Healthy_life

Sweet potato is in the mix with my Protein and veggies to keep me more satisfied. My carb intake increases in running season. I lift to retain muscle. Other people here are lifting to build muscle mass.

Speak of the devil and he post's!~BigViffer in the room.

@Mhy12784

Sweet potato seems to work for me. My stomach doesn't tolerate brown rice well. A great person to ask is bariatric veteran male lifting legend! @BigViffer

1 hour ago, afstud59 said:

At my 6 month mark. I was up to 310 in May and today broke 215! You can all do it!! Tried to post in the gallery but it won't give me the option to

May 17th, 2018

11/24/2018

Your smile says it all. Congrats on all the hard work put in.

@Danny Paul

It's a sobering reality that any of us can gain weight.

I hope anyone who has a large gain can overcome and get a treatment plan that works for them. (Revision, diet or other) Many reasons for regain. Medical issues, medications, diet, complications, hormones, mobility issues......The list goes on.

You are right, Surgery alone will not make your weight loss successful. The work does not end after goal.

2 hours ago, zueschoco1 said:

Thankyou

Sent from my LG-M210 using BariatricPal mobile app

Nervous and excited? ...I hope you can sleep tonight.☺️

Congrats!

39 minutes ago, KCgirl061 said:

I'm 4 months postop and am ecstatic with my weightloss so far. I'm down 70 pounds since I've started the whole process, and I did take preop pictures but I've hardly taken any pictures beyond a hand full of head shots. Anyone else happy with their body but still camera shy?

Yep, . Still feels awkward.

11 minutes ago, thedutch said:

The pre op diet has made me very ill. I go back and forth between awful headaches and suffering from nausea. If I have a small amount of food head and and stomach issue goes away. Not talking full meals here by no means. so now I find myself 4 days out from surgery and not having successfully transitioned to liquid diet. I have lost 6 pounds but worry that it is not enough for the liver shrink thing. Stressing over pre-op appointment today. Ugg do not want to mess this up. my total weight loss so far before surgery is 33 pounds but sense first visit is only 18 in 5 months

Sorry your stressing. All of this is work, it's not easy. I hope you get good news at your pre-op appointment. Update us when you can.

Hi @betterL8thanever

Your restriction from surgery with be tight for a while. Sip on a water bottle during the day. Keep it on your night stand at night. Getting food and fluids in gets easier as time progresses. It's all a learning process.

Four years out, I easily get my Water in and thirst is not an issue.

Fantastic achievement!

Hope you and your son make this your new tradition. 🏃‍♂️ Be thankful for your health and ability to do great things. Love to hear about your next run.

Checking in:

1. Challenge Starting weight: 132
2. Current weight - 133
3. Current weight lost:
4. Losing or maintaining weight: Maintaining - New goal is to get weight down a bit before Dec 31. I found a perfect dress for new years.
5. Fitness/exercise goal: Running season is over - Less cardio more weights
6. Total weight loss at the end of challenge: (Post January 1st 2019)
7. Check in: Tell us how you are doing - (How is your diet and exercise plan going? Any struggles? Stress level? What have you overcome? Any strategies that have helped)

Survived Thanksgiving. I had a two pound gain that I am working back down. I have moved furniture, decorated the house for christmas and painted a guest room. I'm driving my husband crazy. This week I back to my normal gym routine.

Congrats on 61 down~!!!

Ugh.... the questions and conversations that revolve around your weight loss. If you figure out a way to not talk about your weight loss let us know. It's out of most people's/family members comfort zone to see someone eating for health instead of pleasure on Thanksgiving.

I'm having chineses food with hubby and adult son's. No cooking this year!

