Lynnlovesthebeach

Holy Moly it’s been a year this month! I have attached a photo and it’s actually hard to look at! I have some work to do yet and I have moved my goal weight around so I am not done yet but what a ride If I can do it at 50 anyone can !

Although I've been sewing since I was in 8th grade, I signed up for a class at a local sewing shop. We are all making the same top. We are using a "multi-size" pattern. It was interesting hearing others discuss what size they needed to cut their pattern even if it was a large size because I know 3 years ago I never would of told anyone what size I was! This time I was the smallest person in the room and had no problem discussing my size! That was definitely a NSV for me!

Although I've been sewing since I was in 8th grade, I signed up for a class at a local sewing shop. We are all making the same top. We are using a "multi-size" pattern. It was interesting hearing others discuss what size they needed to cut their pattern even if it was a large size because I know 3 years ago I never would of told anyone what size I was! This time I was the smallest person in the room and had no problem discussing my size! That was definitely a NSV for me!

You could try to estimate based on your goal weight
https://www.kleinfeldbridal.com/2020/02/24/wedding-dress-sizes-101/

my best guess/estimation for this dress:
Are you losing rapidly? 8
Are you losing slowly? 12
my best overall advice:
1. Ask the consultant/tailor for the exact measurements of the dress in every size from 18 to the smallest and ask them choose based on your goal weight.
2. Pick a size in the middle range size and ask how hard/easy it would be for the tailor to alter it up one size or down a few sizes.
3. Find out the exchange & refund policy. Keep close track of your progress throughout the year and change your dress plans accordingly.
4. Altering something to be smaller is *almost* always easier than sizing up
5. Congratulations in advance

My husband and kids can close their arms around me, this is thenfirst time in my childrens lives they have ever been able to do that. I can run. I can cross my legs! I find myself doing this even in the car! 😂

My recently I bought 2 pairs of leggings at target from the womens department... NOT the plus size wall, the actual Womens section. Yes they are a 2x from the womens department But they arent a 2xl from the plus size section which is bigger. I felt so proud 👏 🥲 🥰.

I can workout without peeing myself [emoji15] I used to pee myself just going down stairs. I would have to run go pee before I went anywhere, run to the bathroom in the middle of grocery shopping because I had to pee. No longer an issue. I can even run 3 miles without having to pee! It's great.

But also, no more sleep apnea, I can wear SHOES that I haven't been able to wear in years (who knew we gained weight in our feet!?), my feet don't ache anymore, and I'm not ruled by food anymore.

Sent from my SM-N976V using BariatricPal mobile app

Although I've been sewing since I was in 8th grade, I signed up for a class at a local sewing shop. We are all making the same top. We are using a "multi-size" pattern. It was interesting hearing others discuss what size they needed to cut their pattern even if it was a large size because I know 3 years ago I never would of told anyone what size I was! This time I was the smallest person in the room and had no problem discussing my size! That was definitely a NSV for me!

Although I've been sewing since I was in 8th grade, I signed up for a class at a local sewing shop. We are all making the same top. We are using a "multi-size" pattern. It was interesting hearing others discuss what size they needed to cut their pattern even if it was a large size because I know 3 years ago I never would of told anyone what size I was! This time I was the smallest person in the room and had no problem discussing my size! That was definitely a NSV for me!

Well, I didn't cancel quite as dramatically as you did.
In 2013, I started down the path, doing pre-op visits, etc. At the same time, I started Tim Ferriss's slow carb diet. I did great, had a ton of weight coming off. I realize now that his plan re-inforced my binge eating habits in a way that made it impossible for me to maintain once I went off the diet. But at the time, I had this confidence that I could do anything.
The nutritionist asked me what I was doing to lose weight and I explained the diet. She told me that I needed to realize that once I had the surgery I couldn't eat like that any more. Now that I am post-surgery, I see that she was absolutely right. But at the time, it offended me. I was losing weight like crazy (ended up losing 150 pounds in 13 months) and she had the audacity to tell me that I couldn't keep doing it? I cancelled the rest of my appointments. It was another 8 years before I re-started the process and went through with the surgery in August 2021.
Before my actual surgery, I had a lot of the same fears you did. RNY is a pretty freaking permanent and I had no clue what awaited on the other side of surgery. Laying alone on the gurney during pre-op, not knowing what life would hold when I awoke...that was tough. I had always seen VSG/RNY as my last resort. What I realized was that I had come to my last resort. The next diet was very likely to turn out like all of the others: works for a little while, but the weight comes back. I didn't want to do that to my body (and mind) any more. I have a wife and four kids and they deserved to have me around for a while longer. So I went through with it not because I had confidence that everything would be roses and rainbows on the other side, but because it was the best (and probably only) option for me to turn around my health. Bariatric surgery is a bet on yourself. It's a bet that you have more discipline than you realize (or that your body shape shows) and that if given a real opportunity, you can turn this around permanently. Are you ready to bet on yourself?

Although I've been sewing since I was in 8th grade, I signed up for a class at a local sewing shop. We are all making the same top. We are using a "multi-size" pattern. It was interesting hearing others discuss what size they needed to cut their pattern even if it was a large size because I know 3 years ago I never would of told anyone what size I was! This time I was the smallest person in the room and had no problem discussing my size! That was definitely a NSV for me!

Although I've been sewing since I was in 8th grade, I signed up for a class at a local sewing shop. We are all making the same top. We are using a "multi-size" pattern. It was interesting hearing others discuss what size they needed to cut their pattern even if it was a large size because I know 3 years ago I never would of told anyone what size I was! This time I was the smallest person in the room and had no problem discussing my size! That was definitely a NSV for me!

