glitter eyes

@RJ's/beginning First of all congratulations on your three year anniversary!!You are such an inspiration to so many of us. I am happy that your new life has brought you so much fulfillment and happiness. You are one of the people that I remember reading your posts when I first joined this site. Your posts always gave me encouragement and hope. I actually was wondering about you the other day because I hadn't seen any recent posts. So I am extra glad you are doing so well. Good luck on your skin removal surgery. I know it is something you have been planning for awhile. Keep us posted!!

@Dub. Even though your low blood pressure caused you to feel like crap- congrats on a victory!! You will be off all those blood pressure meds soon. I am excited for you. Enjoy your last day off and try to rest up as much as you can. I work twelve to thirteen hour shifts myself and I know how hard it can be. From the beginning I have always packed more food (protein shakes in the beginning) than I think I will need. That way if I do need it I have my stuff with me. In the beginning I also set timers on my phone to remind me to drink/eat. It was easy to forget in the beginning, especially at work when I was busy. I am fortunate in that I can carry a water bottle around with me. I too walk a ton at work. As for the exercise, since I walk over 10,000 steps a shift, in the beginning I just focused on rest, continuing to heal, and getting in my nutrition and fluids. That was challenging enough the first month I was back to work. As my energy came back and I mastered how to eat and drink in a busy hectic work environment I then added in more and more exercise at the gym. It was probably month three before I began to aggressively pursue fitness at my gym. Up until then it was walking and listening to my body. Wishing you the best when you return to work. You have a great attitude and you will do wonderful. Keep us posted.

@@CowgirlJane Whatever the outcome I think it's awesome that you placed the ad!! If nothing else it gave you an opportunity to do something you haven't done before. To me that's what this surgery has given me- a chance to grab life by the horns and live to the fullest. I know from your posts that you seem very outgoing, adventurous and have a zest for life!! Keep us posted on your possible mystery man!

@@CowgirlJane you are and continue to be an inspiration to us all!! You post was very insightful and thought provoking. It is so true that our years of obesity do take a physical toll on our bodies. It is easy to forget that sometimes when we are in the giddy honeymoon phase of weight loss. I hope your physical setbacks resolve themselves soon, and enough so you can continue to enjoy your passions. Thank you for all that you contribute to this forum.

I can eating anything I want. During my weight loss phase I ate protein and veggies and avoided all carbs like the plague. Now that I am in maintenance I still get my protein first then veggies and if I have room some carbs. During special occasions like holidays or vacations I eat whatever I want. I splurge without any guilt. For example I will eat pie, cookies, bread at the holidays. I just make sure after the special occasion is over I get right back to my plan. The only food that I have found that my sleeve doesn't like is ice cream and anything fried. The ice cream makes me nauseous and I have cold sweats. The fried food I just can't tolerate the taste. Other than that I have a sleeve of steel!!

Count me in. I will post my weight and my goal weight on Monday. Thanks for doing this????

The liquid diet phase can be challenging. Just remember your new stomach is healing and is like a newborn infant. It was that thought that kept me on my plan. I was so scared if I deviated from my surgeons instructions then I might cause damage to my new stomach. Hang in there is gets easier as time passes. You don't want to cause any harm to yourself. Can you vary your liquids and try different flavors and or add sugar free Popsicles or broth. Those things helped me Good luck you can do this!'

My intake depends on what it is. Here are a few examples: Two scrambled eggs One chicken thigh(sometimes can eat a leg too) 4oz of salmon/fish 4oz of steak One Greek yogurt One package of turkey Jerky Two cheese sticks One package/pouch of tuna on a half of low carb wrap One Protein bar Three beef/pork ribs One crab cake Things I can eat a lot of: pretzels (yummy) Popcorn chocolate I try to avoid these most of the time I am 17 months post op and in my maintenance phase. Also, some days I can eat a lot and other days not so much. It all seems to balance out.

My favorite is roasted beets and sweet potatoes!! Yummy

I am 17 months post op. Starting weight 271 Current weight 145 I feel amazing. Things I do now that I didn't do before: running, going to gym, kayaking!!, hiking, camping, not avoiding the camera, ziplining, paddle boarding, wearing a bathing suit in public, the list goes on... Sometimes I swear my surgeon did a brain transplant when he did my sleeve. I am now an outdoorsy kinda person, way more adventurous. Good luck on your upcoming surgery it is a life changer!

