FifiLux

That is how I feel and what I said to the surgeon when he was warning about the scars on the arms if I go ahead with the arm lift he proposed. I pointed out that as they are now, and have been since I remember, I would never dare to wear something that did not go to my elbow at least and if the scars turned out that bad well then so be it but at least the shape in sleeves would be better but that I would hope he would do such a good job that I would not have a roaring red scar for the rest of my life and that I would be happy to show a bit of a scar than all the loose skin I have now. Boob job is approx 10k which I don't have but it something I might start to save up for, after I have paid off the 2.8k for the arm lift. Legs he won't touch due to lymphedema so seems I will be forever stuck wearing ankle length clothing. In the meantime I have bought some new bras that give a nice shape and waiting for an order of daisy oil which has been recommended to me to help the skin elasticity so will see.

Congratulations, well done you I didn't set any specific goal but aimed for being in the 'healthy' bmi range but didn't worry if I didn't make it as I knew I would already be so much healthier than I was pre-surgery. I went a couple of kg lighter than now but felt it didn't suit my face, looked very tired and older, so I am trying to stick to the 64/65kg but tone up more. Your body will find its eventual weight and don't put pressure on yourself to achieve something that you may not be able to maintain as I think that is where a lot of us have failed in past diets etc., we set targets and don't meet them so get stressed and self sabotage or the other side, which used to be my big problem is that I would reach a goal and then think it had been easy to get there so no problem to eat or drink more as I could just get back to a diet again. Don't think of this as a diet but a lifestyle tool that you now use, keep up with your protein requirements and exercise and your body will do its best for you.

Homemade Almond Croissant Oat Bake No 'afters' but three more for the coming days, shown on a small side plate Icing sugar I could have done a better job of sprinkling on top, will know for next time plus I did not include sliced almonds as a topping (as I had forgotten I had already eaten them!) https://thehappypear.ie/plant-based-and-vegan-recipes/almond-corissant-baked-oats/

I have found I am eating more, probably too many, nuts as my justification at the start was that they were a healthy fat and I was having them on gym days but I have recently noticed that I have slipped back into a bad habit with them of grazing on the whole packet. I am making the conscious decision now to not buy them as often as I am of the simple mindset, if they are not in the kitchen I am not going to the shops just to buy some. This morning I made a breakfast of almond croissant bakes - recipe was for 2 but I got 4 so that is next few days sorted https://thehappypear.ie/plant-based-and-vegan-recipes/almond-corissant-baked-oats/

Yeah I have to do a B12 injection every two months also, forgot about that as I have had to do that for more than 10 years now.

Now, a year and a half out, I take a bariatric multi-vitamin, turmeric, calcium (with vit D3 and K) and omega 3 (as I don't eat fish) daily. I also take a serving of collagen powder most days, added to my coffee. I don't think I will bother continuing with the turmeric when the current supply runs out as I can't say I have seen any benefit to it.

I try to get my 'sweet' through protein snacks, which are processed I know but at least I can be sure I get some protein in and I feel like I have had a treat. Considering, apart from my daily yogurt, everything else I eat is either a raw (nuts, fruit, veg) or made from scratch by me I don't mind the Fulfil or MyProtein snack. Shop wise, I allow myself dark chocolate such as Lindt with a flavour like chili or raspberry and I have two squares post dinner when I have it. My boss gave me a box of delicious Belgian chocolates recently so yes I indulged, though did share some. Twice now I have made delicious brownies using dates, yummy and gooey - https://nourishedbynic.com/brownie-protein-bars-nut-free-gluten-free-no-bake/#recipe Couldn't find a seed butter so I adapted and used a spread here that is made out of biscuit (Biscoff) so increases the sugar but by the time I portion it all out there is still not much for the deliciousness it gives (approx 250cal, 25g carb, 10g fat & 10g protein). I try to limit myself to one a day and freeze them.

