ddoherty18

I wonder how many of us get triggered when we read someone's post that says they feel SHAME about gaining weight? That's what so many of us do--beat ourselves up. We have to find that strength to CHALLENGE ourselves to stop the shaming and be okay with giving ourselves a little more love. Our self-talk plays an important role in WLS--if you "feel like a failure" it's much easier for your brain to say you ARE a failure. It is SOOO okay to not be perfect at this! First and foremost, try to focus on your AMAZING accomplishment. Then, if you accept this tiny setback with excitement and determination and NOT FEAR, you can have fun with regaining the control that you know you can achieve. (Are you keeping this all in perspective--this IS a tiny setback in your 2 year WLS big picture, right?)
Changing our relationship with food for the rest of our lives is soooo complicated, right? But NOT impossible!
For me, it started before my surgery with the commitment that I MUST choose to totally let go of all my old, familiar, comfortable unhealthy eating habits and lifestyle that went with that, and be willing to open my mind to new ideas and learn how to eati whole, unprocessed quality foods. To start that process, I had to actually take pen and paper and write down, in much detail, the actual foods that I KNEW very much contributed every day to my obesity (we all know what they are, if we are totally honest with ourselves, but often that is HARD to admit). Until I learned my new eating habits and was totally confident with myself in them (for me that took 18 months), I elimated those identified foods from my life. I never felt "deprived" because I worked hard to find substitutes for them that were WLS-friendly (not store-bought processed foods, but home-made).
Another big impact for me was a head game that I began playing with myself, that still works for me today (at 4 years out). When I see (or smell) something that triggers a strong temptation, I simply say to myself, "I don't eat that anymore." (or variations like "I CHOOSE healthy foods now," etc). It sounds silly, but there is science that backs up that this repetition to the subconscious mind can be effective.
Lastly, I educated myself in anatomy and physiology (actually, I went back to college and achieved my degree in nutrition) to better ensure my WLS success. No, I'm not suggesting that nutrition degree=success, BY ANY MEANS! What I am suggesting is that I think generally it helps if we truly educate ourselves to understand and respect the miracle that our bodies are. We owe it to our bodies to CHOOSE to feed them the whole, natural, unprocessed foods that our body systems were meant to process and digest to keep us healthy. food is meant to be fuel and medicine for the body. Oh so sadly, donuts, chili cheese fries, and Cheetos don't make the cut. Sigh...
It has been (and continues to be) hard, hard work. I think almost everyone says that. But I feel at wonderful peace now that I have firmly changed my relationship with food. It's still hard to believe because it's been such a dysfunction my whole life. How do I define this change?
1) I control my food. It does not control me. I CHOOSE my power. Can't is not in my vocabulary.
2) I don't have to be interested in the latest "diet" that comes out ever again. There is no such thing as being on a
diet anymore.
3) Junk food does not live in my house. But, if I am out and want, for instance, an ice cream cone, or dessert at a
restaurant, or a "somewhat healthy" fast-food meal (that would not include french fries!), I never have to think of any
of these things in the term of
CHEATING or GUILT. These are OCCASIONAL indulgences (once or twice a month). It feels so liberating to
never again berate myself by self-labeling as a cheater or being guilt-ridden over FOOD!
4) I never again have to play the "I'll exercise off" the 1/2 gallon of ice cream I ate yesterday game by doing crazy
"dieting and exercising" the next day. Now I simply maintain my weight with 1/2 hour of consistent exercise every day.
Period.
5) The bathroom scale does not define my day or my mood or my life. There's no weighing every day to see what the
constant poor eating choices do to the number on the scale.
Most/many people's weights vary naturally within a 5-pound range week-to-week. So all I have to do is joyfully visit
my scale once a week to see that I am in my 5-pound range.
Also, just wanted to share--
There are several great self-help books/websites on changing relationship with food/mindful eating. Many have been mentioned here on BP. Here's a couple of my favorites:
>Book: 50 way to soothe yourself without food by Susan Albers, PsyD
Dr Albers is a licensed clinical psychologist; easy reading; short chapters; www.sootheyourselfwithoutfood.com
>Website/Newsletter: AmIHungry.com
by Michelle May, MD She addresses mindful eating, binge eating, etc.
>Book: Women, Food, & God by Geneen Roth Website: geneenroth.com
Well-respected author in the weight-loss field. Has written many books. Her works elicit deep soul-searching. Has online newsletter and periodically conducts free online webinars.

