ms.sss

Yep. Though i think chicharron is more like cracklings in that it also has a bit of meat on them (not just skin). They are super high and calories and fat (and basically zero carbs) so I wouldn’t suggest partaking in them during weight loss phase. But I totally went to town on them when I was attempting to stop weight loss.

Ok, so here is a interesting anecdote. When I reached goal (127), i was constantly getting the comments that I was too gaunt/skinny/sickly looking. And I guess I even I thought that way to a certain extent. Now I am 12lbs lighter than that weight and I look waaaaaaay better (both in my opinion and others). I *think* that most people find that you start to fill out a bit (or the weight re-distributes, or something?) when weight loss phase is over. Another theory is that I added some carbs back into my diet after goal, and that contributed to "puffing" me up in my face and other areas to look me less gaunt.

Technically the size of your stomach will be the same (if not smaller) as I understand that the revision from sleeve to bypass is just the re-routing of intestines. That said, *technically* you will have at least the same restriction, if not better. The difference is the pyloric valve. Since the bypass skips this part of the digestive tract, "slider foods" will essentially slide through with the by-pass. So, as long as you keep to dense foods first mantra, you *should* not see much difference in restriction. But like @catwoman7 said above, each person will get a different experience. Congrats on all the weight you've lost, btw...you look great in your profile pic! +1 on this as well. I gained 6 lbs over a couple months (feb-march) and it was not as easy to lose it as it was a year ago. While before it would take 1-2 weeks with little effort, this time around took about a month with dedicated effort. So I can only think that a year, two years, from now it will be even more difficult....

Yoga (lots of videos to follow along with on YouTube), multiple short walks around the block, wall push ups, biking?

I also went through a period when I wanted to stop losing weight and up calories. Try: nuts, nut butters, olive oil, potatoes/starchy veg, full-fat dairy (milk, yogurt, cottage cheese, regular cheese), salmon & other oily fish, avocados, and my own personal favourite: chicharron!

Can you ask the your doc or pharmacist if they medication comes in other forms? (I took Omeprazole in sublingual tablet form for the first 3 months, then switched over to regular capsules afterwards). Also, you can try mixing your crushed meds with a little bit of greek yogurt...

Ah, ok, I would think that since it's only been a month (I incorrectly thought you have not lost weight for the last SIX MONTHS @800-1000 cals), this is just a normal part of the process this far out from surgery. Weight loss does tend to plateau as you progress. So long as you stay the course (especially at 800-1000 cals), it will eventually pick up again. Good Luck!

Maybe I misunderstand...how long have you been stalled, and how many calories do you/did you average during the stall?

I started shedding at 3 months, kept going until about month 7. I'm 1.5 years out now, and it's pretty much all grown back. Mind you the new hairs are about 3-ish inches long so they stick up in some places, lol. I know eventually they will grow long enough to lay flat.

I'm thinking that at 270 lbs and 5'6", 1000 cals a day would be sufficient to lose weight on. I did a quick calculation with your stats and theoretically, you *should* be losing at anything less than 2400 cals/day...! Have you been at 1000 cals a day the entire 16 months?

BFF came by yesterday to "join" us for dinner (we sat on the porch, she stayed on the driveway, lol). I made her and the fam loaded noodle bowls (udon, lobster balls, pork & leek dumplings, carrots, edamame, corn & green onions in broth) ...I had a modified version for myself with shiratake noodles & grilled chicken:

lessons, please! (my nails are HORRIBLE).

There were a couple times I’ve used suppositories and didn’t get results in an hour (or the day, for that matter). I just tried again the next morning. This did trick for me...I’ve never had to take more than 2 days in a row. The instructions on box said use only once every 24 hours, and to not use for more than 7 days. Though i dunno if I would use it for 7 days...! Like OP said above, make sure its up far enough. You should not be able to feel it when its in properly. Also, I laid down on my side while I waited for it to work... Good Luck! Hope u get relief soon...constipation is the WORST!