So tomorrow I have my first appointment with a cosmetic surgeon. As the health service here covers some plastics following weight loss surgery (have to be in sufficient saggy need) I am going with an open mind and closed wallet 😉 I would love to get a boob job, preferably a lift but open to implants, and then possibly discuss my legs and arms but I am not sure I want to go through the pain of those. I don't mind the idea of scarring on legs as no way I would be showing them now, dislike them so much everything is ankle length, so even with scarring it would be an improvement as I could at least wear tights and possibly something knee or mid calf length.... oh to dream such things

So the surgeon was really nice and I felt comfortable with him - had already researched him and also got good feedback from another patient of his. Sadly the health dept will no longer cover boob jobs, ended in 2024, they will do arms, tummy, legs etc though. He says my boobs are still doing well for my age and weight loss so unless I was very self conscious about them he thought it was not worth the cost (EUR 10k!!!!). He said my stomach didn't need any work as it is looking very well. My thighs he could do a small lift but he didn't think it would be very noticeable so again he didn't think it was something to consider unless I really wanted to. For my lower legs/calves he said my lyphodema is too bad that he could not cut there and that all he could suggest would be a few rounds of liposuction on them but then they would look worse probably because the legs would become saggy, whereas now they are large but "steady". The arms he said he could certainly do something with and I agreed he could submit my request to the health dept for approval. I would have to pay just under €3k contribution but I wouldn't mind that. Will see if I get the approval, once I get the approval it is then approx 5 months wait for a surgery date. I guess I am happy that firstly he doesn't do what he considers unnecessary surgeries and secondly that I am may not not looking so bad that surgeries are not vital. I will be investing in some new good bras instead of €10k for now

You look amazing, well done and good luck with the surgery. I look forward to hearing about your plastics journey in the coming weeks and months.

Totally normal so don't worry

I never set a goal weight but my surgeon said he felt 70 to 75 kg (165/155 lbs) would be what he would like to see me reach. Once he said that and I got close I decided I would try to get into the 'healthy' BMI range which is 65kg / 143lbs. I reached there and a little bit more (or less I guess) so depending on movement (bowel and exercise wise ) and if I have a bit more of a carb focused dish I bounce between 62.5 and 64kg / 137 and 141 lbs and I find I am happy with that. NEVER would have thought that was possible to achieve a couple of years ago. I think see if you can get to the 'healthy' range if it gives you something to continue working towards and then maintaining BUT do not put pressure on yourself, the BMI is out dated and the most important things are to be physically & mentally healthy and happy in yourself, that can be whatever figure you want it to be on the scale.

Do you mean 2025 for your op or a year ago? If only four weeks ago what you are feeling is totally normal and your body is recovering. Hopefully you will soon find a routine that works for you with regards to being able to take a bit more food and fluids but take your time with sipping and eating, baby steps for now and then it will get easier. Try to get your vitamins in, especially now as you are eating less. For me after the op I couldn't stand the smell of certain foods, even the smell of coffee turned my stomach but now all is back to 'normal' and I thankfully am able to drink coffee again. With regards to the weight loss, it is different for everyone, I put on a few kg in the hospital immediately after the op and then slowly started to lose but I didn't see it on the scale or physically for quite a while. It will happen when your body is ready. You have got this, it is early days.

I fit, comfortably, into a new Victoria Beckham dress I ordered in a UK size 6 😁 I was unsure when ordering but it was the only one in stock and I want a nice designer dress for my birthday in April, relieved.

You are not alone I said it to the doctors at one point during my hospital stay and they just nodded 🤣 I don't know what causes it but figure it is the body doing its work.

Yes, like my abdomen has a heartbeat. Have had it since my op a year and a half ago, not as frequent anymore but still occurs.

I always had thick hair which is why I am the bit frustrated at the moment as the top part, maybe about 5 inches, is thick but the lower part is the hair that did not fall out so is thin. I always wanted a curl to my hair so that would be great but not just at the roots I will just keep cutting up a bit each time and straighten when needed. I can't really tie it back, even though it is to my shoulders as the crown part just pops out after an hour or so. Ah well. It is not just my head that is itchier though, I find that I am rubbing/scratching my back and arm put area these last few months, feel like a chimpanzee.

