1poundatatime

I'm still awaiting surgery so I can't speak to plastics.
But, I'm booked for a sleeve at the OCC in March and would LOVE to hear about your experience. Feel free to pm me!

I love spaghetti squash! In a few weeks I'll have loads fresh from the garden.
I cook it a few different ways. Baked (or microwaved) and topped with butter and pepper is good. Or be fancy and top with things like bacon, grilled chicken, parmesan cheese...
It's also a great replacement for spaghetti noodles (or other pasta). Just top with sauce

I love spaghetti squash! In a few weeks I'll have loads fresh from the garden.
I cook it a few different ways. Baked (or microwaved) and topped with butter and pepper is good. Or be fancy and top with things like bacon, grilled chicken, parmesan cheese...
It's also a great replacement for spaghetti noodles (or other pasta). Just top with sauce

I'm tracking my progress a variety of ways... weight, body fat percentage, measurement, pictures, and of course, how my clothes fit.
I was stuck at 215 for about a week (technically a stall is longer than that) , I started feeling a little frustrated, so I pulled out a pair of "too small pants" that had been too tight on the tummy... And they fit!! Progress!!!
Think about those NSV and all the little things. The other morning I got out of bed wearing a short nightie and noticed how much smaller my legs look. My rings are fitting looser. My bras need to be on the tightest hooks. I have big calfs and can't wear tall boots (not even my hubby barn boots) but today?? I was walking past them and though "maybe??" and low and behold, my leg slides in!
Celebrate every single little moment!

Definitely! There are so many ways to track your progress! Use them all! scale, body fat %, measurements, photos, NSV

Definitely! There are so many ways to track your progress! Use them all! scale, body fat %, measurements, photos, NSV

Definitely! There are so many ways to track your progress! Use them all! scale, body fat %, measurements, photos, NSV

I have only lost 66 pounds so far. My surgery was on March 8 so I'm 4 months out. I agree with all of the positives previously posted, but I have a few that weren't:
I can now reach to wipe my bottom after a BM easily (it was a real problem before). My feet and hips don't hurt. I can tie my shoes easily. I can get out of bed or a low chair with no problem. Looking forward to posting again soon with more positives as the weight continues to drop off!

I'm 100xs happier I'm so mobil. I RUN now. I feel like I'm flying. I look at myself in windows when I pass. I'm not afraid to be seen in public and am willing to look people in the eyes when I walk by a stranger. I go hiking and do outdoor activities every weekend. I've started dating. I've had men half my age aggressively hit on me, while surrounded by hot young 20 something girls. So I feel beautiful in a way I didn't think would be possible for me anymore. I'm more successful at work because moving is so much easier, my attitude is amazing and my drive to be more successful in other areas of my life now that I am successful with my weight is astronomical. I'm allowing myself to dream of a bigger and wider future. I'm traveling. I'm basically beaming almost everyday. I LOVE not being shackled to food, not being shackled to my fears and sadness, I feel like I am no longer bound to this earth the same way I was before. If that makes any sense at all. Everything is different...except the me on the inside. I'm just happier now and more active now.

I guess you could say I went from just being alive to fully living.

Lots of good points have been made... better sleep, more energy, increased ability to play with kids, new wardrobe...
But for me that biggest realization lately is that I feel like myself again. I didn't even know how encumbered I was by my weight, but being free from it is amazing. I am more outgoing, stand taller, and feel like ME. It's hard to explain. Somehow, over the years I lost myself and eventually I hardly even recognized myself if I caught a glimpse of my reflection.
Doing this was an important exercise in making myself, my needs, my wants, my health a priority. As a mom (of 5) it's easy to put everyone else's needs first.

Lots of good points have been made... better sleep, more energy, increased ability to play with kids, new wardrobe...
But for me that biggest realization lately is that I feel like myself again. I didn't even know how encumbered I was by my weight, but being free from it is amazing. I am more outgoing, stand taller, and feel like ME. It's hard to explain. Somehow, over the years I lost myself and eventually I hardly even recognized myself if I caught a glimpse of my reflection.
Doing this was an important exercise in making myself, my needs, my wants, my health a priority. As a mom (of 5) it's easy to put everyone else's needs first.

Everything. Yes, I'm smaller. I eat differently. My diabetes is gone, as is my high blood pressure and cholesterol. I can run, take stairs, chase my kids. All of that.

It seems secondary, almost, compared to the ripple effects. For instance, I'm treated differently. I'm used to it now. It's not just my behavior, it's societal. Other than sometimes being told I'm too skinny, backhanded compliments or odd behaviors that were commonplace are gone from my social interactions. I'm "normal."

