CheerfulLoser

Hey folks! I’m rounding into my two year surgiversary, and am just so grateful for the surgery and the health it has given me.

I find myself feeling a bit like a baby bird ready to leave the nest and start truly living (as much as a 45 year old woman, married with two kids can be considered a baby anything!). That being said, I’ve lived such a limited life, I really haven’t figured out what I want to do with the freedom this surgery has provided.
My beginnings of a bucket list include running a half marathon and working up to do five pull-ups. It’s pretty modest so far. 😉
My question: what’s on your bucket list? What bold things are you dreaming of doing in the next year, five years, etc.

Hey folks! I’m rounding into my two year surgiversary, and am just so grateful for the surgery and the health it has given me.

I find myself feeling a bit like a baby bird ready to leave the nest and start truly living (as much as a 45 year old woman, married with two kids can be considered a baby anything!). That being said, I’ve lived such a limited life, I really haven’t figured out what I want to do with the freedom this surgery has provided.
My beginnings of a bucket list include running a half marathon and working up to do five pull-ups. It’s pretty modest so far. 😉
My question: what’s on your bucket list? What bold things are you dreaming of doing in the next year, five years, etc.

So I could use some help. Had surgery Dec 20, 2019, but really started working out (lifting and running) in Oct. Since I increased my activity level, I have been just hungry. My eating habits are all over—trying to get Protein, but hungry (so I’m grabbing handfuls of whatever). I haven’t been tracking food accurately due to being snacky. And unfortunately gaining weight (roughly +7 pounds—from 143 to 150). I can’t tell if it’s muscle or flab. Clothes still fit, but my body dysmorphia is in full bloom and I feel like I look like I’m back at pre-WLS shape. The working out has been amazing though, and I’m enjoying the weightlifting in particular.
I know at 2 years it’s common to gain some weight. And for the body to begin to absorb calories more efficiently. I guess I’m at a loss as to how to “right this ship”. I need to get back to below 145 for my mental health, which sounds slightly ridiculous, I know. Tracking calories accurately and not snacking I guess? Thoughts or “been there / done that” experience ?

Well, masks aren’t entirely weird these days.😷😁

Thank you all so much. This is the kick in the pants I needed.
I got some little containers at the market yesterday and have "packed" my meals and Snacks for today. I really like the mentality of planning ahead so I can "succeed" in managing hunger.
Also, @MiniGastricBypassDude, you called it on the calories. I left my MyFitnessPal calories at 700 (from when I first had surgery) and had never updated them. Of course I got frustrated with myself for "running out of calories" by dinner... and then I stopped tracking. Also, the snacking (just a few raspberries... three chips...) needs to become more disciplined, so I will keep on with my little containers.
After the holidays I will schedule a DXA scan. There are a few providers around here that should be able to help (in the $100-200 range, which is doable).
Will let you all know how it goes. Appreciate the input!

I really hadn’t thought about it until I read this post and the first thing that just came to mind that I wanted to do before but felt I weighed to much to do is zip line. So that is number 1 on my list. 😃

I ran a marathon and went for a hot air balloon ride
want to drop a few more pounds and buy a gucci bag, also want to go to dubai

Hey folks! I’m rounding into my two year surgiversary, and am just so grateful for the surgery and the health it has given me.

I find myself feeling a bit like a baby bird ready to leave the nest and start truly living (as much as a 45 year old woman, married with two kids can be considered a baby anything!). That being said, I’ve lived such a limited life, I really haven’t figured out what I want to do with the freedom this surgery has provided.
My beginnings of a bucket list include running a half marathon and working up to do five pull-ups. It’s pretty modest so far. 😉
My question: what’s on your bucket list? What bold things are you dreaming of doing in the next year, five years, etc.

Hey folks! I’m rounding into my two year surgiversary, and am just so grateful for the surgery and the health it has given me.

I find myself feeling a bit like a baby bird ready to leave the nest and start truly living (as much as a 45 year old woman, married with two kids can be considered a baby anything!). That being said, I’ve lived such a limited life, I really haven’t figured out what I want to do with the freedom this surgery has provided.
My beginnings of a bucket list include running a half marathon and working up to do five pull-ups. It’s pretty modest so far. 😉
My question: what’s on your bucket list? What bold things are you dreaming of doing in the next year, five years, etc.

I hit Onderland today!!!

My BFF had her band removed and then needed to wait 6+ months to heal before doing a sleeve.

You can always get a second opinion, but it seems not uncommon to break out the procedures.

I am 5ft 3, and stalled on weight loss pretty quickly. I’m relatively surprised at how few calories I can eat to not gain weight— everyone says 1200 calories for weight loss, but I can’t go over 1000 or the weight creeps on.

i don’t have a good answer for you, but you’re definitely not alone.

My dietitian recommends Flintstones Complete. I take one per day. I also take calcium citrate daily. I do a monthly Vitamin B injection. Super easy and straightforward.

I’ve found that I’m able to drink Water more efficiently if it’s slightly warm. Consider trying whether different temperatures make a difference when drinking?

