BrynHow

I am 2.5 yrs out and still have significant Hair loss. Lots of patchiness! I wouldn’t trade my weight loss journey except for this one factor. My Mom is a Beautician so we have tried many haircuts and hair care. I’m 59 and fortunate (and unfortunate) to have very dark hair but with a very white scalp that soooooo amplifies the patchiness! I had short, full, curly hair before surgery, now I have very thin, slight wave, short hair. 🫥

I am 2.5 yrs out and still have significant Hair loss. Lots of patchiness! I wouldn’t trade my weight loss journey except for this one factor. My Mom is a Beautician so we have tried many haircuts and hair care. I’m 59 and fortunate (and unfortunate) to have very dark hair but with a very white scalp that soooooo amplifies the patchiness! I had short, full, curly hair before surgery, now I have very thin, slight wave, short hair. 🫥

I totally used to think that too and used to get irritated with ppl that ‘claimed’ they were! It sux! I’ve been on both sides now. I cannot believe I’m saying this but I pick hot🤷🏻

“I also find that my brain wasn’t operated on”!!! I loved this quote! Such truth! My brain is remembering how much I used to love snacking in front of the TV etc! Ugh! I’m needing a brain retrain 2 yrs out! My belly suffers because my brain thinks it’s in charge again! HOLD ON BATGIRL! Operation BrainRetrain activated!!!!!!!

Weight loss surgery patients need to focus on getting enough Protein, but that is not the only important nutrient. Carbohydrates have their place, too. Use them right, and you can benefit with more stable blood sugar, lower disease risk, They can even give you a better chance of keeping off the weight for good. In general, look for less processed, higher-nutrient, higher-fiber, lower-sugar carbs


1. oatmeal.< /strong> Despite its high carb count, oatmeal is one of the healthiest foods, even for weight loss surgery patients. It is a whole grain (gluten-free, if you are wondering), and is a source of soluble Fiber. People who eat whole grains instead of refined ones have a lower risk of heart disease, diabetes, and weight gain.
Have oatmeal with nuts or Peanut Butter for a little extra healthy fat and protein, and add cinnamon for a sweet flavor without sugar. No law says oatmeal needs to be sweet. Turn it into a savory bowl with a poached or hard-boiled egg, some feta cheese, and sliced cooked mushrooms.
2. Pear. Pears have a lower glycemic index and glycemic load than many other fruits, so they do not spike your blood sugar as much. They have soluble fiber, which helps lower cholesterol and blood sugar. They also provide lignans, which are heart-healthy.

You can do way more with a pear than use it as a dessert or a side for cottage cheese, although those work, too! Try serving it with all-natural ham, or tossing it with mixed greens, walnuts, bell peppers, and cooked chicken breast. You can also turn it into a salsa to top fish or chicken along with diced onion, Tomato, and cucumber, plus chopped cilantro and lime juice.
3. Beans. Beans are a starch you can love since they pack in the fiber and protein along with Vitamins and minerals. They are linked to lower risk for certain cancers, as well. If they bother your stomach, try having small portions or using an enzyme product such as Bean-o.
Kidney, pinto, garbanzo, and black beans – they’re all good! Make hummus with garbanzos and olive oil, or try vegetarian chili with beans, tomatoes, other vegetables, and seasoning. Or, make a taco salad or naked burrito with fat-free refried beans.
4. pumpkin. Pumpkin has a medium glycemic index, but so few carbohydrates that your body will barely realize that it is there. Aside from the potassium and fiber in pumpkin, you will find amazing amounts of Vitamin A in the form of beta-carotene – and that can only be a good thing after weight loss surgery. Butternut and acorn squash have a few more carbohydrates but are also excellent choices.
Stir pumpkin and cinnamon into your oatmeal, or mix them into non-fat cream cheese for a flavorful, protein-packed spread or dip for apples. Add chunks of butternut squash to stew, or blend pumpkin into a Soup to make it creamy.
5. Peas. Peas may have a bad reputation, but it is undeserved. Choose snow peas or sugar snap peas in the pod for a dose of Vitamin C and fiber. Use them raw or lightly cooked to preserve their antioxidants and keep their glycemic load down.
Use them in salads along with lettuce, chicken, and chopped vegetables, or dip them into Greek yogurt-based dips. You can also use snow and sugar snap peas in stir fry – just be sure to keep them crunchy.

Welcome back @acbenford. Just an update from the OP - Still a horrible tracker, but daily weigher. Still working for me and if I vary more than 2-3 lbs I get back focused for a week or more and that settles be back into a better routine for several more weeks. Losing very slowly these days, but still losing so not complaining.

Coming up on 2 years post op and life has never been better. The gastric sleeve opened up a world to me that i thought would never exist. Ive learned so much about health, nutrition and exercise, that i wouldnt have if i didnt take the first step with the sleeve. I have a healthy relationship with foods now. I try to keep myself to the 80/20 rule. But i probably am closer to 90/10. Make good choices 80% of the time, and enjoy some of my favorite things the other times. Its funny tho, a lot of my favorites have no become healthy choices. So that makes life easier. I started this journey first just focusing on losing the weight. So for the first year i ran a lot and set a goal to run a half marathon. i completed that last may and then began to switch my focus to putting on muscle. This was hard because it meant i had to up my calories which for anyone in our situation, is a scary thing. So i bought a WHOOP strap and really dialed in how many calories i was burning and spoke with my nutritionist about a plan to get where i wanted to go. (whoop strap is apparently the most accurate fitness tracker out right now and ive found that my apple watch says i burn 800 more calories then the whoop says. just a heads up. IT wasnt easy but ive been doing it and got on a great routine. My lowest weight was 208. i now hover between 225-230. i weigh every few weeks but dont get too obsessed with the scale anymore. i know that if i stay within my calories that im fine. Its been a process and i had to learn a lot. it wasnt all easy but 110% worth it. This surgery opened a whole new life for me. I am extremely greatful.

I'm heading out for an early dinner, meeting Boo's son for the first time. 😳 Trying to look uber casual, like this is nbd. I totally didn't try on 10 outfits, or anything like that .... 😬

It’s super weird, I don’t know how I got so tan this year. My best guess is I’ve spent more time outdoors than I have the past few years. My ADHD prevents me from staying still long enough to lay out in the sun past 20 minutes.
Old Navy shorts well represented on this thread!

😂 Yep!
Unexpected side effect of my weight loss, I feel like I can wear inexpensive outfits and look completely put together. When I was heavy I always felt sloppy, and only partially counteracted that by wearing clothes that were well made and expensive. Now I feel equally fab in an outfit that costs $25 or $250.

My new favorite summer outfits are fun tank tops and breathable tennis skorts!