triplethreat

I had sleeve and I have GERD as a result. I take a pill for it. Not sure I would let that be a deciding factor; it's really controllable. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

ITA, not just in regards to surgery but in general. WLS is a great catalyst to make some healthy changes, and for me that meant minimizing my interactions with negative people. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I deleted all my social media a while ago except this app. I can see how it could pose a problem, though. What about face shots to help people adjust to your new look? Then full body? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

That's so smart! My BP is on the low end now. I'm going to remember that one! I love V8. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I eat three meals/day and have planned Snacks (there is a huge box of hot Cheetos about ten feet away from me and I'm going to move it across the hall so I'm not tempted to eat any!). Today I had some string cheese for my morning snack and 2 oz of tuna for my afternoon snack. I'm a grazer so I take teeny bites to make it last. For breakfast I have a prrotein shake or turkey bacon, sometimes a boiled egg; on the weekend I'll have eggs and bacon or oatmeal. lunch is prrotein- sometimes cottage cheese and tuna, often chicken salad, but also leftovers from dinner. Sometimes I'll have lentil soup-- although Soups fill me up really quickly. Dinner is very variable-- I have three teenagers who are all learning to cook and I eat what they make on their cooking nights, although I may have to modify it (if someone makes a Pasta dish I may not eat the pasta, but the sides; or if someone has a high-carrb dish I may fish out the Protein and eat that). It's actually pretty easy-- I can always find something. I avoid friend foods and sugarrs. I get psychological hunger sometimes. It doesn't make me less hungry, knowing it's in my head. I will have something hot to drink and wait for it to pass. If it doesn't pass after 45 minutes, I'll eat my snack. As for calories, it will depend on your metabolism. I'm at gw and trying to get about 10 lbs below that... I can maintain and not gain at about 1500-1600 calories per day; but I only know that because I track prrotein and carrbs (and my app also tracks calories). I've never tracked calories as my surgeon advised me not to and I'm a rule-follower. I will lose at 1100 calories a day, for sure. I know that my metabolism has changed since wls because previous to surgery I could eat 600 calories a day and maintain my weight, and I'd gain at 1100 calories. I'm starting to train for an athletic event and I don't yet know what that will do to my weight. I do know that when I first began running, my weight stabilized for a while but I dropped a dress size. Everything will change and everyone changes in different ways. You will be amazed.

I have fine. They reused the ones from my gallbladder removal years ago. The incisions are tiny; two of them I can't see without really looking. I also had an emergency c-section with a vertical incision so I'm not terribly worked up about scarring since I have such a big one. Honestly, though, the incision scars are hardly noticeable for many people and they heal pretty quickly.

Yes! All the fat in my face that kept it from looking wrinkly is gone, especially around the eyes. I have great cheekbones but they make me look a little severe. My hair thinned as well but is coming back. So yes, it's aged me. I definitely look my age now. When I was fat I was often mistaken for someone younger. I mean, it's ok, I own my age; I am fine with being a thin 43 year old, but no one is mistaking me for 35 anymore! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I've been very successful with losing but still sometimes have a hard time seeing who I am now. This happens when I unexpectedly see myself in a reflection and don't recognize myself, when I am folding clothing and thinking that it won't fit when I *know* it's my size. The psychology of weight loss is pretty strange. Do we all go through this at some point? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I'm not sure exercise is so critical for weight loss, but I know it's critical for health. I can exercise vigorously for a week and lose ounces but track Protein and Water and meet my goals there, which makes the scale move. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I have shopping anxiety too! As I've been rebuilding my wardrobe I aim for fitted items and things that don't hide me. After so many years of disguising myself it's hard to get the hang of what to wear! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I'm quite introverted but am very friendly (introverted yes, shy, no way!). I have been married a long time and my husband is a very attractive, very fit guy who married me when I was a size 12 and stayed crazy about me when I was a size 20. For a decade -- when I was obese-- I watched women flirt with him as if I was invisible; at restaurants, malls, the gym...what I notice now is that it doesn't happen anymore. Some men are friendlier or a little flirty but overall the process of wls has reinforced to me how prejudiced we are towards the obese. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Congrats on your upcoming date! I was sleeved last July and am really happy with my results. Like you, I toyed with the idea before I was mentally ready... For me, that was about five years! I hope that your pre op diet is easy for you and that you have a rapid and easy recovery ... By summer you will have more energy and will feel amazing. Of course -- it's always summer there! Best of luck! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

