jess9395

I find it really interesting how convinced both sides in this conversation are of the truth in their way of perceiving things—be it through faith or science. I am reminded of a Daoist saying “those who know don’t say and those who say don’t know.” Huston Smith is a world religions scholar and he says this... science is good at studying this we know the variables to, this we can control—thus experiments consist of control groups, we control the variables and study the outcomes. A dog could not study math because he has no way to control or measure—he can sniff it or taste it so it does not exist to the dog. He says much more, but the part that strikes me is “absence of proof is not proof of absence.” I think somewhere in our vast universe there is probably intelligent life outside our own. I have no proof (unless you consider the existence of Goldilocks planets proof, we know the planets are there but don’t know if intelligent life resides there). I know there are far more things I DON’T know than things I do know. I find it interesting to see so many of you with the confidence that you are right and others are wrong. Anyhow, as I have said before I am agnostic leaning towards humanist. But I don’t chose to spend any time or energy doing more than shrug or roll my eyes at those who try and push other beliefs at me. Life is too short, I’d rather be out running, doing yoga, watching a Netflix or spending time with my own wonderful kids and husband of 23 years.

Ha! I bought myself a juniors size large blouse about 3 months post op. Having started at a Tight 20 I figured there’s no way I would ever shrink too small to wear it. I now wear a 4. Gave that shirt away long ago! Go for it, but don’t invest too much!

Honestly, too, I wanted to break my desire and need for “delicious” too. In the early days protein shakes were medicine for me, not a treat.

All plans are different... but you trusted YOUR surgeon to cut you open, I would trust your surgeons plan. If you want permission to deviate from it get it from YOUR doctor not someone else’s. I stayed far away from sugar in all forms until I was close to goal. I eat small amounts of natural sugar now, but doing without helped me get rid of my sweet tooth. Plus sugar makes me hungrier. It doesn’t for everyone but I’m personally glad to be rid of that monkey on my back.

I’m a big believer in the Enmend too! I’ve always hated the nausea after surgery and with pain killers more than the pain and It was amazing! Had it for my plastics as well. For pain Tylenol IV is pretty great too. Oral Tylenol has never done a thing for me but IV is a whole different story! They don’t like to use it bc for some reason it’s way more expensive than narcotics! I did have norco to take home but didn’t like it. I also had something else IV when I wanted it but I never did.

Omg totally!!!! My kids are both super tall so I love that I can wear heels now (I live in 3” wedges!) I wear shorts, I wear button up shorts, u wear fitted tees and tanks...I have a bit of a boho style most of the time though. I also do the whole althlesiure thing too, because I do yoga and run. I shop at Lululemon a lot. I got a LOT of things at goodwill and other resale stores until I figured out my style. Great way without investing too much money!

Yeah I needed to supplement for a full year. Even now (almost five years out) I supplement a couple days a week. I can’t do rice though it makes my stomach feel awful.

My surgeon had us using benefiber from day one. He preferred that to fruits bc of the sugars and grains bc of the carbs. He also preferred it to things expressly for constipation (mirilax, milk of magnesia, etc) bc he said you could get dependent on them.

This will be my five year annual visit. My surgeon asks we go annually forever for follow up and I intend to do just that. Why? Blood work for nutritional issues. Accountability. Support and tweaking if necessary.

I can eat all the spicy things and sashimi and all...but at going on five years out there are still things that don’t agree with me. Rice and carbonation OUCH. Doughy soft breads are uncomfortable. Toasted are fine but I rarely bother. Too much sugar makes me feel sick—I don’t dump per se but I feel icky. Took me the better part of a year to tolerate eggs. Cruciferous veggies (cauliflower, broccoli, etc) I can only do cooked. Carrots too. I also can’t eat much in the way of refined carbs or I eat too much and gain weight. They slide right through and trigger an insulin response with triggers my binge-y hunger. But it’s a million thousand times worth the trade off. I don’t want to be eating any of those things anyway! I did this to eat healthier not to eat less of unhealthy foods.

Good luck! My husband would be thrilled to not spend the $25 on a bucket of popcorn and soda! Heck if you got candy it would be the price of a steak dinner!

Well corn syrup is addictive, why not corn? Corn is quite high in sugar.

Odds are you will rebound some. Most of us do. Usually around the two year out mark you will have gained some back. Until the numbers actually say underweight I wouldn’t worry. If you want to slow then add some high fat things... full fat dairy, avodaco... start drinking a latte with half and half. But you look just fine you just aren’t used to it. And know that anorexia is a mental illness. Being underweight is one symptom or manifestation. If you are concerned with being too thin, you are not anorexic. They desire being as hub as possible and almost always have body dysmorphia and believe they are heavier than they are. They are usually actually hungry and not eating is the way they exercise control when their lives feel out of control otherwise.

This too shall pass! Seriously. Think about all the trauma your stomach and system went through. If the gashes and stitches and swelling were on the outside we would see it and be gentle and know that it would eventually heal and get better. So just remind yourself that your insides were cut open, parts removed and stitched back together. Healing takes time and some days are worse perhaps you got less sleep or stood up too long or too much salt or not enough water...all of it affects inflammation in those healing incisions, It might not be what you are eating! Hang in there!

Ask hubby to skip the popcorn too! No one NEEDS popcorn at the movies. Mindless eating with little nutritional value is what has left our nation obese. Hubby will be the better for it as well and will be supporting you in your goals. OK, if you NEED a snack try roasted chickpeas, moon cheese or whisps (freeze dried cheese)....jerky. Some raw veggies or blueberries. 100 calorie nut packs. But breaking the habit is really the best. Treat yourself to a nice dinner afterwards! See it as a reward for not snacking.

Many people do develop issues with dairy/whey/lactose post op...as well as aversions and intolerances of other kinds. Most of the time they dissipate by six months out or so. I couldn't eat eggs for months. I had issues with some dairy for several weeks. Your stomach (and intestines depending on the type of surgery) have been cut open. They won't be performing optimally for a while. BUT if you have issues with whey protein it's not a lactose intolerance. It's a different issue. I was just clarifying that issue. So you might have issues with whey protein or you might have issues with yogurt, but you might not have issues with both. So eliminate one and see if the other still bothers you. Then try switching.

I started couch to 5K at four weeks post op. Why wait? You are going to have the loose skin you have regardless of whether it bounces now or not. If it bothers you try compression wear!

Wait, you’re surprised doctors share half truths rumors or things science has disproved? I see doctors quoted on this board doing that ALL THE TIME. Anyhow Matt is dead on in the protein dept. In fact my doc recommends 1g per lb for men and .75 g per pound for women, so my optimal protein goal has always been higher than 80g.

Think about trying to break the movie = food association. It’s mindless snacking we don’t need. You aren’t even enjoying the food experience. We can make it through 2-3 hours without eating.

Your sleeve hasn’t likely stretched... it relaxes over the first year as it heals and the swelling goes down. But “slider” foods like simple carbs (crackers, chips) and liquids and such.... those won’t trigger the restriction. Do you feel no restriction when consuming dense proteins like lean meats? Give it a try and see.

Whey protein has no lactose (whey protein “isolate” means they have isolated the whey and separated it from the other parts of the milk including the lactose), but yogurt does.

What are you currently eating? As we lose weight our calorie and macro needs change. A 300 lb. body needs way more fuel to maintain and function than a 150 lb body needs

If you’re willing to go to Santa Barbara PM me and I will tell you about my surgeon!

That’s how the panache one is too. Pretty cool. Also means you can wear same bra under a racerback tank or a regular one!

Me! Started at 271 day of surgery. Got to 135 lbs. I’m 5’6” for reference