glitter eyes

Can't imagine anyone getting offend over this thread!! What a great way to get to know each other and Celebrate our uniqueness.. Here goes my list, spoiler alert- I am pretty boring...
Been happily married 25 years and started dating him when I was 16. True love
I have 17 year old daughter who is going to be a senior this fall. She is outspoken, smart, witty, stunningly beautiful and doesn't look anything like me or my husband. We think she is adopted.
I have been a nurse for 21 years- have worked in administration for the last 10
Love to read. Want to write a book. I am about a third finished with one.
The only thing on my bucket list is to be on the TV show "Survivor". Just need to suck it up and apply
Love to hike, kayak, sunbathe, read, and nap
I am passionate about makeup, skincare products, nail polish and pretty much anything with glitter!! If I could dip my face in glitter I would. My eyeshadow collection grows weekly.
Like LipstickLady I hate and am terrified of spiders!!

I am two years post op and still lose some hair in the shower. Mine started falling out about month nine. I think mine was just the luck of the draw. I have always gotten my Protein in, Vitamin levels have always been normal. My hair also had a lot of breakage and dryness.
Two things that helped my hair tremendously was taking powdered collagen added to my Water and I started drinking bamboo tea which is high in silica. These two things slowed my Hair loss way down and fixed the dryness and breakage. My texture is back to normal.
Bioten never helped me. I even started taking it pre op. Hair grew like crazy everywhere but my head. LOL.
Good luck most people's hair eventually grows back and gets back to normal!!

I am two years post op and still lose some hair in the shower. Mine started falling out about month nine. I think mine was just the luck of the draw. I have always gotten my Protein in, Vitamin levels have always been normal. My hair also had a lot of breakage and dryness.
Two things that helped my hair tremendously was taking powdered collagen added to my Water and I started drinking bamboo tea which is high in silica. These two things slowed my Hair loss way down and fixed the dryness and breakage. My texture is back to normal.
Bioten never helped me. I even started taking it pre op. Hair grew like crazy everywhere but my head. LOL.
Good luck most people's hair eventually grows back and gets back to normal!!

Can't imagine anyone getting offend over this thread!! What a great way to get to know each other and Celebrate our uniqueness.. Here goes my list, spoiler alert- I am pretty boring...
Been happily married 25 years and started dating him when I was 16. True love
I have 17 year old daughter who is going to be a senior this fall. She is outspoken, smart, witty, stunningly beautiful and doesn't look anything like me or my husband. We think she is adopted.
I have been a nurse for 21 years- have worked in administration for the last 10
Love to read. Want to write a book. I am about a third finished with one.
The only thing on my bucket list is to be on the TV show "Survivor". Just need to suck it up and apply
Love to hike, kayak, sunbathe, read, and nap
I am passionate about makeup, skincare products, nail polish and pretty much anything with glitter!! If I could dip my face in glitter I would. My eyeshadow collection grows weekly.
Like LipstickLady I hate and am terrified of spiders!!

It probably varies from person to person. For some reason Soup feels me up super quick so I rarely eat it since I usually can't eat enough to get my Protein in

Let me give you a quick run down of my experience. I gained my weight from poor Portion Control. I mainly ate healthy just huge amounts like a horse. Don't get me wrong I ate poor choices occasionally too.
I have hypothyroidism and that never helped my metabolism a lot.
When I was going through the six month wait for my surgery I really began to look close at my diet. I cut out all caffeine and sodas first- switched to Water only... Still didn't lose anything.
Then, about two and half months before my surgery I cut out all my refined sugars and all junk... Still didn't lose weight, but I was eating large portions. I didn't track my food so I don't remember the calorie count. Then six weeks before surgery I cut my calories back to 1,200 a day, still no sodas, sugars, or carbs... No weight loss.
Then did the two week liquid diet. Only lost 4 stupid pounds and I never cheated!!! I was wondering if surgery would work for me.
Post op my weight began to drop off. I was at my goal in about 9 months. I went from 271 down to 150. I tracked religiously from day one.
It took a lot of experimenting but I have come to the realization that my body likes to be around 900-1000 calories a day. If I start to consistently eat more I gain. So thanks to this sleeve I eat about 1,000 calories of highly nutritious food a day, get my Protein in and occasionally have treats and have lost weight and maintained it. I am two years post op.
So for me I just needed WAY fewer calories than I was eating pre op.
I think if you track consistently then you will be able to find what works for you and that will help so much!
Also, like someone else stated you might be surprised on how much you are eating now. When I like back in retrospect I was eating way way more than I do now.
It can work for you. Hard work and dedication will pay off!!

