SleeveToBypass2023

I like Propel water (watermelon, black cherry, and mango are my favorite flavors), Gatorade zero (the blue one, I forget what that one is), and Prime hydration (Ice Pop and Strawberry Watermelon are THE BEST). All 3 have electrolytes and help with dehydration and make it easier to get fluids in when I struggle to hit my goal.

I don't have a period anymore, but since I had my hysterectomy and went on hormones, I seem to ALWAYS be hungry!!! It's crazy. I can eat, feel full, and still feel hungry at the same time. It's like my brain isn't getting the message that I'm not hungry anymore or something. When I WAS getting periods, I noticed I craved salty foods a lot. I've never really had a sweet tooth, but salty, greasy, fried foods were my weakness. And period weeks were the WORST for that, for sure.

Right now, you're having liquids, so feeling full won't really happen. It does for some (when I had the sleeve it did, when I had the revision to bypass it didn't) but not all at this stage. You had a lot of nerves cut, so you won't necessarily get the "I'm full, stop eating" signals right away. So you just have to be mindful of how much you're eating and how often until you're healed enough to start really feeling it.

I absolutely can relate to this, and I so wish I could hug you right now. When I was younger (all the way until I had my son at age 20) I was thin and athletic. That's all I knew, that's all anyone knew of me. As I started to gain weight, the looks and attention changed. And I wanted to disappear. I saw the stares and looks, heard the comments and whispers and laughs. I felt every jab, every comment, every insult. Then I lost all the weight and I look like I did in high school again (I mean, like LITERALLY I do...so weird) and things have reverted back to the way they use to be. And it really hurts because I have something to compare it to. Definitive proof that I "fit in" and I'm "accepted" when I'm thin and fit society's idea of what beautiful is. And it makes me angry and hurt and frankly, pissed off. I have a really hard time accepting compliments from ANYONE who knew me when I was originally thin, and fat, and now thin again. It just doesn't feel genuine.

Honestly, both. Your body is in a bit of shock because this is definitely not what it's use to. It's also mentally taxing on you because, as a binge eater, you're use to eat-eat-eat-feel guilty. Eat-eat-eat-feel guilty. And now that cycle is broken and your body and mind don't know what to do with it. Not to mention, your body has gotten use to functioning on a certain amount of calories and carbs everyday and it's not getting that now. It thinks it's starving to death, even though it's not. It'll take a bit to even out.

I'm definitely not someone who sews lol. My mom use to, but she lives in Florida (I'm in Colorado) and her arthritis has gotten bad and she hasn't sewn in years.

I love your posts so much, I really do!!! OH, I meant to tell you... so my godfather is married to the most amazing woman (family friends since before I was born, they are my "aunt" and "uncle" and I love them so much) and she is from the UK. I have tried for YEARS to follow along with what she says, and it's a 50/50 crap shoot if I actually understand what she's saying. SO anyway, I was talking to her over the weekend and I actually was able to follow along with more of what she was saying. She was surprised and asked if I was using Rosetta Stone or something to learn British slang (she's always busting my chops until I start speaking Southern to her, then it's crickets lol) and I told her about you and showed her some of our past chats and she said to tell you "bloody hell, you did the impossible! Cheers, mate!!" 🙄😁🤣 Now back to the topics at hand lol I'm so so happy for you that you're rediscovering your wardrobe!!! It's so fun to be surprised with smaller sizes, isn't it?? I know what you mean about the "bitter wife syndrome" lol My husband, over the last 2 years, has lost 65 pounds. How? Oh, walking to the lake and back with me twice a week, riding the exercise bike 1-2x per week, eating absolute GARBAGE but just less often, parking at the back of the parking lot when he goes to the store 1-2x per week, cutting out sugar, reducing salt intake.....that's it. That's LITERALLY it. He's gone down 2 clothing sizes and gotten off his diabetes and blood pressure meds.....just by doing that little bit. No diet changes, no work out routines, nothing. UGH!!!!! I love him, and I'm happy for him, but UGH!!!!!!! Good luck at your dietician appt!!! You sound prepared. I bet it'll go well I have faith that you'll be ready to move on to the next steps for your WLS. I know it's annoying when it takes a long time, but I promise, the wait is absolutely worth it. And you're doing awesome, so I know you'll see some amazing results. YAY for the gym and physio!!! I am just so happy for you and proud of how hard you're working and how far you've already come. Enjoy your show, you've definitely earned it. Have a great week!!!

I'm definitely not someone who sews. My mom use to, but she lives in Florida (I'm in Colorado) and her arthritis has gotten bad and she hasn't sewn in years. I honestly wouldn't complain about something like this anywhere but here because absolutely NOBODY else can relate. I keep hearing "but you were so heavy before, I would think you'd be ecstatic now!!" and I alternate between wanting to look around on the floor to see if I can find their brains that must have fallen out of their head and wanting to smack the ever loving daylights out of them. The AUDACITY to say that...to my face!!! I'm hoping I can either find someone who wants to trade scrubs or someone wants to buy mine. I'm so thankful and grateful that I'm healthy and have lost so much weight. I honestly am. I just want my body to settle on a set point and stay there lol I absolutely DO NOT want to go lower than a Large right now, because I was already told I'll likely go down a size after my skin surgeries. If any of TPTB (The Powers That Be) are up there listening...PLEASE let me be good to go now lol I'm extra happy and grateful and thankful, and as my 3 year old granddaughter would say "I all dooooooone now" lol Please and thank you!!!! 🤣😁

I'm definitely going to do that. I never thought of that. At least it gives me more options to try. Thanks!!

