LindaS

I paid a fitness sports guru $35 to do mine. He was working with my surgeon at the time and it was a few years ago when I was about 14 months post-op. He had a big fancy scale that you stepped on barefoot and had handles that you grabbed onto with bare hands. It sent a bio-impedance through my body and spit out a sheet of paper with information in regards to my weight, muscle mass, my Water mass, etc. It also calculated the amount of muscle I had in each arm, each leg, and my torso. It calculated my RMR to be at about 1,450 calories which I personally have found to be quite true. Anything much more than that for me = gain.
As far as your metabolism, well, I can't answer that one for you. I will say that having WLS does *something* to us from a metabolic standpoint, but the science behind it, well, I'm not even sure that the "experts" can pinpoint exactly what changes. But I do know that I signed up for WLS with the idea that I would be eating LESS food for the rest of my life, so I can't really expect to eat a lot and NOT gain weight.
I think it's probably worth finding someone who can give you an accurate reading. There are lots of places (AND LOTS OF WAYS) to calculate your RMR, but the short answer is that MFP, Livestrong, CC, SparkPeople, etc DO NOT factor in whether or not you've had WLS.

Keep in mind that the "5:2 ladies" do not recommend this program to people early out... We want you to follow your Drs plan. This is a plan for those at the end of their journey, who can't get the last few pounds off, have had a regain or having trouble staying at goal... Talk to your Doc or Nut about it first! It is also not recommended for those with uncontrolled Diabetes...It is not a fast weight loss diet, it is a longevity protocol that can also help with weight loss.

I'm in too. Did a "fast day" yesterday. That went well. Had 900 calories today. Gonna take this one day at a time

The towel wrapping was great and satisfying. I also go down stairs normally. At my heaviest I was going down sideways which was something I remember my mom doing. And if its not TMI I can wrap my legs and cross my ankles around my husband now during sex. I can't believe I just said that! Posting quickly before I can erase..

I can see my feet! I can put on my socks,shoes and shave my legs without holding my breath and sitting down to do it! I can almost get a bath towel around me enough to "tuck in"! I can wrap my arms around myself and clip my bra on! I'm embracing the seemingly small things and celebrating it. Only 26 lbs down but so much change with that 26! Yay!

I'm going to try it. Thanks everyone for sharing your experience with it!

Me and my honey hamming it up at an event last weekend. Look at that pointy chin!

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Gotta add my experience... I was in a stall for nearly two years; no matter what I ate, how I moved or any diet I could not shift a pound. Disheartened and fed up didn't come close to how I felt. I wasn't at goal and I really felt that my eight loss journey had ended.
The Georgia told us about the 5:2 and how it was working for her. I decided to try it, well, I hay tried everything else!
That was June... I have broken that stall and lost 10lb. Now, that might seem slow to some reading this, but for me it was amazing. I am now 3lb away from my surgeon's goal and when that day comes I will think about going for my personal goal, which will be an extra 14lb or so extra.
This, albeit slow, has worked for me... And even though I don't lose on a weekly basis, I am seeing results in measurements.
Sorry for the long post

I don't want to speak for others but for me personally the greatest benefit from 5:2 is what Feed mentioned; the notion that, "hey I can always eat that tomorrow". It is really empowering and comforting and breaks down my relationship with food.

Or maybe not. I remember when I got my sleeve, I thought I'd reach my goal weight within 6 months. I was wrong. It has been over two years, and I still haven't reached my goal. I've learned to enjoy where I am, which is so much better than where I had been.

Or maybe not. I remember when I got my sleeve, I thought I'd reach my goal weight within 6 months. I was wrong. It has been over two years, and I still haven't reached my goal. I've learned to enjoy where I am, which is so much better than where I had been.

Thanks, Sheila!

I do love the dress, but I meant to say that you look great in it too. Your face glows! Your men look handsome too.

Thank you! It's from the boutique at Tarjay
When I bought it I didn't quite fit into it but I thought maybe one day I would. I love dresses but haven't worn any in so long! Really like being able to wear one without having to issue blinders to all!

My husband, btw, has gone from a 2xl shirt to a medium, and has lost close to 70 lbs in the last 4 months. We are both adjusting to it mentally. It's a huge change.

Gamergirl, I love that dress!

Yeah I know we're only supposed to post before and after pics to inspire people but we got dressed up for our thanksgiving dinner and I want to share those pics so I'm starting a thread (I mean, I could make up some BS reason but really the truth is I felt good in my dress and I want to share it. and i love my kids. and my husband looked great).
So feel free to add your "we're all dressed up" pics to this thread!

Definitely take your measurements. I didn't start taking measurements until about 1 month post-op and SO wish I would have started pre-op. Seeing the inches go away will help motivate you when the scale stays the same. :-)

I read about this, and it suggests dropping calories to 500 for women. This is supposed to be approximately a quarter of your regular day's calories (based on a 2,000 calorie diet).
The question I have is what do you do if your normal calorie day is 1200 or less. Do you still aim for 500, or do you still aim for only a quarter of your regular calories?

