Sassafras1

Almost-Keto Apple Fritters
Adapted from an Actual-Keto Apple Fritter recipe (I didn’t have any “vital wheat gluten”... whatever that is! So i used 1/8 cup wheat flour + 1/8 cup psyllium instead. Also, I skipped the glaze and used cinnamon and granulated Monkfruit instead; as well as added baking powder)
These things turned out MASSIVE (miscalculation on my part) and just one is the size of BOTH my hands! A regular serving should probably be less than half this size.
161 calories for each ginormous fritter (11g fat, 19g net carbs).
Ate 1/4 of one, and the fam wolfed down the rest of them before they even cooled down (shhhh...don’t tell them there wasn’t any actual sugar in them!)

I’m having surgery today and they are allowing one person to be with me.

Breakfast this morning was a one egg omelette stuffed with spinach, reduced fat mozzarella cheese, mushrooms, onions and 1 oz of turkey kielbasa.

chicken salad w Avocado Wrap
Large serving because of the salad so this is two meals ~147 cal 16.5 g Protein 4g net carb per half

Thanks for the responses guys.

It’s really hurtful right now and even though I knew it wasn’t me (I try very hard to fly under the radar, but it’s not exactly like you can “hide” losing over 90 pounds) it’s nice to be reassured.

I make very sure that I don’t mention anything about losing weight, buying new clothes, or how good I feel to anybody except you guys and very very close family members and 1-2 friends who I know are absolutely rock-solid love me no-matter-what kind of relationships.

As I was stewing over this (because it’s cut me to the core and I’m kind of past the point where I can lie to myself and make yet another excuse up for this girl to avoid me now) I started making a list of positive changes in relationships.

1. I’ve got lots of friends all over the country and one of my long-term-yet-not-very-close friends and I have been reconnecting weekly via text and FB messaging bc she’s lost over 90 pounds (not WLS, just totally gave up sugar and now regularly does duathalons) and that relationship is awesome bc we send each other selfies and report on our progress and hold each other accountable.

2. All of you guys here. As if I didn’t realize how important coming here daily and posting was, the new IOS update really brought that home when my ability to be here is limited to when I can get on my pad.

3. The people I’m seeing daily at the Pilates studio.
Okay, so it’s not as easy to make new besties at the age of 50 as it is at the age of 5 (which is a shame really) but seeing these ladies daily in class brings on a feeling of camaraderie that’s really nice.

4. Myself.
Probably should’ve listed this relationship first, but the relationship I have with myself is a complete 180 from where I was this time last year.

Well done! you look great!

Made tuna patties, ate 3 and I’m so full

I have been doing me preop diet since October 22nd and it hasn’t been bad. I’m so thankful. Tomorrow morning I start straight liquids to get ready for surgery Thursday morning. I’m hoping tomorrow goes easy as well.

Good news: you may have been blessed with long lasting restriction! That's pretty awesome!
I'd like to think that I eat more (volume) than most people on the site (but maybe not) and people still think I don't eat very much. I know I'm hyper perceptive because I was hiding it for so long. I'm still hiding it most of the time 😂
I don't think I could eat more than 3-4 oz of dense Protein. But sliders are different. My teens say I eat like a toddler 😂 but they do not know about my surgeries.
I take normal sized portions most of the time and when I'm done, meals either becomes leftovers or hand offs so that prevents a lot of questions.
But (personally) under no circumstance will I try to eat more to assuage speculations because that would mean literally hurting myself for someone else's comfort. At that point I'd rather just tell everyone.

I have officially lost 100 pounds!!! I honestly never thought I’d be here!! I’m just so excited!!

Thanks, I didn’t get taller darn it. It must be a good angle!
The bench is actually an antique carriage seat. I’ve had it at the foot of my bed forever, the realtor moved it into the sitting room for staging. It’s a really cool piece, I bought it years ago. And no, I’m not painting it!
I love that dress too @Arabesque !

