Suzi_the_Q

mood swings and other hormone-related weirdnesses are pretty common after WLS. It's supposedly due to estrogen being released from your fat cells (where it's stored). It'll level out and stabilize after a few weeks or months (hopefully weeks, though!)
bypass patients have issues with extended release meds, but I don't think sleeve patients do. But they may need to play around with your dosage or have you switch to a different brand if this one is no longer working.

As of this morning, I have achieved my self-determined goal weight of 150 pounds. My surgery date was 7/6/2020, so I am just under 8 months. I am as fit as I have ever been, and feel great. I do have loose, saggy skin, which I hope PS will correct. My tummy does not look too bad when I stand upright, but look out if I bend over. 😱 My boobs are sad, pathetic socks of flesh. But my butt...holy crap I wasn’t expecting all the loose skin back there. 😭😭😭 It is so uncomfortable to sit or lay on folds of extra skin.
The butt issue is uncomfortable enough that I am somewhat rushing towards PS, starting with a lower body lift, breast lift/augmentation at the end of May. My thighs look kind of crappy, but I would like to avoid a thigh lift and I am hopeful the lower body lift and time will help their appearance. My arms have some loose skin, but at this point I am ok with them. I hate the loose skin on my neck and I will probably end up having a neck lift at some point, but I am also hopeful time will help.

I am no longer trying to lose weight, but I haven’t found the sweet spot with maintenance diet. I am not tracking food and basically eat what I want, in small portions. I do not dump, but too much sugar and/or fat in one sitting makes me feel like crap. I used to drink wine pretty much every day. Since a few months after surgery, I have a a glass or two of wine a few times per month.

I am still exercising a lot and I enjoy pushing my body. I do all sorts of exercise, including traditional and functional strength training, running, walking, yoga, all of the different cardio machines at the gym, HIIT. I can’t wait for summer to pack in some hiking. In December I went snowboarding for the first time in about 7 years. I am looking forward to more time on the snow in March.

Anyhow, here are some before and after pics...

Congrats for dropping 800+ pounds of mostly toxic tissue, just like that! 😉
Don't worry about it, you're young and getting healthier, and you'll meet plenty of new people who will appreciate you for your positive attitude and the efforts you make to improve your life.

As a subtle (or not... 😈) FU, I'd mail my entire (now obsolete) wardrobe to my former "friends", with a note saying something like "I don't need these anymore, and I know how much you liked them. Enjoy!" 😂

Keep up the good work, stay true to YOUR course and make new friends!

CONGRATULATIONS !!! You are doing great!
I have read all of the responses above and I feel like I’ve already heard some of my responses mentioned there......
However....I also had my weight loss surgery for other medical reasons. (My spine is deteriorating and I have already had 3 surgeries to fuse it together and I’m only 53!) Like you, me losing weight and keeping it off is critical for my quality of life. I have only told my 5 kids and an aunt who I am very close to about my surgery.....even my mother doesn’t know because she would react as your friends have.
Try daily affirmations. Look at yourself in the mirror and say out loud so you can hear it....
I am STRONG!
I am BEAUTIFUL!
I CAN DO THIS!
I am DETERMINED and DYNAMIC!
I’m doing this for ME!
Negativity will not bring me down!
If everything you hear is negative comments, it’s hard to get those feelings out of your head. Give this gift to yourself, you deserve it! Really listen to your affirmations and let them sink in. YES, I AM strong, beautiful, dynamic, etc. I hope this is helpful because you are a superstar! You deserve to SHINE!

I actually had an appointment with my therapist today, (thanks to everyone for encouraging me to get in with her sooner rather than later) and after a lot of talking and processing, I went no contact with my sister and 2 other acquaintances for my own mental health. I know I’m going to need every ounce of it in the next 6 months. It sucks, but this is for ME!!
I have suffered from chronic Panic disorder since I was in a severe wreck, so when I feel like I’m being insulting, or mean, or anything like that I start to freak out, so I just try to avoid confrontation even if it’s something that hurts me (talk about unhealthy). But that’s something I’m working on. I’m learning quickly the thinner I physically get, the thicker my skin needs to be.
My weight has never been a joke per se, but the people in my life have told me my wreck (and 7 major reconstructive surgeries), my hypertension, and the medicine I’m on (serious serious weight gain implications) (125 lbs in 18 months, eating cucumbers and balsamic for almost every meal) isn’t an excuse to have gained this weight nor a reason to have surgery to rid myself of it. So to them it’s just always been invalid.
My therapist also mentioned that the reason I’m getting so many negative reactions, comments, and people walking away after telling me I’m an idiot, ignorant, going to be a failure, and am “ruining my life for one year max of looking good” is because almost everyone in my life is either obese or morbidly obese. And to them it’s seen as “not fair” and “the easy way out.”
This board has provided more support to me in 13 days than anyone in my entire life. I’m so grateful to have found it and to be a part of this community.
Thank you for taking the time to respond and provide me with some more insight and encouragement that I can do this! I know I seem like a wuss complaining and seeking advice and encouragement, and so many people do and have done this “alone.”
Thanks again, I appreciate you. I’m gonna start practicing the BCABD way of life and tell people sayonara!
I really hope I’m not being a burden on anyone. I know I’m long winded. I’m sorry!

