ms.sss

wait a sec...how did I not register this little slip of info! I have became a bit of botox results lover myself this year! Are you pleased with the results? ...also I also have a bee sting/venom allergy! (remind me to tell you the funny story of how I found out)...but i got fillers anyway! yikes, I'll have to talk to my tech about this neutralizer business.

Yay!

Another year, another before and after pic:

I created a blog entry with the same content below here, but I feel like no one ever reads BP blogs, so am posting in the forums for good measure. Sorry for the dupes! Also sorry this is so long! ---------------------- It's been 3 years, y’all. I’m a 5’2” female and was 235 lbs & 45 yrs old at the start of the 2 wk liquid diet. Didn’t lose any weight prior. I was on high cholesterol and blood pressure meds, diagnosed with fatty liver, pre-diabetic, peed every 20-30 mins, and snored like a freight train (so said Mr.) Day of sleeve surgery: 223.2 lbs No recovery issues, but I became dumper on sugar (still am). I got off my meds, eliminated liver and diabetic diagnoses within a month. I can hold my pee like a superhero (including not having to go once during a 9 hr flight pre-covid!), and I sleep so silently that Mr. admitted to checking on me during the night in the beginning to check if I was even alive. I ate VERY little during weight loss phase compared to most, but it worked for ME…I didn’t suffer any medical/nutritional issues nor any angst throughout. I tracked everything I ate/drank, weighed myself every morning and took my measurements every Wednesday (I STILL track and weigh daily - its just habit now -, but no longer take my measurements regularly) Reached goal of 127 lbs 7 months after surgery. I had zero stalls. I had a tummy tuck, arm lift and breast lift at 14 months post op. Lowest weight: 109 lbs (this was a month or so after plastics, but quickly gained back to 115-ish) I’ve basically been 115-ish +/- 5 lbs since a couple months into maintenance. Weight this morning: 116.0 lbs even. Happy place is below 120 and/or that my clothes still fit, LOL. These days I exercise semi-regularly, running minimum 5km 2-3 times a week supplemented with the occasional 20-30 min strength training sessions at home (I continue to hate strength training exercises but consider it a necessary evil), and various other for-fun cardio activities. Part of me wanted to get back to higher exercise levels so I can get the “fitter” look I had back then, but I long ago reconciled myself with the fact that I don’t want it THAT badly. Maybe someday I may change my mind, but I’m cool with it for now. I average 1800-2000 cals a day. I drink alcohol and carbonated water on the regular, use straws, chew gum, drink coffee, and eat popcorn, fried foods and carbs. I love desserts. At 3 years out, my restriction is still in effect and could probably eat about 1-1.5 cups of food in volume at one sitting before I need to tap out: some things I can eat more of (salads) than others (dense protein & fluffy bread). I will barf if I eat too much or too fast. I have energy for days, and am more than satisfied with how I look and feel. Life is good. Had my 3 year follow up last week and I continue to be the picture of health, and my surgeon asked again if I wanted to be on a poster. Ummmm, no thanks. Regrets? ABSOLUTELY ZERO. Well, except maybe that I didn’t get a v-shaped tummy tuck incision vs the straight line one that I got. Just means that I can’t wear higher cut bikini bottoms without my scar showing (see the last pic in the collage below). But I mean, really, I’m just nit-picking at this point. This forum has been a constant in my life for the past 3 years, and I’ve made some great connections and some actual REAL friends. Its really nice to engage with others who know what the eff you are talking about, even if its just about food porn and clothes sometimes, lol. Hugs and Congrats to those who made it to the other side with me, and Hugs and Good Luck to those on their way.

