Candigrl1

A couple of things I wish I knew. The Constipation is real. I average between 14 - 22 grams of Fiber daily but still have to take something everyday. I wish someone had of explained that too me. I have rarely been constipated in my life until now. All the aches and pains I got. I am the only one of several people I know who got the surgery who has had issues. Weird hip pain where I couldn't walk without assistance and now Meralgia Paresthetica.
I had this condition many years (24) ago when I was pregnant and it came back with a vengeance. I refused any meds due to potential weight gain and will hopefully wait it all out.

Hello everyone, it has been awhile since my last update so I guess it is about time.

So, really no complaints. Life if good, everything is going well and I am chugging along at a very satisfying pace. I have lost 113 lbs total and 76 lbs since surgery!

I measured myself for the first time since surgery the other day, really most of my body measurements are the same which I find a little weird after loosing 113lbs.
I do carry most of my weight in my belly, and have small arms and small legs so I guess it makes sense. I lost a total of 4 inches all over my body PLUS 14 inches in my waist alone. No bad I suppose.

I can eat anything except COLD chicken (I guess it is too dry cold) but it makes me sick every time I tried so I stopped. I also struggle a bit with actual soft bread, it doesn't make me sick but it hits me like a brick. Toast, crackers, wraps are all fine though. I eat a very balanced diet of everything as my dietician recommends while making sure I hit my Protein and fluid goals. I usually don't have room for carbs once I eat the protein but every once in a while I get some in and I don't mind it.
I have splurged a few times with treats, very minimal a few bites 2 or 3 times. Haven't had any issues with that and I have never dumped.

The list of NSV's could go on for days.
I played tennis the other day for the first time since loosing weight and the difference was unbelievable. I didn't even get out of breath while running back and forth across the court, because really we suck at tennis so there is a lot of running but it is fun.
My knees don't grind, my feet and ankles no longer swell even after walking all day, I don't walk up the stairs all on one leg anymore, I FIT ON ROLLER COASTERS!, I walk around the Water park in my bathing suit now. I bought a new bathing suit and feel good in it. I don't find excuses to drive place even when it is less than a mile away, I just naturally walk. (I live in the city)
I went from a size 26 jeans to a size 18/20 depending on the cut. From a 4x tshirt to a 2x tshirt. My shoes are loose, probably don't need "wide width" anymore. Still working through my skinny days clothes so I have only bought 1 new outfit for a nice dinner because I don't have anything other than jeans, and mostly tshirts that fit now. By the end of the year I will need an entirely new wardrobe! I am looking forward to the shopping. (For once in my life!)
I could go on and on but you get the hint!

I hope everyone is well! ❤️

So after 2 weeks of not having my scale budge, this morning I was down a pound and a half! I finally got past 259! Going to really try to stay off the scale until Friday but it's a relief to finally have the scale move. And somehow I thought I was in week 3 of a stall but when I looked at the calendar I was actually in week 2... it just felt much longer. So relieved to have the scale move... I mean, my brain knew it would but my heart had doubts.
Of I go! TTYL!
Melly
Sent from my SM-F926U using BariatricPal mobile app

I am seriously considering getting my hair cut if I start to lose too much hair. Unlike a lot of others I was already thinning and shedding well before surgery so Hair loss is nothing new to me. I was given a topical medicine that included 7% Rogaine in it and I have been on that medicine since February. One of the things hair loss taught me is I will survive and that life will still go on with or without hair. So why the heck not embrace it and get a cute hair cut. (if I can decide which one I want)

Same with me. Wish I hadn't bought so much.

I am seriously considering getting my hair cut if I start to lose too much hair. Unlike a lot of others I was already thinning and shedding well before surgery so Hair loss is nothing new to me. I was given a topical medicine that included 7% Rogaine in it and I have been on that medicine since February. One of the things hair loss taught me is I will survive and that life will still go on with or without hair. So why the heck not embrace it and get a cute hair cut. (if I can decide which one I want)

I had an early issue with my Vitamins as well. I had to break up the chewable tablet and made sure I took it with one of my shakes or with food.