I'm a year and 10 months out and gained 5 outside my goal of 145 that I'd been maintaining for 1 year. I've returned to basics... journaling food and exercise, cranking up my exercise intensity, (I never stopped exercising, but let the intensity fall). Cut back on the alcohol and treats, etc and I'm finally back to the top end of goal. Now working on getting of 10 pounds to put me a bit below goal (still well withing normal BMI) and allow for some wiggle room. Cutting out as much processed crap as I can, trying to keep between 1000-1200 calories per day, exercising 5x per week, getting my 75+g of Protein every day. It's working, but it's slow. Fix my head and my relationship with food? Nope. It's still a fight. Every damn day.

OK ladies...so the FIRST step is what you are doing RIGHT here! You are not in denial any more (and let's face it, we were all there pre-surgery). You are owning up to the fact that you are not perfect...none of us are! But you are also facing the hard fact that you are going down a rabbit hole and came here to find some inspiration.
I am 3 years + post op and I have gained back as much as 7 lbs (am now back at goal) but like you, FREAKED out! When I was 223 lbs, the thought of weighing 160 something was thrilling....now, if I get in the 140's I feel completely out of control. SO, this is a good thing for us!
If you have recognized that you are self-medicating with food, then of course you need to address all those issues, comfort, boredom, depression. Everyone is different so you need to find the right answer for you: support groups, therapy, reading books or blogs from others, forcing yourself to meet other people socially (meetup.com is my all time favorite....this is where you FIND YOUR PEOPLE!!!). Once you start living a more full life you will be more motivated to get and keep the weight off.
And I will say the 5 Day Pouch Test does help you get back on track. Hey, try it for 2 or 3 days if you don't think you can do 5. Or do the 5:2. I have said it before, I will say it again. Even normal weight people (and we are one of them now) gain weight and pull it together before it's too late.....YOU CAN DO THIS!!!!! It's summer....get out and move!

My Bariatric nurse is a bypass patient several years out from surgery. She does the three month checkups and discussion groups before we see the doctor. She admitted she fell off the wagon and gained 45 lbs last year. She described how she went back to the basics and started with the routine we all went through post op - liquids, puréed food, soft Protein, 4oz solid protein, 1/2 C veg, 1/2 C fruit, no Snacks, getting in her Water, eliminating caffeine and alcohol to reset her body and her mind. She admitted it was very difficult because the rest of the family was eating a typical diet and she had to adapt what they were eating to her own needs. I guess it might be helpful to get back into a support group or visit your nutritionist to help reset your motivation. We all know we have a tool for weight loss but we have to allow the tool to work and to get back on the plan for a healthy reset.

I am 2 years post-op from RNY surgery. My weight is fairly stable. On a recent visit to my nutritionist, I asked her "Why do some people lose significant weight after WLS only to gain it back years later?" Her response was because of grazing.
I agree with you that gaining 10 pounds over the last two months sounds like it is on the high side and is of concern.
Make sure you are meeting your daily Protein, Fluid and Vitamin requirements. Are you taking any medications that have an adverse side effect of weight gain? What works for me is when I graze (snack); I graze on Protein and fats. Fats have the power to take away hunger. Without hunger it is not difficult to maintain my weight. Since I am 2 years post-op, I have begun to introduce fats back in my diet. I drink whole milk and use real butter. I begin each day with a cup of coffee. I top it with heaping spoon of real whip cream. This is whip cream that I make. It has no processed sugar. I use Splenda instead. I also consume Adkin's treats, because it contains fats but not processed sugars. It works for me. But I also steer clear of any processed sugars in my food - period. I will use artificial sweeteners (such as Spenda and sugar alcohols), low calorie natural sweeteners (such as Stevia) and natural sugars found in fruits and milk. Last week I hit my lowest weight thus far - 149.0.

glad that I was able to.....if you want we can support and encourage one another . That always helps