Its been 3 years, y’all. I’m a 5’2” female and was 235 lbs & 45 yrs old at the start of the 2 wk liquid diet. Didn’t lose any weight prior. I was on high cholesterol and blood pressure meds, diagnosed with fatty liver, pre-diabetic, peed every 20-30 mins, and snored like a freight train (so said Mr.) Day of sleeve surgery: 223.2 lbs No recovery issues, but I became dumper on sugar (still am). I got off my meds, eliminated liver and diabetic diagnoses within a month. I can hold my pee like a superhero (including not having to go once during a 9 hr flight pre-covid!), and I sleep so silently that Mr. admitted to checking on me during the night in the beginning to check if I was even alive. I ate VERY little during weight loss phase compared to most, but it worked for ME…I didn’t suffer any medical/nutritional issues nor any angst throughout. I tracked everything I ate/drank, weighed myself every morning and took my measurements every Wednesday (I STILL track and weigh daily - its just habit now -, but no longer take my measurements regularly) Reached goal of 127 lbs 7 months after surgery. I had zero stalls. I had a tummy tuck, arm lift and breast lift at 14 months post op. Lowest weight: 109 lbs (this was a month or so after plastics, but quickly gained back to 115-ish) I’ve basically been 115-ish +/- 5 lbs since a couple months into maintenance. Weight this morning: 116.0 lbs even. Happy place is below 120 and/or that my clothes still fit, LOL. These days I exercise semi-regularly, running minimum 5km 2-3 times a week supplemented with the occasional 20-30 min strength training sessions at home (I continue to hate strength training exercises but consider it a necessary evil), and various other for-fun cardio activities. Part of me wanted to get back to higher exercise levels so I can get the “fitter” look I had back then, but I long ago reconciled myself with the fact that I don’t want it THAT badly. Maybe someday I may change my mind, but I’m cool with it for now. I average 1800-2000 cals a day. I drink alcohol and carbonated water on the regular, use straws, chew gum, drink coffee, and eat popcorn, fried foods and carbs. I love desserts. At 3 years out, my restriction is still in effect and could probably eat about 1-1.5 cups of food in volume at one sitting before I need to tap out: some things I can eat more of (salads) than others (dense protein & fluffy bread). I will barf if I eat too much or too fast. I have energy for days, and am more than satisfied with how I look and feel. Life is good. Had my 3 year follow up last week and I continue to be the picture of health, and my surgeon asked again if I wanted to be on a poster. Ummmm, no thanks. Regrets? ABSOLUTELY ZERO. Well, except maybe that I didn’t get a v-shaped tummy tuck incision vs the straight line one that I got. Just means that I can’t wear higher cut bikini bottoms without my scar showing (see the last pic in the collage below). But I mean, I’m just nit-picking at this point. This forum has been a constant in my life for the past 3 years, and I’ve made some great connections and some actual REAL friends. Its really nice to engage with others who know what the eff you are talking about, even if its just about food porn and clothes sometimes, lol. Hugs and Congrats to those who made it to the other side with me, and Hugs and Good Luck to those on their way.

Ok...this is the last of my most recent batch of online shopping orders. I promised myself that this will be it until at least after xmas...we shall see if I am a woman of my word. I have a relatively fancy party coming up in the January and I couldn't resist adding yet another option to my slew of options I already have to wear. Help. Me.

i don't mind one bit of salad posts. Yum.

Oh goodness, that pic you quoted is NOT me (I wish!)! That's the model that likely fuelled my sense of inadequacy in my younger days, LOL.

Understandable. We are only ready when WE say we are ready, not when anyone else tells us so. Success is better achieved when we are in the mindset to achieve it. Good Luck! ❤️

Aaaaaah...."shirred". I've been calling it "smocked" all these years! I did a google of the difference and am now fully educated on the difference, lol. Yes, the waist/bottom of the dress is shirred. I too have very fond memories of shirried sundresses I used to wear as a kid. I probably had like several of this style in different prints (see pic below). But I also remember that when my boobs started coming in I liked them less as I felt the style made them look bigger, and back then I was totally ashamed of my growing boobs. Oh, how my boob attitude has changed.

