Candygyrl

Girrrrrl.???? I'm so sorry you have to deal with that BS I would never dispespect your husband so I'll just say this... he's jealous and insecure. Everybody else can't be wrong! You are looking good and will only continue to look even better! He will become more insecure and try to tear you down. Dont allow it! You need to be very matter of fact with him not during arguments though. I love you but the way you speak to me is intolerable. You really hurt me when you say things like (fill in the blanks) it makes me feel like you don't value me, like your unattracted to me and most importantly unloved. Well I love me! I think I am beautiful and I have plenty to offer. I chose wls after years of trying- to lose weight so for me this was the hard way. So just think that and if you think you might prefer to be with the swimming instructor good luck to ya! Sent from my SM-G900P using the BariatricPal App

Again thanks @@JHDR thanks hun I'm glad that I can offer some encouragement for those considering WLS or just getting started. @@SharBear617 thanks girrrrl yes i definitely feel younger and in these pics I DO look younger! @@My4Brownies hang in there take your time. Stick with what works i think even when i could have purees I still stuck to my shakes, yogurt, cheese, and Soups. Keeping up with the Protein count is hard enough. Lol @@gustavio yes i have to agree. I never thought I'd say that either! Initially I wanted to be like a 2!. It's about feeling good in your own skin not numbers on the scale. I think about what weight could I get to, gain 10 lbs (although it's not happening) and still look great. @@HARTMOM Thanks babe I am ready to slay! Lol Sent from my SM-G900P using the BariatricPal App

Thanks for the encouragement everyone. Yes I am very happy! Sent from my SM-G900P using the BariatricPal App

So I returned to work about 4 weeks... no one really noticed. I was fine with that because no one knew I had WLS. I was down about 25lbs I still looked fat in pics. About the time I hit 40lbs people I work closely with started asking are you losing weight? So I said yes-- I've been working hard to eat right and exercise and I guess it's finally paying off! at over 60 lbs lost most people are like wow!!! I don't admit to 66 lbs lost when they ask. I just say oh I've lost close to 50 lbs since about February when I started trying to get serious about my health.

I love @@Bufflehead comment. I think I'm going to copy and paste that to my life and incorporate that into my explanations. Anyways I understand the concern and the frustration. I wouldn't worry about thanksgiving people are so busy talking and doing everything else they don't hardly pay attention to whats on your plate. I keep myself busy by helping with setup and fixing plates for the older family members. By the time I start eating most will be on their 2nd and 3rd plates. LOL!

^^^^ Yes this was me! In the beginning I was gung ho so for about 3 weeks before I went to my 1st appointment, continued on for another 2 months and 25lbs later then I said HOLD UPPPP!!!!! Ok I'm having surgery in a bit... I understand that I need to grasp all these weight loss principles and all but I won't be at all eating like I've been accustomed to. I think I will enjoy myself for now... My Therapist says I was in last supper mode. I was! I went to Vegas and enjoyed the seafood buffets like no other, gave in to my cravings guilt free many times I left the weight mgmt. center and stopped by Mcdonald's on my way back to work just because!!! By the time I was ready for surgery... I was tired of it all. I was ready to embrace a healthier lifestyle. I would not miss a thing. I embraced my 2 week pre op diet as best I could... I was especially adherent 3 days pre op after... I didn't miss all those unhealthy foods. In no way am I encouraging this. Actually it was a horrible idea... but this was my experience and yes I can relate.

Thank you for agreeing to run the challenge @@Dashofpixiedust8 YOU ROCK!!!!!!!! Goal Weight: 170 Current Weight:186.4 Todays Date: 11/15

Is 3 weeks post op the magic number? It is true anytime you ask about something obvious like chips, soda, crackers, alcohol, ANYTHING NOT PROTEIN you will elicit a response. Period. I'm still kind of a newbie and @@iam_yamii there are people who will politely tell you hell to the no... there are others who have hit their wall post op newbies asking about such things. Don't take offense. Think of it as watchers of the sleeve protecting you from yourself. I don't think you need a forum to answer your question. You already knew the answer-- maybe you were seeking validation or admission from others who do partake in chips and dip. My journey hasn't been without a flaw but I will say this-- after having to require surgical intervention to help me lose weight I honestly could have cared less if I ever saw another chip or cookie or anything that falls into the junk food category regardless whether it was paired with an avocado. This is an opportunity to start fresh-- a clean slate hopefully you follow the guidelines provided to you and try not to read into it. Your sole focus should be protein and water. Nothing else. Nothing else matters right now. Maybe once you're on regular food you can expand your horizons to include fruit and veggies in various forms but chips, crackers, pretzels should be something you SLOWLY incorporate during maintenance. Your body will thank you. Carbs drive hunger. Protein =Satiety.