This is a letter that I wrote from my overweight self to my skinny self. I thought that since we're all on this crazy roller coaster together, you guys may get something from it so I decided to share.
Dear Skinny Bedhead,
I don't know what we look like, what we're up to, or how long the winding road was for us, but I do know this- there are a few things that I want to say to you.
It seems like we've been fat since the Dawn of Time... or at least since the age when body images start to really matter. Through all of these years there have been so many excuses: Injuries. Surgeries. Pregnancies. Illnesses. No more excuses. Excuses are easy to make. Changes aren't. But it doesn't matter anymore because the biggest change (surgery) has been made, and since I'm writing to my skinny self- I have to assume that we finally stopped using excuses as protection.
Remember all of those nights sitting on the couch in front of the TV eating ice cream and Jax? Remember spending hours on Pinterest pinning outfits that we loved and wanted to wear someday but never really thought we'd be able to? Don't ever let us go back to that again. Don't dream about a life instead of having a life. I need you to be stronger than me, even though we're one in the same. I couldn't do it, no matter how many times I lost the weight, so I need you to be strong and never turn back like I did all of those times.
Don't get discouraged by stretchmarks, sagging skin, or hair loss. Right now none of that matters. What matters is getting healthy and being able to to comfortably get on the floor to play, to go on rides at the fair, to ride the stupid warhorse at the Ren Fest. The kids. The kids are what matter. Being healthy and full of energy & life for those amazing little people who deserve so much more than a fat, lazy, tired, depressed mother. I'm ok with saggy skin and Hair loss if I get all of those wonderful moments instead.
Take pictures. Take a LOT of pictures, every chance you get. For years we've hidden behind the camera and there are thousands of pictures of daddy with the kids, but almost none of mommy with the kids. Change that. Smile huge, loving smiles.
Teach the kids (our daughter especially) to love their bodies and treat them right. Make sure not to ever give them self esteem issues, but at the same time be sure to teach the absolute importance of living healthy. Do not ever let them become what we became. Be their support, their guidance, their teacher, and their friend. Don't be the voice of their self-hate.
Never forget that we were fat. Don't ever look at an overweight person and judge them. Don't ever be cruel or snide or hateful. Not everyone can or will make this journey for a myriad of reasons that are nobody's business but their own. Always remember how much it hurt. Always remember the rude glances, the harsh words, and the utter desolation of obesity. Don't take this amazing gift for granted. It so easily could have not happened for us. We're lucky. Most people aren't so lucky. Be a candle in the darkness for those people. Uplift them, support them, love them unconditionally.
But most of all, uplift, support, and love US unconditionally. Don't hate me for what I did to our body. Don't look back with bitterness or scorn. We learned so much through our battle with obesity that even though I hate the toll it has taken, I'm glad it's a burden we had to carry. Look forward toward all of the beauty, wonder, and awe this life has to offer. Grab it by the reigns and don't let go. Live life, don't let it slip away.
Be the mother, daughter, sister, and wife we were always destined to be- Because it's better late than never!
With so much hope,
Your Fat Self

My absolute favorite Tex-Mex restaurant is Chuy's. They serve a Creamy Jalapeno dip (Creamy "J") and since I moved away from TX, I crave it often. I did a search for it and tried out one of the copycat recipes, and this tastes really close! I like to use lowfat stuff in it and eat it over refried Beans (and other mexican dishes), but with refried Beans is a quick snack and it really gives them a kick! You can adjust the heat by adding less jalapenos.
CREAMY JALAPENO SAUCE
3/4 C low fat mayo
3/4 C buttermilk (low fat...regular milk can be subbed)
1 packet hidden valley ranch dry dressing mix
1 (4 oz) can sliced jalapenos, drained)
cilantro leaves, fresh (to taste)
1 t. salt
1 t. lime juice
1 t. garlic powder
I just throw it all in the blender and add the cilantro last. I put a lot of cilantro in it and just keep tasting it until I get it right!

Not sure who posted this recipe; however, I have been requested to post it again - so here you go (and thanks to the original poster!)

RICOTTA BAKE:

1 ? 15 oz. Container of low fat Ricotta
1 frozen pkg. of spinach thawed/drained (squeezed) well - you can also use any veggies (e.g., zucchini and/or eggplant and saut? till soft)
1 C Parmesan cheese (split in 1/2) (Use the fresh grated from the grocery store, the stuff in the can is too dry)
1 egg

Mix all together - except for 1/2 C of parmesan -- put in a baking dish ? (I used a 1 quart size) add another ? C of cheese on top and bake @ 350 till golden & bubbly - about 30mins
Add marinara or pesto sauce on top once done.
Reheats quite nicely!

DESSERT:

1 15oz container of low fat Ricotta
1 small tub of Fat Free Cool Whip
? package of SF Jell-O (instant) cheesecake pudding mix
? package of SF Jell-O (instant) chocolate pudding mix

Combine all ? let set overnight ? ENJOY.

