Tiamka

I'll look into getting some compression gear. Thank you all so much for all of your wonderful advice! - Time to go shopping... again

I have been working out since I went back to work after my surgery (3.21.17) and the good news is that I am getting much stronger and many of my ailments have significantly reduced. However, exercising has been posing some problems lately. I have huge hanging flaps of skin/fat flopping all over (arms, legs, abdomen, etc) and it's downright embarrassing when I'm trying to do push-ups in class and my stomach hits the ground before I even get halfway through. Ugh! I just keep focusing on crunches and hope for the best. I can't really run, or even do jumping jacks comfortably, everything jiggles and bounces with a lag (and I do have a very good sport bra). It's painful. So I stick with the hand weights and do modified (cheater) jumping jacks and burpees. I know I will need skin removal, but that's a long way off. Does anyone have any advice on gear or clothing or exercises that will help reduce the flappy-flopping all over? Is there something that has worked well for you?

My curiosity kicked-in so I did a quick look-up on this question and here's what I found: Smoking increases your risk of experiencing the following surgical complications: Blood clots Pneumonia Marginal ulcers Surgical wound infection Smokers have almost a 30 percent complication rate after weight loss surgery, which is astoundingly higher than the surgical complication rate for non-smokers. This information came from this website: https://www.flowersbariatriccenter.com/patient-resources/preparing-for-bariatric-surgery/why-it-matters-to-stop-smoking-after-weight-loss-surgery/ I haven't checked all the sources or done any cross-referencing, so this might not be 100% accurate, but it looks like pretty solid information. Hope this helps!

You absolutely can! Keep your eye on the prize: a new, gorgeous and most importantly, Healthier you. This is just another step towards that prize. Stick with it and you will amaze yourself at the changes you are able to make. We're here for you

I'm about seven months out and have been having the occasional beer-night since about four months. I love beer, so there is no way I could agree to never have it again. However, I have found that I need to make sure I limit it to occasions or events. Especially things that I enjoy like summer beer festivals and wine+stein at the local zoo. I wouldn't be me if I never went to these again, but what I discovered I don't need is a beer or two (or drink or two) every night or even every week. Once a month or so seems to keep me happy and satisfied with my weight-loss progress as well as my beer-loving lifestyle. Like everyone else says, you will have to find your balance. I don't eat high-carb, high-fat foods anymore unless there is something extra-special about them, such as an amazing gourmet pizza (Thai chili shrimp w/peanut sauce, Mmmmm) or a sliver of homemade pecan pie. Being able to have these wonderful things once in a while, guilt-free makes it worlds easier to avoid pitfalls such as the weekly doughnuts that people bring in to work and the pizza lunches. I don't even want to think about a sheet cake from a grocery store... ewwwww. I'll go home and make an Irish Whiskey cake instead... then I'll share it Trust in yourself, you can do this!! We are here to help

This is exactly the right advice, plus the lovely words and helpful information from LillieDuFran about the crisis line. Immediately after my surgery (the first two weeks) I really felt too strung-out to feel anxiety, depression or much anything else. I was just plain TIRED! But taking the vitamins regularly (after my doc cleared me) helped immensely. I take my multi-vitamin and other supplements and a few meds every day and it really helps keep my energy at a normal level, plus the exercise that I do daily now, helps me better manage my anxiety. Hang in there, we are here for you and will always be willing to listen.

Warning ... Too much information ... This story could be considered gross, read with caution!! I quit smoking almost four years ago when I became terribly sick with a lung infection (not pneumonia) and the doctor almost put me in the hospital because my lung capacity was so limited (down to 10%) He made me take an expectorant and call him in the morning before he would let me take cough medicine so I could sleep. The night I took the expectorant, I coughed up the biggest, nastiest glob of mucus I have ever experienced. I thought "No wonder I can't breathe with all this crud in my lungs." Of course I also thought, "Ewwwwww, this is disgusting! I never want to go through this again!" It took me several weeks to get over that infection and by the time all that was over I had gotten past the physical addiction and I haven't smoked since. All I have to do to get past the smoking urges is remember that big awful mouthful of mucus I coughed up and all my desire for a smoke evaporates on the wind. However, I don't recommend becoming knock-down, drag-out sick as a smoking cessation method. But maybe imagining a big glob of nasty mucus might be a helpful deterrent. It certainly is for me. Best of luck!!