Although I've been sewing since I was in 8th grade, I signed up for a class at a local sewing shop. We are all making the same top. We are using a "multi-size" pattern. It was interesting hearing others discuss what size they needed to cut their pattern even if it was a large size because I know 3 years ago I never would of told anyone what size I was! This time I was the smallest person in the room and had no problem discussing my size! That was definitely a NSV for me!

Dehydration can cause headaches. How is your Fluid intake?

Although I've been sewing since I was in 8th grade, I signed up for a class at a local sewing shop. We are all making the same top. We are using a "multi-size" pattern. It was interesting hearing others discuss what size they needed to cut their pattern even if it was a large size because I know 3 years ago I never would of told anyone what size I was! This time I was the smallest person in the room and had no problem discussing my size! That was definitely a NSV for me!

This is me now during Halloween
Sent from my octopus using BariatricPal mobile app

Although I've been sewing since I was in 8th grade, I signed up for a class at a local sewing shop. We are all making the same top. We are using a "multi-size" pattern. It was interesting hearing others discuss what size they needed to cut their pattern even if it was a large size because I know 3 years ago I never would of told anyone what size I was! This time I was the smallest person in the room and had no problem discussing my size! That was definitely a NSV for me!

It has been 4yrs since my (initial) WLS.
Within that time I made great new friends, found love, had a revision, lost a parent, witnessed a pandemic from one of it’s epicenters, had plastics, had new additions to my extended family, relocated, had one child graduate from high school and more.
Almost none of these things were weight related but somehow everything else in my life seemed easier to focus on without worrying about weight.
My weight has been stable since I hit goal a few years ago with only minor fluctuations.
I’m proud to say I will always identify as a WLS patient. I thought I wouldn’t feel like one years out but I find I am consciously honoring this lifestyle in the majority of my choices.
I’m grateful we have this forum and I’m especially grateful to everyone in the WLS community that make it a positive and supportive environment to thrive in.

I'm not sure where you are from but we have an opioid crisis in the US. Doctors are using different techniques to reduce opioid use and reduce pain, including nerve blocks that last about 4 days. Requiring a patient to experience pain is never necessary and does not do anything to indicate healing! I've been in the medical field for over 40 yrs and have seen binders used many times for abs surgery, especially cesarean sections. If something as simple as a binder provides the support you need to move around, go for it. I'm talking about light support not compression garments, that's a completely different thing.

My latest Nordstrom Rack find, a pleather jacket-almost went with green, decided this caramel color would go with more.

I really liked bread too & I had access to a lot of really damn tasty artisanal bakeries. But I don’t eat bread any more. It tends to sit heavily in my tummy. Last time I tried was a couple of months ago (a za’tar & garlic flat bread - smelt & tasted divine) but nope not for me. Do I miss it? It may seem strange but not really.
As @dms75 said you develop a different relationship with food. I too look at food as what I need not what I want. I still enjoy it but I don’t find it difficult to choose not to eat certain foods like Desserts, chips, bread, Pasta, rice, etc. Some of these I don’t eat through choice, others because they don’t sit well. You will find some people do eat bread, chips, sweet things once into maintenance. But it is their choice & most seem to seek out healthier, more nutrient dense options (like air fried sweet potato chips, high Protein breads, etc.) & are careful with portions & frequency.
Don’t worry too much about struggling with certain foods like eggs. For most this is a short term difficulty. Your tummy can be a bit fussy for a little while. Try some hydralyte or similar electrolyte drinks to help with energy drops. I carried a bottle with me everywhere for months. It does get easier & you’ll be eating a greater variety of food sooner than you think.
The surgery will get you so far. The rest is up to you & the dietary changes you make. Exercise only accounts for a maximum of 20% of the weight you want to/have to lose. It has other benefits. I’m not an exerciser but I lost all the weight I was to lose plus more because I made changes to what I ate. But the decision as to what you eat & how often you eat it is ultimately up to you. Best advice to gain the most of your surgery while losing is to follow your surgeon’s plan & dietician’s recommendations.
Good luck.

What I found helpful for me, to be able to change my lifestyle, was to force myself to think of food as a necessity, and not a pleasure. For people like us, food cannot provide entertainment, or emotional support, or pleasure. Not anymore. I know it sounds harsh, but it's the truth. I used to be a lover of bread, cake, sugar, bacon, fat steaks, fries, deep fried chicken, etc... I just had to find other things to love, and "divorce" my first love (food). She was a mean lover, and did bad things to me, so I had to dump her and forget her... 😁

Now I see food as a chore, a necessity, a subsistence issue. Of course my eye wanders if I pass by a fresh donut or a steaming loaf of bread... but I look away and focus on something else. It's hard, it takes time, but it's doable... like most addictions.

This week’s Soup creation. Turkey, navy Beans, carrots, onions, garlic, and rainbow chard in a beef stock broth. I love Soup in the fall, eat it almost every day!

Luv buying cute leggings now ! Happy Halloween

You should call local hospitals and ask them. The one I went to before Covid had people that had surgery elsewhere. Now it's been virtual for a while.

Today is one year since my revision bypass surgery. I've lost 59 pounds since surgery and 95 pounds since my all-time pre-sleeve weight. I am healthy, happy and feel better than I've felt in 20 years! And the great news is - I no longer have GERD! Good luck to all of us who are on this crazy weight loss journey and I'm grateful for this forum to be able to openly share my outcomes. Other social media platforms would never understand our journeys.