Above and beyond the biggest impact has been my mental health. Losing weight made me acknowledge clearly for the first time in my life that I was not unhappy because I was fat; I was fat because I was deeply unhappy. Eliminating all of the weight left a woman forced to get help. It's immensely improved my life. Almost seven years later, I'm healthy in body and mind. There's nothing better.

I will always be grateful I made this choice for myself. I wish you the best.

Cheri

I think you should be able to keep it.....Like a tooth.

Huge congratulations on your progress and for being able to see yourself through new eyes! You have every reason to be proud!!

Hey bud, just checking back in on this thread. Have you made a decision on getting the surgery? I'm at a week post-op and have gone from 427 day of surgery to 413 this morning! Yesterday I went out and hung out with friends for quite a few hours. Let me know if you've still got any questions.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using BariatricPal mobile app

I've always loved a relaxing bath with a good book and can soak for ages... However, I did that less and less over the years as the tub had to hold more of me and less water!
As I sat in the bath today, I noticed I don't fill the width of the tub!
By the time I reach goal weight, there will be room for two

I've always loved a relaxing bath with a good book and can soak for ages... However, I did that less and less over the years as the tub had to hold more of me and less water!
As I sat in the bath today, I noticed I don't fill the width of the tub!
By the time I reach goal weight, there will be room for two

I've always loved a relaxing bath with a good book and can soak for ages... However, I did that less and less over the years as the tub had to hold more of me and less water!
As I sat in the bath today, I noticed I don't fill the width of the tub!
By the time I reach goal weight, there will be room for two

I've always loved a relaxing bath with a good book and can soak for ages... However, I did that less and less over the years as the tub had to hold more of me and less water!
As I sat in the bath today, I noticed I don't fill the width of the tub!
By the time I reach goal weight, there will be room for two

I took photos the day before surgery. I had on a sports bra and pj bottoms. I don't think I had really looked at my body in a very long time. It broke my heart and shocked me. I am taking pics tomorrow which will be four weeks out. I don't think there will be a big difference but I'm going to do it every month along with measuring myself. It was advice given to me by someone on here and I'm glad I took it even though it was painful to see myself.

I have lost 78 pounds (though I still have another 75 to go before I'm out of obese range) and I too feel like I look the same. Luckily I took high weight pics and the day before surgery pics after I lost 50. I plan to take more pics at 1 month post op and again at 3 and 6 months post op just so I can see the difference. My eyes have never been honest with me when looking in a mirror. But they certainly are when looking at photographs. lol


HW: 328 (02/17/17)
SW: 271 (05/24/17)
CW: 253

Before, 227lbs in a size 2X coat that was tight on me.
2.5 months post sleeve, finishing off a night of swing dancing in a size L dress in the mid 160s.
The difference here isn't just the weight and size, but the fact that old me NEVER would have been doing weekly swing dancing lessons and going to social dances! I'm not only smaller, I have a genuinely better quality of life! Oh and the picture was taken by a new friend of mine who I met through a post-op support group! We do all kinds of activities together that don't revolve around food. I love it!

I eat a little fruit daily. Carbs aren't a huge problem for me. I only have fresh fruit, small portions (track every bite) and combine with Protein.
Don't add fruit until you are consistently reaching protein goals is the advice I received from my nutritionist.
Peanut Butter and apple slices are delicous! And so are fresh berries with yogurt

I'm sorry you have to deal with that as my doc and nut are preaching the same thing. I think you should for sure focus on your Protein, but you may have to find what works best for you as well. Find something that you will want to do for the rest of your life, that's sustainable for you. You may need to really educate yourself on how/why things work or don't. Sorry part is that there's so many conflicting arguments out there (like your team). But again, find what will truly work for you hon. Blessings on your journey!

In addition to the DEXA scans that have been mentioned by previous respondents, I also wanted to mention hydrostatic body fat testing.
I paid $49 for the hydrostatic body fat test. It's considered the gold standard for body fat testing as far as accuracy is concerned. I donned a swimsuit and sat in a tub of warm Water for a few minutes as the technician conducted her analysis.
The results indicated my body fat level is just under 18% and that I have more pounds of muscle mass than the average female in my age range.
They also conducted a RMR/TDE test. My TDEE (total daily energy expenditure) was estimated to be approximately 2090 calories a day. This means I can eat up to 2100 calories daily without weight regain. I am over the moon about these results.