In my first six months I lost 70 lbs. My doctor and I were both pleased by this. I am now in the process of trying to lose another 35 lbs over the next six months (which will put me at around 150 lbs). However, I agree with AZBlackhawk - Comparisons aren't really going to be a healthy pastime. Each of us looses differently and will have different results over time. If you stick with your plan and follow your weight management team's instructions you will succeed, faster than some of us and slower than others. If you feel like you are slipping or back-sliding, just come here and talk to us, we will always be here to help and support you!

Very close to a broth. It's not perfectly clear so it's slightly thicker. It's a bit on the salty side, but you can add a little extra water to dilute it to taste.

I had a similar experience with Dia&Co. Although I enjoyed a few items in the first couple of boxes, they started sending me clothes that I couldn't use and that I had specifically mentioned to avoid in my profile. Frilly blouses, for example. I can't wear them at work, they're against the dress code since they are very loose and might get caught in machinery if I have to go out onto the floor, therefore, a safety violation. They also started to send me clothes that were the same as in previous boxes that I had rejected, but a different color or worse, pattern. I too would exercise caution when trying out Dia&Co. While it's a treat to have someone style things for you, they don't seem to listen much to your input. Thank you for the information on Gwynnie Bee. I have been considering them and now I might give them a try. My size keeps changing and it's starting to become comical... Walking around work in pants that are two sizes too big, held up with a canvas belt that I swiped from my boyfriend is starting to illicit remarks from co-workers. I look like a youngest-kid in hand-me-downs.

I don't know what I would do without the Unjury chicken soup. It's savory, not sweet and goes down very easy. You have to make sure the water is the correct temperature, but other than that, it's a simple and refreshing change to all the sweet, dessert-y type shakes and drinks out there. My nutritionist recommended it to me and now I highly recommend it to you.

And you are staying on with this demoraliser, this non-supporter? If he "doesn't play on your team", so to speak, he should be dropped from the playing roster. Agreed!

Definitely not alone! We are all here for you! Please feel free to send me a message at any time.

I had an incision right near where a bra would hit so I didn't wear one until I left, it would have been painful. Soft sport bra was my choice.

My typical lunchbox has: Breakfast | chia pudding : 2 Tbsp chia seeds + 2 Tbsp PB2 (powdered peanut butter - I LOVE it) + 1 scoop unflavored protein powder (unjury) + 1/2 Tbsp honey + 1/2 C skim milk = (326 calories, 30g carbs, 12g fiber, 16g sugar 8g fat, 36g protein) - This is easily my largest meal of the day and it takes me at least half an hour to eat it while working at my desk. Lunch | random leftovers - today's was 1/3 Chipolte - Chorizo Burrito W/white Rice and Cheese (3.0 oz) = (203 calories, 14g carbs, 1g fiber, 0g sugar 10g fat, 14g protein) Afternoon Snack | 1/2 cup of either : 4% Cottage cheese -- Or -- 4% Greek yogurt Fruit | today's was an apple Snacks in my drawer: Tuna packs + whole wheat crackers - My colleague lets me keep a little mayo in his mini-fridge Blue Diamond Smokehouse almonds - I go NUTS over these! Luna Protein bars Unjury protein powder - chicken soup flavor - great for when I don't have the chia pudding and need some extra protein Turkey jerky - a little bite helps keep me from trying to eat a whole snack when I know I don't need one

I was in the hospital for two days and two nights. The things I took that I actually used: Laptop + charger Kindle + charger phone + charger lip balm!!! - This was a life saver! Longjohns/jammie pants Towel - everyone should know where her towel is (I sleep with mine) The things I took that I didn't use: Extra set of clothes + slippers Toothbrush - one was provided My daily medication - they had this ready for me every day Real book - it was too dark in the evening and at night to read a regular book, but the kindle worked well My cpap machine - I know I should have used it, but it was way too much of an issue with everything else going on. The things I wish I had: Noise cancelling headphones/earbuds - my neighbor (I was in a semi-private room) had her tv on ALL THE TIME! I really hated that and had them turn it off for the second night. Hand game/toy/puzzle to fiddle with when my eyes needed a break from my screens.

I LOVE TOAST! But I have stopped making bread because I have no self-control when it comes to toast, so my special carb-treat each week is sushi (I love sushi, too). It's way more expensive than yummy-nummy toast so I don't feel compelled to get some every day. Still, I miss the toast.

