darnlochnessmonster

Good morning fellow sleevers! I'm about to wrap up a one-month free trial of Gwynnie Bee, and paid month of Dia & Co, and wanted to share my experiences. Dia & Co.: Pros - Easy to use, filling out the style profile is pretty fun, shipping is free, shipping is really fast, can include accessories, good on-line gallery of real women wearing the outfits, someone else does the coordinating for you Cons: (also a pro, depending on your perspective) someone else is picking the clothes for you, wear/return/exchange window is only 5 days, the clothing is meant to be purchased rather than rented, not as many budget items Cost: $20 "Styling Fee", which is credited toward the purchase of any items you decide to keep. The items can vary in price, so if you want really low-budget items, ABSOLUTELY make sure the lowest price point is selected in your style profile. Would I recommend it? Yes, with reservations. If you're closer to the end of your weight loss journey and your weight and size have stabilized to the point where you're ready to commit to purchasing new clothes, this could be a really fun way to do it. If you're still changing size pretty frequently or want more room to experiment with what styles and shapes fit your new body, I would skip it/wait. My first Dia Box was, to be frank, a disaster. I received 5 items: a dress, pants, tank top, cardigan, and necklace. I didn't like any of them. I felt like they didn't fit my style at all, nor the way I said I like to dress. For example, I really hate to layer clothing. I don't wear tank tops with blazers or cardigans - I prefer just a top. With sleeves. I also put in my style profile that I like solids, neutrals - very clean, simple, classic looks. I noted that my fashion inspirations were Kate Middleton, Angelina Jolie, and Jackie Kennedy (dream big, right?) I got colored denim, tribal prints, and hi-lo cuts...very young, very trendy. Very not me. I sent everything back in the pre-paid envelope and then rated all my items because they say that "every review helps us make your next Dia box better". Gwynnie Bee: Pros - Easy to use, you pick out your own clothes to try, the available options are updated all the time, shipping is really fast, one month free trial (discount code for the free month here), you can buy the items you receive if you decide you want to keep them and its a reduced price, you don't need to wash the items before you return them so it saves laundry time, shipping is free, keep the items as long as you want, rental means no commitment, has an app and a size recommender Cons - No accessories, sometimes items can go out-of-stock so you can't add them to your closet, not many pants options for women with longer inseams, quantity of choices can be a little overwhelming, website doesn't organize clothing by style well so finding pieces you like can be trickier if you have a very strong sense of style, a lot of the items lean trendy and youthful, if you don't "prioritize" your selections you can get inconvenient stuff (for example, my last box had really great Fall dresses - but we just had a week-long 90 degree heatwave, which meant I was sweating profusely... I should have asked for the summer dresses first), since items are rentals you need to be gentle with them Cost: 1-month free trial (link to a code above), then prices vary based on how many items you want to be able to rent at a time. The lowest level is $65 per month for 2 items at a time. So it can be pricey. Would I recommend it? Yes. If your body is still changing and you seem to wear a different size from the beginning of the month to the end, this is a good way to get clothes that fit without spending too much money on it. I would definitely do a trial first to make sure it's right for you just because the styles seem to be aimed at women in their 20s and 30s. Its also great if you're just trying to figure out what your style is. While I know whose styles I really admire, that really didn't match up with the clothes I've actually worn my whole life. This has been good to experiment. Overall, I've been really happy with Gwynnie Bee. I do get a little over anxious about accidentally spilling something on the clothes or ruining them somehow, because no matter how hard I try I'm a messy eater, but if something like that happened I would just bite the bullet and buy the item. So far I haven't received anything that I wouldn't be able to afford but the paranoia is a legit concern. BUT I plan to keep using it until my weight stabilizes, then I'll probably give another one of the styled-for-you services another go. I like the idea of someone who knows more about fashion than me making the decisions - I know its really inaccurate, but I like to imagine there's an office full of Tim Gunns just reading the style profiles people submit

I'd heard about ThredUp but hadn't looked into it yet. These places seem to be popping up left and right I also found Stitch Fix, LeTote, and a brick and mortar place called Plato's Closet. I'm totally open to used, I think after my Dia experience I'm going to stick with rentals only for now.

