The New Kel

@@reree6898 *hugs*. I'm really sorry to hear about your marriage, and the way it happened. Must have been the shock of a lifetime and to be blindsided. Sometimes the best of someone brings out the worst insecurity in others. It's sad. It will take time but at some point you will be surrounded with heathy, secure people who encourage you and who are genuinely HAPPY for your success. Sending thoughts and prayers to you.

I wish I had known that the hunger and intense food cravings post-op were normal. I thought my sleeve had failed. I didn't know that those cravings and hunger would go away at about 4 weeks post-op. I also did not know (wish I had) that I would immediately have to recognize the difference between true and head hunger. It was a crash course.

What did you do during the stall? Did you change things up? Sent from my SM-N920P using the BariatricPal App @@y0lis No, not really! I just took the advice of the veterans here and stayed the course of what I had alway been doing. No real changes, I just made sure I was getting my protein and water in as usual. Also during stalls, (I have had 2 so far) I make sure I am getting enough calories. I think calorie depravation creates a severe metabolism slow down. I am updating my weekly weight loss here below, mostly for my own benefit. (Stalls or semi-stalls highlighted). One thing I like to note is that right after a slow-down/stall, I see a good jump (3-5 lbs) the following week.) 9/19 pre-op 238 9/26 pre-op 230 10/3 SW. 219 10/10 (wk1) 215 10/17 (wk2). 211 10/24 (wk3). 207 10/31 (wk4) 207 11/7 (wk5). 204 11/14 (wk6) 201 11/21 (wk7). 199 11/28 (wk8) 197 12/4 (wk 9) 192 12/11 (wk10) 191 12/18 (wk11) 190 12/25 (wk12) 187 12/29-today 185

@@grandmaofone First of all, you look amazing! Like literally 25 years younger than in your before pic. You should be so proud! I admire your persistence and will to stay healthy and put your heath first even through personal struggles. Thanks for your story and your inspiration! And how wonderful that now the new healthy you can enjoY and keep up with that precious grandson!

LOOK AT YOU!!!!! Simply spectacular!!!!! Sooooo happy and proud for you!!!! Way to go!!!! Spectacular!!! Thank you! Wow.. You look terrific!! So fit and happy, congratulations on amazing success!

Looking good!! Congrats on your success!

Thank you!

I got mine!! Sooo cute and thoughtful! Not sure who my secret santa was but thank you!! You really nailed it! Here's a pic of the dog light. It goes perfectly on Riley's doggie station! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hadn't thought of naming it. But if I did Sleevie Wonder comes to mind.. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thought I would share my 3 month progress. This is the first time I have shared my "before" pics. It's hard, yet helpful for me to look at them. I feel I have only started this journey. Weight wise, I am about half way to goal. Before: 239 Current: 185

It will depend a lot on where you live, and what foods you choose in life post surgery. For me, I eat way less, but, I eat (choose) much higher quality foods that I did before. So the $ equals about the same as before surgery. Quality over quantity, same overall cost at the end of the month. Side note: Whole Foods is now killing my budget. They have the best stuff...but dang it's soooo expensive.

Hi @@gustavio You really look great. Wow, 4 months and you are doing amazing! You and I have similar stats, starting weight and height and goal. You are about 2 months ahead of me (I had my surgery in Oct), so I am really happy to see your progress. Thank for sharing!!

Wow, that's a big change, so pretty! You look a LOT younger now.

When I see cans or boxes of junk foods I visualize them strapped to my hips and tummy. Because thats what would happen to me. That does the trick!

I'm not necessarily saying my faves are the best choices, but some things I enjoy on the go are a handful of cashews or almonds, a quest bar (half of one), a slice of cheese, and sometimes a Premier protein shake.

Surgeon's recommendations differ but mine is pretty reasonable. I am 12 weeks post op. I started on "real food" (small plates with obvious restrictions..no sugar, bad starches, soda etc) at 4 weeks post op. But even though I am "allowed" to eat a lot of variety, my sleeve still doesn't want anything more than easy to digest Proteins, even 3 months post op. The easy to digest (without pain) proteins I enjoy and can tolerate are small amounts of fish, soft vegetables, cheese, and occasionally a very tender piece of beef such as tenderloin. Sushi/Sashimi is wonderful. A true treat for me is to make a small plate of about 2 oz of Sashimi, and 2 oz of soft cooked artichoke. As for wine, you are going to get lots of differing opinions. Beginning with week 8 post op I have enjoyed a small glass (maybe 2-3 oz) of very dry wine on occasion. Be careful, because alcohol is only empty calories. Small, tasty, high quality plates are the key. Just a few bites of something packed with nutrients is all you will want. Social events are fine. If food is involved I just order a small plate of something healthy and graze on it the whole time. No one ever notices that I rarely eat even half. I spend more time in conversation now.

@@QueenOfTheTamazons I guess most people got caught up in the season and couldn't mail stuff to their person. Bummer. I was hoping to see some pics! I don't have anything to take a picture of .

I love quiche, and I also eat the egg portion. It's so good! Sorry to hear that the foods for the remainder of the day didn't work out. I hosted a Christmas afternoon appetizer get together. I made chicken Cranberry and Brie tarts, (good except for the puff pastry), Turkey meatballs glazed with Apple Cider Bourbon sauce (sugar free...no one knew!), Shrimp Cocktail, and a nut and cheese tray with green chili salsa/cream cheese side. I nibbled all day and felt guilty but afterwards realized I hadn't eaten too much. It was a grazing day. Actually woke up this morning a pound lighter so go figure. I have one or two of those in my car for just such occasions!

CW: 187 Made my Holiday goal of 188 yesterday. Yay!!

Great update! Your traditions sound wonderful. Glad to see you here, and that you are doing so well! Che la stagione si mettono gioia, @@LisaMergs !! Merry Christmas!

When your car floor is littered with empty Premier Protein shake cartons and Water bottles, instead of fast food wrappers.

Yup LOL!!!!

@@Dknal2 Congrats on your journey! I can relate to a lot of what you said. You and I had the same surgery start weight and very similar goals. My breaking points were both health related and body shame. As for my health, I couldn't walk up even one flight of stairs without having to rest and feel sick. My husband is super outdoorsy active and I wanted to join him so bad. Also, a family history of heart disease. My 45 year old brother had a heart attack. My mom cried, saying she feared I was next. That was enough, by psychologically I was really suffering. I was so ashamed of my photos. I began to recluse and not attend family and other functions because of shame. Began to self loathe. Diets NEVER worked. So in a nutshell, fear of having a heart attack along wth self shame prompted me to getting surgery. And I am soooo grateful I did. I also can relate to a lot of what @@Laughkc11 said. The sadness, isolation, etc. Oh! Edited to add: Two years ago I had a literal stroke isolated to inside my right eye. It was 100 percent BP related. In the ER my BP was 200/100. My husband thought he was going to be a widower.

That's a funny story! I agree...bullet dodged! My ex is one of those Plexus gurus. Haven't seen him in a couple years. He sent me a message recently asking if I wanted to join his Plexus clan and view the slideshow. Thought I might benefit from his products. I just laughed knowing how surprised he will be next time he sees me.