Vassarini

Argh, I did the same thing! It’s hard to resist the increased fashion options as you size down. Plus-sized options are a lot better than they used to be, but even so…

Before surgery i was at a 4XL Shirt. finding 4XL was nearly impossible as most big box stores only have up to 3XL if that. I was having to stretch out the 3XL shirts. Today i decided to buy some new shirts. XL. and sure enough they fit perfect. Excited because now i can fully shop at almost any store. Especially the branded stores at the mall. As for pants I was at a 54 or 56" i dont remember. and i am at a 38 pants size now Still a bit high on the pants size. many of the stores i use to love carry up to 36. Still some work to do to get down in weight more.

Maybe not a weird victory, but today I bought a coat in size 44 (same as UK 16 and US 12 or 14) for the first time in years. I asked to try 46 or 48, but the 46 was too big for me. So that was nice.

I've also noticed that my eye bags, which have bothered me for years, are slightly better. And I had surgery less than two weeks ago and have only lost 15 pounds, so I'm excited about what the future will bring.

Finally went diving!! (First time since surgery!)
Pleased to report that:
1) I went down from an XL BCD to an XXS!
2) Went from 18-20 lbs of required weights to 6! (8lbs if i wore a wetsuit)
3) Speaking of wetsuits…i used to wear a Men’s XL, and now a woman’s size 2 (though if they had a size 1, it probably would’ve been better)
I was NOT all sweaty and tired lugging all my gear around on land, got in and out of the boat with little to no effort, AND was looked cute in pictures lol.
WIN!

Pre-surgery, I bought a second-hand 90s leather jacket and tucked it away for myself for when I finally reached a size US8 (AU12). Tried it on today and it's a perfect fit. It's amazing that this day is finally here! It's the jacket of my dreams and you bet I'm gonna wear it out today. 😎

Our house is in a culdesac at the bottom of a street that is about a half mile long, and we live at the bottom of that street down the hill, which is very steep the whole way up. It is a HUGE hill. I never could walk even partially up that hill without having an asthma attack or having to stop to try to catch my breath a million times. My son started school yesterday and I made a goal to walk every morning after I drop him off. I have wanted to conquer that hill for so long. Most people that walk in our neighborhood never go on that hill because of how steep it is, even the really fit people. Our culdesac is very quiet as a result lol. I didn't get to walk yesterday, so I started today. I walked completely up that steep half mile hill without stopping and was able to keep going around the rest of the subdivision, which is fairly flat compared to our hill. I can't believe I can do this now!
It feels so good to not have my weight holding me back anymore!

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Forreal, I think the biggest thing I want out of WLS is a lap for a cat to sit in. Currently, when I go to an animal shelter, the super snuggly cats will look at me and be like "okay, I guess I'll make do" and climb up on my shoulders/chest/upper stomach as a sort of last resort, but they always look up at me like "ok, seriously, this lap is not the correct shape human, let's work on this."
But the cats that will sit in an available lap, but don't need it will just pass me up and that breaks my cat lady heart.

Today I was able to get my middle finger and thumb to touch around my wrist. I have pretty short fingers and haven't been able to do this in years.

Also, today I gave all my biggest fall and winter coats to Ukranian refugees. I don't need them anymore.

Thank you all so much for your insight! I’m embarrassed to say, I’m pretty positive it was just extremely painful gas. I’ve never felt that before! It has passed and I’ve been able drink my liquids so much easier now and I feel a thousand times better. Whew! I was really scared for a moment lol

I didn't like them, the taste isn't great and the texture is weird. I would skip it. There are a lot of recipes to make "egg Crepes" and wrap on Keto sites. Way better.

I will add another voice to the "very hard to stretch out stomach" camp. It sounds like your surgery team might be behind the times on their advice. I have listed to a number of talks by surgeons and researchers who say that there's not much evidence that being able to eat "too much" means your stomach is "stretched out". Some surgeons will look at someone's stomach and say "hmmm, this is bigger than I expected, they must have stretched it out!" But people just have varying anatomy and the stomach naturally stretches and contracts based on a number of factors.

