IveGotThePower

1. Buy new wardrobe that looks good - check 2. Feel more comfortable in the world - check 3. Wear heels and cross my legs - check 4. Retake lots of cruise pictures - check 5. World's longest zip line over water - check 6. Have more energy than my Husband - check 7. Be able to wear normal sized bracelets, rings and knee socks. And normal width shoes - check 8. Not have to worry about how I am going to loose weight - check 9. Feel in control of my eating habbits and my health - check 10. Feel like I am no longer restricted in life due to my weight - check Sent from my SM-N920V using BariatricPal mobile app

My advice is to take pictures and make videos of your before self journaling what you are experiencing and what you learn along the way. I did some, but wish I did a video of my pre surgery self talking about what I hoped for and what I expected. Also, if you can see a nutritionist who specializes in bariatric, I would recommend that. I still see mine about once a month and have no plans to stop. There are always new products out there to learn about. Follow the rules, educate yourself and enjoy the ride. Sent from my SM-N920V using BariatricPal mobile app

When I rest my face on my hands or apply moisturiser I can fee bones now. And my thighs look a little longer. Also, my body moves differently. Basically the difference between wearing a fat suit and taking it off. So strange, but I love it and am still getting used to the changes. Sent from my SM-N920V using BariatricPal mobile app

For those over a year out. Has anyone tried intermittent fasting. I am just reading the Obesity Code and it makes a lot of sense. Thinking of trying it.

Anyone doing Paleo? I'm reading the Primal Blueprint and it makes so much sense.

I have been wondering about our protein requirements as we loose weight. I understand that as we are loosing weight we need protein to maintain our muscles and cellular repair. But if you are loosing at a much slower rate or at goal, wouldn't our protein requirement be less? Sent from my SM-N920V using BariatricPal mobile app

Update: 3 lbs in 3 days. Had some nausea that woke me at night. I think it was because of an empty stomach. Not eating after 5:00 pm wasn't too hard. I will probably continue with more of a 12 hour fast rather than 16 hours to see how this does. Also, I believe this helped with restriction. I felt like I actually ate less on the 8 hours when I could eat. Sent from my SM-N920V using BariatricPal mobile app

Nail on the head! My weight loss pretty much stopped at 10 months but I still went down another size without the scale moving over the next few months. Also my hair started growing when the weight loss stopped. I went from one phase (honeymoon) to maintenance without my permission. I think Introversion has the right answer. Protein, protein, protein. I would love to be more plant based but have to constantly do a mental check to add/include protein. The more I learn, the more I believe eating the protein first is a big part. As well as focusing on the healthiest low carb, nutrient dense choices. I also do not count anything and I love Paleo and try new recipes all the time to keep things fun. I will take Introversions advice and add more protein. I am also experimenting with intermittent fasting 16/8 after reading the Obesity Code. Don't give up, Don't go bananas, find your balance. Sent from my SM-N920V using BariatricPal mobile app

Reading Primal Blueprint and love the book. I think it is good as far as nutritional advice long term. Anyone else read this book? It's not exactly the same as Paleo, but certainly has a lot of similarities and is consistent with a lower carb lifestyle. Sent from my SM-N920V using BariatricPal mobile app

Take before photos that you can reproduce at your lower weight in the same outfit and poses. Make a video to yourself including all your concerns, goals and expectations. Start a journal and add to it frequently. You can review these whenever you need a pick me up to see how you have come and where you Don't want to ever be again. Also take your measurements and do it every few weeks as you go. You will be surprised to see that while you Don't always loose pounds, you may still lose inches. My body shrank one size while my weight stayed the same over the past few months. Many changes will take place and it is truly a mind game. The very best to you with your journey. Sent from my SM-N920V using BariatricPal mobile app

My surgeon is fine with NSAIDS infrequently. No gerd issues that I had before surgery and no issues taking them once or twice a month. I do eat and drink a lot of water and do not lay down right after taking them, just as a precaution. Anyone been to the ER from taking them? Would love to hear from those guys. Sent from my SM-N920V using BariatricPal mobile app

Ok introversion. You bring up a very good point. While I am not convinced that my body requires that much protein, I would certainly agree that dense protein does indeed take longer to digest and because of my surgery does in fact keep me full longer. I think this happens more with meat vs a protein shake. So maybe the argument is more along the physiological lines vs nutritional lines. My Nut has put a rubber chicken breast in front of me and asked how much of this I could eat. And it does make a difference. Sent from my SM-N920V using BariatricPal mobile app

Thank you for posting your truly amazing story in such detail. Some of your points really resonate with me. I felt the same way about being willing to die on the operating table. It was a calculated risk we took. I also feel like this whole process is a mind f@#$. Just wrapping your mind around all the changes is a challenge in and of itself. I also find myself feeling like I still have so much to learn and still looking for answers on how to maintain or loose a little more. You brought up a point that the body is an amazing and wonderful thing and that you were glad you didn't have plastics. I wondered if time made a lot of difference in how the skin bounces back. So, you are no longer considering plastics?

Agree that when I was larger the clothes I wore were a little more snug than they should have been. Did not realize this at the time. Now 15 roughly takes me to a lower size. But just experiment. Doesn't cost a thing to try clothes on periodically to see where you are. You can take a selfie or two when you do. Also, sizes vary in different brands. I do 14 in lane Bryant curvy pants, but 12 in pretty much everything else from Columbia to Karen Scott capris and 2 other brands of curvy jeans. Intro is probably a 10 now....hmm...now I gotta try those. Also, seriously I have not dropped in a few months, but I absolutely went down another size. This does happen. Couldn't believe it. Hang on tight! Enjoy the ride :-) Sent from my SM-N920V using BariatricPal mobile app

Good article above, although it doesn't mention VSG. The article was posted 8 years ago, before VSG was so popular. But still good info. Sent from my SM-N920V using BariatricPal mobile app

No worries. If you were using the mobile app you wouldn't see that information on the side. Thank you for your input. Sent from my SM-N920V using BariatricPal mobile app

Agreed. Been there, done that. I have heard that hair loss could be from lack of protein, vitamins and also that it is a side effect of the anesthesia used in surgery. Depends who you talk to. We have discussed this at meetings I have attended. Some people suggest using biotin to help. Some people have tried it all, with no benefits. Mine just started regrowing when the weight loss basically stopped at 10 months. I have heard other's say the same thing. I am no longer in fast weight loss mode and now looking for what works on a long term basis. It makes sense to me that in fast weight loss mode higher protein is more important because our bodies are breaking down and rebuilding cells as it was explained to me. If this is the case then once we slow down, do we still require the same amount of protein? Sent from my SM-N920V using BariatricPal mobile app

What do you consider a fresh bariatric patient? I am going on 16 months out. I certainly would not have lowered my protein intake for the first year, but many things are different at this point. And things I was told 16 months ago have changed per my nutritionist and my surgeon. For example I am able to drink carbonated beverages. Aquifina 0 calorie with 2 ingredients. I am also permitted to do insaids per my surgeon, just in moderation. Things change all the time. Our guidelines will change and improve over the years. Sent from my SM-N920V using BariatricPal mobile app

World's longest zip line over water. Walking tour in Old San Juan. Run/walk 5k. And I finished ahead of over 30 people, where I was dead last 2 years ago. Hearing my Husband tell me that he can absolutely see how much easier it is for me to get around when we are out doing activities. The last 2 vacations we took were the best in a very long time because I was able to be active. I Don't mind pictures any more. I didn't want to look at myself before. Love shopping now. I feel many of the positive effects every single day and I am so thankful. Sent from my SM-N920V using BariatricPal mobile app

Thank you for your reply. While I read the same thing you just posted for non bariatric people, this is not the advice I was given by my surgeon/program. I was told to do at least 65 grams of protein daily. But your response ties into a lower amount which was my thought as well. I think the 40 is a better indicator for me at this point since I am not super active at the moment. Sent from my SM-N920V using BariatricPal mobile app

You Don't look obese to me. I feel the same way at 198 in a size 12. Great job! Sent from my SM-N920V using BariatricPal mobile app

Awesome Job! Sent from my SM-N920V using BariatricPal mobile app

Don't know if this will help at all, but I do believe hormones play a bigger role than we thought. I am reading the Obesity Cure and it makes so much sense to me. I am giving the 16/8 fast a try. I hope you find the answer. Sent from my SM-N920V using BariatricPal mobile app

I did 2 basic black pants and Navy and a few tops to mix and match. They don't have to be really expensive. I shopped Dillards and Macys on the sales racks and online and got good deals. A lot of the time $15 to $25 per top. You don't have to LOVE them because you will have to get rid of them in a few weeks anyway, so it makes it easier to part ways if you get items that are appropriate but not expensive and that you don't grow attached to. It's a mind game. You love these new clothes but can only wear them for a short time What a wonderful problem to have :-)

Did another 5:00 pm-9 AM "fast", and 2 lbs down in 2 days. I know it's just water. But I will update this thread periodically as to how it goes.