sillykitty

@FluffyChix That is fantastic! I'm so happy for you to have had the revelation that you can still indulge your hedonistic side from time to time. It doesn't mean all is lost and you're in a diet death spiral I think of it as taking the scenic route vs. the highway. You get to the same place, you may not take the absolute fastest route, but it sure is more enjoyable. On this forum I see people beat themselves up over and over again for being weak for having cravings, and giving into them. They seem to see it as a personal failing because they think pizza is delicious. Here's the thing, pizza is delicious! Our brains are wired to crave carbs and fat, and especially carbs and fat together. It triggers the pleasure centers of our brain. So liking pizza doesn't make someone weak, it makes them human! I see it as having two choices, acknowledge that the pursuit of perfection is futile, or set an unobtainable goal and doom yourself to "fail". I define success not as never having pizza again, but as having once slice of thin crust and a big healthy salad with it. Now that I can totally manage, I've set myself up for success in that scenario. What WLS combine with IF has given me is a sense of control. I have zero doubt that I can maintain a healthy weight. I feel so incredibly fortunate that within a year I was able to go from MO to a normal BMI. Losing 100+ lbs on my own felt impossible, or at least several years of dieting misery. That made me not even want to try. WLS helped me with what I consider the hard part, dropping 100+ lbs. WLS gave me months of being hunger free. WLS gave me a tiny stomach capacity, so any indulgences were limited. Once my hunger came back, IF gave me a tool to keep it at bay for the most part. Now that I'm 14 months out, my stomach capacity has expanded, and my hunger is back in full force. But I'm not worried. From here on out I just need to make small tweaks to maintain. I know I need to order the side salad instead of fries, I need to have my burger lettuce wrapped. I need to snack on jerky vs. chips. And you know what, if I really want the fries, I can have them, I just know I can't have them everyday! Hopping off my soapbox now!

I love meals like this. I can get exactly the food I'm craving, and it's lean, healthy and high protein. It's a total win win!

I just walked to my dry cleaners this morning ... so not nearly as picturesque as the rest of y'alls!

I can vouch that these: 1. Make me feel sporty, even if I'm just walking to 7-11 for a taquito 2. Are Philadelphia Flyer colors, cause coordination is important 3. Have walked a 5K (and only stopping for a photo op!) without blisters 4. Let's be honest, most importantly, are cute af! Here they are ... in action!

LOL Yup. Every once in a while i go back to film to sharpen my skills and this time i decided to go super analog and low tech by using a disposable camera. You only get 27 shots and a list of tasks from the chosen challenge. No do overs Winner is Crowned King/Queen of 1994 ???????????????? The pressure!! No do overs? Don’t know how they turned out until you get them developed? Wait, do drug stores still develop film??

Whaaattt ... tell me more!

Why bother after age 40? Who are these people? I’m in my early 40’s & I’m planning plastics at the end of this year. Considering my grandmother is 93 and still going strong, it’s likely I’m not even middle age yet.

I know many people who are both probiotics and GERD meds. Theoretically GERD meds should help probiotics be more effective. If your stomach is less acidic the probiotic bacteria have a better chance of surviving and making it to your intestines to set up shop

Yes, all of that is relatable, many of us struggle finding ways to hit our fluid goals, as many drinks aren’t palatable in large quantities But to say water is too acidic, probably isn’t accurate. Water is generally ph neutral. If you REALLY believe regular water is acidic, then you should try alkaline water, with a higher ph (it’s slightly basic)

Water is too acidic?

I don’t believe it is humanly possible to stay at a consistent weight day in and day out. So, yes, I would guess it probably will last forever

Yes

I'm not purposefully IF-ing now in maintenance. It's too hard to get protein + cals in if I do. I sometimes IF inadvertently if I get busy in the morning and don't have my first meal until the afternoon. I am a lot less regimented now that I'm at goal. I try everyday to get my fluids, protein and supplements in, and log everything. But I don't restrict anything. I can only say I am 100% on logging, the other goals don't always get met. For me, maintenance is easier than the losing phase. But I know I'm an outlier, and consider myself incredibly lucky. I am diligent about logging and weighing myself because I realize that my honeymoon period might be up at any point. When it is I'll be able to recognize it and adjust as needed.

Just anecdotal here ... but I inadvertently did IF and feast days throughout most of my weight loss. Home days were pretty strictly IF for the most part, I'd say on average a 6-8 hr eating window, and say 600 cals. But then when traveling all bets were off, a long eating window and a mix of good and bad choices, much higher cals. One of my biggest fears was wrecking my metabolism, since I'd do many days sub 500 cals. But I'm happy to say my metabolism is just fine. It's looking like my BMR is at least 1500 cals, maybe even higher. I also agree about adding a protein shake, I have no shame that I still use shakes, or other protein supplements to meet my goals. It's easy and efficient, and it just makes sense for me.

I’m a sleeve, but recently entered maintenance. I’m still trying to find the balance where I don’t lose. But it looks like I need average at least 1500 cals. I haven’t had any gains that aren’t just normal fluctuations, so I can’t tell what cal count would be too high and lead to regain

Thanks for the great info. I also want a natural teardrop shape post BL/BA, so I've been focused on implants that shape. Definitely will have a more open mind and go with my surgeon recommendations (when I find one ?) Thanks for the tummy pics! That's a lot closer to where I'm at. There are definitely angles that are more flattering than others. @GreenTealael posted this in the Weight Loss Funnies thread, this is totally me

I was on Depo on and off for years. I loved it. I gained weight while on it, but my lifestyle changed during that time, so can't pin the weight gain on Depo. But I decided to go off it permanently due to the effects on bone density. https://www.nwhn.org/depo-provera-and-bone-mineral-density/ Just prior to WLS I also switched to the Mirena IUD, and have been very happy with it for the last year.

You look fantastic @logicwand! I'm so envious you didn't need a TT! Are you happy you went with the cohesive gel (i.e. gummy bear)? Any reason you chose round vs. tear drop? (Can you tell I've been doing a lot of research? ?)

This is why .... On vacation and holding my friends back from doing things like climbing to the top of bell towers or hiking up hills. Turning down invites to zipline or skydive because I'm at the top of the weight limit. Hated that my most defining feature was my weight.

What is the struggle with the protein shakes? What if you thinned them with Fairlife milk?

Way too early to worry about stalling. Your body is adjusting to the shock of surgery, and the lack of food. BTW ... the people down 20-30-0 lbs in 11 days usually that includes the preop diet weight loss BBTW ... you need to be taking in more than 200 cals, you can't be getting all your protein if you're only eating 200 cals

This is 100% me

Welcome to my world! ??

I didn't realize when I lost weight that ... People would no longer recognize me. It's led to a lot of awkward personal and professional interactions.

Thanks Kathy! The pre WLS pic was taken in Venice