TJBintheOC

This is so well stated, I wish we could sticky it on the forums. If I try to eat more, I find that I can eat more.
I caught something last week and didn't eat anything for 2 days and my restriction was back to almost the 3-4 weeks post-op level. Once I felt better and started eating larger (normal) portions everything was back to normal.

You are never going to be able to stretch your stomach back to the size it once was- it might be a little expanded from eating too much, but it's not like an old sock- it stays flexible to an extent. As an example, I am 2.5 years post-op and I notice that when I go a few days or really even a day when I eat less, my restriction is greater than during times where I'm consistently eating more. As an example, this week I just haven't felt much like eating, so I've had roughly 800-1200 calories a day. Today I am not only totally not at all hungry, but when I try to eat I just feel really full, really fast. Comparably, during times where I eat a lot, my stomach is a lot more tolerant of grazing. It seems that in my experience, the level of restriction I feel is entirely dependent upon how much I eat, so in theory if you cut back down to the Protein and serving size you should be eating, it becomes easier because your stomach adapts.

I'm on liquid only for 3 weeks and grateful for that. Sounds like you have had a rough road indeed. So glad I was on bariatric pal for months prior to surgery. I learned a lot both here and on you tube. I hope things are better for you now.

This is something that I think about every time I get undressed ...
I definitely want my arms done ... I swear if I get caught in a good wind .... I'm outta here!
My chest ... omg ... I look like a patient on "Botched" that had her implants removed ... and I don't even have implants!
Tummy ... I can live with .... not going to wear a bikini....EVER ...
My legs ... jury's still out on that one ... lymphedema may have other plans for them ...

I'm actually going to meet with a plastic surgeon tomorrow! I carried my fat all over but predominately in my chest and stomach. At minimum I'll need a Tummy Tuck and breast lift. I look great with clothes on though! I wear compression shirts that hold my loose skin close to my body and no one can tell I even have it. When I'm naked however...is a completely different story.
Here is a pic to sum it up:

Guys, I did it. Thank you for all your help and reassurances. I never want to feel that again.

I used Milk of Magnesia when this happened to me, worked great.

I've lost 65. My boobs are saggy. My belly is a little squishy. My arms are actually ok. My Buns are just skin now. Hopefully I can tone that up a little. I can deal with all of it. Maybe a boob lift in a few years. I was 200, now I'm 135. I look great in clothes. No bikini, but a tankini will be awesome. I'm 45 so I'm not expecting to look 20. My husband thinks I look great. Getting sleeved was the BEST thing I've ever done. Good luck...you're going to be so happy. [emoji4]

I've lost 65. My boobs are saggy. My belly is a little squishy. My arms are actually ok. My Buns are just skin now. Hopefully I can tone that up a little. I can deal with all of it. Maybe a boob lift in a few years. I was 200, now I'm 135. I look great in clothes. No bikini, but a tankini will be awesome. I'm 45 so I'm not expecting to look 20. My husband thinks I look great. Getting sleeved was the BEST thing I've ever done. Good luck...you're going to be so happy. [emoji4]

Fairlife milk jugs...lactose free

My surgeon's formula is 0.3 X current body weight = minimum grams of Protein needed.
Then there is a range based on activity level and REE, etc. So if you really, really want to know your range based on REE, you want to call your surgeon.

I'm officially 6 months post op today and I have never felt better !!
Now, I will discuss the good, the bad and the ugly.
There are just so many positive things that have come from this surgery.
The good:
1. I am off all medication
2. I no longer need a CPAP
3. My knees feel so much better
4. I have energy out the Wazoozoo
5. My self confidence has sky rocketed
6. I can fit in an airplane seat with no issues ( Going to Jamaica in May)
7. I can stand and walk for hours without even thinking about pain or fatigue
8. My family relationships are even better
9. The stylish clothes I can wear
10.I hopefully saved myself from an early death due to obesity
The bad:
NOTHING
The ugly:
Constipation
I am down 104 lbs so far. I should weigh 141 lbs at the most, to be in a normal BMI range. That means 79 more pounds to go. Wish me luck !!!!

I am 28 wks out and the hunger is starting to kick in. I think I got too cocky since I reached my goal weight. chips go down so easy. When it hits 4:00 I could graze all night. Scares me. I drink lots of Water and if I'm going to eat...I eat some type of Protein. Before I thought, ok, this carb craving or chip craving will go away if I just eat a few chips. But then I was hungry a half hour later and I would eat a few more chips. And it just kept going on like that. I knew I had to nip that habit right away. I know my late day cravings are in my head, so I just make myself eat protein. I know once I start on the carbs I won't stop. You'll get a handle on this. It's funny how old habits resurface. Good luck!

