daats

I don't remember the last time I could sit with my legs crossed. I'm almost 3 months out and I've lost 70lbs. Only obese people get what an accomplishment it is in the simple act of sitting comfortably with crossed legs. 20 more lbs and I might brave high heels. HW 330 SW 319 CW 245.
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The 10 Commandments of
Bariatric Eating



The 10 Commandments of Bariatric Eating
Golden Rules To Eating After Bariatric Surgery

You Shall Eat Your Protein First You Shall Choose Solid Foods Over Soft, Mushy, or Liquidy Foods You Shall Avoid Eating and Drinking at the Same Time You Shall Avoid Drinks/Liquids With Calories You Shall Take Small Bites You Shall Chew Thoroughly You Shall Eat Slowly You Shall Stop Eating as Soon as You Feel Full You Shall Stay Hydrated You Shall Take Your Daily Vitamins

You are not alone. The entire two weeks before my surgery, while trying desperately to stay on the pre-op diet set for me by my surgeon, I had a little voice in my head that kept saying, "You know, this could be your last chance to ever have ? Surely just one won't hurt." I managed to ignore that voice about 50% of the time. By the time I got to my surgery date I felt like hell. I was angry with myself and thought for sure they were just going to send me straight back home for being a weak willed moron. It's now almost 14 months later and I've lost almost 150lbs, am 25lbs from goal, and have never been happier in my whole life.


Let's face it, most of us got to the point of needing surgery because we lacked the self-control necessary to do it on our own and needed help. Don't beat yourself up. Be aware of the feelings you're having right now. Try your best to do what you need to do to get where you want to go, but recognise that it's hard and none of us are perfect. If you slip, pick yourself back up, dust yourself off, and keep moving forward. Good luck on your journey.

You know?, It's funny, that if I put the shoe on the other foot I probably would have said what you did to me to someone else. Funny how we don't think right about our feelings sometimes, but if we stop and think to make sense of our feelings, then they can make sense. Thanks for your words, they do help, a lot.

You are not alone. The entire two weeks before my surgery, while trying desperately to stay on the pre-op diet set for me by my surgeon, I had a little voice in my head that kept saying, "You know, this could be your last chance to ever have ? Surely just one won't hurt." I managed to ignore that voice about 50% of the time. By the time I got to my surgery date I felt like hell. I was angry with myself and thought for sure they were just going to send me straight back home for being a weak willed moron. It's now almost 14 months later and I've lost almost 150lbs, am 25lbs from goal, and have never been happier in my whole life.


Let's face it, most of us got to the point of needing surgery because we lacked the self-control necessary to do it on our own and needed help. Don't beat yourself up. Be aware of the feelings you're having right now. Try your best to do what you need to do to get where you want to go, but recognise that it's hard and none of us are perfect. If you slip, pick yourself back up, dust yourself off, and keep moving forward. Good luck on your journey.

You are not alone. The entire two weeks before my surgery, while trying desperately to stay on the pre-op diet set for me by my surgeon, I had a little voice in my head that kept saying, "You know, this could be your last chance to ever have ? Surely just one won't hurt." I managed to ignore that voice about 50% of the time. By the time I got to my surgery date I felt like hell. I was angry with myself and thought for sure they were just going to send me straight back home for being a weak willed moron. It's now almost 14 months later and I've lost almost 150lbs, am 25lbs from goal, and have never been happier in my whole life.


Let's face it, most of us got to the point of needing surgery because we lacked the self-control necessary to do it on our own and needed help. Don't beat yourself up. Be aware of the feelings you're having right now. Try your best to do what you need to do to get where you want to go, but recognise that it's hard and none of us are perfect. If you slip, pick yourself back up, dust yourself off, and keep moving forward. Good luck on your journey.

You are not alone. The entire two weeks before my surgery, while trying desperately to stay on the pre-op diet set for me by my surgeon, I had a little voice in my head that kept saying, "You know, this could be your last chance to ever have ? Surely just one won't hurt." I managed to ignore that voice about 50% of the time. By the time I got to my surgery date I felt like hell. I was angry with myself and thought for sure they were just going to send me straight back home for being a weak willed moron. It's now almost 14 months later and I've lost almost 150lbs, am 25lbs from goal, and have never been happier in my whole life.


Let's face it, most of us got to the point of needing surgery because we lacked the self-control necessary to do it on our own and needed help. Don't beat yourself up. Be aware of the feelings you're having right now. Try your best to do what you need to do to get where you want to go, but recognise that it's hard and none of us are perfect. If you slip, pick yourself back up, dust yourself off, and keep moving forward. Good luck on your journey.

OMG! My mom always told me to tie my shoes in the middle, because if they were tied on the side she said, "that's the way fat people tie them!" As if, at over 300 lbs, my shoes were what would give away that I am fat!!

I guess that could be the case. After all, when the circumference of your waist stops being equal to the height of the Girl Scout who rang your doorbell to sell you Cookies, I guess some things might look bigger in proportion.

