pintsizedmallrat

SPOT. ON. Bravo for explaining this better than I could.

It's interesting you used a paraphrased version of one of the things in my own original contribution to this thread as an example of a humblebrag. I'm sub-5' tall; at my heaviest I had a BMI of 46 and was wearing a size 18. At a healthy BMI, I do wear a very small clothing size and, this may come as a surprise, but after having waited to get out of the "gap" between plus sizes and straight sizes, it is frustrating that I have now fallen into a "gap" between childrens' and juniors' sizes. That's not a "brag", it's more of a "COME ON, MAN! When do I get to just shop? I waited all my life to feel cute and now I gotta wear kids' clothes?!" To put it briefly, I'm not thrilled that an XS is falling off of me because it's the last stop before kids' sizes. It's hard to feel like a sexy, attractive adult woman in a pair of jeans with an elastic waistband. It IS frustrating. We're just going to have to agree to disagree. I didn't see anything wrong with the original post and felt like it was a fun little activity. This has obviously struck a nerve with you (perhaps someone in your life makes a habit of doing what you're seeing the rest of us doing?), and for that I am sorry this is causing you consternation but I really, truly believe that no one here is intending to make anyone feel bad.

I waited about six months. I usually do spirits and some kind of non-carbonated mixer (unsweetened iced tea or sugar free lemonade/limeade work well). Be careful if you've lost a lot of weight, though...me at 245 could drink a LOT more than me at 95, so you definitely want to try it the first time when you're either at home or have a Designated Driver because I guarantee your tolerance will be much lower than you expect. I HAVE to limit myself to 1-2 servings (not "drinks", servings of alcohol, of which many cocktails contain more than one) or I get sloppy. I want to point out that I only drink once a month before someone pipes up to tell me I'm on a train with stops back in Fattown and Chubbyville again. Learning to indulge intelligently and moderaterly, in my opinion, is a key to long term success.

I've eaten them in a pinch--with the caveat I tend to eat them in order of protein, veggies, and will either leave or eat very little of the carb item (a lot of their meals include things like potatoes, rice, pasta, etc). I'm not sure how far out from surgery you are, but a lot of the standard Lean Cuisines include more carbs/less protein than your team would probably want you to eat, and may be more than you're able to consume right now. You'd probably be better off eating a Lean Cuisine panini than a "standard" one from a restaurant or another brand that isn't intended to be "diet food". If it's a craving that just won't quit and it otherwise complies with where you are in your recovery (i.e. you're not on purees or soft foods anymore), you could do worse.

Here's the thing: the entire world outside of the bariatric community views our victories as bragging. They also don't understand some of the "problems" we have (An example I would give is that I am often uncomfortable about being able to feel so many of my bones sometimes, and I can tell you that people who have not experienced the metamorphosis of WLS do not understand how that can be an "issue"...becoming thin this quickly can lead to a lot of dysphoria about your body feeling foreign). The people in here understand it's important to celebrate our wins and successes and I took OP's "prompt" as a lighthearted way to do just that.

It will pass. I went through some really serious complications that nearly killed me about two months after my procedure and now 21 months out, I would still do it again in a heartbeat. I am so sorry you're having to deal with this, though. Stay strong and stay positive. I know it's hard.

I suppose this another "good problem" but I'm allergic to gold and both rings are an inexpensive but lovely sterling/morganite combo...when my engagement ring became too big it was actually cheaper to just get an entire set than get the original ring sized (although I plan to have the stone reset in a pendant at some point for sentimental reasons). I wear a silicone band most of the time unless I go out; I don't want my good ones to get damaged.

Never hurts to ask; the worst thing they can do is say no. Seniors' menus are another option, but again, sometimes they're more "strict" about such things than others.

-I don't weigh enough to donate blood anymore. -I've had two sets of wedding/engagement rings since my surgery and now BOTH are too big. -I literally shrank my way out of the smallest size my favorite jeans come in.

I think the least helpful advice I've seen was when someone said to get liposuction right away after the procedure to prevent your fat cells from making you hungry...that was a real winner (as if any surgeon worth considering would even entertain that request).

