PinkBubble

So, I'm officially freaking out. I had surgery 16 months ago. I have lost 87 pounds and still have 50 to go to get to my goal weight of 120. I was doing really well until about 4 months ago. (Around the Holidays). Since then I have been yo-yo'ing back and forth between 163 pounds and 170 pounds which is where I am today. I have been doing a lot of stress/boredom eating lately. I am really worried that I am stretching out my stomach because I feel less full on the 4-6 ounce portions than I used to. I am pretty disciplined during the day while I am at work but at night I find myself slipping back into horrible habits. For instance, last night I ate an entire grilled ham and cheese sandwich for dinner. Not half a sandwich as I used to and I could have eaten more! I am also eating very quickly again. Gobbling down food like I am starving. I am really struggling and need a support system now more than ever. I know that I am making poor choices and I am trying to get my head back in the game. I am dealing with a lot of guilt and disappointment in myself but definitely need to get back on track. Advice? Thoughts? I am okay with "real" advice but please don't be mean, I have enough of that going on my own head. Thanks,

I am 7 months post op. I also HAD very thick hair but at about month 3 my hair was coming out by the handfuls. I read on here that this sometimes happens and usually between 3-9 months. I was seriously afraid that I was going to have huge bald Patches but that has not happened. My hair loss has slowed down quite a bit thank goodness. I am taking 4 Biotin a day, 2 in the morning and 2 at night as my nails are brittle and skin is overly dry. I had my hair cut and colored yesterday and expressed my frustration to the stylist who assured me that my hair is indeed growing back in the form of thousands of baby hairs. (The little flyaway hairs that are less than an inch long and stick straight up). She had a hard time getting them all covered. We added a few more layers so they would blend and of course those little ones once they get to be a couple of inches long will add the illusion of volume, so, there is hope on the horizon. It does come back. Be patient, do what you can and keep your chin up. The weight loss is SO VERY WORTH IT. I would gladly wear a wig if it came to it in order to be healthy and hot again, LOL

I have been taking over the counter Vitamins since about 2 months post-op. I do not have any trouble taking large pills although I do break any of them that I can, in half. I just could not afford $80 - $100 a month for vitamins. I now buy them mainly at Walgreens because they have BOGO free quite often on most of them. CVS also runs the same deals but I prefer Walgreens. I spend MUCH less for my vitamins now. LESS than half the cost. Be careful and read labels so that you do not lose anything along the way. I just had all of my nutrients checked by the way and everything is within normal limits. Good luck:)

That is awful. I freaked out after 5 days in the beginning when I couldn't go. You should definitely go to the urgent care or your doctor. But in the meantime drink Water... drink water...and drink more water. It sounds like you are dehydrated at the very least. Good luck. I know you are miserable:(

I think you look really good although think a smile would make it beautiful too, . You have come so far. Truly inspiring. Perhaps at this point just try to show off your legs (because they look great) while wearing things that appear to slim the mid section. You do not look bad at all!!! You have great arms too! Chin up! We are always hardest on ourselves. I would love to see other pictures!

I am trying really hard to stay optimistic but am feeling like crap. I keep reading through the forums to keep my head up. The protein drinks make me gag so I have to really really force them down, I am only getting about 20 grams of protein a day. I have not been doing well with fluids either, I've been sticking at around 50 ounces per day: surprise.. I wake up dizzy, lightheaded and definitely dehydrated. I am doing well with drinking Powerade zero today so I am hopeful about that but I am starving... Ideas? I don't want to get sicker because that was never my goal, plus I am headed back to work on Monday which at this point feels scary.

I am only getting about 15 grams. I am getting sick. Dizzy nausea.... What foods have highest protein for Us. I am getting scared.

