ms.sss

Dont forget to take “before” pictures! (You’ll thank yourself later) Good Luck! ❤️

Im sure i would have been fine if i went home same day, but staying a night was better for ME just peace-of-mind wise. And while im sure i would have managed getting to the bathroom myself and administering my own pain meds same day, it was just a nice-to-have for someone there to help. But If i was self-pay and going to pay to stay in hotel nearby anyway, i’d probably just use the money to pay for the hospital stay. But that’s me…

I don’t know who I’m kidding. I put this plate of leftovers together to eat for “lunch” thinking i would put a reasonably sized dent into it cuz I was STARVING. Measured and logged it all onto MFP and for some reason felt like I was looking at Mt. Everest and was all Um, nope…cant do this. And just like that, starvation gone. So its back in the fridge untouched for later. But i took a picture, so here it is anyway. For funsies, am also including what most of it looked like last night when it wasn’t yet leftovers but First-overs. 356 calories for the leftover plate (yep i used an actual dinner plate this time instead of my usual saucer cuz i thought i was that hungry) The leftover plate: Some of its original presentation last night…i didn’t take pics of it all, but the un-shown dishes were equally yummy looking: (those gold skulls are actually bourbon ganache filled chocolates brushed with gold shimmer powder…so cute)

Lol yeah i think its a remnant of British rule ( @Arabesque is in Australia, but both our country’s early relationship with the British settlers was not as contentious as the U.S. was, so i suppose the traditions/way of doing things-like spelling-were more readily adopted?…who knows…my high school History is a distant memory lol). They/we like to add unnecessary ”U’s” to our words: Flavour, Colour, Honour, Neighbour Also like to switch our “er”’s to “re”’s: Centre, Sombre, Millimetre. 😇

So had an arm lift, breast lift and tummy tuck in one shot. Specifically speaking to the arm and breast lift recovery, some tips based on MY experience: 1) it gets ITCHY. I found that wearing the compression stuff (tighter the better) helped to minimize (or eliminate) the itch. 2) when cleared for showers, bring a little stool to sit on to wash your hair. I found it painful (and exhausting!) to try to get my arms up/lower my head to lather up. I actually had Mr. come in the shower with me the first couple times cuz the effort of doing it myself made me feel woozy. 3) speaking of stools, i had one in the kitchen to reach stuff in the cupboards. Reaching hurt! 4) Don’t be a hero. If it hurts, take your pain meds. And keep in mind pain meds constipate you, so ensure you are taking whatever you need to keep regular. I was constipated for a mind-numbing 13 days. *shudder*. I had not-so-fondly referred to these dark days as “Poop Watch 2019”. And when i finally went, it was not the greatest experience *double shudder* 5) Listen to your doc regarding going back to normal activities. I didn’t, and i busted open many a stitches and basically extended my healing time by a couple of MONTHS. 6) speaking of busting open stitches, the areas that kept opening up (all my own fault) where (a) the T-junction where the incisions met up of the underboob and the the vertical line going down from the nipple. (b) the armpit and (c) the side boob incision on the flanks. I suspect because these areas got the most movement and rubbing (and again because i was doing too much too soon) 7) silicone tape is your friend. Not only does it help to heal scars, but it also helps to keep the itch at bay. With all all that said, i would do it all again in a heartbeat (making better choices about moving of course) cuz i am thoroughly pleased with the results. Unexpectedly, my breast lift results became my fave of the 3 i got (and it was initially not high priority on my list). The ability to go bra-less and still remain perky AND comfortable was a need i never knew i had until afterwards lolozzz. Good luck! Cant wait to see ur results (if u are willing to share) ❤️

I wasn’t hooked up to any compression devices at the hospital nor was I prescribed to wear any compression attire after surgery (socks, abdominal, whatever). But I was prescribed to take blood thinners for a week post WLS. Compare this to when I had plastics about a year later, and I was hooked up to a leg squishing device for 2 days (which i LOVED, btw) and NOT prescribed any blood thinners. Its worth noting (maybe?) that I weighed 235 at WLS and 110-ish at plastics time. So I suspect that had something to do with it, but I’m not sure (I didn’t ask). The main goal is to prevent blood clots, I believe, so I suppose however your particular surgeon wants to address it is what you are gonna get.

