February 2019 weight loss buds

[Sheribear68 3,201]

On 02/15/2020 at 13:12, AZhiker said:

It's all very strange, isn't it? I used to be the biggest one at work and now I am the second smallest. I also feel both uncomfortable and excited when people make statements about my new size. I want to look around to see who they are talking about! What I am finding to be more awkward, however, is how heavy people relate to me now. Those who knew me before NEVER say anything and sometimes avoid me. Heavy people who did not know me before make the assumption that I cannot relate to them. When weight comes up, like during an exam, they act like I am an outsider to their condition, while in fact I probably understand it even better than they do, themselves.

I can tell you for sure and for certain, there is a mental condition that accompanies obesity. Shame, guilt, depression, low self esteem, blaming others, making excuses ("Obesity runs in my family," "I'm not as fat as THAT person," for example), and continually comparing one's size with others, becomes a lifestyle and a mindset. Just because we lose the weight, doesn't mean we automatically lose the mindset. That seems to take even more work than simply sticking to the post -op diet.

After one year, I feel like I am now just beginning to do the real work of weight loss, which is the head work. It's rather surreal feeling sometimes - like I landed on a different planet and have to learn to navigate the new world.

I added up all my macros for today. I haven't been counting calories lately, as I am eating as much as I can just to maintain. But the numbers were informative. Looks like I am packing in 1800-2000 calories a day, 70 gm of Protein and 60 gm of Fiber. It seems like an insane amount of food - another surreal experience to get used to. Before surgery I could easily gain weight on 1200 - 1500 calories. Now I have to eat at least that much just to maintain, and hundreds more when I work out.

Strange indeed.
I am now the skinniest girl at work, my circle of friends, and my family and it’s a bit mind-blowing.

Now when I go out in public, nobody knows that I’m actually a fat girl trapped in a skinny girls body.
They can’t understand that I know their pain, their shame, their mental battles. It’s kind of like once I got >2 years out of chemo and I didn’t look like a cancer patient anymore.
I will always be a cancer patient, but I no longer look the part so people dealing with cancer of their own tell me as a health-care provider “well you can’t understand what I’m going through...”.
Um...yes. Yes I most definitely can.

It’s the same now, and honestly it’s even weirder for me bc I was MO for most of the last 22 years and it was so much part of my identity that there are aspects I probably won’t live long enough to get over.

I’m sensing in your post here, AZhiker that you’re feeling a bit “lost” as to which group you can relate to. Our previous acquaintances can’t relate to us like they did before and new people we meet never knew our previous struggles.
I can relate completely to this feeling of “where do I belong now?” And this is why forums like this and support groups are absolutely vital for our continued growth and mental health.

Of of y’all in this February group are near and dear to me as we were all starting about the same time and went through this together. I will be forever grateful for the last years worth of humor,frustration,fears,setbacks and triumphs that we’ve shared.
As we move into year 2, there will be new challenges and I’m looking forward to navigating those together.

[Sheribear68 3,201]

On 02/15/2020 at 14:11, Goody222 said:

@Everythinganna, @froufrou @AZhikerI completely get it! Such a different word that we are adjusting to. My mindddd has not caught up. People are asking me if I am done losing weight. I want to look around cause in my mind, I am just focused on reaching my goal weight. Aa part of me is terrified about maintenance mode. Seems like I am always gaining or losing. I definitely need to start working on the head work.

Not gonna lie... maintenance scares the heck out of me.
Also, I’ve got people telling me all of the time that I’m too skinny and “can stop at anytime, ok” and I’ve started learning how to tune that all out.
I’m really not used to being the skinny girl in the room. Heck, just typing that out felt weird, but it’s the truth now.
There are days when I log everything and days when I don’t even think about it.

Anymore, my focus is on becoming stronger and losing some fat%, and trying to gain some muscle. Even a month ago I was freaked out by weighing under 140 pounds and now it’s like “meh, this is normal now and I have tons of energy and feel fabulous.”