I am two weeks out following Gastric Bypass surgery. I started my journey at 288lbs. and now I am 270lbs. It’s been trying these last two weeks but, the surgery has worked miracles in my life already! For that I am very grateful. I have never been less than 200lbs in my adult life, and I am anxious about that possibility. Yet, my health takes paramount and is the reason why I made the decision to have the surgery done. I have joined BariatricPal for a bit of insight and inspiration. It is my hope that by the end of this, I may inspire someone too.

I had RNY GBS in June, 2007. My pre-op weight was 415 lbs and my BMI was 61. I wore 5XL shirts and 54 waist pants, my suit jacket was 60”. I lost 100 lbs in the first 12 weeks and after my total body lift in 2009, I had shed 182 lbs. I’ve stayed right around 240-250 lbs for 13 years. I have had dumping syndrome (UGH!) and all the pleasantries of plastic surgery. The most frequently asked question is “would you do it again?” And, my answer is always yes. I was in terrible health and feared losing my job because of my health issues. I regained my health and worked another 14 years (31 years total when I “retired” in 2021). I’m able to keep up with my grandkids and I went back to college full-time. I’m glad I took the leap. It changed my life.

That is a tough one with work events coming up, and surgery soon after. I wonder if you could find something on clearance, end of season? Or at a thrift shop?
I had saved a lot of clothes over the years and was able to get through the weight loss stages without buying too much. I really started to build my wardrobe again about seven months after surgery. Since then, I have lost maybe 12 more pounds.
A tip if you are female: dresses are more forgiving in changing sizes, than pants. For example, I have a short-sleeve size 2X dress with an elastic waist, that has fit me nicely with probably an 80 pound difference. I did have to stitch the arm holes tighter because they were too wide. Whereas pants will fall off if they are a size or two too big.

I use obvi collagen Proteins or vital proteins collagen powder daily. I do not count towards my nutritional goals as I use it as a hair/ skin supplement. My skin is definitely better - my complexion has improved/ feels softer. I think it is helping with hair too. No noticeable Hair loss after 6.5 months ( including gall bladder removal around 5 months post sleeve).

Ooooou I probably should update :)

So after a 7 week , what I think was a stall. the scale finally started going down. I am down 8 more lbs in just 1 week and I’ve changed nothing . So exciting! I’m sure it’s Water weight but IDK why it held on for so long. Hang in there you guys. We got this !

I had my RNY bypass at Mexican Bariatric Center in Tijuana and my surgeon was Dr. Rodriguez Lopez. My Nov 18 surgery went well, and I am recovering without issues back at home.
Medical tourism is a huge business for Mexico — they said in our patient intro class that it’s about 5% of Mexico’s GDP. A driver met me and other patients/companions at the San Diego airport and transported us to the hotel in Tijuana (a Hyatt Place which was nice with an added plus of making GREAT chicken broth due to the number of bariatric patients who stay there). It took 35 minutes to drive there from San Diego airport, but about 3 hours to return due to the lines at the border.

Due to covid protocols, the companions stayed at the hotel and weren’t able to visit anyone at the hospital (for that reason, I did not bring a companion). I was nervous about the flight home by myself (I had a connecting flight and although the surgery went well, it was still abdominal surgery), but I flew United and they were WONDERFUL in terms of arranging for transport and accommodating my situation. I had a hike out to long-term parking once I arrived at my home airport (didn’t think that one through), but simply took my time and rested several times.
I had also worked with my PCP leading up to the surgery and have my first follow up visit tomorrow. I would also strongly encourage anyone who pursues WLS in Mexico to prearrange for local medical care. I get tons of information and nutritional advice from MBC, but obviously the support is digital only given the distance.
I worked locally and my insurance would have covered it, but the normal wait time plus the covid-related delays and backlog meant I was looking at a one-to-two year delay. I’m 53 and simply decided it was worth the money to accelerate the process, especially after I had a gout flare up early this year.
Like Sleeve_Me_Alone, this was the right choice for me and I have no regrets. I wish you well in your decision making!