There is nothing that my family won’t use as a butt of jokes, so I’m not sharing any information about this. My weight isn’t a joke to me, and I don’t trust them to be appropriate with the information so forget it. I haven’t seen any of them since before Covid, so when I eventually see them I’m sure some will guess but that’s not my problem.

In general people react very negatively to others weight loss because they don’t like the status quo being changed (skinny people who enjoyed being “better” than us) or feeling like their own weight is being called into question for those who are overweight.

I am only nice when I feel like it, so the one person who made a “joking” negative comment about my weight loss I just told them that was a very hateful statement and that I felt sorry for them that they are the type of person who thinks things like that. They immediately said it was just a joke and I told them if they think that’s a funny joke they need to examine their sense of humor.

But I’m a jerk who doesn’t care about being nice to people sooooo... 😬

My sister has been the same way. She and I aren’t very close, but when she found out I was having the surgery for my hernia, and was going to have the VSG while they were in there, she made a comment about how “well now you’ve finally got an excuse to make yourself lose that weight.” She knew I had the surgery because I had a balloon in my chest and severe blood pressure issues. But she didn’t care. Im a cheater. But she weighs 135 🙄 That was in November. Haven’t talked to her since.
She texted and asked my parents how I was doing, and they told her I had lost 50 lbs and her response was “let’s see how long that lasts.” After that response I said ya know what, sc*ew em all. This is for US. Not for anyone else.
I know it’s corny but I believe that the best way to heal, succeed and improve your life is to surround yourself with positivity and joy. If the people in your life aren’t about that. They don’t deserve to be there!!

My sister is the one giving me crap about my surgery. She has always been skinny, and I was always chubby.
When she saw me at Christmas time, I had lost about 60-65 lbs. She never said one word about my weight loss. Finally, my mom asked her how did she think I looked. Her response, though she barely looked at me, was "Oh maybe I will have to give her all my clothes that are too big for me now". She said in a very sarcastic way.
Then she said, "I guess its easy to lose weight when you can just have a simple surgery, and cheat your way out of it." Then she continued to talk crap about how most people can just go on a diet, not eat so much food, and lose weight if they really had to.
OMG, now I was getting mad! She knew I had to have the surgery due to being a severe diabetic. The weight loss was a bonus.
When it came time to eat dinner, all I could eat was a little bit of food, and then she made a wise ass comment about that. We have never been close, but this was a slap in the face. I haven't talked to her since, and don't really want to.

Thanks for your response. I think you hit the proverbial nail on the head. My group of friends have always been my size (pre-pre-op). The 4 of us shared and swapped clothes weekly. So I do think that maybe you’re right, and seeing me lose weight this fast and in this manner is something that is bringing out the true jealousy.
They were so supportive until they all saw me in person (quarantine and sx prep has made it hard to see people IRal) in the last 2.5 weeks. Then they dropped like flies. I guess they didn’t realize what it would entail.
My pre op therapist warned me about a lot of WLS pts losing relationships over these surgeries, but I was naive and said nah not me, I’ve got the most supportive people in the world. Whoops.
But as far as WLS “cheating,” it’s just bs. It’s like 100x harder than any fad diet you can think of. But if this surgery extends my life another 40 years, I’ll be a cheater.

What the actual f**k? That person is NOT your friend. She put you down and then turned it around to make it all about her and HER "honest" efforts... she's jealous and trying to cut you down to make herself feel superior. Anyone who has been on this journey AT ALL knows this is quite far from the "easy way" or the "cheater's way." You made a choice for your health, now the it's time to choose your mental health and cut her out. 210 for your health is far from sickly (and congrats on the 50lbs! That's a LOT of weight!) My sister was a huge nay-sayer, saying that I was going to have bigger mental health issues and ruin my life etc. She just didn't get it. A lot of ppl who aren't there themselves don't. I'm sorry to hear your "friend" was so awful to you. You don't deserve that at all.

What the actual f**k? That person is NOT your friend. She put you down and then turned it around to make it all about her and HER "honest" efforts... she's jealous and trying to cut you down to make herself feel superior. Anyone who has been on this journey AT ALL knows this is quite far from the "easy way" or the "cheater's way." You made a choice for your health, now the it's time to choose your mental health and cut her out. 210 for your health is far from sickly (and congrats on the 50lbs! That's a LOT of weight!) My sister was a huge nay-sayer, saying that I was going to have bigger mental health issues and ruin my life etc. She just didn't get it. A lot of ppl who aren't there themselves don't. I'm sorry to hear your "friend" was so awful to you. You don't deserve that at all.

