Butterfly#7

It’s been a year since my gastric sleeve surgery and I’ve lost almost 90lbs. During COVID 19 quarantine I gained 5 lbs I believe because I wasn’t being as active. I used to go to the YMCA 3 to 4 times a week, but during the quarantine the Y was closed. On a good note I lost the 5 lbs by drinking lots of water and being more active at home. 3 days ago my mother passed away in her sleep (not COVID-19). I’m having a hard time eating food, but no problem eating junk. For example I tried to eat a healthy, grilled turkey burger and could only eat a couple bites, but I had no problem eating some ice cream and peanut M&Ms! I know I’m grieving but I’m also beating myself up because I worked so hard to lose the weight and I don’t want to gain it back because I’m an emotional wreck! My husband thinks I’m being too hard on myself, am I?

It’s been almost 10 months since my gastric sleeve surgery. I’m really excited that I’ve lost almost 90 pounds! Oddly enough my skin seems drier and Even more sensitive than before the surgery. Before the surgery I used to get rashes and yeast infections under my breasts and behind my knees. Now behind my knees are so itchy and dry. I will admit that I need to drink more water and this probably why my skin is so dry. Has anyone else experienced this? Even the skin on my belly is itchy.

I'm going on my first vacation since my vgs surgery and it's an all inclusive resort. Are there any low calorie cocktails that I can drink? This will also be my first time drinking alcohol since my surgery 6 months ago-a little nervous and excited...

My sleeve seemingly has an aversion to poultry. Ive tried to eat chicken and turkey cooked in various ways (baked, roasted, pulled, stir fried, etc) and my sleeve just does not like poultry anymore. I can get by with some soups that have chicken in it. Otherwise it's painful to digest. So I guess I will have meatloaf or shrimp for Thanksgiving. Anyone else have difficulty digesting poultry?

Today is Halloween and exactly 5 months since my vgs surgery! Im down almost 70 pounds. No tricks, but I did allow myself to have a treat- some bread! Not something I will eat every day but I was excited because I thought I could never eat bread again! Not going to lie I also had some ice cream. Im going to get back in line and head to the gym tomorrow. Gotta have some fun right?

One of the results (after weight loss of course), I love about exercising is the increase of energy I feel. I thought that the more I exercised the more I would continue to feel energized; however, now I’m going through a period where I feel exhausted. I will admit for two weeks my exercise routine was interrupted because my husband was in the hospital. I would go to work then to the hospital. In addition I started a new job. I would try to at least walk but I could tell that my body missed my workouts. Thank God my husband is better and I have returned to my workout routine (I take aqua classes at the YMCA) but I feel so tired. Does anyone else experience a fluctuation in your energy levels?

Of course I understand that one of the main challenges of achieving weight loss goals is changing or eliminating old habits. One of the habits I had since being a child is eating my favorite food or dessert with my favorite tv shows. Now that we are in the season of “Season Premiers” and the return of some of my favorite programs I still have the mindset that I need to have something special to eat while watching. So I have started to put an end time on when I eat to avoid this-I try to finish eating for the day by no later than 7pm. The excitement of watching the programs or movies just isn’t the same without that “special” treat.:(

Before I had the VGS surgery I was lactose intolerant and would have to take Lactaid supplements before eating dairy foods. Post-surgery I seem to tolerate dairy foods a little better but I still experience bloating. I sometimes feel my sleeve expanding after I eat dairy foods. Dairy foods are a great source of protein so I refuse to give it up! Anyone else have a similar experience?

Exactly, my experience also. I can eat almost a whole plate (small of course) of shrimp, crab, fish and feel fine. Its because seafood is not as dense as other food and more easily digested. Seafood is also a great source of protein!

One of the things I’m looking forward to during my weight loss journey is saying good bye to my skin folds/creases.I have skin folds on my arms and thighs. I’ve already lost over 50 pounds since my VGS in May but the skin folds are still there! For my BariPals who have already accomplished your weight loss goals when did your skin folds (if you had some) go away? I’m just praying that they will naturally go away, even if with exercise, because I really don’t want plastic surgery.

When did you start buying new clothing? I’m finding that since I keep losing weight what I buy today may be too big next month. This has already happened to me, I bought a suit just a couple of weeks ago and now it’s too big. I’m not complaining but just wondering how everyone else handles their size changes in regards to clothing?

