lizonaplane

See, I look at the menu beforehand, and the appetizers always look less healthy than the mains. They are often fried, so I just end up ordering a main course and only eating a little. I'm clearly going to the wrong restaurants! What sorts of restaurants do you go to? I'm usually going to Asian food, or sometimes with my friends, pubs (I don't like these, but I have friends who only like American food).

I don't drink as much when I'm on site (I work some days from home but most days I'm traveling so on planes and hotels and hospitals), but I still get my liquids in and even with 60-80oz of liquid a day, I don't have to go to the bathroom more than two or three times during my 8 hour day (obviously I pee before and after a few times). Artificial sweeteners, caffeine, coffee, and tea are bladder irritants so you may find you need to pee less frequently if you avoid those. I drink lots of tea with splenda and I still don't have to pee every 30 minutes. Check with your doctor, but also, you can get an accommodation if you need to use the bathroom more frequently or drink during class. The school legally has to provide this - ADA laws.

Good luck to you! COVID has been really hard on everyone. I gained 30lbs during COVID, and actually, that's what pushed me over the edge to finally decide on WLS. I was getting bad asthma and just feeling like crap. You have worked SOOOO hard, and you have been so successful! It's a slip, but you know you have the strength in you do the work! From what I've seen from other people on here, I would strongly consider working with a bariatric trained therapist to deal with your addiction to food.

So, my job requires VERY frequent travel, 3-6 days a week, most weeks, airplanes, hotels, restaurants, etc. I didn't travel for the first 5 weeks after surgery and I lost very well. Now I've been back on the road for two weeks and my weight has not moved this last week at all, in fact I went up 0.2 lbs. The week before I lost 1.4 lbs. Those two weeks I ate at a number of restaurants and even though I wasn't eating much, what I ate wasn't very healthy (high fat, still pretty low carb, moderate protein). I am worried that my job (which I absolutely love) will make it impossible for me to lose weight because I'm eating a lot at restaurants. I am on the road again now and I went to the grocery store and bought some things that don't have to be cooked/heated (I have a mini fridge but no microwave). I am trying not to make excuses, but it's hard to eat the same few things all the time. Did anyone else have to eat out a lot and still lose weight? Any suggestions?

You've got this! I was soooo nervous I wouldn't wake up, or that I would have a terrible outcome, or that I would fail, or regain the weight (I'm still nervous I'll fail or regain the weight), but you just have to put one foot in front of the other and then take a flying leap of faith!

Well, I WAS looking forward to enjoying exercise, but I somehow think I may just be a slug no matter what size I am. I am looking forward to being able to move easily around spaces and not have to plan out my route depending on where chairs/tables/etc are (like when you get seated at the back of a restaurant). And of course, I am looking forward to wearing "normal" sized clothes!

It's really frustrating! It happens to a lot of people; it took me 7.5 months to have the surgery, but your delay sounds really unfortunate. As @ShoppGirl said, you will be there before you know it. Work on the depression the best you can with therapy and medication if needed (If you start medication for depression, make sure the doctor tries a medication that is less likely to cause weight gain). I found that once I was set to have surgery, I tried to live a more "bariatric" life, by eating more protein and fewer carbs and exercising more. It's so hard to do any of this when you're depressed, but at least try upping your protein. It will help you feel less hungry, or at least it did for me. If you can take a walk in the fresh air, it might make you feel better for a bit. (Of course, that depends on your weather... I live in Boston where we have crap weather a lot, so I often walk in the mall!) Stay strong!

I use pro-care health one a day with 45mg iron. It's ONE PILL A DAY. I wasn't going to be messing around with ten different pills on top of all the other pills I take. It's specially formulated for bariatric use, so it already has the B12 and everything else. I am supposed to take calcium too, but usually I get enough calcium from the protein drink, cheese, and yogurt. I haven't had labs done yet, so I can't say for sure if my levels are good, but my clinic recommended this brand and so do other bariatric nutritionists.

I've never heard of that. I'll have to look it up!

I'm now 7 weeks out from sleeve, and the only difference I've noticed is that I haven't had a single migraine since my surgery so I've been reducing the amount of topamax I'm taking. All my other psych meds are the same. Sometimes I feel irritable but I think it's because I'm not seeing the type of progress I was hoping for. Also, I don't take any extended release medications and that makes a big difference, plus bypass makes it harder than sleeve.