@@The New Kel I can TOTALLY relate. Theres this cute little place where I live. The Original pancake House (you may have heard of it). Anyways Breakfast food is my favorite type and whenever I had a long night working in the hospital, I would TREAT myself to a early morning visit to the pancake house. I'd order a pancake plater (6 pancakes) with a side of bacon, fresh strawberries and a cup of homemade whipped cream oh and a cup of coffee (more creamer than coffee). "I deserve this" I would think to myself... I was there at least 2 days a week. They knew me-- I'd have on my scrubs and I tipped well. They were very friendly-- asked if I wanted my usual-- Well I recently went back there on Sunday to pick up a carry out for my family. I ordered oatmeal. (probably the best I've ever had) and I thought back to the old me. I would have never gotten oatmeal. and I had moooore than enough I think they gave me enough oatmeal for 4 days (almost 2 cups)!!! Yes and everytime we pass by those golden arches I think about how often I would go there to get dinner because I was too lazy to cook or wait in line for healthier options. I am so thankful that the sleeve has afforded me the opportunity to make better choices for myself and my family.

@outsidemachine that's awesome! Sucks that you have so many female haters. Women occassionally aproach me all the time to compliment me on something-- shoes, hair, makeup, whatever-- We boost each other, So thats unfortunate. I always got attention from the opposite sex its just a a little different these days... its cool though. Like you said the attention was always there but now getting a different caliber of men. @@OKCPirate I guess It's like getting a brand new car-- need time to get used to it *new car smell* I already know the grass aint greener so--not an issue. @@TheCurvyJones I feel you. I guess it feels good to be viewed as more "normal".

OMG... @dashofpixiedust8 that's awesome !!! Bless you!!! @goplay94123 you can still PM me as well the basics of how to run the challenge and what I'd have to do and I can consider either doing it or helping out with future challenges but I have to regretfully decline at this time.

@@The New Kel I can totally relate to your story too. I felt like he could've cheated, or made me feel bad. His dad used to do that with his mom. I mean a lot even in front of me and we had just started dating. His dad would say things like she used to be so small, and so little. Man she USED to be beautiful, she just let her self go. I don't even want to be seen with her, I'm ashamed of her. Man you disgust me. OMG I didn't know what to say!?! She would just smile. He would say I'm going to just leave one day and get a new house and a new wife. I would feel soooooo bad for her. I hated that. he was such a bully. My husband hated when his dad did that and he never did that to me. Like he was very sensitive to that sort of thing. Recently after my surgery she was interested in having it. Well about 3 weeks ago she had to have gallbladder surgery. Shes in the ICU right now on a ventilator after suffering from a post operative infection!!!! To imagine I compared the sleeve to gallbladder surgery because of how easy it is. And SHE NEARLY DIED!!!! Her husband was completely devastated. She's doing a little better and on the long road to recovery but hopefully he appreciates her more nowadays. BUT, I don't think she will want to have surgery after this! Like I said he remained faithful and I saw his unconditional love for me. He's not perfect and he gets on my nerves sometimes but he's a good man overall. I want to give it back to him. He's always been proud to stand by me but now I want to be his trophy wife who is beautiful from the inside out! So That's why he hasn't been initiating lately because of everything going on with his mom. He's been so worried. So have I but I just wanted to be super supportive. She had a really good day yesterday, opened her eyes, she was using facial expressions to communicate. So they are planning to take her off the ventilator in the next day or 2 which is PROGRESS. So needless to say I had a good night