I'm down a total of 80+ pounds, but lately I've been finding myself falling back into some old bad habits. I'm worried about myself because I'm able to eat larger and larger quantities of food (certainly MUCH less than my pre-surgery normal, but more than I'd gotten used to post-op). I'm aware of the problem, but I'm having a tough time fighting it. Prior to surgery, over the last 5 years or so, I'd stopped having periods. No PMS, no spotting, no bleeding. I believe it was the combination of my high weight/BMI and my Nexplanon implant. Since surgery, I have my period approximately every other week and the pre-menstrual increase in appetite is KILLING ME. I'm non-stop hungry and just want to eat - specifically I want red meat, chocolate, and salty foods. I try to curb these cravings with healthier choices, but with it happening every 10 - 14 days, it's worrying me that I'm undoing my success. I know things will even out at some point, but I don't want to ruin this. Any tips?

What is it? A pair of leggings with an app that takes your lower body measurements then matches you with pants that are meant to "fit like a glove" based on your measurements Would I recommend it: With reservations Pros: Makes consistent measurements easy, records data for you, charts make seeing progress easy Cons: "One size fits all" is not great for plus sizes**, app wouldn't work on my Samsung Galaxy S4 but did work on my S8, company support/service is kinda...awful. I haven't contacted them personally, but their responses to customer questions on-line look defensive/snarky. I bought these leggings because I hate taking my measurements with a tape measure. I can't really do it on my own and getting help from other people means not a whole lot of consistency. I saw an ad on Facebook for the leggings and app and decided to buy them (AFTER finding a coupon - definitely don't pay full price for these). These are a "one size fits all" product, which as most of us know, does not really mean one size fits all of us. I modified the leggings to make them comfortable to use; knowing that the technology that makes these leggings and the app work is built into the waistband and is clearly visible when turned inside-out, I avoided this area. I cut off the bottom of the leggings to create what I call "hot pants" (teeny short-shorts that don't have to battle my thighs). I left the crotch intact so I could ensure that I always have the hot pants pulled on to the same position. When I first bought the leggings, I attempted to use them but could not make the app work on my phone. My device platform wasn't supported - it appears that if your device is any older than a Samsung Galaxy S6, it will not work for you. Keep that in mind if you're considering the purchase and don't have a newer phone or tablet to borrow for this purpose. Once I got the app and leggings connected and working, it was a smooth and easy experience. You hit the button the front of the leggings until a little light comes on, then hold still for just a few seconds while it takes your measurements. Your measurements then appear on screen and you can choose to save the results or remeasure. I do it twice just for consistency and make sure I've got everything in the right position. If you pull them up or down too far, you'll get skewed results. The app itself is still sort of useless to me beyond the measurements at the moment. The brands in their database simply don't have plus sizes right now (I've read this is changing but haven't seen it yet) so the recommendations for jeans won't be helpful until I "shrink" a little more. If you're further along in your journey and are closer to size 18 and below, this will probably be much more valuable to you. Conclusions If you have a supported device and are willing to make minor modifications, this is a good tool. If you don't mind using traditional measuring and recording methods or aren't into lots of data, I wouldn't bother.

