MichiganChic

Sometimes we cause our own stress, sometimes we can't avoid it - life happens. It is a good idea to figure out the difference between the two, and make some life decisions to set ourselves up for success. You can't keep doing things the way you have been, or you are going to keep getting the same results. Something has to change. So, if you are not prepared for an exam, what can you do in the future to not cause that stress for yourself? You forgot to eat - what could you have done differently? Focus on those things, and use some of the suggestions above. As for stress you can't control, this is where is becomes necessary to employ some other techniques. And, yes, hobbies might be the answer. Exercise might do it for you. Maybe distraction, or meditation would work. This has been and remains the most difficult for me. Years of eating when stressed is a hard habit to break, and is still the first thing I think of when I'm stressed. Sometimes I give in, but mostly I don't. I will usually drink something like a flavored coffee, and distract myself with something else. It's surprising how often that works!

If you are following your plan, then that's all you can do. Only you know if you are doing that. It's a true fact that our bodies lose at their own rate, and can't be compared to others. Just keep your eye on the prize, and you'll get there!

Mine were all less than 1/4 inch except the main one, where they pulled my stomach out through. I got an infection in it, and it had to be opened 3 times before it healed. It's about an inch in length, and it puckered a little, and was about an inch above and to the right of my navel. All of them faded and shrunk over time, and only the big one was visible. I've had an abdominoplasty since then, and now that big scar is just above my pubic area, so well hidden by underwear. most of the others are gone, but I had to search for the ones that were left.

I know what you mean. I feel like you could knock me over with a feather some days. I don't have enough core or leg strength to open heavy doors some days. However, yoga is great for balance and strength. You can go at it slow, and increase as you gain endurance. I had to stop due to plastics, but I'm definitely going back once I'm healed up. I could tell a difference in the short time I did it.

At 2 years post op, it's easy to get off track during the holidays! I have a variety of things I do to prevent it, and some things I do to understand and deal with it. I still track every bite I put into my mouth, and I do it as I go. When I see it in print, it has a way of helping me make the decision to stop eating. I track my weight daily. I try to plan in advance, if I know I'm going to be facing a day of temptation. For example, I'll scale back other meals that day to accommodate a larger meal to balance the calories I'll go way lower a day or 2 before or after days where I consume too many calories to get my weekly total intake closer to my usual maintenance amount Even when there is an abundance of foods I love, I still try to make good choices. Protein first, limit carbs, and smaller portions (usually just a bite or two) of the more fattening things, like deserts. I try to observe that I'm full, and stop eating. I try to keep leftovers out of my house so that I don't have to battle the temptation too much. It can wear you down! Since I entertain a lot, I try to serve things that are on my plan, and not have an abundance of choices so that I don't get sucked into that "need to try it all" vortex. I accept that I'm human, and that it's normal to over indulge once in a while. I even allow myself some freedom to indulge. I get right back on track either the next day or meal, depending on what I've allowed for. Of course, all of these things take some effort. My success requires that I stay diligent about what I'm doing, and I stay mindful of what I'm putting in my mouth. That's probably the most important change I've made since having WLS, and the one I am most protective of. If I do those two things, everything else just sort of follows.

Well, I ended up with 400 cc, moderate profile silicone implants. They are still pretty high on my chest, and it's hard to tell what they will end up looking like. For the moment, they look like they are going to be pretty good, but I just don't know yet. They don't look bigger than the bra I was wearing, so that's good. More to come!

I lost hair from around 4 month to about 12 months. I didn't have a lot to begin with, so it was pretty rough for me. It did come back partially, but I'm now at 2 years post op, and it's still not all back. I took Biotin, Vitamins, and saw a dermatologist where I was given injections in my scalp (which did help). I did everything right, and never missed my Protein, Fluid, or vitamins. I was doing pretty good with regrowth, but I've had three surgeries since my sleeve, and I think the anesthesia caused more loss. Even still, I look way better thin with thin hair than I did when I was morbidly obese with kind of thin hair. I'm still hopeful that it will come back. I know someone who had bypass years ago, and told me she just recently noticed her hair is still getting thicker. We are both in our 50s, so I think that also makes a difference.

There is no way to know, but one thing I'd bet on, it's not critical. If it were, you would already know the results, and you'd be receiving treatment.

