mousecat88

I didn't measure my arms until the trainer did it this past Monday, which would have been 5 weeks post-op. My last measurements were from June though so I don't really know exactly how much was taken off. My arms are 6" smaller than they were in June (16" to 10") and my waist is 8" smaller (36" to 28"). I still think my arms look droopy, though, and it is really bothering me. Two people have mentioned that they still look like bat wings. But clearly a lot was removed. The trainer and surgeon both said to chill out (LOL) and to work on bulking and toning my triceps and biceps and the surgeon was adamant about not taking off too much so it looked unnatural. But I am still going to whine about it. I'm still in garments at least another 3 weeks minimum. I haven't been emotional, other than my tantrums about my arms not being EXACTLY super sleek. But really I have NO muscle definition. I just started 3lb weights on Monday so... with time I will get there. SIGH. IMPATIENT.

Yes, I drink very rarely. Beer is irritating to my stomach. I drink straight vodka only. I imagine wine would be sugary... The vodka is fine - I get the smoother, more expensive stuff to lessen the burn. lol. I've drank about 5 times maybe. I'm not sure what you mean by normal meals. I eat a larger quantity of food, but still a very limited selection - with the exception of yesterday's cookie exploration. lol. I am actually about to do a reset and go back to soft, bland foods for a while because I think I have an ulcer.

lol. I've donated all of mine to the domestic violence women's shelter. I have a few more bags and I am donating them to women in substance abuse recovery.

I've had dumping a shitload of times not on purpose (and not from high sugar foods... just because I am ultra sensitive to like... everything). But yesterday I ate high sugar foods KNOWING I would have severe dumping. You don't want to know what it feels like. Also, some people don't even get dumping... so it's better to think you may than know you won't... because then you won't have that fear and you may lose control of your eating habits.

i messaged them. they just said to take the carafate i have at home and they are calling in prilosec. sigh.

Dumping is a positive side effect of RNY, imo. It's what keeps me on track.

I have another ulcer. I am 100% positive. It feels EXACTLY like it did when I had my last one. I can't get an endoscopy or any real medical care because if I take one more day of leave I get fired. Period. Fortunately, when my herniated disc was misdiagnosed as a stomach ulcer (don't ask if you didn't see that post), they had me buy TONS of Carafate so.... to Carafate it is. I also have some Nexium, so I am starting that, too. BURNS LIKE THE FIRES OF HELL. I hate this. I just sat on the bathroom floor of my job for 40 minutes because it burned so badly I couldn't stand up. Time for bland, soft foods. It's one of those pains where it hurts so badly you physically can't cry. It is subsiding now and was triggered as I was eating lunch. Jeeeeessuuusss.

I had eggs during puree. I blended them into egg salad. I basically lived off chili and egg salad during that stage.

To have a very brief moment of Christmas delight and then a stark reminder as to why sugar is bad. Sometimes a kick in the gut is necessary to get rid of stupid decision-making.

Ugh I have the garments for 8 weeks... but allowed a few hours a day if freedom. Honestly though, with my stomach, it feels so much better with it on. It just feels.. loose and weird without it. My arms though... I could definitely go without them. lol. But it's also 15 degrees where i live right now so... added layers?

No, I didn't see what kind of garment you got. I bought my own off Amazon so it puts on like a crop jacket that buttons under my boobs. The ones they gave me were terrible and snapped behind my neck!

God bless RNY negative reinforcement tools. Evil yet effective.

My plastic surgeon said if my forearms swell to remove the compression garment because it's cutting off too much circulation and put it back on in a few hours. I'm still wearing mine at 4 weeks. I haven't at night though. But shhhhhhh. lol.

So, I don't really ever cheat. Aside from a few mozzarella sticks, I've stuck to the plan. Yes, I've gotten dumping A LOT because stuff on the "plan" isn't always kosher for my particular tummy. But today. Today I set myself for failure on purpose. I ate a shortbread cookie, a ferrero rocher, and a cordial cherry. At the same time. Yes. The epitome of all that is sugar and anti-WLS. I warned my coworkers that in 20 minutes I would be dying. I knew it would happen. I did it anyway. It only took 10 minutes. I spent half an hour in the work bathroom foaming and dry-heaving. I dry-heaved so much snot up my nose started to bleed... profusely. I was hot. I had heart palpitations. I couldn't speak for an hour. It wasn't worth it. LOL. But damn the "normies" have it good being able to enjoy those treats without weight issues or dying in workplace restrooms. And no. No plans for a repeat ever again. So that's my contribution to the cheat thread. Except this cheat was a big one with consequences of suffering. lol. Don't cheat, kids.

Heading back to the gym today! Officially 4 weeks (and one day) post-op. Just spin class. I have a single trainer session on the 24th to go over how to 'start over' with weights (and protect my back since I have a herniated disc). I am scared. LOL. It's been since September since I've been at the gym.

Mind sharing photos with me? I am curious about the legs - having that done next year!

I started noticing I was often cold a few months out. My insulation was disappearing. ;( Now I am perpetually freezing. lol. I also definitely notice my "butt bone" a lot.

I developed a marginal ulcer at 1 week and had to have my gallbladder removed at 2 months and while they were in there they found a hernia. I also have orthostatic hypotension now which developed at 4 months. The cardiologist and my PCP do not think that will ever resolve so I take 3 pills a day to keep my blood pressure up. Still worth it, however, IMO.

I had a breast reduction in 2017 with a full nipple graft (where they remove the entire nipple and sew it back on). The only thing I can feel on them is pain if pinched. I had no sensation in them when they were intact before. It's surprising I feel anything now because all the nerves were totally severed (obviously). My left nip sticks out and I'm always trying to push it back in but it won't go. LOL. It annoys me. I had full-body lipo in 2009. I never got full sensation back under my arms. It was numb and if touched it felt like pins and needles. Now after the arm lift, I actually have sensation there again (???!!!!??) Very weird. And on my tummy tuck, if I touch one part of the incision line, I can feel it halfway up my stomach. The human body is nuts.

My goal was 140 because that's what I used to be a few years ago. My dietitian agreed I should be between 135-140. I am STILL losing weight and now at 120 and think I still look good. I am surprised because I thought I would look sickly. I am afraid to lose more though because I will be in kid's clothes. =/

YES. That girl was so weird! I thought he was hilarious. "Guess you should have gone to Chicken and not Turkey." *crickets*

My insurance would have covered it if I waited another 6 months but I am impatient and the doctor I wanted didn't take insurance for tummy tucks so whateva.

I have no clue what those nuggets are. lmao.

gore warning? for those who asked.... stomach on the right, arms on the left. lol.

I'll post it in my plastic surgery thread.