mousecat88

operant conditioning!

I bought some gym shorts a month ago with no intention of every wearing them. I wore them this past weekend. Not at the gym, but around my father who was/is the root cause of all the emotional BS that triggered my overeating and self-esteem issues. He didn't say a word, other than to scold me for having a thigh tattoo he just now saw (that I've had for years). I haven't worn shorts since I was 10 years old because I was so ashamed of my thighs. I am now 30. So, after 20 years... shorts are back in the wardrobe.

Surgeon and insurance both recommended 18 months because that's when it's pretty much "sure" that you're done losing weight and your weight is stable. That being said, I am scheduling my first plastic surgery at the end of November.... so, about 13 months post-op.

It's difficult pushing away or throwing out food. It's something I am just now getting used to doing. In the beginning if I ate even slightly too much I would get foamies or straight up vomit. But now as SOON as I feel anything, I quit eating and cut my losses on whatever I bought and just throw it away. Also it looks like you just had surgery? Can you have quesadillas?? I'm never supposed to have white flour ever again. And no other kind of wraps until 8 months - and super tiny pieces. Taco Bell was my #1 vice so I stay away entirely.

So, this resolved for a month and a half but has now returned with a vengeance! aaaaaaaa!!!! When I stand up, my vision just goes black and I have to just stand super still while everything.. flushes back to normal.

The best soy option is NowSports Chocolate Soy protein. You can get it off Amazon and it is pretty cheap in comparison to other options. Also RedCon1 makes MRE lite which is all animal-based protein (not whey, but actually like... meat). They are more expensive, however.

I don't fall into this category, but I do support this. I see others starting at 215 or whatever that don't have as much to lose with the same concerns. But just remember, you'll get to your goal before us heavy weights do! So that's always a plus. Wish I had my surgery much sooner! Good luck!

I have Highmark but it had to process through Anthem since I was having surgery in VA, and it took 3 days.

DO NOT TRY THE MEAT BABY FOOD. I REPEAT. DO NOT TRY THE MEAT BABY FOOD. lmao. I bought so much of it thinking I was being clever. OMG IT IS REPULSIVE. Even the smell. I ended up giving it to my cats.

Herro herro. Surgery date 11/1/2018, RNY, SW: 286lbs, CW: 177lbs. June-specific goals: 1) Reach 170? Eh? EHHHH? lol 2) Consistently go to the gym 4 times per week. Yesterday was leg-day at the gym, but I think I can manage 20 squats today.

See if your surgeon will permit a topical NSAID for your knees. I have arthritis and am allowed to use Diclofenac topical. It actually works! But won't help a large area like your hips. Great for my fingers, knees, and ankles, however. And yes, lots of Tylenol. lol. Will never be the same as an NSAID, though.

My dietitian did say around 12 months I should be at 1000-1200 calories and 110g of carbs a day. I am already 7 months and soooo far from that. Seems impossible! lol. But, 5 months is still a long time in this "world". Also, thank you!

That was my "concern". Maybe concern isn't the right word. Given my exercise and current caloric intake, I am consistently at a large deficit in calories daily. I imagine I wouldn't continue to lose weight to the point of looking anorexic and that maybe it would stop eventually. I don't foresee me adding in TOO many more calories by the time I hit 12 months out. There's only so much I can fit in me comfortably. Given that I stick to low carb foods, they are all pretty much low calorie, as well. Maybe eventually I will add in more carbs when I am comfortable with doing so.

Caulitots are amazinngggg. I probably eat them too often. lol. They are sold in the freezer section; Green Giant makes them. I eat them with queso or salsa or ranch or ketchup. The possibilities are endless. lol. They are like the only cauliflower thing that is a legitimately good substitute for potato, imo.

I bought the lentil zeroodles but haven't tried them yet!

I was actually feeling "snacky" during the day. Like I just wanted to mindlessly eat. I was getting nervous I'd fall back into the same habits, and also consistently eat too much at one sitting. But it appears it was just a phase, because I am back to sticking to my 5 small meals a day plan without an issue. I'm doing well again!

