bostonmama

Oh interesting.. I didn't realize that about the sleeve! I assumed the extreme restriction in the first few months after RNY was due to swelling and that it would be the same for those who are sleeved.

For those who are post op, what new habits do you have (or old ones did you give up) that have made your WLS a success? For me, fast food is no longer a daily part of my diet, I can't even remember the last time I went through a drive thru. Grazing, in general, is greatly reduced as well.

I really wish that initial restriction could last forever! I can't eat as much as before surgery obviously, but I think I can overeat by a little bit if I don't stop myself.

I'm sure there are many different reasons, but maybe common ones as well? Please share your insight & experiences! I, unfortunately, retained some bad habits (carb heavy diet, drinking calories) from before surgery, and my weight loss has been stalled for several months now. Perhaps I was never really on the wagon as much as I should have been. I know I need to make some changes in order to start losing again.

I'm with you..although you're actually making better progress than I am. I'm not where I think I should be, because I'm still struggling with bad food habits. However I know some very inspiring vets I've found on this site were slow losers (not sure if because they also struggled with bad habits or some other reason) and eventually made it to their goal! One I recall did it in about 18 months. It can be done and it doesn't have to be within a year. I am not giving up. I thought I could do most foods in moderation, but maybe I need to cut some carbs from my daily diet. I've started writing down my nutrition goals for the day and set my phone alarm to go off to remind me to drink water & take vitamins,

Thanks for the tips! I know I will feel silly taking a bunch of selfies that I would never share, but I guess that is what I must to do find my "good side"

My confidence is way up since losing about 80 lbs, but I still feel like a deer in headlights in front of a camera. I've been avoiding them for so long I have no idea how to look good in photos! I guess this means I am not photogenic, but there must be something I can do to get a flattering photo of myself. I have only one picture taken with my 6 year old, and none with my toddler. I would really like to take some pictures with them. Any tips? TIA!

I started taking biotin around 5 months out and that is when i noticed it starting to grow back. It really does suck but it gets better! I found that parting my hair on the other side seemed to help it look fuller.

I've lost about 80 lbs now and most people at work haven't said anything. Many in my personal life don't say anything either. At this point it's pretty much impossible for people to not notice, so I think they just feel like its a touchy/inappropriate subject.

Thanks everyone. I saw my surgeon for my 6 month appt today, and he seemed pleased with my progress so far (83 lbs lost , though its actually been 7 month since my surgery). I felt very guilty going into in thinking about all the bad food I'm still eating, but he believes in all things in moderation. I'm not really sure if that is the best strategy for me personally. I asked him about a goal weight and was surprised to hear that he thinks I should only lose another 15 lbs. I'm about 35 away from the "normal" BMI range. He also said I only have another 6 months or so to reach the goal before my metabolism slows down to my new body and weight loss becomes very difficult again. Any thoughts on the "overweight" goal?

I am also 6 months out and have been gaining and losing the same 1 or 2 lbs for 2 months, Just yesterday I went town 3 lbs for the first time. Unfortunately I think stalls are very normal at this point and we just have to expect and accept them. I do plan to see my NUT for advice on reaching goal, but I know in my case I should be eating fewer carbs.

I lost a lot of hair, you could really see my scalp in some places. I like to think I was able to make it look better with bangs and styling it differently (down instead of up). It just started growing back. I'm 6 months post RNY and started taking biotin about a month ago. I could feel the hair growing back before I could really see it. It felt like my hair was really dirty at the roots when I ran my hands through it, then I realized it was a bunch of tiny hairs that was causing the strange feeling.