THEY EMAILED THIS OUT AT WORK AND I WAS JUST SITTING HERE MAKING A GROCERY LIST FOR IT WHILE I WAS READING! ENJOY!
Slow Cooker Taco Soup
Serve this Tex-Mex Soup with homemade half-whole-wheat flour tortillas, shredded reduced-fat Cheddar or Jack cheese, and a dollop of fat-free sour cream or nonfat Greek yogurt, if desired. Make this meatless by using a tofu or soy product in place of the ground sirloin.
Ingredients:
1 pound ground sirloin (around 6%-9% fat), or ground turkey with around 6% fat
1 cup chopped onions
1 16-ounce can pinto Beans, drained and rinsed
1 15-ounce can red kidney Beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup fresh or frozen corn kernels
8 ounces canned Tomato sauce
2 cups Water
2 14.5-ounce cans peeled and diced tomatoes
1 4-ounce can diced green chilies (buy mild, if you prefer)
1 ounce packet taco seasoning mix
1 cup shredded, reduced-fat cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
1/2 cup fat-free sour cream or nonfat Greek yogurt
Preparation:
1. In a medium skillet, cook the ground beef or turkey over medium heat until browned. Drain, and set aside.
2. Place the ground meat, onion, chili beans, kidney beans, corn, tomato sauce, Water, diced tomatoes, green chile peppers, and taco seasoning mix in a slow cooker. Mix to blend, and cook on Low setting for 8 hours.
3. Ladle into individual serving bowls, and top each with 1/8 cup shredded cheese and a tablespoon of fat-free sour cream. Serve with homemade flour tortillas.
Yield:
8 servings
Nutritional Information:
Per serving: 288 calories, 20 g Protein, 37 g carbohydrate, 7 g fat, 2.7 g saturated fat, 24 mg cholesterol, 10 g Fiber, 730 mg sodium. Calories from fat: 22%.
Source: WebMD