It happens to us all as our bodies adjust. We can be totally irrational about it, not giving ourselves the benefit of what we have achieved..... I had a 6 month check up with my surgeon on Wednesday and I was annoyed with myself as I was up (0.5kg) on previous weeks but that was just me being silly, he said my weight, 63kg, was "perfect" for me and my loss had been "incredible". I came away feeling much better BUT still want to get rid of that 0.5kg plus another 0.5/1kg

I am getting a nano keratin treatment tomorrow to hopefully relax the growth a bit.

I wouldn't say extreme but once my hair stopped falling out and started the growth phase I did notice my scalp is itchier and I sometimes see dandruff, which I never suffered from before. I recently switched to an oat milk based shampoo which seems to be helping with the itch. My hair is really annoying me as it is coming back thick (which it was before) but with a curl/kink to it so the crown part where so much regrowth is happening is all thick, puffs up and out but then the longer parts are thin. I asked my hairdresser to cut it all short a few weeks ago and she refused as she said it has such a kink to it that it would look worse shorter and I just have to try and brave it out another few months.

I know it is hard but try not to let her (and anyone else with a negative attitude) get to you. You have taken a big step and congratulations on starting the journey to a new you. Did the medical team say they wouldn't operate if you didn't reach the 34lb loss? I am sure they don't stop everything if you are just a few pounds short so don't stress if you can help it. You say it is a supervised plan so I presume they are used to helping patients follow it and adapt it to an individuals needs so that should be a help for you. You are so motivated (studying, saving etc) that you will do your best and any loss pre-surgery is a win. I had sleeve surgery and in the months before I tried my best to eat smaller portions so I switched to an appetiser sized bowl and plate for most of my meals. I knew I would be using them after the surgery so figured may as well ease myself into it. I also tried to start eating slower - I am still not great at that but better than before. Food wise don't go so extreme that you then self sabotage at some point out of desperation for a food you love. We all have different reasons for getting to the size we do that needs surgical intervention, for me it was partly not knowing when to stop eating, too much carbs and alcohol and not exercising at all. I didn't have to go on a diet pre-op or do the liver reduction thing a lot of patients have to do but in the weeks before my surgery I went on holiday and ate everything I wanted so actually went up in weight so then when I returned I just cut down on things but still allowed myself an occasional treat, so instead of pastries for breakfast I had Greek or skyr yogurts, shop bought sandwiches etc for lunch were swapped for homemade veg soup, for dinners instead of pizza's, burgers and pasta dishes I tried to have more chicken & veg based meals, cutting back on a lot of carbs. I swapped out rice and pasta for cauliflower rice or lentil pasta. These small changes helped me get back on track before my surgery but as I didn't have to follow a pre-surgery diet plan it was more for me, so as to get into good habits. I am sure there will be plenty of advice and support here for you 💪

Looking fab, and you still have your boobs so I am jealous

Not to make you jealous or anything @AmberFL but I went to the gym today 🤣 I was really looking forward to it after not having been for 2.5 weeks due to Christmas holidays so I can understand the frustration. It is worth it to be patient and take care of your new assets.

In the last couple of weeks I realise that I grieve being able to have a cup of coffee at the same time as eating a snack. Like at the moment I want one of my Christmas mince pies to take a bite out of in between sips of coffee. 😢 Instead I will have my coffee now and then wait about 30 minutes to eat the pie, not exactly the same satisfied feeling.

I buy pasta made from lentils or peas. It is not 100% the same but a great alternative and I just make a very small amount occasionally to have with a bolognese. Aldi does one https://groceries.aldi.co.uk/en-GB/p-the-foodie-market-gluten-free-red-lentil-beetroot-fusilli-250g/4088600206462 When I was home in Ireland for Christmas I bought a few vacuum packs of cauliflower rice so looking forward to trying them and if nice I will get more next time.