Hello everyone! I wanted to share some of the data I've been gathering on my post-op experience in case others might find it helpful. I'm a nerd for facts and figures, but please bear in mind this is a sample size of 1 so don't let it significantly impact your own experience. This is just to show some helpful baselines for other women in their 20s/30s. WEIGHT Let me start with some numbers I found floating around on-line for "typical" weight loss at each major milestone of the post-op journey, specific to patients with a starting weight of 350-450 pounds. Before starting my surgeon-monitored program my weight was about 420, on surgery day I was 401. You'll see the milestone, then four numbers: low estimate for pounds lost, mid-estimate, and high estimate, and finally my own pounds lost marked with an asterisk. 10 days: 10 lbs / 20 lbs / 30 lbs / *21.2 lbs 6 weeks: 25 lbs / 35 lbs / 45 lbs / *39.2 lbs 3 months: 35 lbs / 45 lbs / 55 lbs / *52.6 lbs 6 months: 50 lbs / 65 lbs / 80 lbs / *Six month target will be at end of October, current weight loss is 62.4 lbs 1 year: 100 lbs / 100 lbs / 100 lbs 18 months: 120 lbs / 120 lbs / 120 lbs MEASUREMENTS This one is a little tougher because I'm terrible at taking measurements and find it a little annoying. My pre-surgery measurement is really basic because I just threw a measuring tape around my widest part. Subsequent measurements were done with the "Like A Glove" measurement leggings (I'll write a separate, detailed review of that in another thread). I don't have a lot of data, but here are some helpful notes: I'm 5' 10" and somewhere between a pear and full hourglass shape. I carry my weight in my hips, thighs, and upper arms. Before Surgery Fullest part of Hips: 61 inches, Pant size: 28 (at Old Navy) July 2nd (approx. 9 weeks post-surgery) High waist: 53.5 inches, High Hips: 53.8 inches, Low Waist: 55.1 inches, Low Hips: 53.3 inches, Pant Size: About 24 (at Old Navy) September 8 (approx. 5 months post surgery) HIgh Waist: 51.2 inches, High Hips: 53.6 inches, Low Waist: 54.3 inches, Low Hips: 52.9 inches, Pant Size: 24 (at Old Navy) I'll do another measurement at the 6-month mark at the end of October. I hope you will find this helpful!

Have you tried doing fruit infusions in your water? I put in peaches, pineapple, watermelon, strawberry, lemon, and oranges. I also do mixes with 1/2 a Crystal Light. For example, I have a 32 oz bottle I fill with water mixed with lime juice, then add a single packet of Crystal Light sugar-free lemonade. It tastes almost like a flat Sprite.

I had my sleeve on 4/26/17 and had my 4-6 week check-up yesterday afternoon. I've lost 35 pounds since my surgery weight, and 48 pounds since my starting weight. I was given my next diet plan of "Soft Foods" (ground beef/turkey/chicken, tuna, fish, fruits and veggies without skins and seeds, low-fat dairy, etc.) and officially cleared for physical activity. This morning I took a big, exciting step and signed up with my college's fitness center for a personal trainer! My boyfriend is going to be my workout buddy and we're currently slotted for 4 1-hr buddy sessions. It felt strangely liberating to be so honest on the paperwork saying, 'Hey I just had this major surgery to lose weight, I've never really exercised before, but this is what I want to do'. For the first time, I didn't experience those feelings of shame and embarrassment that kept me from hitting the "submit" button before. I'm also hoping to start yoga next week. Before my surgery, I met with a studio for a personal session and the instructor was so kind and gentle and made me feel so comfortable. I've registered for the one-a-week class package plus a "Solstice Stretch and Meditation" at the end of the month For a really long time before surgery, I was so scared that I would have the procedure done and nothing would happen; that I would get on the scale each morning and everything would be the same. I was afraid that, just like every other time, this would fail. Now that things are really happening I'm excited - but then also worried I'll screw it all up. I don't want to go back to the way things were before. I want to get better.

I was sleeved on 4/26 and just had my 4-6 week check-up yesterday. I was cleared for exercise and got the next part of my diet. Things are going pretty well! For about two weeks in the middle I had a nasty pain near one of my incisions then *poof* it just disappeared one night. I still don't have a BM more frequently than once a week, but now that I can work in more fruits and veggies I'm hoping that will improve Overall, things are lookin good. To the poster above, best of luck to you and your mom.

I wonder if it's a combination of coming to terms with self-esteem and body image issues coupled with the dramatic changes in your hormones. A lot of what I've experienced over the last 6 weeks feels similar to how I used to feel around the time of my period - weepy, angry, anxious, just generally in a "funk" - so I think there is a big chemical component to it.

I had a catheter until right before I was released. My nurse told me that it's pretty common after anesthesia and with some pain medications. I used very little of my pain meds while in the hospital, and stopped them entirely as soon as I got home (I hate the "balloon head" feeling way more than I hated the pain in my abdomen, it *really* freaks me out) so those things worked out of my system pretty quickly. Your experience may be different because bodies are different, but keep positive because it definitely won't be forever! Congrats and best of luck to you.

Are you using a low-fat/light mayo? Full-fat versions can upset the stomach and cause the symptoms you're talking about. If so, try using less. If you currently put in a teaspoon to help those things go down, cut it to half a teaspoon and be aware of how much total you're consuming in a day. Same goes for any oils or butter you may be using to make your eggs.

I have a chart for this! I did some research prior to surgery and found that, for most people in the "straight sizes" (up to a L) a typical ratio is 10lbs equals a dress/shirt size. For sizes XL and up, it's closer to 12 lbs. If you have a larger frame to start with, 15.75 pounds lost equals a dress/shirt size lost. This will vary based on body shape and composition, but it's a pretty good rule of thumb.

I think what a lot of people see as working for the hair loss is actually just those products making the remaining hair appear thicker. That being said, products with castor oil can help plump up what you have to help making hair loss less noticeable. I'm planning to get the castor oil line from Shea Moisture as soon as my current/regular stuff runs out. I'm at the one month mark post-op right now and I figure it can't hurt to try a little preventative hair care

This time is really fuzzy - I was in the post-op recovery for about an hour, but then I slept for pretty much the entire next day. I woke up intermittently for 10 to 20 minutes at a time, but usually just to puke :/ That being said, it did appear the post-op pain management team gave me a little too much pain medication so that likely had a strong effect. By day two I was much closer to normal. If you've ever had surgery before or been "knocked out" before (not at the dentist), the experience will likely be very similar. Every body reacts differently to anesthesia though, and a lot can differ between meds.

I don't know how to approach your wife, but I do think you need to stop just agreeing that the surgery is no longer working. Throughout our relationship, my boyfriend was incredibly supportive of everything I did and always helped me to make excuses for myself for why I could have that cake or pizza, or how it wasn't my fault II gained weight because XYZ. He's a wonderful man who loves me deeply and wants nothing for me but my happiness - but helping me with the mental Olympics it takes to slowly kill myself with food? It's not a good thing. When I started the process I had to really face my issues with food and figure out what makes me tick and why. Why did I over eat? Why did I eat when I wasn't hungry? Why did I refuse to leave a meal unfinished? Why did I only eat junk food and not fruits and vegetables? I had a lot of emotional baggage to unpack stemming from a childhood where it wasn't guaranteed I was going to get food because we couldn't afford it (and subsequently the most affordable and readily available food being junk foods - not fresh fruit, veggies, eggs, or milk). Everyone's relationship with food is different, and if she didn't work out her stuff for good - it WILL keep coming back. Stop enabling. Help her to use the tools we were taught in our programs. That food diary brings a whole lot of sin to light, my friend. Best of luck to both of you.

My stats are not at all similar - I'm 5'10" and started at a little over 400 - but in my pre-surgery research I found some charts that had good estimates. My weight loss has been the mid to high range for my category so far; 20 pounds in 10 days and 35 pounds at just shy of 6 weeks.

lol I'm just jealous! I took over a week

Everything DaleCruse said is so right! I'm afraid I can't speak to long-term results because I only just reached a month post-surgery, but my father-in-law (who has been awesomely supportive) had a bypass with my surgeon a little over 10 years ago and has done very well. I was also worried that people would see this as the "easy way out" and that I was failure for needing surgery or just too lazy to "do things the right way". It turns out, that was really all in my own head. Those were my own doubts that I was projecting onto people who love and care about me. I haven't had a single negative reaction, and if anyone felt otherwise they had to the good sense to keep it to themselves. And honestly, just telling people made the whole thing so much easier. Things get hard to hide. There will be points where even before surgery you're eating tiny portions or nothing but liquids - people notice. After surgery, in those first few weeks, weight just sort of falls off quickly. Even if you don't see it in the mirror, they will. My coworkers asked me a million questions every step of the way - not because they were nosy, but because they care about me. They wanted to know what to expect so they could know how to help and support. It felt amazing. I'm 27 and have an office job and I expected to take a week off. I ended up just a little bit over at 10 days because I ended up feeling incredibly fatigued. I tend to have low iron to begin with so between surgery and getting my period for the first time in years - I just wanted to hibernate. It could be totally different for you. Eating stuff... I can't really do more than 1/4 to 1/3 cup at a sitting right now, which is totally normal. I'll work up to 1/2 cup over time and eventually, a small meal. My father in law usually doesn't finish a full plate, but what he does eat would still be a healthy, balanced portion size.

These things will all vary based on your insurance coverage and your surgeon. After my six months of nutrition appointments were signed off on on a Friday afternoon, my paperwork was submitted to my insurance that day, and I was approved by the following Thursday. I met with my surgeon the following Thursday afternoon and went in for surgery the following Wednesday. This last bit wasn't necessarily typical, it just happened there was an opening and because I'm otherwise in very good health (non-drinker, never smoked, no diabetes, etc.) I only needed to do a 2-day stint of full liquids. The earlier you make contact with your insurance provider, the better. Review their policies, talk to the representatives, talk with the patient reps at your surgeon's office, the smoother it all goes. My insurance company suggested that a letter from my primary care doctor detailing my (documented, medically based) struggles with my weight and weight loss might help. My doctor was happy to provide it to the company, and it was a better process for me.

I'm looking to get some support garments for my stomach to keep the skin from chaffing as my weight drops and for a little comforting pressure on my incisions. I'm not interested in Spanx because I don't want to have to pull anything off just to go to the bathroom. However, it is OK if a recommendation has coverage on the arms or chest. Thank you all in advance!

For me, I find that the little bit of extra compression helps with comfort. I don't think it actually helps with "shaping" your body or with loose skin, because that's just not the way skin and muscles work, but it at least can keep loose skin from chafing or getting caught in zippers!

Yup, I was on Depo Provera for about 18 months then switched to the Nexplanon implant. I didn't have my period for about 5 years. Now I've had two since getting sleeved on 4/26. I've learned from other women on the board that this is totally typical, and some helpful surgeons even warn their patients about it (I did not have one of those helpful surgeons!) Stock up on pads/tampons/whatever because you may be in for a wild ride... PS I recommend the Always Overnights Size 4 or 5. Great for plus size panty coverage when you have no idea what to expect from your cycle!

I sometimes forget too until I get that "Uh oh I'm queasy/light-headed" feeling. Usually, my protein drink does the trick. I had tried eating every two hours but it felt like too much - there were times I'd start to dread "snack time" because the thought of taking in more food just seemed unpleasant. I'm only 1 month out from surgery as of this week, so I think it's common in the early stages.

Remember that your hormones go wonky with sudden weight loss like this. That can really mess with your state of mind. Definitely get the vitamin D, and maybe try out some new hobbies you felt like you couldn't do before. The rush of being able to do something you've always wanted to can be amazing.

For me the deciding factor was what effect any procedure may have on my future ability to have a healthy pregnancy. The traditional bypass is both restrictive and malabsorptive and requires a lot of supplements for the rest of your life. The sleeve is restrictive, but not really malabsorptive (data is out on just how much malabsorption is occurring long-term, but it's definitely less than RNY). Malabsorption of critical vitamins and minerals isn't great when you're creating a person and still need to supply those nutrients to yourself. Because being able to get pregnant is a big deal for me, I went with the procedure I thought would be healthiest for me and a future baby.