glitter eyes

I felt that way too and it's perfectly normal to keep thinking we can do it on our own. It is a personal decision to decide to have surgery; but for me it was the best decision ever!!! Right now I am lying in a beach chair on my beach vacation. Got up this morning and did a two mile beach run, kayaked a few miles in the ocean, and now just relaxing. This surgery has opened up an entire new way of living. Good luck in your decision!!

I had stress incontinence as well and it is completely gone!! That was probably one of the first things that went away with weight loss.

When I do drink milk- which is kind of rare. I drink Fairlife milk. It has more protein than regular milk.

I had my first drink last weekend and I am over one year post op. It was a mixed drink. I tolerated it fine. No pain or problems with my stomach. I am not a drinker so it will probably be months before I drink again. I would rather eat my calories-LOL

My appetite did not return until I was about 8 months post op. Now at 13 months post op my appetite varies from day to day. Some days I am really hungry and some days not so much. I do eat more on days when I really workout hard. It all seems to balance out in the end. I have maintained my current weight for the last four months.

@@Elode congrats on your weight loss. You look fabulous.

I am a year post op and I average around 800-900 calories a day. Some days are more and some days less. I was averaging around 500 until I was around six months post op. I just focus on getting my protein and fluids in. My biggest sources of protein are: eggs, grilled chicken, fish, shrimp, cheese, and an occasional protein shake or bar. I think everyone varies on their calorie count. Some people can eat more and lose and or maintain and some have to eat less. If you log/track your food you might can see trends on which weeks you lose more based on your calories and intake. That has helped me.

I was lazy slug before surgery. After my surgery I walked slowly everyday to help with the gas pains and healing. However, I did not do any real exercise until about three months out. I think everyone is different. I just went at my own pace; now I am more fit than most of my friends and I enjoy exercise. Fitness will happen as you heal and start to have more energy. Good luck to you!!

Sometimes I think hair loss is the luck of the draw. I didn't start losing mine until about month 5-6. Then I began shedding like crazy. Every time I washed my hair I would have to remove the clumps in the drain- nasty!! Hair all over the bathroom floor. I started taking biotin prior to surgery, have been compliant with my vitamins, get all my protein in and extra most days, all my lab work has always been great. I also take folic acid, zinc, and lots of B complex vitamins. I am 13 months post op and my hair still sheds quite a lot. It has slowed down a little so I am not completely bald. LOL I have friends who had surgery within a few weeks of mine and their hair has been great. One of them never takes vitamins and is always low on her protein yet her hair has never fallen out and is shiny and healthy looking. I call my hair- "the bariatric hairstyle"- slightly thin and a little dry looking. It's a good trade off for the weight I have lost. I did start taking liquid silica and doing castor oil treatments on my scalp and I think that has helped the most. You may be one of the ones whose hair does great!! Good luck to you ????

What a great idea!! I have been doing a "bucket list" too this summer. Now that I am not focusing on losing as much as maintaining. I am using other goals that I want to reach. So far this summer I have been camping, brought kayaks, going to the beach, swimming in my pool, zip lining, and hiking a part of the Appalachian trail. Life is so much fun. Sounds like you are focused. Good luck on your surgery!!

My food ruts are: Eggs Grilled chicken Shrimp Fish Cheese In try to vary things up, but these items are my go to foods.

@elode- congratulations on your wonderful success!! It's amazing how life changing weight loss surgery can be.

I have never felt one ounce of guilt. I have been blessed to be surrounded by nothing but supportive people. My family, friends, and co workers all have been so encouraging. Even if people had been negative I still would not have had guilt. It's my body and my life and I was ready to get healthy and live life to its fullest again!!!