Like @@laceemouse says there are a few dependent factors. How much weight you have to lose-- obviously if you have more than 100lbs to lose and you lose it rapidly-- theres no escaping it. Its just the reality of it. I for instance thought coming into this I planned to lose 110 lbs. where I am now... I'd be ok with 90 lbs goal.. I'm not going to try and stop it I will let my body lose until it stops on its own. Your age-- if your in your 20's your skins elasticity is a lot greater than someone who is 62. So keep that in mind. How you eat post op. Hitting Protein goals so that you don't lose muscle mass during the rapid weight loss period. Drinking 80-128 oz of Water will help keep you hydrated which keeps skin supple and using good moisturizers and firming lotions may help if only a little. In terms of loose skin or "excess" skin I expect that I will have it. My mom will be having the surgery early next year and they had her do a Body fat composition scan. Which helped them to understand how much body fat she actually has vs, muscle vs water etc. Just because you think you need to lose 100 lbs you may only have 75 lbs of excess fat. This will play a factor in how much excess skin you have. Truthfully, I am trying to get over the shock of losing my butt. I had a donkey booty (I thought) and now its gone. Even compared to what it looked like the last time I was at this weight there is a difference. But the bright side of things I feel great, my health has significantly improved, I look 7 years younger, I look nice in my clothes I can wear smaller sizes (size 10 pants, Medium blouses). My energy levels are incredible . I'm finally living! I can begin to see a little loose skin in my thighs and my arms, my boobs a little less full but right now I'm not all that concerned. I'm sure with another 40lbs to go there will be more. Right now I'm just focused on trying to make sure I get my protein and perform proper exercises (strength training) to help offset some of it, as I am toning and building muscle. From what I understand within a few years our body catches up to the weight loss and things will all balance out. Just keep up with your protein intake and proper exercise throughout maintenance. Remember this is a lifestyle and I'm sure with ongoing fitness regimen your body can be transformed into something far greater.

Im 4 months post op and I don't always hit my Protein goals. I have not experienced any hair loss/thinning. Other than normal shedding. I was taking 5000 units of Biotin twice a day until about the end of September then I stopped taking it. I'll throw it in my purse and start taking it again tonight.

Although Alcohol is frowned upon due to lack of nutritional value, empty calories, sugar content etc. You have to gage it for yourself. Is it worth it? Are you following your plan? What will your limitations be? This could turn into a regular thing and that's where it can start to get fuzzy. My personal experience I am a little over 4 months myself. I do drink occasional cocktails. During the summer MY husband and I were going out approx. 3 nights a week. Alcohol would sometimes be involved. I explained to him I can't drink like that but I don't mind joining you for a drink just understand that I'm concerned how the calories affect my weight loss. If I were dating, I'd just say, I'm trying to lose a few lbs so I'm trying to chill on the drinking for now. I exercise 4 days a week. 1 hour. I follow my plan as best as I can. Sometimes I don't eat enough but I'm working on it. If I have plans to go out that day, or later I adjust my eating to accommodate a potential drink. If I'm having a bad week plan wise-- I don't drink. It is a very fine balance and I'm very disciplined. I've not experienced any stalls since surgery. If I felt like it slowed down my weight or caused me to stall I would not do it. On the other hand, I have a friend who had the sleeve. She has stayed within 10 lbs of her goal weight for 4 years. I feel that she drinks often. Maybe because I'm not a big drinker. She goes out at least 3-4 nights a week and drinks 2-3 cocktails each time. Mind you she had to have a revision because drinking stalled her weight loss after the first surgery. So think about that. It's not a good idea... WLS patients tend to give up one vice for another. If you can be sensible about it I don't see it being a problem. Just know that by you being on the single scene... the opportunity may present itself far more often in the months to come. I'm a married old hag so I don't go out much-- not as many opportunities to get in trouble.

I know the challenges help motivate us and keep us engaged. I know they are probably crazy busy to do so I appreciate the ones who step up to the plate. Tomorrow marks officially 2 weeks til thanksgiving. Challenge can run until 11/28 and then its time to get ready for Christmas. This is the time where everyone struggles the most so it would be nice to get one started for the holiday season.

