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Choose the path that fits today. We’ll take you to the most useful discussions.
- GLP-1 medication Zepbound, Wegovy, access, side effects, progress, and support.
- Before surgery Compare procedures, plan ahead, and get honest pre-op answers.
- Post-op Recovery, food stages, symptoms, and support.
- Long-term Regain, labs, habits, and life after the honeymoon.
- Revision Explore revision options, complications, and next steps.
Everything posted by ms.sss
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How to Start the WLS Process?
...and that's cool too. To the OP, do whatever you feel comfortable with...take whatever suggestions YOU feel is in your best interest, and leave the rest. Good Luck! ❤️
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How to Start the WLS Process?
Just a suggestion: perhaps you may want to get involved in the details just so you are informed? The payment/coverage contract is between you and your insurance, not between you and the doc. Your surgeon is not held accountable for any promises they make you regarding coverage and reimbursements, if in the potential case of misunderstanding between surgeon and insurance. Your insurance will not accept "well, that's what my surgeon told me".
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Tummy Tuck
Yes, I had a Tummy Tuck...I don't really know what other procedures there would be? Do you have something specific in mind? Below is a Before and After of the TT. I didn't have too much hanging skin, it was more of a wrinkly cloth look right in the middle of my abdomen, as well as some lumpiness all over. After the tummy tuck (which included muscle tightening and a bit of lipo on the flanks, you can see that the wrinkle look and lumps are gone, and my little ab muscles are visible at rest (i.e, I don't have to stretch out and flex to make them show, lol). Also, the lump in my crotch area flattened out, and the hips and front of the thighs smoothed out: I am think I'm basically the same weight in both these pics (give or take a lb or two).
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Onederland! And a general question :)
Hi @KellyMarie8288...congrats on the milestone!! Yay you! We have very similar starting stats, I'm 5'2", starting weight 235, (but am a good10 years older than you). We would be considered "low-weights" and cannot reasonably expect the same weight loss rates achieved by those heavier and taller in the first few months, or in the months following the initial drop. With that said, not counting the first two months post-op, when I had a higher than normal pound droppage for ME (compared to later months), I lost anywhere between 10 and 13 lbs a month until I reached goal by 7 months. I need to note though that I was doing pretty low calories throughout weight loss phase, as well as progressively more intense regular exercise.
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VITAMINS, PILLS, GUMMIES & PROTEIN
Started shedding around 3 months...kept going until about month 6-7. Its all back now (plus some, I think/hope lol), and the same length as the rest of the hair that stuck around. On another note, i too had very dry, cracked heel skin pre-surgery. Today they are lovely smooth and actually soft. Not sure if this is due to weight loss, or the fact that i wear socks all day long, all year long, because my feet are always cold. Lol.
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Food Before and After Photos
Its called Tajin...tastes like seasoned salt with a kick of lime: p.s. good luck with the cottage cheese!
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Food Before and After Photos
Yeah, basically the same salad i had a couple days ago: 222 calories. Plan on eating it all as i sit in front of the TV...
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VITAMINS, PILLS, GUMMIES & PROTEIN
My team was ANTI-gummy vits. I can't remember exactly why, but I think it may had to do with something about volume? Usually multiple gummies would need to be ingested for the same dosage of one tablet or capsule. I was prescribed a pre-natal multi, calcium, Vitamin D, Iron, B12 & Vitamin A at the time of surgery. I was also taking high blood pressure pills and cholesterol pills. By 1 week post op, I was off blood pressure meds, by 1 month off of the cholesterol meds, as well as told to lay off the Iron, B12 and Vitamin A cuz I was over producing, and to change my multi to one with low to no iron. From months 2-12 I just took a multi (with low iron) once a day, and Calcuium & Vit D 2x a day. After the year mark, I sort of started slacking off taking my vitamins (my choice, just out of laziness, I guess). I am 2+ years out now and haven't taken any vitamins since March last year. All my labs have come back satisfactorily, including the 2 followups AFTER I stopped taking my supplements.
