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I love going out to eat. It’s different now. I was prepared for this and I looked at it as “I have had 35 years to eat so many delicious amazing things. I’ll still get to eat delicious foods again but the surgery gives me the chance to find other things to love in my life - new passions and experiences that I’ve been too preoccupied and overweight to explore.” I’m nearly 6 weeks out and we have “eaten out” 3 times. Once I got soup, once I got a pulled pork kids meal, and once a chicken wrap, which I basically ate a few bites of chicken out of the wrap. My man is totally comfortable with enjoying his food and trusting that I’m eating what I need to eat. If you have co-dependent food enjoyment, that might be difficult. Yesterday he wanted ice cream and I went with him and didn’t have anything. I wasn’t interested after being off sugar for so long. I don’t tell myself “I can’t have xyz” because that will trigger me to want to binge. I tell myself “I’m choosing ..”

I finally showed my before and after photos on facebook. I was very, very scared. I had told a lot of people - but some didn't know. I had never EVER showed a full body picture like that. From the side at that! Anyways, on the left: I was a miserable 369lbs. SUPER unhealthy, probably headed to death. I doubt very seriously I could make it past 400. My body would probably just give out. I was already struggling to breathe doing simple tasks/walking up stairs. ANYWHO, the right was a shot taken by my beautiful momsicle on Mother's Day just last weekend. Ignore my "suns in the eyes" face. I am over 120lbs lost from February 27th, 2020 to now. I finally am under 250lbs and I am just floored. Of course, I won't lie. It's been a struggle. Currently, my biggest challenge has and still is - dumping. In the beginning, for the first 8 months, I threw up every. single. day. I realized ice cream, fried foods, steak - out of the question. Buffets were a waste. Most every meal I got out, was a waste. It made people feel bad at first because I would stop eating after 3 bites. I had to constantly remind people that I didn't mind if they ate! I got accepted into nursing school and reverted back to some old habits. Sugary coffees (which made me dump like HELL), chicken nuggets, fries...Anything I could stuff in my mouth "on the go". I would pay the price, but I wasn't puking after every single meal. So I thought I was in the clear. Earlier this year, I started to have tremendous abdominal pain. Spasms that took my breath away. After numerous tests, it was concluded that I had severe IBS with constipation and diarrhea. After talking to my NP at the weight loss place, we decided to try more plant-based alternatives. I'll admit, I was skeptical and very upset because this girl LOVES a nice juicy steak! But, I have noticed my symptoms are near non-existence when I eat beans, (wild) rice, whole grains, some fruits, and almost any veggie. I take it light with caffeine as that is a trigger, but I do still consume some. Suffice to say, this has been the hardest battle I have ever fought in my entire life. I continue to fight it. I continue to struggle with choices about food. I've learned to not limit myself completely. If I want a cookie, I'll eat half. I don't starve myself. I just don't overindulge like I used to. It seems to be working as I have lost a ton of weight. I plateau, but it's going. I just want to be an advocate for anyone considering the surgery and will answer ANY questions! I want to also be your cheerleader if you have already had the surgery. I can't promise it won't be hard, but I will promise it will be worth it to look at yourself in the mirror and have self-esteem again! I am actually OK with people taking full body pictures now! Insane! I am waiting for my weight to be stable to get skin surgery, but baby steps! #AMA

My nose ran when I was full even though I didnt feel full. Dont listen to all the stories of people losing 20lbs in the first month. This is your journey and it doesnt matter how long it takes you to get there as long as you get there !!! I only lost 14lbs that first month after VSG and heard all those same 20lbs in first month but I stuck to the plan and lost 131lbs the first year !! You can do this !

not a typical thing with RNY, although I know some people who can't handle certain artificial sweeteners (esp sugar alcohols - those with names ending in -itol). Although I also know VSG people who can't tolerate those - as well as people who've never had any WLS at all. I've had RNY, and I'm fine with any artificial sweetener. It could very well be that in your case it's related somehow, but that doesn't seem to be true of all of us...

I was on a 10 day, 4 protein shakes and 4 one cup servings of non starchy veggies a day diet. Then the day before surgery was clear liquid only. I lost 8lbs.

Don't be irritated, sour mood tends to cause bigger appetite than usual Put your food in a smaller bowl and eat with teaspoon, count your chews and pause after each swallow. Slow down eating and enjoy the taste [emoji4] all the best!!

I find it to be the most moist in instapot ot on grill.

Thanks for the visual! My DS is scheduled for June 1st...it’s almost here!

I am near 2 months out from Bypass to bypass revision. Weight loss is slower this time around, but I'm actually glad of it. It is consistent and manageable- I feel good. My vitamin levels have been stable - a million times better than after my original bypass. I have a long way to go yet, but so far, worth it.

what they went through is pretty uncommon. For most of us, the hair does grow back - and also, most people don't lose enough for others to notice (YOU'LL notice - but again, for most of us, it's not enough for others to notice). Some lucky folks don't lose any hair at all. I Just want to say that most pre-ops (and early post-ops) are super concerned about hair loss (and loose skin, too), but I think I can speak on behalf of the vast majority of "vets" when I say that in retrospect, both of those are a small price to pay in exchange for finally getting rid of excess weight. I would take temporary hair loss and loose skin any day over weighing over 300 lbs again. ANY DAY!!!