I've reached my goal weight (135/5'6) and a lot of people tell me I'm way too skinny. They're just used to seeing me heavy. They just don't know what to say. Maybe they think I like hearing it???? It's all good. I feel great. ❤️

Sometimes people just blurt out the cruelest words. I have reached my goal weight and now all I get is...you're way too thin, "grotesquely" skinny, balding, a twig....really? I guess it will always be something. I take a deep breath and just smile. I really don't let it affect me anymore. You do your thing sister! ❤️

Sometimes people just blurt out the cruelest words. I have reached my goal weight and now all I get is...you're way too thin, "grotesquely" skinny, balding, a twig....really? I guess it will always be something. I take a deep breath and just smile. I really don't let it affect me anymore. You do your thing sister! ❤️

Sometimes people just blurt out the cruelest words. I have reached my goal weight and now all I get is...you're way too thin, "grotesquely" skinny, balding, a twig....really? I guess it will always be something. I take a deep breath and just smile. I really don't let it affect me anymore. You do your thing sister! ❤️

I am 7 mos out and I can eat anything. Don't worry. You'll have everything you like again, just smaller portions. I've reached my goal weight and have a few bites of everything and I am totally satisfied! You'll do it. Good luck.

I just had my 6-month post-op visit with my surgeon. I'm below goal now, but still near the top of the "normal" range of weight for my height (I'm 5'2" and 128 lb). My surgeon warned me not to listen to anyone who says, "Oh, you're getting too thin!" or "Don't lose any more weight!" because they are just used to seeing me really heavy, and I may lose a bit more yet so that there is some room for the "bounce" that typically happens a year or two after surgery. Someone who meets me for the first time wouldn't think that I'm too thin, just normal.

I've lost 68 lbs in 4.5 months. I am the smallest I've ever been as an adult at 176.2. But at 5'1", I am not small.
I have not kept my surgery private. People are telling me "you're just wasting away... How much more are you planning to lose????"
My response is usually "yes that's the plan... I want to be a healthy weight for my height."
I get it. I don't even recognize myself sometimes but I definitely don't feel like I'm wasting away.

I had Hair loss beginning around 3 months post surgery. It lasted about 3 months. I had a ton of hair so the loss was only noticeable to me and my hair stylist. I never stopped coloring my hair during the falling out phase and it all grew back! Good luck!!

I've been pretty depressed....to be honest.
I felt SO SO SO good last week. Then Friday I had some discomfort in my side and hit a fever of 101.8. I assumed I just overdid it working so much with my business partner out bc her mom passed and the husband was in ATL so I was also flying solo with both kids.
By Saturday I went to port orange for an inspection for My partner and my fever was up to 102.9 when I got some so I took a nap and then went back out to show property to a buyer (bad idea!)? When I got home it was back up to 102.8 and I was having discomfort in my left side and shortness of breath.
Sunday I stayed in bed all day taking Tylenol hoping I just needed rest. By Monday i knew I hadn't declined this much in this little time unless something was wrong,
I called the surgeon and when I got here he had ct orders and blood work written out stat for me with the complication insurance paying it all. As soon as I finished I went upstairs. He asked me to bring whoever I had with me in I thought...oh shit! Told me I had an infected abcess on my diaphragm-about 7cm wide.. They would put me under local anesthesia to put a drain in and they are checking for a leak again 1 more time even though first time looked like no leak.
Anesthesia didn't work on drain insertion I cried like a bitch I felt like I was in some creepy Drs lab I've never met and he Kept telling me to keep quiet and lay still.
Then came 2nd leak test. Radiology told me immediately there's was none and then dr Marema said I'd be going to the or for a stent. He's really been so nice the whole time. Then leak test #2 radiology says is good. Oh but wait here comes Dr M again with stent surgeon to say placement isn't ideal and in going back to OR yet again for a 2nd stent. In the middle of that infectious disease dr shows up to say my abcess is staff infection!!!!! So I'll be going home in a few days with a PIC line and 3 weeks of antibiotic ivs......that's the long of it.
I've had a procedure and 2 surgeries since Monday---doc said I'm the poster child for everything that can go wrong. Although he usually only sees in 1sy week
I just want to go home to my babies....as their healthy mom! ????

Some people just need to hear the truth. "well THAT was rude" would have been an appropriate response IMO. And look straight at her.
I would agree that she's insecure by the way she so easily puts someone down. I bet no one calls her on it.
Always have the throat punch as a backup ????
Keep up the good work - 50 lbs wow!!

So I am feeling great about myself. Working out hard, eating what I am supposed to, no cheating, and thinking I am looking good after 3 months post op and down 50 lbs since surgery
AND THEN...... I just got back from a wake and my husband and I ran into someone and the first comments out of her mouth to my husband she says "You look great!" To Me "Gee you're fat!" REALLY????!!!! That is not okay.
I am not a mean person, I just do not have it in me but I wanted to say "Ya, I'm fat but you're ugly inside and out and I am losing weight! What are you going to do?" But I didn't.
I have not wanted to cry in a long time and I feel like I was kicked in the stomach. Why are people so mean and say things like that?
My husband says to let it go and ignore her and I am trying but darn it that hurt! Like I don't know I am fat!
I will overcome this but I'm mad!

Starting at 326 lbs. last April, I could only dream of being 199 lbs. again for the last 30 years. It was a dream I never expected to come true. I'm so happy to say that I OFFICIALLY hit my goal this morning and cannot be happier with where this journey has taken me and what all it has taught me. Thanks to God, my family, doctors, friends, and nutritionists!!! Without all of them, this would have never happened or been this enjoyable of a story. Eating right and keeping a positive mind will never allow me to go back to the pain, both physically and mentally that I experienced for most of my adult life. I encourage anyone reading this that is thinking of surgery to talk with your doctor and look at its benefits. It's not the magic pill, but it is the tool to get you back in charge of your life.