kristieshannon

I lived in Seattle when I had my MMO + arm lift, now live in Seattle. Apparently we’re in one of the most expensive areas of the country for plastic surgery. I ended up going to Dr. Alex Earle in Miami. What would have cost me nearly $40,000 here cost me $16.100 in Miami. Even with travel costs I came out way ahead. I spent a week there post op, and then had a couple zoom follow up visits after that.

My sleep apnea, pre diabetes, and hypertension completely resolved with my weight loss. I was off my blood pressure med by month 2, off my CPAP by month 5, and my A1C was below 6 by my 6 month post op labs.

On behalf of all nurse, doctors, and other medical personnel. Please consider limiting your gatherings. Wear a mask. Get your vaccines. COVID is surging again, people are dying. Here’s my holiday outfit at our COVID testing facility.

I like the baked chicken thighs I can get from my grocery store deli. Speaking of deli food, I wonder if some sliced deli roast beef with pre-made cheese sauce (I’ve seen this in the fresh pasta section at my grocery store) might help with the Arbys craving?

The very last line of OP’s original post was “I don’t know what to do”. Many, many people here have been successful with this surgery and exceeded the expectations. They (and I) did so by following their team’s guidelines. Advising OP to go back and check in with their team, and to follow the guidelines they’ve been given isn’t preaching or judgemental in any way, rather is offering the help OP asked for. 

I guess this may be the case of some programs, that they oversell the success rate. It certainly wasn’t with mine. I went in with eyes wide open. My doc set a goal for me of 165 lbs, which was still overweight according to BMI. I’m maintaining at 140. Although I certainly haven’t been perfect, I followed the program they gave me the vast majority of the time. The longer I did that, the easier those new habits became. This is MAJOR surgery. I went in to it with the mindset that this was my last chance to turn my life around, and if I was going to do something so major by damn I was going to follow the advice of the team I was trusting to operate on me. For anyone struggling I’d advise you to schedule a visit with both your surgeon as well as the psychologist/psychiatrist and nutritionist who provided your clearance pre op.

With all kindness, your doctor knows what to do. They are they experts. Follow their plan to a T. That is how you’ll lose the weight. I followed EXACTLY what my doctor told me to do 99% of the time. I’m over two years out, down 146 lbs, and easily maintaining my loss. I did it by developing new habits guided by my physician and her team.

The most common side effect of trazodone is weight gain. I’d avoid that one!

No, it’s a variety called Delicata. It has a much thinner skin than most squash, so the skin is edible. The flavor is similar to acorn or butternut squash.

Parmesan crusted delicata squash. My side dish to go along with my Soup for lunches this week. Half a delicata squash, scoop out the seeds and then slice thin. Spritz with cooking spray. Top with garlic seasoning salt and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Roast at 425 for 30 minutes. Yum!

It will really depend on your doctor, I advise following the plan they gave you. Once my team at my surgeon’s office advanced me to soft foods my favorite was tuna with a little mayo, or a ricotta bake. This blog has great Bariatric recipes for each stage of your eating plan: http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/2007/03/recipes.html?m=1

My latest Nordstrom Rack find, a pleather jacket-almost went with green, decided this caramel color would go with more.

Shrimp or crab cocktail is always a good choice. Shrimp skewers, steak bites, and scallops are often something I see on appetizer menus. Sushi restaurants are a great option. I order sashimi (no rice). Broth based soups work. Chicken satay with a little peanut sauce. A charcuterie plate, limiting the crackers or bread is a good option too.

I don’t travel for work, but travel a lot for fun. I’ve usually tried to stick with a routine for breakfast, lunch and snacks. I always do a protein shake mixed with cold brew coffee for breakfast, that’s easy enough to do on the road. Lunches, while maybe not the healthiest, have still fit in plan-things like yogurt, nuts, and jerky. For dinner I do my research by looking up menus before I go out and find something that fits in plan. Appetizers often fit the bill, and the portions are small. I also try to incorporate lots of walking on trips and keep up my water intake.

I had a vertical sleeve gastrectomy. No post op complications for me, no reflux (although a certain percentage of sleevers do get this). I surpassed my goal weight. I started at 286, today 135. I was 49 when I had my surgery, I’m a 5’3.5” female. I followed my plan, upped my exercise, and found every bit of success that I was hoping for.

Now is the time to do the work to change your habits! I’m over two years out and still stay away from bread. Your nutrition needs are high, but once you’re on solids the volume you can take in is low. It takes vigilance and dedication to get in the nutrients you need. My program wanted me to get in 70-80 grams of protein per day. Protein was, and still is, the priority at meal time. Once I get in my protein I’ll have a small amount of whatever else the meal contains. Now this far out, and at goal, I’ve loosened up and have a bit more carbs but it’s still WAY less than pre op. I’m used to it now, and don’t have the intense cravings anymore that I used to have. I’m happy with healthy nutritious food with the occasional treat thrown in. If you’re really struggling and breaking plan already I’d strongly suggest contacting your program and scheduling a visit with both the nutritionist as well as the therapist.

This week’s Soup creation. Turkey, navy beans, carrots, onions, garlic, and rainbow chard in a beef stock broth. I love soup in the fall, eat it almost every day!

OOTD COVID testing nurse version. Outside in 48 degree driving rain & wind. 7 layers of clothes and I’m still freezing. This might be the one and only time I miss my former layer of insulation 😂

Nope. Some brief stalls but pretty consistent loss all along. Now two months past my 2 year mark I’ve dropped another 5 lbs. I’m now making a concerted effort to maintain. I’m happy, healthy, fit, and have zero ill effects from surgery. I followed the plan I was given, I now eat a slightly higher carb content diet, but still focus on protein first.

Yes! I’m cold all the time. I’m dreading this Friday. I’m picking up a shift at the outdoor COVID testing site at my hospital. It’s supposed to be 48 degrees with heavy rain & wind in Seattle. I’ll have to send an OOTD post of me in my scrubs with my longjohns, wool sweater, and puffer coat underneath. I’m going to look like the Michelin man 😂

I have always loved rice. I’m a little over two years post op. Still love it, but really can’t eat much. It fills me up way too quickly. I might have a bite or two. I’ve found that even with my old favorites just a small amount satisfies my cravings for them.

I love that dress, and you look great in it!

You’ve been such an inspiration to many. Glad you keep it REAL and show that we can go on to have a life that includes balance and fun. And you’re smoking’ hot ❤️

Oohhh! Do tell what kind of tat you’re planning on! I’ve been contemplating another for a long while, but still haven’t decided.

This was just outside of Seattle in the foothills of the Cascade mountains.