ms.sss

I count what I drink out of my water bottle, water I add to tea, water I add to broths, and water I add to make a protein shake (as I use powders) I usually get in 2-3 litres a day (67-100 fl oz).

Okay. "Slow" or "Fast" is all relative. IN THE BEGINNING, its normally easier for a 300lb person to lose 4-5 lbs a week vs a 225lb person. I started at 235 lbs 2 weeks before surgery. I just looked it up, and not counting the first month post op, I averaged 2.8 lb loss a week until I reached goal in 7 months, with a total loss at that time of 110 lbs (which includes the 11 lbs I lost in my two week pre-op diet). I DO NOT think my 2.8 lbs weekly loss as slow in any way whatsoever. In fact, I think it was wickedly fast. I stuck to my plan those 7 months. Pretty strictly. I made sure to get in my exercise. I figured there was time later for a looser diet AFTER I lost the weight. I am now 1 year & 3 months post op and my total loss is standing at 120 lbs, which is more than 1/2 my total (NOT excess) body weight. Today I am 115lbs with a BMI of 21. I'm 5'2". However. Full disclosure, I am of the CICO camp. I also understand that some peoples' CICO exchange are alot more efficient than others' due to a gazillion reasons. But I at the base level, it holds true. You can't argue science. If you don't eat a stick of food for a month, I guarantee you, you will lose a whole lotta weight, no matter what issues you have. Is this healthy? Hells no. But is it fact? Hells yes. With that said, I do also understand that there are folks who need to vent their frustrations, as it makes one feel better to feel understood and commiserate with others who find themselves in the same boat. There is security and camaraderie in numbers. I mean, it does sorta suck to be told "this is all your own making", regardless if it is true or not. The title of this thread is the "SLOW LOSERS CLUB SUPPORT GROUP". Its clear that the purpose of this thread is for those who believe they are slow losers (whatever the criteria is to qualify oneself as such) and to vent and share their frustrations, and not to attend a science lesson. Perhaps another, separate thread can be started for the purpose of continuing this debate, and this thread can be left to those who need it to get through. I would think that those who want the information will go there to find it. Of course no one is stopping anyone from posting what they think, when they think it, to wherever they want. Good Luck, everyone.

I've never seen that "misses kisses" one before...interesting. I have a bra like the one below that I used when I was heavier and worked great. It's called a U-plunge I'll def buy another one in my current size if the need arises. Edited to add A pic of me wearing it a long time ago.. The pic at the at the bottom is me wearing it under a dress about 10 years ago. I was about a 36DD at the time. Here is a pic of me wearing it underneath a dress. I was about a 36 DD in this pic.

I haven't experimented with the alt pasta types yet. Mr. brought me to a low-carb grocery store nearby and saw a whole corner wall of them. Don't remember if Zerooodles were one the brands but will try one form or another eventually, I guess. P.S. Not really worth it for Canadians to buy off BP Store cuz the shipping fees are pretty high (plus there would likely be duties)

So we're going out to dinner tonite to my 2nd favourite french restaurant (bring on the fat!), and I totally plan on having a couple/few glasses of wine, so today's first meal of the day is of the low-cal sort to make some caloric room for tonite's anticipated indulgences: 4oz shirataki noodles + 2 fl oz home-made low sugar meat sauce + Salad, of course (greens + carrots + cucumber + apple) 147 calories - 9g protein + 8g NET carbs + 7g fat ** I ate all the noodles & sauce (super filling!) but have about 1/3 salad left over...which I will have as a snack later.

😳 Whoa. You. Have. Got. Legs. For. Days. *wolf-whistles* I think the bra you are wearing is doing you just FINE. HOT!

But whhhhhyyyyy??

ooooooohhhhh....i want a frother...

@Everythinganna ....can we see YOU in the dresses?!?!? I looooooooooooovvvveeeee that sequined black and white art deco dress 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍

Ah, you're lucky you don't get the regular symptoms. Though throwing up DOES still sucks on its own. For me the absolute worst dumping symptom is the death feelings after the "expelling" of the offending food (weakness, lethargy, nausea, head spinning...sorta like a horrible non-alcoholic hangover) that lasts for like an hour or so.

@FluffyChix I am currently enjoying a new hot beverage myself!!! I cracked open a SF Salted Caramel Syrup Mr. bought me, and OMG its effing delicious. 1/2 of leftover black coffee (about 10oz) + Green Tea Bag w/ 10oz more water + 1/8 cup unsweetened almond milk + 1 tsp SF Salted Caramel Syrup (though I will probably make it next time with 1/2 teaspoon to make it less sweet...) 7 cals - 0.1g protein - 0.0g NET carbs - 0.4g fat

It feels so good to feel good about oneself! Enjoy your awesomeness (and the attention it brings) 😎

What is "bp powder"? And man, you gonna be a zombie today on 4 hours sleep! Good Luck!