I agree with @@erp, it might be a good idea to just wait till closer to the time and buy something off the rack. There is just now way to know what size you will be in, or what style might work best. Either way, you'll be a beautiful, happy bride. I think sometimes there's more emphasis on that dress than needed. It's all about YOU! Congrats.

Yeah, we always have to fight those habits. For me, it's like some type of a switch goes off in my head at 9 pm. If there is a reason I'm up past 9, I start looking for food. I hate that. It's a real struggle to not eat. I think it's because I'm up early every day, and I'm tired, and my resistance and will power is down. I seriously just try to go to bed, if I can, otherwise, I can easily consume 200-300 calories I don't need.

@@proudgrammy Yay for you!! Three years is definitely an important milestone. We know that 2-3 year mark often is the time when people slide or lose control, and you are still an overwhelming success! You are such a good role model for those of us who have come after you. Thank you for all your positive words and encouragement. I'm so thrilled for you that you are living the wonderful life you wanted to. Wishing you a lifetime of continued success!

I used to notice when I was newly sleeved. I think it was more of a comparison for myself - that I would have been eating that much or more. As time went on and I became accustomed to my smaller portions, I started thinking in terms of smaller portions for everyone. I host a lot of family gatherings, and I always had an abundance of food choices and amounts when entertaining. For a long time I had a hard time judging what the right amount to prepare would be, because my old ways collided with the new. Now, at two years out, I do a better job. I still prepare too much, but much fewer choices and certainly not enough for 2 or 3 times the amount of people I have. I also notice that I don't watch what people eat anywhere any more. I don't care. I know what I need to do, and that's what I focus on. As a fat person, I didn't want to be judged for what I ate, and as a WLS person, I still don't want to be judged. I assume others don't either.

I also did my first yoga recently, too! I also really liked it, and I agree, it is harder than it looks. It's way more interesting and fun than the traditional type exercise I am used to, as well. I don't love the up and down on the floor part though....but I know that's what I really need to work on.

@@feedyoureye I have seen the video, but I'll watch it again. Thanks for posting the link. @@lsereno you are doing great. I don't know about you, but I am really struggling with my will power! I used to be able to resist temptation much better than now. And even though I can not eat anything like I used to before surgery, I can do some serious damage on a splurge. Around the holidays, it's really hard not be facing those temptations every where I go. Add to that the swelling I still have from my first round of plastics 4 months ago, and the impending swelling from this coming Friday's work, and the scale is just pissing me off. Because it IS the scales' fault, right?

Glad to hear you found someone who is a dream with a knife, lol! I used to work in surgery, and there is such a "thing"! Some surgeons just have a gift. And it sounds like he has a typical sugeon's ego, if he is also impressed with himself Sorry it hurts, and I can feel your pain....literally! What kind of repair did you have? For some reason, I was thinking you had something done to your knee? Sorry if it's in the original post, i can't see it right now. Good luck on your plastics consult. Now that you know this guy, and he knows you, I'm thinking you might end up with a better visit. I love the results of my plastics so far - it's truly amazing what a difference it can make!

Yeah, I was used to shopping for 6 people, then two of them moved out about the time I had my surgery. I remember the first time I after surgery when I went to costco, I had my hands on the 20 pound bag of potatoes, where each potato was at least a pound. Then I realized those would rot before could even eat 1 or 2 of them. It was really a little shocking to me and probably the first time it dawned on me how shopping needed to change. And then later in Costco, at about a year out, I loved how I could go there for lunch on a Saturday, and be filled up after a few Snacks

You sound like you got it goin' on, sister. You are right to have a low tolerance for that BS. It sounds to me like have hit the nail on the head with all of it. Doesn't it make you wonder why we ever put up with it before? Weight loss is a strange phenomenon in that way - make us feel more powerful and in control of ourselves. Maybe we like ourselves better, so we won't work so hard for other's approval. Maybe we have more self respect, and start to demand respect from others. I think that's hard for the people in our lives, when we change the rules we've always live by when dealing with them. The one's worth keeping will accept and support that change, and the others ones.....well, you know know what to do with them

