Babbs

I had many, many stalls, was on the slower side with losing, but I made it. Almost 2 years out and maintaining for almost a year, none of that even matters anymore. Keep your eye on the prize, be patient and persistent, and you'll get there.

Nice! You are gorgeous! Thanks for the update!

I've been using a straw from almost day 1. I'm almost 2 years out and below goal. Use the damn straw if will help you get your fluids in and keep you from becoming dehydrated. Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do to get the job done.

@@Sleeve it to Beaver Okay, I found my new favorite name on here. Very clever!

A Bloody Mary was my very first drink 4 months post op. I only drank half, but it was delicious! I didn't get a buzz either

I love this thread so much.....

Honestly? I would let your body lose as much as it wants until it just stops or you absolutely don't want to lose anymore. I'm a big advocate for going as low as you can possibly go because of the 'bounce' gain of 10-20 pounds that seems very common a few years out. At not even 2 years out, I'm fighting a 4 pound gain that won't come off. It's getting me uncomfortably close to my highest end of my bounce range, and if I could have lost more I wouldn't have been stressing 4 pounds as much, if that makes sense?

Ha! I don't think I look like her, but thanks for the nice compliment!

@@LisaMergs Happy Birthday! I turn 49 on Saturday

Amazing accomplishment! What an inspiration!

It's nice to see someone as far out as you post your success! Usually people are asking for help at 4 years out because of some regain. Thanks for posting, and you look great! Congratulations!

This doesn't work for me. Pasta and pizza dough cause me terrible cravings for sugar and more pasta and pizza dough, so I abstain or substitute (Yay for Zoodles and cauliflower pizza crust!). Oh how I wish I could do the moderation thing with certain foods, but I can't.

I actually woke up in quite a bit of pain and very nauseous. Once they pumped me full of meds I was golden, but then I ended up with a splitting headache for 2 days that was 10X worse than the surgical pain. Once the headache was gone the pain was minimal.

Try not to beat yourself up. We are only responsible for our own actions and reactions, not everyone else's. You've been through a lot, try to take care of yourself. Your friend would want you to.

I like turtles.

This is how I handle it too. If I'm in the mood or the situation is appropriate, I'll tell them. If not, I just say watching my portions and exercise

With the sleeve surgery, not likely. With the bypass, it's not the size of the pouch but the malabsorbtion that usually causes an issue.

I don't have any issues eating anything at almost 2 years out.

@@Aimee-Belle Uh huh. Bye, Felicia. You're now one of the lucky few who will go on my ignore list so I don't see when you tag me or post. Makes the experience of this forum so much more pleasant!

This person has obviously started this thread to start a fight. Ignore her. "I've gone against my doctors orders because I know better and f*ck you if you disagree with that" Seems legit.

Protein powder mug cake! Fast, easy, and hits the spot when I want chocolate or cake.

I'm a super sweaty person, but since losing the weight I only sweat like a pig during a really hard workout. I used to sweat CONSTANTLY before! And yes, now I'm always cold

You should be at least 500-600 calories by now. 350 and only 40 grams of protein is not sufficient. Work on getting those numbers up!

I have to disagree with your surgeon on that one. I once lost weight very rapidly on Atkins alone and my hair started falling out around month 3. No surgery involved, just rapid weight loss. I'm inclined to bet the surgery itself has NOTHING to do with hairloss. What makes a lot more sense, to me at least, is that the rapid weight loss is shocking to the human system. The hair loss is a side effect of that. I could be wrong, but I speak from my own experience. Yeah, you're wrong. I was a very slow loser and still lost hair, even up to a year out. At 21 months, my hair is finally back to what it was pre op.

Support and knowledge from groups like these and real life support groups is important. Learn as much as you can, and never be afraid to ask questions. Following the basic rules of WLS 95% of the time. Also, you don't have to be a gym rat, but find a way to move more. Losing weight is more about the food, but overall health has to involve exercise. And honestly, you won't keep it off without it. Being patient and persistent with yourself and the process. There's going to be ups and downs in moods, motivation, and even your weight. Be patient when it happens and just stay the course and you will get through it. Understand that you are only human and missteps are going to happen. Learn from them, then MOVE ON instead of dwelling on it. There's no "cheating", only choices. Know that this is for life, and your dedication to health and wellness shouldn't end once you lose the weight. When people forget that, regain happens. Have fun and enjoy the process and the new you!