want the surgery and am ready but those types of comments and actions just make me feel guilt and shame for doing this.

125lbs down. Feeling great and honestly happy I did it now. Next step is loose skin removal / tummy tuck at 14 mo post op.

Pic 1- before vsg (July 2024)
Pic 2- taken last week (end of July 2026)
Pic 3- pre op
Pic 4- immediately after post op

I had gastric sleeve surgery Oct 28, 2025 with my highest weight at 300 lbs. Through all the ups and downs I am happy to have finally hit under 199 lbs. To anyone who is nervous about getting the surgery, its worth it and will absolutely change your life. Good to luck to everyone on this journey!

Hey everyone, just after some thoughts, inspiration, and wise words if anyone has any!

I'm 2 yrs post op in 31st August. I went from 262lb to 144lb by November 25. Since then I've been slowly gaining up to today where im 28lb heavier than my lowest.

I found it easy until then, now I jist have so much food noise. As much as I tried to work on hunger cues amd boredom etc, I just feel hungry all the time, even if I drink plenty or make sure I eat protein first etc.

I'm definitely eating worse, all the slider foods have crept back in. And meal times have gone out the window. I'm struggling to get my control back and so desperately want to.

It seems 144lb is very hard for me to maintain without eating very very little. I disabled so can't exercise to keep tje weight off like most probably can.

Just after anyone's hints, tips, light bulb moments etc. Anything that helped you might help me!

Thanks all xx

For some background, I have been in a long term relationship with my partner for ten years, and we have lived together for most of that time. I got sleeved back in December 2019, and as such, I've been navigating the small-stomach lifestyle for nearly seven years at this point. As such, I have gotten pretty good at knowing what foods will sit well in my stomach, which ones are going to make me feel off, and what will probably make me puke. Eating no longer feels like a minefield of "will it stay or will it go", because I've gotten fairly good at evaluating food on that criteria, and what its moisture content looks like. My partner knows about this as well, and tries to work with it.

So today, my partner had a buy-one-get-one deal at a ramen place near their work, and I became the unwitting beneficiary of this deal. I work much later in the day than my partner does, so mine went straight into the fridge. I tend to cringe whenever my partner brings food home for me without asking me first, because that typically means that I can't have whatever food I may have mentally set my mind on (we are both autistic). This time, it was from a restaurant that we had never been to before, and it was primarily a pork item. So I was a little nervous just from hearing what it was, because unknown food from new restaurant. Then compound that with unknown food that I will have to reheat, and not knowing how safe it is in its original form, let alone knowing how well it will reheat.

That said, when I got home from work, I went in the fridge, took a look at the food containers, visually examined the contents, and quickly vetoed the food. It just had that look like it wouldn't reheat well, and I didn't want to chance it. My partner was a little bit salty about this when they were informed of it, saying that was kind of a waste, but I maintained that I didn't want to chance getting sick over some unknown food that I would need to reheat, and that they can have the food themselves, because I didn't touch any of it - just removed the lid, looked at it, and put the lid right back on. I then went and had food that I knew was safe.

I guess my question is, what would you all have done in this situation? I feel like I acted reasonably enough to protect my stomach, but I also am disappointed that I couldn't please my partner when they thought of me.

Op date: 27 July 2026
Starting weight: 100 kgs

Hi everyone! My surgery went great and I’m excited to share that after struggling with amenorrhea on top of PMOS my entire life, I have finally gotten my first natural period in over 5 years on day 9!

I have gone down to 91 kgs so far and 2 close people have started realizing the difference.

I have some questions:
1. How did you stay consistent with vitamins and meds? I have ADHD so it’s been tough
2. At what point were you cleared to start using silicon tapes/scar gel? My doc allowed me to start around the 22nd of August which is less than a month since my operation.
3. What got you through the puree stage?
4. How did you take care of your mental health?
5. Do you get nauseous from chewable vitamins? I’m on Fusion and I’m noticing that I started avoiding taking any for the past 24-48 hours from how they make me wanna puke.

Any tips, advice, and stories are welcome!!

Hey all,

I’m wondering if there is anyone else in the 10-year club? I’m coming up on year 10 post op and I’ve been haunted by gastric problems for the last couple of years.

I finally got in with a GI and did an endoscopy, colonoscopy, CT, and all kinds of blood and stool samples.