Sorry you are going through this.
I haven't had any issues with eating sweets after my surgery. But, I am just like you. Mine were before surgery so many years ago when I all of sudden had a milk allergy. That meant no dairy for me. No pizza, no ice cream. I did the exact same thing you did I went ahead and ate some ice cream and I paid for it with some of the worse stomach pain I have ever had and it took my stupid self a couple of times of doing this before I learned my lesson. Even the pain I had after surgery is nothing compared to that.
Your going to get through this and your going to remember this. Best advice I can give is just pick yourself up and keep moving forward.

So I'm actually enjoying working out!!! Who knew?? lol I work out twice a day. I do 20 minutes on the treadmill on speed 3.5 (running is 4.0 and I'm not there yet lol ) then I do 15 minutes on the bike at speed 12 (most resistance is 15, but again, not there yet) and 10 minutes doing sit-ups and stomach crunches. Those are the hardest, so I only do 5 minutes of each, but it's a decent start, anyway. I just finished my work out and even though I'm tired, I feel GOOD. Really accomplished and actually have energy. And even though the scale is moving slowly, I see a real difference. My size 26 clothes are too big now and I almost fit into size 24!!!! I haven't been in a size 24 since I did Keto a few years ago. The lowest size I got to was 22. I can't wait to hit size 20 and know I did it!!! I beat my keto size and weight and this time it'll stick. This has been the hardest, greatest, most frustrating, wonderful journey I've ever been on lol

What helped me in the beginning was using the small 1 ounce cups. I would pour the Water from my bottle into that little cup every 15 minutes and I was able to get in around 40 oz in the beginning. I then ended up being able to drink 1 oz in ten minutes and so on. If you don't have or can't find the 1 oz cups try those little medicine cups. Maybe this will help you get in your Fluid.

They have those one ounce cups on Amazon. But the hospital actually gave me medicine cups to use. The one ounce is good to use later to measure sauces too though and to take dressing with you. One ounce is the same as two tablespoons. So when you want to count calories for salad dressings and stuff they come In handy as well as when you want to take your own lower calorie dressing with you.

I'm sorry you went through this. Constipation sucks. I had awful constipation as well. I believe mine was because of a few different things, not enough Fiber, I needed to bump up my Water intake and I was taking in too much Iron. I started taking Miralax daily to help keep me regular. If you keep having issues with constipation contact your doctor, you should call them about your shoulder as soon as you can so you can get that checked out. You also might want to buy the enemas that come in a bottle to keep in case the fiber, etc doesn't work.

I'm sorry you went through this. Constipation sucks. I had awful constipation as well. I believe mine was because of a few different things, not enough Fiber, I needed to bump up my Water intake and I was taking in too much Iron. I started taking Miralax daily to help keep me regular. If you keep having issues with constipation contact your doctor, you should call them about your shoulder as soon as you can so you can get that checked out. You also might want to buy the enemas that come in a bottle to keep in case the fiber, etc doesn't work.

I am feeling PHENOMENAL! I am working out 6 days a week, sometimes twice a day. I have been motivating friends and family to exercise, and even training some people. I am down 106 lbs since I started this journey in March of 2021. The process was rough but I am still pulling through. I had to up my calorie intake because my metabolism has increased so much. I was taken off of the diabetes medication all together. Went from taking 4 pills a day, to NONE!!! sleep apnea has subsided, blood pressure meds were reduce DRAMATICALLY! This was the best decision I made concerning my health, in my life. I don't mind sharing my picture on this post and breaking anonymity. I just want to encourage you ALL to stay the process, ask questions, speak to your dietician and LISTEN TO YOUR BODY! YOU CAN MAKE IT WORK!!! GOD SPEED AND STAY HEALTHY!!!

As of this morning, I officially lost 100 lbs!!!

