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I hit a couple of major NSVs today. I’ve lost 100 lbs (or near enough to count), and finally dipped down into the 100’s. I am pretty pleased with myself, and I am so glad that I had the surgery. HW = 299 CW = 199.4 SW = 280.0 Surgery Date = 07/23/2020 I follow my program of eating healthy extremely well. Cravings are at a minimum, but the weight loss isn’t a complete breeze. I feel like I need to make a conscious effort to stick to the plan. I’m a slow and steady loser, and weirdly each pound lost always feels like it’s going to be the last. Not sure why, because I am not a pessimist by nature. The body dysmorphia is strong, and I have absolutely no sense of how big or small I am now. I feel much better than before, and my clothes are getting looser, but I don’t *feel* like I’ve lost much weight. How very weird! It’s not disheartening - just kind of a clinical observation that my brain can’t quite figure out what’s going on. My initial goal weight was 165 lbs. I picked that weight because it was a goal just beyond what the average weight loss for my height was. I honestly didn’t think it was attainable. But now I do. I’d like to shoot for maybe 140 now. I initially didn’t think I was going to be interested in plastic surgery. However loose skin, age and gravity are not a winning combination. It’s on the table now! I’m glad I don’t have to think about it anytime soon, though. Other observations: * I log my food meticulously. I focus on high protein and low carbs, and feel like it’s a good day when my protein intake is > carb intake. I pretty much ignore the fat intake, but I am eating healthy so it’s just not a concern. * I’ve averaged about 1100 calories/day since the new year. * I don’t think I would have been this successful if i hadn’t been teleworking since the pandemic started. I live alone so I cleared out my kitchen of all temptations. * I walk 3.5 miles a day and I’ve grown to really enjoy it. I rarely miss - only if there are monsoon-like rains will I stay in. * I wear a Fitbit, and I think the most important and useful feature is the reminder to walk throughout the day. I typically average about 15K steps/day. * I have started jogging a little bit, and have been ASTOUNDED that I can do it. I’m super slow, but I can do it. This morning I jogged over 3 miles without dying a single time. 😂 * I do not like jogging. * I was going to the the gym, but stopped because of the crowd of ‘New Years resolution’ people who didn’t seem to be very good with the mask-wearing. I’ll pick back up with that once I get the vaccine. * I have become more limber, and a lot of my aches and pains have receded or disappeared. I love that I can cross my legs now. * My hair fell out. A lot. Started at about 3 months and it was just shocking. It was particularly bad around my temples, and around the crown of my head. It is growing back as seen by the scraggly hair sticking out in all directions. I am so pretty. 😱 It seemed to stop falling out pretty abruptly about 2 weeks ago. * Eating breakfast is still a struggle. I’ve always hated it and I still do. I almost always rely on the Fairlife shakes for breakfast. * I eat a lot of chicken, shrimp, salad, and Morningstar frozen vegan options. I am not a good cook, and as much as I think about food I guess I am just not willing to spend much time preparing it. I like the salad kits that most grocery stores have now. * I take a tremendous amount of joy in cleaning out my closet of clothes I can no longer wear. My closet is so empty! It is seriously so awesome! I’m not ready to do much shopping yet, though. I don’t need clothes for work (yet), and I’m hoping to still lose more weight. * I weigh myself every morning, and I think I’m always going to have to do this. It’s an accountability thing for me.

Congratulations on your success! We are pretty similar — I had my surgery just a week before yours, and I have also lost 100 pounds since my surgery (I lost about 70 pounds before surgery). My initial goal weight was 180 pounds based on average weight loss (this was before I lost the first 70 pounds), but now I’m shooting for 150, although I honestly don’t care all that much about the number on the scale; for me, it’s all about the NSVs. When I stop and think about it, I’m in disbelief that I have lost such a massive amount of weight. I used to see people who have lost 100+ pounds and think it was impossible, and now I’m one of them. i also have the same sense that it doesn’t feel like I’ve lost as much as I have. I am literally half the size I used to be, and of course I can tell that I’m smaller, but I definitely don’t feel like I’m half my old size. I actually like to cook, and I spend a lot of time on Pinterest looking at bariatric-friendly recipes (I find a lot of recipe on keto web sites, even though I don’t exactly follow the keto diet, but a lot of keto recipes are good because they’re low-carb). One of the cool things about being a bariatric patient is that my portion sizes are so small that I get a ton of servings out of a single recipe. I made a batch of turkey meat sauce that came out to 27 portions! I have a freezer full of single-serving meals from just a few cooking sessions. I’ve really enjoyed finding new, healthy recipes that I love, and I hardly even miss the old unhealthy foods I used to eat. I recently discovered that I like spaghetti squash! And I eat cauliflower rice all the time. I hardly recognize myself anymore. Anyway, it’s great to see someone else enjoying great results from WLS. It is truly life-changing!

Cranberry Orange Biscotti ! I love baking, its like a natural air freshener for the house 😂 Each serving is 117 calories (but I didn't cut them all the same size, so give or take some cals depending on which one one eats). I had a bite off one of the end pieces that nobody wanted....probably 1/4 a serving? So 30 cals is going into MFP. Wish you could all smell my house right now.

Your health care professionals work for you. Replacing any doctor is your decision. However, you must be willing to do the work needed to find a replacement in a timely manner; and, to evaluate exactly why you believe this relationship is not in your best interest. Do you have someone reliable who you can talk this through with? Someone who cares enough to tell you if You are the problem? Is there someone willing to accompany you and act as your advocate in dealing with the medical staff? Can someone assist you in communicating your needs and responding to the reply? Should all indications conclude that you are not getting the care you need FIRE YOUR DOCTOR. "This is not done" is no reason to jeopardize you health. Get copies of your medical records from the doctor's office and the hospital. Replacing your follow up care professionals may not be easy but it can be done. Understanding exactly what is wrong with this relationship will help you to find a good fit for the future.

There are a bunch of them out there. I just wing it and put half a cup of oatmeal in my little smoothie blender with three egg whites, maybe 1/4 cup cottage cheese, a half a teaspoon of baking powder, and a glob of greek yogurt. If it's too dry, I add more yogurt and sometimes a little almond milk. After the batter rests for a few minutes it will get very thick as the oats suck up the fluid. I make silver dollar pancakes and eat about 5 and put the rest in the freezer. This recipe is awesome with blueberries. Maple Grove Farms sugar free syrup is 5 calories a serving and isn't bad! I also love them with home made apple butter made with Splenda instead of sugar.

Same here part of me feel like did I make right decision my pain in my stomach my back it hurt while walking

I was doing about 1/4 cup during the puree stage as well. I never felt hungry, nor did I feel full. It was just a matter of getting in the protein I needed at that point. I was never able to make such tiny portions of food last 30 minutes or more. I made a point of chewing everything thoroughly when I got to solid food, but I still couldn't make my meals last long enough. I'm not advocating faster eating, just sharing my experience. I also wanted to note that my surgeon and nutritionist said that I did not need to stop drinking 30 minutes before eating, only after. That's what I have done since surgery and it doesn't seem to have been a problem. Again, just my experience.

A week before my oneyearaversary I broke my stall ...Im waiting on my bday in April for professional pics but I did a side by side. IMG_20210210_192202_01.webp

I finally got the call around 3:10 pm today that my insurance has approved my surgery and I am going in on Monday. I have to be there at 5:30 am. I am excited and terrified at the same time. My hubby is just dropping me off since there is a no visitor policy in place. No point in missing a days work.

I wish I had realized how important the first year was to push it for all it was worth staying at 600-800 calories and maximizing exercise and workouts. Two years later it's just harder to get the same results.