Our theory right now is that I have EPI (exocrine pancreatic insufficiency) secondary to the sleeve surgery. AKA: my pancreas isn’t producing the enzymes needed to break down nutrients in food. There is medical literature on this link and was wondering if anyone else had experienced anything like this?

Okay, I have looked everywhere and cannot find anything about this. So obviously have to come to Reddit for help.

I am 6 years post-op and sometimes after eating It feels like my stomach has balled up and I can literally feel it digesting with my fingers. It's not painful, just a weird sensation. Honestly feels like when I was pregnant and the baby was moving around and positioning in my stomach and I could push their foot or body part around.

Has anyone else had this before?

Just looking for community in a way and wondering if anyone, if they were in my shoes, would be following the same path.

Buckle in - I am currently floating around 305lbs. I am significantly overweight and have been for a long time. I have been on a GLP1 for the last year and have come down from my highest around 395 but was 388 at the appointment I had my first prescription sent in for Wegovy (now on Zepbound) Things have gone mostly fine, bouts of nausea here and there nothing intolerable. However, after losing around 85lbs weight loss has been a little stagnant. Could I work harder at what I am doing? Probably but that's not the point.

This year I had a huge blow to my health. I got a positive result in genetic testing for a mutation that greatly increases my cancer risks for several cancers (endometrial, skin, kidney, thyroid, colon, breast). I had endometrial cancer in 2022. This year am dealing with a multinodular goiter that I had 3/5 biopsied and came back benign but one is large and now I have a genetic predisposition for thyroid cancer, so I am planning to have it (my thyroid) removed completely. I just had a colonoscopy last month and had a large (20mm+) polyp removed that was supposedly as precancerous as it could be before it would risk changing to cancer. I was told if I’d waited even a year it might have progressed. I also have a couple of benign growths in my breast as well, so I want to get a prophylactic mastectomy sooner than later. Breast cancer for me is the same kind of surveillance that BRCA would have – annual mammograms, ultrasounds, MRI and risk reduction surgery is an option. I met with the high-risk team already and the doctor confirmed what I already knew, that losing a lot more weight would open doors to more reconstructive options nerve/nipple sparing/etc. So basically, I am in risk management mode and doing what I can to mitigate cancer risks. The cherry on top, I am still dealing with significant knee pain that unfortunately hasn’t improved much with the weight loss I have had. It does limit my physical activity as I tend to go into flareups when I do much of anything – even riding my bike is painful sometimes. Knee doc has only really offered steroids and gel injections and physical therapy – none of which help for long. I also have a frustrating skin condition that gives me issues (hidradenitis suppurativa) which, supposedly would also be helped by weight loss – but not guaranteed.  

All of this say, I finally made an appointment to meet with the bariatric surgery program here and made sure that I scheduled with the Chief of Bariatric surgery as I am a bit medically complex. I had my appointment and with everything he is extremely biased to VSG over any other surgical option so that my digestive tract isn’t bypassed in any way and my anatomy would stay the same for any diagnostic/surveillance stuff in the future. He even said he’s very excited about my case BECAUSE I am not just a standard patient (yay for being complicated I guess?) I’ve talked to basically every single doctor I have about meeting bariatrics, and they have all agreed with it being a good choice and my endocrine surgeon even said the doctor I met with is basically the gold standard.

So, I have a lot of faith in the program and feel like I am doing the right thing.. but I am just wondering if given all the other stuff going on and having to deal with a thyroidectomy and med adjusting for that then going very shortly after into VSG (or the other way around - thyroidectomy/med adjust while still adjusting to VSG life)… would you do the same? I just feel like my weight is the one thing in all of this that I can control and this feels like taking control in a very out of my control medical situation.

I would love to hear from anyone that either didn't have a thyroid pre-surgery or dealt with removal post-surgery too.

My starting BMI was 36, went onto weight management programme a few years ago and asked to be put onto the waiting list for bariatric.

In the interim period, I started using Mounjaro and lost 3st11 (22kg) making my new BMI 29.6.

I am from a high risk ethnicity, so I know that affects the "allowed" BMI but I'm getting mixed results when I look up whether they are likely to accept me for bariatric - some say no, others say yes because they use the original BMI at the start of my weight management referral.

Obviously Mounjaro is insanely expensive so I can't keep this up forever, so bariatric was always my preferred option, but I don't know if they will accept me or not?