I tried this recipe today and it was sooo delicious:
recipes on this site worth checking out!
chicken POT PIE IN CREPES
So beautiful! Homey-old-fashioned gets updated and elegant in this dish.
I’ve taken my family-favorite casserole and removed the carby crust – kept the gorgeous filling and simply rolled it in my higher-protein-lower-carb crepes.
You can’t go wrong with this. Even if you didn’t tackle the crepe making and just ate the filling – it’s still great!
~~~~
Crepes:
4 eggs
1/2 cup ricotta
4 tablespoons flour
Pinch of salt
3 tablespoons milk
.
In a medium bowl beat the Ricotta with the eggs. Beat in the flour, salt, and milk. Allow to sit for 15 minutes.
Heat an 8-inch nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. Coat with vegetable cooking spray when hot. Pour in 2 tablespoons of batter and swirl the pan to coat the entire surface in a thin layer. Allow to cook, without turning, until completely done. The top should be no longer shiny and when you touch it it’s not wet. The bottom will be have a very slight golden color. If it’s too dark, lower the heat.
(These can be impossible to flip and they don’t need to be, so don’t try if you don’t want to. I do sometimes to get the same color on each side, but they are done when it’s dry on the top.) Gently loosen the edges with a spatula and slide out of the pan onto a plate. Very lightly spray the top with vegetable spray – this way you can stack them on top of each other.
Lightly coat the pan with cooking spray before each crepe. Proceed with above directions until batter is gone. Allow the crepes to cool to room temperature and then wrap the plate tightly with plastic wrap. These keep well in the fridge – unfilled – for several days.
.
Filling:
3 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup diced onion
1/4 cup finely diced celery
1/2 cup finely diced, or shredded carrots
3 tablespoons flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon sage
1 teaspoon thyme
1 teaspoon Splenda/sugar (brings out the flavors, yes it does!)
Dash grated fresh nutmeg
3/4 cup chicken broth
3/4 cup ff half & half
1 cup frozen peas, thawed
2 cups diced or shredded, cooked chicken
.
Melt butter over medium-low heat. Add onion, celery, and carrots, and slowly cook until soft, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in flour and cook for one minute. Add salt, pepper, sage, thyme, Splenda, and nutmeg. Whisk in chicken broth and cream. Cook until bubbly and boil for one minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in peas and chicken. Cook for one minute to heat through. Makes twelve 1-crepe servings.
Per Weight loss surgery-size serving: 150 Cal; 13 g Protein; 7 g Tot Fat; 8 g Carb; 1 g Fiber; 1 g Sugar; 290 mg Sodium

I think it's a few places on there, but I know it's on her purees page
http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/2007/08/pureed-foods.html
Shelly's Baked Ricotta

8 oz of Ricotta cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan
1 large Egg, beaten
1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
salt & pepper to taste
1/2 cup Marinara Sauce
1/2 cup shredded Mozzarella Cheese

Mix ricotta cheese, parmesan, beaten egg, seasonings together and place in a oven proof dish. Pour marinara on top and top with mozzarella cheese. Bake it in the oven @ 450 for about 20-25 minutes (best) or nuke it till hot and bubbly. I usually made it first in the oven and heated the leftovers in the microwave.

chicken Tika -
Yogurt mixed with curry seasoning coat small bite size pieces of skewered chicken then grill on your outdoor grill..... Mmmmm!

I've always loved Breakfast casserole, but most of them are more bread than Protein. Not this one! One serving (and I could only eat 1/2 a serving) has 140 calories, 12g of protein and only 3g of carbs.
1 1/2 cups ham (cubed or shredded)
6 oz plain Greek yogurt
1/4 cup crushed crackers (saltines/Ritz)
1/4 cup shredded cheese
2 tablespoons margarine
1 tablespoon finely chopped onion (I used onion flakes)
6 eggs
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray an 8x8 pan.
Melt the margarine in a large bowl. Add the ham, yogurt, crackers, cheese and onion. Stir. Beat the eggs in a separate bowl, then stir into the first mixture. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until center is firm. Let stand before serving. 9 servings.

i made this receipe, and loved it so i decided to try it with a little twist. i made it for the whole family, and as i type my kids have just gone back for 2nds...they love it!
i didnt really messure anything.
i crumbled up 1 whole package of the ritz whole wheat crackers and just put them on the bottom of a 11 by 8 casserole dish
pour 8 oz of turkey sausage over the top
cut up 8 oz of canadian bacon and pour over top.
drop spoonfulls of greak yogurt over the top and spread.
sprinkle mexican cheese over the top (low fat is fine)
dice up red and green bell peppers and mexican onions about 1/2 cup total
melt 1/4 to 1/2 cup butter and pou on top
finally whip 10 eggs up and pour on the top of mixture.
you can sprinkle more low fat cheese on top
cook at 375 for 30-35 min (until center is solid)
serve you will get a thank you mom its great--plus you can eat it too!
i dont know all the carbs and cals but a 2 inch by 2 inch square filled up my sleeve plenty!
thank you for this wonderful receipe to start with!