Thanks so much for posting your pictures! I am in week 2 and feeling like crap so it is so awesome to see things like this which of course keep my spirits lifted and my motivation high. You look mahvelous dahling!!!! thank you thank you thank you

Please keep in mind that it has become a habit for your mom to view you as fat and a target... IF that ever does change, it is definitely going to take a while. One thing that you can take with you though: for every negative snarky comment she makes, there are literally hundreds of us out here (me) who are clinging to your words with a renewed spark because your success has been so encouraging. Thanks

Thank you laura-ven. I have not seen the protein soups online but I will definitely look for them. Problem I've noticed since surgery is I can't seem to get my soup hot enough(I like it boiling hot for some reason) which causes issues with the 130 degrees protein breakdown limit. - I will work on this. Thanks for the uplifting words Wowflower - hang in there sweetie, we will get through. Message me anytime you like.

What a fabulous resource. I truly cannot thank you enough for sharing. I had surgery 5 days ago and I miss food. It is so uplifting to know that there are delicious things out there for us after all of this calms down and I am able to reintroduce food... Invaluable and impeccably timed. Thank you

I had surgery 5 days ago and I am having a really tough time not only getting in fluids but definitely nutrients. The protein shakes, the gummy vitamins, the yogurt, the applesauce... Everything is so sweet! My new tummy doesn't seem to like it and it all leaves such a nasty after taste in my mouth. Anybody have salty or spicy food suggestions? I am on full liquids.

So...I am still a newbie to the sight and navigating my way around but I honestly need some encouragement right now. I saw the NUT for the first time today and it was scary as HE—for me. I guess I was not really mentally prepared for some of the things she said about post surgery life and I am hoping that she was exaggerating at least a little. First off, I LOVE Water and I drink it all day. I feel perpetually thirsty and almost panic if I come to the bottom of an empty water bottle without having a full replacement in the other hand. (This may have something to do with the fact that I live in the desert and you need LOTS of water to survive.) So, when the NUT said that I would likely spend the rest of my life feeling thirsty and wanting more because the pouch is so small that you never feel like you can drink enough, it worried me. – Is that true? Can you really not get enough to drink? Are you always thirsty? Second: and we are still kind of on the topic of water. Is anybody able to sip fluids with meals? How does the food not get stuck on the way down without water? I can get used to not drinking if I really have to; I guess I am just a little bummed by it. Third: and this could unfortunately end up being a surgery deal breaker for me … I don’t drink shakes, smoothies, drink mixes or anything like that at all because I typically gag on them. I just don’t like the texture/thickness or general taste of things like that and I really don’t like sugary sweet stuff. I much prefer salty things. The sugar free pudding tastes like eating a creamy packet of sweet and low to me. Bad. According to my NUT if I do not learn to drink the Meal Replacements and shake type things I will die of malnutrition because it is impossible to get enough Protein post-surgery without them. I was distraught and kind of freaking out so my surgery scheduler gave me one of their samples to try which I will have tomorrow for Breakfast. The choices were strawberry, banana or chocolate. All sweet!…So…Who has suggestions for protein and/or Meal Replacement options that are not disgustingly sweet or thick? I am hoping that some of you have had similar issues with gagging on gross stuff and have found alternatives or options that might work. About me: I NEED this surgery. My obesity related health issues are out of control and I am so tired all the time that I feel like I am pulling a car behind me everytime I move. I SUCK at dieting and self control. Not to mention all of the selfish "beauty related" reasons. Please help ya’ll because I am feeling really down right now :-(

I have a tentative surgery date set for October 23rd. Typically in the past whenever I've had surgery I have had a really bad reaction to the pain meds which causes some horrendous nausea the next day. They will usually not allow me to have any liquids for several hours to the next day because they don't want me to vomit. The thirst is awful. And I don't get any pain meds because the nausea is so bad. Has anybody had an easy time?

Thanks so much for the information. What a relief. I am saving your post to take to my doctor.

Thank you for your reply it was a relief to hear your experience.

So great for you! You look amazing.! How do you feel energy wise? Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using VST

October 23rd tentative. I am in the middle of the process now. My bariatrics coordinator called my insurance company and they told her to send in the request and they would approve but my surgeon still requires me to have one more appointment with the pcp, nutritionist, and psychiatrist so we went ahead and reserved a date for the 23rd. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using VST