mousecat88

So, I've been tired my whole life. LOL. No, seriously. Since I was about 13, I remember being constantly tired. Like could barely keep my eyes open on a daily basis tired. And I was not overweight until age 20 and not obese until a few years ago, so it wasn't weight-related. Had all the thyroid and metabolic testing under the sun blah blah blah. Used to force myself to be active in sports, etc, when I was thinner, too... still tired af. Anyways, the last several weeks I've been taking a number of different supplements alleging to help with energy that are caffeine/stimulant-free. And I have actually noticed a substantial difference within the last two weeks. For the first time IN MY LIFE I feel awake during the day; like I don't need a mid-day nap. I am taking several so I don't know which is the effective one, but thought I'd share the list. Honestly, I figured most of these things are placebo or some BS woo crap, but one of them is genuinely making a big difference. It's either the arginine or the inosine, I think, because the T2 and chia I've been taking a while now to no effect. ThyroTwin - Thyronine (T2) - a.m. L-Arginine - noon Inosine - noon Beet root extract - p.m. Chia seed extract - a.m.

I was pulled off all time release medications because I was told they would no longer dissolve in time to be as effective. Was switched from Ambien CR to regular Ambien.

I had the surgery right before my 30th birthday (November 2018). I wish I had done it when I was 25. I started on the path to get approval at 25 or 26, but the insurance requirements were impossible. Finally I switched jobs and got much better insurance and was approved very quickly. I wish it would have been possible for me to do it at your age. (I say that like I am so much older, lol).

My total bill was $40,000+ but they probably cut discounts for self-pay.

The poop thing has me cracking up.... I'm like... oh crap... it's been 3 days... time for the MoM. Or, "I'll weigh myself after I pooped today". It makes a difference, I swear. lolol.

Meal for one is tricky today because I made some "bulk" ground turkey w/ onion and mushroom last night to finish up and I am going to get thai for lunch. But usually I always make meals for one. So, I'll just carry that success over to today. LOL.

Having been very thin in my past, I didn't realize how much being obese had changed the way I function day to day. I think the biggest thing I've noticed is that I can cross my legs. I forgot that that is a totally normal thing people can do and I hadn't been able to in a few years. I cross my legs all the time now just because I can. LOL

I love Jillian Michaels' DVDs. I use her Lift & Shred and her Beginner 30 Day Shred DVD. She is so motivating and fun and great on instructing proper form.

I lost the most in the first 2 months, stalled for 8 weeks, then started losing again, but much slower. I think it's different for everyone. I'm 5.5 months out and have 57 pounds left.

former face, for reference. Oct. 31 2018.

Feeling good today because I can finally fit my law school class ring on the finger it was sized for back in 2011.... instead of on my pinky like some law gangster like I have been. lolol. Small goals.

Honestly, I use a topical NSAID multiple times every day and my surgeon said it was fine.. and I'm sure SOME level of it is getting into my blood stream/digestive system and I've had no issues. And I even HAD an ulcer already (prior to starting the topical).

I am 6 months and just now managing to get 700ish. I was doing 300-400 up until 2 months ago.

Slim Fast shakes are pretty high carb/calorie (even the "keto" ones). I looked at the "keto" ones the other weekend and was like WTF! Try 5 small meals a day. Or at least pick a better shake like Atkins High Protein or Premier Protein.

I just hate being sweaty; it feels so gross. I get sweaty weight-lifting, but at least after weights I feel like I accomplished something. I don't feel like I am doing anything productive during cardio (I *know* I am). Strength-training is my jam. It's nice to be able to lift stuff I wasn't able to before, lol.

I don't know the answer, but does Midol help you? It doesn't have any NSAIDs in it. I don't imagine taking a few during that 2 day period would cause any harm though...

Starting weight April 1 was 203; Goal by April 31 is 186, which would be 100lbs at my 6 month anniversary. I wouldn't have said that on April 1, but somehow plopped down 6lbs over the weekend... so 6 more to go. Making an effort to drink more today! Found some sugar free koolaid packets in my desk and I think they are... old... so I'll have to scrounge for something else. Blecchhh. Trainer today for the first time in a week. I'm scurrrred. But excited to be going back. Edit: I now realize there are only 30 days in April. But I'm still saying April 31 because that's technically May 1 and that's my real 6 month anniversary. LOL.

I wasn't required to lose any weight (which probably isn't a good policy... looking back I wish I had weighed a little less when I had it done).

Great news! I had brutal insurance before that required a 12 month supervised program and made me use a key fob to track all of my exercises at a hospital gym (the results of which were sent electronically weekly). All of these hoops. I made it 5 months into that program but wasn't seeing the weight loss they were going to ask of me and gave up. Four years later, I work somewhere else with a new insurance with zero wait or requirements and finally got it done. Good luck with your surgery!!

Hmm... I'll have to look into those. I just don't want anything that'll make me sweaty or itchy. Maybe extensions? I have full bangs, too, which are really thin looking. I'll have to find something with bangs.

Omg I know... I had them use a cap once when I was younger... the painnn. I already have a sensitive scalp - other people shampooing my hair is torture. lol!

So, I totally wanted dark hair with my natural hair as the highlights... but I don't know if it's possible for them to do that. lol. They'd have to pull my natural hair through a cap and dye the rest under it??? I don't even know. I worked in a salon a very long time ago and never saw that happen.

I’m sorry, that must be hard! Have you considered going lighter, rather than darker? If you dye your hair dark, your thin roots may show more. I know you said you have tried shampoos, my stylist suggested ColorProf if you are up for trying another. My hair is a very light brown; it gets blonder over the summer. I used to always dye it a dark red or a really dark brown. I'd really like to do a super dark brown because it looks pretty.

I started losing my hair 3 weeks out and it hasn't slowed a bit. I've lost about 50% of my hair and have some noticeable bald spots now. I want to dye my hair dark - will the hair dye affect anything? I figure it's totally unrelated since the hair loss is hormonal and my hair isn't actually DAMAGED and shouldn't break. My hair looks thin and stringy. I am kind of thinking about shaving it totally off even though I would look ridiculous. I don't know what to do. Every day there are clumps in my shower drain I have to remove. Yes, I've tried all the supplements and special shampoos and blahblahblah. I've come to accept it's just going to happen and EVENTUALLY it will stop and everything will regrow... but it's been almost 6 months of this! Prior to surgery, I'd been trying to grow my hair out from a staggered forward bob and it's taken almost two years, so I'd rather not cut it... but when the new hair grows in, will it looks all patchy and uneven in length? Maybe this belongs in rants and raves. lol. Any thoughts on the hair dye?

I had a few complications post-op (marginal ulcer, hernia, gallbladder removal, med change required because my BP was bottoming out). I wasn't losing weight like I anticipated. Blah blah. But, like I predicted in my "yup. i regret this." post... the further away from the complications you get, the less you have the feeling of regret. Now that it's all over with and I can function like everyone else who had successful surgery, I feel less WTF about it. It'll get better with time. Glad you have a surgeon who takes you seriously! I don't know what I would have done if mine hadn't.