Tracyringo

(Nurse here, have cared for many post op patients with constipation)
-make sure you’re getting enough Water. Most meds to relieve Constipation need water to help them work.
-walk, walk, walk
-strong coffee if you can drink it
If the above doesn’t work, you can try the following meds
-Miralax
-Milk of Magnesia
-Dulcolax
-senna
-glycerin or bisacodyl suppositories

Not as big an issue unless you happen to be the unlucky person for whom it is an issue. A sleever in 1 of my fb groups has a serious eye condition due to a lack of vit B due to not taking her Vitamins. It really is an issue and it’s not something people should mess around with. If your Dr says you need to take them then generally there is a good reason for it.

Howdy sleevers!

My weight has stabilised at about 69kg over the past 5-6 months, and an opportunity came up with my plastic surgeon to take a cancellation surgery place (with 1 weeks notice) for last Tuesday 6th August for my first planned skin removal, FDL Tummy Tuck, and I went for it I had been set to get this operation at end of November.

I got home late yesterday after 5 days in hospital, and with 1 central drain still in place until I see my surgeon for follow up on Tuesday. Very happy with how my tummy is looking so far, and post op pain is being managed with panadol and some endone still. My waist was quite small before the op, but looks REEAAALLY tiny now, even with the post op swelling

I plan to have second skin removal at the end of November, after being in my little sister's wedding party, to get breast reduction and lift. Then further operations for upper arms in inner thighs next year.

Who else has started skin removal operations now post sleeve?

Cheers,
Tanya

I keep hearing about people that have serious side effects because they didn’t take their Vitamins so if you are planning on skipping them and are looking for validation to do that stop 🛑 Now.
You can drink when you eat if you want. It has different results. For some it will cause discomfort, for some it will cause dumping and for others it will slow down or stop their weight loss.
If you need to take NSAIDS occasionally it isn’t a train smash, you should make sure though that you also take nexium or Somac or other antireflux meds whilst taking them to protect your stomach.
Not getting enough Protein on 1 day isn’t a big thing, not getting enough regularly will cause muscle loss probably make you more hungry and may slow your weight loss.
If you don’t know how to cook and can afford to eat out for all your meals that’s fine. Just make sure you make healthy choices. Going to rib and burger joints every day probably isn’t a good idea.

Have you tried importing them from other places?
I live in the Uk and am really shocked at the prices you pay in America. Over here, it costs me about £3 for any one bottle of quality multi vitamins/vitamin C /vitamin D etc for about a month to two month supply.
Surely it would make sense to import them?
just an example...
Boots vitamins

Holland and Barrett

Protein Powder in coffee.
chicken creations pouch
Chicken pouch with marinara sauce and mozz cheese
323 cal
48 Protein
6 carbs
Gonna choke down Premier Protein later and get protein up...outside all day today and its nasty hot and humid here in Arkansas...so used up most of my capacity trying to stay hydrated...over 100 oz's!

I'll be glad to participate because this helps a newbie like me a lot, but I'm still trying to figure out this eating thing....18 days out and having problems eating much of anything...been going back to Protein Shakes to meet goals.

In the early days I would go to YouTube and type in what are you eating at 2 months or at 6 months out depending on where I was and get ideas that way. I got some great suggestions back then.

Breakfast 3 cubes cantaloupe and 1/2 cup cottage cheese
snack egg and grits. I did this in reverse
lunch parmesan crusted tilapia filet baked
dinner stuffed pork chop 3-4 oz with asparagus and chopped salad
I wont be able to eat all of my dinner, so I will eat the rest as a snack later this evening. I also don't track anymore so I don't know my macros

As a newbie (heading to surgery Monday morning) I can’t tell you how helpful and insightful I find this thread to be be. Thank you to those further down the path from me for clearing the way, letting me know struggles are ok and to be expected, and for helping me to get in the right headspace. I sincerely appreciated your openness!

Great idea!

In the early days I would go to YouTube and type in what are you eating at 2 months or at 6 months out depending on where I was and get ideas that way. I got some great suggestions back then.

More irrational answers! (and some rational ones too... )
Rational Me: I'm not interested in achieving any more weight loss goals, because YES, I am liking how I am looking and feeing (If anything, I now have exercise goals, which is likely hampering my calorie increase attempts, but that's another story...). I don't particularly want to go lower on the scale, but I have accepted that until I get into a real groove which lasts longer than 3½ weeks, weight loss (and most likely weight gain later on) is going to be an occupational hazard. My current weight is still nicely in the middle of the normal range so a few pounds up or down isn't going to kill me.
Irrational Me: I fully admit to being wary of carbs. Specifically bread products, Pasta, rice, to some extent root veggies and added sugar. Hence the Shirataki and the no added sugar vinaigrettes. For now, I am choosing to stay low carb. I do, however, have the occasional breaded product (buffalo cauliflower! crackers on the charcuterie board! chicken wings! cake!) or high sugar item (ice cream! fruit! BBQ Sauce on my chicken wings!). And when I do, I often attempt a "correction" the next day by watching/limiting my carb intake (which I am supposed to counteract with increasing my fats - not always successful). Though as I type this, 💡 I'm not even sure that averaging out carb intake over a period of time has the same effect as limiting carbs to a certain level daily... LOL...i'm going to have to do a bit of research after I post this. Again, this is the irrational me talking, and I'm fully aware I will not implode and could probably benefit from eating a sandwich (as my "concerned" friends and family say both to my face and behind my back 🙄).
Rational Me, again: I went back looking at what I've posted on this thread so far and looks like I started this thread around the same time that my average cals dropped from around 1500-ish to 1000-ish, so my daily menu's do look pretty diet-y. I haven't gone out/had people over as much these past couple weeks and it shows. I tend to eat less when I'm at home and fixing food for myself. Though I rely on the fact that everything will even out because I know there will be indulge days...like yesterday (which I'll post later), and tomorrow (it's BFF's Mr's bday and we are going to a rodizio restaurant (i.e., AYCE Brazilian Steakhouse) #yum #almostAsGoodAsKoreanBBQ

I read this article and the study it references waaaay back. The one ray of hope here is Rudy Pauls. He was the sole person in the study who ended up getting WLS and his metabolism slow down was markedly less than the others. At the time I read these, I researched other papers and I recall a paper or two discussing how WLS patients' metabolisms returned to normal levels for their eventual size after the initial (and expected) drop. Now this is all hearsay on my part right now, because I don't have the links to these alleged papers, but if I get can get into research mode later, I'll try to dig em up. (I need to be in the proper mindset to read these papers cuz man, sometimes I go cross-eyed trying to keep up with all the notations)
Nope ❤️

Was thinking the same thing about ms.sss and calorie intakes of 500. I could never do that except in the early days but then I have a higher BMI.
So far this morning I have eaten 3 cubes of cantaloupe and 1/2 cup of cottage cheese, wishing I would have eaten the egg and bacon instead because I still feel hungry, guess I will drink Water and take a tums just in case it is heartburn in disguise