Let me give you a quick run down of my experience. I gained my weight from poor Portion Control. I mainly ate healthy just huge amounts like a horse. Don't get me wrong I ate poor choices occasionally too.
I have hypothyroidism and that never helped my metabolism a lot.
When I was going through the six month wait for my surgery I really began to look close at my diet. I cut out all caffeine and sodas first- switched to Water only... Still didn't lose anything.
Then, about two and half months before my surgery I cut out all my refined sugars and all junk... Still didn't lose weight, but I was eating large portions. I didn't track my food so I don't remember the calorie count. Then six weeks before surgery I cut my calories back to 1,200 a day, still no sodas, sugars, or carbs... No weight loss.
Then did the two week liquid diet. Only lost 4 stupid pounds and I never cheated!!! I was wondering if surgery would work for me.
Post op my weight began to drop off. I was at my goal in about 9 months. I went from 271 down to 150. I tracked religiously from day one.
It took a lot of experimenting but I have come to the realization that my body likes to be around 900-1000 calories a day. If I start to consistently eat more I gain. So thanks to this sleeve I eat about 1,000 calories of highly nutritious food a day, get my Protein in and occasionally have treats and have lost weight and maintained it. I am two years post op.
So for me I just needed WAY fewer calories than I was eating pre op.
I think if you track consistently then you will be able to find what works for you and that will help so much!
Also, like someone else stated you might be surprised on how much you are eating now. When I like back in retrospect I was eating way way more than I do now.
It can work for you. Hard work and dedication will pay off!!

Let me give you a quick run down of my experience. I gained my weight from poor Portion Control. I mainly ate healthy just huge amounts like a horse. Don't get me wrong I ate poor choices occasionally too.
I have hypothyroidism and that never helped my metabolism a lot.
When I was going through the six month wait for my surgery I really began to look close at my diet. I cut out all caffeine and sodas first- switched to Water only... Still didn't lose anything.
Then, about two and half months before my surgery I cut out all my refined sugars and all junk... Still didn't lose weight, but I was eating large portions. I didn't track my food so I don't remember the calorie count. Then six weeks before surgery I cut my calories back to 1,200 a day, still no sodas, sugars, or carbs... No weight loss.
Then did the two week liquid diet. Only lost 4 stupid pounds and I never cheated!!! I was wondering if surgery would work for me.
Post op my weight began to drop off. I was at my goal in about 9 months. I went from 271 down to 150. I tracked religiously from day one.
It took a lot of experimenting but I have come to the realization that my body likes to be around 900-1000 calories a day. If I start to consistently eat more I gain. So thanks to this sleeve I eat about 1,000 calories of highly nutritious food a day, get my Protein in and occasionally have treats and have lost weight and maintained it. I am two years post op.
So for me I just needed WAY fewer calories than I was eating pre op.
I think if you track consistently then you will be able to find what works for you and that will help so much!
Also, like someone else stated you might be surprised on how much you are eating now. When I like back in retrospect I was eating way way more than I do now.
It can work for you. Hard work and dedication will pay off!!

I pay a lot of $$ to maintain my gel nails. I painted over perfectly perfect nails to keep myself from eating. D@MN you fat brain!!

@LipstickLady- I paint my nails when I have head hunger too. My nails have never looked so good. I now have a nail polish addiction. LOL

Let me give you a quick run down of my experience. I gained my weight from poor Portion Control. I mainly ate healthy just huge amounts like a horse. Don't get me wrong I ate poor choices occasionally too.
I have hypothyroidism and that never helped my metabolism a lot.
When I was going through the six month wait for my surgery I really began to look close at my diet. I cut out all caffeine and sodas first- switched to Water only... Still didn't lose anything.
Then, about two and half months before my surgery I cut out all my refined sugars and all junk... Still didn't lose weight, but I was eating large portions. I didn't track my food so I don't remember the calorie count. Then six weeks before surgery I cut my calories back to 1,200 a day, still no sodas, sugars, or carbs... No weight loss.
Then did the two week liquid diet. Only lost 4 stupid pounds and I never cheated!!! I was wondering if surgery would work for me.
Post op my weight began to drop off. I was at my goal in about 9 months. I went from 271 down to 150. I tracked religiously from day one.
It took a lot of experimenting but I have come to the realization that my body likes to be around 900-1000 calories a day. If I start to consistently eat more I gain. So thanks to this sleeve I eat about 1,000 calories of highly nutritious food a day, get my Protein in and occasionally have treats and have lost weight and maintained it. I am two years post op.
So for me I just needed WAY fewer calories than I was eating pre op.
I think if you track consistently then you will be able to find what works for you and that will help so much!
Also, like someone else stated you might be surprised on how much you are eating now. When I like back in retrospect I was eating way way more than I do now.
It can work for you. Hard work and dedication will pay off!!

