STLoser

I never even thought about the possibility of my rings not being able to be sized down enough. That's good to know. I do have some of those spiral ring sizers just in case. Thank you! Sent from my Pixel 5a using BariatricPal mobile app

Fitting into a booth is the best, isn't it! We could no longer sit in a booth at my highest weight and I am so happy to sit there again with so much room! Dropping a clothing size is awesome!!! Sent from my Pixel 5a using BariatricPal mobile app

My ring size is a 6 now, which seems so tiny to me! I was a 10.5 at my highest weight, which is bigger than my husband's fingers and he is 6'10"!. My wedding rings need to be resized but I'm waiting until I'm sure this will be my final size. I can't wait to see how my rings look on my "tiny" fingers! Sent from my Pixel 5a using BariatricPal mobile app

I told everyone, because I don't know many people, and I'm also an open book. Someone close to me said it was the easy way out and since I'm outspoken I set her straight and now she's planning to have it done. [emoji51] Since then she has been nothing but supportive. Everyone else in my life has been wonderful and they ask a lot of appropriate questions that I'm happy to answer. I like to educate people about it. That being said, it's absolutely your right to keep it private and I definitely understand wanting to. Sent from my Pixel 5a using BariatricPal mobile app

I'm sure it will help a lot! I have read your enzymes can go up with rapid weight loss. It has happened to some people here, but it's temporary. Good luck on your surgery! Sent from my Pixel 5a using BariatricPal mobile app

Oh yes I used to drink the Premier one all the time. I started making my morning coffee smoothie and switched to that, but I'd love to try the Fairlife! Thanks for the link! Sent from my Pixel 5a using BariatricPal mobile app

My liver enzymes came down to normal, so I'm pretty sure it is resolved, although the last time one of them was a few points over normal, but the doctor thinks that's just my body adjusting. I think it was the ALT. It was 39 and was supposed to be 34. All the others were completely normal though! Sent from my Pixel 5a using BariatricPal mobile app

Woo hoo! Congratulations on your amazing achievement!!! Sent from my Pixel 5a using BariatricPal mobile app

The second I was allowed caffeine at 3 months post op, I went right back to my coffee! I don't know if you will be allowed diet soda in the future but you may not even like it if you are. I lived for sparkling water before and now if I try to drink it, it causes this uncomfortable pressure feeling in my stomach. I don't like it anymore! I make a smoothie every morning with coffee, almond milk, and protein powder. I didn't even know Fairlife had a coffee protein shake. It's so hard to find around here. I feel like I've been robbed! [emoji23] Sent from my Pixel 5a using BariatricPal mobile app

I did not cheat, but I knew my liver was big (I have NASH) and it is the biggest reason I did the surgery so I was terrified I wouldn't shrink it enough. I don't think cheating once or twice would ruin the whole thing by any means, but it's best to stick to it if you can. Sent from my Pixel 5a using BariatricPal mobile app

Yes I can't do a lot of volume because of my restriction, so I guess it will be more about adding higher calorie food. I definitely don't exercise enough for 2500 calories! [emoji23] Thank you for sharing! It helps so much to hear about your success and everyone else's!! Sent from my Pixel 5a using BariatricPal mobile app

So I saw my surgeon today for my six month appointment.. I can't BELIEVE it's been 2 years since my surgery. My life has changed so much for the better in so many wonderful ways. Anyway, I'm about to start maintenance. I figured I was close to finished with weight loss because it's been pretty slow for a while, and I feel good and happy with the 205 I have lost. Most of my weight was lost the first year. I have lost 42 since this time last summer, and most of that l lost in those first 6 months. The dietitian recommended I start adding 50 to 100 calories a week of carbs or fat. I currently eat 1300 calories a day. I usually get about 100 of protein (I had the Loop DS). So I'm supposed to start adding gradually to get my calories as high as I can without gaining. I'm excited but SO nervous. I know people have a 10 to 20 lb. rebound gain quite often and I really want to stay as close to my weight now as possible. I weigh 187. I'm 5'3" so that's still pretty much for height but considering I started at 393 I'm pretty happy. I wear a size medium or large which I'm thrilled with. I never cared about being skinny. I have always been a curvy person. I just wanted my health and life back, which I have! But I would like to stay under 200 pounds, so I don't have a lot of room for gaining any back. I know I'm rambling here but I just need some encouragement from those of you who are farther along than I am. How was maintenance for you? Sent from my Pixel 5a using BariatricPal mobile app