I think these are really valid and helpful observations and questions. I know they help me really think and own my spit. You know? I never want to rationalize my own "poor" behavior or stinking thinking by convincing myself that my viewpoint is the only right one.
I also am hopeful that this might benefit someone else who might not want to post their stuff here--be able to work through some things and gain insight into their eating behaviors that both keep them thin/losing or are contributing to gain. Right?
So there is no doubt that I am goal driven. I've never in my life reached my target weight goal--even as a young kid dieting (dieting since 9). 😕 And it became very important to me as I went "all in" with this surgery, that I achieve my goal weight--even if it's only for a day--or an hour. It's just a milestone that psychologically I feel like I need. And knowing what my sis (who is 2 inches taller than me) looked like with a similar build to me -- at 120lbs, she did not look anorexic. Knowing that at 23BMI today on the scale and that in real life, I still have very jiggly fat filled aspirin bottle and thighs, makes me feel like I do still have extra fat available that I can at least achieve that burning drive to 130lbs. At the very least. *I'd have to review the BDG once I get to 130lbs. Cuz it really may not be realistic for me to even hit it.
There is NOOOOOO doubt I have body dysmorphia. No doubt. I work on it daily. And the struggle is real. I def don't see myself as super thin. Just normal for a 56 year old woman. Flabby flat as* and all. TY for telling me how awesome I look! Sometimes I can actually feel it - nowadays. Yesterday (no pic) I felt great in my outfit until I looked in the mirror in my white shorts. And felt I look huge in my thighs and ass--so didn't bother snapping the pic. I still wore the outfit and got so many complements including a, "You are so skinny" comment that I was a little "proud" of. I've never been a member of the you-are-so-skinny-"normal"-girl-barbie-tribe. You know? And I'm not gonna lie. It's a seductive group. Great T & A and tiny waists among all of those bi*ches! hehe.
I do think I will be thin enough. That's why I think 130lbs will be end of the line for me. Cuz when I was sick just before surgery, I was 131lbs and I felt "right". Even though I was craptastically ill at the time. But yeah, that BD funhouse mirror plays wicked mind games. So the only way to tell is once I get there. I know I have no interest in going deep dive to the low 120s and maybe not even anything under the 130lbs.
I keep cals that low and deeply nutrient rich cuz I flat out maintain or even gain weight in the >850 range. And that terrifies me! I'm not like @ms.sss who is having issues deterring weight loss at these levels. I WISH! Right? Cuz if you look at my graph, I'm maintaining. And I'm super terrified I've forked my metabolism. I also know I take a hormone blocker for cancer remission that puts me in supre menopause. So I am trying to restore my body fat hormones while having one hand tied behind my back via the blocking of all female hormone production. Which really sucks cuz the regulation of those hormones really drive a lot of the insulin and hunger hormones response to fat loss. Also being hypothyroid also contributes to the lowered metabolic rate.
Sorry for the book. I didn't want to just blow off your question, but rather offer some glimmer of where my thought process and logic is taking me.
My hope is that once I hit my 130 Goal #3 weight, then I can officially say, "I'm goal baybeeee!" And then I will be able to maintain at 1000-1400 cals with a day or 2 of fasting thrown in per week like Dr. Fung discusses. Cuz that would be sweet! But my body is resisting going lower right now. And it does not reward me with a scale drop when I up cals and give a treat day--rather it rewards me with the predicted weight gain.
Also, I'm not going quietly into that good night. I will fight that fuc*ing bounce like a demon. I am not gonna accept that it has to happen. And if I start looking like I'm eating crap I really want you guys to call me on it and hold my toes to the fire! Cuz I will need y'all more than ever if/when backsliding enters the equation. Right?
Ok, so yeah. There you have it. My full 10lbs of crazy shoved into the 5lb can! Certifiable? Yes or no?
Here's my weight graph of the past year. The last big jump is from surgery and IVs. But you can see, I'm having trouble maintaining right now post surgery and struggling with huge hunger. I attribute it to IV antibiotics and disruption of gut biome/gut hormone disruption and insulin surges as a result. There is a study just out about this. I think @catwoman7 may have posted this on another board? Can't remember...

@FluffyChix & @ms.sss
I am fascinated by this thread. I have questions and hope neither of you are offended.
@ms.sss
More sincere questions! Do you truly want to stop losing, or are you liking how you are looking and feeling and think you might want to go lower? I'm asking because you're still eating like you are in weight loss mode (shirataki noodles, salads w super low cal dressing etc.). The days you are eating close to "normally", you are still likely under your BMR, but seem to feel like you need to correct afterwards. It just seems like there is a disconnect between what you say you want, and your actions.

