glitter eyes

Congrats!!

Good job!! You look amazing

Do you log/journal your food and measure it. I find that really helped me know exactly what my intake levels were in terms of calories and protein. It also helped to keep me accountable. It could just be "head hunger" and or old habits creeping back in. I know prior to surgery I snacked a lot at night. After surgery I sometimes would find myself going to the kitchen and looking through the cabinets or fridge out of habit. One thing that helped me was I stayed busy in the evenings. I started giving myself manicures- can't snack or eat while your nails are drying; or I would give myself an at home facial. These activities gave me something to do for myself, and it kept me from snacking. Now two years post op I do have a huge nail polish and makeup addiction- LOL, but my nails looks fab and I don't have a lot of loose facial skin. You just have to find something to distract you and refocus your behavior. You can do it!! Good luck

@KindaFamilar You gave me a laugh to start off my day!! You are one funny guy[emoji3]

Love reading everyone's responses and seeing the pics of the beautiful garden!! It's amazing how regaining our health can enrich our lives so dramatically!!! Since losing the weight and having surgery I have done so many things that I never did before surgery-even when I was younger and thin. I have taken up kayaking as a hobby, I go backpacking, camping, hiking, paddle boarding (not to great at this), I am comfortable going to the gym and I feel like I am soaking up life again. I told my husband the other day that I feel like I have lived more in the last two years since my surgery than I did my whole life prior to it!! So thankful for this experience.

I don't see anything wrong with using a protein shake as a snack to get your needed protein in and up your calories. I drank a protein shake for months and sometimes still do if for some reason my protein amount is on the low side for the day. If you chose healthy high protein low carb snacks that should be fine. I am like many people on here. I eat several times a day- call them mini meals, or meals and snacks. I have to eat more than three times a day. The goal is health so if you have to still drink a protein shake to get some much needed nutrition, in my humble opinion that should be fine.

Are you able to eat soft protein yet like eggs, fish, yogurt.. Etc.? Are you getting physically sick from eating or has your appetite just disappeared? I know from my experience I didn't have an appetite at all for the first six months. Sometimes the sight or smell of food would make me nauseous. However, food is fuel for our bodies and I began to look at food in that manner. I logged all my intake on an app called My fitness pal, that helped keep me accountable to my protein and vitamin levels. Try to get your protein in and up your calories if possible. I think I was eating about 500-800 calories as day a few months out. It is hard in the beginning because you are essentially learning to eat again. Try a variety of foods, you might be surprised at the things you like. I used to hate eggs pre op but now I love them. Used to love tuna- now it gives me heartburn. It's like one big experiment- but you just have to keep trying and eventually it all fall into place. Check out some Bariatric recipes/ideas and branch out. One good website is called "The world according to egg face". She has some great ideas. Hang in there and good luck. Also, if you could give us some information on why you are having trouble maybe we could help more.

Congrats on your surgery in the morning!! I can still remember how nervous I was the day before. You will do great and it is a life changer!! Good luck

So glad you are ok!! Take it easy and get better.

I don't juice on a regular basis, but when I do I save the pulp that has all the fiber in it and add it to to my veggie soups- it thickens the soup and makes it a littler creamier and I still get the pulp/fiber. I have even put the pulp in homemade muffins, but I rarely eat those, but my family scarfs them down.

I am almost two years post op and for me my hunger is triggered by carbs. If I keep refined sugar out of my diet and my healthy carbs very low my hunger is almost non existent or normal. I had some fudge on Mothers Day and was starving all day Monday.. It's took a while to remember I had eaten the fudge and that's what did it. Dense protein keeps me fuller much longer too!! Also, logging and measuring my food helps keep me on track.

Sophie74656 I think that movie clip of them pulling their necks back is hilarious- also I swear it works. I had my husband pull mine back in a picture the other day and there was a noticeable difference- it's cheaper than a face lift. LOL

Just for the record I never "dipped or dapped during the post op stage" and I am not a liar. I was scared to do anything that wasn't recommend in fear I might cause a complication.

Some things I did to stay focused and pass the long six month wait was: 1. I stopped all caffeine intake 2. One month before surgery I cut out all sugars and refined carbs 3. I tried to walk a little each day even though I was terribly out of shape. 4. I did a lot of day dreaming about how my life may change 5. Experimented with a ton of different protein shake brands, flavors, and recipes.. Turns out that was a waste of time because my taste buds changed 6. I brought a food scale, small plates, bowls, toddler spoons and forks. 7. Super organized my kitchen. 8. Made a "bucket" weight loss list of things I wanted to do. I now have completed everything on my list at almost two years post op 9. Still pulled out my hair because let's face it once we make up our mind for surgery six months is a heck of a long time Good luck!!