What the actual f**k? That person is NOT your friend. She put you down and then turned it around to make it all about her and HER "honest" efforts... she's jealous and trying to cut you down to make herself feel superior. Anyone who has been on this journey AT ALL knows this is quite far from the "easy way" or the "cheater's way." You made a choice for your health, now the it's time to choose your mental health and cut her out. 210 for your health is far from sickly (and congrats on the 50lbs! That's a LOT of weight!) My sister was a huge nay-sayer, saying that I was going to have bigger mental health issues and ruin my life etc. She just didn't get it. A lot of ppl who aren't there themselves don't. I'm sorry to hear your "friend" was so awful to you. You don't deserve that at all.

LOL. I bought one just last summer:

Ummmm....I do. 😂😂😂😂😂
And yep, I'm a child of the 70's.

Well, I'm single, so take my advice with a grain of salt, but maybe this would be a good thing to discuss with him directly. Ask if he's concerned about your clothing choices and why the idea of you wearing different clothing bothers him.

The thing is, I DO get hungry- a little. Not head hunger, but actual "if you don't eat you will faint!" hunger. The food tastes fine, just often things make me feel ill. And I get the dry heaves sometimes more than an hour later, it's weird.

I made it through! I don't even remember being wheeled into the OR which is nice. Overall I feel it went very well. My dr. told my family it was a nice boring surgery, lol. (She has a very dry sense of humor.) Just got home. Still some soreness/ pain in the abdomen and a little in the shoulder, but the meds keep it to a tolerable level. Feeling pretty wiped out so I'm going to get some rest. Thank you for all the well-wishes and encouragement, it means a lot!

Heavy Weightlifting completely changes your body!!! I’m 8 years post-op and I incorporate 5-6 days of weightlifting into my routine. I ONLY do about 10 minutes of cardio (10 minute run) each workout day, which in actuality is my warmup before I stretch and lift. I also incorporate hypertrophy (higher rep, lower weight) training into my workouts to help with muscle growth, but the most empowering part is getting strong and hitting new PR’s (personal records).

When I first started lifting, I could not lift too much weight. The lower weight WAS my heavy weight. I would find a weight that I could rep 8-10 times before failure. My squats literally started with the bar (a standard Olympic bar weighs 45 lbs). Now, after 6.5 years of consistent training, I can squat 245 lbs, deadlift 320 lbs, bench 185 lbs, curl the 40 lbs dumbbells. I really wanted to fill up my arms & legs with muscle to lessen that loose skin (which I still have, but not so noticeable), so I worked hard. I researched, read, incorporated. I was—and still am—constantly learning, correcting, and incorporating. I learned how to diet for optimal muscle growth, which optimally includes 1 gram of Protein per body weight and complex carbs, and good healthy fats. At first I didn’t know what complex carbs were, so I looked it up😂, picked out foods I liked, and incorporated them into my diet. I’m not going to lie, complex carbs are the hardest to consume because of their density (and my sleeve still works when I’m eating the right foods—freak’n sliders!), but I make it work by eating small frequent meals throughout the day (I eat about 6-8 different times, including shakes). I also discovered a supplement drink in powder form called Karbolyn (by EFX Sports) that would help me hit my complex carb macro goal.

Anyway, long story short, when I first lost all my weight, I got down to 140 lbs, and a size 4-6. Now, I weigh between 155-160, and still wear a 6 (the 4’s are too small for my arms because they’ve grown with muscle mass 💪🏼😆💪🏼). I’ve literally shred the fat and have added muscle mass. And since 1 lbs of fat takes up way more space than 1 lbs of muscle, I’ve been able to pack on more muscle in the same amount of space. Weightlifting is where it’s at. Man or woman. I’m just trying to inspire women because women tend to fear lifting heavy and fear that they will look manly. I assure you, I do not look like a man. 😂🤣

I'm so sorry Suzi. I hated food too. I didn't have the kinds of problems you are having, but food just didn't taste the same. I only ate because I had to.
The one thing I really enjoyed was the Bariatric Pal hot chocolate. I know at 6 weeks out they do not advise this for our meals, however I figured it was better than not getting any nutrients.
Please know we are all thinking of you and hope this will pass soon for you. ❤

I'm 6 weeks post op and no matter what I eat, I feel ill. I hate food now. I never want to eat anymore, I'm barely able to eat anything.When I eat, it hurts. When I drink (sip!), it hurts. I get dry heaves almost daily. I'm having a hard time meeting my macros, my meds make me feel sick too. Haven't met with my (b***h) doctor yet- she has the worst bedside manner I have EVER encountered! I do not feel confident or comfortable talking to her at all about my issues. I've even tried switching to another program but that "just isn't done." I hope this passes, I feel so hopeless rn.

I'd put a call into your surgeon. Bariatrics is very specific and they may be better equipped to identify and help you with your pain.

I'd put a call into your surgeon. Bariatrics is very specific and they may be better equipped to identify and help you with your pain.

I had my share of slip ups during the liquid diet- I didn't tell my Dr., surgery went off no problem.

My stall lasted 2 or 3 weeks. Very disheartening, but it broke eventually!

I had my share of slip ups during the liquid diet- I didn't tell my Dr., surgery went off no problem.