@FluffyChix
You've discussed a lot about your goals, 1, 2, 3 and BDG (Barbie Dream Goal 😂). You are solidly at a healthy BMI. What is it that is driving you to work so very hard to get even lower? A lot of days you are at an extreme calories deficiency, which is hard to sustain long term, right? Are you concerned if you get there, what it will be like to maintain it? And if you can't sustain it (which would be expected, right, the bounce?), if that would make you feel worse? You sincerely look very thin and amazing. But I know from your comments you still feel heavier than you truly are (OOTD & Meh the scale threads). Do think maybe you'll never been thin enough because you're looking at yourself in a dysmorphic fun house mirror?
Question for both of you: Do you worry about lowering your BMR long term? For me personally this study scared the crap out of me https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/02/health/biggest-loser-weight-loss.html
Hope you both don't hate me now! 😀

Like @ms.sss I felt like I ate all day yesterday--cuz um, I did!!! It was a planned UP day for me, so wasn't too concerned about it and gave myself permission to eat when hungry--whether it was legit hunger or head munchies/stress hunger. But the only rule is that it had to be legit food--no crap.
And predictably, yesterday was a hungry hungry hippo day (AGAIN! LOL. And I found all your (ms.sss') extra cals!!) ((hugs)) Today will be a DD for me until at least dinner. Trying to defer TRE for 16-18hours IF. So far I woke up not hungry. Yay! And I'm gonna ride that wave til it breaks! Ha *snort!*
5"4" 👵 17m PO (WLM) 136.4lbs (pre-poopy)=I knew it would be up (wt) cuz um, hello, 2 glasses of wine were involved in the concert and extra bedtime eating...that stops today. But to be fair, not really worried cuz I have at least 2lbs of high Fiber poop that is due for delivery today.
Thursday August 8 Menu:
B1-6am-Mocha Protein Latte (8oz Decaf + 4oz PP) (58cals; 11g p; 1g nc)
B2-11am-Egg white puff (85g ew + 28g crimini + 29g power greens + 14g turkey saus crumbles + 1/2 slice 2% DD American cheese + 1tsp Gringo Bandito Hot Sauce (111cals; 15g p; 2g nc)
L-2pm-1 hb egg + turkey rollup (30g BH lacy swiss + 45g BH peppermill turkey + 8g arugula + dijon) + 60g cucumber slices + 2oz baby carrots + UACV) (ate this over 1 1/2 hours) (247cals; 27g p; 7g nc)
AS-5:30pm-1 turkey rollup (30g BH lacy swiss + 19g BH peppermill turkey + Lowensenf mustard) + 28g baby carrots + 16g raw pecan halves + iced cinnamon apple tea with 9g psyllium husks (270 cals; 15g p; 2g nc)
D-8:00pm-grilled chicken salad with ranch (28g iceberg + carrot shreds + cucumbers + purple onion + 2 bites gchix + cheese shreds + 1tbsp ranch dressing) + 2 glassed cabernet sauvignon (352cals--thank you wine; 2g p; 13g nc)
BS-10pm-19g BH peppermill turkey + 1 lite mozzarella string cheese + 1 hb egg + 28g baby carrots (152cals; 17g p; 4g nc)
(I may have a baby carrot "issue"...)

^^ don't cry then when you don't lose much

So true !!

Power Crunch was my favorite but I no longer eat any Protein Bars as they are a slippery slope for some.

I don’t eat them, candy bars in disguise

Yep what @336Mike said! Go back to the precepts of your forever post surgery diet.
Max 1 cup food per meal. 3 meals per day (and in the early days you can do 1-2 small Protein snacks).
I stole this from a poster on another site because it's just awesome advice!!!!

Yes.

Power Crunch was my favorite but I no longer eat any Protein Bars as they are a slippery slope for some.