Miss Topaz

I'm a year and a half out. I would tell you to definitely use a tracking app (MyFitnessPal was mine) and a food scale. You'd be amazed how little or how much 2.5-3 ounces can be, depending on the food! Start small with portions and don't try to push yourself. Seriously, a quarter cup is not a lot of food, but at the beginning it will be! (that doesn't last, don't worry). YOu will find that some foods fill you up much more than others. I can eat a lot of salad greens. THat makes sense due to water. But ground beef vs chicken or eggs - big difference. Eggs and chicken fill me up faster. Get in your protein and take your vitamins. Vitamins are relatively easy and will make a huge difference in your health. Walk. YOu don't have to run marathons. Just walking will help. Re sweets. Don't keep them in the house if you can. I find that if I'm really craving something, getting something out, preferably splitting it, helps me. But, if it's something that's likely to cause you to binge or crave carbs later - don't do it. That is a bit different for all of us. After 6 months I started incorporating small amounts of carbs back into my diet. I find it helps me in the poo department. BIGGEST TIP! Use these sites for support and tips. However, this is YOUR journey. You, your situation and your physical and mental health history are different than everyone else. If someone tells you to go keto and it's just not something you can sustain - it's not for you. YOu have to find your own path. Don't compare yourself to others. Some lost faster than me, but they started out in a different place with a different body and issues. Find your way and don't give up!

Hey all! Sleeved Jan 23 2018. We've all come so far! Currently sitting at about 203 on my home scale in the mornings. I have a birthday later this month and would love to onederland to be my gift! Loss definitely has slowed, but I'm also working on finding balance between living a new normal and obsessing over everything that goes in my mouth. Down several pants sizes (24 to 14) and feeling good about that. Starting to plan for what plastics to have some day. I've started weight lifting 2x/week which I love. My knees are not 100% sure, but they're hanging in there. With dark coming earlier and time change today, it's tougher to get 30 min in of walking daily. I don't like to walk my dogs after dark. We have a coyote problem in Colorado.....

I can down a couple cups with about 2 ounces of protein. anything more is too much

the waffle was very filling so i concentrated on the chicken. i have made protein pancakes and waffles since surgery. hubby has adjusted to them and it's nice to make him one of his favorites once in a while and enjoy it with him. but everyone has to do what works for them!

I've had a single piece of fried chicken twice since surgery. It was tasty and didn't bother my tum. I have avoided fried chicken for years, along with most other fried foods. But chicken and waffles just sounded so good and I knew this place did it well. It didn't set off cravings - and with only one piece, there was nothing left in the fridge to tempt me later. No, not a good choice overall, but I don't regret it.

Buyers remorse is common the first week - what you're feeling is completely normal. The first couple of weeks were tough. My surgeon calls it the "boring diet", coupled with all the other healing stuff. But it does get better and you'll feel normal soon! Some days I even almost forget I had surgery 4 months ago!

Everyone is different. Are you still feeling a lot of swelling? Right now you are healing and your body is reacting to surgery. Concentrate on your water and protein. The loss will continue to come!

I've had skin cancer, so less would be fantastic. Of course, then I moved closer to the sun....

All - not to share too much but while in hospital two nights the skin under my spare tire got seriously irritated. It's all red, angry and itchy. Doc's office has me watching to make sure it doesn't get worse, but in the meantime, does anyone have a miracle cure? Normally to prevent I dry carefully after showering and apply anti-chafe gel (monistat). Not sure what to do to get it back healthy tho! I'm pretty miserable. Incision pain is minimal but this itching is crazy! Almost tempted to take my pain meds (that I don't need for pain) to try to subdue the itching

I'm curious to hear what you propose rhorho86 om MFP Sent from my SM-G920V using BariatricPal mobile app

OMG! That is a horrible thing to say to anyone! No matter our age, I believe we should always strive for growth and certainly health! Def remove her from your life!

Thanks for sharing. I've only had one cider since surgery, but have wondered. Luckily, I don't miss it much. I'll keep on being very careful!

We didn't eat out until I transitioned to "regular" diet. I sat with hubby while he ate at the mall food court once during early stages and that was torture! I order water and sip it until we actually order our food. I look for healthier options and usually avoid the bread. I had a garlic knot before dinner last night and it almost ruined my whole dinner - it was so filling. If I get a burger, I ask for it bunless and always order veggies of some sort on the side when that's an option. But I just eat what I can, concentrating on the protein, and then get a box to go. Helps to order something that you don't mind having cold later or that will reheat easily! It's totally do-able, but will be different than meals out before. We don't share appetizers or dessert or anything. But I don't feel deprived!