Hey! Haven't been on here in QUITE some time, but figured the most impactful posts I saw as a newbie were the people who were 2-5 years in, checking back and encouraging new people. To give some detail, I'm 2.5 years in, over 140 pounds down (and kept off) 260 lbs start, currently 115, have had 2 plastic surgeries, and my life has literally never been better. If you're new and things are rough, it's okay! This journey has been long, rough, exhausted but SO worth it. Best decision I ever made, it gave me my life back. I'm happy to answer any questions if anyone has any or just wants encouraging words

Hi! Yes sorry! I don't get on here often. My pre-op goal weight wise was 125, which I exceeded. I, however, under the recommendation of my surgeon tried to focus more on "non-scale victories", so I wanted to be a size 4 in jeans (I am a 00 or 0, so again, exceed my goal). I also wanted to be able to do certain things. For example, I wanted to run a mile in under 8 minutes, be able to cross my legs while sitting, These were really the goals that kept me motivated.
The reality of post-op for me was really difficult, as I chose to keep my surgery a secret (still is) from everyone except my parents. I found that it was much more challenging than I expected. I found I followed most of the thing I had set out to (food logging, journaling, exercise goals, etc) which was really nice. I still try to mentally track my Protein and calories but I don't track it in an app or anything.
Things I did not expect: I don't have an affinity for food. I know that sounds really odd, but even 2.5 years out, nothing ever "sounds good" to me, I don't get cravings etc. I could go a day and a half without eating and not realize it. I literally have 4 alarms set to remind me to have Snacks and drink Water. Also the weirdest thing for me was not recognizing myself in photos. I spent so much time being over weight that sometimes I'll see a candid photo of myself and think "wow shes pretty" and then realize after the fact that its actually me. I know that sounds a bit narcissistic, but even now this far out I have trouble recognizing myself. Lastly, I'm literally cold all the time. I guess I got so used to being "insulated" that now if the weather drops below 65 ish (thank goodness for living in texas) I will need a jacket or sweater.
Hope this helps and I'm happy to answer anything else!

Chipotle kids meal 😂 2 meals

Exactly 5 yrs ago this month I stepped on the scale at my doctors office and it read 110, but it was KG! That means I had a BMI of 48. I remember being so depressed because that was the highest number I had ever seen. I remember thinking "man that's what I should weigh in pounds!" I am excited today because when I got on the scale this morning it read 110.6...POUNDS!! It's been a long road but I can't believe I finally got there!

done

Well, I went ahead and put down the deposit to hold my desired date in late December! The timing ended up being crucial because I won’t have to take any unpaid time off from work. I feel comfortable with this decision based on my research (I did one other virtual consultation with a doctor in Miami) and their pricing info has been upfront so I know what to expect. I’ll be having my pre-op appointments mid-Nov (consult is 11/14) and the surgery will be 12/22. More updates to come!

I’m glad I scheduled a virtual consultation since the first available was mid-November. I expressed to their coordinator that I am interested in a late December surgery date, which is still possible. I am nervous about the few available dates being taken, but I have the option of paying the deposit before the consultation (though she didn’t think this was necessary and didn’t pressure me to do this). I’m eager to figure out the scheduling, time off, etc. sooner than later.

I think the timing will work out extremely well and might outweigh the negatives - any results will be better than what I have now after being obese for my adult life! Also, I kind of feel like I need a “win” and that finally being free of the saggy belly could provide a little mental boost (though I’m managing my expectations).

Thanks everyone for your comments thus far!

Oh my gosh, thank you both - and yes, I meant to say 2.25 months out from my sleeve surgery ANNIVERSARY, so about 14.25 months from surgery itself if I’m able to schedule for the end of December.

I really appreciate you sharing your personal experiences and you’ve given me a lot to think about. I will go ahead with the consultation with who I think is my top doctor choice and will update here when I figure out my game plan!