41 minutes ago, Naughty Glitter Goddess said:

Ok, so, I'm having underwear issues. Even though I never liked briefs, now I need to wear them. I'm 3 months post op and need to replace all my undies because they are too loose. I had a large umbilical hernia repair at the same time so I'm really sensitive to the loose skin that is starting to form in my FUPA area. It pulls down from my belly button and is really uncomfortable. plastics will fix it eventually but for now i need supportive underwear but not Shapewear. Shapewear is too restrictive even when it's a little big and I struggle to eat or drink while wearing it. I wear spandex leggings under my sweats when working out, but again, same issues eating and drinking. People, I cannot remove my panties every time I need food or water!

These panties from Target worked great for me; just high enough, accommodates my belly, not too tight on the legs. But they only come in plus size and the smallest ones (1X) no longer fit! However I found non-plus size panties, even briefs, dont give me enough coverage.

Please, tell me your favorite brands/styles of panties and where to get them. Ideally in a brick and mortar shop so I can try on. Hoping for a good selection!

Great advice from @Kimmie K

I learned the hard way. Try all clothing on before you buy. Things fit differently month to month. Be prepared to go through many styles and sizes. You will be left with an overflowing panty/clothing drawer.

Other option is comando...*just kidding*

1 minute ago, Mrs.Cartwill said:

You look amazing. I know the right and best answer for me is to just do it, I guess fear just sets in. It is a drastic change. I was totally excited and ready until I saw the death rate at 2/1000 and my mom decided to put her two cents in that if I was just eating better, walking and counting calories I could lose it all in 2-3 years. I don't have a lot of support going in, everything thinks I am taking the easy way out except my sister and people I have met that are doing it too. Thanks for the inspiration. I know that ALM is a better me, skin or not.

Fear, nervous, anxious and excited....Right? Many of us second guessed and had a freak out moment pre surgery. We understand. Just know that your surgeons team is going to take good care of you.

I hope as your family sees your success and hard work , they will become more supportive. If they are saying these things out of fear give them time.

Ugh...judgmental people. If they judge you on surgery they will judge you on other things. No need to invest your time trying to explain your decision/surgery to negative people. You don't need their approval.

Wishing you the best,

Jenn

12 minutes ago, Frustr8 said:

The 135 one, there's hope for a shining bright future showing. Does anyone else feel like their skin is dry, leathery and never to feel smooth and supple again? Losing weight, fat and natural moistures, is THIS the price we all pay? I would dump Avon Skin So Soft on ME but then I would hollering for help out of the bathtub so I don't fall with the slippery-ness.

my skin get dry pre and post surgery in the winter. for me its age not surgery.

15 minutes ago, Mrs.Cartwill said:

Hi All,

I am new here and schedule for sleeve surgery on 11/26 (next Monday) in in the US. I have to admit, I am getting a bit scared, nervous and doing some back peddling. I haven't been big on drinking Water and to be honest I have always had dry skin even when I do drink 64+ ounces a day. I am really worried about being able to drink those 64+ after surgery and becoming severely dehydrated. How do you vets do it? Also, how bad is the skin after... really? I have seen some pretty scary photos online and I think it is freaking me out a bit. Like, what is worse depression from having really bad hanging skin, or being overweight. I know I am probably just freaking out for no reason, but with only a few days left my brain keeps going, "Hey... you haven't tried the Ketogenic diet yet. Maybe you should try THAT before removing your stomach... that's how you will be eating after anyway.. "

I don't want to regret doing the surgery, but I don't want to be in the same place in a year saying I should have done it.

Has anyone else had last minute fears? Need a little real-life experience guidance here.

Thanks in advance.

I've tried every diet. Surgery has given me a long term solution. I'm four years out.

Second guessing yourself as you get closer to a surgery date is normal. Dry loose skin or stay obese and have continued weight related health issues?........That decision is yours.

How do you vets do it?

Fear of dehydration - Many of us here can get our Water in by keeping a water bottle on had and siping throughout the day. It gets easier and normal with time.

Also, how bad is the skin after... really?

You and I started with roughly the same BMI. I'm sharing my before and afters.