I hate that my before picture looks like a mug shot. My mom made me take it the night before my surgery. I remember being cranky because frankly I was starving after my two week pre-op diet and because I normally avoided full body shots at all costs. Looking back now, I wish I would've taken more before pictures. I am 15 months post-op and I admit that the number on the scale isn't quite as low as I had originally wanted. As a 25 year old with no children, I look like I've had 10+ kids when I'm naked - so I always wear clothes. While I'm thankful beyond words that I had the opportunity to have this surgery, I feel a little disappointment. I prayed my whole life to be "skinny", I felt that this quality about myself is what kept me from being truly happy. If I were skinny, I could make a lot of friends and find a man who wasn't ashamed to be seen with me. Now I get more positive attention from men and more negative attention from women, mainly those whom themselves are currently overweight. Basically, the guys who previously wouldn't give me the time of day are suddenly more interested in what is under my clothes than what is inside my brain and the girls I would normally be drawn to befriend look at me like an outsider. I am terrified to put myself out there and date because inevitably the clothes must come off and I don't think I could bear that kind of rejection. To say it has been an adjustment is a massive understatement. I used to be the fat girl with the cute face that made people laugh... I got along with everyone because I could never say no or stand up for myself. I feel like the same person inside, but I don't want to be that girl anymore.
Sorry this turned out to be kind of ranty.
I just wanted to share my experience with those who are pre-op or considering. Be realistic with your expectations and goals. At first, the physical results will come fast and with little effort. The biggest obstacle is mental and there's no way to prepare yourself for that.
Much love to everyone!

I find myself becoming obsessive about working out. I also am fine if I miss a day of food. My friends are kind of calling me out on not eating enough and over exercising so I'm trying to find a healthy balance.

I don't feel like I'm developing body dysmorphia or anything, I think what I see in the mirror is not distorted by my mind's perception of me. I feel like I'm just pouring all of my intense energy and focus into this process and going a little over board. But I'm getting a six-pack set of abs underneath all this extra skin that squishes around my midsection...and I love it!
I love sitting down when I'm naked and seeing the muscles in my thighs and legs stand out while all the excess skin puddles around the seat. I know it sounds weird but it's so satisfying to me to see my muscles begin to outshine the fat and skin. *sigh* I'm loving this process and if I get a little too intense about it, as long as I'm healthy, I'm OK with it.

My husband (will be officially ex soon) was so against me having the bypass, he threatened to leave me! I had the surgery on June 16, 2017. He was gone when I got out of the hospital. I've done it all on my own...complications and all. But the surgery itself was worth every minute. I'm 7 weeks out, 60 pounds down (260 if you count my husband), and off ALL of my meds other than the ones I take for depression and anxiety!

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Post op day 18 pictures            

I'm just over a year out after RNY and have used Imodium frequently for IBS symptoms since not long after surgery with no problems. If you're worried try starting with just half a dose and see how it goes.

I replied to this thread already but I wanted to come in and update my answer. Before the surgery, only a few people knew. The person covering for me at work, my husband and my super close friends. I didn't even tell my parents.
I had no intention of telling anyone else. This was for me and if anyone asked, I'd say I finally found something that worked.
A week or so post-op, I had changed my mind. If anyone asked me I would tell them the truth, though I wouldn't volunteer it.
Today is my 2-month surgiversary and I am just giving this information to anyone. Random waiter? "I had surgery, can I see the kid's menu please?" Coworkers asking if I'm okay from my medical leave? "I am! I had bariatric surgery!" My in laws and parents know. Random strangers know. I never thought I'd be the person to be like this. Weight has always been such a sensitive topic for me. Yet for some reason, I want people to know and I'm thrilled to share.

Thanks so much for telling me about your experience. My first consultation is tomorrow morning and I must admit I'm starting to feel a bit nervous about the whole thing. I'm not afraid of the surgeries. I've had enough of those over the years to know what to expect. It's the "What if it all goes wrong and I mess up what was essentially just a saggy body?" thoughts that keep going through my head. It helps to hear from people who've done it and report how much happier it made them. If I can get through the panic attack stage I'll be fine. :-D

I met with several surgeons before finding one that I clicked with. The biggest thing about plastics is after care. Having had now 3 major plastics, I have learned a lot and the most critical thing is after care.
I had a Brachioplasty done last July, a full abdominalplasty, breast lift and breast augmentation done in January and just 3 weeks ago I had a deep plane face/neck lift, endoscopic brow lift, lower eyelid lift and fat graphting.
All of my surgeries were very successful with minimal complications. Apparently I was allergic to the surgical glue/tape use to close my arm lift incisions. That made my arm lift the most painful of all of them.
Doctors always short sell the amount of time that it truly takes to recover. In fact, I joke with both my surgeons about that. Many times they tell you that a couple weeks and everything is back to normal. that is not true....most of the bruising and swelling may be much improved but it takes a while to get used to how your body feels, and how you even carry yourself. For example....my facial plastic surgeon who is masterful told me he would expect my bruising and swelling to be gone at 2 weeks. Everyone is different.....I have had BBL treatements twice per week for the last 3 weeks and I still have bruises under my eyes. When he saw me at two weeks he was disappointed that my eyes were still bruised. It's not a huge deal, a good plastic surgeon will provide treatments to reduce it more quickly, provide the right makeup to cover it up and even tutorials on how to do that.
That is great after care......
So, make sure you aske exactly what is included and for how long. All of my treatments have been 100% included as are all follow ups.
When I had my breast lift done, I had two small openings where the two scars come together under the breast. This issue is very common and not a big deal but when it first happens it can freak you out. My Body plastic surgeon took such great care of me and called regularly and would come in to meet me at the office if I needed her.
My gastric bypass was the best thing that ever happened to me.....now plastics has been. It is scary and painful and worth every penny if you choose a surgeon that you feel very comfortable with and has a good record of successful procedures. When it comes to plastics, don't focus on a bargain, focus on the team. If you find a good one, they will work out proposals that give you a good deal anyway.
I have spent a lot of money on my procedures and they have been worth every single penny.

