Maisey

Acanthrosis nigricans (or something close in spelling) perhaps. It’s often associated with PCOS

Find a tracking app and get started. Many people use My Fitness Pal. I use Lose It. It's a bit cumbersome at first but once you get into the habit of logging and get some foods entered, it's not that bad. If you're not measuring and logging it's hard to know what you're really taking in and what you may be lacking. As LaoDaBeirut said, you haven't ruined anything. Now is the time to establish health routines. Focus on what you can do and not on what you are not doing.

I buy then donate to Dress for Success as they always need clothing of all sizes.--I just googled Dress for Success. Unfortunately, the nearest chapter is nearly 90 miles away. But that is the type of organization I hope to find. Leggings may be a good option for some. Unfortunately, I am not permitted to wear leggings to work.

I hate to shop. Losing weight has not changed that. I put off buying anything new at all until I absolutely had to. I found I could get away with using a belt (another thing I dislike) and pulling my pants up "Urkel Style." As long a my top was longer, it hid alot. But I am past that point now. I had to buy some new pants/jeans and some pants for the summer. I chose to order from places which permitted in store returns. I had no idea what size I needed to order so I would order 2 or 3 different styles/sizes knowing I wasn't going to keep them all. That was usually enough to qualify for free shipping and then I could return in person. At this point, I won't order anything that is not on clearance. I had to break down and order new bras. The "girls" have packed up and left, what remains has migrated south ?. Again, I chose from clearance. Fortunately, my mother still has her sewing machine. She was willing to take in most of my cheap (Roamans, Woman Within) knit tops. Perhaps, lizaonaplace, you could consider that. All she did was run new seams up the sides and cut of the extra if needed. Everything is still big in the shoulders, but at least the tops no longer look like dresses (In addition to being big myself, due to where I work, I wore clothes that were baggy. I have a lot to get rid of. I don't live in a major shopping area so consignment or thrift is not an easy option. I'm also scared to---you know, the what if's. If I hadn't purged all my clothes that had become too small over time, I'd have something to wear now. Selling them online seems more work that it's worth. For now, I'm hanging on to them until I find someplace to donate. Ideally, I'd like to find some place that would provide the clothes to a plus-size woman who is truly in need.

It happens to me too. It also can happen if I eat too fast, even if the amount is not very much. Six months post surgery, I’m finally getting better at it ?

5’10”. 374 HW, 325 SW, 233 CW (almost 6 months post-RNY)

2 Flinstones chewable per day.

I've commented on other posts on this topic. Most days I drink 120 oz. or more. I do not work in AC so I drink 2 52 oz. mugs at work each day plus whatever "extra" I drink. I find myself peeing less frequently than before weight loss (I am a believer in that I now have less pressure on my bladder.) There is less urge. But when there is an urge, I void what seems to be a lot.

I am only 6 months post-op. I don't have the wisdom of the long-term veterans who post here. My advice is to make sure you are ready for permanent changes. Some days that is easier than others. Surgery helps your body, but it doesn't change your thinking patterns.

I was told to try a straw and not use it if it bothered me. Otherwise, it is fine. I've began to use a straw a few days after surgery. I use it all day, every day.

I started beans about 6-8 weeks out. I made them in my crockpot so I could season them to taste and add any meats that I wanted.

I thought all the weighing and measuring what a bit "too much" also, blah, blah, blah. What I finally had to come to terms with was that I needed to do something different. Now, having done it for months, it is easier to recognize what a true portion or amount I am eating if I am not at home. I can't say that I've heard about using volume measurements rather than weight. But Lizonaplane makes a very good point about calorie-dense foods like cheese and sauces. I am a sauce-o-holic. Measuring dressing or any kind of sauce keeps me accountable. It doesn't mean I am totally choosing to not have any, it just means I am not mindlessly bathing my food in it. I also use a smaller plate and a small salad fork and baby spoons (my old baby spoons have been repurposed at 55 years old). The smaller utensils help me remember to take smaller bites.

Thank you for sharing. We have many similarities in statistics and I appreciate your story and insights.

I made dietary changes gradually as I feel that method is more sustainable. But you know yourself best in that regard. I immediately started using a food tracking app (I use LoseIt) and paying attention to portion sizes and macros. I also started weighing food. I went into my preparation classes with a closed mind and bad attitude. I swore I was never going to weigh/measure/track food. And yet, here I am, doing just that ?. While there was not a tremendous amount I learned about nutrition, I really did learn how to change and more importantly, to sustain the changes. I'm still a work in progress but I am making progress and it will always require attention and effort from me. I also started gradually walking--even if it was only 5 min. I wanted to lay the groundwork for it becoming a habit. In hindsight, I wish I had also incorporated eating slowly and waiting 30 minutes after eating to drink. I thought those 2 things would be easy to do. In fact, they have been, and still are, difficult for me and have caused my only real physical discomfort from surgery.