You don't give any stats about your weight/height, your BMI, or the type of surgery you had. But when's the last time you lost 17 pounds in 6 weeks? I'd say you are doing fine. One thing for sure - time goes along either way, and as long as you continue to lose, you are going in the right direction. I sincerely wanted to wake up several pounds lighter every day, lol. It didn't work out like that for me, yet two years later, here I am, 140 pounds lighter. I know it's easy to get caught up in it because right after surgery, our world revolves around our weight, and we worry the surgery wont work for us, we fear failure, etc. I always felt like I could handle the "slow" loss if only I had a crystal ball and would know that I would eventually get there. I didn't realize I didn't need the crystal ball, I just needed to follow the program, and I would be fine. You will be too

That's why a lot of people don't tell others. I didn't tell many people to start with because I didn't want to constantly feel like my intake is up for discussion or under scrutiny. Even the extended family I did tell who are supportive do watch some. We had a Christmas party last night and they commented, surprised that I can eat bread. They are not malicious and I am not having to deal it the way you are, but once people know, they observe and some feel free to comment. Since your cat is out of the bag, I think I would just tell them to keep their comments to themselves. It's not their business, and you are not obligated to discuss it. Probably if you just tell them you don't want to hear it when you can be calm and respectful (probably not when they just said something), they'll keep their comments to themselves. You might even ask for their support and encouragement, if you want it. They probably love and want what's best for you. At the end of the day what they say or think is not going to influence your outcome - you have control over that. You are doing awesome, so keep up the good work. Incidentally, it took me about 60 pounds before it became evident I lost weight.

Thank you for posting this! Your wife is lovely, and I hope to look that good, too. It's good to see what 400 cc's look like on a real human, not provided by the physician doing the work.

That's wonderful that you are happy with them! I hope I'm as happy as you are. I don't think I want to be a DD, considering the fact that I've always been small busted. I bet they are perfect on you, since that what you had. I know what you mean about victoria secret, since I have a push up that's a D. I was never a D, even on my best day. I was a B or small C. However, I think that D is good on me (honestly, it does not look big at all). My doc is also recommending 400-425 cc, but said my breasts are wide, so I'm sure that's taking up a lot of the Fluid. I just don't want to end up bigger than I am in that bra because that's the maximum size I can be to have my clothes fit. I think I'm taking it into surgery for them to have a reminder. Not kidding. I think I'll give them a picture of me in it, too. I know they'll appreciate my helpfulness, lol. It's next Friday, so I'm getting a little nervous!

@RJ'S/beginning just wondering how you are doing, and hoping you've been treated better. How are you feeling?

Yes, it's protein, protein, protein (and some vitamin C) for tissue healing. Also. it's an increase in calories. Somewhere around 500 additional calories/day, according to most medical schools of thought. I had some delayed healing in a couple of spots from my LBL, and those have just barely healed at 4 months post plastics, so I'm leery of too much calorie restriction right now. I doubt I'll be eating an extra 500 calories a day, though. Here's how the calorie math works for me: eating an extra 2000 calories = 1 pound, but it takes a sustained restriction and about 5000 calories to lose one pound. So, with the 5:2 plan, I think the general decrease in calories those 2 days plus remaining pretty restricted the other 5 days should help get me to goal, eventually! Has anyone else identified their calorie math...or maybe I'm just nuts? Or do you think the 5:2 helps in other ways, because of the fast, based on your personal experience?

Yep, it's our worst nightmare. The first couple of pounds that creep on, and you know why, but feel a little helpless to stop it. You know you are out of control, either a little or a lot, and you know if you don't get your arms around it now, you are going to be in trouble. I remember how I got so heavy the first time - it was just like that for me. I wasn't lazy or stupid or slovenly or mentally ill, and I had plenty of will power, but seemed helpless against whatever it was prevented me from stopping it. The difference for all of us now is that we have a gastric sleeve that sort of levels the playing field. It doesn't have to be the way it was. By now, all of us vets who have been successful know what it takes to lose weight (and it's unique for each of us in many ways), so we are no longer helpless! What a liberating thought! I like knowing I actually DO have power over this now, and I'm in control. You have identified your issue, and now you are working on it. You are using your power. Others on here give good advice on how to do that, but I just wanted to say I can identify with your "terror". It's still what my nightmares are made of...until I remember I'm not a victim of obesity now. Good luck and keep us posted.

I think what @@feedyoureye and @@lsereno are describing are great ways to live. As I said, I am not doing 5:2 for the next couple of weeks (due to surgery next friday), but it makes such good sense to me. I think it's pretty hard to stay at a certain number of calories day in and day out because life gets in the way, and this allows you to keep your average calories, over time, at that number that keeps you from gaining.