CowgirlJane

Well, I am not underweight but I did learn something about recovering from a loss of appetite episode. Carbs are the key. Eat more of them to trigger appetite and put some weight on. go easy, add a bit of Peanut Butter or some nuts everyday. You don't need to gain massive weight, but how about 5# and see how you feel? If it feels good, you look and feel healthy, stay there. In truth, MOST women look hottest at BMI above 20 (I read somewhere that most women like themselves best at 22-23 BMI) but it is very much a personal decision. I think you need to do what makes you feel good and I understand the fear of regain. That is why I suggest very small changes... then get used to it (like weighing 5# more) and decide if it is comfortable or if you agree that you should go a little higher or just hang out there.

I completely relate. When I felt so awful and a friend of mine told me that I looked great and I should try to maintain "right there". My reply was something along the lines of "thanks, but I feel like sh*t, so I don't really care how I look." My situation is different in that according to very extensive labs, my health is outstanding. I didn't wind up getting scoped because in truth, I didn't have any clear symptoms pointing to a physical problem with my stomach and time has sort of proven that. Now that I feel better and have a strong appetite, more energy etc. is when a person even has the ability to think about the kinds of questions i posted. I really don't understand your health struggles, but i do get that you are really trying to be healthy and not so worried about some of this other nonsense. The old saying is that without your health you have nothing... has some merit. Feeling good is the key, after that, everything else is icing on top.

When I was banded, I was sure I would be successful, and I wasn't! When I was revised, I was more determined than you can imagine, but not very confident. I wonder if that is part of why this is so emotiional for you too. I had the band removed and was revised to the sleeve 2.5 months later. I remember the spot of the port removal was so sore and there was like a "hole" where it used to live that filled with Fluid and took awhile to resolve. It freaked me out but it did go away. I felt awful the first few weeks being sleeved, I was so obese I had lost 50# before anybody even noticed. That was a time when it took alot of internal mental focus and even toughness to keep on keeping on. I am not sure why you feel like Frankenstein, I was relieved to have that foreign object out of me. Once the port area healed - it was like thank the stars!!!! My surgeon reused my old lab scars so they weren't bad... and well I guess when you weigh over 300# a few scars on that HUGE belly just wasn't that big of a deal to me. Take a look at my before and after photos (click on my profile) and maybe some other revionistas on here and you can see what is possible and come to believe that it is worth it.

So, I find myself in an interesting situation weight wise. I made my goal of 158 in Feb 2013 - and have been pretty determined to stay UNDER that. Most of the time I have been in the mid 150s, but got down to about 150 by Feb 2014 and was content there. I had an (unplanned) loss of hunger/desire to eat and lost another 10 pounds this last spring - actually over a period of about 3 weeks or so. It was a bit worrisome and alot of effort went into finding out if anything was "wrong" with me so I had tests, bloodwork etc etc - turns out I was lonely and didn't like eating alone. ha (I come from a big family and had never lived alone until pretty recently and then a chain of events occurred... and I guess my emotional state killed my appetite and drive to eat) At the time I didn't care that much about how I looked because I felt like crud. Side note - any of you that are feeling crappy, consider that maybe you are not eating often enough (sustain blood sugar) and not eating enough healthy carbs (sustain energy). I certainly did not do it intentionally, you get used to eating so little (due to the original loss of appetite) that it becomes the new normal and it is hard to get restarted. I was very motivated to feel good again, but I can see where it would be easy to stay in the bad (under eating) cycle. Now that I feel good again, I realize, I like how I look at 140! I was shopping at my favorite discount store - Ross - and was buying shorts in the misses section. I bought the two smallest they had (without going juniors)- non stretch name brand size 4 so I guess that is really my size now - and it made me realize there was a time when i don't think Ross had shorts big enough to fit my 26/28W butt. I like being this size even though I need to regain some muscle mass/strength as combined with my gym injury back in February with this little "episode" I have basically given up my strength and fitness routine and I am committed to returning to it. I am still active on my farm and with my horses, do a little hiking etc, but I have lost fitness ground. anyway, I am alot better, my appetite is back and my son - 6' tall big eating son -is home from college. I have gained back 2 pounds in the last 2 weeks and find my appetite to be not only increasing but the Dave's killer organic bread, red potatoes, Peanut Butter and ice cream back in the house (all my weak spots) have been calling my name. i also have been hanging out with a new friend who is a big eater - very food oriented which helped me when I didn't want to lose more weight as ate together a few times a week, but now.... more of a challenge. So, I recognize I am at a cross road. Returning to intense exercise is likely to trigger appetite even further. I need to get a handle on my environment changing (kiddo back home mainly). I need to decide how committed I am to being this new weight as I suspect it will take 6 months before it is a comfortable maintainable weight (new setpoint?) I do feel like it is a great weight for me Healthwise and all that. My measurements are great, clothes fit great all that stuff - it is a question of how hard will it be to sustain it. I am 2.5 years post op and think I am just approaching the typical "bounce up" time frame. Trying to make conscious decisions about managing my weight, health, food and exercise rather than just letting it happen willy nilly. Suspect many vets have similiar decisions to make, where to maintain, are those last "vanity" pounds worth it? Is it just vanity or is it really a healthier weight? Is it realistic to maintain here or will I find it pretty similar to maintaining at 150? My main thing is that I want to be deliberate so I don't wind up on a regain cycle ... i guess the thing many of us fear a bit.