Hello, I will share some progress pics soon I need to buy a new full length mirror since my 5 year old knocked mine down a few weeks ago. I had RNY on Oct 5, I believe I was 260 on surgery day. I made it into onderland at around 5.5 months post op but crept back up to 200-203 and have been stalled there since. I really am happy I had the surgery, I don't think I could have lost this weight on my own, since I've been trying unsuccessfully for years. I look and feel so much better! My confidence is up and my anxiety has gone down. I'm getting a lot of compliments and attention, which hasn't really happened to me in years, it feels great! The problem is, I haven't really overcome the issues that made me overweight to begin with. I still struggle to make healthy choices and with emotional eating. I still eat too many carbs, and sometimes the really bad kind of carbs I have no business eating at all. I've seen several posters who had surgery around the same time as me have better results, because they are sticking to the plan better than I have done. I worry that I will never make it to goal, or even closer to my goal than I am now. I really worry I won't be able to keep this weight off. I feel so guilty that I deviate from the plan nearly every day. I do have good support from my surgeon and am going to a support group meeting tonight. I hope this post is not too negative. I have a lot of worries but I am still trying to follow the plan and hope I can turn things around!

I do feel hungry but not like I used to, my stomach doesn't growl or anything. Its more likely getting hungry from the neck up (mouth watering and "head hunger") I'm 6 months post RNY. I do feel satisfied after eating a small amount, but I don't really feel full. I just stop eating because I don't feel hungry anymore. I've only eaten too much for the pouch a handful of times. It feels very uncomfortable but unfortunately I can't tell its happening until its too late. It usually when I'm doing something else while eating mindlessly.

My insurance didn't require it, but its very common to have to be on a supervised weight loss program in order for insurance to approve wls. I would check with your insurance company to see what their requirements are, to make sure that what you're doing qualifies if they do require a program. From what I've read on this site they usually require monthly visits/weight checks for a set time period, and sometimes gaining weight at one of those checks in means you have to start the program over again.

you look amazing! great job!!

its not. Those were probably bites that wouldn't go down for some reason. Dumping is a very intense feeling of being unwell, lightedheaded, dizzy, etc. I've had it a few times and don't remember feeling like I had to vomit, but just felt very very bad and had to lie down and sleep it off.

I think dumping is another tool to help you avoid eating junk, a blessing if you have it. I know some people don't get it, but its hard to tell if you do or not. It sounds like you're sticking to the plan and if you do that you might never dump. I've only gotten it when I go totally off the rails with breakfast cereal, and let me tell you it's as bad as everyone says. I can have a bite or two of most things and not get it.

Not 100% sure if this is a NSV or a crackdown on underage drinking, but I was carded twice while buying alcohol recently. I'm 36 years old and haven't been carded in at least 5 years! I know I look much better now maybe I'm looking younger?

Yes, you will lose weight everywhere! I've even gone down one shoe size so far.

I've heard many times on this site that people don't recognize a "healthy" weight anymore, because so many people are overweight. If your goal is a healthy BMI and your doctor supports it, I would just tell them that. They may just need some time to adjust to the new you. ETA: you mentioned your face looking tired and sagging, this could be causing their concern too. Are you getting enough water? I have the same look sometimes, but noticed my face looks much much better if I am well hydrated.

There are a few fruits and soft cooked veggies (carrots) early on the menu. I couldn't try something like a salad until at least week 9.

I also take flintstones complete chewables. I started out with the gummies but those do not have iron so i switched.

the watori one i see most often at tjmaxx/marshall, that looks like the one I linked, covers a lot. I can't really wear it with a low or loose top because it will show. It must be a different bra than the one I linked because it doesn't really create any cleavage, each boob is fully contained in the cup.

I found two different wacoal bras in my size. one looks like this one: http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/wacoal-ultimate-side-smoother-underwire-t-shirt-bra/4141445?origin=category-personalizedsort&fashioncolor=BLACK the other is more of a plunge style. Both are super comfortable and supportive and give a nice shape. You can always try them on at the store, or at home then return them if you don't like the fit. I bought some other brand I had heard good things about (Natori) but it gave me cone boobs so I returned it. Every TJ Maxx/Marshalls I've been to carried the Wacoal bras, but I couldn't always find them in my size (38DDD) I bought one that was a cup size smaller since I love them so much and am not done losing weight.