gpmed

I'm seven months out and ditto!

I couldn't bring myself to take before photos. I'm seven months out and down nearly 90 lbs and I'm okay with not having them. I have other ways of feeling the huge change I've made. The clothes I'm buying are so much smaller it continues to amaze me every time I go shopping. I used to struggle to walk more than a mile at a time and now four miles is nothing. So, personally, I really only care about having after photos.

Based on my own experience and watching others go through this process, I've come to believe two of the most essential components to success after WLS are 1. self-awareness 2. the ability to make good decisions for yourself. It was made very clear to me pre-surgery, and many others who have shared their stories with me, that the surgery is a tool. My pre-surgery process was very thorough and covered the many factors that contribute to a person reaching a weight that qualifies for WLS. Anyone who thinks having WLS guarantees achieving long-term weight loss with no other effort or intervention is deluding himself. Perhaps there are some practices that don't do enough to make sure patients are good candidates, but I believe the majority do. They want to have successful patients so they can grow their business! I also think what she said about long-term studies is ridiculous. People dropping out is a problem with ANY long-term study. Duh. I think the other tips she gave, like eating mindfully instead of counting calories, can work for some people. I really don't think she should assume they work for everyone. I also think online forums like this are helpful for a lot of WLS patients. This is where self-awareness and the ability to make good decisions for yourself come in. When you get advice on forums like this, consider the source, obviously. You're not getting advice from medical professionals. You're talking to other people like you. It should be obvious what things you should check out or even just ignore. And when someone gives you advice about anything, you need to remember you know yourself better than anyone. You should be able to judge whether something might work or just isn't right for you. So yeah, I definitely think the whole tone of the video was off.

@@Teapot You're right. That was a terrible way to respond. I gave up beef and pork more than 10 years ago for my own personal reasons and I've learned to be adaptable, just the way you describe. You just have to figure it out, which isn't that hard, and not expect people to accommodate you. I've found this pretty easy to do post-surgery too.

I'm definitely a shopper, so I think I can understand your issue. Right now, I'm still in the weight loss phase. I'm not doing the best job balancing my goal to pay off some debt once and for all and needing new clothes. I'm trying to mitigate things by sticking to places like TJ Maxx, Marshall and Old Navy for now. Especially at Old Navy, that stuff really only lasts one season anyway. When I get to maintenance, I plan to invest in or bargain shop for really good basics. Jeans, black pants, basic tops that fit perfectly, are high quality and will last. Once I have the basics, I can slow down a little on spending. I figure then I'll splurge on a few trendy items for fun and easily stay within budget. Twice a year I think it's a good idea to go through your closet item by item. Get rid of anything that doesn't fit well and make you feel good when you wear it. That makes room for new stuff.

I don't have to deal with the skin so much yet (at least I think), so that is one I may have to contend with later on. I'll cross that bridge when I come to it. My surgeon has told me that my insurance covers plastics, and it's always been in the back of my mind to see out plastics if seeing me without my clothes on would indeed cause someone's jaw to drop. I hope that means your insurance is friendlier about plastics than others and that, if you decide to go that route, you'll be spared having to get letters in support from every doctor you've ever known, personal trainers, tailors and all the rest. Oh, geez. I hope so too. I haven't thought a ton about it. I'm not at the point to decide if I'll need plastics. I'm doing fine right now without it, but in 40 pounds, who knows? I was just excited cause my doctor said it's covered by insurance and I don't have to document skin rashes or any crap like that.

As always, you give the best advice! That's generally what I was thinking. I don't have to deal with the skin so much yet (at least I think), so that is one I may have to contend with later on. I'll cross that bridge when I come to it. My surgeon has told me that my insurance covers plastics, and it's always been in the back of my mind to see out plastics if seeing me without my clothes on would indeed cause someone's jaw to drop.

I'm confused. When was this implied?

Thanks everyone for sharing your thoughts! It sounds like my thinking doesn't seem too far off-base to most of you, so that's comforting. I still have about 40 pounds to lose before I'm in normal BMI range, so, unless I'm in denial, I don't look like an elephant naked yet. Hopefully it's obvi from seeing me with clothes on what you might see underneath. Being seven months out, I can generally eat enough to pass as a normal person who just eats smaller portions as long as I go in hungry. Our first date was a dinner date and I ordered trout that came with asparagus. I finished my trout and had a few bites of asparagus. He didn't seem to notice or at least didn't say anything. I generally prefer local restaurants that don't serve huge portions because the food is generally higher-quality and healthier. So that's how my scars are the first thing that would really raise questions.