I had a very sore throat from a previous surgery. The issue was difficulty in intubating me. It could also be from the angle your head may have been placed at. Glad it's better.

My WLS program gives recommendations and suggestions for a healthy lifestyle and habits following surgery. Yet, they were quite clear that they realize we are individuals who will make our own choices. NEVER is a big word. Alcohol use in general is discouraged: it is empty calories, can lead to poor choices and transfer addictions is a risk. That being said, many veterans on this site describe healthy use of alcohol post surgery. I am 5 months post-RNY. I have not yet had alcohol. But in a month or so, I plan to. I enjoy a good cocktail. It is not a never for me. Carbonation may be problematic for some and not for others. I never was a big soda drinker (diet or regular) pre-surgery. However, on 2 occasions post-surgery, I have had multiple diet sodas over the course of an evening. It caused me no problem. Of course, I tried it at home first. I started using a straw about 2 weeks after surgery. When I inquired about it prior to surgery, the answer I received was to try it. If it caused discomfort, don't do it. If it didn't bother me, there was no harm. I was given the same advice on coffee.

Never had one.

I have been using Equate (Walmart's store brand) chocolate protein isolate shake mix since December. I like the price and the taste. I would mix one scoop with 8 oz. fat-free Fairlife milk and ice. I used the blender to mix. It turned out light, foamy and frothy and stayed that way. It has gone out of stock. Every other brand that I try turns to runny liquid soon after blending, which I don't enjoy as much. I googled and found no idea. Every link was about making protein shakes less frothy. Any ideas? More ice didn't help.

I had a lot of chicken breast. I made sure to bake it so that it was not too dry and then chopped it a bit in the food processor to make sure it was easy to chew. I would season the chicken according to what ever taste was striking my fancy. Italian=Italian seasoning, a few spoons of no-sugar added pasta sauce and some mozzerella. Mexican=taco seasoning, cheese and beans. Chicken=homemade gravy or broth with a tiny bit of instant potato. BBQ=Nashville hot seasoning with no sugar-added Sweet Baby Ray. You get the idea............ It helped me keep my sanity with a variety of tastes, helped get my protein and incorporate real food.

I had RNY 12/14/2020. I am down 130 from my HW and 80 since surgery. I am off all diabetes meds and had an A1C a month ago of 5.6. I see the endocrinologist in 2 weeks. My Type 2 was considered well-controlled so I only saw him twice per year. I am now hoping for even less frequent visits. My weight loss seems to go in spurts. I drop a few pounds, stay stable and then drop a few more. I am trying to practice all good habits in terms of portion size, exercise and vitamins to keep me in this for the long haul. I feel good and am happy in my decision. Despite still having more weight to lose, I haven't weighed this little in many years. I do have some issues with foam vomiting on occasion. It is not dependent upon what I eat. It is all about how fast I eat and how well I chew. I've not found specific foods that don't agree with me. I'm learning to navigate the world of eating post surgery while dining out and being part of social activities.

I use Loseit

I'm laughing with you, not at you.? I say that because I said the exact "I learned my lesson and will never do it again." And I've said it more times than I care to count. I had RNY, not sleeve, but the same thing happens to me. It has happened more times than I care to count. I really struggle to slow down enough. At times, even when I think I have eaten slowly, it turns out it was not slow enough. I find it happens most frequently when I am distracted for some reason....tired, in a hurry, multi-tasking, talking or visiting with someone during a meal. Eventually, I actually will learn my lesson once and for all ?

I have not been actually hungry since my RNY in December. However, that does not mean that I don't want certain foods especially if they are in front of me or I can smell them. Yes, it is challenging. I doubt that will ever change for me.

I started using a straw about 1 month post RNY. No problems at all.

I am 5'10" and have always been tall and solidly built. Even in high school when I was athletic, I weighed 160-170. My HW was 374. I lost 50 lbs on my own prior to surgery and 80 since. I had RNY in December 2020. I had a follow up appointment last week and asked a question similar to yours of one of the program doctors. I asked what my goal weight was as I didn't recall ever being given one. I said I realized that to be considered normal BMI, I would have still have to lose a considerable amount. I said that while I still am actively losing, if I never lost another pound, I would consider the surgery a success given the improved health and ease of movement that I've regained. The doctor stated that my program does not give goal weights nor rigidly follow BMI guidelines as every individual is different. Improved health and wellness is what the goal is. If I ever see 199, I'll be thrilled just to say I was once again in the 100's. I can't imagine being 150-155. I don't aspire to be that just so I can be considered a success in someone's statistics. It IS my body. I am 100% working the program provided to me. Even during preparation classes, questions were answered with what the best practice is for any situation but they also addressed the questions from a realistic standpoint. Coffee and alcohol were examples: the advice was not to consume but the realization was that we make our own choices and provided suggestions on how to manage if we were to consume.