Hang in there. You are still early post op and your body is adjusting. A ton of people have a lot of emotional issues the first few months due to the hormone release from the fat loss or something like that. Some people get angry, cry, etc. Also, for me food tasted so terrible for about three months after surgery- it tasted so bad I would have to brush my teeth immediately after eating anything. That usually gets better for most of us... I am almost two years post op and everything tastes good again except fried things. So hopefully that will pass. In addition, a lot of us go through a slight depression because our old friend food is gone and we are left trying to fill that void and it can be difficult for a little bit.. One thing that helped me was I started making myself do things outside of my comfort zone , these started off small; like getting a facial, joining a gym, venturing into and purchasing something from Victoria Secrets. As time past I began to have larger goals like learning to kayak, paddle board, camp, hike. Every time I stepped outside my comfort zone I began to focus on the life changes instead of the scale and what I could or couldn't eat and that helped me learn that food wasn't important anymore. It is difficult but I am sure you will find your way and what works for you. Hang in there it does get better. In fact it can get downright fabulous!!

One thing that helps me at the grocery store is I love magazines like Cosmopolitan and Glamour ( yes I am probably too old for them, but too bad). So when I want to give into the bad snacks I tell myself if I make it to the checkout line with nothing unhealthy in my cart I will splurge on magazines. Then when I get home if I have time I will slip on a face mask and relax while reading them. Silly, but it works most of the time.

I am almost two years post op and water has not been my friend since surgery. I still can tolerate only small amounts of plain water before I get slightly nauseated and it's slightly uncomfortable. Tried some fruit infused water (detox) water about a year ago and could not tolerate it. Just this week I tried again.. And I am loving it!! I am sipping on some blueberry, kiwi, strawberry water right now!! It's marvelous. I say give it a try and if you don't like it wait a bit and try again. Good luck

I was really drained after surgery too. I actually took multiple naps a day for probable two weeks. I mostly walked, sipped fluids and slept. Remember your body is healing and needs rest. If you are meeting your fluid and protein requirements that awesome. Just hang in there it does get better. Listen to your body and get plenty of rest!!

For me after post op I didn't have any cravings or hunger. I was focused on sip sip sipping fluid and protein shakes all day and then after that; learning to eat again. Tiny slow bites. By that time I hadn't had any refined sugars in weeks and sugar is what triggers my cravings so I didn't have any cravings or hunger for about 10 months when I ate some sugar. I had lost the majority of my weight at that point so I was learning and testing the waters of the next phase... Maintenance!! I am almost two years post op and I do have cravings, and some hunger. I just know that for me as long as I keep my carb count low then the cravings are almost non existent. However, I do have periods where I eat treats and then just get right back on my plan. With weight loss surgery it seems like it is a little easier to get back on track. I agree with JamieLogical that it is the huge change in the food relationship that makes the most difference. Not to sugar coat it, for me I do have to have constant vigilance.

Great job!! You look fabulous

I was wondering if anyone has a favorite cheese? I was in Sam's Club the other day and unfortunately I went hungry- not a good thing to do. I was going to splurge and buy myself some cookies or a cake and then decided to check out the cheese section instead. I picked out a delicious Havarti cheese with dill and a white cheddar by Kerrygold. Both were a great change from my usual cheese and a much better choice. I also saw a strawberry infused goat cheese and a blueberry blue cheese crumble that I might try next time. Does anyone have any suggestions for other good gourmet cheese?

You got this Sharon. We all have times when we aren't eating as great to make that weight loss continue or allow weight to creep up during maintenance. I loved VSGAnn2014 suggestions- those were some good ones. This is a life long process and we are constantly learning and readjusting our diets. You always have such witty funny comments to contribute here and we miss you when your posts slow down!! Keep them coming.

First of all congrats on your amazing success!! Now back to the arse cream... So glad you are going to be our guinea pig and give this a try. I am interested to see if it works. I have a bit of a turkey neck myself that I would love to see go bye bye. I keep wanting to try it on my under eyes but never remember to buy it. You never know until you try

@@jenn1 Thanks for the tip. I will have to give it a try. I just paid almost $90 for a spanx body suit and like someone else posted all it did was smooth things out. I need something made of steel to hold my stomach in. How does the size run? I brought a size small in the spanx and wear a size 6 pants and usually a medium shirt.

You can try adding a powdered collagen to your water and or drinking bamboo tea which is high in silica. I do both and it has made a huge difference. My hair loss has slowed way down, hair is shiny and soft again and doesn't break off as much.