Let me add my point of view. Surgery is not the solution it’s a tool. Those same issues you lacked self control over pre surgery will be there post surgery. You must be willing to put in the work to optimize your tool.

I’m close to 11 years post op. I went from 384 to 210 with my surgery. 6 years in I stalled and put in the work myself and went from 210 to 164.

How did I do it? I spent time in counseling. Learning how to love me. Resolving issues that caused a negative relationship with food. Every once in awhile they will pop up. But investing in healing has saved me. I didn’t need a cheerleader in the process. I needed someone to hold me accountable. I didn’t want sympathy for making the decision to eat crap. Call me out on my sh*t. I got rid of those who wanted me to fail and created a healthier circle of people who wanted me to succeed.

I recently put on 20 lbs. I didn’t get depressed. I earned every pound gained. I knew where I slacked. I let Coronavirus get me. I owned it and set a plan that didn’t include starving. Currently down 10. Clothes fitting again. Plan to be back at goal by Thanksgiving.

The decision to have surgery is extreme. And it’s going to take extreme responses to give you a reality check. The reality is you’re going to have to put in the work to lose the weight post op. And that requires being called out on behaviors that may have need brushed under previously. It’s hard but it’s needed.

Hit me up anytime on IG: @bariatricbutterfly. I work with women atleast 3 years post op experiencing weight gain and want to gain control on working their tool.

I found that I got bored quickly. It was easy for me to make excuses as to why I didn’t go to the gym or why I chose to eat cheesecake at 10pm at night. I recognized that I was depressed.

We all know what we are supposed to do and yet we choose to do the opposite? Once I recognized my depression, I made the decision to work on it. I also stepped out of what I normally did and tried something new, in terms of exercise.

I scoffed at the expense of doing Pilates, but I tried it for a week. I got a pass for $20 and I vowed that if I showed up at least 3 times a week, then I would sign up! I went 5 times. It was so relaxing. It was in a small setting( COVID conscious) and I felt very accomplished after each class. It surprised me. I was getting stronger every class, my anxiety about the pandemic went away, I began drinking more Water and I started making smarter choices with my eating. I noticed a difference almost immediately.

That one act created a domino effect. Just say to yourself, “I’m going to walk/climb stairs for 15 minutes 3 times a week” see where that takes you.

Do a sleeve reset. Do one thing for yourself and see if it’s a catalyst to getting back on track.

I ended up having surgery to convert from a sleeve to bypass. I had horrible Gerd and I decided I wasn’t going to live on ppis for the rest of my life. I just had surgery last week and the struggle is real. But I look forward to getting back into the Pilates studio and I haven’t experienced GERD at all.

I have faith that you can find that one thing to get you back in track! I’m rooting for you! Good luck and be well!

Just some random thoughts:
- big problem with regain is that the feeling of "having to do it allover again" is a crippling feeling
- having to endure all of this not-eating and not-eating favorites and whatnot while still/again being obese is a double whammy and - again - a crippling feeling
- that big momentum and rush of being immediately post-op simply isn't there, plus see the two points above
- "going back to basics" without having a plan how to proceed further from there is pointless - it didn't lead to lasting success the first time. Why should it lead to success now?
- don't get me started on that motivation and commitment crap when it comes to "sticking to the plan this time no matter what" - people swore that every time they started a new diet lifestyle change before WLS
- "try harder" is bull crap, "try smarter" instead
Going to bed now. Tomorrow is a new day.

Thanks all. I'll wait for a while and see how it goes

I tried after surgery but my ferritin levels fell to almost nothing. My doctor said there was almost no way I could donate regularly without becoming anemic. When I did donate, I didn't have any nausea or dizziness.

I would say Wait a few years get your body balanced out with all you Vitamins and Minerals - I did give last week in a covid Anti Body thing was fine, but Got really Tired quickly
One thing for sure its easier to find the veins now that they are not swallowed in FAT