I would like to suggest counseling and support from a good nutritionalist. I have been very successful with the sleeve....lost over 160 and been maintaining. I gotta tell you...not sure how I would have done at 20. The emotional part of this is as hard or harder than the physical. Many people have regret at your stage, mourning the loss of food. You mention not knowing how this is going to impact your social life. If you hang out with people big into eating and drinking (college!) This could really be a challenge so getting advice and counseling might make a huge difference. I am more than twice your age, very self confident and I am so OVER food as a. "Friend" and it can still be hard. I have a new friend who is so food orientated and combined with my big eating son home from college....it is exhausting even for me at 2.5 years post op to keep the carbs etc at bay but it is so worth it (size 4 butt instead of 28W).

I am 2.5 years out and notice big changes in how much I eat depending on circumstances. Bottom line, at this stage it's a lot about eating low carb and making conscious choices about small portions, not snacking etc. Sleeve still helps me greatly but as time goes on its less about the sleeve and more about me. I try to re frame it in my mind as being what normal weight women do all the time. I used 5:2 to get rid of a 5# regain last summer and liked it so well I lost a few more. Good luck you've got lots of company!

From karen s beauty supply till they folded. Hence the Amazon excitement! Things are looking up. My lame horse is mending. ..probably ok after 1 more week. My son is home. We got so much done today Washed 2 dogs Shampooed carpet in his bedroom Vacuumed most of the house Fixed a small issue with a toilet Fixed lawnmower Picked my truck up from shop My ex moved some stuff of his out I got very anxious while my ex was around. He doesn't do a thing wrong but seeing him triggers such a sense of loss. I was going to leave and run errands but it didn't make sense with the flow of the day. I stuck it out and we got alot done and I was ok. Today felt like a victory over what's been ailing me. I keep reflecting on how (verbally) loving so many people have been this week. Wow that feels great. Went grocery and hardware store shopping... bought supplies to do some fixing Had a late lunch/early dinner out with kiddo

Be gentle on yourself. So many of us were there in that same place at one time.

Mixed Chicks Leave in conditioner is a miracle defrizzer, detangler and gives me defined curls.... I am sure there are other great products and I have tried dozens, but this one is a standout! Alot of the products I have tried suck at one of the 3 - especially the detangling.

I answered this on another thread. You don't leave the clinic till you are able to use the restroom etc. I think the bigger issue is feeling lonely. ..some people need and want companionship.

Itching, tingling. .Nerves are waking back up I think! I even had some numbness for awhile on the left arm...but it all went away.

Lets talk about 5:2. I am not really following it right now, but I think hang on to some of my 5:2 habits.... like trying to delay break fast so I get a longer fast etc. My son thinks that combined with eating low carb makes me feel crappy. He stayed at my house for 3 days and said he felt terrible not eating bread, rice, pasta etc and that I need more carbs to feel better. I admit I am a little afraid of a regain so I am hesitant to eat more carbs even though my appetite is definately improved. I think if I could start working out intensely again it would all work out, but I am caught in a circle that isn't really good I guess. i have lost ALL desire to exercise which used to be a highlight of my day. Damn, what is wrong with me. I am on a sub thereupuetic level of Lexapro and having the sexual desire/response suppression side effect already so I sure don't want to up it. In a quandry. Good news is that I was out of de-frizz hair product, and the store I bought my magic from went out of business... thank goodness for Amazon. A certain amount of order has been returned to the top of my head! ha!