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OOTD
I'm pushing 50 and wear heels any chance I get (I'm not as vertically blessed as all you amazons!). I plan on getting buried in a nice pair of 4-inchers. LOLOLOLOLzzzzz
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2 weeks post op and struggling
Sorry you are suffering *hugs*. I had a pretty slow start in the eating-department the first couple weeks. I didn't have any nausea or sickness though, but just couldn't (or wouldn't?) get anything in. The first two weeks I barely ate/drank anything...my logs showed I ate about 300 calories in total EACH of those two weeks (not days, WEEKS). Suffice it to say, I was pretty tired and run down. I had frequent headaches (was probably really dehydrated). I slept ALOT. I didn't try to force myself to eat/drink during that time...only put something in my mouth when I could stand it (which was very rarely). By around week 3 it got infinitely better. It was like one day I woke up and found that I could chug water. I didn't actually feel hungry, i don't think, but for the first time since surgery, the thought of swallowing something didn't repulse me. I would suggest a chat with your doc...more so for any nausea or pain you are experiencing. The food intake part should come in time. Good Luck! ❤️
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Tummy Tuck
Technically, you can get one whenever you want. You may want to be at least be at or close to goal for optimal results, but its not a game ender. I have read that there may be some docs who would want you to be at a stable weight for a certain amount of time...but I had 4 consults, and none of them had this requirement. ??♀️ I had all my consults at 7 months post op (when I reached goal), with the intention of getting it done right away, but my chosen doc didn't have a free spot open until 6 months later, which turned out to be a good thing because I lost almost another 20 lbs by the time my surgery date came around. I'm over a year post plastics today (and weigh basically the same as the day I had plastics).
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Food Before and After Photos
I heart avocado salads
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Food Before and After Photos
Cranberry Orange Biscotti ! I love baking, its like a natural air freshener for the house ? Each serving is 117 calories (but I didn't cut them all the same size, so give or take some cals depending on which one one eats). I had a bite off one of the end pieces that nobody wanted....probably 1/4 a serving? So 30 cals is going into MFP. Wish you could all smell my house right now.
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OOTD
An entire family of supermodels! You're 5'8"....and the shortest of the bunch?!?!?! Nice. Yep, you need tighter pants! I can see the jacket AND love it. ?
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Food Before and After Photos
If I ate beans, I'd eat this, LOL. Bet it smelled delicious.
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Food Before and After Photos
The secret is freshly ground black pepper! (and if you like spicy stuff, cayenne!). I've also added garlic powder a couple times.
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I'm Freezing
As someone who used to break in a sweat from minimal exertion, I TOTALLY prefer being cold over being eternally moist, lol
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Food Before and After Photos
I'm hungry today! Afternoon snack: Cottage cheese, frozen blueberries, pumpkin seeds, candied ginger, black pepper & cayenne powder: 212 calories. Ate it all (sorta regret it, as I'm on the verge of uncomfortably full....)...was yum though.
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Food Before and After Photos
Feel like I haven't had a salad in AGES (in reality its probably been about 2-3 days, but that's an eternity for me). Sooo....today's first meal of the day: A Salad! Romaine, carrots, cucumber, apples, cheddar, a snack can of Thai Chili Tuna, green onions sauteed in soy sauce, + vinaigrette and spices: 218 calories. The Kid ate out of the same bowl with me, and its all gone, but I figure I ate about 1/3 of it. Going to log it as 1/2 in MFP though (I like to overestimate when I'm not sure ?).
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Macros for CrossFit
How tall are you?, or what is your BMI? If your BMI is low-ish, your cals may be at maintenance level for you....?
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Itchy hands and feet
I had this on my feet (omg, the itch). I can't remember when it went away, but it did. Though I wasn't sure if it was related to weight loss at the time.
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HEAVY Weightlifting is a GAME CHANGER Ladies!!! Pics included!
THOSE. SHOULDERS. AND. ARMS. You look ridiculously fabulous, lady. I looooooove the fit/strong look, and have fantasies of looking like that myself, but in all honestly, i HATE strength training/lifting (I'm more of a cardio gal). I force myself to do it though, because I know it produces results. Maybe one day I may grow to like it and do more. In the meantime I can drool over your arms. ❤️ Nice work!
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How to Start the WLS Process?
First step is to tell your PCP that you would like to pursue WLS and ask them if they will give you a referral. If they don't, find another doctor who will. From there your referring doctor and insurance will tell you what you need to do (different insurance companies will have different requirements). This is exactly what I did with my PCP. I told him I want WLS, he said OK, and would submit his referral. Note, however, that I am in Canada, so its a little different, as WLS is covered by provincial insurance for those who qualify, but the process is essentially the same, just different institutional providers.
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I'm Freezing
Its pretty much guaranteed, I think. I have yet to read a report of someone who didn't feel cold after going through rapid weight loss. I am 2+ years out and I notice I still run much colder than people around me (even the never-fat people). It's not as bad as the first year, but am still pretty cold.
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Food Before and After Photos
Same. I'll eat the same thing for like a week, or until it goes bad, whichever comes first.