I buy them at the regular super market. They put them in the organic area of veg where you find the refrigerated tofu. They do stink but I rince them like three or four times then I boil them, THEN I prepare maranara. Get a box of pomi, or any jar of pureed tomatos (dont get the cans because your sauce will taste metallic) You can use the roma tomatoes peeled in the can and just squish the Tomato in your hand to smash it up if you like chunkier sauce. Get about 2-3 garlic cloves and smash them up with a morter and pissel or a garlic crusher. Sautee the garlic in a table spoon of olive oil. Don't let the garlic get brown just fry it for a minute or two then throw in the pureed tomato add salt and pepper to taste and let it simmer for about 20 minutes. Then toss in about two handfulls of fresh basil and let it cook. If you want to add some ground meat brown it in a seperate pan then drain the oil in a strainer lined with paper towels and pat off the fat that is on the meat. Add the meat to the sauce. After your sherataki noodles have been boiled add the sauce to them and let them cook and incorperate in the pan. Remove and plate the Pasta sprinkle with parm cheese and some red pepper flakes if you want and there you go some nice fresh sauce......

I love the buffalo chicken too, I use chicken (sometimes chicken breasts, rotisserie chicken, or sometimes canned) and add the hot sauce/wing sauce, plain greek yogurt, and a little bleu cheese dressing.
I also love rotisserie chicken or smoked chicken with hidden valley ranch dip mix made with greek yogurt or the hidden valley ranch fiesta dip mix.

Found this on Pinterest.. sounds yummy and might be a good occassional sweet tooth solution for some of us..
Protein Peanut Butter CUPS -
1 scoop chocolate whey Protein powder -
1 TBSP all-natural Peanut Butter -
1 TBSP unsweetened cocoa powder -
1-2 packets of Stevia -
4oz Water -
Blend all the ingredients together in a blender -
Divide the peanut butter mixture into round muffin tins (USE a SILICONE tray!!!), filling about 3/4 full. -
Place filled muffin tin in freezer and let freeze for about an hour or until firm
(Freeze any extra peanut butter cups for up to five days)

Made these for dinner tonight- 1 was more than enough for me (plus salad). The other adults in my family each ate 2. We all voted this is a definite do again!!!! Portion controlled.
Lasagna Cupcakes
2 cup marinara sauce (I just used 1 jar)
3/4 pound ground beef or turkey
24 wonton wrappers
8 ounces shredded mozzarella
3 ounces Parmesan cheese
4 ounces Ricotta cheese
(optional) basil for garnish
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray muffin tin (12) with cooking spray.
Brown beef and season with salt and pepper. Drain. Add sauce. Mix.
Begin with a wonton wrapper and press it into the bottom of each muffin tin.
Spread with a small spoonful of Ricotta cheese.
Top with a little meat sauce then some parmesan and mozzarella.
Use around 2 teaspoons of all the ingredients depending on your personal preference.
Repeat layers ending with cheese.
Bake for 18-20 minutes or until edges are brown. Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes. To remove use a knife to loosen the edges then pop each lasagna out. Garnish with basil (if desired) and serve.

As i browsed through the forums i noticed a large amount of people either complaining or asking questions about loooose skin, and no that was not a typo lol. For us when we lose massive amounts of weight we are clearly and visibly aware of unwanted saggy skin which may be on our chin, neck, arms, legs, and stomach areas. Most us ask the questions, but never really find the answers you were looking for. Well here are 20 ways to tighten up your skin. Doing this pre-op as soon as possible, we will be able to limit the loose and saggy skin we dreadfully detest or will come to detest.
Here are 20 ways to tighten skin after weight loss
1. Lose Weight Now!
As we age, our skin naturally loses elasticity. This means that the younger the age at which you lose weight, the better your skin will rebound. if you have a weight issue, lose weight now! The sooner you lose weight, the better the chances your skin will tighten on its own.
2. Don’t Yo-yo Diet
If it seems like you’re always gaining and losing weight, more than 25 pounds each time, that’s yo-yo dieting, and it’s terrible for your body, including your skin. The constant growing and shrinking puts stress on your skin, so stop the yo-yo dieting. Rather than gain and lose weight over and over again, talk to a pro about making a few PERMANENT key lifestyle changes. These healthy changes will help you lose weight, and keep it off, long term.
3. Don’t Lose Weight Too Quickly
Slow and steady wins the race, and helps tighten your skin after weight loss. Your skin tightens slowly, so help the natural tightening process by losing weight safely and slowly, too. Besides, losing weight permanently by making broad lifestyle changes takes time, but it also helps prevent yo-yo dieting, something else that can help tighten skin after weight loss. Bonus!
4. Scrub to Tighten Skin after Weight Loss!
Scientists think the reason using sea salt scrubs (or other scrubs) helps tighten skin after weight loss is that they encourage increased blood flow, which in turn encourages healthy, elastic skin. Whatever the exact reason, it does seem to work for many people… try using a good scrub in the shower twice a day, several times a week, and see if it helps you!
5. Use a collagen Cream
Another way to tighten skin after weight loss is to keep it nourished with a collagen cream, one designed specifically to cope with loose, sagging skin. They can be pricey, but well worth the expense when they work. Note that collagen creams won’t work for everyone (nothing ever does), so ask family and friends for recommendations before you invest in a range of products that aren’t effective.