The people in that OA group made me so pissed off I kinda' want to go back just to be like check out all the weight I've lost FROM MY WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY, YOU JUDGMENTAL A-HOLES. Unfortunately my surgeon's office doesn't have a "true" support group. They meet once a month and just have speakers come in. No one actually talks. I've mentally moved past the idea of needing a support group. I have you guys to rant to, if need be. LOL

I lost 50-60lbs those first two months, then had an 8 week stall, and have consistently lost 10lbs per month since then. I am seven months out and it seems like this month weight loss has sped up a bit. I have lost 7lbs in 2 weeks. This is not me complaining at all, lol. Does your body just *know* when it is at an equilibrium? If you keep doing the same thing, will you just keep losing and end up looking sickly? I eat roughly 700cals a day and about 40g carbs. Sometimes a little more, sometimes less. I did stop tracking because I literally eat pretty much identical meals every single day. Yogurt, a protein snack, turkey meatballs and cauli tots with salsa, another protein snack or maybe some berries, and then cottage cheese or a turkey patty for dinner during the week. Occasional diet icecream bar. On the weekends I inadvertently eat less, or will eat out and get a salad with a protein in it. And I plan on exercising vigorously a minimum of 4 days per week indefinitely.

Complications can happen to anyone. Don't let a surgeon saying "oh, you're young and healthy you'll be fine!" convince you otherwise. I was 29 with no comorbidities and had 3 complications post-op (gallbladder, hernia, ulcer). Just be prepared for whatever comes. You will conquer it. I also wish they talked more about the hair loss. I've lost about 40-50% of my hair. Started at 3 weeks and hasn't stopped since. I *think* it is slowing down? I also exploded with badddd acne. Lasted about 5 months. Is clearing up well now. Also, don't try to use baby food as a substitute for pureeing adult food. BARF. Also I concur with the other poster about constipation. I didn't go for 17 days! Went to the ER and there was no impaction or blockage. Super bizarre. But I have to take Colace and Mag Citrate daily to have any BMs. I also have now developed an obsession with cottage cheese. Which is cool because it's great post-op and high in protein. But SO WEIRD that my fixation went from carby carbs to this random food choice. Whey never made me nauseous pre-op, but post-op whey isolate anything makes my stomach hurt so bad. Hunting good soy options in the beginning was tough, but they are out there. Now I eat some snacks with whey in them.. and just suffer quietly. lol. No one told me whey ISOLATES could hurt.

I chose 140 because I remember what I looked like at 140 and I loved it. It's the high-end of the BMI chart for my height (and over on some BMI charts... I have no clue why they vary).... but I don't care. I liked the way I looked then and felt good. If I go lower, then okay. If I am a little over, then okay. 140 is when I was in the midst of my "omg I am sooooo fat" angst, so I want to get there and be like HELL YEAH I AM 140 NOW and appreciate what I had before.

It's the risk of SWALLOWING the gum that they are concerned with. My surgeon said it is indigestible and can also get stuck.

I had 1 month, 3 month, 6 month, and a 12 month in November. Then either annual or maybe an 18 month? Unsure. But I saw them a LOT in the first 3 months from complications.

I like the BP stuff because I can just dump it all in my desk drawer and have them for my 10am and 2pm snack each day. No prep required... or walk to the fridge. lol. Jerky is super expensive and there's no variety around here, especially chicken jerky, so I really like the Simply Snackin' sticks.

I am 7 months and haven't really craved anything. I did buy the diet ice cream bars that have like 11g of carbs max in them. I am not a sweets person though; I am a carbs person. BUT, I have so thoroughly ingrained in my head that if I dare eat refined sugars or white flours or too many carbs, I will experience dumping (which I did once right out of surgery... could NOT tolerate condensed soup) and I never, ever want to feel that again. I eat pretty much the same food every single day and that works for me, personally. I don't feel deprived. Food is fuel, not for enjoyment anymore.

I rely heavily on the BP store for my snacks. Here's my top favorites! What's yours?? 1) CHEDDIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - Plain Cheddar - OMG THEY TASTE JUST LIKE CHEEZITS 2) Simply Snackin' Teriyaki Chicken w/ Mango Jerky/Chicken w/ Cherries Jerky 3) Buffalo Bob Maple Duck Jerky 4) BP Vegan Chicken Curry Lite Entree 5) Kay's Honey Almond Cookie Bites/Cinnamon Apples Bites 6) Simply Snackin' Venison Apple Orchard Jerky 7) BP Pretzel Sticks 8. BP Lentil Curry Lite Entree 9) BP Potato Stew Lite Entree 10) BP Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal