FluffyChix

Congrats!!!! Feels great doesn't it?

Hahaha! I'm gonna go out on a limb and ask if you're from the South? I am from Houston. We're part of the rice belt and growing up it was practically a 5th food group. I heart it so dam* much. I'd probably sell Mr. F. for a bowl of rice with gravy and some meat...LOL.

Gosh I hear ya! I'm afraid I'm just going to have to embrace mine, cuz I don't see them going away anytime soon. LOL! I keep thinking 2019 might be the "year of the batwing" where batwings are the new black!

My doc and I talked about this last week. How funny! She said my neck looked great and wasn't it shocking how well neck skin springs back into place the thinner we get? She said it's "very forgiving" skin, unlike our batwings. 🙄

K thanks for your opinion. But the POINT of this thread was to be able to have a space uniquely our own just as the VETS have their own forum that we cannot post in. Just as the GUYS have their own forum that makes them totally wigged out if we girls post in it. I was hoping the Sophomores could have their own thread and space to discuss issues that might be somewhat unique to where we are in our journey. I don't think it's right for people who are still newly into surgery to insinuate themselves into the area where our needs/crises/challenges are completely different. Not trying to be a mean girl. But glad I know your opinion of me. I much prefer straight forward to pretend.

Nice! And an area where I've gotten sloppy. Did not EVEN stop to think that it increases speed of food out of pouch and absorption zone so it equals more malabsorption! SNAP! It's a double edge sword for sure! But you will figure out your system. Like for us now, even with me eating more, I still only do 1/2 recipes of stuff. And mostly just stick with grilled meats/seafood for the week. So instead of getting 4 breasts, I get 2 and slice them into thin planks and quick grill them. And it ends up being more than enough for recipes through the week that use chicken! I also break recipes up so that the "bases" are made and then you just need to assemble and re-warm. Keeps things from getting boring and it's kinda like garanimals for food. (ie I can take a piece of that grilled chicken (about 2oz), top it with low carb marinara and 1/2oz of mozz and 1/2oz of parm. Bake it at 350* till warm and melty and throw a handful of spinach into a pan and wilt it quickly. Done! Or I can have broccoli pre-made and just saute til hot with garlic and olive oil. Meal done in 10-15minutes max!)

I have a topic for today! Wooohoooo! Finally! I've been topicless for a while. I'm not one for New Year's Resolutions...but I am all about the numbers and love symmetry. Cuz you know...a diet isn't a diet if it doesn't start on either a Sunday or a Monday. haha! So January 1 looms and it's the start of a year long "reset" to redirect and rechart your course if you've found yourself sailing without going anywhere fast, adrift in the sea of whirley twirley gumdrops and find that now as a Sophomore you're hungrier, can eat more, can have more "normal" daily activities...and maybe even lost your initial drive due to diet fatigue. What are you gonna do differently starting January 1 to reach your goal and get back on course with a full sail and a strong wind and following sea?

Yeah, so love all the responses above!!! When I decided on this, I chose to keep it pretty private. Why? Cuz I decided that I am NOT nor do I have to be the poster child for the advancement of WLS. The good news is I don't have to educate people on "WHY" this surgery is lifesaving and why obesity is now classified as a disease and why diet and exercise is a myth. It's so freeing! And besides...you can't argue with crazy. hehehe (but I think someone already said that brilliantly!)

This too shall pass. Totes norm. Drink lots of water--get AALLLLL your fluid in! And get your protein in. It's a combo of real hunger and head hunger.

PSA: Welcome all tweens--especially our newbie tweens who've just hit their 6months seniority!!!! As defined on the first page of the thread, here is the definition of Sophomores, in case you don't know it and are in this thread by mistake or prematurely. " Ok, so tweens in the WLS world (in my tiny Idaho) are peeps who are experienced -- maybe 6mos-9mos+, but are not yet VETS. However, VETS reserve the right to participate in the high jinx due to their exalted status here. " kthankyouvermuch serrynotserry

Yep. What everyone said: Hydration. Electrolyte balance. And if you're still taking any bp meds.... If you can't stop that shenanigans pretty quickly through hydrating, you need to call your doc and involve him. But you KNOW what you need to be doing. Right?

