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Three months out and launched first modeling gig for winter outer gear with new thinner arms and tummy. Hands still a bit swelled to me on unedited proofs - BUT company photographer seemed pleased with our shoot.

Yay! Really felt the visual benefits of mid-October brachioplasty today with new winter vest, shirt and scarf ensemble. I begin physical therapy tomorrow to work out elbow knots + soreness, ensure overall range of motion and optimum healing results 13 weeks out. I am pleased with the continued process and results.

Thank you. I had hair loss with my gastric sleeve back in May 2022. I did not lose as much weight with the sleeve as I would have hoped. I guess it just didnt work for me as well as it seems to do for others. I started losing my hair during that period. I cant say that I noticed it ever slowing down either. My hair has gotten really long but its thin all over because Ive always had thin fine hair. The top at the crown is where I see the most gone. I decided to start Zepbound because I saw a few of my coworkers having such good success with it. So I gave it a shot myself, yes it has helped me alot more with the weight loss and I still steadily lose each month but that pesky hair loss kicked back into gear so thats a bit disappointing. Not alot I can do about it I suppose because I am still on the shots and have at least 60 more pounds to go to reach my goal. I havent attempted any hair loss meds I figured Id just ride the wave Im on a bit longer lol

I am on full diet now. Just can’t tolerate condiments. Ketchup and mayo make me feel ill. My surgery was December 3rd. I got to go to full diet as tolerated on January 1st. I’ll be honest. There isn’t a whole lot I tolerate well yet. lol

And enjoy those gorgeous new arms!!!

I have made this a few times and really like it (without the pasta accompaniment) https://motivation.ie/recipes/dinner-recipes/smoked-paprika-goulash-motivation-recipe/ Some other ideas you might like (all of which I have tested and gone back to again and again); https://www.bariatricfoodcoach.com/lasagna-stew/ - I do not do the pre-slow cooker browning https://skinnyfitalicious.com/crockpot-chicken-shawarma/#recipe - Love, make using chicken breast cubes/strips https://bakingqueen74.co.uk/slow-cooker-spicy-bean-stew/ https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/spiced-carrot-lentil-soup - I don't do the pre-slow cooker step, just bang it all in the slow cooker. I do keep back one carrot though and add it in after blending but sill with about 30 minutes left on the cook so there are some soft bites, I also add a lot more chili but that is to my taste. https://www.bariatricfoodie.com/crockpot-curry-chicken/ - I skip step 1 https://www.bariatricfoodsource.com/blogs/bariatric-friendly-recipes/pureed-chicken-soup-bariatric-phase-3-soft-food - I just put all in the slow cooker and let it do its magic. I have added chili sometimes or other herbs. https://motivation.ie/recipes/lentil-soup-with-crispy-bacon/ - again I just put all the ingredients (skip the oil & bacon) into the slow cooker.

Instead of clicking, the + or the word quote, go to the top of the page and click reply to this topic then you will have a new box that didn’t quote anyone. Then you can mention someone’s name if you want. Yes to add most of your details you need to be on a laptop or desktop, but to see the details alongside each person’s post you need to be on a computer or a tablet. The phone is very limited in terms of what you can see and or do

One of the therapeutic approaches they use for eating disorders is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. CBT is obviously more complex but one component is replacing an undesired behavior with a new healthy behavior. This sounds so simple and like it couldn’t possibly work (to me anyways) but believe it or not this helped with my self diagnosed Nightime Eating Disorder. NES is a disorder that is characterized by waking up feeling like you can’t fall back to sleep without eating and eating more than 25% of your calories at night after dinner. I believe this is just a form of head hunger. My therapist who uses a different approach said that CBT would suggest that when I wake up wanting to eat that I do something like my crochet instead. Well. It hasn’t been easy but this has worked for five nights thus far. Not one snack and I used to have around 4-6 snacks every night after doing so well with my diet all day. Basically I have a protein yogurt before bed so I know I am not actually hungry and when I feel hungry through the night I just tell myself that I am not hungry and that I can get up and crochet instead if I can’t sleep. I haven’t even had to actually crochet many times. Apparently just knowing that there is a replacement option is enough to help me go back to sleep. That or I’m just too lazy But hey whatever works 😂 Anyways, I found it kinda absurd that the solution was that simple to just do something else like I am dealing with a kid but I’m serious. It worked. There are also CBT workbooks for disordered eating (Amazon has several) which probably get more in depth and journaling about what you are feeling at the time to get to the root of why you feel hungry helps for some. But try doing something else as well Like I said it’s been five nights for me and it’s worked. Each night it has gotten a little easier too. I put a towel through the handles of the fridge in case I forget and I have woken up and walked to the kitchen less and less each night. After the first night I realized that the yogurt was enough to get me through the night and each night after just reinforces that. My friend said it makes sense to her because It’s like when people quit smoking and everytime they want a cigarette they chew gum instead. I did lollipops but it’s true, that did work for me as well. It’s Still not easy, but it works. If your at work I guess your limited on alternate options but maybe having a glass of tea or taking a short walk (depending on your job). You said you are already drinking your water but maybe try a whole new behavior. I hope I don’t sound too crazy and you try this. I hope it helps you as well.

It’s not easy at first for many of us but as long as you’re making an effort & aren’t too far off your goal you’ll be okay. Yes, to just sipping all day. Yes, to trying different temperatures of liquids. And try sipping at night. I still do this. Every time I get in or out of bed (usually to pee cause you know drinking a lot 😉) I drink. If I’m reading in bed, I’ll regularly sip too - every few pages. I also found it easier to drink from a glass versus a sippy cup, straw, water bottle. And I drank more frequently too. Not sure why. And don’t forget during your liquids stage you can count your shakes & broths/soups towards your liquid total as well.

We all have the regrets at some point, its a whole new world. You need to give yourself a pat on the back for getting to a month out. I promise it will get better very soon. I did not appreciate how big a surgery it was TBH. It is a massive learning curve. Use your team when you need to, that's what they are there for. As we all have been given different regimes we do not know what yours entails Lots of us can not make the liquid or protein goals. As soon as you can, you will feel so much better. Try your hardest to get the liquid in. Hot, cold or frozen. It doesn't matter which, just sip all day long. Lots of us still take drinks to bed too. One day you will be able to drink easier. Your internal stitch line will calm down and the swelling will dissipate. Then you can take bigger mouthfuls. Lots of liquid without food will made you nauseous too. Apparently we have the same amount of stomach acid as pre surgery and this rises [GERD] when we sleep lying flat. If this is a problem, try propping yourself on pillows, a bed wedge helped me. I had to drop the iron in my vitamins, it made me super nauseous. Don't be afraid to go back a step if the next step is too far for you at the moment. I never did puree, just looking at it made me heave. You are not alone on this site, We will help you all we can