I'll be 5 months post op next week I'm down almost 70lbs... So far changes are for the better. In his eyes I was always beautiful. When I started to feel my energy return and gain confidence with my looks I initiated things that I hadn't in awhile. For instance-- my husband is the kind of guy that likes to get out and do things. Because of my weight-- I preferred to stay home. SO I would come home from work, shower and change and then ask him if he wanted to go listen to some live jazz, or local comedy club, just randomly. I would grab tix for a concert, or we would attend a wedding and it gave us something to look forward to. He really enjoyed doing things like that and it helped make us feel connected. Now I do find he does not initiate sex as often as he used to. Not sure if it has to do with personal things or changes in my body. I'm totally ok with it, it's just I couldn't keep him off of me before and now it's like eh if it happens it happens. We have fun together and hes totally supportive. He's about 187-190 so I almost weigh less than him. He's been on a mission to get to his ideal weight so that we can be fit and healthy together. So he goes to the gym with me and so far my weight loss has brought us closer. I'm sure there will be some insecurity down the line, some jealousy but so far he's been cool. We'll see where things are a few months from now. Or a year from now. I feel like our marriage has been renewed. @@The New Kel I am soooo with you on the vain part. My hubby has a bad habit of telling people at work how beautiful his wife is. I hate that because it puts too much pressure on me. When we are at an event or outing and run into someone from his job they are probably like that's his wife??? That's who he was talking about ewww. Now I want them to be like what's she doing with him??? Or how'd he get her??? Does she have any sisters? lol! I'd be proud to stand by his side and I would dote all over him because he's been true to me from day 1.

Yes I am right here with you sister!!!!! I find it challenging to stay on track as well! I do well throughout the work week as I bring my lunch and Snacks for the day. I find that I don't really eat after I leave so my last meal is usually by 5pm with maybe a light snack if needed around 8 or 9 pm. I'm working around a concept of fasting approx 4-6 hours before bedtime. Anyways on the weekends-- I find that since I don't plan my eating on the weekends I don't eat like I should. Or I will have gone the whole day and finally notice around 6 well Jesus I haven't eaten all day! I take for granted that I'm around the house and that food is available buuuuuut I'm usually out and about running around and fast food for me is a NO NO NO NO NO!!!! Although Cookies are not my vice but occasionally on date night weekends I may have a cocktail or glass of wine that I used to feel very guilty about but no longer. I made a choice. I own that choice and I learn to understand how those choices may affect me. If I choose to have an occasional cocktail or glass of wine once or twice a month so be it. None of us are perfect. But if you are giving your meal plan serious effort 90% of the time its ok to have a occasional treat in moderation. Now I wouldn't have a drink every weekend-- I would have to make some changes there if that were happening. So if you find yourself veering off plan every weekend then it may be time to consider developing a strategy right now to help you stay on track. So just like you set yourself up for work during the week set yourself up for home on the weekends. I've started buying mini fruit and veggie trays and even prepared chicken and tuna salads from those swanky market delis to get me through the weekend days at least. Nights are usually a little less planned and it all depends on what we do. Its easier to make better choices at dinner when you've done well throughout the day.

You will miss it at first especially while transitioning through the different phases of your diet post op. It will be short lived-- at least it was for me especially once I realized how little I could actually eat-- it kind of took the thrill out of it. Now at over 60lbs down I feel great-- I look great-- I don't care to look back. I eat out of necessity now and I don't spend so much time thinking about it. As long as it has Protein or it is a fruit or vegetable I'm good to go. Now last month-- there was a similar thread and I talked about how much I miss breads etc but now that I've hit onederland and I'm seeing this major change in my bodyform-- I'm over it!!!!!! Eat to live!!!

I wish you the best of luck. I couldn't imagine having gone through all of this since 15!?! Also You lost a pretty good amount of weight after the sleeve-- I'm not sure what your starting weight was but when you say you were back up to 230 I assume it was around that??? -70lbs I'm guessing would've put you at about 160? Which is nothing to sneeze at!!!! I'm sure you probably could have lost more if carb intake had been limited a bit more during your weight loss phase. My surgeon didn't banish it but with my PCOS-- my body doesn't process carbs well so other than whats naturally found in fruit and veggies and an occasional dressing or dip I try not to consume carbs if possible. Granted I may have a few mini pretzels with hummus or whole wheat crackers with tuna BUT it is very far and few between and far less than the serving size suggests. How is your exercise? Again with PCOS I understand I have to work 3 times as hard to lose,burn off weight so as soon as I was able my goal was to workout 4-5 days a week 1 hour daily. Coupled with my new eating regimen and limited portions the combo has proven successful. But again it takes a consistent approach to all of those components-- all the time. Now it's quite natural. I'm only 4 1/2 months out but each day gives birth to my new lifestyle. Sounds like you were diagnosed after your surgery but it's extremely helpful knowing how PCOS affects you. My mindset going into this was totally different than it would have been had I not known about my PCOS. Again I wish you the best in whatever decision you make towards a healthier new you.

I'm obsessed with Game of Thrones right now. I just started watching about 1 month ago and I've only got 5-6 episodes till the most recent season finale. I've been missing out!