Ok. This is just my observations based on MY experience. It may apply to you, it may not, the only real way to find it what works for YOU is to try different approaches. But the main thing to keep in mind, is to give it some time to see if it works. I read alot of people lament a strategy isn't working (or is working) after only a week or so. Change over time is the determining factor in a successful or not strategy. Results after a couple of days is not indicative of the effectiveness of a change.
With that said:
KETO: At first, I tried to do Keto, but I just couldn't keep up with the fat requirement percentages while aiming for 60g Protein, along with my inability to take in volume of food and staying below a certain calorie level. Eventually my diet morphed into protein-forward, ultra-low carb one (max 20g NET carbs, min 60g protein, and let the fat fall where it may, staying under a certain calorie level for my current phase).
INTERMITTENT FASTING: I didn't know it until I read up about it, but I was actually doing IF. I didn't/don't eat until after noon (which was normal for me even pre-op), and I didn't eat beyond 7pm..this because I had a horrible experience waking up in the middle of the night spitting up food after surgery and it was enough for me to ensure that I went to bed every night on an empty stomach. I am not yet convinced (though I'm sure others have differing opinions) that IF actually makes you burn more fat, but I do recognize that keeping eating to a limited window does make you eat less calories over all vs. eating all day, so yeah, this would accelerate weight loss.
I am now 2+ years post op, and for ME I have learned that it doesn't matter at all what my macros or eating times are, all that matters is total calories, in short CICO.
I stopped being ultra-low carb after weight loss phase, and have even re-introduced bread (only my homemade ones, cuz they are delicious, lol) into my diet, and it makes zero difference on my weight (all other things being equal). There was a almost a week after Xmas where my diet consisted almost solely of just Desserts. No diff to my weight. I guess because my total average calories per day was still 1800. Of course, health-wise, this wasn't the best idea, but we are just talking weight here.
Because of this observation, and my super-anal disposition, I am a big proponent of tracking what you eat with the conscious intention to stay within your maintenance calories the majority of the time. As well as daily weighing, if you can stand it (some cannot, and that's cool...they just have to find another way that works for them).
Also, i accept that maintenance is a never-ending series of adjustments. What works for me today may not work for me tomorrow. And what weight/size I consider acceptable today may be 10 lbs heavier further down the line.
In short decide what you want today, and determine if you are willing to do what it takes to get it. If you aren't, change what you want.
Sorry this was so long.
Good Luck!
P.S. after re-reading my post, I realize I sort of went off topic, but whateves, it's still what I wanted to say! LOL. Sorry!
P.P.S. Also wanted to add the while I think going low or ultra-low carb makes little difference to my weight, it does make a difference to how I look. Lower carb intake levels make me look LESS puffier/fuller, which is good for my bod, but bad for face.

Team “always freezing” here. I have a mattress warmer on my side of the bed. I only drink warm-to-hot Water. Microwavable hand warmers for walking the dog. And I have a lovely assortment of long Johns. It’s a way of life at this point.

I’m not as far out as many of you, but I stalled on weight loss for a long, long time (roughly 6 mo). I’ve found that if I plan meals in advance and just don’t touch sugar, I do so much better in overall daily calories. If I can reduce the number of choices I make around food, it’s just easier. Maybe Dr V is right? I’d just make sure that whatever food parameters you use, they are foods you enjoy (so you can stick with it)!

Don't play with me..... cause a bitxh is in a size 10 jeans........ ( insert happy dance)
Sent from my SM-G970U using BariatricPal mobile app

I found Orgain to be a decent option. I also found that I really had to dilute the Protein Powder. I would make a shake with 2 c of Water, 6 ice cubes, and 1 serving of Protein powder. If I didn’t dilute the shakes, I’d feel nauseous...

I would love to hear/see recommendations for Shapewear I can wear with jeans to make my tops look a little more orderly. My tummy area is a hot mess.

Since you don't want to waste the shakes you already spent money on, you can try mod-ing them a bit:
add more Water blend with lots ice add a tsp or two of instant Decaf coffee crystals (my personal fave) PB2 powder, sugar-free instant hot chocolate (never tried, but read good reviews) blend with a few berries freeze and eat like ice cream/popsicle

I had surgery 12/20/19, and just was stalled for four months. I’ve been going crazy! Thankfully I tweaked my exercise and diet enough to get the scale moving again. Sometimes I also think that our bodies just need a moment to process the trauma and changes they’ve been through.

Stalls are still as annoying as anything, though.

I “gained” seven pounds of Fluid on the day of surgery, as they pumped me full of IV fluids so that I was less likely to be dehydrated the few days following. It took about a week to work through my system and then for my body to start healing from the shock of surgery. Depending on how far you are from surgery, it could be Water retention or your body being in shock from surgery. If that’s the case, maybe give yourself some time and grace to begin recovering...
If it has been much longer, more info would help us to help you.

I have the same issue. My hands and feet get painfully cold multiple times a day, even if I’m in a warm room with warm socks and slippers on. I keep a flannel bag of rice that I heat up in the microwave and use it to warm my hands and feet. Things like socks and mittens just do not work. For walking the dog, I have microwaveable hand warmers — and I know how far to walk based on my hand warmth...

For me, phase 1 was basically shakes. There are tons of vegan shake options, if you look on either this site or Amazon.com. I really like Orgain, Ripple, VegaSport, OWYN, and Topbit brands, but folks’ tastebuds vary.
If your program permits yogurts in phase !, there are tons on nondairy yogurts, just keep an eye out for sugar levels.