Thank you so much for your kind concern! I'm still grieving but just trying to go on with life. I'm a little disappointed in myself because I was doing so well with eating healthy but the last couple.days I've had some junk food a piece of cake a couple of fries. I'm hurting and I know eating bad things isnt going to make me feel better but I'm just trying to cope. I am going to go and workout tonight try to get back on the right track. Again thank you for your concern.

Thank you so much for your kind concern! I'm still grieving but just trying to go on with life. I'm a little disappointed in myself because I was doing so well with eating healthy but the last couple.days I've had some junk food a piece of cake a couple of fries. I'm hurting and I know eating bad things isnt going to make me feel better but I'm just trying to cope. I am going to go and workout tonight try to get back on the right track. Again thank you for your concern.

It turns out I was so emotionally distraught I couldn’t even eat the French fries (I ate only 4). So today I’m going to go to water aerobics after work to relieve my stress.

I was never a real stress or emotional eater, but I just had to put my dog to sleep because she had metastatic breast cancer.I dont care I want French fries tonight! I lost 2 dogs in one month! I will try to pick myself up another day.

OMG! I have cheated! I feel horrible! I had a tiny piece of carrot cake yesterday and a couple spoonfuls of banana pudding and my stomach didnt reject it! I'm horrified now because I thought I would never be able to eat sweets again! My stomach betrayed me and I betrayed myself! Now that Im feeling better Im noticing that my.addiction to sugar is still there. I cant fail myself! Ugh!

Hey to all my BariatricPals who have lost 100 lbs or more what exercise routines worked best for you? I’m 10 weeks post gastric sleeve and my goal is to lose 160 pounds! My surgeon said I’m going to have to work hard to lose this much weight. So I just joined my local YMCA and have started taking water exercise classes and Zumba. Of course I was told that walking is good. I’m just curious about the “secrets” of the success of those of you who have already lost 100 pounds…

Thank you. I’m definitely going to try this!

Thank you Cindi_Augustine your words are very encouraging! I didn't know that stress can cause weight gain also, so I'm definitely going to try to relax.

OH NO! I went to the doctor today and somehow I gained a pound! I'm stressing! What did I do? A week ago I was sick and couldn't barely eat anything so how in the world did I gain a pound?! I think I know- because I have difficulty drinking water I've been drinking juice OMG those calories must have caught up to me! God HELP.me.I cant fail, I cant go backwards!!!!

Is it possible to lose weight in your feet? I’m starting to notice that some of my shoes fit bigger than normal. I will admit my feet used to swell before VGS surgery but it wasn’t every day. I’m not complaining, just shocked !

Last night my husband and I went to the State Fair and let me tell you, my eyes were really opened to the fact that the majority of food sold at the Fair can NOT be consumed by people who had Bariatric surgery! From Corn Dogs, Funnel cakes, cheese steaks, French fries, kettle corn, snow cones and even tacos all delicious foods I used to indulge in I had to walk away from. Amazingly my new "stomach" did not feel one hunger pain while I was at the Fair for 4 hours. I was really shocked at the poor quality of food and two months ago (before I had vgs) I would have indulged like everyone else. I went home and ate a nice home cooked dinner. Yay me!

Thank you ms.sss! It seems simple enough.

So before my gastric sleeve I loved pizza! I’m starting to crave it again. My Nutritionist said that I can try pizza with cauliflower pizza crust; however, it has to be 100% cauliflower no flour! Honestly to get that I think I would have to learn how to make it myself. Pizza chains like Pie5 that offer cauliflower crust it does have flour in it. As well as the frozen pizzas like the “O” pizzas. Has anyone found a 100% cauliflower crust.? What about gluten free crust is that carb free?

Surprisingly, I have been having success with international foods. I tried a small portion of the mushroom chicken and angus steak from Panda Express (of course no rice because I’m only 7 weeks post gastric sleeve) and it was soo good! My sleeve didn’t fight me. Today I just noticed thatOlive Garden now offers Zoodles! Zoodles is pasta made from zucchini. I had the Salmon piccata that is served with zucchini, it was good but I have now discovered that I don’t really care for salmon anymore. My husband makes delicious Jamaican curry chicken so he’s going to make some for me that is mild and use cauliflower rice to accompany it. Has anyone else had success with international cuisine either store bought or homemade?