I'd insist she suck my butt. I would, but it's a coworker so gotta keep it kinda profesh. Why? She's not. Cause it feels good knowing I'm better than her? hahaha That and my reputation is worth protecting.

I'd insist she suck my butt. I would, but it's a coworker so gotta keep it kinda profesh.

Just had someone (not overweight) insist I tell her what I was doing to lose weight. I just told her diet and exercise. I don't feel even a tiny bit bad about it either.

For me, physical activity has really replaced much of what food used to do for me. I've been having some skin allergy problems lately that have been exacerbated by exercise (basically, my body releases histamine and it makes my skin itch like crazy). On my way to the doctor on Friday, I was thinking about it and worried the doctor would tell me to slow down or temporarily stop exercising. That's when I realized how devastating that would be (I'm being a bit hyperbolic). Exercise is an important part of my daily life and I rarely take days off. It helps me relieve stress, gives me something fun to fill my time, helps me sleep better, even puts me in the right frame of mind to eat well. It's a great social outlet too. I have friends at the gym and groups I go hiking with. It also lets me enjoy quality time with my dogs. So yeah, it's pretty important to me in the way food used to be!

I'm planning to give eggs one more shot in maybe six months (one year after surgery). If they don't work out, we're done for good.

This by far my favorite answer to the question! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App Me too! It does kill me sometimes how people feel entitled to this information — how you did it and how much weight you've lost. I appreciate the fact that the majority of people in my life have simply told me I look great and said nothing more. I do generally try to put out the vibe that inappropriately personal questions aren't something I appreciate.

I totally agree with the OP. I do have a beef with the WLS patient who took it upon herself to counsel me about obesity. As in, I didn't seek her out, she sought me out for this conversation. And she told me all about how she went to OA, got off sugar, etc. Didn't mention using surgery as a tool. She didn't lie, but I think withholding that info in this one particular case was uncool. You do you. Tell or don't tell who you wish. Just don't seek out obese people to counsel about their weight and leave out important details, please.

I started at 285 lbs, am 32, and have a desk job. I still took off five full weeks and worked from home from one week, per my surgeon's recommendations. It took about six weeks to get my energy back after surgery. I felt like I had the flu, I was so tired. And I had bouts of nausea almost every day. It really helped to have that time to adjust to my new lifestyle.

I used FMLA and short-term disability to cover my time off of work and protect my job while I was gone (I took off five weeks and worked from home for one week). Are those options at your job?

I like Premier Protein chocolate shakes and bars. The bars may have too much fat or sugar for your guidelines shortly after surgery, so watch for that.

I'm six months post-RNY and I still enjoy food, just in a different way. I find there are plenty of on-plan foods, textures, spices and tastes to enjoy. I felt very restricted shortly after surgery, especially during the liquid and pureed stages. Now I can eat more and it's easier to go out to eat on occasion. Most places have salads with Protein or a protein and veggie sides. I just eat what I can and bring the rest home for leftovers. I have also come to enjoy new things besides food, like day-long hikes that are physically challenging and allow me soak up beautiful scenery. I'm happy to eat turkey Jerky and nuts on the trail and find enjoyment somewhere besides with food.

So I sent a note to my surgeon's office through a special email system they have and asked if I should go back on iron and if so, if I could try a different kind. I got a terse reply that I should take iron if my PCP prescribes it and I could schedule an appointment with them if I have further questions. Wait weeks for an appointment and pay another $40 copay for an answer to a simple question? No thank you. I'm just going to take the iron I have and get another kind if it starts upsetting my stomach. I'll see how I feel and see what happens.

Labs at my six-month follow up show my iron is a little low. Explains why I've been tired lately! My surgeon had initially advised me not to take iron because it was upsetting my stomach and turning my stool black. Going back on supplements now. Does anyone know if it takes a relatively short or long time to turn around a slight iron deficiency? Wondering how long it might take to have a bit more energy.

@@sharkgirl May I ask where you are in sizes? You're right that it does get easier when you get out of plus sizes. I'm actually riding the line between plus and regular. I can wear mostly XL tops (a few L) and 14 and 16 bottoms. I've had good luck at Marshalls and TJ Maxx.