@ thank you for your comments - and I had the same perspective when I started out, I WANTED to hear from people who had succeeded, failed and everything in between. I was inspired and informed.
Lets be clear - I have no interest in talking about other people behind their backs. I don't read most of the posts and really am not all that interested in that sort of thing. I am just tired of being constantly chastised as a "vet" and I don't actually understand WHY since I try to be supportive and share my perspectives. Not saying I am perfect, because I am not, but my intention is never to belittle or make people feel bad .... yet it seems that is the interpetation over and over again.
A few months ago I was chastised by someone who is new to the forums for posting a topic about dating musings in either the singles or venus and mars forums (don't recall). Among other things I was told it wasn't helpful to talk about non WLS related things. Well, IT IS TO ME. The way a lot of this reads, the only people who need support are newbies. I can imagine that 5 years later they might think differently. Maintaining massive weight loss and building a new lifestyle isn't exactly easy and I have relied on this forum for many years now for ongoing support in living the life I want and deserve.

In real life, you don't like everyone you meet,and news flash....not everyone likes you. Who the hell cares, shut up and move on..geez
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Great post. It's good to focus on the reasons we all had this surgery and not let the scale dictate our successes. It's is hard to not fixate on the numbers.
I try to keep in mind that I am successful because I have met all my pre op goals. I am fit, healthy, and live a much more adventurous active lifestyle. Yes, I set my goal weight to 140 and right now my body seems to be really happy at 152. Even if I never lose those last pounds, I have succeeded. Like you, I plan and count my food intake, but also don't freak out if I have an occasional treat. I even baked homemade sugar Cookies last night just for myself!! I ate what I wanted and sent the rest with my husband to work.
You have inspired me to write down new goals. Mine will all be fitness based. I love feeling my body get stronger and tough. I will continue to weigh to stay on track, but those last twelve pounds can either stay or go I will not give them the power to determine my happiness!!

I myself come to these threads for the entertainment value! Wouldn't miss em for the world!!!

I think it just depends on each individual and that's why I feel logging your intake is so vital at least until you know what works for your body.
Personally I have always had to keep my calorie and carb count kinda low- more the carb count than the calories. I just have always had a sluggish metabolism and having hypothyroidism doesn't help. During my pre op waiting time I was eating around 1800 calories a day and cut out all refined processed sugar and sodas. Then I had a two week liquid diet- through all that I only lost 4 pounds.
Post op my calories are on the low side. I am two years post op and have been in maintenance for about a year and half. For me I need my calories around 900-1000 a day and keep my carbs around 50 or less. This works for me. I do have the occasional day where I have some treats and that will bump up my intake. Also, I listen to my body so much more now. I will have days where my body tells me I am hungry and I eat- Protein first then veggies so occasionally I will get around 1200. However if I ate 1200 every day I would begin to creep up. My energy levels are great and so is my blood work. I have plenty of energy to work out too. Now if I go on a long several day hiking/camping trip or paddling my kayak all day then I will be hungry and I make sure I bump up my calories to compensate.
There is another member on that website who is a few years post op and she has mentioned that she has to keep her calories around 1,000 too.
I do agree with everyone that if you can bump up your calories and still keep losing and or maintaining then that is the way to go!

My favorite things I took to the hospital was a small travel size pillow (got mine at Walmart). I was able to use this pillow to brace against my stomach when I walked and that really helped the pain.
Second fav thing was biotene mouthwash. My mouth was so dry and this is a moisturizing mouthwash and came in so handy!!