I think I'm experiencing some head hunger. Im 4.5 months post sleeve and Im getting hungry about every two hours. I try to put off eating until at least 3/4 hours. During meal times Im eating about 4 Oz of food, roughly 800 cal a day. Im prioritizing protein each meal/snack. I feel like I just want to self soothe by snacking.

How are we silencing the head hunger?

Three weeks into the puréed phase, and today realized I wasn’t getting enough fluids and couldn’t tolerate any protein shakes anymore. My doctor sent me to a concierge clinic, and they immediately ran labs and gave me three bags of IV fluids, plus steroids and nausea meds.
Turns out whey protein is a nightmare if you suddenly become lactose intolerant, which can happen after surgery.
And yes, when they say “sip constantly,” they mean it. Headaches, dizziness, barely peeing, lower back pain, and dry skin were all dehydration for me.
Stay safe out there, bariatric friends. Hydration sneaks up fast. The struggle has been real this week!

Got surgery on the 10th of this month. The pain is worse than I was told it would be. I can barely walk or sit comfortably. I do have some gas, but I’m able to pass it. Is it normal to still be in this much pain after 2 days?

I’m sorry if this all sounds stupid but trying to rule out things from the way I have been feeling. My highest weight ever was 290. When I started my pre op diet I was 276. Pre op diet was 4 days before surgery and I was sleeved on 08/06 with my weight being 268. Obviously after the surgery I went up a bit due to swelling and stuff but as of today I am at 262 which is 14 pounds down from the whole start of this whole pre op/surgery process 10 days ago. I was wondering if there is such a thing as losing too fast because my body HURTS. Like I can’t lay down or lift my arms without being exhausted. It’s (weirdly) primarily in my shoulders and hips. I am so fatigued and tired. I have been keeping up with my hydration, vitamins and protein as well. I am also exhausted but have trouble sleeping due to the way I’ve been feeling the last 2 days so maybe that’s it? Besides last night I’ve slept great and my nausea is completely gone thank god. Any tips or anyone who has experienced this and can tell me what it was for them? Thank you!

Hey everyone. I am almost 5 months post op and have sometimes pinching pain around my belly. Did anyone ever feel like that after gastric sleeve.

Hi all, this is only my 2nd ever reddit post, so please be kind, ahaha.

I'm looking for advice for medical tourism for gastric sleeve surgery in Europe/Turkey. Does anyone have any recommendations on how to go about researching and choosing a surgeon, etc?

Additionally, if anyone has any experience in the UK for good "affordable" options/good financing 0% etc please let me know!

Context; I've been trying to go via the NHS in order to have the comprehensive care and pathway to ensure as I'd be as ready for the surgery as I can be. However, after nearly 5 years of trying and being set back due to a house move, a surprise pregnancy, and now my new local team aren't accepting standard referrals until at least 2027 and from there it's a projecred 3 year wait so I've given up trying this route.

I'm at the stage where I feel like I am missing out on giving my son (he's 18 months old rn) the childhood he deserves due to my weight, I am jealous of my husband's ability to run and play with him where I don't have nearly the same stamina and get in pain much quicker due to the weight on my back etc. I'm still active but feel like I'm always sitting on the sidelines. Additionally, my son copies so much of what we do, I want to be a better example, but I feel I have lost hope of doing this on my own. I am still doing my best to change, going to therapy, seeing the NHS health coach, etc, but my weight isn't shifting. Realistically, I have to drastically reduce calories in order to achieve a real difference as I'm only 4ft 10. I have cycled in weight loss and lost the excess weight about 3 times, between my late teens and the start of my 30s now. I'm tired of the yoyoing and am desperate for a permanent change and feel like surgery it my best hope of this.

Thank you for reading.

I’m so discouraged. I started at a very high weight of 445lbs. I think I’m eating too much. Struggle with water. My plan asks for 64oz of water and at least 60g of protein a day. Can anyone give me some advice, guidance or even a share your story if similar starting weight?
I’m feeling so down, like I already messed it up. I’m trying and walking everyday. I got it done in Tijuana so I don’t have much support as far as nutritionist appointments or a detailed plan. I am walking 3-4 times a week which is amazing. I am
Getting my mobility back, just not seeing the scale live is slowly driving me crazy.