Thank you Arabesque! This is so helpful. I was thinking that I'm pretty satisfied with this amount of calories and I can't imagine eating too much more, but I guess I may need to add snacks or something. I'm sure I'll figure it out through trial and error. It reassures me to hear the experiences of you and others here. I'm panicking a little inside at the thought of eating more! I am also excited about it, especially getting to add some healthy carbs, which I've limited a lot. I had an apple today! Ha ha Sent from my Pixel 5a using BariatricPal mobile app

You've had such amazing weight loss! You may get to that goal by October but don't beat yourself up if you don't. Just keep following your plan and you will succeed. I have had to come to terms with not getting to my ideal goal weight. I started out so big and had a lot to lose, so I knew I may never get there even though I'd like to. I'm still technically in the obese category, even though I wear a size medium or large and I feel amazing and am healthy now, so I focus on those things, because the reason I did this was to get my life and health back. I can't let the number on the scale make me feel bad when I feel so great! Focus on all the a amazing progress you made so far. You have done a wonderful job! Sent from my Pixel 5a using BariatricPal mobile app

I hear you on the waist being too big! I know when I've been this weight at a younger age my waist was smaller. What a drag it is getting old. Lol I feel pretty good with what I'm eating but I do notice I'm a little more hungry than I was the first year and a half or so, which I feel like is a signal that I'm ready for maintenance. I need more food! [emoji23] Sent from my Pixel 5a using BariatricPal mobile app

Thank you SO much for this comment. It actually brought tears to my eyes when you said clearly you are doing something right. After so many years of failed weight loss attempts I have do much fear failure. Your advice is so helpful and just what I needed to hear! [emoji4] Sent from my Pixel 5a using BariatricPal mobile app

Welcome and best of luck on your surgery!! Sent from my Pixel 5a using BariatricPal mobile app

I agree with SleeveDiva! Those first 3 days are the WORST. I gave up my coffee cold turkey too knowing full well the headache it would give me. I was miserable lol. But by day 4, it was better. Hang in there. You can do it!!! Sent from my Pixel 5a using BariatricPal mobile app

Ohhh STL area people!!! Woo hoo!!!!!!! Go Blues! Go Cards!!!! Sent from my Pixel 5a using BariatricPal mobile app

Hi there! I'm about to turn 51 and I am 2 years post op. This is a great place for advice support, and inspiration! Welcome! Sent from my Pixel 5a using BariatricPal mobile app

Oh and I'd like to add, I LOVE being able to eat smaller portions and be satisfied. It's amazing to me. I always felt so abnormal eating such big portions and never feeling like I got enough. I love the feeling of being NORMAL (or like what I expected normal to be) now and seeking satisfied when I eat! Sent from my Pixel 5a using BariatricPal mobile app

I'm not sure I'm in maintenance yet, because I am still losing slowly, but I am 2 years post op on July 23rd. I can eat about 3 to 4 ounce of protein, about 1/4 cup of veggies, and a bite or 2 of carbs at a meal. There are some days I can only do 2 ounces of meat. Yesterday we went out for dinner at a BBQ place and I had 3oz. turkey, green beans and a baked potato and salad. I ate about 2 ounces of turkey, a couple bites of salad and green beans and a couple bites of potato. Sometimes I can eat a little more than that and sometimes I can't. I can eat about 8 shrimp now, when originally it was 2. I can eat a small salad (like side salad). Most of the time, I eat pretty normal servings now like what someone who was never overweight eats. I eat about 1300 calories a day on average. I will probably go up a little once I'm sure I'm in maintenance, but for now I stick to 1300ish. I'm fine with not losing more and I'm not willing to cut my calories more than this, because I don't want to be starving. I'm satisfied now. Sent from my Pixel 5a using BariatricPal mobile app

I take Procare, and Citracal Max for calcium. The Procare has iron, so it has to be separate from calcium. Sent from my Pixel 5a using BariatricPal mobile app

I agree with the others. I only use regular sauces, but I portion them. I don't use them much anyway. I am very careful and health conscious about ingredients in my food, so I don't like to use anything artificial, or things like high fructose corn syrup or hydrogenated oils. I have allowed for SOME sweeteners since my surgery, like Stevia or Monkfruit, but I limit them. As often as I can, I go for real ingredients. Sent from my Pixel 5a using BariatricPal mobile app

I also take Procare. I was taking the one with 45 of iron but now they make a DS specific one with 60mg iron. I just switched to that. I'm 2 years post op now and I couldn't stand the chewables. Procare is the best! Their shipping is really quick too, although that could be because the company is here in STL where I live. Sent from my Pixel 5a using BariatricPal mobile app