6. Try Massage Therapy
I have a particular friend who swears her weekly massage therapy helped her tighten skin after weight loss. She complain of sagging skin, particularly on her upper arms and upper thighs, and is delighted to show off her non-saggy parts now. Why not give it a go? At best, it will help tighten your skin… at worst, you get an invigorating massage.
7. Perhaps a Wrap?
Another friend tells me his skin was tightened when he got a seaweed wrap at a local spa, and now he goes every 6 to 8 weeks to enjoy its benefits. Online, I’ve found rave reviews on the local spa he frequents, and not a single negative review. Find a spa near you and do some digging… are their clients as happy as the clients at m local spa? If so, give them a try!
8. Add Weight Training
Chance are, you used weight training to help you get to your goal weight, but if not, it’s time to add them, to help tighten skin after weight loss! If you’re worried about looking overly buff and masculine, don’t be. Simply add weights to your workout three times a week, because building toned, lean muscle under your skin will help it look tighter.
Lunges are great for sagging skin on the upper thigh. In order to tighten loose skin by exercise, you need to pinpoint the right exercises that will target the area you wish to tighten the skin on. The upper thigh requires lunges, in which you tone the gluteus, upper thigh and hamstring, pulling the skin tighter to the thigh and creating a more attractive thigh area.
Squats also assist with your lower body sagging skin. Squats are a dream to tighten loose skin by exercise. They provide an ultimate lower body workout for the gluteus and thighs. With your feet shoulder length apart, you simply keep your back straight as you lower yourself into a sitting position as if you were sitting in a chair.
Bicep curls target that nasty underarm hang. The arm skin that hangs down has been called many things by its biggest haters. This problem seems to be one of the ladies’ biggest woes and can be targeted with bicep curls. It is important that when you tighten loose skin by exercise you perform exercises that are toning the muscle, and therefore the surrounding skin.
Planks work that stomach flab. With your hands under your shoulders, hold your arms out with your legs straight and toes holding your legs up. You get the most abdominal toning with this exercise the longer you hold the stance. The recommended time is 20 to 30 minutes.
Crunches are painful but highly effective. When you are seeking the ultimate way to tighten loose skin by exercise and targeting the stomach skin flap, crunches can be the most effective. Crunches provide complete toning for the abs if performed appropriately. The back should be straight with the chin level, and you will raise your torso to your knees, fighting the resistance. This will be one exercise you will feel later.

9. Drink Water to Help Tighten Skin after Weight Loss…
Healthy skin is hydrated skin, and despite the debate in the scientific community about whether or not drinking 64 ounces of water a day can help keep skin healthy and happy, I’ve seen the results myself. Perhaps it’s because, if you’re drinking that much water, you’re not drinking soda, loaded with unhealthy chemicals… or perhaps it’s because healthy, elastic skin really does need water. Either way, it works.
10. Practice Yoga
Yoga will help you relieve stress, be more flexible, lose weight or maintain a healthy weight, and even help your skin rebound after weight loss. They key with yoga, and any other regimen for that matter, is to Start off slow, and within a few weeks, you’ll be surprised how much more flexible you, and your skin, can be.
11. Be Patient
I suppose I ought to mention that after a significant weight loss, your skin can take up to six months to tighten to the new, slender you. Be patient, then… if your skin doesn’t rebound immediately, keep in mind that it may take a little time. Just like setting realistic weight loss goals is important, setting realistic goals for your body to adjust is important, too.
12. Do Calisthenics
Calisthenics are great for building lean muscle, great for your heart, and they’re even great for tightening skin after weight loss! Add a round of calisthenics to your weekly routine, three or four times a week, and enjoy the jumping jacks, push-ups, windmills, and more… they can be fun, and they’re helping your skin readjust at the same time. Shaun T's Beachbody P90, P90X, Insanity are great suggestions.
13. Eat Plenty of Lean Protein
Adding lean Protein to your diet will also help tighten skin after weight loss. How? First of all, it helps build lean muscle, which will make you appear more toned (well, you WILL be more toned!). But lean protein also contains the collagen and other nutrients your skin needs to stay elastic. Protip: consuming lean protein after a workout will help boost the muscle-building effect.
14. Avoid High-fat Foods
Foods that are high in fat are a dieter’s worst nightmare on two fronts. First, obviously, they can wreck your diet. Second, they do your skin no favors. If you’re trying to keep a healthy weight, or tighten skin after weight loss, avoid foods that are high in fat. Even the ones that taste really, really good. ESPECIALLY the ones that taste really, really good! Studies have shown that these high fat foods can even be addictive… so stay away!
15. Try for Five