I have a spot on my upper inner thighs bout the size of my palm that is saggy and wrinkly. Otherwise my legs look amazing. They are very fit and toned so that spot looks weird. It is annoying when I try to pick out a bathing suit. I usually have to buy bathing suit shorts or a bottom that has a little skirt. Oh well I will take the saggy skin any day. It's worth some saggy skin to feel so great!!

I am a Fairlife milk fan too!!

I think it depends on a lot of things like: age, genetics, where and how you carried your excess weight, etc. I started at 271 pounds and I am 5'3" and was 43 when I had my sleeve. I am now between 140-145. My face and neck have done great, arms look pretty good, my legs are great except for a tiny patch about the size of my palm that is at the inner upper thigh that is a lot saggier than I expected. My stomach is still chubby. The rest of me is skin and bones, but that tummy seems to grip and hold onto all the chub it can. LOL. My boobs are saggy but nothing I can't live with. If I get tired of any of it I can always have plastics. Truly the skin sag is so worth the weight loss, lots of energy and zest for life that I have gained.

I went way overboard when I packed my bag, I always do. However, my life saving items were: a small travel pillow to brace against my stomach, Chapstick, and biotene mouthwash( it is a moisturizing mouthwash and comes in handy the first 24 hours when your mouth is dry like a desert), extension cord for my cell phone charger.

Awesome job!!! Congrats on your upcoming one year anniversary.

It seems sometimes people do get burned for being blunt or stating the truth. That being said... I try to be overly positive on this site and it's funny because in "real life" I am pretty sarcastic and outspoken. Maybe my personality doesn't transfer well to the typed word??? I have thick skin so if someone wants to burn me I say bring it on.

@@Elode I will do a modified liquid diet. I will do two meals of liquid/protein shakes and one meal of grilled fish. No carbs!!! I need to get back on track too. I haven't gained YET, but have slipped up here and there and need to kick the carb habit too especially before Christmas. I want to lose another 5 pounds so I have some bounce room for Christmas cookies LOL.

I also think you are very brave and intelligent. First, for speaking out about your struggles and for seeking treatment. These are actions of a survivor.

I wish you all the best. Eating disorders are difficult to live with. Just remember that you are a beautiful woman who seems very kind, focus on your inner qualities and take care of yourself. Keep us posted, we are all cheering for you. None of us should feel valued by a number on the scale.

I made a homemade German chocolate cake with a triple batch of warm homemade icing!! I ate that cake like a wild dog.

One thing that helps me is going back to the basics. I usually do a few days of liquids/protein shakes only and then the rest of the week just protein and no carbs and that cuts the cycle of cravings for me. I also try to stay busy during the times I want to snack. I paint my nails a lot in the evenings. Can't eat if my nails are wet and drying. LOL. My nails look fab. and I am not snacking. I am even teaching myself some different nail painting techniques. Maybe some other people will chime in with some good tips. You can do it!!! Good luck

Good advice!!

My weight loss was more of a steady loss. I actually gained the first week from the IV fluid I got at the hospital. I didn't start losing until almost the second week. I also didn't weigh very often. A lot of people seem to have the trend of not losing and or gaining the first week post op. Hang in there it will start working soon!! Congrats on your surgery

First of all give yourself a lot of credit for what you have accomplished!! You are a success. Also, this weight loss surgery is for life. It's not just a diet that we do until we get to goal. That being said life does happen and there will be times we don't eat perfect or have bad weeks. The trick is to recognize what is happening (which you have) and to go back to basics to correct the problem. One bad week does not make you a failure. I went on vacation for 14 days this summer and I gave myself permission to eat like crap. I ate horrible and gained 12 pounds. When I got home I did three days of protein shakes only then the rest of the week protein. I lost my vacation weight that week. I have thin friends and have noticed that they have times they eat poorly and then they get right back on track. Realistically we can't be perfect all the time the rest of our lives. One trick is to not let the guilt make you feel bad enough to continue the behavior. You can get this under control!! Just remember how far you have come. I agree with one of the above posters- focus on some of your non scale victories you have experienced. Maybe when you want to snack or get head hunger you can journal on how those have made you feel. Good luck!!

I have had trouble with water from the very beginning. Pre op water was my favorite drink. Post op I felt like it was too heavy for my stomach and it also gave me a slight uncomfortable feeling in my chest and stomach. I drank propel. It was a lot of trial and error until I found a fluid I could tolerate. I mourned the loss my my plain water???? I am 16 months post op and just this week I can tolerate water with some flavor drops added to it. Can't drink it as fast as the propel, but I like it better. You are not crazy that's for sure!! It happens to some of us.