Personally, I cannot eat intuitively. At least not yet. First of all, I still don't always feel "hunger" (8 months post-VSG) and secondly, I know that I have some disordered/emotional eating habits that still need some work. My hope is that over time, tracking combined with surgery will get me there. But for now, I track everything I eat as a way of holding myself accountable. I don't have a calorie goal or limit, and I never restrict myself from eating based on the numbers, but it helps me be mindful and thoughtful about what I'm eating and how much. It also helps me make better food choices to be aware of how much Protein I've had or when I might be lacking. I agree with others, that I had surgery to be able to live and not diet the rest of my life, but I also understand that I have a SUPER unhealthy relationship with food that will take time and effort to heal. For me for right now, tracking is one of the tools I'm using to help heal that relationship, but I'm hopeful it won't be necessary forever.

I just had my first meeting with the surgeon and I am getting very anxious. After studying the three surgeries available I met with the doctor and after a long conversation he convinced me the LapBand was not the best choice and that I should consider the Gastric Bypass. Looking at the facts I had to agree with the surgeon. Here are my particulars: male, weight 240, age 70, height 5' 8", currently using Rybilsus to control my type 2.
Having read the book from the weight loss surgery program, I am now frightened, anxious, afraid and overwhelmed!
How do I move forward?
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I went with the bypass because I had GERD, and I didn't want it to get worse with the sleeve. A bonus was that the GERD actually went away after my bypass. It's strange not to carry TUMS in my purse anymore!
If you have GERD, definitely get the bypass. If not, then it just comes down to your personal choice. Watch the youtube videos, do your research, and see if your surgeon leans one way or the other. Good luck!!

I am 4 weeks today from my breast reduction and panniculectomy surgery after a 105 weight loss and maintenance for more than a year. coming up on 62 y/o. Surgeon removed 6+ lbs.
I was a DDD and told my surgeon I wanted to go as small as possible without increasing any risk. He thought a large B or small C. My focus was on my quality of life 5-10-15-20 yrs from now. I could feel the difference in my neck and back within just a few days.
I have not shared w many that I was doing this. vast majority don't know what I had to do to manage the excess skin and boobs. don't expect most to really even notice. but if they do, they do. what is important is how I feel and I feel great!
I am grateful for each step of this journey and thankful for the improved quality of life it has given me.

I officially hit 2 months post-op Saturday.
Just a few fun shares.
I have lost 48 lbs since surgery!!! (84 total)
I had to move my the seat up in my truck.
My knees do not grind as I walk up steps anymore.
My blood pressure is on the LOW side of perfect.
All of my clothes are too big, way too big.
My shoes are loose/roomier.

I am so amazed at how quickly our bodies change. But, what amazes me the most is how we (at least me) don't even notice as it slowly changes for the worse but EVERY SINGLE TINY thing stands out when it is changing for the better.

I had 2 cookouts this weekend and it didn't even phase me.

At my family cookout, I made avocado salad (avocado, peppers, onions, cucumbers, tomatoes, olive oil, lime juice, garlic) I ate this and grilled chicken breast with regular BBQ Sauce on it. (Everyone there knew I had bypass, the only question I got was "What can you eat now" I said, anything, my SIL said ok cool.

At my friends cookout, I ate 2 deviled eggs and 2 of the tiny party size meatballs. Then I picked some cucumber out of the Pasta salad. (No one knew I had bypass, no one questioned my tiny plate of food)

I was satisfied at both and had no urge to munch.

I have zero complaints, zero regrets.

Thank you everyone. Very helpful advice. I hope when the toilet related issues are resolved it will be better. Fingers crossed its just a normal stall x

I struggle with this too and you guys give some fantastic advice!
Is just like to add a website that’s been very helpful for me: modelmydiet.com
You can adjust an ‘avatar’ to kind of look like you at all sorts of weights and imho, it’s pretty accurate!!
I like to return to that every now and then to get some perspective 😁

I suffer from body dysmorphia too. I'm under goal weight and still feel huge. Physically it does feel great. I don't feel tired walking long distances or going up stairs. Stretching and working out is so much easier, my comorbities are gone but my head is where the problem is. I still see myself as someone who needs to lose a lot of weight. I will stand next to someone who is heavier than me, and not see them as fat at all. It's all how I see myself.