Cervidae

WOOHOOOO congratulations! That is so fantastic. I'm super happy for you. Keep up the awesome work, very inspiring.

Actually, it varies person by person, and surgeon by surgeon. Some surgeons say "no caffeine ever again" and some allow a cup of coffee per day at 6 months out, and some allow only decaf, etc. My surgeon basically said she can't stop me, but highly recommends I stay away from it for at least several months more. My body is going through huge changes, and getting all my Water in is already difficult, and coffee dehydrates you. Fortunately I've never been much of a coffee person. But still, make sure you ask your surgeon.

Hello awesome people. Since I began this journey in January of this year, it's been an absolutely wild ride. I've had some huge changes both with my body and my life, and triumphs I never thought I would see. Through all of my hard work, i have pretty much point blank refused to tell most people in my life, let alone "go public" with it. I spend a lot of time with social media and I've seen firsthand how ignorant, judgmental, and downright cruel people can be about wls and the people who get it or want to get it. I'm sure many of you have witnessed this as well... "weight loss surgery is the easy way out", "people who get weight loss surgery are lazy and undeserving of praise", etc. At best, people simply don't know much about it and have preconceived notions that are hard to change. At worst, people outright hate and name-call because they have problems of their own and take it out on others. Positivity has been one of my main weapons during this battle to reclaim my body. Exposing myself and my struggles to people was far too much of a risk for me, and I don't regret not telling most people. However, I've recently been having a (very uncharacteristic) desire to share my progress, hardships, and everyday tips with people who could use them, either for inspiration or ideas or whatever reason. I realized that I would have been so much less brave and confident going into it without the help of people who have shared their own stories and ideas. I want to contribute to the "next generation", so to speak, of wls patients. I want to give back a little to the amazing community that has done such wonderful things for me. To that end, I've decided to make an instagram. I'm still a little nervous about showing my progress in a place where I could be found (which is silly... people in my life saw me when I was 440 pounds and they see me now at 320 and they will see me later at 170, maybe below) but even just making the account and posting my first two pictures is sort of.. liberating. I found a picture from my highest weight that just astounded me. It baffled me. It saddened me. Then I put it next to a picture I took a few days ago and seeing them side by side made me feel like being so open will be worth it if it helps even one person who has suffered and struggled that way I have and am. So, people, I would love to make new friends! If you don't have an instagram, I would highly recommend you think about making one, even just as a place to document your daily progress. You can make it private or for only friends, and you can follow other people who are wls patients or hopefuls, or exercise gurus, or anything, really. I would also like suggestions for accounts to follow, if anyone already follows some helpful people. here is my page: https://www.instagram.com/belly.laugh/ I really look forward to making new friends.

Most people have that "OMG WHAT HAVE I DONE" phase where everything is difficult and it feels like far more pain and effort than it is worth. Speaking as someone who is a little over three months out, I promise you, it will get better. Most likely very soon. Your body has been through an enormous trauma and it's still reeling from that. Give yourself and it some time to adjust and heal. Keep thinking about why you did this in the first place. Try to stay positive.

sounds like you may be dehydrated, not getting in enough Protein, have a Vitamin deficiency, or some combination of those. are you following the plan carefully? have you had blood work recently to check your vitamin levels?

Keep an eye on it. It you notice redness/swelling/bruising/unusual, extra pain, go to the hospital. If there isn't any change, you're probably okay. I have a 25 pound cat who was very excited that I was home after being in the hospital for surgery - so excited that he jumped right up onto my stomach. Ouch! But everything was okay, and I kept a very close eye on it. Take care!