As a mom, I hope my kids never have to work to hide something from me. I know it isn't realistic -- all kids hide stuff, but I can still hope. Although, it is sweet that you are thinking of her health.
To help you, I highly recommend eating some slider foods to make it look like a more normal portion.

No cringing Allowed. Before pix should be honored.. how far you have come and the place you'll never see again.
One of these days I will be inflicting'my before and afters too!

On MFP they said there will soon be shirtless beach pics. Just so you know, I'm holding you to it and waiting patiently for those. That's really the only reason I want to follow this thread
Glad you're done with it.

Hey folks. Had my TT today. They removed 6 pounds of skin. 2 giant pieces like the one on the picture. I'll get some photos of me posted as soon as I'm able, but wanted to let everyone know it all went well.
I'm in the hospital tonight and I'll go home tomorrow. I've got 3 drains....how in the world do you folks walk around in public with these things?
The doc came in earlier and opened up the binder for a second to take a look....holy crap! I don't recognize myself. It's so unbelievable. Now let the recovery begin.
Btw not much pain right now, morphine is awesome!!!!
So this is half of what they cut out.

The price list is here, but you do get some savings when you do multiple procedures.
The only way to really know is to get a quote. What I will say is that I paid less, way less, for getting all my procedures done at once then I was going to pay for just having the extended Tummy Tuck and breast aug/lift in the USA.
http://www.medicaltourism.com.mx/mtpl.html
AkMama - I haven't had alot of pain... I expected the thighs and arms to really really hurt and they haven't. The thighs are definately most difficult to live with though. Do you have any idea how hard it is to go for 6 weeks without parting your thighs or otherwise stressing those incisions? (get your mind out of the gutter!). getting in and out of a car, bending and reaching down low, daily normal tasks - you CAN do them, you just have to be careful to not do them - not because of pain but to avoid putting tension on the incision and widening your scar. I had the added bonus of having some skin problems. I have very delicate skin and the tape caused one abrasion. Anyway, it is all coming along okay.
I think the very hardest thing for me personally is accepting the physical limitations. I have found this to be very very hard. I realized that it reminds me of my darkest days of being 300+ pounds. I am a naturally high energy, likes to move and do stuff kind of person... and to be forced to sit... or lay... and rest... day after day... has definately played with my mind. Sometimes, it makes me feel fat and I have to remind myself that I am not fat, I am not disabled, I am just healing.
I have literally been watching the doghair grown on the carpet. My horses are filthy (caretaker feeds them, but doesn't really attend to them like I would). I have felt stircrazy at times and thank goodness I have friends who have rescued me by getting me out of the house, but like a baby I would get tired fast and need a nap. It sucks. I would say that around week 3 I was regretting surgery - not because of pain, i was happy with results, but because I felt I was going crazy not being able to do the most simple tasks for fear of interfering with my healing.
Anyway, my summary is that I worried way too much about pain and stuff and underestimated just how long it takes to heal. In another week I am cleared to start exercising, but I don't think I am really ready to do much besides walking. I am supposed to be okay to ride horses in 3 weeks, but based on how I feel now - no way - I need longer. I still have trouble opening heavy doors at commercial buildings - like wow - I used to feel so strong and now I am a weakling. (horses are a highly physical activity as they can do unpredictable things and they do weigh like 1200 pounds!).
I think I am finally ACCEPTING that this takes a lot of time. All I can say is I am sure glad I waited till autumn to do this. I would have cried over losing my summer (horseback riding, camping and hiking season) because it takes MONTHS to be back to full steam. Well, at least for me and probably for most people that have so many procedures at once.
I finally no longer regret having done the surgery and really am pleased with my results. I was always an apple shape and to finally have something that is more balanced, and womanly looking... makes me so happy. My clothes fit better and people see the difference in my shape even under winter clothes.
My ex made the statement that I needed to do plastics to sort of close a certain chapter and I think he was right. I can see that it is making me feel just so normal, which is all I ever really wanted.

So what I find even more fascinating - not insulting, but fascinating, is the people that didn't know me fat. I have a friend who I met actually while I was losing weight. She shared with me a pic from last year when I was about 50# heavier then i am now.... I lost over 150 total so she never saw me REALLY heavy. anyway, she is astounded at the transformation and I keep telling her she really has NO idea. And then, there are a few others that know about my "history" but I think at some level don't believe it. Like I have heard more than once that I don't look like someone who was ever heavy. Like, should we have the scarlet letter sewed on our shirts? What does it mean that someone looks like they used to be heavy?...LOL
I am not insulted, I do find it curious though.
I saw my family last night and my sister and niece wondered why it is I keep losing weight. I finally told them my actual weight, which is 150# and for someone 5'5" that is along way from twiggy. They were shocked and almost didn't believe me, they thought I was way lighter/smaller. I think there is a certain amount of dismorphia from the outside going on here...
Anyway, I too try to change the subject. Many of my work colleagues are at remote locations so i don't see them often so the shock waves of "oh my god, is that you?" continue for me...