TheRealMeIsHere!

I agree, I see no reason to keep it secret. Not that you have to go into personal details, but be open & when it comes up naturally in conversation about your eating. You can just mention that you had weight loss surgery to help you develop a healthier lifestyle. If a relationship develops, you want it based on honesty.

While not an amputee, I do have many disabilities that make finding an exercise routine challenging. As exercise is crucial for losing/maintaining I got a script for PT, so they could teach me a routing that I could do at home. Maybe something to look into.

Focusing on dense protein is key for me, as well as some fats. Then non-starchy veggies. Avoiding sugar, flour, potatoes, rice, pasta, breads & starchy veggies except for rare occasions also minimizes hunger for me. I also, rarely have fruit, if I do, it's a small amount. The sugars cause cravings/hunger as well. Maintenance has been trial & error to find what satisfies & keeps me full, it's a work in progress. I also continue to leave a 1/2 hour before/after eating to consume calorie free liquids. This helps the food stay in your stomach longer.

Actually, fluid retention can be exacerbated by decreasing liquids. Are you tracking every bite? Drinking calorie free liquids? You may need to up calories to lose. Also, keeping carbs at a minimum is helpful. With me, I found that allowing some fat in my diet is helpful. Maintenance is tough, until you find the balance that works for you. It's still evolving for me, 4 years after reaching goal.

As your weight goes down, you burn less calories. As time goes on, you also, will have less restriction. Which is why it's so important to learn healthy habits and make lifelong changes to your relationship with food in the beginning when you have the most restriction. Your body will find it's happy place. Just continue making healthy choices. Maintenance is trial & error for a time, until you find the balance that works for you. Best of luck with your surgery, wishing you much success & happiness. For me, it's the best thing I ever did for myself! Only ONE regret, that it wasn't an option YEARS ago, lol!

Speak to your doctor and/or nutritionist. Most likely, your body will reach it's set point on it's own. Be careful adding the carbs, watch that they aren't trigger foods and cause cravings. You don't want to start back into old habits. Maybe add small amounts of healthy fats instead?

FYI, you don't have to give up any foods (some foods......for a time......until maintenance) I was told no pasta/bread/flour/sugar/fruit or starchy veggies while losing and/or until I was hitting my protein goal daily. Once in maintenance, it was trial & error to see what worked, what didn't trigger cravings, what kept me full & satisfied, etc........it's a work in progress. That being said, here's a pizza recipe: *My favorite thing to do with it is to flatten it into one large or several small patties, with a lip around the edge. Place on a sprayed baking sheet, top with your favorite low carb sauce, crushed tomatoes or fresh tomatoes, low fat or fat free cheese, veggies etc… Bake on bottom rack at 425* till it is done to your liking. It is a cross between a deep dish and meatlover’s pizza. Italian Sausage 1 lb. 93% lean groung turkey 4 minced garlic cloves and or 2 tsp garlic powder (depends on how much garlic you like) 1 1/2 tsp paprika 1 tsp salt 1/2 tsp fennel seed (or more to taste) 1 tsp black pepper 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper or cajun seasoning 1/8 tsp anise seed 2 tsp parsley 1 TBSP red or burgundy wine Mix all together and use in any recipes* that call for Italian sausage (I’ve fooled MANY people) If you like spicy Italian sausage, you can also add a pinch of red pepper flakes. It is great grilled for burgers or in lasagna.

@BigDaddy13 and @Hoping052017 That's me too! I love food & cooking. I now have tons of re-created recipes that have all the decadence, flavor, mouth feel & comfort as the original without the carbs/fat! It's been a great challenge to re-make childhood favs, ethnic dishes, etc... but well worth it!

I had a panni/TT. Insurance won't cover arms/thighs or boobs. I just find clothes that I feel comfortable in. IE: longer sleeves, bermuda shorts, etc... Though, I still wear tank tops and don't really care about the sagging arm skin. I look at it as that is what I did to myself by being so fat. It's almost like a badge of honor now, the result of losing/maintaining a 170 lb weight loss. I've made peace with it, accepted that that is what I'm left with. I also lift weights to bulk up my arms so the hanging skin doesn't look as bad....