I had a fatty liver pre op. My surgeon puts his patients on a strict liquid diet only either one or two weeks prior to surgery to help with the liver shrinking. He told me to do one week, but I was so scared my liver wouldn't shrink enough that I did two weeks instead. I can imagine how hard that was for you to have to not have your surgery due to your liver. Like others have suggested I would talk with your doctor. If he is wanting liquids only then, as hard as it is, I would suggest doing only liquids- without any cheating at all. It is very difficult, but you can do it. Just try to focus on the end result and how great you will feel in the long run. Good luck to you ????

Being in the hospital was not bad at all. My husband stayed with me and I had tons of visitors. Make sure that you get up and walk a lot. I think the walking helped me so much. Some things that I took with me that were lifesavers were: a small travel pillow to hold against my stomach to brace it when walking or coughing, biotene mouthwash ( it help keep your mouth from being as dry), loose clothing. Good luck to you!!

It is very hard in the beginning to stay hydrated. Just make sure that you are constantly sipping all day long. It is a challenge. Also, you can try different temperatures for your fluids or different types of water or flavored water. I have read that a lot of people find room temperature fluids easier to drink. I do best with very cold liquids. It is a lot of trial and error in the early stages. It gets easier. Good luck to you- you can do it!!

I had some pretty bad pain too. One thing that helped me is I used a small soft travel pillow and used it to brace my stomach when standing up and walking. I was attached to that pillow for a few weeks. I had to sleep in a recliner for the first two weeks. Walking did help and I made sure I walked every hour while I was awake. Hope it gets better for you fast. Good luck

At ten weeks you will probably feel fine to go on vacation. I went on a week long beach vacation at week five and did fine. By then I was on regular food and my energy levels were begining to return so it was a nice vacation. I had already lost some weight by then and was feeling much better with the weight gone. good luck on your decision and your surgery.

I have found that I love exercising in the great outdoors. I have found a passion for hiking and camping. Just recently we went on a paddling trip with some friends. We spent the entire weekend kayaking down a river and camping each night. What fun!! My husband and I went out and brought kayaks after that. We have been having a blast exploring all the waterways near our house. I never in a million years would have guessed I would develop a love of not only exercising, but doing outdoor activities. I tell my surgeon that he must have operated on my brain too- haha. I find myself going to the gym less and less as I am enjoying the wonderful Florida summer. I also try to swim laps in my pool most days. I guess when the weather begins to transition into winter I will once again make the gym a priority.

I was tired for about four weeks post op. I just listened to my body and made sure I got plenty of rest and naps. I did light exercise for the first few months- just walking. As the weight came off I began to have tons of energy. Then I started working out more. One year post op and I feel fantastic!! Good luck to you

I went from a size 7 to a size 6. Had to get all new shoes. The nice thing is I can wear heels and wedges comfortably now!!!

@@Rosemar First of all congratulations on having maintained the majority of your weight loss for 10 years. That is an amazing accomplishment. I know it must be frustrating to have gained some of your weight back and trying so hard to lose it. I am only one year post op so I probably don't have a lot of wisdom to share. I just wanted to say you have done a great job and I know if you have kept your weight off that long you will be successful in losing the amount you have gained. You got this. Good luck!!

I haven't tried kickboxing yet, but it sounds fun!! I am one year post op too and I have also have a jiggly stomach. I wear a shape wear tank top under my workout shirt. It seems to keep everything tight and minimizes my jiggling. Good luck with your workout!!

I only lost four pounds on my pre op diet. The doctor wanted me to do one week of liquids pre op and I did two and only lost 4. However, post op I did much better. Starting weight was 271 and I am 152 now at one year out. I would like to lose 10 more, but I am perfectly happy with my results

Don't feel bad. You are still really early out from surgery. At three weeks I still got very tired. I even took a nap almost every day the first month. It sounds like you move around plenty with all the house cleaning and taking care of your children. Hang in there. As time passes you will lose more weight and your energy will return; then you can focus on exercise. My surgery was last June 2014 and I didn't start really working out until September. Now I am in great shape and feel very fit. Just listen to your body in the beginning because it is still healing. You can work out like a Ninja warrior when you are healed and rested. Good luck!!