I’m to the point now that if I lose more it won’t freak me out too much, but I’m not actively intending to lose. I figure my calories will eventually climb up so I’m not gonna panic.

[Sheribear68 3,201]

Oh and here’s a pic from yesterday.
Feeling strong and accomplished and I refuse to feel one bit apologetic or guilty about it.

[gabybab 696]

I'm sorry I have been absent for so long. Today is my 1 year anniversary and I'm so happy that I had this surgery, with no regrets. I haven't lost any weight in 3 months and think I have hit a plateau. Not gaining weight, just not losing. I've lost 97 pounds and am so grateful for that, even I dont lose one more pound.

I've had trouble with a upset stomach since shortly after surgery. I had an endoscopy and they said I had mild gastropathy, but nothing to really cause the symptoms.

I'm debating on having another surgery to complete the DS, but am going to give it another 6 months. I don't feel ready to make that decision yet.

I was walking after surgery and am not doing it anymore, plus I'm sneaking a few bad things, but certainly not what I eating before. Like today I ate a yogurt for Breakfast with pumpkin seeds and granola. lunch was 2 slices of cucumber and cauliflower with 1T ranch made from sour cream and a snack packet of cheese and nuts.

I'm in a much better space but still need to be vigilant each day.

I would like to say thank you to everyone here for your support. I would also like to thank @sillykitty she posted a reply to a person that solidified my decision to have the sleeve. I have it copied and read it now and then. ❤ here it is below.

I agree with you, from this and previous posts, you're not ready.
You are focused on what you will give up, instead of what you will gain.
No one can make you want your health, weight loss, mobiliy, etc., more than you want a pastry. Hopefully you will get there one day.

Edited February 25, 2020 by gabybab

[Goody222 139]

50 minutes ago, gabybab said:

I'm sorry I have been absent for so long. Today is my 1 year anniversary and I'm so happy that I had this surgery, with no regrets. I haven't lost any weight in 3 months and think I have hit a plateau. Not gaining weight, just not losing. I've lost 97 pounds and am so grateful for that, even I dont lose one more pound.

I've had trouble with a upset stomach since shortly after surgery. I had an endoscopy and they said I had mild gastropathy, but nothing to really cause the symptoms.

I'm debating on having another surgery to complete the DS, but am going to give it another 6 months. I don't feel ready to make that decision yet.

I was walking after surgery and am not doing it anymore, plus I'm sneaking a few bad things, but certainly not what I eating before. Like today I ate a yogurt for Breakfast with pumpkin seeds and granola. lunch was 2 slices of cucumber and cauliflower with 1T ranch made from sour cream and a snack packet of cheese and nuts.

I'm in a much better space but still need to be vigilant each day.

I would like to say thank you to everyone here for your support. I would also like to thank @sillykitty she posted a reply to a person that solidified my decision to have the sleeve. I have it copied and read it now and then. ❤ here it is below.

I agree with you, from this and previous posts, you're not ready.
You are focused on what you will give up, instead of what you will gain.
No one can make you want your health, weight loss, mobiliy, etc., more than you want a pastry. Hopefully you will get there one day.

Surgery twin.... Glad you are doing so well. 97 pounds is a lot of weight. I am dealing with an upset stomach alit more than would like. Even with that so happy that we are a yea out from surgery vs. just starting the journey. Not quite at goal but it is clearly within reach.

sorry about the stall. Hopefully, it willl break on its own.

[Gottajustdoit 220]

29 minutes ago, Goody222 said:

Surgery twin.... Glad you are doing so well. 97 pounds is a lot of weight. I am dealing with an upset stomach alit more than would like. Even with that so happy that we are a yea out from surgery vs. just starting the journey. Not quite at goal but it is clearly within reach.

sorry about the stall. Hopefully, it willl break on its own.

