dashofsunshine

I'm a year and 5 months out, not just 5 months. Lol just making sure you didn't think I lost 172 lbs in 5 months! I guess my best tip would be to work on yourself mentally. There is a reason we all got to 250 or 300 lbs, a reason we needed this surgery - and a lot of it is mental. I worked with therapists, nutritionists, and groups at my hospital to repair my mind and be sure that the changes I made were for life. Other than that...follow your doctors plans, don't drink your calories, learn moderation in the way you eat. Don't label foods as "good" or "bad." food is just food. It is fuel for your body. Don't be afraid to treat yourself in moderation; learn balance. Protein first has become such a way of life for me that I don't even think about it anymore - same with checking nutrition labels.

I cannot get my notifications to load, either on my iPhone (through both Safari and the bariatric pal app), or on my desktop computer (running google chrome). I know that I have them, because when I log onto my desktop it shows the small red number on my notifications. Then, when I click on it, no matter which device/which method I use, I get the spinning arrow of death for 10 minutes until I give up. It's been like this for two days. I'm at a loss as to why it would be doing this on the app, my iPhone safari, AND my desktop computer google chrome. I've uninstalled and reinstalled the app, purged Cookies and browser history on both iPhone and desktop, and have logged in and out multiple times on both devices. Any tips? Thanks!

Works perfectly now! Thanks so much

My "last meal" before surgery was Japanese hibachi. I remember sitting with the food in front of me thinking, "I am so sad that I will never be able to eat a big plate of food like this again." I think I had that thought twice after surgery, both in the very early days. I'm now a year and a half out and have lost 172 lbs. I couldn't care less about a big plate of food and I doubt I ever will again. My mindset has changed completely; it's quite interesting how that happens.

Thank you!!

My whole surgery took about 3 hours. That was how long my family waited, from the nurses wheeling me back to the doctor coming out to say "everything is great." How long I was actually UNDER, I cannot say. The worst part about it is the thirst when you wake up, honestly. I felt like a million bucks when I first woke up, aside from the thirst. Then I went back to sleep for several hours, and that second wake up (once the anesthesia has worn off, more or less) was when my body let me know I'd, uh...had major surgery. Haha Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thanks BigViffer!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I also really love Shaun T's workouts, especially T25 on days that I'm rushed!

I used to love bike riding in high school and I have such an amazing Quintana Roo racing bike, but I don't have a bike rack for my car anymore, so it just sits unused in our shed, sadly! If I'm training for a race, I run 3-4 days per week and do strength training/lifting twice per week. When I'm not training for a race or I just want to switch it up, I do boot camp a few times per week instead of running 4 days. I lift heavy and I average 4 or 5 miles per run (I have my sights set on a half marathon next February).

Nope. No skin removal whatsoever. I got very lucky. Also, I work very hard in the gym, which helps

I have been really, very lucky. No skin removal surgeries and none planned. My bariatric surgery was not covered by insurance, so I KNOW plastic surgery wouldn't be. I have a small bit of skin on my lower tummy and a small bit on my upper arms, but nothing that I am currently concerned about. I work out quite a bit, though, so that has helped

Regrets? Nahhhhh.... You're making the right decision. Trust me

Thanks very much, Craig!!

Haha, Thanks sleevyk!! Rydersmama, I started at 330. Surgery weight was 323 lbs, I weighed in this morning at 158 lbs. I've lost 172 lbs since my very first orientation visit with my doctor.

Thanks so much!!

I'm a year and 5 months out and still struggle to eat a whole veggie burger patty (the frozen kind). 3 slices of uncured turkey bacon, or one patty of turkey sausage is my Breakfast, and I can't finish a whole cup of light & fit Greek yogurt. Sandwiches get 3 or 4 bites, I can handle maybe 5 or 6 bites of chicken. 4 pieces of sushi (maki roll). I eat very little, but I'm fine with it and I don't push my restriction. I eat every 2 or 3 hours, get all my Protein in, and eat about 800 calories per day. My "full signal" is a bit different than most people's, I guess. I don't sneeze or hiccup or anything like that, but right after my last bite, I feel my stomach start to "shift," as if it's settling and making room for everything. That's when I know it's time to stop.

I'm a year and 5 months out, and surpassed my doctors goal last month. Life is great

I did not. I've been very, very lucky, and I exercise quite a lot. Lifting weights has helped me immensely, as well as "good genes" I suppose. You both look absolutely AMAZING! Great job! Thanks so very much!!

You've got this! Just keep pushing forward and try to stay positive. If you slip up, just start over the next day. Unless you're eating donuts and full calorie meals, your liver WILL shrink and you will be on the other side before you know it. So much of it is a head game, which makes it really difficult. But I promise it's worth it!

I had a two week, liquid only pre-op diet. It was the hardest thing I've ever done. I cried most nights. My food addiction was STRONG. I was jealous of my friends who were allowed one or two low carb, healthy meals per day on their pre-op diet. I didn't understand and I was emotional and frustrated. I cheated a few times with some tuna because the head hunger just about drove me mad, and then after I cheated I read things on this board about how "if you cheat on the pre-op, that means you won't succeed with surgery!" And then I cried more and felt guilty. Don't believe any of that. You can do this. If you have to have a little bit of deli meat, and have a really strenuous job, try not to beat yourself up about it. The pre-op diet is to shrink your liver. A few slices of deli meat is not going to make you inoperable. And don't believe anything anyone says about you being unable to succeed afterwards. I lost 100% of my excess weight. I committed 200% after surgery. I wanted it. Surgery really helped me in the early days. I woke up and felt so awful for several weeks that I didn't even want food. After losing 40 lbs in a month, I felt that for the first time in my life, I had a chance at losing this weight. I was encouraged. And I did it. And you can, too

I use PB2 as well, on an apple, for a "treat" it's like dessert! Haha

Just give it time. Every day post op is another day for your body to adjust. I'm almost 14 months out now and I drink one 8 oz cup of coffee almost every morning (with half and half and stevia). As your body heals and adapts, things that bothered you before slowly get better. My sister in law is 6 years post op bypass, and she couldn't have milk for the first 4 years, at all. Made her so sick. She just kept giving it a chance every 6 months or so, and lo and behold - she can have milk in small doses now

As your stomach heals, the scar tissue literally grows around the staple line. The staples become part of your stomach. By all means, don't over eat, but I'm about 110% sure that the risk of a leak does NOT stay with you "the rest of your life." Other complications? Maybe. But not a leak.

You look outstanding. Excellent job madam Sent from my SM-N910P using the BariatricPal App Thank you so much!!

I will occasionally have a Spindrift seltzer as a treat - they are lightly carbonated, much less so than La Croix or other brands (which make me burpy and uncomfortable). I drink coffee, so no need for energy drinks. I'm a year and 4 months post op and it was probably 8 months before I could handle the Spindrift. Still can't do fully carbonated seltzer, beer, or any kind of soda. And I'm just fine with that. I had a sip of champagne on New Year's to toast, and was promptly like, "NOPE" and didn't have any more. It's not a good feeling, haha!