By the time I went to the hotel I could use the restroom, walk down to the Breakfast area, take a shower by myself. The nurse visited everyday at around the same time in the morning and was there for quite awhile - an hour? The doctor came every day too (except for 1 when he had a very long surgery) but his visits were typically short - 10 minutes maybe. I had his cell phone number too. The hotel staff was also very "tuned" in and available. English was spoken at the front desk and the housekeeping staff (room cleaned daily), and the breakfast lady were very friendly (daily hugs!) even if I didn't always understand them. I was there with a friend which was wonderful, but many do this alone quite successfully.

I was absolutely terrified... I have a bit of a nervous feeling about medical stuff anyway but the idea of the sleeve (or bypass) just sent me into a tailspin. Then, I was quite worried I would be a failure. I mean, I had failed at the lapband and was already told that meant I wasn't likely to do very well with the sleeve. Luckily, my fears were unfounded and I had great results and maintaining my weight loss so far...

Years ago I worked on a team - my boss lost over 100# using weight watchers and I lost about 85 on WW too. Well, she got to her goal and I never did. She substituted her desire for food with becoming a food pusher. Every.single.day. there were mounds of food that she didn't eat, but loved watching others eat. We had constant "parties", potlucks, birthday cakes, donut Fridays, really - there didn't need to be an occasion - just piles of junky food. Even the guys started complaining about it - everyone was gaining weight. I finally got pissed off about the HUGE, and I mean HUGE bowl of chocolates that sat right outside my office... everybody that walked by took one. All day long... I watched people eat chocolate like 10 feet from me. I made a deal out of that damn bowl and it actually interfered with our friendship because she thought I should just learn to "deal" with my own food issues. You know, she was right but nobody needed the piles of crapfood and she was behaving in a very controlling and emotionlly abusive way, in my opinion. So, years later, I had the sleeve surgery and finally got to goal. Junky crappy food is still my enemy but I have a better tool to manage it now. One of my techniques is I simply won't place myself in those situations... I realize not everyone has a choice but I do and wont physically work in a location that is so unhealthy for me. I am very open about my battle with obesity, my weight loss surgery - and you know what, normal people are very very supportive. It's incredible actually how supportive my thin/fitter friends are. My former boss/friend has regained all that weight and then some. I feel bad for her, I really wanted her to succeed since I know that heartache all too well, but I can't be around a food pusher. I know I have metabolic issues, I know I can easily slide into crappy eating but at least I don't try to push it onto others... I really don't get it.

Okay, I am relieved to hear - 5-6 hours is what most usa plastic surgeons cap it due to the general anesthesia so that sounds good. Arms - well, all the Julian Michael's workout DVDs in the kingdom did not get rid of my extra arm skin...haha... it took plastics. I will say that I didn't have any fat left on my arms by the time I went into surgery but i have a muscular body type so have good definition, but not alot of bulk. Of course, I lost over 160# and more like 185# from my lifetime high... so I had skin! Your procedures are different than mine but one thing to think about is putting stuff in reach for the first 2 weeks. I am not sure if it is due to the breast work or the arm work, but I wasn't supposed to do a bunch of reaching and lifting etc - even light things. My caretaker put a towel on the counter with drinking glasses, plates, flatware - so I didn't have to reach over my head or struggle with a drawer or anything. Not sure it was absolutely needed, but it was a nice to have. Line up some books, movies, friends to visit whatever charges you up and helps with boredom. Do NOT do what I did which was binge on all seasons of Walking Dead on netflix. What a freaking depressing show!!! LOL Even though I had nearly two weeks of nursing care, I still needed help after i got home - mostly with my garments. Talking those bad boys on and off for the daily shower and bandage changing routine was not something I could do myself at first. I am thinking yours will be simpler since I had a lower body lift plus other procedures. I think with a tummy tuck, they use a binder which is easier to manage. I am not sure how they compress you after lipo, but you might be shocked at how challenging those garments can be especially if you still have drains or whatever. Good luck to you - you will love your new body!