My surgerversary was on Feb 13 and I just had my 1-year checkup with my nutritionist and surgeon. I'm at 150lbs and have been for about 3 months so I'd definitely say I'm at my maintenance weight. They asked if I was OK where I was at and I said YES! My surgeon said that the next year is crucial for ensuring the weight doesn't creep back on. He told me that many gastric bypass patients will gain back about 10% of the amount they lost. I thoughts those stats were pretty good and manageable but I'm wondering what the rest of your doctors and/or nutritionalists are telling you at the 1-year point. Are they sharing the same information? Are they cautioning you on other things in terms of diet and exercise?

My nutritionist asked about what i have been drinking and it's only been Vitamin Zero and Water. Pre-surgery I drank a lot of Diet Coke (for the caffeine) and seltzer water and I have been craving them. I never drank coffee. She said that many people do no tolerate the carbonation well. Are any of you drinking seltzer water and what has been your experience?

Overall I'm feeling well but I'm not sleeping well. I can fall asleep but I often wake up during the night. I take my Iron and Vitamins at night so they don't counteract with my Synthroid I take in the morning. I'm wondering if the vitamins are preventing me from sleeping well. My labs yesterday showed that my vitamin B12 levels are high. My nutrionist has not heard a correlation between high B12 vitamins and sleeplessness but my sister claims B12 causes her not to sleep well. I'm taking opurity Multivitamins by Bariatic Advantage...only two capsules (taken together) per day so it's very easy to get in the recommended doses. Anyone else take those and have any issues with sleeplessness?

It's been great hearing all your successes, team! Keep on sharing!

[Recidivist 1,141]

4 hours ago, Gottajustdoit said:

My surgerversary was on Feb 13 and I just had my 1-year checkup with my nutritionist and surgeon. I'm at 150lbs and have been for about 3 months so I'd definitely say I'm at my maintenance weight. They asked if I was OK where I was at and I said YES! My surgeon said that the next year is crucial for ensuring the weight doesn't creep back on. He told me that many gastric bypass patients will gain back about 10% of the amount they lost. I thoughts those stats were pretty good and manageable but I'm wondering what the rest of your doctors and/or nutritionalists are telling you at the 1-year point. Are they sharing the same information? Are they cautioning you on other things in terms of diet and exercise?

My nutritionist asked about what i have been drinking and it's only been Vitamin Zero and Water. Pre-surgery I drank a lot of Diet Coke (for the caffeine) and seltzer Water and I have been craving them. I never drank coffee. She said that many people do no tolerate the carbonation well. Are any of you drinking seltzer water and what has been your experience?

It's been great hearing all your successes, team! Keep on sharing!

Congratulations on your success!

Thanks for sharing the insight from your surgeon about gaining back 10% of the weight in year 2 and ensuring that you stay vigilant. I received no such guidance but it makes perfect sense.

I also drank lots of Diet Coke pre-surgery and quit cold turkey two weeks prior. Like you, I drank only water and Protein water for about seven months, then introduced coffee into my life (with skim milk and Splenda) and have really enjoyed it. I've had no issues so far.

[Sheribear68 3,201]

My team just refuses to give me solid parameters.
Like now I’m 135 pounds and their reaction is “meh, don’t panic, your body won’t let you die. Oh yeah, but still don’t consume >40 gm total carbs in a day”.

They never would help me set a GW, and they refuse to tell me a recommendation now. My NUT did confirm that they see a lot of people gain back 10-15 pounds in year 2 though.

Gonna stay extra vigilant that that doesn’t happen.

[Gottajustdoit 220]

11 hours ago, Sheribear68 said:

My team just refuses to give me solid parameters.
Like now I’m 135 pounds and their reaction is “meh, don’t panic, your body won’t let you die. Oh yeah, but still don’t consume >40 gm total carbs in a day”.

They never would help me set a GW, and they refuse to tell me a recommendation now. My NUT did confirm that they see a lot of people gain back 10-15 pounds in year 2 though.