Having plastics is so exciting and I am excited for you!!!

I literally have meals of watermelon and cherries. Watermelon has lots of nutrition! Including over 30% of your DV of Vitamin A and C. And the sugar is very low impact because there's 93% Water in it (hence the name).

Congrats on taking the step. I will tell you, it is not always easy. I wanted to give in 100 times. But now, 3 years post surgery and maintaining under my goal weight for over a year, it is just how it is. It is no longer a struggle.
Box of donuts in the break room at work? Don't care.
Out with friends at a restaurant and worried what they will say about my eating habits? Don't care.
Afraid of negative comments for having weight loss surgery? Nope, don't care.
Loose skin? Of course I have loose skin, I am far under half the weight I was 5 years ago. Don't care.
You will get there brother. You will be amazed at the change. You will wonder how you ever let yourself get the point you did, and then you will resolve not to let it happen again. You got this!

Today a stranger called me skinny... Sitting in a doctor's office a woman I used to be comparable in size to asked me to trade seats with her because I had (out of old habit) sat down in a bigger chair without arms and the only seat left was a smaller chair with arms.
She walked over and blushingly embarrassed and asked if I would mind moving over to the other seat so she could sit down too. I smiled politely and told her of course. She joked that some chairs were for skinny people like me and some were for fat people like her.
I felt the hurt in what she said. I remembered it, I knew the bitter taste of those words.
I moved that armed chair closer to the unarmed chair and told her a year ago I would have needed that bigger chair. I told her I understood and that I was sorry I was thoughtless enough to even require her to ask me to trade in the first place.
We talked for a while. I told her about my RNY bypass and how in 11 months I was down 120lbs. I lost a person. I told her that in my head I still look for the bigger seats because that person from a year ago still lives in my head. I only see a real difference in pictures. The biggest change I made for myself because of that realization was to take lots of pictures. Everyday I show myself the progress I have made because I can't see it in the mirror that clearly. I showed her my pictures and she was amazed. We discussed my before and current stats including weights and measurements.
I made a friend today. She called me skinny and it felt foreign and bizarre but we touched each other's lives and found a common bond.

Ugh, another sensitive newbie getting ruffled feathers when someone with a little experience replies to their poorly thought out post.
First off, this forum is for discussion. You posted some points and I posted some counter points. I may have done so bluntly but I did not do so negatively.
If your information is correct and you had surgery on 7/10, you are pretty new to the experience of living with the sleeve and you've only been on this forum for a very short while. You have a higher opinion than I do about the collective wisdom of people. We have members here who literally stopped on the way home from the hospital and grabbed fast food to eat. Since I have been a member here there have been many people sent back to the hospital for advancing their diet because they were listening to their bodies and not to the surgeon. The chewing and spitting out is not a joke, it happens all the time on here and has led to eating disorders.
I wasn't judging you, but I am starting to do so. I think you are naive and inexperienced but have good intentions. You ask me not to ruin a friendly sharing site, I ask you not to ruin a valuable resource of information. If you think my posts are negative, there are tools available to you to block my posts.

Definitely keep healthy options at your desk. I recommend not running from the doughnuts at first, but take a moment or two to work through it. Here is something I posted in another, similar thread today:

To be honest I saw two surgeons and spoke to one other by email - The one I chose just gave me the feeling of security

I remember one of his very first sentences for me to have 'Realistic expectations' and then he gave me the world - And more!

I still have a couple of bits of me I do not like - But you cannot fix everything, lol But he was so great and I am so grateful for every thing he did to help me to change my whole life.

I was 451 pounds before I had my surgery in September. Got on the scale today and saw the number 299! I know this is not a big deal for some people, 299 is higher than a lot of your starting weights before surgery, but this is a MASSIVE ACHIEVEMENT for me. I haven't seen a number lower than 300 on the scale since I was sixteen years old. So, yeah, I still have a ways to go, but I am so happy with this decision. I look better, I feel incredible, and I will never go back to being the self destructive girl slowly killing herself with food that I was a year ago.
Starting weight: 451 lbs
Current weight: 299 lbs
Starting BMI: 68
Current BMI: 45
Starting shirt size: XXXXXL
Current shirt size: XL
Starting jean size: 34
Current jean size: 20