Okay as someone who has recently struggled with mood stuff, I am wondering what is at the root. Is it how you feel about yourself (the feeling fat)or is it the MS ? I had a less than perfect week and jokingly told my ex, "well, at least I look good doing it" He got the joke which is that being fit,normal weight and healthy has been a life-long dream,struggle,....obsession even. Now that I got it, wonderful - but crap still flows my general direction and overwhelms me at times. Lately, all the time. Steven would get so frustrated because in his eyes the world is my oyster so quit complaining..Haha..I actually think that way too but it doesn't change my struggles. My son asked me the checklist of basically good mental health hygiene. "Mom, are you exercising,eating often to keep blood sugar steady, are you doing meditation (he means like positive self talk)?" SURPRISE!Nope. No wonder I sometimes feel awful..it's like I lost the recipe to my daily life that used to work. So my gut feeling,without ever having met you is that getting emotional support on the MS topic has to be part of the solution. I am talking a positive support group, a counselor, a mentor, some way to help you live peacefully with that reality. My vet was out yesterday doctoring my lame horse. He gave me a big hug...he said "your animals look great, you look great, screw Martha Stewart...your place is fine and you can get caught up Again". That hug and someone I respect telling me I am not a total loser helped alot. Life is harder than they advertise it being...

Kfree I am so sorry for your loss and it is a good reminder... Ok, it's well known I had multiple procedures at once. I don't take that lightly however. I wasn't sure how to reply because I want to be supportive,I had multiple procedures,but there is something uncomfortable for me in your description. I have no idea if my comments are on target but it is what I would mention to a friend to encourage her to seek more information. Let me start by saying none of the USA surgeons I consulted would do a 10hour surgery due to the risk of general anesthesia. My surgery was 9hours and was done with a twilight sedation combined with an epidural. The surgeon and his anesthesiologist specializes in this situation and had done hundreds of similar jumbo procedures before me. I was healthier and fitter than many. He has never lost anyone, never had someone go into ICU, but I still recognised it was a big deal to do so much at once. I had no lipo and I am concerned with how much you describe. I have talked to several people who had lots of lipo and it is very painful and does not always deliver results. Have you seen before and afters of patients who are similar to you that had all that lipo? I know very little about lipo but I thought the garments are key to lipo results so it worried me that he is doing so much but you expect to wear the garments only 2-4 weeks. I was required to wear garments for 6 weeks and then voluntarily wore stage 2 ones another 6-8 weeks on my tummy for my own comfort. Do you have realistic expectations of results-that comes from looking at similar people. Why not wait until you are at goal? You were sleeved less than a year ago. I am unclear if you plan to try to get to goal between now and Aug 20th but now is the time to be building up strength, having lots of Protein, preventing anemia etc. It really isn't the time to try to crash diet lose weight. Now I did lose a few pre op because I was a bundle of nerves....but I was getting lots of protein, wholesome foods and exercise. How many consults did you have? I had several and was shocked by the range of opinions and recommendations....very educational. Does your surgeon have great reviews on real self.com? I had a breast lift and augmentation. I was lucky that he was able to do it without the T scar...just the lollipop. 8 months out and breast scar is invisible. For me I wanted to see tons of breast pix for fear of looking artificial. I am pleased with my results. On the pain topic...I experienced very little. I had strong meds the first 3 days while I was in the clinic and after that Tylenol. However,ladies who had lipo hurt more. The recovery was long slow and difficult because of the severe restrictions on activity. I found that harder than expected. So I apologize if I offended and it could be that my concerns are way off base. All I know is what I learned going through my journey and the year I spent researching, doing consults and most insightful was the time on social media with fellow patients of my surgeon Dr Sauceda. I followed stories of perfect outcomes and a few complications. It's why I was hardcore about following Dr orders.....I wanted to do way more activity but that is strongly correlated with certain complications so I went stir crazy instead.

