Indieflickers

@@CowgirlJane how many grams of Protein did you do? I already average about 180g a day so I'm not sure I need to up it much. Also, how long before you were able to wear jeans? I'm headed to NYC three weeks after surgery for job orientation and I can't really get away with wear sweats!

@@SusanB55 I also have thick hair so even though a bunch fell out, it was only noticeable to me. I took Biotin but I seemed to grow hair everywhere but my head! I practically had to pluck my eyebrows twice a day! I also took (and still currently take) beef Gelatin which is supposed to be good for hair, skin, and nails.

@@CowgirlJane how do you know if you're getting that "extra burn"? I was advised not to weigh myself for awhile after surgery because of the swelling.

@TheRealMeIsHere! @@CowgirlJane thanks for the advice! @@Elode that's really good to know. The surgeon didn't say anything about that. Just that I should stay in a more upright position. And I have to keep my arms outstretched and propped up Jesus at the last supper style.

@@Elode I read your post - very informative! I was just wondering, why did you get the wedge pillow for your legs?

Thanks @@Elode!

I'm officially scheduled for a Tummy Tuck (ugh I hate the word tummy) and brachioplasty in two weeks! Give me all the advice you've got! How much pain were you in? How long did it take for you to not be in pain? How much pain were the drains, literally and figuratively? We're there any sitting/sleeping positions that were more comfortable than others? Any gadgets or props that were especially helpful? Any kind of clothing that was easier to get in and out of? What did you eat? How much did you eat given that you weren't able to exercise? How much help did you need? I'm staying with my brother for the first 48 hours but then I'm on my own. Should I prep a weeks worth of meals? Two weeks? What do you wish you had known before surgery?

I'm so excited but also slightly terrified - much more so that before my gastric bypass. Seriously, any advice, tips, etc.!

@@JamieLogical ah, that makes sense.

@@JamieLogical for some reason this surgeon doesn't require the 8 - 12 month rule. What is the reason for that time frame? I had heard that from a variety of people which is why I was surprised when this surgeon said he could do it so soon. He's a well known surgeon who works consistently with my bariatric surgeon so I don't get the impression that he's just hoping for the money.

I had a plastic surgery last week, just to get the ball rolling. My insurance takes so long to do anything that I figured, even though I'm still 19 pounds from goal, why not? To my surprise, the surgeon said he'd be willing to operate as soon as the end of May! Did anyone else have plastics done before hitting goal? Did you lose weight after plastics, and if so, how did that affect your skin? If I went ahead with the surgery at the end of May, I'd be having a Tummy Tuck and brachioplasty.

@@dohickey01 if the hunger isn't any different with a 300 calorie difference than it probably is head hunger.

I second what @@4MRB4PHOTO said. I work 12 - 18 hour days so I completely understand not having time to make healthy meals which is why I prep everything on the weekend. I have every lunch, dinner, and snack made for the week so I never have to worry about it. Having everything made and ready also means I can't use the excuse of not having something on hand to eat crap lying around at work. Plus, because I made everything, I know exactly what's in it. I've developed a bit of a tupperware collection!

I haven't seen my surgeon since I went under either. He was an excellent surgeon but not at all helpful past that.

Congrats lady!!

@@OutsideMatchInside looks great!!

Variety is a good idea. If you're pretty active you could try adding a bit more calories in the form of dense Protein? Soups have never been particularly filling for me, but maybe it's different for you? 1200 - 1500 calories seem like a wide range. Do you find you're hungrier on 1200 days?

That's a decent range depending on how active you are. I'm really active so I feel like I'm always hungry which is why I've slowly been increasing my calories every week. How often do you eat?

You also may be hungry because you need to eat more. Do you measure your food? How many calories are you getting?

@@woo woo yes I think I'm going to try that.

I've noticed that when I drink Water too fast I get really foggy. Does anyone else experience this? I'm actually wondering if perhaps I drink too much water. I've been averaging a little over a gallon of water a day and how found that I actually feel kind of puffy in the morning, despite not eating anything high in sodium.

@@OutsideMatchInside thanks!!

@@mngreeneyes thanks for the advice! I seem to have the shin splints under control now. I was fitted for good shoes, got custom orthotics from my doctor, and wear compression sleeves on my calves. That seems to keep them at bay. They only show up when I ramp up distance too quickly.

What's so frustrating about the lung issues is that, before my chest infection in February, I was able to run a 5k with no breathing issues at all. Now I can't do more than about 90 seconds at a time and the steroid inhaler and albuterol don't seem to help in the slightest!

@@JamieLogical how long did it take for you to overcome the runner's knee? Did you wear any kind of sleeve or strap to help?

@@FrankiesGirl I was like that too. Even with my industrial strength Enell sports bra I was pretty bouncy. Losing the weight helped because I've gone from a size 8 Enell sports bra to a size 1. I'm much less likely to smack myself in the face with a flying boob now.

Interesting. I think that's a really good way to look at it. Could I ask for the recipes your Protein brownies and cheesecake?

This is such excellent information! I really got into running last fall. However I seem to have the worst luck. I tend to overdo it and hurt myself and have to stop. I kept getting shin splints. Now that I've got those under control I seem to have developed runner's knee. I got a little strap that helps with that and I'm doing strengthening exercises to help as well. I haven't been able to run at all for three weeks because after recovering from an upper respiratory infection I've seen to developed some sort of exercise induced asthma - I cough a lot if I do anything faster than a stroll! It's been incredibly frustrating. I feel like a border collie who hasn't been allowed to herd anything in months.