WishMeSmaller

Rant ahead! One of the few good things I can think of in 2020, and it is a big one, is my improved overall health after 75+ pounds of weight loss. The last couple of weeks have pretty much been terrible. My water heater broke two weeks ago and caused flooding in my house. We actually had to move into a hotel for a week while they dried the moisture and did some asbestos abatement. We had to board our dogs. We made a decision to leave our beloved nine year old cat at home figuring it would be less stressful for her, and our hotel was only 2 miles away so we could check on her. I work at home right now and being stuck in a hotel room all day was miserable. Trying to figure out what to eat was challenging. We were able to move back home last Friday, but there was no sign of our cat. She lives in our master bedroom because she does not like the dogs and has a cat door from our room to outside. Sunday my husband went to work (nurse) and started to feel very badly that morning. He ended up taking a COVID test, which came back positive. I am also now sick and have my test scheduled for Thursday. He is doing pretty well, but I feel crummy. My cat has still not appeared. We cannot get contractors in for estimates to repair our home due to being on quarantine. I am so glad we are able to quarantine in our own home with our dogs, but still, it sucks. I miss my cat, and realize I will probably not see her again. We have lots of coyotes in our neighborhood and already lost another cat to predation. My mom is a breast cancer survivor and she found a lump in her breast last week. Her oncologist sent her for a mammogram with ultra sound, which came back inconclusive. She has a MRI tomorrow, and sees the oncologist again on Thursday. And I am on quarantine. Thankfully she has her husband to support her, but I want to be there too. I am so grateful for not getting COVID (assuming I have it now) when I was still morbidly obese. I am no longer diabetic. Pretty sure my sleep apnea is gone. I do still have asthma, but at this point, it is well controlled so keeping my fingers crossed. My husband’s case has been mild, so I am hoping mine will be too. I am grateful for my husband even if he did give me COVID? Focusing on the positive, I am sitting on my couch, with my little dog on my lap and my big dog next to me. My employer provides COVID leave so I don’t have to work while I feel crummy and I will not blow through my PTO. I am not alone while I quarantine. We have the support of wonderful family, friends, and neighbors if we need anything.

Fairlife low-fat milk. Higher in protein, and no lactose due to ultra filtration. I have lactose intolerance and it does not cause me issues. Good luck!

I drink a cup of Smooth Move tea almost every night. Agree with talking to your surgeon’s office and then figuring out what works for you. I tried several different types of laxatives before I figured out what works best for me. Hope everything comes out ok (pun intended?)

Estrogen is stored in fat, so as you start to loose fat, it is not uncommon to have some hormonal shifts, which could cause abnormal bleeding. With that said, you should probably check in with your provider who prescribed your deposit. Good luck to you!

I literally just told my husband this morning that I am completely obsessed with my changing body. I keep trying to imagine what it will be like when I get to goal. I keep touching the emerging muscles and bones. I look in the mirror and move the fatty, loose skin around. I try to see if anything looks different from the week before. I put on clothes, and look and feel for differences in the way they fit. When I am working out I like to feel the different muscles engage and watch them work. I am a creeper on myself???

My step-daughter usually does the full big dinner. This year I plan to skip going over there as my sister and her kids (14 & 12) are coming to stay with us for a few days. She and I talked and we are planning non-traditional...probably take out ??. My husband doesn’t like turkey and the kids will be having the full feast with their dad’s family on Friday. Or maybe we will bbq some steak and I can sear some scallops. We will figure it out. My mom and step-dad will be out of town, and my dad traditionally goes to some friends’ house and does not want to change plans. I honestly could care less about what we eat. I just want to hang with some of my favorite peeps. And zero pressure on me to prepare a big traditional feast when I won’t be eating most of the foods prepared. Winning!

The frequent urination is what happens when your body goes into ketosis. It is so annoying, but also improves after several days. Just keep on keeping on!

Agree with @ms.sss! This dress is fabulous! ???

Creamy tomato soup with chicken and beans and a bit of Parmesan on top. Ate it all...as usual? About 265 kcals for the whole thing. Super yum!

I am addicted to Built protein bars right now. They are chewy and taste like a candy bar to me, but with 17 G protein. They can be high in kcals depending on flavors, so I usually use before or after a heavy workout, or to replace a meal. I love having a protein bar that is not gritty ?

If you get an ok on coffee, mix it with protein shake to make it creamy and sweet. Plus you get the all important protein. Also, my surgeon’s office ok’ed regular at two week post-op to help me with constipation. Wins all around! All the best to you!

Welcome! Congratulations on making this big life decision and finding peace with yourself! ?

It is horrible! Towards the end of my two week pre- op I was mixing my vanilla flavor with two cups of crystal light lemonade and lots of ice. I found I preferred it very watered (lemonaded???) down and very cold. I did not drink as much of it as I was supposed to (3 servings per day vs. 3.5 servings) and ended up with a full bag left over. I am currently trying to use it up since it is so darned expensive. Now I mix it with 1/2 cup Fairlife 1% milk, about 6 oz of cold brew coffee concentrate, lots of ice and about 1/2 cup water. Typically takes me two hours to drink, but I am about halfway done with the bag. ??????

I have totally done the same thing a few times, but with chicken. It always happens when I am distracted or very hungry when I start to eat.??‍♀️??‍♀️??‍♀️ I end up eating too fast, and then the pain/puke thing. I still eat chicken regularly without issues, so probably not related to the pork.

Just share your durings ?

If you are only getting about 10 G protein per day, something is wrong. You will quickly begin to suffer from malnutrition at that level. Have you tried going back to full liquids for a bit? Protein shakes, bone broth, cream of wheat cereal, etc. I am 4 month’s post op and still drink at least one protein shake per day. Until you can start to get close to your goals, you will feel like garbage. If you cannot tolerate full liquids, keep pushing for answers with your surgeon. Good luck!

I thought it might be fun to have a thread to celebrate the process by sharing how far we have already come, regardless of where we are in the journey. My before and during photos are 4 months apart, from right before pre-op diet to now. About 50-ish pounds to goal.

Welcome! ?

I am around 700-900 kcals per day now, and my surgeon’s office is happy with those numbers. Most days I aim for 800 kcals, and get pretty close. I do exercise a ton, at a pretty high intensity. I get 90-120 mins three times a week with cardio and weights, and then another 40 minutes of cardio the other four days per week. I am having to get 70-90 G protein per day now, as my protein was low at 3 month labs. The low protein was probably related to my exercise levels. ?

Imitation crab salad. Spicy style. About 190 kcals. For the after, imagine an empty plate. The number one benefit to working from home again is my lunches look much more appealing. ?

Right back at you! ?

You deserve it! ?

Looks yummy regardless of where you posted! ?

Here is my platitude for you: it gets better after 3-4 days. Sorry! ? I had no energy during the two week pre-op diet, but THE HUNGER did fade after the first few days. Hang in there. It is worth it. Positive vibes heading back at you!

I have a cup of Smooth Move tea every night. I was also taking stool softeners, but stopped those a couple weeks ago. Hope everything works out! ??