• In your opinion, Do I look healthy at a high weight or at my lower weight with loose skin?
• I can't afford plastics. Do I look depressed about my loose skin or overjoyed with my results?
• Physical appearance. Which picture do you prefer?

2 hours ago, OllyC said:

Hi there, I have battled with my weight my whole life, however am now 25 kgs overweight for my height of 163. I am blaming it on the fact that I have had 4 shoulder operations in the last 3 years, but realistically it is because I have been binge eating (definitely not purging) and been very sedentary (compared to my old lifestyle). I have tried every diet known to man since I was about 13 and have on occasion been too skinny, but now I can't budge this weight and I am considering getting a vertical gastric sleeve. My weight has affected everything in my life, mentally and socially. My BMI is 31 and whilst I had a relatively high BMI of 27 when I was an athlete, I know that this BMI is purely fat. Has anyone had a vertical gastric sleeve with a similar BMI? I would really appreciate any opinions. Also, I am considering getting it done overseas (I live in Australia and won't be covered by insurance). Thanks very much.

Do some research on surgeons overseas. Find what criteria you need to meet for surgery approval. Lower BMI with comorbidities may qualify.

My husband brought home an amazing pie that his co worker baked for us. It's on my counter whispering sweet nothings to me. Practicing self control.

I believe the coffee issue is due to acid in your new stomach. They want you to heal up and take it slow. Exercise is a necessary evil. Coffee or no coffee.☕

4 minutes ago, Frustr8 said:

And you Sleevers still have a stomach left about the diameter of a garden hose, but it works, and isn't that what you wanted anyway?

*laughing* Does size matter? 😉 (getting my head out of the gutter)

I'm a sleeve. don't know what my bougie size is. Weight loss is changing behaviors and working your plan.

2 hours ago, JessaK said:

I had my surgery done at a private hospital that only does Bariatric Surgery. There are several surgeons and nutritionists. The care is intrigrated from start to finish.

My plan from my nutritionist is a very simple framework. Eat 3 meals, 2 Snacks, 2 hours apart. Eat these foods, don’t eat these foods. Drink X Water, Get X Protein, don’t exceed X fat per day (not low fat). No calorie counting.

I’m not looking to compare but I am truly interested in how everyone is going about their eating plan. What has your nutritionist advised you to do? Is it helping you build lifelong, sustainable habits?

⭐️⭐️PLEASE leave all judgement of others eating plans out of your comments! Just because something works for you doesn’t mean someone else is doing it wrong.

What has your nutritionist advised you to do?

First stages of surgery: Concentrate on hitting Protein goal (60 to 100) and hydration goal Don't worry about calories. Practice logging food to know if you are hitting your protein goal. Exercise.

Weight loss stage: Nothing processed. Eat whole foods. Log, Keep within my calorie macro goals. Protein 60 to 100 grams. low carb and healthy fats. Hydration goal. Learn how to navigate the grocery store, cook healthy meals at home, and how to order at restaurants to stay on plan. Exercise.

Maintaining: Add additional healthy carbs to slow or stop weight loss. She prefers low glycemic carbs (plant based, sweet potato, brown rice, and whole wheat)

Is it helping you build lifelong, sustainable habits?

Absolutely,

I am four years out. Shopping and eating healthy are normal life routines. I don't feel deprived. Changing old behaviors is important for this to be lifelong sustainable.

Can you ask your surgeon for the size bougie you want?

It's great to build each other up. All the struggles, hard work. All that we have overcome.

Brag away!

I'm sure you are scared with a BMI that is in the underweight range. Might be a good idea to contact your team.

5 minutes ago, Rick.Mc said:

I can only eat creamed Cereal, fat free yogurt and creamed Soup for 1 more week. Plus Protein Shakes. In 1 week I can add blended foods like tuna. No supplements for 30 days. I have put a call in to my Bariatric nurse. Thanks for the advice!

First stages are rough. I hope you will be feeling better as your diet progresses to soft foods/real food. Hang in there.