I have had several people tell me I look 20years younger. When I was morbidly obese I thought lack of wrinkles meant I looked young. What a joke. This is why I put out that painful before photo...don't tell me you look(ed) worse! It's ok I still remember what that felt like, I don't hate that woman you see. Dr Sauceda has an amazing setup. I felt very cared for. You stay in the clinic for 3 days then nearby hotel with daily nurse and surgeon visits for 8 days. Same nurse, Patty, everyday, who we all grew to love. I went with my dear friend who lives in Mexico, speaks some Spanish and LOVES caregiving but many go alone. It is hard to describe 1. how hard this was (not painful, just slow, limited activity recovery) And 2. How amazing and incredible the difference to appearance-no more shapewear!!! I would do it again but glad it's behind me!!!!

Oh forgot to mention...the clinic where the surgery and first 3days of recovery were physically adjoined a hospital. Confidence booster.

Ok, I will share a couple of opinions...and they are just that! I think Dr Sauceda, Dr Guitteriz and one other are the best of the Mexican surgeons I have seen on my years on these forums. The third I won't mention because while I have seen some amazing results I have heard some"iffy" stuff too. If it were me right now thinking of Mexico it would be down to these two. I have seen before and afters of at least 50 Dr Sauceda patients so of course I have a personal high level of confidence in him. Really....don't think you can go wrong with either but there are some differences. Dr Sauceda does alot of procedures at once. I wondered about safety but there are two important factors..#1 he has a partner with such similar techniques I can't tell who did what stitching up. #2 sedation is different. His anesthesiologist uses twilight sedation with an epidural. I was in surgery for 9 hours and woke up feeling great. Contrast that with every other surgery where I woke up sick. I also had very little pain...that epidural had some magic. I stayed in a clinic for 3 days with incredible nursing care. I was either the only patient or with one other (private rooms like a hospital) and at least two nurses on. A chef who catered our meals to us individually (high Protein low carb and tasty!). I adore the good doctor and his #1 nurse, Patty. Between the two, and their loving care, I hardly wanted to come home! I stayed at a nearby Hampton inn hotel for another 8 days with daily visits from Patty and the doctor. I have rarely felt so cared for in the USA medical system. In the end, the reason I went to dr Sauceda over a very good local surgeon was the care. I was frankly scared to go home right after surgery. I also wanted to do it all at once. USA surgeons would have staged me over 3 surgeries. I would go to dr Sauceda again and highly recommend, but I am so glad it's behind me now!!!

Just for clarification - I had been using the Android app called BariatricPal with a black background. the new one is BariatricPal Pro, right? I feel they both work well but I tend to still use the older one. I was trying go get the support groups to work on them but found out that neither app works for that.

I eat every meal as Protein first - tuna, salmon, all sorts of fish and seafood, turkey, beef, chicken, egg beaters.... even greek yogurt and cheese add some. I drink premier Proteins and find them palatable. Try adding zinc too for the hair issue.

This just seems like a decent variety of micronutrients. I also take a vit D - small pills I can handle those. this is the ecodrink stats. NUTRITION & INGREDIENTS Supplement Facts Serving Size: 1 Packet Serving\s Per Container: 30 Amount Per Serving Calories 0 % Daily Value Total Fat 0g 0% Sodium 0g 0% Total Carbs. 0g 0% Sugars 0g 0% Protein 0g 0% Vitamin A (as beta-carotene) 5000 IU 100% Vitamin C 60 mg 100% Vitamin D 400 IU 100% Vitamin E 30 IU 100% Vitamin K 60 mcg 75% Thiamin 0.75 mg 50% RIboflavin 0.85 mg 50% Niacin 5 mg 25% Vitamin B6 1 mg 50% Folic Acid 200 mcg 50% Vitamin B12 6 mcg 50% Biotin 300 mcg 100% Pantothenic Acid 5 mg 50% Calcium 300 mg 30% Phosphorus 100 mg 10% Magnesium 200 mg 50% Zinc 3 mg 20% Selenium 70 mcg 100% Manganese 1 mg 50% Chromium 100 mcg 83% Molybdenum 75 mcg 100% Potassium 400 mg 11% Decaffeinated Green Tea powder (leaf) 10 mg † Boron 1 mg † Açai Fruit Powder 500 mcg † Lycopene 300 mcg † Lutein (from marigold petals) 250 mcg † Zeaxanthin 100 mcg † Here is the analysis for premiere protein - I generally have one of these a day too; Back