Bypass2Freedom

@MrsFitz Thank you! I was so so nervous as I had failed 4 times in a manual pre-covid, so it was definitely a long time in the making! I shall make sure to get one up asap! Hope you are having a great start to the week!

@MrsFitz I am definitely going to have to post a before picture of my face! I genuinely was shocked when I saw a picture of me from March this year! Thank you so much! And to top it off, I passed my driving test this morning!

Amazing! Congratulations!

Finally worked out how to just insert this as a picture rather than a link ? Pre-having my eyebrows done! They were a hot mess in this pic!

The hair, as promised! IMG_20240801_224349_240.webp

It sounds it! But also seems like you have coped as well as you could have and you have made it to the end of the week! woo! Yeah - it is like carrying the weight of a baby on my chest at all times ? I don't THINK they have gotten any smaller just yet, but I know it is to come as I am still not even 3 months post-op yet! How are you feeling about the surgery? I am the same haha but I am so impulsive and I am always like "treat yourselfffffffff" so maybe I will get lashes...you should too! ?

@AmberFL God that sounds like a hectic week so far and so much to sort out! Sounds like you are one tough mumma though and holding the fort down! ? And congrats to you and your degree! That is such a massive achievement!! ❤️ Kudos to you for continuing the workout, I would have been straight out of the door ? I am really trying to drink more water at the moment too, but I just hate having to wee all of the damn time ? I am absolutely terrified of losing my boobs...I am a GG at the moment and I just know they are going to be such a state ?I do however look forward to having that weight off my chest, literally - but just like you, I feel like surgery will be needed! I really hope it all goes well for you. Spa week sounds lush ? I am also going to get my eyebrows and nails done this weekend! Possibly also some lashes but we shall see! Good on you for treating yourself, and I am glad that you got this outlet that you needed x

Take it as a compliment for sure! Haha, sometimes the way that people phrase things is really strange ? I am definitely enjoying the look! I shall have to upload a picture to the thread later if my brain is engaged enough to remember ? It is Friday and I feel like I am struggling to stay awake! I definitely kept the pink ???

Sounds like we are in somewhat of the same position when it comes to food! I am really struggling to eat more ? Protein shakes are also going to have to remain a part of my life for a while! I am glad that you are feeling great though, amazing to hear!

I think it is so natural to be a bit up and down, especially considering that this is a life-long journey, so we can't always have the highs. It is also about finding the happy mediums It is good that you can be self-aware about where you may need to improve, just take it one step at a time and don't put too much pressure on yourself to do it all at once

@MrsFitz ahh amazing! Congratulations That does not sound fun at all oh my god...definitely take it easy! My dad has had to have those in the past and I know it comes with a fair amount of suffering so my heart goes out to you! That is going to be amazingggg! Thank you! I should have my test soon which I am absolutely bricking!! ?Hair is all complete, and I have had a little bit from the sides shaved off oop hehe. I shall do!

So we are at the middle of the week - how are we all doing? What is something that has gone well so far/or something that you are looking forward to? Anything you'd like to learn from/improve on? My week has been okay so far! I have a driving lesson and then I am getting my hair cut, which I am in desperate need of as my fringe is in my eyes ?‍♂️ I am trying to increase the amount I am eating, which is proving difficult, but I'll get there! I also start with a personal trainer tomorrow which I am excited about!

You look incredible!

Hmmm I shall have to look into this!

Oh god that sounds like a rollercoaster! I think the only time I remember my periods being extremely heavy and frequent was when I was a teenager when they started, and then they were just so sporadic! I have to say I am not looking forward to going back to heavy if that is what is in the cards for me ?

Big boo for sure! I have the Jaydess coil which has been so good, but bloody painful having it done! (when will women's pain relief be taken seriously?). It is so interesting how the body just starts healing itself effectively! I am glad to know I am not alone in this!

So if any of you have read my story on here, you will know I have PCOS. I am 28 now, and I was diagnosed when I was 21. I haven't really had a regular cycle, and in the past 2 years I have probably only had 3 times where I have bled REALLY light. I wouldn't even call it a period ? So now I have lost weight, in the past 2 and a bit months I have had 2 periods - proper ones! I am both elated but also now reminded of the annoyance of them ? Grateful to my body for functioning, but boy oh boy, the hormones?!?! I have been an absolute wreck this week - angry, depressed, sad, crying, detached, more angry. ?‍♀️ On an interesting note though, I was really struggling with my restriction - I really need to be eating more - and I noticed that whilst on my period I could eat more which was good! Anyway, just a bit of an observation from me ?

Oh god I haven't actually posted any pics on here yet apart from my profile picture! Maybe I shall see if I can do a before and after comparison & some holiday shots in Sept! Fake it till you make it has always worked for me haha

This is beyond inspirational! You look bloody amazing (before, and after might I add!), but you can see that confidece & happiness in your face, and in your posture. Congratulations ❤️ I am going on holiday to Greece in September, and I am hoping to feel a lot more confident!

It really will get better, I promise! You got this!

Congratulations on your weight loss so far! I bet you are feeling amazing! I definitely empathise with the low energy - especially early on! I feel that mine is only just starting to get better ? I am going on holiday in September, but I am trying to put off buying clothes until the last possible moment! How is your eating now? I am free to eat "whatever" I want now, but find that I am struggling to manage anywhere between 6-11 mouthfuls. The bariatric nurse says I need to be having at least 20 mouthfuls per meal! Eeek. All that being said, definitely loving feeling healthier, more confident, and more happy!

Hey! So I had my surgery back in May - how are you feeling about your upcoming surgery? My first week was interesting for sure. I did feel overwhelmed at first trying to work out what I could and could not "eat" (I use that term loosely as it was the liquid stage ?), and I was over-thinking everything. I was trying to take all my vitamins, drink all the water I needed to, and also drink the "food" I could have. Plus just adjusting to how my body FELT whilst I was just doing all of these things. I'd never had surgery before, so it really did feel a bit surreal, but honestly it was not as bad as I thought it would be. My pain was very minimal, and I did quickly settle into a routine of things. Constipation post-op was a bit of an issue, so I'd advise maybe picking up some stuff to help alleviate this before you have surgery, just so you are prepared if it is an issue! But other than this, I haven't actually had any issues. My advice would be to not do what I did, and don't try to do it all at once. Focus on one little thing at a time. If you need rest, then rest, and drink when you can so that you are keeping your body hydrated. I was genuinely surprised at how quickly everything felt normal. Just take this time to slow down, and be mindful of how your body feels, and new sensations you may come across in terms of how eating/drinking feels etc. You'll be absolutely fine though! And this site is amazing for advice, and just to talk, so always reach out & good luck! I look forward to following your journey!

Ooo so exciting! I bet you are going to have the most amazing time! Congratulations on your NSW and the loss also ❤️ I fully understand the struggle in trying to stop wearing leggings and a top ? Like...what do people wear? ? Have an amazing time

That is a great saying I'd like to think that even now, post-surgery early days, I am feeling more confident to combat some of these comments!

Thank you all for your advice - it has been really eye-opening to see that dumping isn't actually all that common in bypass patients. I remember in a leaflet given to me by my surgical team, it listed dumping as a 'common' side effect, so I was fully expecting it! I am going to introduce things slowly, with protein as suggested. And as @The Greater Fool has said, I do think sometimes it could pose as a bit of an educational experience for me if it happens!