FB marketplace, Craigslist, thrift stores....ugh. I never thought about the clinics and hospitals....I'll have to look into that. I'm just annoyed. I hate wearing clothes and scrubs that don't fit. Not only does it look silly, it's uncomfortable. And having to keep hiking up my pants at work in front of patients is just ridiculous.

I've been looking, but ironically, now that I need size large all I see are plus size. 🙄

Obesity is an eating disorder. You wouldn't tell someone with anorexia "just go eat a sandwich and stop exercising so much" or someone with bulimia "just stop binging and throwing up. Just don't do it". So telling someone who is obese to just diet and work out and you'll be fine is absolutely WRONG. Yes, it's an addiction to food, but it's usually a trauma response because of something(s) we went through or are going through in our lives. Like every other eating disorder, it gets out of our control, we become addicted, and as much as we know it's unhealthy and bad for us and we need to stop, we can't. That's why we need the surgery AND support groups AND therapy. The surgery alone isn't enough. This is a lifelong, multi-step process. But it's completely possible to turn your life around and become who you have always been meant to be. Ignore those that won't support you. They aren't you, they aren't going through everything you are, and they haven't lived your life or experienced your emotions and thoughts. This is your chance to save yourself. So many of us, myself included, have been faced with our mortality and poor choices and had to make the hard choice and do the work. But I don't regret any of it and would do it all again. If you're ready to take your life back, then do it. If you don't find support in your real life, I can promise you you'll find it here. This place is amazing, and we're happy to answer any questions you might have

Yep, when I originally had the sleeve, I still had to prioritize protein.

WOOHOO!!!! That's awesome, congrats!!! You really are doing wonderfully. It's only going to get better from here

It's been a while. Have you heard anything or been put on the schedule yet?

I have family and friends in North Miami Beach as well as the Tampa Bay area. We're looking at the Orlando suburbs like Kissimmee and Lake Buena Vista.

That's really strange because the focus should be on protein right from the beginning. I was drinking protein gatorade zero, protein water, ready made protein shakes (not thick, very watery), bone broth, and flavored electrolyte water (Propel has been my favorite).

I've owned a home twice. And sold twice. Not for me lol I prefer living in upscale apartments that include all the things I want and have maintenance onsite and located near everything I want lol

Definitely look into Miralax daily, or at least a few times per week. It's gentle and keeps you regular. The laxative/stool softener is really for getting things moving (later on, once you're further out)

After every surgery, I took 2 per day for the first 5 days, then 1 a day until I hit 2 weeks post op, then 1 every other day for another week. Then only as needed (typically I take them if I haven't poo'd in 2 days. On day 3, I take em and make sure I can go). I will say I tend to use Miralax often, as it's less harsh than actual stool softeners. But that only works for me if I'm not "backed up" and needing the stronger laxative/stool softener combo to get things moving again. For me, Miralax more keeps them moving, not really much help if things stop.

That's the plan!! I was born and raised in Florida. Lived there from 78-2004. Only been back to visit maybe 6 or 7 times in 20 years. I miss everybody there, I miss the weather, I miss being in the south. And to go back with a successful career and looking much like I did in high school again, well, that's always a bonus, too lol

Next year. Thinking about moving back altogether.

I'm with you on ALL of that. I was in a 28/30 and 5x in clothing and size 10 in rings and 11w in shoes. When I could even find anything in my size, it was expensive, ugly, and not in style at all. I hated it so much. Now, I'm in a size 12 and Large in clothing, size 5 ring, and size 10M in shoes. So much easier to find clothes in my size that are cute, fit better, look better, and priced WAY better. I can shop sales and clearance, I can go thrifting and know I'll find stuff, I can shop in ANY store and not be embarrassed or disappointed. Activity is so key. I couldn't move around without a cane before, and even then it was so hard. I was out of breath after the smallest tasks. Now I go on 10 and 12 mile hikes, I work out and do core/strength/weight training, and I can go horseback riding (just did that last weekend and it was AWESOME to be within the weight limits) or anything else I want to do. Sleeping is so much better now. I can sleep in any position, I don't snore anymore, and I don't wake up with headaches like I use to. I was told I needed a cpap but I didn't want one, and I suffered because of it. Don't need one now!! And of course, my health has drastically improved. No more high cholesterol, high blood pressure, inflammation meds for my joint pain, or diabetes. Instead of constantly being anemic, it stays low normal, which is huge for me. All my labs consistently come back perfect and normal. It's a whole new life now, and even though I went through SO MUCH to get here, I would do it all again in a heartbeat

Absolutely AWESOME!!! You really look amazing. You did the work, used the tool, and look at you!!! Hottie McHotterton from Hotsville!!! Excellent job

Ah ok lol I was like "I'm pretty sure it's not the DS...but I absolutely could be wrong" lol