As @FluffyChix stated in the original thread:

Quote

Let's share all our sophomore experiences, our angst, our struggles, our suggestions--let's talk about life! Let's become friends! You can be on any kind of food plan, do any kind of exercise or not, be gay or straight, engage in cardio or not--you just have to be in the "tweener" stage post WLS.

Not a Newbie but not yet a Vet - Sophomores have different challenges and are coping with an awkward middle stage, so please only post if you've passed the six month post-surgery mark!

On at , sassysleever76 said:

I am happy to say that today, 8.8.19, is my 1 year Surgiversary‼️‼️‼️ I have lost 85 lbs, but more importantly I have gotten off NINE medications ??? I am happier, by far healthier, and for the first time in my life truly LIVING my Best Life‼️ best decision I have ever made ❤️

Congratulations!! What a victory. That's a year of hard work but if you hadn't have done it, you'd still be a year older but in nowhere near as good shape. We'll done.

9 hours ago, sideeye said:

I have an ongoing allergy to posting photos online so its unlikely I can post proof of vacation boo’s visit, but he’ll be here for two weeks living in my apartment with me. There are mini vacations planned as well. He’s volunteered to cook (he knows that I rarely do, since solo meals are so tiny post-surgery that hours of prep aren’t worth it), he’s entertaining himself while I’m at work (touristy stuff I exhausted eons ago), and will probably do a few days or remote work himself.

I’ve had a really intense few months at work that have only just let up, so it’ll be really nice to have him round to hang out with. But honestly it’s also just going to be massively NC-17 pretty much all the time, and I am VERY much looking forward to that.

@GreenTealael what’s up with your long-distance guy? Still going?

Oooooohhhhh vacation boois becoming teal life boo ?

Unfortunately my situation is in an odd place. Now that he's physically gone, its kind of an out of sight out of mind thing, previously we were spending A LOT of time together.

We do speak on the phone every few days (i hate personal phone calls) but text everyday. But.. I'm ok with him being away, I totally appreciate the space but I think a long distance relationship will eventually bore me ?

Any tips? Any one?

Honestly, if I ever had any expectation of vacation boo becoming a more solid thing, the whole damn thing would be different. But since geography and circumstances and frankly life philosophies make that practically impossible, I have a very low bar for this entire relationship. We text daily too, but I don’t hold him to any of the standards I would hold an actual boyfriend (communication wise). And when we’re together it’s good, so - live in the now! And be totally aware that if a guy comes along who is more practical, he gets the spot!

But right now? This works. My clock’s not ticking and he is VERY good at MANY things, so status quo is maintainable. If I get bored I’m out, which I think is a reasonable stance when there are a lot of other asterisks in the relationship.

In other news I’ve been holding steady for the last 5 months, which is fine but also has me a little concerned. I might drink too much iced coffee with cream, among other things. Steady is fine, regain is not. Every time I see this guy I lose 10 lbs, crossing my fingers that witchcraft works again...

Ummyasmin I started doing Pilates and love it. I go to Club Pilates because I have found that using the Reformer table gives me the best workout and I love the fact the class sizes are small and they can give you a substitution move.

32 minutes ago, sideeye said:

Honestly, if I ever had any expectation of vacation boo becoming a more solid thing, the whole damn thing would be different. But since geography and circumstances and frankly life philosophies make that practically impossible, I have a very low bar for this entire relationship. We text daily too, but I don’t hold him to any of the standards I would hold an actual boyfriend (communication wise). And when we’re together it’s good, so - live in the now! And be totally aware that if a guy comes along who is more practical, he gets the spot!

But right now? This works. My clock’s not ticking and he is VERY good at MANY things, so status quo is maintainable. If I get bored I’m out, which I think is a reasonable stance when there are a lot of other asterisks in the relationship.

In other news I’ve been holding steady for the last 5 months, which is fine but also has me a little concerned. I might drink too much iced coffee with cream, among other things. Steady is fine, regain is not. Every time I see this guy I lose 10 lbs, crossing my fingers that witchcraft works again...

Witchcraft or *Workout ??!!!