Oh no…you didn’t like Isopure? (This was actually my long searched for favourite because it was the least sweet of the MANY I tried ) which flavour did you get? I lived on the Low Carb Dutch Chocolate (why this particular flavour was not ZeRO Carb like the rest of the flavours in this line was my irk for months btw) 2 scoops, 600 ml water (i used more water than directed), 1-2 tsps decaf instant coffee crystals, and 2 tsps of Benefire in a shaker bottle with a heap of ice. But if adding milks to the powders dont do it for you, you can make them into puddings? Or just toss em altogether and try other stuff. I’ve read others rave about the premixed Fairlife Brand. Also you can try protein “waters”. My husband drinks these all the time when he does his “sporty” things. They are still powders + water, but they mix up like juice vs a shake.

Group Hug ❤️

Im told myself i’d do a 2wk stint of low-carbing starting today to get myself bikini ready for an upcoming vacay at the end of the month. (while i am no longer a card-carrying ultra-low carber these days, i do acknowledge the drastic effect it has on my appearance when i do, which, in my opinion, is for the better as I think my body looks so much less “puffy” when deprived of carbohydrates). Plus I anticipate many an alcoholic drink to be consumed on vacay so it’ll all even out in the end anyway, lol. But I digress. Mr comes home with my absolute favourite brand of Jamaican Beef Patty (perfect amount of spice and sauciness of filling, as well as my preferred pastry makeup: not too, too flaky on the outside and chewy/soft just under the surface…how that for a description!?! Lol) So low-carbing be damned! I split one with Mr. 190 calories for 1/2 the patty. 🤤

When i first started, i said I wouldn’t buy any new clothes until i was done with weight loss. It helped that I am/was a low-key-hoarder of clothes so i had a whole closet full of “skinny” clothes I could shrink into. BUT…when those clothes ran out (or just looked dated to me), i was all, eff this, im buying some new clothes that dont hang of me cuz i wanna look good. Yes, i spent on items that I would only wear for 2-3 weeks, but I looked GOOOOOD those 2-3 weeks wearing it! Lol My one really big ticket item i splurged on was plastic surgery (which i got about 14 months post op). BEST. PRESENT. EVER. If i may be so bold to suggest, if you are gonna spend enough to purchase leather goods at the price tag of a small car anyway, maybe considering plastics instead. Its the gift that keeps on giving! (or do both!)

I chose sleeve because: 1) the idea of rearranging my plumbing turned me off 2) i wanted to continue using NSAIDS with no issue (but surprise, surprise, i ended up no longer needing them) 3) i was afraid of dumping (again, surprise, surprise, i dump with the sleeve anyway) For what its worth, my surgeon said either surgery (sleeve or bypass) would, under normal circumstances, more or less produce the same results with the same person. And that unless there is pre-existing condition that would dictate a specific surgey (i.e., GERD, which i did not have) then it just boils down to personal choice. He was equally comfortable doing either surgery and advised me to choose the one *I* felt more comfortable with. There is alot of literature out there about average weight losses for the different types of WLS’s. But averages are just that: averages. They are NOT pre-determined stats that YOUR body will adhere to. Basically, results are significantly more tied to the person (and their actions/habits/physiology) than the specific surgery. Doc said that statistically, based on my starting weight, I could expect to lose 60 lbs in a year. Eff that, I lost 120 in 7 months. I’ve read of others on here who lost 50 in a year, still others who lost 200 over 2 years, and even one who lost 150+ in less than six months (all self-identified sleevers). So yeah…their results are quite spread out. In any case, whichever surgery you choose (pre-existing conditions excluded), your results will depend on YOU. Good Luck!

How about starting the process now, at the same time as giving “traditional” weight loss efforts a try? You can go through the motions of non-wls-weight loss, if/when your surgery date comes around, you can always cancel (or postpone) if you reached your personal goal. This way, IF you decide you want to go go ahead with WLS in a year, all the pre-work would already be done. Ta-da! Good luck, whatever you decide ❤️

If you are ever in my neck of the woods (i’m serious!) i’d be happy to lay around in bikinis with you (and yep, that tomato looks so luscious i’d believe you if you said it was fake!) 😎

Oh..and dinner just now: 1/4 of a cheese quesadilla and some oven roasted potatoes. 316 calories, ate it all.

“Poolside” pork dumplings. Someone posted “poolside nachos” a while back and i’ve been waiting for weeks to follow suit! (The weather has finally co-operated!) I started off with 2, but ended up eating 4 (plus 2 espresso martinis) by the end of the afternoon. 364 calories.