At one month out 1 was eating about 1 to 1.5 oz of protein per meal, which is probably equivalent to 1/4 cup in volume (eaten over a course of an hour)...also, sometimes a meal would just consist of a protein shake which was about equivalent to 1.5 cups (drank over a course of 1/2 an hour). Now, however, at 1 year and 3 months, I can eat up to 3-5 oz of protein (1/2 to 1 cup) plus salad (maybe 2 cups squished?) And can probably finish this amount in about 45 mins. There are days however that I feel meh about eating and I eat less. But you are right about not letting your sleeve tell you when you to stop, as it will probably be too late by then. Pre-portioning your food is great way of control and be mindful of your intake!

Had my 3 week post op follow up with my surgeon tonite. Before he came by to check me out, one of his PA's took all my steri-stips off, and I finally got a good look at all my incisions. I was glad to see that they are pretty flat, considering. About 80% of them have some sort of scab in varying states (newish, crusty, peeling, etc.. or whatever). When Doc came by to check me out, he said he was happy with the way I was healing, among other things: NOT cleared for regular exercise. He said I could walk as much as I want and can do lower body (i.e., leg) work, but that's it. NOT allowed to submerge my body in water yet (i.e., no swimming, baths, hot tubs, etc.) NOT allowed to expose my healing incisions to the sun (which I can't do anyway since I'm to keep my garments on...see below) I am cleared for sex. LOLOLOLzzz...I didn't even know I wasn't allowed. Ooopsies. With the steri-stips now off, I am to moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. Am to keep the compression garments on at all times (save showering) until I see him again in another 3 weeks. I asked about the silicone tape (for scar maintenance) and he said ideally they should be used at least 6 weeks after surgery. Apparently the body is supposed to do some healing first. I will be given a supply at my next follow appt. He gave me my "before" pictures he took of me back in June 2018 and holy moly, I look different! Here is a bit more detail organized by each procedure site: ARM LIFT: The arm incisions seems to be the scabbiest of all the areas. It is also the "raise-iest" incision, specifically in the armpit. Doc said I am still pretty swollen there, which is a little surprising, because I thought it was normal sized. So I asked does this mean my arm will get even smaller, and he said I could probably expect to see a bit more shrinkage, but that I can also expect the skin to loosen a bit as well, so net result may be zero from this point. I'm pretty happy with the size right now...so I do NOT want it to get smaller...thought I wouldn't mind a bit more definition (can't wait to be cleared to work em out!) I can wear deodorant if I want to. He asked me to make an effort to lift my hands up as far as comfortable every day until I get full upward extension, but to be careful as the armpit incision is statistically the most likely to separate and become a wider scar. BREAST LIFT w/ SIDE BOOB EXCISION: As the title says, I ❤️ my boobs! The whole lifting aspect of this was supposed to be secondary, but OMG, I love my boobs! They are a lot smaller than pre-op WLS, but may actually be bigger than I was pre-op PS (I think I'm a 30C now) but, they are so perky and stand-at-attention-y, LOL. They have fullness at the upper part now, I won't need a push up at all anymore. Actually, I probably don't even need a bra, they handle gravity all by themselves. And my nipples! After my breast lift correction: reduction many years ago, my nipples looked stretched out and flat. Now they are perky too and pop out a bit in a nice way even when I'm in a "non-aroused" state...or maybe I'm now perpetually aroused, LOL. .I told Doc that I feel there is still a liiiiiitttlbe bit too much skin left in my left upper side boob for my liking. He said if after 3 months, it doesn't work itself out, OR I am still displeased, he will do some maintenance in that area under local anesthetic. Bonus. I can wear regular bras now if I want, but if I want to wear an underwire, to make sure there is some foam or padding around the wire. TUMMY TUCK First thing Doc said when he walked into the room was "Look at your waist!" (I was naked save my panties on the exam table/recliner). That made me feel good despite the fact that my waist is actually bigger now than it was was pre-op, as is my lower abdomen. But it is super smooth and tight now When I told him about the size increase, he and the PA said that I can expect there to be swelling for up to a YEAR. Wtf?! This is the first I've heard this. Granted my stomach is not so very big in the grand scheme of things, but it IS much bigger than it was before. Le Sigh. I told him that I am generally standing upright, except for the little while after I get up after sitting down for a while. He said what I figured he would: get up more often. I don't have to get up for long, just lots. "Its better to go for 10 minute walk every hour than a 60 minute walk every 5 hours" That's all for now. I'll try to post some pics tomorrow now that my steri-strips are off...

