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I went clothes shopping today at a store (with the pandemic haven't done much of that). Not sure if it is the pandemic or my weight loss, but my experience today was SO different then in the past. I had a number of sales people approach me right off the bat. Friendly, offering to help. In the past, I would wander the same store on my own without anyone offering to help. I've seen others post about being treated differently after losing weight and while i'm not positive that's what this was, it's certainly something I'll watch for. The NSV --- I took one of the sales people up on their offer to help and mentioned after losing weight I'm not really sure what size I am. She knew immediately what options to pull and I am in a size 28 jeans! That's a size 8, as in single digits!!! I am also wearing a Small in a number of tops. Holy $(@*. 🤯

Hello! I'm 4 weeks post op and thought I would come back here to share what I have learned over the last 4 weeks. [emoji3590] My experience since surgery has been nothing short of incredible. I'm not speaking in terms of massive weight loss, but my energy, focus, well-being, mental clarity, and state of mind. The weight loss is a bonus. Looking back on my 8 month journey to the OR, I realized that the most crucial piece of advice I received came from the most unlikely of individuals on my path, the psychologist who did my psyche evaluation. She told me that the single best thing I could do for my recovery in the time before my surgery was to practice hitting my program Protein and fluid goals before surgery and to practice liquid Meal Replacement. I had more time than expected between this appointment and surgery (5 months versus 8 weeks due to multiple delays and reschedules), but I kept on doing this. I started by replacing Breakfast with my Protein Shake and monitoring my Water intake. I eventually worked up to hitting 70-90 grams of protein daily and my minimum 90 ounces of water. I still ate, but only after I was at my minimum protein goal. It wasn't an doctors order, it wasn't required, but I took her advice to heart and it has paid off in droves. Within days of my VSG, I was well on my way to hitting my goals again, with little head hunger or emotional discomfort with a liquid diet. I wasn't stressed or had any 'buyers remorse'. This is one small thing you can do for yourself on the way to make the lifestyle change a smooth transition. Best of luck! Sent from my Pixel 3a using BariatricPal mobile app

I am almost 6 months post op, and wondering when I will be able to get a tummy tuck.

Yes, I had a Tummy Tuck...I don't really know what other procedures there would be? Do you have something specific in mind? Below is a Before and After of the TT. I didn't have too much hanging skin, it was more of a wrinkly cloth look right in the middle of my abdomen, as well as some lumpiness all over. After the tummy tuck (which included muscle tightening and a bit of lipo on the flanks, you can see that the wrinkle look and lumps are gone, and my little ab muscles are visible at rest (i.e, I don't have to stretch out and flex to make them show, lol). Also, the lump in my crotch area flattened out, and the hips and front of the thighs smoothed out: I am think I'm basically the same weight in both these pics (give or take a lb or two).

It's crazy expensive "per area" and requires multiple treatments "per area." I'm skeptical that something could be that easy or else everybody would be doing it. But that's just no two cents worth of opinion.

Technically, you can get one whenever you want. You may want to be at least be at or close to goal for optimal results, but its not a game ender. I have read that there may be some docs who would want you to be at a stable weight for a certain amount of time...but I had 4 consults, and none of them had this requirement. 🤷🏽‍♀️ I had all my consults at 7 months post op (when I reached goal), with the intention of getting it done right away, but my chosen doc didn't have a free spot open until 6 months later, which turned out to be a good thing because I lost almost another 20 lbs by the time my surgery date came around. I'm over a year post plastics today (and weigh basically the same as the day I had plastics).

Non Scale Victory

Congratulations on your upcoming surgery! Right after surgery, you'll feel awkward and possibly have pain. My advice is to walk as much as possible. I was in pain (intense side stitch) when I first tried to walk but it subsided. Walking released all the uncomfortable gas build up and made me feel so much better. Also, sugar free Popsicles were a life saver for me if your surgeon allows them. Good luck to you!

Sleeved at 22 on 01/20/21! I am currently down 34 pounds (weight lost from pre op diet included).

It is much easier to get protein when you can eat purées. Puréed foods can hide the flavor of protein powder much better than protein drinks. Here are some of my favorites: Greek yogurt mixed with protein powder (I like vanilla yogurt with chocolate flavored protein powder and powdered peanut butter). Sugar-free pudding mixed with protein powder Pureed refried beans mixed with unflavored protein powder (I like to top the beans with enchilada sauce, Laughing Cow cheese, and Flavor God nacho cheese powder) Applesauce mixed with unflavored protein powder and a tiny splash of sugar-free caramel syrup Protein oatmeal mixed with cinnamon roll protein powder Pureed black bean soup mixed with unflavored protein powder You might also want to browse the BariatricPal Store because they have a lot of protein-fortified foods like soups, oatmeal, pudding, etc. that you can try. One of my personal favorites is protein hot cocoa. It tastes like normal hot cocoa (no yucky protein taste) and if you mix it with Fairlife milk instead of water, it’s a lot of protein.