You mean "big agri/food"? Conditioning us with addictive chemicals to make us want/need/compel to eat? I think you're not sniffin' glue, Aldus! You're on to something!

Bahahahahaha! ...when necroposting goes sideways... Good times!

I think this is quite likely true. I didn't find that bias with my docs though. My oncologist is the one who kept pressing me to get surgery--for 2 years he worked on me to convince me of the need. My other docs deferred to comment and just told me it had to be my full decision. Quite honestly, until the onc told me the first time, I hadn't realized it would "be that easy to qualify" and get covered by insurance. Sounds cray, I know, but it's true. I think sometimes we don't know or don't have the money for a major surgery.

Yep, yep, yep! Call the doc!!!! And your RD. And your therapist. For reals.

Huge congrats dude! You look like you've aged backwards! The more you've lost, the younger you appear! WTG!!!

OMG, I told my doc this last week. That's it's interesting getting to know "mature me" and that I look exactly like my dad! *snort* Good times!

You should say "30-40lbs" like all the stars. They always only report a max of 40lb weight loss when you know damn well they lost the equivalent of a small fishing village. (Not saying that's how much you've lost, saying that IS how much I've lost and I just say, "Ohhhhhh around 40lbs. Thanks!"

Decaf black coffee and hot cups of tea are amazingly satisfying in any number of dicey situations!! The movie theatre (popcorn from the debil), wine bars, restaurants! And it does a great job for me as a food substitute, like if I'm drinking it, I don't have much need to fill my piehole with solid food. So weird. Maybe cuz of our IF? And behaviorally, that's what I do if hunger becomes pretty "forceful"?

Merry Christmas everyone!!! Hugs all around!!! So sad I can't stay and play, but RL intrudes. *snort!* See ya soon!!!

Yeah, I think I'm the person that "people" are "alluding" to as being uber negative and crushing newbie spirits. Whatevs...and the Grinch's heart grew 3 sizes that day when he heard CindyLooWho quit whining about how bad she has it cuz she just got her life changing WLS. Merry Christmas y'all! Wish I could come play, but am swamped! Tamales and chili tonight. Christmas lights. Fun and shenanigans. Went out of town to a Christmas "Wonderland" last night with dear friends. So so fun. Tomorrow was supposed to recreate A Christmas Story with Peking duck...but alas, himself involved friends and it evolved into Del Frisco's prime rib...UGH! *sigh*. I say that cuz like @sillykitty I can cook the fu*k out of prime rib and sides and yes, Yorkshire pudding is always involved along with "potatoes" Daphinous...or roasted cauli daphinois. So so so good. But will have that for New Year's Eve instead. Have a blessed and happy/Merry Christmas dear friends!!! I'm so blessed by each of you! Hugs all around.

Ok, so I do just have to ask both the OP and the second poster...the heck? Were you FORCED into having this miracle surgery that will change your life for the better forever???!!! What the heck is one holiday without familiar food? As @GreenTealael suggests you can STILL make it festive, fun, and can still have it filled with family and friends. OMG. No body is dyin' here! LOL. This is the BEGINNING of the rest of your fabulous lives. It's cause for celebration, cuz of the bazillions of obese people who need this surgery, you have been blessed to qualify for it and receive it. It's a Christmas "merkle", a great gift! Celebrate!!! It is ALL a matter of attitude and mindset.

^^^This. Also, cutting your stuff up into super small bites and putting the fork down after each bite. I didn't count, just chewed until it was puree consistency. Early days, don't try to get veggies in until you are routinely getting your protein in. If you can only do 1oz of food, then it has to be only protein. When you mature to 2oz you can choose if you want to do 1 1/2oz of protein + 1/2oz of well cooked veg. It's very simple. Also in the early days, I would use meat lube: pre-made gravies and sauces that were super low cal/low carb/low sugar. It made getting the protein in much easier.

Ask for PT. They'll set you up for exercises that continue to work on your core while you heal then will work with you to redevelop your food. Sorry about the fall!!

Wooohoooo have fun!!!