You're probably going to feel a bit wiped out for a while. You're eating what would otherwise be considered a starvation diet and it takes time for your metabolism and system to adjust. You will have a lot more energy once things even out, though.

I don't make a habit of eating it, to be clear...I just am not sure I agree that a gas station is inherently more "gross" than most grocery stores. I don't know, I am a bit of a "road warrior" so I guess on-the-go stuff doesn't faze me like some others.

That could be a lot of things--caffeine withdrawal, it's allergy season in a lot of places, too...in addition to everything everyone else suggested. I'd also throw out there if the pain is coming from the back of your head or neck it's possible you're sleeping in a different position than you previously did due to things like your neck and shoulders shrinking/changing. I dealt with a ton of overall aches and pains as my body readjusted to its new size. Sleeping was a bit of an adventure for almost a year.

My period is all over the place at about 21 months PO. Sometimes I get it, sometimes I don't.

Apple cider vinegar could aggravate any acid reflux you may have in addition to being ineffective for what you're trying to accomplish. Most of what affects "saggy" skin is going to be time, you age and your genetics. Honestly, the saggy skin can be a point of pride. You accomplished something big and you have the battle scars to prove it.

The gas station sushi is typically comprised of only cooked ingredients and is normally things like California rolls. I don't think I'd trust it from a grimey out-of-the-way gas station but a perfectly clean convenience store that sells other food? I don't really know how that's any more sketchy than a grocery store.

3 months. Interestingly, sushi seems to be the only context I don't have issues with rice. I can eat maybe 3-4 pieces even now at 22 months PO. This probably would have a similar restriction level due to the raw veggies but I do little "sushi stacks" for lunch sometimes where I place raw cucumber slices and use them almost like crackers and put crabmeat, smoked salmon, avocado, sushi ginger etc. on top, sometimes with cream cheese or sriracha, sprinkle sesame seeds on top. While it's not exactly the same but with no rice it is low carb, easy to put together, and incorporates a lot of the same flavors (you can experiment with doing things like tossing the toppings in rice vinegar or soy sauce, the sky is the limit)

You're probably going to have a much easier time sticking with shakes or liquids during this phase than bars. Most of them are pretty chewy. I do know that there are some protein puddings out there if you're sick of drinking things, but I would probably hold off on bars for a while.

Getting the sleeve isnt guaranteed to prevent you from developing dumping syndrome; there are less of us but I am a sleeve patient who dumps. I wouldn't let that be your sole deciding factor. In the event you are someone who has this issue, there are ways to avoid it and you learn your triggers.

I had to do an entirely-packaged plan during my pre-op diet, some of which was this brand, and I agree. A lot of it was virtually inedible.

You ignore them. If I worried about what every server and other restaurant patron thought of what or how I ate, I would have starved to death by now. People love to judge, and some people like to get jealous if they feel like someone else has more willpower than them. I will occasionally explain vaguely if a server asks if I didn't like something ("I had surgery on my stomach a while ago; It's delicious I'm just not able to eat much these days, but I'd love a box."), but some looky-loo from another table? I owe them nothing, and in fact it's a far bigger social transgression to stare at someone than it is to dare to eat less. They're the ones who are being rude.

That's usually what my husband and I do too, but sometimes there isn't anything on his plate I can really eat. Side items tend to be closer to a proper size for us. (If you can find somewhere that does "small plates", they're great!)

I think the first time I actually ate something resembling food was about a month out; I had some scrambled eggs and grits, was able to eat just a few bites of each. You may find it easier at first to order individual side items as opposed to a full meal (I'm 22 months out and still can't even finish the sandwich from a kids meal let alone the apples or whatever that come with it...and no, I don't eat fast food regularly before anyone jumps all over me.) Purees with protein are hard to pull off in a restaurant, unfortunately. Most people who are not bariatric patients are not big fans of textureless bowls of meat slop. It will get easier, though, when you move on to soft foods and no restrictions.

My period has been irregular since my procedure. I'll get it for a few months and then it will stop again. I've been told this is fairly normal.

I had pain like this when I was in the early stages of pneumonia both times since I've had my sleeve. My left shoulder hurt constantly, and it turns out the infection was in the bottom left lobe of my lung. When they did your CT scan did they look at your lungs? Are you coughing? Running a fever?