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Based on several of the responses and the initial poster, two things jump out at me: it doesn't sound like many of you are lean enough to have a flat stomach, e.g. j19 posted still needing to lose 50 pounds on another thread yesterday; people 50 pounds overweight don't have flat stomachs. Similarly, a 23 BMI does not mean someone is lean, hence the term "skinny fat". More importantly, body recomposition takes time. If you aren't at least 12-18 months out, then your body is still changing. The saying that "abs are made in the kitchen" is accurate. Stay consistent with your diet- lean Protein and veggies, exercise regularly and you can lean out.

Absolutely, most of us were on a diet before surgery. Depending on what you are allowed to eat, lean Protein and veggies are the key to filling up. drinks lots of Water helps too. Stick with it, you're worth it.

• I fell of track and in my head it is bad. I was 355 and down to 235 in 9 months. I had my GBP 9/2014. I went back up to 257. Part is the carbs which I crave ridiculously. I don't care for sugary stuff but love carbs. I was laid off from work and my children have been in need of so much. It started with skipping a health snack to feeling starved at meal time. Should I do the shake thing for 5 days? SOS

You can do the pouch test but it is unnecessary given that your issue is not how much you are eating but rather what you are eating-- carbs. Carbs are okay in small amounts but they sound like a trigger food for you. I think Bufflehead's recommendation to eliminate the carbs and eat lean Protein and non starchy vegetables apply to you as well.

Hello Vet's. I'm reflecting on my Birthday. I'm curious of where you are at in life now. How often do you think about being a surgery Patient?

I identify as a health nut/gym rat. This has become my passion. Just a normal way of life.

I still check in on Bariatric pal. But I spend the majority of my time in Body Space. I'm not motivated by weight loss anymore. I've moved on to other fitness and nutrition goals.

I've lost friends and a close family member due to my weight loss. I have gained new friends. They have the same interest in health.

I feel I'm continuing to be my best self. I don't want to settle in feeling my old fart age. I don't feel my age today.

OK Vet's. What is life for you like at this point?

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This is a timely post as a fellow Scorpio, my birthday is next week. I still identify as a WLS patient. I have restriction at most meals so kinda hard not to.

Like you and Babbs fitness is on the main stage of my life. If someone had asked me 5 years ago I would never have believed my current reality. I am motivated by body composition and set goals like fitting into a certain dress or looking a certain way. I find that if I do not constantly have a new goal, I get complacent and backslide.

Since surgery, I've gotten married. Grateful to have wedding pictures in a dress that I was proud to be photographed in and would never have thought it would be a strapless dress to boot.

I feel blessed to have had surgery and to have maintained my loss. I still attend my local support group a few times a year and stay on here as a way of giving back. Now, I live life and don't hide in pictures or avoid social situations anymore.

You look great Motochic. Two broken legs in 4 years? Yikes! Makes your ability to maintain your weight loss even more impressive. Congrats!

Welcome! I'm also a few months out. I suggest the book on the BariatricPal website on the Sleeve, it's been helpful for me to read as I'm preparing. Good Luck!

Anyone know the name of a good book for bariatric sleeve patients?

Thanks

Sent from Dee~Dee via BariatricPal

"The big book on gastric sleeve" or something to that effect, I believe is sold in the Bariatric Pal Store.< /p>

I picked the house brand at my local department store (Macy's) so nothing was too expensive after adding coupons and catching a sale. I would buy a jacket one size smaller and wore it open until I lost enough that it could close and then wore it until it was one size too big. I bought basic colors like navy.

Kept it old school.

Congratulations!

Bed-I use a heated throw, it allows me to just warm myself up and and not hubby (who is always hot) or the whole bed. Plus it has a timer and shuts itself off after 3 hours.

Body- I wear base layers under my clothes and leggings or tights under skirts and dresses.

Feet- wool socks, slippers and socks

Hands- gloves for outside, thought it's hard to find a pair that fit well and that allow me to use my iPhone and give me good dexterity. I also bought hand warmers for my pockets.

Outerwear- lots of options with jackets, I always like the ones with removable liners so I can adjust the warmth.

House- I also use a portable/space heater as to not heat the whole house but to warm the area I am in (again, hubby is always hot).