I'm thankful for my whole support system at Highland Hospital, including the surgeon, all the nurses, the people who helped me through my surgery safely, the people who run and attend the awesome support meetings, and that one greeter who helped me to decrease my considerable anxiety on the day of surgery. I'm also thankful for the amazing friends and family that have supported me, cheered for me, helped me in so many ways. I didn't tell many people about my decision to get wls, but the people I did tell have been above and beyond incredible to me. I'm thankful for my boyfriend, who has been so kind and helpful, it's unreal. From holding my stupid drain when I took a shower so I wouldn't snag the tube on anything, to carefully measuring and preparing my food for me when I was too exhausted or in pain to do it myself, for always being on my side during this difficult, though rewarding, journey, and for loving me simply and intensely without any reservations or hesitations, through every step on this path. His love and support of me is a major contributing factor to me even getting the surgery in the first place. I'm incredibly thankful for the members of this site, and the site itself, for being there to comfort me, laugh with me, suffer with me through everything from severed relationships and cruel people to not being able to poop, and Celebrate with me as I've lost almost a hundred pounds since joining. They've given me tips and perspectives I would not have gotten anywhere else, and for that I am very grateful. Last, but not least, I'm thankful to my body. It's been broken in some ways for many years, but has never failed me, and even now as I type this, it's patiently chipping away at the "extra me" that was making me sick. I've put it through so, so much - an eating disorder, untreated PCOS, severe anxiety and depression, disrepair when I felt like I didn't even deserve the effort it took to take care of myself, and even a suicide attempt and many years of self harm. Through all of that abuse, I still have a defiantly strong, beating heart, and the ability to move into this new, healthy chapter of my life that I never dreamed would even be possible for me. This time last year, before I had even looked into surgery, I was prepared to die young and suffer both physically and emotionally until that happened. I was utterly miserable, hated myself, felt unworthy of love or care or happiness. Now I can honestly say that I see hope for my future. I've been given the most fantastic, incredible gift ever - life. Thankful doesn't even begin to describe what I feel. Have an amazing Thanksgiving, everyone/Alex!

I had a few favorites. 1) canned white meat chicken, mozz cheese, cottage cheese, and a little sriracha 2) pureed turkey chili with Beans from trader joes. 3) pumpkin, cottage cheese, greek yogurt, and cinnamon. 4) instant sugar free fat free pudding mix made with a Protein shake instead of milk

I would say do both. Drinking a ton of water is only good right now. The more you can get in the better. And if you feel uncomfortable or anxious, then go ahead and get a stool softener, or smooth move tea (my personal favorite. very easy on my tummy). It can take time for your digestive system to go back to normal, and you just don't have the same amount of food to digest as before. But yeah... smooth move tea!

If eating is too hard on your stomach right now, try to keep up with Protein shakes. Maybe even try fairlife milk (has more protein and is ultrafiltered, i found it to be easier on my stomach). It is unfortunately normal to have stalls, sometimes long ones, especially in the first few months after surgery. Have you spoken to your doctor about your nausea? Are you getting in at least 64 ounces of Water in some form? Being dehydrated can cause more nausea, which can cause more dehydration... it's a bad cycle. If you haven't been getting in your protein and water, I think you should check with your nutritionist or doctor because right now your body is going through huge changes and it's still healing from a huge invasive surgery. Not getting in the food and water it needs can be harmful. Keep us posted.

I'm not married, but I have been dating the same person for about 4 years. We met online (playing World of Warcraft, funnily enough XD) and I was TERRIFIED to meet him in person for obvious reasons. He was dating me at my highest weight - over 400 pounds, and I've sort of always wondered, in some deep, dark, self-hating place, if he ever felt like he settled for me, or if he just "puts up with" my body because he loves me. Does he ever feel trapped or like it's worth not being attracted to me because of how much we love each other? I think it's really normal for people who have had to deal with the things we have had to deal with the fear these things. It's not easy, socially speaking, to be fat, especially for women. Intimacy can be like this giant monster we must fight every day. Since losing over a hundred pounds and gaining so much confidence, I've come to realize that this person who loves me and has cared for me through thick and thin (hahahah) would simply not be here if he didn't want to be. And when I lose another hundred pounds, if he starts showing more interest or attraction to me, I think I will be happy instead of hurt or offended, because he could have chosen to leave at any time based on my body, but he never did. A year ago, I would have been hurt and offended at the very thought of him being more attracted to my smaller form. But now I feel that while every version of us is still part of who we are, none of those versions define us as human beings. I don't think he's attracted to me when I'm throwing up, for example, but he still loves me and takes care of me because he wants to. In the end, that is what matters. Your body is just a meat suit that houses your soul, and a person who loves you will love all versions of you equally.

I have had some similar experiences to you, though I am at a much higher weight. You should be so incredibly proud of yourself for pulling through the things you've made it through. You're only headed up from here. Take care, and keep us posted. You'll do just fine.

