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I'm the odd ball. I generally eat whatever I want, just less. I have a weight range that I stick to and unless I bounce up too high, I don't restrict myself. If I go over my upper end, then I cut out the junk.

What does "careful" eating mean? Are you eating too much, too little, etc? Has your Dr. ruled out other health conditions like thyroid?

Totally normal to have doubts. I had them, scared that the sleeve wouldn't work for me, but honestly what would my alternative been? Stay overweight and do nothing? Fast forward two and a half years later, no regrets at all.

Have you gone to Gap or Old Navy? I find that both stores carry a wide range of cuts-- so (using Old Navy terms) perhaps you were a Diva cut (straight through hips and thighs) before and now you need a Sweetheart (smaller waist than hips) cut jean. Your description of your body sounds like what most stores label as a "curvy" style jean.

Do you have a dietitian? Back to basics can be as simple as prepping healthy meals in advance and sticking with them versus "dieting" and cutting off all carbs or some other extreme (e.g. liquid diet) change that you struggle to stick with. I find it easier to stick with healthy eating when my food is ready to go.

8 oz of what? Don't push yourself, allow your body to heal. Focus on your fluids, sip, sip, sip. The rest comes with Time.

I am 2.5 years out. I see too many post from vets, 3-5 years out who struggle with regain. I weigh daily and log my food hoping that this level of vigilance will stave off regain.

I need accountability and structure. I workout with a trainer.

My SO laments the literal loss of my T & A. It hasn't caused any problems and like the OP and others have said, my SO loves me still but it can be a little hard to hear sometimes having worked so hard to lose weight. Realistically, I look great in clothes but it's a bit of a wreck underneath. He's the only one besides me who ever sees that and so yes, he has an opinon on it. I choose to have surgery, he did not and for all that we have been through on this journey, hearing that he misses my curves just means he'll fund my plastics someday.

"I think I tend toward the more boho look too, with a bit of classic thrown in, but I'm just not sure." I think you are more certain than you know. When I was redefining my style, I used descriptors too. Mine were feminine, girly, classic basics. As such I have camis and cardigans (paired as twin sets) and v-neck wool sweaters in a rainbow of colors. I bought a ton of button down blouses and a lot of lace overlay pieces. Keep adding more descriptors, consider a vision board on Pinterest or just cut and paste from images online. What you like will start to emerge as you pick looks that are similar. From there, find the store(s) that mirror your style and have clothes that flatter your shape. For me, that is primarily Ann Taylor, Loft, and Macy's.

Hey Chico peeps, how is it going?

@jenn1. I think there is a bit of confusion as many mentioned Botox. Botox is all good to relax lines at eye level and above but based on the pictures you need to ask a doctor or medi-spa about a filler like Juvederm or Restalyne. Those are for under eye and down.

I always think about getting back on a PPI but haven't yet. I think a lot of my problem is head hunger.

I was NOT an exercise person pre-op. I simply accepted the fact that if I wanted the maximum result, I would need to do my part. I started with walking daily. At 3 months out, I walked and jogged. Finally at 6 months out I realized that I was half way through my "honeymoon" and scared I was wasting it. I hired a personal trainer and started exercising for "real" 3 days a week. Fast forward to now, I still workout with my trainer and we focus on strength training mostly. I also workout on my own 1 or 2 days a week taking classes at the gym. Some weeks I do the minimum, which for me is 3 days a week. Some weeks I am very motivated and I workout 6 days a week.

Yes you can.

I used a couple of benchmarks since BMI does not account for body composition. First goal was to get to a normal BMI, then I set a body fat goal, from there I set a weight goal. Sound complicated but it's not: a normal BMI for me is 145 lbs or less. A healthy body fat percentage for me was 24-28%. Combined, that keeps me at about 130-140 lbs.

y Yes, it's normal

2010 vs 2015

I asked my surgeon about this last week. He said I could take Ibuprofen if I took an antacid before as stomach acid increases ulcer risk. I don't know the science of his statement but it might be worth looking into.

Totally normal. Still don't see myself as others see me. Airplane seats, narrow parking spaces and other tight spots remind me that I am slim. I hold up my jeans and can't believe I fit in them since they look small. You do get more comfortable with it all in time. Ps- Yes, clothing sizes are larger than before, i.e. vanity sizing. So in reality my size 4s and 6s are actually 8s and 10s from 20 years ago.

I'll second Artic Zero. It's not fooling anyone that is actually ice cream but it is better than nothing.

Ugh, it sucks to be the only person in the room without a drink at a party. I drank a lot of Water with limes. I was told to wait a year but waited 9 months. I felt full and bloated the first few times but never got sick or felt any really bad effects. However since I wasn't at goal I kept the drinking to once every month or two. Now at two and a half years out, I get very tipsy off of one or two drinks. I definitely don't enjoy drinking the way I did pre op. Getting buzzed off of one glass of wine is embarrassing. Two drinks and nighty-night. So the trade off of not drinking and living life as a size 4- totally and completely worth it.

If I understand correctly, smoking is the issue but not nicotine for surgery. My husband quit cigarettes and switched to vaping. You might see if that is a compromise your surgeon can accept. Regarding the pre-op diet, the liver shrinking is a very real need. Try to keep it low fat and low carb. You only get one shot at this. You can do this.

Miralax never worked for me and I bought a ton of it pre-op in preparation for surgery. Dulcolax was my life saver. It only takes one pineapple and you will make sure you find what works for you. Trust me.