Gonna stay extra vigilant that that doesn’t happen.

During my 1-year check up my team did seem more concerned with how I felt about my current weight and condition vs. what their expectations were for me. My BMI was 24%, which my surgeon said was in the "normal" range so he just said keep up what I'm doing.

I forgot to mention to him my very bad hip pain that I've been experiencing for the last 4 months or so. The pain started in my right groin and then my left. My primary doctor doctor says it is arthritis of the hips and wants me to start physical therapy. I did a bit of research online and read a few instances where hip pain started after rapid weight loss due to the change in body mass positioning. Has anyone else experienced more or additional skeletal pain since weight loss? I was expecting less pain in my back, etc. since the surgery but am having more pain, including pain in my arm/shoulder/neck.

[Goody222 139]

3 hours ago, Gottajustdoit said:

During my 1-year check up my team did seem more concerned with how I felt about my current weight and condition vs. what their expectations were for me. My BMI was 24%, which my surgeon said was in the "normal" range so he just said keep up what I'm doing.

I forgot to mention to him my very bad hip pain that I've been experiencing for the last 4 months or so. The pain started in my right groin and then my left. My primary doctor doctor says it is arthritis of the hips and wants me to start physical therapy. I did a bit of research online and read a few instances where hip pain started after rapid weight loss due to the change in body mass positioning. Has anyone else experienced more or additional skeletal pain since weight loss? I was expecting less pain in my back, etc. since the surgery but am having more pain, including pain in my arm/shoulder/neck.

I have had problems with my groin right side. I was sleeping with a heating pad but when I went for my chiro 1 month follow up, it went away. I do lift weight , walk and jog so I may have thrown myself off.
Also my bariatric dr wants me to weigh 155 which has me just missing a normal BMI. They said they e concerned with maintaining my weight loss vs a certain BMI I really want to push for 145 -148. I knots BMI is just a number but I have not had a normal BMI for 20 plus years! In the end, I just need to maintain so I am going through this mental struggle. I figure first I will get to 155 and then just see how I feel. Also still intimidated by maintenance mode

[Recidivist 1,141]

Greetings from down under, everyone!

March 2 is my one-year anniversary of gastric bypass surgery. Most of you have followed my progress along the way, so I won't repeat everything here except to say that I feel great and could not be happier that I made the decision a year ago to improve the quality of my life by taking this step.

I've been on maintenance for several months now. After reaching a low of 132 pounds, I've been hovering around 140 for the last couple of months (which truly amazes me based on how much I feel like I've been eating).

I'm attaching a (very unflattering) photo of myself in the hospital right after my surgery and the most recent photo I have, which was taken on a ferris wheel in Melbourne, Australia about five weeks ago during the Australian Open.

I want to thank all of you for being such an inspiring source of information and support over the past year. Congratulations to all of us!!

[Gottajustdoit 220]

What a difference a year makes! Thanks for sharing the photos and your progress.

[froufrou 678]

Congrats recidivist - I know it’s not all about looks, but you do look amazing! You must feel amazing too. Well done!!

[Sheribear68 3,201]

Congrats everyone for hitting their 1 year post-op milestones and thanks everyone for sharing your journey.

I had a fabulous weekend, and I’m fluctuating between 134-137 right now, which is all I could’ve ever hoped for and more.
Included are a couple of pics that a year ago would’ve had me floored to see.

Thursday night hubs and I treated ourselves to a thunder game (yes, that’s a glass of white wine and it was my splurge day) and the next is from Sunday when we went to a new park in town.
The weather was in the 70’s and I overdressed out of fear of getting out and about and being cold.
Lol, need to figure out how to dress for the spring and summer months coming ahead, which will honestly require a new wardrobe.

[Gottajustdoit 220]

Looking good, Sheribear! Have you posted a before and after photo (side x side comparison) yet?