I also took the day off before (my surgery was on a tuesday, so not going in Monday just seemed to make sense). For the first few days post surgery you'll mainly just drink and sip and sleep , so don't worry too much about pre-preparing food. Most of us did it tho! I made food for my family ahead. If you have any cleaning to do though, good time to do it. You won't be cleaning after surgery. I didn't use much from my hospital bag but phone, charger, and - if you don't already have it, go get Biotene mouth spray. Your mouth will be dry and while you can't drink immediately after surgery it's a lifesaver!

YAAAASSSSS!! Excellent haul and exceptional progress! I wish I'd known about senior day at Goodwill. I could've used hubby's advanced age to my advantage! (LOL I'm not far behind him, but thanks to nature and my salon, I'm far less gray!) Hubby and I are still neck and neck in the weight race. Every time I lose 2 pounds post surgery, he does as well all on his own. Men suck I will beat him! We went shopping for jeans for him and shorts/skorts/capris for me yesterday. None of my summer bottoms fit! I was hoping to get a denim skort (prefer skirt look to shorts on me). Couldn't find a single one, but found that 16W shorts fit perfectly! Got one pair in black and I'll go back to look for more in a month, closer to my vacation. I'll stretch out that one lone pair in the evenings and weekends if I can. But, I also tried on a pair of regular 16s from the misses section - tight but I can shut them! So, of course I bought those too and will try them on again in a couple weeks. Misses!!! I can't remember the last time...

Fantastic news! Congrats on joining the losers bench!

I think Fluffy may have to change her name to Formerly Fluffy! Great job girl!

Frustr8 - you WILL have your Cinderella moment! I'm keeping the faith!

I confess all i wanted was carbs this weekend, and I ate chocolate and waffles. But in general, I confess that I'm wickedly pleased that by the time I see one of my best friends (in another part of the country) again, I'll likely wear a size smaller than she does. She means well, but is from a very judgemental family and has always been disapproving of my weight gain - but super supportive of my loss attempts too. I feel a little shallow-competitive, but, it's I confess time!

Frustr8 - as a lifelong Wolverine, I can tell you that everyone looks pretty nasty in scarlet and gray! You will actually make it look kinda good!

You have done it! Dropped off all those lovely carbs this morning. I did have 2 bowls for hubby leftover, and about a half a bowl I can indulge in later so I don't feel deprived. Went to mother's day brunch with hubby and a friend whose kids are out of town. I had just broken into the 220s yesterday, but I fear no more! (hey! the ice cream man just drove past my house and I wasn't tempted!) ok, after that random stream of consciousness... went to a local joint famed for their pan fried chicken. It is really good but usually fried chicken doesn't tempt me . But they had a chicken and waffle special and they have this blackberry butter...... So, poor choices. I ate a fresh hot roll as it takes 30 min for the chicken. Half a waffle and part of my chicken breast. And I feel Thanksgiving stuffed. Ugh! I know better! Guess I just proved that despite what y'all believed, Miss Topaz is not perfect! except perfectly imperfect of course! Happy mothers day to you Miss Fluffy! Proud of you for hitting that nature preserve! Once I can move again, I'll move my arse in some way (looks like rain so might be inside).

Great job!

fabulous! congrats on payoff for all your hard work!

I'm so glad I read this shortly before leaving for a charity Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation banquet! I am generally bored to tears at this sort of event, but hubby insists I accompany him to at least one such event annually. I don't know what will be served, but am sure there will be carby sides and dessert. Send me some of your strength oh fluffy one! Went to the grocery earlier. Picked up portabello mushroom caps stuffed with spinach and mozzarella. Not sure the protein content, but it will be a nice, low-carb lunch alternative this week. I suspect I'll only be able to eat half. Baked pumpkin bread this morning and bought all the fixins for potato soup, including heavy cream. Am I out of my forkin' mind? Nah? One of my employees suffered a horrific family tragedy this week. We're doing a food train and tomorrow I bring lunch for her and her family. All those lovely carbs will be delivered elsewhere! But damn - I make great potato soup!

I don't really miss it either. I tried the cider, and sipped one sip of hubby's mimosa at brunch, but wasn't tempted to order my own. Hubby was not surprised. I've always been the DD - and never had a problem with it. And yeah, while I did weight watchers, if I had one glass any time during the week - no loss.