My favorite things I took to the hospital was a small travel size pillow (got mine at Walmart). I was able to use this pillow to brace against my stomach when I walked and that really helped the pain.
Second fav thing was biotene mouthwash. My mouth was so dry and this is a moisturizing mouthwash and came in so handy!!

My favorite things I took to the hospital was a small travel size pillow (got mine at Walmart). I was able to use this pillow to brace against my stomach when I walked and that really helped the pain.
Second fav thing was biotene mouthwash. My mouth was so dry and this is a moisturizing mouthwash and came in so handy!!

You have gotten a lot of good suggestions so I will pipe in with the hair question.
What has worked for me the best was I drink a cup of bamboo tea everyday. Bamboo is high in silica which helps skin hair and nails. I also drank powdered collagen in my Water for several months and that stopped a lot of the Hair loss. Those two things combined helped my hair the most. Good luck

I think it just depends on each individual and that's why I feel logging your intake is so vital at least until you know what works for your body.
Personally I have always had to keep my calorie and carb count kinda low- more the carb count than the calories. I just have always had a sluggish metabolism and having hypothyroidism doesn't help. During my pre op waiting time I was eating around 1800 calories a day and cut out all refined processed sugar and sodas. Then I had a two week liquid diet- through all that I only lost 4 pounds.
Post op my calories are on the low side. I am two years post op and have been in maintenance for about a year and half. For me I need my calories around 900-1000 a day and keep my carbs around 50 or less. This works for me. I do have the occasional day where I have some treats and that will bump up my intake. Also, I listen to my body so much more now. I will have days where my body tells me I am hungry and I eat- Protein first then veggies so occasionally I will get around 1200. However if I ate 1200 every day I would begin to creep up. My energy levels are great and so is my blood work. I have plenty of energy to work out too. Now if I go on a long several day hiking/camping trip or paddling my kayak all day then I will be hungry and I make sure I bump up my calories to compensate.
There is another member on that website who is a few years post op and she has mentioned that she has to keep her calories around 1,000 too.
I do agree with everyone that if you can bump up your calories and still keep losing and or maintaining then that is the way to go!

I think it just depends on each individual and that's why I feel logging your intake is so vital at least until you know what works for your body.
Personally I have always had to keep my calorie and carb count kinda low- more the carb count than the calories. I just have always had a sluggish metabolism and having hypothyroidism doesn't help. During my pre op waiting time I was eating around 1800 calories a day and cut out all refined processed sugar and sodas. Then I had a two week liquid diet- through all that I only lost 4 pounds.
Post op my calories are on the low side. I am two years post op and have been in maintenance for about a year and half. For me I need my calories around 900-1000 a day and keep my carbs around 50 or less. This works for me. I do have the occasional day where I have some treats and that will bump up my intake. Also, I listen to my body so much more now. I will have days where my body tells me I am hungry and I eat- Protein first then veggies so occasionally I will get around 1200. However if I ate 1200 every day I would begin to creep up. My energy levels are great and so is my blood work. I have plenty of energy to work out too. Now if I go on a long several day hiking/camping trip or paddling my kayak all day then I will be hungry and I make sure I bump up my calories to compensate.
There is another member on that website who is a few years post op and she has mentioned that she has to keep her calories around 1,000 too.
I do agree with everyone that if you can bump up your calories and still keep losing and or maintaining then that is the way to go!

I am two years post op this month and have been at goal for about 14 months. I don't know if I obsess about food, but I still have to be constantly diligent about food. I still log my food daily, I watch my carb and Protein amounts. I do have days where I splurge and eat treats, but I am mindful of what goes in my mouth.
As you become further out its a different kind of "obsessing". In the beginning it is so challenging to learn how to eat again and how to get all your protein and fluids in- seems that consumes your day. Later it just transitions into being aware of what you are eating.
I just consider my obesity is in remission and if I don't watch things it could rear it's miserable head again.

Looking amazing!!!

I am two years post op this month and have been at goal for about 14 months. I don't know if I obsess about food, but I still have to be constantly diligent about food. I still log my food daily, I watch my carb and Protein amounts. I do have days where I splurge and eat treats, but I am mindful of what goes in my mouth.
As you become further out its a different kind of "obsessing". In the beginning it is so challenging to learn how to eat again and how to get all your protein and fluids in- seems that consumes your day. Later it just transitions into being aware of what you are eating.
I just consider my obesity is in remission and if I don't watch things it could rear it's miserable head again.