Yesterday, Thursday, Jan. 9 Maintenance : 5'2" / 1yr PO Sleeve / 115.3 lbs ---------------------------------------- Just a regular day. And I manged to limit myself to only 3 SF chocolates ALL DAY! #thatsAwinForMe ---------------------------------------- 10:00am - 1 cup dashi broth 12:30pm - salad w/ vinaigrette + 10 green seedless grapes + 1 oz almonds + 2oz white cheddar cheese + 2 oz baked ham 3:30pm - 1 Starbucks Blonde Americano Misto w/ Soy w/ 1 shot SF Vanilla + 1 SF Reese's mini peanut butter cup + 2 SF Russel Stover chocolates 6:30pm - salad w/ vinaigrette + 2 oz gala apple w/ peel + 2oz white cheddar cheese + Egg Salad (2 medium eggs + 2 tbsp mayonnaise 9:00pm - 2/3 cup cottage cheese + 1 oz blueberries + 1/3 cup cashews + 1 fl oz pumpkin seeds + 2 tbsp chia seeds ---------------------------------------- Totals: 1962 cals - 95g Protein - 55g NET carbs - 137g fat

@BelgianGuy thanks for posting, it is makes me so happy to hear/see from those who are years out and have kept the weight off!! You look awesome, BTW.

I love it to! I want your dress! Where did you get it, pls?!?!?!?

So went to see Doc about my sore boob. He checked me out and said I'm ok (which I sorta already knew, really). He snipped off the suture that was sticking out and said to go back to wearing my supportive sports bra for now (he cleared me for regular bras yesterday) until it doesn't hurt any more. He also told me to touch and massage my boobs often to aid in healing (as well as any other areas that feel sore or stiff). I thought his prescription to constantly feel myself up was hilarious, and I told Mr. about it. He told me he would be happy to take that task on for me, LOLOLOLOLzzz. Anyhoo while my boob is still achy, it is much, much, much better than yesterday (and still perky AF!)

Yesterday's Dinner: Coconut Sweet Potato Curry w/ KETO Bagel Chips. The chips would have been better if they were thinner, and were pretty filling, or maybe I just felt bloated after, not really sure. Ate all the chips, and about 2/3 of the curry. 202 cals - 7.2g NET carbs - 15.3g Fat - 6.5g Protein

@MarvelGirl25 & @FluffyChix OMG both of those look soooo good.

Learn something new every day here! Um, my second drink ever after WLS was a lemon flavoured soju/sake drink (this was about 2 months post-op) I had about 1 fl oz and I had my very first dumping experience. It was horrible. I dunno if you are prone to dumping, but my tip would be to be mindful of the sugar content in any mixed drinks you want to try....

Hot water bottles and sleep! Oh, and my favourite prescription for everything: GO FOR A WALK ❤️

Historically, I don't think I ate enough real sugar items to affect my weight with any significance and with that, any subsequent dumping was just a sad consequence (with no real weight gain "suppression" benefits). My "normal" average calories are and remain 1800-2000 regardless of my occasional trip down sugar lane, LOL. I think this recent phase of sugar-free chocolate mega-consumption just replaced the water weight I lost (i.e, 6 lbs) immediate after PS. I was averaging probably 700 cals that first week. So i guess my carb increase (along with these damn chocolates) just put back what I lost as a result of the extreme calorie and carb deficit. My body seems to like 115 lbs (based on an average calorie intake of 1800-2000 and my normal activity levels). I will go up or down a few pounds all the time but my average for the last 6-ish months is solidly around 115 lbs. Which is fine by me. So I am not really mourning the regain. However, I really want to get toned and buff once I am cleared for exercise and I will need to figure out what my future new "normal" weight will be WHEN I add extra muscle. Also will need to figure out how to tweak my daily menus to support this endeavour. PROJECT!!

@rs sounds like you are doing better as well, elbow re-swelling aside. Also yesterday (I forget the context why he was telling me but...), Doc mentioned that during the day swelling tends to increase so maybe that is what you are seeing with your elbows? How are your incisions, aside from the dryness? Are they scabby/not scabby? Are they flat? @sillykitty I hope this morning finds you better ❤️ (did you end up starting into space and ordering take out? LOL) ------- As for me, I've got a bit of a pain issue. Yesterday my steri-stips came off and the PA was trimming/snipping stray sutures that were sticking out from the various incision ends. Well, I guess she missed one under my left boob, which I discovered late last night as I was taking my sports bra off. The end of the suture I guess snagged on one of the hooks of the bra and when I was unhooking I inadvertently yanked at the suture. OMG I yelled. Felt like I pulled at an artery or something (if I knew what that felt like)..I could feel the pain from the entry point all across my chest. It continued to hurt and I noticed that it felt better to hold my boob up. But when I let go I could feel the ache again. So I taped it up with steri-stips to sort of lift it and taped down the suture so it doesn't get caught on anything again. Had a horrible sleep cuz it hurt to twist or stretch out that area, so I'm pretty tired and cranky this morning. I emailed my surgeons office at 7am this morning for direction. I don't think my issue is ER material, so am just going to wait patiently for them to answer. My pain is at a 0 if I don't move, but like at a 4 or 4.5 when I do. So its bearable. (Yesterday it got to a 7-ish ) P.S. Also my arm incisions sort of hurt/are sore since the steri-strips came off. Not sure if its because they are rubbing against my compression garment, or if I'm just feeling sorry for myself what with the boob thing, but I feel uncomfortable.