$0 for both the questions above. I have an own personal issue with paying out of pocket for something that can be covered legitimately under other means...even if it means delaying/waiting for it a bit (but that's just me!). Everyone will have their own reasons for paying/not paying to fast-track their surgery...so if one has the means, and wants to fast-track, then go for it. It's your money, you can spend whatever and how ever much of it as you want! Good Luck!

I don't know anymore if I exercise "a lot" (I think its all relative now, cuz I think Mr. exercises ALOT, but he doesn't seem to think so), but I do try to exercise regularly.

I had an Arm Lift, a Breast Lift & a Tummy Tuck about 4 months ago. ALL. AT. THE. SAME. TIME. While it was nice to have it all done at one shot vs. scheduling multiple surgeries, recovery was a b*tch. Insurance covered the Panniculectomy portion of the Tummy Tuck, but I had to pay for the difference between the two procedures, which was the muscle tightening and the lipo on the flanks. I paid for the Arm Lift and Breast Lift in full. Insurance also covered the hospital stay & medical equipment/peripherals. Its funny because at my one year followup/appointment last year, my surgeon asked if I would be willing to come in for a photoshoot so I could be on a poster or something....and I was all, um, no thanks. LOL. It was very flattering, but yeah, NO.

Ummmm...this looks like a picture out of Food and Wine magazine. Nice! (and YUM!)

Ok, going off on a tangent from food here, but I have to share my one and only celebrity encounter myself. 10 years ago, we got to meet Alicia Keyes backstage when she was in town for a concert. The Kid was sooooo upset she didnt get to go to the concert (she was 5!) because her fave song at the time was "No One", so she basically had a meltdown when she found out we met her AND had a picture with her....so I photo-shopped her into it, lol. Over the years, I think she convinced herself she was actually there now. 🤣

My new fave snack: Frozen Grapes!

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that skirt. I WANT it.

Agree whole-heartedly on both counts. Your husband will be better set up for success if he takes the responsibility upon himself to achieve it. Your support and encouragement will definitely help him 100%, but he also needs to be able make decision/choices/efforts on his own for long-term and sustained success. Good Luck to Hubs!

It's difficult getting calories in in the beginning. My doc told me just do what I can and not to force it. It will become easier as time goes on. The first couple weeks, I got in maybe 400 cals PER WEEK, yikes. Then at around the month mark to around month 3, I got in maybe 400-500 a day. From months 3-7 it was about 700-800 a day, average. Once I reached goal, I struggled to increase calories for a few months until I figured out I needed to stay around 1700-2000 a day to not lose nor gain weight. Everybody is different though, and will be able to handle different calorie levels. Do what you can, no need to push it. So long as your labs keep coming back clean, I think you should be OK. But do check with your team if you are concerned. Good Luck!

Also, 2-3 lbs average loss a week is actually considered an normally accepted rate of loss with WLS (averaged out over weight loss phase) Like I said above, I lost all my excess weight and my average rate of loss (not counting the first month) was under 3lbs per week. Pretty average.

@Ashliza ... Ultimately its up to you. While the surgery will definitely help you lose weight if you follow your plan, a lot of your success/failures and positive/negative experiences will depend on, and be affected by, your attitude and mindset. Nobody can predict the future, so it is very possible that you will suffer complications, OR gain all of your weight back. But the odds are you won't. The majority of WLS patients have very uneventful recoveries. The majority of WLS patents lose 60-70% of their excess weight and keep it off. Some lose more, some lose less. You won't know where you fall on the spectrum until you get there. I will say that I had a very similar pre-op experience as you. I kept changing my mind and second-guessing my decision about getting the sleeve done. I was approved way back in March 2016 and I started and stopped the process TWICE before I finally got into the right mindset of being confident with my decision...was sleeved in Oct 2018. I had no complications and lost all off my excess weight. I've very happy with my decision, only regret was that I just didn't get it done in 2016....but I guess I just wasn't ready yet. Good Luck!

OMG I used to love it when the boys at school would wear their pastel blazers and push their sleeves up 😍