In my mind I'm heavier than in reality. It's so strange-but I am sure very common! @@JamieLogical I hope the dating site goes well!! I tell my single friends they should get together and write a film about online dating/dating apps-- the stories are sometimes awful and sometimes awfully great! @@Alyssa_T, I hit gw right at six months which seems about right given that my BMI wasn't as high as some. I was sleeved in July... So it's been slow and steady for me. @Clarevoyant-- I also inherited fat jeans (about three months after surgery-- I was a size 12) and was so happy that they fit!! I'm in a single digit size now and sometimes walk in a store and look for plus sizes and have to do a quick reality check! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I didn't have unwanted hair per se, but I seldom shave my legs anymore because body hair is very slow to grow and the texture is fine. However,since wls, my hair (on my head!) is very curly, whereas it was pretty straight before! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Butternut squash with chicken was a fave, and also ground beef with taco seasoning and cheese puréed; Beans of all kinds; also really liked veggie soup, purée the solids and add back to the soup Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I had hot and sour soup, strained; cream of tomato, homemade; bone broth; also, Panera would strain their chicken noodle soup and sell me the broth which was so good that I wanted to cry! This stage can be trying but it's so important-- have fun with it! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I drink a cup of coffee every morning-- on my plan I can drink caffeine but have to replace it ounce for ounce. My plan gives me the green light for full fat foods so I use real creamer but only 1 tsp. No carbs in cream btw! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I do the same. I use the Via instant coffee, ice cubes made from the premier Protein, and shake it up. So good! That sounds delicious, thanks! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I don't count calories but I do track them. My tracking is for Protein and such but it also tracks calories Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Lysse leggings are great quality and have accommodated my weight loss well! They are pricey but often available on Amazon for a discount. Great yoga waistband! Macy's carries a great brand of leggings as well, not expensive and well made. Can't remember the brand Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

42 when sleeved and 43 now, have had great results! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I have also thought about my own children and how I would want them to behave in a similar situation and I would absolutely NOT want to be the reason/excuse they use for deviating from their plans. That was a big factor for me as well.

My father was diagnosed with leukemia two weeks after my surgery. My mother, who is legally blind and obese, became confined to a wheelchair a little more than a month after I had surgery because she can no longer walk due to joint pain. I intentionally took up other activities so I wouldn't turn to food. I recently learned to knit and made everyone a scarf for Christmas, just to occupy myself. I enrolled in a college class related to my career field just to keep my head occupied with thoughts other than gloom and food. I also spent a lot of time lurking here, focusing on uplifting stories. I'm so sorry about your mom. SInce you haven't gained weight, you can right back on track. Remember why you had this done in the first place and know that life happens, we can only control our responses to stressors, not the stressors themselves. Big hugs to you. Hang in there.

I did very well. Water was difficult at first because I was so full from even the tiniest bit of Protein. My surgeon and nut actually customize the plan for people based on their sw, gw, history of weight loss, and eating habits. For me, there were very few restrictions... the one I'm still following is to abstain from bananas and carbonation; all other restrictions are gone. I gradually added in caffeine (one cup/day as per my nut), alcohol (maybe twice a month, one drink), carbs (less than 40/day, about to go up to 80), 100 g of protein (started at 60), exercise (every day at first, then vigorously 3-4 X week for 45 minutes), sleep (very important- this really affects your metabolism and most plans I've seen don't address this), Vitamins. Since the restrictions were fewer at each stage and since I came into this with pretty good eating habits, by the third month I was basically off the leash to do what I wanted provided I met protein/carb goals. I kept a glass water bottle with me and knew that I had to empty it 3X every day to get in the water (I still use it). I tracked everything I ate. I began by walking every day and then transitioned into running and biking. I'm no athlete but I actually like exercise now! My other tip is to have a good relationship with your scale. My surgeon also had guidelines for that. Daily weight for two weeks so you can see your progress, then every 4-5 days until the 4th month, then once a week... once you hit gw, once every two weeks. I wish that I had followed this protocol but I didn't until I was about 2 1/2 months post op. The scale can make you crazy!

I'd choose something that doesn't have too much texture. When I was cleared to eat real food I found that many things didn't agree with my smaller stomach. Soups are good, and sharing something is always good. When I go out with my husband we always share now. Restaurant portions are quite large so it's never a problem. Ordering from the kids' menu may be an option as well. chicken, soup, avocado... whatever you do, remember to chew slowly and enjoy!