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Post pics when you are able. Wishing you a smooth recovery.

That was worth the wait! You look fabulous! Fantastic job working your sleeve.

I think your recovery is protracted b/c of surgery. My boss just got a tummy tuck over Xmas then got the flu two weeks later. She's not sleeved but said flu right after surgery was horrendous. If you stay hydrated, I suspect a week or so not hitting protein won't be too detrimental. Maybe add a shake or two to your day or unflavored powder to some Soup. I like Unjury's chicken soup flavored Protein Powder.

Headed in the wrong direction 145 today. :-0

Besides researching online, I started by talking with my PCP and called my insurance. Both explained the process for approval and then my PCP made referrals to a nutritionist and ordered testing. Good luck!

I'm in. I'm up 3 lbs all from not following the rules. So now I'm 5 lbs from goal. WLS is such a head game! Learned I can put a serious hurt on a box of cereal this week. Going to do lots of shakes, protein, and veggies today, staying away from simple carbs (yeah, I'm talking about you, Cinnamon toast crunch).

You look great. Do panties cover the scar normally? Sorry to hear about the flu- what nightmare timing. Feel better soon.

I've shopped at H&M. Cheap, low quality stuff. If you are dropping a lot of sizes, it's a good place to shop b/c it's cheap. If you are close to goal, I would only buy a few trendy pieces b/c it's cheap.

Ran my second 5k ever today. Finished in 36 minutes. My question is should I work on distance or speed moving forward?

Sounds like reflux. You might want to try a PPI.

Congrats Chelenka! You're doing great.

My next 5k is this Saturday. It is supposed to rain and I have not been running lately. Ugh. Gonna have to fit in a couple of miles on the treadmill today. I know I will finish it but my time will probably be not so great.

Flintstone complete with Iron were on my Nut's approved list. I take them because they taste ok and are small so I can easily take them with me to consume during the day. The best Vitamins are the ones that you take.

Thank you for posting. I was taljking about plastics today with acoworker who is two months out from a tummy tuck. Told her I need plastics but am worried about scars. It is great to see other's results.

What Do You Think about BariatricPal Local Chapters? I love it. My surgeon's support group is a hour away so close by options would be great. What I would like to ask you for is what you think about the above suggestions. I would start quartly and either build up to monthly or allow individual groups to advance to monthly if their members want to. Also, what are your answers to the following questions? Would you be interested in attending regular local chapter meetings in person? Yes Would you be interested in being a leader (or co-leader)? Definately. I would love to pay it forward in terms of the support and shared experiences I got here. Would you like BariatricPal to provide agendas for meetings? General topics of discussion would be great along with allowing each group to address topics of interest of their specific members. What additional support could BariatricPal provide to encourage your participation and/or leadership? Group specific threads as a means to communicate with local members would be helpful for updates like a change in meeting time, location, etc. Should there be limits on the minimum and maximum numbers of members that each Local Chapter can have? No but that shouldn't preclude a large group from adding a day or splitting into a couple of smaller groups if needed. What other ideas do you have? Someone else mentioned a clothing swap, thought that was a good idea. I wonder if badges or awards could be created. If we know participation in support groups improves success, perhaps group members could earn badges on Bariatric Pal for milestones, e.g. attendance badges, 50 lbs down, maintain at goal 12 months, etc. Let me know how I can become a co-leader or help in another way Alex. Thanks for looking for ways to improve our success.

142 today, saw 141.9 for a fleeting moment

I started with walking and then advanced to jogging. I downloaded the C25K app. It is a guided running app. Sometimes I repeated days but it really helped and it is free. As I lost weight I am able to do more so now I can keep up in group classes.

Looking great Evolving! Congrats!

You can log exact amount in MFP. However, I have a friend that uses Lose It and know other folks who track on Spark people.

I like to experiment so I buy a lot of sampler packs. Tried Now cake batter flavor, I wasn'ta fan. I like Pure Protein powder in frosty chocolate. I found I don't like the Body Fortress brand but it is cheap so you should see if you like it. I get it a Walmart. I like GNC total lean but not the calories or price so I may not buy it again but I liked every flavor I tried. Favorite is french vanilla. Unjury is good too but spendy as we all know. Isopure makes rtd drinks that are horrid so I drink preimere protein from Costco. When I'm out and about and need something I will buy Muscle Milk or Oh Yeah ready to drink as well. Right now I am on a green smoothie kick. My blender has one scoop chocolate Pure Protein, 4 kales leaves and or whatever greens I pulled from the garden with water, ice and a pump of suger free Torani.

I had 100+ to lose. I'm 3 lbs from goal and 8 lbs from my stretch/maintenance goal. I use the tools others mentioned like my fitness pal. Tracking helps me keep my head in the game and so that I know my Protein totals. I heard a lot of people talk about stalls and for whatever reason I never had any. I did up my calories gradually and steadily over time. I now eat around1,200 calories a day. I don't weigh or measure my food either, I eyeball it. So 1,200 is an educated estimate. Water is a big deal so stay on it. I am always thirsty now and I dehydrate fast too. Preop I didn't exercise because it was uncomfortable. I tried to become more active over time and found that as the weight came off, I wanted to do more. I'm sure exercise may have helped with some of the weight but honestly for me it was about vanity. I want a rockin' body. Never had one before. I have developed a horrendously wicked sweet tooth of late. I'm trying to kick it but I struggle. Just know that there is no such thing as perfection but if you follow your program's guidelines it will happen.

Great job Sassy! Love you after. You look so happy.

Thank you all. The guidance that so many of you vets have provided along the way was invaluable to me. I hope I can pay it forward to the next group of newbies.

I did. I ate instant mashed potatoes and added dry milk powder for extra protein.