I've lost just over 20 lbs in just over 6 weeks, and I'm very happy about it! The people who lose a ton of weight the first few months are likely much larger than you. You started out at a lower BMI than many who had surgery. I had surgery just about your weight and same height. I don't think you're losing slowly at all!

Try walking down the block! Don't drive yet!!

I don't have sugar cravings unless I see some tasty looking treat, but I'm hungry all the time, and have been since a week after surgery. I've tried more fiber, more fat, more protein, more liquid... basically the only thing that helps me personally is to drink hot tea with milk or sugar free hot chocolate between meals (usually hot tea). If you find something that helps, please post it here so maybe I'll find something else to try!!!

It gets better FAST but the first few days are the worst. Did they say you had to take liquid tylenol or can you take pills? The liquid is so gross. That would have made me puke for sure! Try to keep getting up and moving SLOWLY just a little bit every hour or so when you're awake. Hang in there!

Not yet. I'm only 6 weeks out, but I was told to minimize carbs for now. I'm not a huge fan of rice, pasta, etc. I do prefer brown or wild rice to white rice, but most of the time, I would only eat rice with curry or other Indian food, which I haven't had yet anyway.

I'm so happy for you! I would just say to follow the plan your surgery team has set up. Try REALLY HARD not to go back to old habits. If you can, have the foods you are supposed to eat (likely broth, liquids, protein shakes, sugar free jello, etc) all ready in your house. Don't force yourself to eat when you can't. Make sure you drink drink drink (SMALL sips) so you are getting your fluids in. I found keeping a bottle of water or flavored water (like Crystal light) in my hand all the time when I was awake helped a lot. You'll do great!

I also was told to eat low fat after surgery, although I've found that higher fat foods keep me a bit fuller longer (I've had a lot of hunger, which isn't common). I didn't realize that was putting me at higher risk of gallbladder issues, but I don't know what else to do. I'm trying to maximize low fat protein, but while also eating low carb, there's not much in the way of flavor options. Plus, due to my job involving lots of travel, I eat out a lot, and I know eating out involves higher fat foods. I'm curious to see what answers you get from people who've tried keto.

Call your surgery center.

I start from the day I called the surgery center. I had a higher weight years earlier, then lost 100lbs through tracking calories, but then gained MOST but not all of it back, the last 30 lbs of that during COVID. I lost 50 lbs during preparations for surgery, but only 2 lbs of that was on the "pre-op diet".

I am going for work. I live near Boston. I'll be staying near Eaton Centre, near where I'm working. I love all the Asian restaurants there, but I haven't figured out what I'll eat now that I've had surgery. Last time I was there was about a week before my pre-op diet and I ate EVERYTHING!

There used to be a tea shop at the mall near me, but it closed. There might be one near where I'm staying in Toronto this week, so I'll see if I can find one. Otherwise I can probably order some online. Thanks!

Unlike some of the posters here, I found really cold drinks easier (although I liked hot, strongly flavored soups like hot and sour broth and Tom Young soup broth). I kept my drinks in the fridge and rotated them out as they got too warm for me. I also sucked on ice cubes a lot the first few days. You can also try sugar free popsicles and sugar free jello; those count as liquids too, and most plans allow those. The first few days are rough. Focus on liquid over protein at first. You've got this!

You need to take most of the credit! We're just here in the background! Pat yourself on the back ?

I'm sorry this is such an issue for you. I hope you can find a good solution (some couples never live together, BTW). I would like to date some day, but I don't like sex, so that's my own personal stumbling block. I alternate between diarrhea and constipation, so I sort of get embarrassment about bathroom issues, although I don't think the smell has changed much as far as I can tell. Good luck!

These things... Even if you've never had a weight issue or weight loss surgery, you can't lose weight in one specific place. And, it does look like what you've got there is just loose skin. And... when you are wearing a shirt it doesn't show at all. But I think you may have to learn to live with the comments for the time being unfortunately until as @Arabesque said, people come to learn what you look like now and replace the old you with the new you in their minds. I also want to add that I hope I am as successful as you are!! You're an inspiration!