First, I'm not sure if I read your post correctly? Do you actually want WLS surgery? Or are you feeling pressured into it? Or is it that you DO want it, but that you want the sleeve but feel pressured into Rny? Second to answer your timeline question, I'm from Canada so it may be a little different fyi...I didn't have to do any sort of supervised diet. I had actually cancelled my surgery twice out of fear/trepidation, BUT if I hadn't, the time elapsed from date of referral to the probable first (cancelled) surgery date would have been 9 months. If you include my cancellations, then it was 19 months till I got my surgery. I had to: attend a 3 hour info session get an EKG (twice cuz I cancelled) lab work (twice cuz i cancelled) sleep study (this was actually kinda cool, lol) 1 20-30 min. appt each with: a nurse, dietitian, social worker meet with surgeon (twice cuz i cancelled)

Yeah, lighting in my bedroom is not the greatest when its a cloudy day, lol. Here is a pic of the dress on a model from the website. She's probably like 6 feet tall so the dress fits her better. The hemline and the sleeves and shoulder seams are way longer on me, the fit around my neck gapes a little and its quite loose at the waist where the bodice connects to the skirt. Basically its overall on the big side, but this is always an issue so I'm used to it. Ah, short girl problems. As for the pencil skirt, yep, decided i'm keeping it and getting it taken in. I may try doing it myself...lol

LOL yes, those organs on the show look very FRESH.

Chicago Med on Netflix. Its like a poor man’s Greys Anatomy. Not very good, but im “pot-committed” already…am midway thru season 3 of 4….ugh.

Today's lunch...though its past 4pm so maybe its an early dinner? Anyoo, sat myself on the couch in front of the TV to do some binge watching and dig into this ginormous salad that I made cuz I was STARVING (one of those busy-forgot-to-eat days): 351 calories. Ate about 2/3 of it. Rest went back in the fridge for later.

A subset of my latest online shopping delivery. Yes, I have a clothes shopping problem! L-R: grey wide leg cargo jeans; printed lantern sleeve dress with smocked waist; beige cami w/ high-waisted denim skirt; blue oxford top under high waist pencil skirt with removable straps...I really like this skirt but it is way too big (i'm holding the excess material in the back). This is the smallest size already so I'm contemplating if I should have it altered or just return it....

@Arabesque, while the calamari looks good, that drink is MOUTHWATERING. Did it taste as refreshing as it looks??? @Starwarsandcupcakes, All Hail the Cookie QUEEN. Holy crap, I want to jump into that batch of mint chocolate chip cookies. Are you feeding an army?? I would like to enlist. P.S. I too tried my hand at royal icing many moons ago. I suck and gave up. I also suck a fondant work, but I haven't thrown in the towel for those yet....

@kristieshannon: I'll say it again: MILF. That dress is PERFECT on you....wear it every day. With your hair just like that. And that lipstick. ? @Arabesque: Yep, you def look taller in that frock! Love it. P.S. glad the thumb is on the mend and you can now wear real bras!

Smokes, you look GREAT!

LOL, Im looking to get a tattoo in the style of the pic on the left: black fine-line florals with a pinky-reddish fill throughout…but the placement will be just on my upper back and side torso (to also camouflage my side boob PS scar…it totally shows on my right side when i’m wearing a bikini top) The Kid is actually in the process of drawing the final image…with specific flower types (mine, and each of the fam’s fave flower) and less leaves. So on the pic on the right - if u zoom in on the top arrow - you can see where the Kid drew some rudimentary flowers on my back to show how big its going to be, sort of. After the consult today its likely going to be bigger. (the bottom arrow points to a teeny tattoo i got as a teenager of a sad little daisy. It actually moved up higher on my hip after my tummy tuck, lol) Next appt for drawing finalization is in December, then the actual tattooing will be scheduled. Can’t wait!

Went for a tattoo consult this morning and the guy said I had a “very lovely” back. Well, that’s a first ??‍♀️

Over easy or poached. The runnier the better!

They served me coffee in the hospital! ? I probably started drinking coffee regularly again around 1 month…not because i was told not to, buy because I just didn’t feel for it until that point. Been drinking it ever since. P.S. Am 3 yrs out now and drink 1-2 per day (sometimes more)

Im sort of the opposite. I truly disliked cooking pre-op. It was just a chore. Now i love it. And everything about it (shopping, planning, researching, plating…as well as smelling, looking, watching others eat, watching cooking shows, lol) For the first year and a bit I didn’t even eat anything I cooked for the fam. And honestly it didn’t bother me in the “missing out” sense one bit. After a while, in maintenance, i would eat a bit of what i made for them, but i still prefer cooking/baking over actually eating it. Im more of a salad person…the fam is not.