Ok, at first glance, that dino nugget looks like a little bit of baby throw up on your jeans! 😳😂. Not sure its exactly enticing me to give it a try lol. Your toast, however sounds and looks dee-liscious. 🤤

I should have waited to read your post on this before i spent time writing mine! you said what I wanted to say much more succinctly with much much less words. 🙄

Ok. I may regret dipping my toes into these waters, as i am anti-confrontation…but im feeling particularly ballsy today. Here goes: Im gonna declare myself Team Tony here…to a certain degree. Tony, i just read “that” thread that is being referred to and specifically looked up this thread up as it was mentioned there (am a glutton for punishment). For what its worth, your initial response did not read unhelpful and mean to ME. I got what i think was your intention to sincerely (and firmly) help sans any coddling. I’ve read some truly unhelpful and mean posts here before (and that guy was banned thank goodness Superman/Mikey, anyone???) and yours does not come close. However. The OP did not see/read into your post your intention, and said so (however “colourful” thier reply). At this point it *may* have been more prudent to just shrug and walk away. OP was looking for something else (commiseration, maybe? Validation? A place to vent? Love?). Further reading into that thread made it clear they weren’t looking for specific advice for change. Your well-intended words will hold zero water here. Now, i also feel for you (or anyone) when you got called stuff in CAPITAL LETTERS. I got second hand bad-feelings reading that. Anyway just wanted to say a little something cuz i kinda feel you were misunderstood and then dumped on. I may not agree with everything you say, but i respect your desire to share it (respectfully). ❤️

I was cleared for all exercise at 1 month. With that said, i didn’t start going “hard” until about 3 months post. Up until then, it was all walking. Staring around 3 months i started doing some sort of exercise for roughly 2 hours a day combined (and i mean some sort of activity that raised my heart rate to my optimum level for at least 45 continuous mins and/or some sort of strength training) I was able to do this while consuming less than 700 cals during weight loss phase. BUT i had a ridiculous amount of energy (dont really know where it came from), and I listened to my body and did not push further than what was reasonably comfortable (for ME). Everyone is different and only YOU can say when too much is too much. Try a little bit at a time and keep making decisions on whether to keep going, slow it down, or stop altogether. Your body (and labs) will tell you. And of course, let your team know what you ate doing. Even if it doesn’t contribute to your weight loss, you will still reap the benefits of regular exercise (i.e., FEELING GOOD) Now RE: lose skin. I can honestly say that I was probably in the best shape of my life (with some serious muscles) around 2 yrs post and i STILL had loose skin in areas (well, at least the areas that I didn’t plastics-surgery away). I would have had to gain and equal amount of volume in muscle to replace the fat I lost to fill it all in. And that would have been unrealistic and maybe even impossible. Not to mention, personally, i was not interested in looking like a body builder (respect to those who do). It really is up to you what kind of look/feeling you are going for, and what you are willing to do to achieve it. This early on though, i would give the insignificant opinion to focus on weight loss and nutrition for now. Good Luck! ❤️

“Linner”: various chinese take out items. 333 calories for the bowl. Allllllllmost finished it.

…I also have for you 2 new bottoms! I’ve been in the market for a pair of white jeans for Forever (like since 2019!) I thought these were winners until i put them on at home and can see the pockets lining through them! I hate that. They are going back. *Sigh* The beige ones are keepers as i LOVE how they make my legs look super long (doesn’t hurt that I’m wearing 3-inch clogs under there!) And finally the last pic is a true OOTD: what i actually wore during today’s shopping spree. This is what I normally look like most days (if i’m not going “out”): Jeans, some black top or other and comfy footwear 😇

Guess the shopping addiction is back. Oh well. Today I have for you 2 new tanks (yoga bottoms are old…had to wear something) Im contorting myself wearing the black top cuz it’s actually a cute little crochet’d top, and i’m trying to find the light so you can see the holey-ness of it. Not sure it succeeded. Size small is the smallest it comes in, and while I thought it was fine in the store, im not sure anymore. The green top i LOVED when i saw it on the rack, and continued to love trying it on, but now when i pair it with my in-closet bottoms, it only looks good when i wear tight pants….otherwise i feel like i look kinda rectangle-y in it? Or makes my chest look unflattering wide?

Every morning buck naked after I pee. I’ve got a fancy schamcy scale that logs all the info for me that i can view in graphs to my heart’s content lol. 3.5+ years now. (It’s not for everyone, but I actually enjoy it.)