The USDA recommends we eat five servings of fresh fruits and veggies every day, to give us nutrients we need, and to help us maintain healthy weights. But did you also know these five servings will help tighten skin after weight loss? That’s because most fruits and veggies have a high water content, which your skin needs to rebound. And again, they’re very good at helping ou maintain a healthy weight!
16. Avoid Sulfates to Tighten Skin after Weight Loss…
Sulfates are used in lots of body washes, soaps, and shampoos because they’re good, cheap cleansers and they make lush lather. But sulfates can also over-dry and irritate skin, stripping it of vital moisture and making it less elastic. If you’re trying to tighten skin after weight loss, shop around for sulfate-free products. L’Oreal offers a great line, for a very reasonable price.
17. Don’t Tan
The tanning process is horrible for your skin, especially when you’re using a tanning bed to boost your melanin. You might think it makes your skin look smoother and healthier, but it doesn’t. Wear sunblock when you’re outdoors, and don’t fake and bake. You’ll see your skin tighten more quickly, and you’ll also avoid a greater risk of skin cancer.
18. Rinse Away Chlorine
Excess chlorine from swimming pools and hot tubs can dry out your skin, making it less elastic, and less likely to rebound after weight loss. If you swim to keep fit, be sure to shower immediately after, and use cleaners designed to remove chlorine and moisturize your skin. Also, remember that you don’t need HOT water to rinse chlorine away, use warm water instead, which will also help keep your skin hydrated (hot water can strip away natural oils).
19. Dress The Part
Even the skinniest person can have a muffin top if their jeans are too tight. You may not have excess skin, or loose skin, after weight loss… you might just need to wear clothes that fit better. Give this some serious thought while clothes shopping.
20. Consider Surgery
If all of these tips fail to tighten your skin after weight loss, and you’ve waited six months since you dropped that last pound, you may want to consider surgery to remove the excess skin. As with any surgery, there are risks, but for some, those risks are outweighed by the benefits. Talk to your doctor.
You’ve already done the hard part — you’ve lost weight! Now follow these tips to tighten your skin after weight loss, and you’ll be bikini ready in no time… well, at least within 6 months! You can do it! Or… perhaps you already have? Which of these tips worked to tighten your skin after weight loss? Or do you have another skin care tip to share? Please do!
Credit goes out yo Meghan, for taking her time to write this...

Hello! I am from Saratoga. I had my sleeve done in Schenectady at Ellis! Dr Ingram did it! She is a great doc! She hasnt done a ton, but, she did an awesome job with me! I trust her completely. I had an issue and went to urgent care and that doc complimented my incision sites saying they look beatiful! LOL! I over did it and pulled open my large incision site a little bit and UC reapplied steri strips. There are 3 bariatric doctors at ellis, but, Dr Ingram was the most excited to do the sleeves and she is up to date on all the latest seminars and she talks to other Dr.s at Albany med that do the sleeve as well. Good luck with your journey! Any questions, feel free to give me a shout out!

Dr Terrence Clarke at Ellis Bariatric. Can't say enough about him and the entire program.
They are a Center of Excellence as well.

Don't have a recipe...gonna wing it lol! I was planning using the canned chicken I get from costco with a dollop of plain greek yogurt instead of mayo, a few dashes of franks hot sauce and some blue cheese crumbles with a dash of salt and blend it in my bullet style blender. Just gotta get my son to sleep first...it's the first day we are home alone since my surgery

I would stand at the fridge and cry. You ARE mourning the loss of your "blankie" like Linus. Now that it has been stripped away, you are left alone. Alone to feel all the things that we hid from while eating. Sadness, anger, ect.
You have to remember that we have lost our BFF. The one thing that we thought made everything better. But it didn't.
These feelings pass, and soon your energy will be up- you've lost even more weight- exercise isn't as hard as used to be and you have all this time! Time that was spent getting a "fix" from whatever food was your vice. Now it's time to start up a new hobby!
But once you return to those nummys, after the month or so you cannot eat them- they don't taste the same. You might get sick and throw them up. And eventually the craves go away. Not all of them but most do.
Choose yourself over the fries! If you HAVE to have them, split a small with a kid or two. Just enough to be satisfied- not sickly full.
Hang in there!

From what I understand, the hormone Ghrelin is removed or mostly removed during sleeve surgery, but it is only one of a hundred or more hormones that control your hunger. The brain is very efficient at getting you to eat and telling you what your body needs.
I do feel hunger pangs when I am hungry, and once, when I didn't measure my portion of Beans, I felt so full like you feel at Thanksgiving. You really never want to get to that uncomfortable feeling again so measuring how much you eat beforehand is really helpful there.
After surgery, you will learn to recognize when you are hungry, when you are satiated, and when you are full. The head hunger may be there for awhile, telling you to eat Cheetos or a Tommy burger, but those things aren't good for you at all and will sabotage your weight loss so we are better off ignoring such urges. Without raging hunger like pre-surgery, it is easier to ignore that head hunger.