Head- scarves and knit hats

Physically it feels unfamiliar in good and bad ways. The good stuff is feeling light on you feet. You can literally move better and not worry about fitting in small spaces. I like the feeling of being able to test the limits of what I can do physically in my new body, e.g. Can I run faster, lift heavier; how can I push myself? I never strived for those experiences before. The downsides are being cold more often. Not sleeping great because my bony knees touch and I'm lighter now so I constantly slide next to my husband at night, always sleeping on a slope. I love being lighter and would not trade that for anything but there is a disconnect at times, I don't always feel small and I have an underlying obsession with staying thin. Maintenance requires vigilance.

In the first year, started as size 20 or 22 and got to a size 6.

4 days is not a stall. Get off the scale and go for a walk.

I learned a lot about how people felt about me. Some revealed their own weight biases that made it clear that they now approve of thin me and did not approve of fat me before. Some like my husband, love me no matter what. A few revealed their jealousies, unhappy with themselves, then didn't like my transformation. Most people were just genuinely happy to see me get healthy. Strangers of course have no idea of my former obesity and seem surprised if I reveal having been overweight. It is clear they cannot fathom me 100+ lbs heavier. Strangers take us at face value/ on the surface. I generally find men I do not know to be more friendly and helpful.

I believe staying on top of fluids is key, especially if you exercise. There are apps to track and remind you to drink. Early on, I used hash marks on a white board every day and write everything down. Now I used My Fitness Pal. I drink all or part of a Protein Shake nearly every day- even this far out. It helps me hit both my Fluid and Protein goals. Dashingdish.com website has some of my favorite shake recipes.

did you have any frustrating moments, like longs stalls and no weight loss? im 10 months out, started at 283 and am at 210, which i have been at for 3 months. im starting to think i'll never hit my goal. any suggestions? you look great, btw.

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I lost weight slowly and steadily without ever having a stall. My signature on the desktop version of Bariatric Pal shows my weekly weigh ins. My frustration was not hitting goal quickly or posting huge losses like 25 pounds down in a month. I was the epitome of the "slow and steady wins the race" adage.

What I did consistently during the WL phase was log my food, hit my Fluid goals, eat Protein first, and include more physical activity. I ate low fat and lower carb, gradually increased calories. I read posts of people who eat 1,200 calories a day at 6 months out, I was lucky to hit 800 at that time. I didn't eat that much until a year or so out. I hired a personal trainer at about 6 months out to help me with exercising more effectively. I did everything at a slow pace and attribute that to never stalling.

What has your journey been like? Do you measure your food? How much Water, Protein, fat and carbs do you get in daily? Are you exercising?

Calcium carbonate is in most of the chewy brands be sure to check the labels ensure it is calcium citrate.

I found the costco pills to big, I have the petite version. I also take liquid calcium citrate or wafers.

I went through 3. The first 2 died (battery would not charge) and the last one I lost. They are not for me.

Welcome back. How have the years since surgery been?

Make Dulcolax your new BFF. I learned the HARD way. [emoji15]

Does anyone drink carbonated diet drinks with regularity?? food still grosses me out but after 9 weeks I still dream about my coke zeros . I wanted to go a year with none but man that's a long time. Yes... I know they recommend never having them again---

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I ignore several rules now but was 100% compliant for the first nine months. The first "rule" I broke was carbonation. I had a glass of champagne on my birthday. It was definitely not comfortable (I felt so full!) so it was and still is a rare treat. I estimate I drink something carbonated a few times a month. Which ties into the second rule from my surgeon which was no alcohol. I don't want booze to interfere with my WL goals so I drink a few times a month, usually vodka mixed with something low sugar or a glass of wine. I hate working out after a night of drinking and I work out 4-5 days a week so that enforces limited opportunities to drink. Finally coffee, I didn't drink it for over a year and now drink it a few times a week. I try to drink cold brewed for less acid when possible.

For all the newbies, I highly recommend you hit your WL goals before going rogue. There are a gazillion rules that I still follow; not eating and drinking, focusing on Protein every day, taking Vitamins, etc. So while an occasional this, that, or the other will eventually be fine. Just because you can do something early out doesn't mean you should. In anticipation of the snap back, here you go. Clearly I'm blowing it.

A timer and variable temperature gauge.

Probably paranoid but a call to your MD is completely appropriate.

I'm skeptical about Genepro's claims. Early on I drank Premiere Protein shakes thinned with Water and I liked powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury.

"Is it perhaps a normal thing for them to tell you the hard facts and scary stuff in this stage?"

Yes it is normal. Informed consent includes, the risks, complications and failure rate outcomes.