I only took off 10 days. Big mistake, even though I am also working from home. Yes, you may be able to move around I did but I really needed the rest and would fall asleep at my desk, in the middle of meetings, on the phone and with my hands still on the keyboard. (you get the idea) Also, when counting how much liquid I was getting I noticed that if things got hectic I would forget to take sips sometimes and had to try and play catch up so that is something to also be aware of. My doctors office never gave me a note and I think they forgot and I regret not asking and taking off the time I needed. Give it some thought about what you really want to do.

I'd take the loose skin any day of the week over weighing 373 lbs again. ANY FRICKIN' DAY!! However, mine did drive me nuts after awhile (it was easy to hide, but *I* knew it was there...), so I had it removed. Poof! Gone.

I am still losing, but already have a good bit of lose skin/squish. I will tell you without reservation, that I would rather have a little extra skin jiggle than be fat and miserable and unhealthy and on the fast track to early death. Do I wish things were super toned and tight? Sure, don't we all? But the reality is, I've carried around over 100lbs of extra weight my entire adult life, I'm not ever going to have the body of a person who was always thin. But what I do have is my life back, a healthy relationship with food, a body that I've learned to love and be grateful for, and YEARS of my life given back. For me, the skin is a reminder of how far I've come and what I've done for myself as an act of love.
I would suggest to anyone considering surgery, that they focus on their mental and emotional health first and foremost. You have to be in a good place INSIDE before you are ready to make the OUTSIDE changes. Truly, this is a life long journey and you will only be as successful as you're willing to be, which starts with the head work. I think having done a ton of therapy and getting myself into a good headspace before surgery is what has allowed me to accept the less desirable parts of the process and not get hung up.

So today is my weekly weigh in day, and I weigh 349!!! It's the first time in 2 years I have been below 350 (1st time was when I did Keto, but as soon as I hit 320 it literally came back up and I never lost a single pound after I went back to my original weight). I'm figuring out the food portions, timing, measurements and I think I have it down!!! You guys have all been so amazing with all the meltdowns, crazy questions, doubting myself, etc I've done on here (I know, I was a bit loco lol ). But I seem to be losing at a nice steady pace (5-7 pounds per week) and I have to say, I'm really liking it. I feel like this is much more sustainable and maintainable than when I was doing keto (and surprisingly, a lot less restrictive! ) I'm 7 weeks post op today and honestly, other than my scars on my tummy, I would never know I had surgery. No pain, no more limitations, no problems at all. I still have to be mindful of how much I eat and how often, because as I have said before, I never lost any of my hunger hormone. But I make homemade smoothies with fruit or I drink a Protein Shake if I need a little extra Protein, or I just keep busy until I can teach my stomach and body that I'm NOT hungry and I HAVE eaten enough and I will NOT be eating anymore because I had my allotted amount and that's it. It's harder when you're still hungry, but it CAN be done. Especially when I see the progress on the scale. So so glad I had this surgery. I don't regret it at all. Not even a tiny bit. I just wish I had done it sooner. But I guess we all do, don't we? lol

They didn't want me to have the diuretic because they wanted to make sure I didn't get dehydrated which they said is a danger for someone so early after surgery. I should be talking with my PCP soon and we will discuss what meds are best.

To everyone, I thank You! I now feel I have a place to come where My thoughts and concerns are understood. As I read each reply, I couldn't be more excited that someone knows exactly what I feel, and we can have a discussion. Thanks guys!

I am also not losing weight as fast as others but it is what it is. I just make sure I meet my Protein and Water goals and figured it will happen in its own time.

Just egg is a great egg replacement substitute for real eggs. I missed omelettes and scrambles so bad those first 4-6 months after my revision because eggs and chicken sat horribly in my pouch.
oatmeal with powdered Peanut Butter
Non-dairy greek yogurt with mashed berries
Scrambled tofu with nooch
nut butters on toast or crackers (I was allowed toast in soft foods phase)
Blend spinach and kale into smoothies
chicken salad made with canned chicken- (I agree it’s weird to have people wait so long for certain proteins)