On 08/12/2019 at 11:06, Jeelena2019 said:

Ummyasmin I started doing Pilates and love it. I go to Club Pilates because I have found that using the Reformer table gives me the best workout and I love the fact the class sizes are small and they can give you a substitution move.

I also started going to club Pilates.
I’m addicted to it and try to do at least 5-6 classes weekly.
Tonite was back-to-back with suspend followed by cardio 1.5.

On at , Jeelena2019 said:

Ummyasmin I started doing Pilates and love it. I go to Club Pilates because I have found that using the Reformer table gives me the best workout and I love the fact the class sizes are small and they can give you a substitution move.

Thx. I live in rural Ireland so my class options are limited ? I was wondering specifically about swimming workouts coz we do have a gym with a pool (which I just joined).

On 08/13/2019 at 3:32 a.m., Sheribear68 said:

I also started going to club Pilates.

I’m addicted to it and try to do at least 5-6 classes weekly.

Tonite was back-to-back with suspend followed by cardio 1.5.

I'm already jealous of you Americans with your Premier Protein, now I have to envy your Club Pilates too? Waaaaaaa

On 8/12/2019 at 9:56 PM, ummyasmin said:

I'm already jealous of you Americans with your Premier Protein, now I have to envy your Club Pilates too? Waaaaaaa

I'll trade you for sheep & castles

I'm about the start the next step.....PLASTICS!

I'm scheduled for consultations starting next week.

Question for anyone else contemplating plastics

What do you think of consultation fees?

On one hand, I recognize that a surgeons time is valuable. But on the other hand I will be out some serious money, before I even decide on a surgeon.

I've narrowed down my search to 5 surgeons who either specialize in, or do a fair amount of post bariatric plastics. Three of the five charge consultation fees, from $150 - $350. Interestingly my top 2 choices don't charge a consultation fee.

I'm thinking of just seeing my top 2 first, and then scheduling the ones with fees if I'm not comfortable with one of those. But I also don't want to save a few hundred dollars (total $750 for all 3 others), if at the end I might be more satisfied, or save thousands on the final surgery.

Opinions please!

I would go with the 2 that don’t charge first. If you’re totally satisfied no need to go further.

If you have any doubts, pick your next choice that does charge, but unless all 3 turn out to be duds I don’t see the need to go beyond that

I am approaching one year. I’ve lost about 90 pounds from highest. I exercise every day. I drink protein shakes and mainly eat turkey chili. I still have problems eating certain food. But I am so much happier.

1

18 hours ago, sillykitty said:

I'm about the start the next step.....PLASTICS!

I'm scheduled for consultations starting next week.

Question for anyone else contemplating plastics

What do you think of consultation fees?

I had a lot of thoughts about this when you posted in, namely that the doctors who charge are shysters, so I did some reading. There are very valid reasons to charge. One is that you won't feel pressured to get work done since you have paid them for their time. Now I think it's pretty neutral. There are good reasons to charge and not to charge. I learned a lot from this article.

Thanks @JessLess (article isn't linking though )

I'm not opposed to consultation fees, I'm just opposed to $750 worth ?

My first consultation scheduled for Thursday, that is the highest fee at $350. I'm thinking I might cancel that.

On Friday I have my consultations with my #1 & #2 choices, which neither has a fee. Interestingly they are both more renowned for their work, than the others, but don't charge. I would think it would be the opposite.

I'm a little stressed with both those appts on Friday, 50 miles apart in LA traffic ?

1 hour ago, sillykitty said:

Thanks @JessLess (article isn't linking though )

I'm not opposed to consultation fees, I'm just opposed to $750 worth ?

My first consultation scheduled for Thursday, that is the highest fee at $350. I'm thinking I might cancel that.

On Friday I have my consultations with my #1 & #2 choices, which neither has a fee. Interestingly they are both more renowned for their work, than the others, but don't charge. I would think it would be the opposite.

I'm a little stressed with both those appts on Friday, 50 miles apart in LA traffic ?

Sorry, here you go. Cancel anything you don't want to do. Canceling things is the best.

https://www.americanboardcosmeticsurgery.org/are-cosmetic-surgeons-who-charge-a-consult-fee-better-than-those-who-dont/