M!@

I told my husband, my sister, my best friend, and one other good friend when she decided to have WLS. I wanted her to know she had at least one person to support her. No plans to tell anyone else.

Clothes were not an issue. I work in a hospital, scrubs, uniforms, etc. I generally wore loose clothes at home.

Recovery was not long for me. I had 5 incisions (1 small, and 4 extra small). I was fine driving on day 2, I was not on any pain meds; just took it slow. I had surgery on Friday and was back at work on Tuesday feeling fine. My job required lots of walking which was great with the gas pain. It really helped. I was exhausted when I got home though. Stitches were removed after a couple of weeks. It was difficult getting in the needed liquids but I did ok. Can't speak to the conception after surgery, mine are teens. But what I can say is this surgery was nothing compared to childbirth. It felt like someone pinched me unless of course I forgot about the surgery and moved too quickly. However, everyone does have different experiences, so you have to give your body the time it needs to heal correctly. As for more help if you need it, ask for more time if you need it, and follow the recommendations given by your surgeon and nutritionist.

I am holding at 181, and looking forward to the 170's. With only 36 lbs to goal, I figured it was going to be tough from here on out. Definitely a work in progress.

I will order the kids pizza, grab two slices and only eat the toppings...LOL I order off the kid menu at most places or will order 3 small to go boxes and a bag be brought to the table and I will separate my meal into 4 meals before I start eating at all. I frequent the same places, so its weird when they ask me if I want my usual LMBO!

Great advice already...placement matters. I had one done recently as a motivator, but I took into account the size, shrinkage, plastics I plan to get later, etc. I also have plans for others in the future. All of my current tattoos are are in the torso area (upper and lower back, stomach, etc.) with the exception of one on my wrist.

At 4 days post op I was not eating applesauce or pudding. That was the soft phase. I was basically sipping liquids all day to get them in. Though I was having Protein 3 times a day. And yes for the stomach noises LOL

You look awesome!!! What I especially love about your photo is the look on your face in the most recent photo. It is almost as if you don't believe what you see in the mirror.

there are also great cauliflower rice recipes, and don't discount the spaghetti squash

@@Kindle "SOTFS" lol this is great advice that I was never able to follow. Though I know what to expect. But weighing everyday helps me maintain a sense of control. Though I only count it once a week.

When my husband picked me up and I wasn't afraid to let him.

You've gotten some pretty good replies here so I will just tell you if I eat rice, bread, and Pasta...No! No! and No! I am just about six months out and I was thoroughly warned about them. I have no plans to reintroduce them either.

I guess I would ask how long have you been at your current weight? It seems like you have dropped quite a bit...Congrats to you! How much of that 19lbs can be associated with the skin and fat that will be removed with the surgery? If a good portion of it is excess skin and fat that will be removed, I say go for it. If not, then I would say stay the course and try to lose the additional pounds first. This is just my opinion, so maybe others with experience would chime in... Congrats again on your loss!

I know I am probably late with this advice, but next time you are ready to cry...just go ahead and cry. It can be a cathartic release and often makes you feel better. Best Wishes to you on joining us at the losers table.

Ok, this thread is just hilarious! @@KindaFamiliar, congratulations on your NSV! I absolutely love your sense of humor.

I understand how you feel, I haven't had any movement on the scale recently. I am not sweating the stall though...I know my body will let it go eventually. Just keep at it! There have been others that experience lengthy stalls or even some that have the scale go up a little before going down. Just make sure you are getting Protein, and that you are eating enough and getting some exercise in.

In all seriousness; that is not only rude, but it's f_cking creepy as hell. I'd have got up in his face to find out what his issue is. Good looking man/woman doesn't excuse it either. When I say I check someone out, it's a simple up and down look and then back to what I was doing. I don't go to the gym to make friends or pick up chicks. Of course, my wife would have my head if I tried to pick up women... LOL yes, rude, and creepy-but only because I knew he was watching. No ruder or creepier than the one who gets on the machine next to you every time you move and watch forever through the mirror or pretend they aren't watching. And he wasn't close enough to have me that worried to begin with. But yes, had he leaned against the wall right next to me or even approached me after his stalking session, I may have felt differently.

@@steph, it is an adjustment. And generally I am looking at myself in the mirror focused on pushing out whatever reps or intervals etc. But today I noticed more than any other day how many guys are paying attention, and making eye contact in the mirror. It really is distracting...not saying it is bad...to have guys lingering, looking, etc. I was mid squat and this guy just leaned against the wall and watched for 3 sets of 15 weighted squats. I mean do you know how hard it is to continue to do squats when you are busy looking at the hard bodies, who have now stopped to look at you. I mean gosh...rude LOL not really best set of squats I ever pushed out.

My issue was also too much Water and not enough salt. @@Jamie, I was confused when my doc told me to lower my water intake and increase my salt (strange) but now that it has corrected itself it makes perfect sense (sort of).

Best wishes to you...See you on the other side! Best wishes to you...See you on the other side!

Love your name, of course, and you are correct, you don't have to buy one. But the squatty potty has the curve where it can go around the pedestal of the toilet, so I leave my there and don't worry with the moving it to and from (space saver), and my issue is ongoing so I use it frequently. But again if you have a step stool and want to use that, then by all means.

I bought mine after the fact, and wish it was before. I had problems in the past when I switched to completely healthy eating. So I knew going in it was going to be an issue. @Sanju I did pray and do a little tribute on your behalf. LOL I am glad you were able to find some relief.

two words..."squatty potty". I was having the same issue, and no medicine worked for me. But the squatty potty was, hell still is wonderful. And it was a non medicinal way. I had even tried a enema, which when you are compacted is not nice. I know I sound like a commercial but I feel your pain, and my longest bout was greater than 21 days. With my special friend, I don't hardly have to struggle or push at all. Oh and this is not TMI, it is a real issue many of us experience. The is a thread you should check out: You and your post op ass. It is hilarious and true Best of luck and release to you. : >

Everyone has a different experience. I was in surgery on Friday and was back at work on the Tuesday following. I did great and my job involved a lot of walking.

@momcat...you have lost 93lbs that is awesome. I know they say the last 15-20 is the hardest to lose. Another factor may be loose skin, etc. Not sure if this is an issue, but I know it is for some. Someone already mentioned your body may have reached its happy place. However, just out of curiosity, how did you determine what your ideal weight for the goal you set? Just wondering as I am the same height as you and have the same goal weight as well.