I have been plagued with 'stall and drop' loss ever since my surgery (3.21.17). My weight-loss graph looks like descending steps rather than a smooth ramp. I started working out when I went back to work, two weeks after my surgery. I worked out 3 times a week for 30 mins, along with walking at least 8500 steps every day. All I did was resistance training (small hand weights and bands). I was very careful to stop immediately if something hurt or didn't feel right. I was weight restricted to lifting no more than 15 lbs for the first three months, then I was cleared for whatever I could handle. Now I work out 5-6 times a week still doing 30 minute resistance training (sometimes longer if I'm alone in my basement) and daily walking. I really just don't care for cardio. My stalls and plateaus concerned me and although I was losing fat, the scale didn't (doesn't) always move much. When I discussed this with my doctor (my 6 month check-up was last week), he said, after looking at my current status, "Whatever you are doing is good. Keep doing that." So my advice is two-fold: Always do what your doctor and weight-management team tell you to do, they know you better than we do. Focus on healing! Don't push. You will probably recover much more quickly than I did since I was in rotten shape before my surgery and basically had to start from scratch.

I was worried and terrified. I irrationally fear most things medical. Your worry-wartyness is completely normal, at least when compared to me. "Keep moving forward" is exactly what I did and it is working well so far Stay strong, I know you can do it!!

Outstanding! Your enthusiasm will be a huge benefit. I was more terrified than anything else, it didn't help much. I don't have any pictures of before and after, I just don't take many selfies. But I do have a few long boring videos posted on youtube under the name Tia:Light (my profile pic is little duckies on foamy soaps) if you want see how I looked when I was just starting out and how I look now. Keep up the positive outlook and you will have great success!!

I kind of took the middle road and it has worked ok for me. I told my mom, because she is smart and wise. But I was hesitant to tell her, because she has been on my case about my weight since I was a teenager. I figured she would get on my case again for having surgery and not handling the situation myself, "You're stronger than that." But despite this, I told her because I wanted her honest feedback and much to my surprise, delight and immense relief, she was 100% in support of my decision. Of course, my stepfather knows too, but that's not a problem because he's always been awesome. Likewise, I told my sister because she had recently confided in me something that she thought I would get on her case about, but I didn't and I supported her decision instead. She was also pleased and supportive. Some of the co-workers know because I was out for two weeks on leave and they noticed. The ones who know have all been very supportive, understanding and encouraging... It's nice. My boyfriend's family knows because he let it slip to his mom who was worried about me and she told everyone else. That gets weird sometimes, but they like to talk about their own pet ailments and now they have added me into that conversation. I find it unexpectedly comforting. I have not told my father, stepmom or any of my step-siblings. I would never hear the end of it and I just don't want to deal with the fallout from that, it would never end. So what I'm trying to say is that some people know and others don't. I don't tell people about my surgery, but I don't try to hide it or keep it a secret either. I refuse to feel ashamed about it and I don't really care what most other people think. Your support group is all that matters! And just remember, it's ok to open up to people once in a while, a few of them might surprise you. Wow, sorry for the super-long post! eep.

Having a tough day today: It started this morning with cake at the group meeting for a work anniversary (so I left early). THEN... I walked into my office area and there was a whole box of doughnuts on the counter outside my office door... Walked right past them. THEN... After I got back from my lunch-time workout my office-mates were eating McD's and it smelled soooooo good!!! Combined with having to not order something at the McD's drive-through while with a different co-worker yesterday: Aaaaarrrrrghh! I feel like I'm losing my grip. So, do any of you have suggestions for weathering these weak moments? Many thanks!

My weight loss graph since surgery looks like steps, not a ramp. I asked my surgeon about it and he said not to worry and that I was doing everything correctly. Always check with your doctor, but I suspect that there is nothing wrong and you will continue to lose a bit, then pause, then drop down again, then pause, etc. I have not lost weight at a steady rate since my surgery, but it does come off and averages out to be normal, just bumpier than most others. Check with your Doc and keep up the good work, you'll do great, I promise!

I am about five months out and have encountered this scenario repeatedly. My weight loss graph looks like steps. My surgeon said it was fine and not to worry. Stick with it, your weight will drop, but not (in my experience) at a steady rate. I wish someone had mentioned this to me when I was just starting out, would have saved me a lot of anxiety.

I was terrified the entire time, never took the opportunity to be excited like you. I wish I had! Five months later (I had my surgery on March 21st) I am starting to feel excited because now I can do so much more than I could before and I feel much better and I am even enjoying my workouts rather than dreading them. With enthusiasm like your's, you are going to knock this out of the park!! A positive attitude is a fantastic compliment to rock solid determination.