Definitely check with your surgeon. I would think it should be fine. There is a risk for blood clots for anyone when sitting on a plane. The key is to make sure you pump your ankles up & down frequently to keep blood moving. When blood is stagnant, is what causes the clots, not flying itself, from my understanding.

I'm sure that would be wonderful for me, but it is not available, unless I drive a 2 hour round trip, lol! Very rural area......

So far, I'm in love with this one! Great separation & support, side boob coverage and the shoulder straps are ingeniously unique! They have notches instead of sliding. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FXT6AWK/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER Also ordering 2 of these (Not sure which 2) : DEF this one!! https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002C1AZT6/ref=ox_sc_act_title_4?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01DP6CHM4/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER OR https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009ULUIM/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&smid=A1BQSA66PQXNT0&th=1&psc=1

My knees/ankles have severe issues, as well. See an orthopedistist to see if braces may help. If so, go for custom, if you can. I wear bi-lateral SMO's for the posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD) in both ankles every waking second. a left knee brace for chondromalacia patella (cartilage wearing away on the back of the knee cap due to my patella not staying aligned) for walking on inclines or steps. a right knee brace because 2 major ligaments are gone MCL & PCL which I wear when walking on uneven surfaces such as grass. Without the braces, I would be immobile With the braces, I ride my recumbant bike, walk on the treadmill, go for walks, hiking, etc...

Awesome suggestions!! Looking into them all, thanks!! someone mentioned a shock absorber, found a couple on Amazon, less than $30! Also free returns & exchanges, may give those a try as they look like EXACTLY what I need!

Thank you for the links!! I have tried those on, however, and with the middle so low, even without moving or bending over, I flow into the middle & get the dreaded uni-boob, lol

awesome!! Checking right now!

Thank you!! Still laughing about 'cone boobs' lol!!! That bra looks like I'd fall out the top if I bend over, no?? I have almost zero breast tissue, it's just free flowing skin with a nipple, LMAO! Ordered this one, so.....we'll see https://www.walmart.com/ip/Playtex-Play-reg-Outgoer-reg-Seamless-Knit-Underwire-Bra/124144326 My very favorite until they discontinued it was Fruit of the Loom FT233, so really looking to find the closest to that. https://www.herroom.com/fruit-of-the-loom-ft233-hi-impact-hidden-wire-sports-bra-reviews,fotl01-ft233,26.html

can you post links to ones that you especially liked?

I'm on a very low fixed income due to disability. There is no increasing my price range, lol

OK, I'm looking for a great bra 34C (that can do magic, preferably, lol) within my price range. Hopefully less than $30, preferably less than $20 so I can get more than one. A bra that can make empty wind socks look round-ish, separate and stay in place. Features that I'm looking for: ecapsulation, no uniboob separation underwire light padding hook & eye back closure adjustable straps compression & no bounce firm support not stretchy

Odd, I see no photos

Really? I've 5'2" and the Old Navy Regular is perfect for me. Some of their styles are meant to be short, though. The Harper & Pixie are ankle pants (look like 'flood pants' to me, lol)

Same here! I noticed, even in childhood that carbs were not satisfying. My mom would take us to IHOP, first, I noticed that pancakes or juice on an empty stomach caused (what I know now) symptoms of low blood sugar. I was the kid with steak & eggs at IHOP, lol!!! Then, into adulthood, I would see that if I had eggs & meat for breakfast, I felt great & satisfied. If I had the same breakfast but added toast and/or potatoes, I was hungry very quickly. Now, when I eat dense protein, a little fills me up and keeps me satisfied, therefore consuming fewer calories in the long run. If I eat protein with veggies such as a salad, it is less satisfying. I did used to enjoy a good Italian sub or ham & cheese sandwich, which I now re-create with salads, all of the flavor and none of the bread (which really adds nothing for me anymore) I feel almost 'dirty' if I eat bread, pasta, rice, etc.... though I will, rarely, take a bite, never a full or even half a serving

I actually CRAVE meat, protein & non-starchy veggies. Rarely, bread, pasta, rice potatoes, sugar, etc..... so it's not so much being strict. That is why I knew I wouldn't have a problem following my NUT's/surgeon's program.

Hey, 40 lbs in 4 months is awesome!! When was the last time you did that? Keep up the great work! Yes, increasing activity level will help as well as tracking, calorie free liquids and sticking with your program.