LaLaDee

Thanks @allwet and @etc. etc. etc. In theory, I’m sure I can keep losing weight - even on steroids. It just means I have to work harder. I’m trying to get past the feeling that the universe is telling me that I don’t get to have this sucessful weight loss. That I got ahead of myself and I’m supposed to stay really morbidly obese. If I’m going to survive this then I need to be positive. We are have different difficulties - tough jobs, kids, unsupportive family, no time to exercise, whatever. Being sick and on these posionous drugs is just my little burden I suppose. I think I can still do this.

I still watch TV or play with my phone during a lot of meals. It’s not ideal, you should be chewing, eating slowly and mindfully. But I can’t seem to break the habit! Was this something that came up specifically with your nutritionist?

I’m devastated - just found out I’m sick again and going back on prednisone. That medication makes me eat constantly, bloat and gain weight at alarming rate. This is going to ruin my progress. I know we all have our struggles but this feels really unfair.

I think people are just awkward and in shock and they blurt out whatever pops into their heads! Doesn’t make it OK. I’ve had people ask me if I’ve lost weight. Um, yes, 55kg (120lb). And then they’re like, proud of themselves for noticing! Now that I’m the same (or smaller) clothes size as my sisters, they seem to think I should be done losing weight too. Like we have some binding pact that I can’t be thinner than them!

That is literally my fantasy - it turns out that the scale was wrong and I’ve lost all this weight!

Would love more updates from everyone! We’re only 7 months out and a lot of us seem to have taken a step back from the forums. I hope everyone is doing really well!

Thank you frust8! You’re so sweet! I’m praying for you on your journey.

Is that enough protein? Are there beans in the salad or something? Can you put protein powder in green smoothies?

You look gorgeous! Well done!!

My tip is to tell the airline you have mobility issues or anxiety or something and ask to be let on flight first (people on wheelchairs and first class get to board first). You slip in early and ask for an extender before everyone else gets on. It’s far less humiliating.

I have bags and bags of clothes that don’t fit but I’m still hanging onto them. I have already donated several bags but it just feels weird to keep giving away everything I own. Like, unintentionally I have to become a minimalist!

Please ship pixie dust to me in Australia. I’m in need of magic. Just need to lose 50lb overnight and I’m done. Lol.

No mindless snacking and making sure that I drink enough water.

Lol. I would love to know if anyone here actually had Dr Now perform their surgery. Actually, I wonder if there are any people from the show lurking around!

It definitely stirs up issues. You can’t self soothe with food and repress everything. I think there is also an inevitable period of soul searching. How did I end up here? What’s wrong with me? Why can’t I stop eating? I had to process this sense of failure that my life had led to the point where I was getting part of my stomach removed. That’s heavy stuff. There’s no easy answer and I think we all go through this to some extent.

Yeah, this is why I am in the bariatric closet! I don’t need people getting all judgmental. Ugh.

Congratulations! You look hot!

Ok. I’ve been in a bit of a stall lately, so I decided to experiment. First I increased my snacks (all healthy, eg hummus and veggies). It didn’t help the stall. So in the last week, I stopped snacking altogether. This decreased my calories from 1000 to maybe 700. But in just a few days, I have lost 2-3kg (5 pounds). Do you guys think it’s a bad idea to drop calories down at the 6 month mark? I still have a fair amount of weight to lose. if I’m honest, I’m not exercising much either.... I am desperate to lose the rest of the weight. I don’t want my journey to end here!

At 6 months post surgery, I can confirm that my scale paranoia is still strong. I don’t lose any weight one week and I convince myself that I will never lose weight again! These stages can repeat themselves!

Is there any chance it could be food intolerances? I haven't had great experiences with yoghurt and I used to be fine with it. Are particular foods triggering it?

I have adaptations or versions of everything I loved before. It's not quite the same, but in a sense, I still eat all of my favourite food from before. Cheeseburgers and fries (now, I'll eat it a beef patty with lettuce instead of bread buns. No fries.) Nachos (now I eat chilli con carne with guacamole) Spaghetti and meatballs (now I have meatballs with zucchini noodles) Chocolate (now I have expensive dark chocolate) I do miss diet coke though. So damn much.

I'm still technically obese but I can't say I miss being heavier. Just the logistics of navigating a world meant for smaller people was exhausting. Plane/cinema/bus seats, restaurant booths, seatbelts (UGH!), forget squeezing past someone, stairs - oh hell STAIRS!, narrow aisles, bending over to pick up after the dog and wondering if I would be able to stand up again, sweating all the time, arranging journeys with as little walking as possible, trying to keep up with people when you're walking in a group, being seen in public swimming at the beach (ok that one still freaks me out), the constant fear of breaking something or hearing loud sounds when you walk anywhere, or escalators squeeking. It was so exhausting. That said, I do miss the ease of plus size shopping. There were like 3 places that sell clothes that I like (and only online so I never had to try anything on). So that made shopping pretty damn simple. Now, the choices freak me out. I feel lost and don't know how to deal with it. I don't really think anything suits me. Or maybe I don't know what my "style" is.

So proud of you Fluffy. I love how you approached this surgery - and life in general!!

You’re so sweet! Only my mum has ever called me pretty! Theres absolutely no shame in going down this path. For the best results, you need to embrace surgery. Maybe it is last resort but you are giving yourself the best opportunity to lengthen your life. That is something to be proud of! Who cares if it’s not the old fashioned way? The old fashioned way doesn’t work for a lot of us!

Lol. You may be seeking a unicorn there. I'm a failed heterosexual for what it's worth, but we're a dime a dozen! It's OK to be scared. It is a big deal and a huge decision. But it's also a huge opportunity. I was mostly terrified and in denial (e.g. for some reason I didn't think it would actually happen), but if I knew then what I know now, I would have been excited - not about the surgery - but about my life and how I would feel afterward. I think you've got a lot of good things in the future to look forward to!