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I had lymphoedema because of my weight and I also had major problems when walking. I would be so out of breath and my heart would hammer in my chest. I was classed as disabled. I relied on a stick. Housework was difficult, It would take a week to clean my home, a room at a time. I ironed a shirt and sat down, panting. Now since surgery I am super active, can clean the house in an afternoon. I can walk miles without stopping to rest. My lymphoedema was in my arms and legs, I was very embarrassed about the size of them. Although I do not have the most beautiful ankles now, I would say they pass. My arms have a great deal of loose empty skin. At my age, I am wondering if I should have corrective surgery or not. I have been on 3 overseas holidays in very hot climates since surgery. My ankles and calves have never swelled and they always did before, especially on the plane journey. Its good not to wear the ugly socks. Good luck with your decision making

Thanks to all of you for your insights. I was doing the Ensure Max Protein drinks for the first two and half months. Now I find them very gag-inducing and have a hard time digesting them. The Electrolytes- yep, both in water and Gatorade Zero. I'm not sure I am eating enough--my portions are small, and I feel fine after a small plate, 1/2 protein, 1/4 veggies, 1/4 carbs. My wife has been great about making different dishes that are compatible with post-op lifestyle. I'm just not that hungry, though I'll still eat simply for fuel. When I first got out of surgery, I couldn't wait to eat real food again, but now, I think my system cannot handle the volume and in some cases the texture. Maybe this is also a result of hormonal/nervous system changes, I dunno. Yes, I have a good dietitian who is part of the surgeon's office, as well as an integrative medicine nurse/practitioner who does a different set of blood work at the same time I get blood work done for the surgeon. I'll be back up there for another post-op exam in a couple months. Sorry for the lag in my responding- i didn't get an email alert when a lot of you posted, I'll have to check my settings--in the meantime, the weather has broken here in Texas, finally. So, walking outdoors is possible. (It was 110F most of the summer here--brutal!). Now is the nice time to be here. PS: on the gym, I talked to the head trainer, and they are used to members who have gone thru physical rehab and coming back to the gym- they were fine with me taking things slowly and will work w/me.

I use heat (blow dryer and straightener) every time I style my hair. The only issue I'm having is the normal shedding. My hair looks and feels healthy. I do use good quality hair products. I stopped dyeing my hair 7 years ago and embraced the grey in my mid-thirties.

Genuinely weird one, not really a victory, but it's a thing: For a few months, I've been noticing that my sheets feel like they're bunching up in bed when I roll over. Which doesn't make sense because they're stretchy jersey sheets and don't really have any give. Plus, when I sit up and check, there's no loose fabric there. ... because it's not my sheets, its the loose skin on my back folding up. 😐 Also, I finally figured out what everyone on this thread means by "don't have to do yoga to wipe". I didn't realize that it was possible for regular-sized people to reach down without twisting at all. Wild. (I wasn't fat as a kid or a teenager. Have I just been doing extra yoga my whole life for no reason? I guess so!)

I had my surgery on 8/15 as well. I am still losing steadily. I am still around 400 calories a day, even on soft foods. First week after surgery was 3.4 pounds down, 2nd week was 14.4, 3rd week was 6.8, 4th week was 6.2, today was 5.4 lost each week. 36.2 pounds lost since surgery (I am on the larger scale for loss tho LOL). 56 pounds down since Pre Op started. 75.2 pounds down since life style changes. You will get there, my daughter had the surgery the same time I did, and she has hit stalls where she gained .5 pounds one week. I weigh in about 3 times a week, but only 1 is what I record. I am going to start weighing in only once per week. Your body is adjusting so it will take some time.

Your body is adjusting, you have to be patient.

It took me for ever to reach my goals. Like 3 + months. They just told me to do my best. Protein yogurts were my saviour, 2 of these and a pint of milk a day and I had all my protein. Drinking seemed to take all day and all my waking night too. I had my surgery in coldest winter, so hot drinks were easiest for me to manage, although they did get cold before I drank it all. After meals if I found myself thirsty, I would suck a popsicle , its a fluid. Once you can drink your ounces you will feel amazing. Its really worth while persevering, it does get easier soon I had to keep going back a stage because eating 'normal' foods was so difficult for me

You're doing so well, it's fantastic to be this close to your goal. I agree with everyone else - keep on keeping on and trust the surgery, it's clearly working/has worked for you!

Music is my go-to to manage all different kinds of emotions. I have playlists that I have for times when I'm sad and want to sing along and cry it out, angry music when I feel frustrated and want to scream it out, soothing when I'm anxious, etc. Some people write it out, walk it out, clean it out, talk it out.....

Hi! I'm Babs and I just got a mini gastric bbypasson Spetember 1st this year. Recovering fine, missing weed, snacks, and actually feeling hungry! My pain with drinking has gone down significantly already and I'm on phase one liquids post-op day 4. Last day of breathing exercises thank God. Any gamers here? Witches? Looking to build a community ❤️ and begin making spell jars.