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My Anthem BCBS (California - Prudent Buyer plan) doesn't require supervised diets, but we still have to do 6 months with a dietician. I'm not required to lose anything.

To answer your question, I don't think I became "obese" until about 2007. I was married and we ate SOOOO bad. That's when I ballooned up quite near, if not 300lbs. I've always been a muscular, strong person. People used to equate me to one of those Clydesdale horses As a kid I was slightly overweight, maybe just about 10lbs over. As a teenager I was active in marching band, had leg muscles solid as telephone poles and clocked in at about 170lbs my senior year. When I was 20, I got pregnant and skyrocketed WELL over 220lbs and never really lost it. Then once I got married, I ballooned up to 300lbs...got on Adderall in 2009 and lost 100lbs, got pregnant AGAIN in 2009-2010 and shot back up to 270 something. That's kinda where I stagnated until keto in 2017 and finally dropped to 240 something. Now I float between 245-250.

YESS!!! I feel the same way. Sitting in my work chair here...I feel tiny, but when I look in the mirror I don't see what's in my head. I know I'm lumpy with fat rolls, but I don't necessarily "feel big". I can't even look at my work badge picture because to me, it doesn't look like me. So I get you

I was doing my morning obsessive reading and came upon this interesting PubMed article that gives a nice, comprehensive list outlining the effects of macronutrient/micronutrient deficiencies on your skin. Linky to the article..."Skin changes after bariatric surgery" https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4371663/ A screenshot of the chart for quick reference is below. Direct linky to the chart image https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4371663/table/t01/?report=objectonly

Interesting! That reduces my "yikes" level a little bit Your stats are very similar to mine. How long did it take you to get to your target weight? It clearly looks like you're doing well keeping it off! That's great!

Totally makes sense

Sure thing! I hope you find some relief

Electrolytes are critical to get in. Hang-over headaches are caused by low electrolytes and dehydration...this is truly no different. I haven't had surgery yet, but I eat keto (no sugar, very low carb) and have to stave off muscle cramps and headaches with electrolyte supplements. Powerade Zero and Propel are just not enough especially when your intake is limited. I recommend Hi-Lyte liquid and once you can take pills, they also make Hi-Lyte capsules. You can mix the liquid in anything you drink and you'll get in WAY more salts at one time than any off-the-shelf sports drink. Here's a link to the product, good luck! https://amzn.to/2CTOorR In the meantime, if you can stomach it, drink pickle juice

That's awesome! I'm sure you'll do great with the new surgery. I hear from the sleeved side of the fence that reflux is pretty terrible (or can be). Have you experienced any of that?

Yes! I was reading just that about an hour ago. It seems like with traditional DS, there's a very big problem with chronic, chaotic diarrhea which doesn't sound like my idea of a fun time. If I worked from home or something, then I could probably manage, but I work in a very small quiet office with centrally located bathrooms and thin walls. I just couldn't torture my peeps (or my butt) all day like that LOL My surgeon coordinator is out on vacation so there's really no one for me to talk to over there until she gets back...just waiting. Honestly the diarrhea thing is almost a deal breaker. Thanks for being so helpful!

Thanks! Yep, she's my little shadow

Here's my little fren. Hers name is Cricket, but I call her Wicket...or Sugar Baby My parents have all 4 of her brothers. Chihuahua/Shih Tzu mix

Yep, the BP store has great prices, some lower than Amazon AND don't forget that your forum participation gains you points to use on your orders for a discount. https://store.bariatricpal.com/pages/rewards

I don't have the GAF to copy the whole definition, but we also have... https://www.dictionary.com/browse/petty

Well, there is this practice called "Carb cycling". I know nothing about it in depth, but it seems kind of similar to what you're talking about.

If I could go back and edit my comment to clarify, I would. I was explaining what I currently follow (pre-op) and how I handle calories. I did mention at the end that I don't know how pre-op keto translates to post-op since most people follow low-fat post-op. But I understand...I'll be more careful.

Right, that's why I always state I'm pre-op and I'm not sure how what I follow will translate to post-op people because a post-op person's physiology is completely changed.

One more tip...the oil is EXTREMELY greasy. I mean, slip and bust your butt on one drop on a hard floor type greasy. I've never put it in anything but eggs, hamburger meat and coffee. In the coffee, I have to use a milk frother to break it up enough to where there's not an oil slick on the top of my coffee AND I use a straw so my mouth doesn't get greasy. It has no flavor at all, but if I had to recommend anything, try to mix a tiny bit into anything hot that already has moisture. You can put in broth, soup, etc. as well as cook your meats in it.

You got it! Keep us posted

Yep! 1:1 is honestly what I hope to be able to do after surgery. And you're right....your tummy is still too new to be too adventurous. It's awesome that you've found out what works for you. It'll get easier with time to do what it takes. Definitely try some MCT. You can get a tiny 3oz bottle of Brain Octane on Amazon for $6.95 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06ZZBJBCT/ref=twister_B07DNKZS97?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1 That way you don't have to commit to a giant size bottle that might get wasted

I'm also in an FB group and the stuff people say sometimes boggles my mind. "I can eat a cupcake, but can't eat cookies. Cookies make me dump..." WTF are you doing even tempting fate like that after you had someone come in an rearrange your guts?! I get it, people have food addictions. It's just sad. I know once I have surgery I'll be like you...by the book and also deathly afraid to veer off plan. My surgeon office seems to be somewhat lax as well, but I just know how I can be if I let myself cheat. I eat one chip, then I'll want a bowl, then a heaping bowl, then the entire effing bag. What to do I do? Never effing buy chips! LOL