This will be my first Thanksgiving since surgery. I thought I would feel more frustrated or wistful but I truly don't. I'm lucky to still be in the "I'm never hungry and food is for my body, not my emotions" phase. Have an awesome, healthy Thanksgiving Alex and everyone else!

Since your BMI is so low and you have problems with overeating, it might be a good idea to talk to a therapist before you begin the process of weight loss surgery. Surgery can help some people (temporarily) to eat less and better, but that does not last and is not guaranteed. It would be a shame to go through an invasive, major surgery only to suffer from old habits that were not addressed. In the end, only you can decide if surgery is right for you. Just make sure you are properly prepared and have the best support system and emotional tools and you will be successful.

I'm guessing you figured it out or it caught up because I see Oct now.

Hey, I'm in Rochester. I had my RNY on August 17th, so right around when you did. I also have really similar stats and progress. Thanks for taking the time to write out your experiences so concisely, I think it will be really helpful to some newbies and pre-op people. Keep on keeping on.

It's actually very normal to be super emotional after surgery, I know I definitely was, and still am sometimes. I'm a little over three months out. Our bodies and hormones are changing SO much right now. Everything is thrown off balance and that can really mess with you. But it will get better, don't worry. 4 weeks is still very soon after surgery, though I know it doesn't really feel like it. I'm almost 14 weeks out and it's still in the "this just happened and my body is still reeling" phase. Keep your chin up.

@@ashmarie1425 I added you as a friend as well.

Congratulations! Also, not to sound creepy, but you are super cute.

6 pounds in ten day is still a fast loss. Factor in the extra pounds from the fluids you got at the hospital, and you've probably lost at least a pound a day. That's in no way slow. It just feels slow because some people lose even more than that. I lost very slow in the beginning, or so it felt. My room mate the day of surgery had the same procedure at the same time, and she began at a good 100 pounds less than me, and she has lost almost 20 pounds more than I have. However, this is the kind of thing you have to look at objectively. It feels like I'm a weight loss snail, but if I look at it objectively... 60 pounds lost in three months is a LOT. It would be alarming if I lost over half of 100 pounds in three months in any other situation. With wls it is still wildly successful. Just be patient, and remember why you're doing this. If your main goal was to melt off the weight as quickly as possible without regard to your health and emotional well-being, then you're not doing too well. If your goal was to better your body and begin down a long road that leads to happiness and health, you're doing really well! You've already gotten past the really difficult/painful/dangerous part. Now you just get to learn and grow (or rather, shrink) and watch how much better things will become for you as you regain control of your body. As far as eating/drinking quickly, I did too in the beginning, as well as many others. The nerves in your stomach are still healing, so it's not uncommon for some people to feel much less full than others. You're sticking to the plan and not cheating, and that's what matters. You'll find very soon that these anxieties and frustrations about losing slower than some people won't matter at all to you. What will matter is the huge, wonderful changes that come about from all of your hard work.

The only things that seemed to make a difference are water (I drink 75-80 ounces a day) and sleeping more. Since I started doing both of those things more, I noticed a marked increase in my weight loss. When I sleep for 9 hours, I almost always wake up at least a pound lighter. Other than that, just remember that our bodies are super complex and weird, and sometimes, for no reason, they do the opposite of what they are expected to do. I worried I would only be losing like 5 pounds a month and then it picked up. Maybe tomorrow I will go back to losing at a snail's pace. It's frustrating to deal with, but 1 or 2 years from now you won't even recognize yourself or your life, and it won't matter how fast or slow you lost. Stay positive and stick to the plan.

I'm pretty much where @@Ashlegal is, at three months and just over 60 pounds lost since surgery and almost 120 overall. I find myself wondering - am I not seeing myself clearly now or did I see myself as less big than I was then? Who knows? XD

How much protein are you eating/drinking. Also, do you know how much you gained from the hospital? Some people gain like 15 pounds from all the fluids and whatnot, so you may have had that extra weight. I lost very slowly in the beginning, and it was super discouraging. But now I'm three months out and have passed the 60 pounds lost mark. Just follow the plan and take good care of yourself and everything will happen when it happens.

Congrats! Take it easy.

@@Anxious2beme for most people it's the first 3-6 months after surgery. I'm losing fast now but I wasn't for the first two months.