Roxine

Hi March Bypass Buddies! My surgery was almost a year ago - March 5, 2018. I had GB RNY. I was nervous - didn't know what to expect, but determined to get healthy. Now, almost one year post-op, I am 5 pounds away from my goal (though if I stayed right where I am, I am perfectly happy). I have my eating under control - I work out 3 times per week (mostly toning and light weights) - I'm in a size 2 or 4 depending on the designer (from a size 20) and my hair is slowly growing back (I am wearing a topper in the new picture). Pictures are worth 1000 words - so here you go! Look forward to watching your journeys over the next year! Roxine

Just checking into the new thread! Have a great day sophomores!

...and yes, I bought them! They’re a little tight but they fit!

Update to sizing discussion. I went back to Dress Barn today because my 4 jeans were getting baggy - in Dress Barn sizes, these are a size 2 jean.

I purchased a topper around 5 months and wear it every day. My hair has started to regrow now (almost 10 months post op), and I anticipate it being back within 6 months. I’m wearing it in my profile photo.

I had my surgery 5 days before turning 50. I’m almost 10 months post op and down 104 pounds. I am 7 pounds away from goal. I am healthier than I’ve ever been in my life, work out with a personal trainer one day a week, eat a high protein diet, and get to buy really cute clothes now. 🙂

@sideeye I eat out often and typically order either an appetizer or small plate. If not available I try to share a meal with my companion which saves money on the check 🙂 For business dinners when sharing isn’t an option, If I do order a full meal, I always ask to be served 1/2 and have the other 1/2 boxed to go when ordering. It avoids questions at the table about how much or little I should say that I’m eating. My go to at restaurants is sashimi/ahi tuna for an app, or sometimes I just order a side salad, and if small plates are available I choose one high in protein. For breakfast I’ve found Crustless quiche is my favorite when available- or I just order two eggs scrambled off the sides menu.

Agree - it is designer dependent. And can be frustrating! @FluffyChix if you have a Dress Barn near you - go try on their jeans in a size 6 or size 4, let me know if they fit Often times we don't think a size smaller will fit until we try it. I know I have girlfriends who think they know their size, but it's really dependent upon the style and cut of the pant/shirt/skirt or dress. It can also be a level of comfort - not thinking that the smaller size will look good. I am not claiming I am a size 4. I am claiming I am wearing a size 4 dress from Ann Taylor Loft LOL

This is not a form fitting dress. It does have give. But it zipped up easily and just makes me feel like a million bucks I've been in a size 6 for the past month or so in more structured dresses. And, as we all know - sizes vary from designer to designer.

Here's my before and after - 261 to 159

That's what it says on the label And like I said, I bought it from Ann Taylor Loft. It is a bit stretchy so it's not restrictive, but I think it looks pretty good.

I go to a place called Cheryl's Health boutique here in Maryland. If you look up places that specialize in full wigs and toppers (typically cancer patients will go there to purchase items) they will have what you're looking for. I wear a topper that has clips that's easy to put into my hair - you can see in the picture above I am wearing it. It's by Jon Renau and it's the HD hair. The next one I get will be human hair as this one doesn't hold a curl like I'd like it to. Here's the web address for where I buy mine http://www.cherylshealthboutique.com/wigs-and-turbans

Thanks @Orchids&Dragons ! I'm 5'3" and evenly proportioned I guess I didn't believe it either - like I was wearing a size 4 jeans but they were from Dress barn and a bit stretchy, so I thought their sizes must be larger than other stores - to make us feel better...hahahah But then I went to Ann Taylor Loft this week and just for fun, decided to try on the size 4 dress - and it fits! My bra size is 36DD (so happy I didn't lose my breasts, though they will need a lift/aug) and my waist size is 28. I haven't measured my hips lately but will do so this weekend. One thing I LOVE about my new body is being able to wear knee high and thigh high boots! I've always wanted to wear them and now I can. Plus thigh highs means you can wear shorter skirts! LOL I think I'm looking pretty good for 50!

Hi - I Just spent the better part of 40 minutes reading through this thread. Thanks for creating it! As not yet vets, we do have different topics to talk about and I find it very refreshing to see many of you are dealing with the same things I am. Also, nothing on this site is exclusionary - you are free to post/read/or ignore anything you wish. Don't understand the whole "mean girl" exchange - that was quite disappointing to come across right at the end. I was curious what size you all started at and what size you are wearing now. For me, I was in a size 20 and typically shopped at Dress Barn. Today I put on my first size 4 dress (SIZE FOUR!) that I bought this week at Ann Taylor. I still have about 8 more pounds I want to lose - I don't want to be too skinny. I think my BMI says I should get down to 140 but I think 150 will be a good weight on me. But who knows - maybe I'll hit the 140 eventually? I started working out with a personal trainer which has helped with toning, but I do anticipate that I will have to do a breast aug/lift/neck lift/arms. I'm not too worried about my tummy/thighs - as someone said no matter how short my skirts are, no one will see that (And my skirts are getting shorter!!) Finally to the topic of hair - my hair has thinned significantly and I have been wearing a topper for the better part of 4 months. I just ordered a second one as I think it may take at least a year for my hair to regrow back to what it was before. Sorry for the long post - just catching up! Roxine

No judgment here - you are just trying to manage expectations which is normal. Everyone's journey is different - but yes, I have lost over 100 pounds in under a year. In fact, I was 9 months post-op when I hit the 100 pound weight loss. My SW was 261 and CW is 159. My GW is 150 (was 140 but I think for me that will be too small). And because pictures speak louder than words - here you go

Love the transformation! Isn't it amazing how we all get to become the people we've always known we were? What an amazing tool. I've loved every moment of my journey and it appears you have as well. Best of luck to you and continued success!

9 pounds until goal!!! Edited to add - I know my ticker says 19 pounds to goal, but I think 140 will be too small for me. so I am choosing 150 as my goal But man, what a difference! Loving my new life. I think 50 looks pretty good on me!

It's been awhile since I've posted - but thought I'd post some before and after pictures. This was taken last week when I hit the century loss - but today I'm officially 101 pounds down! My BMI says I should get down to 140, but I think I'll be healthy at 150 - so I'm 10 pounds to my personal goal. I did start working out with a personal trainer which I think will help with these last few pounds.

Today is my first day posting so forgive me if I don’t get the lexicon right the first time. Surgery Date: March 5, 2018 Starting Weight: 261 Surgery Day Weight: 250 Today’s Weight (Week 1): 241 I had a 90 day program working with a dietician and completing all of the pre-operative testing culminating in a 3 day liquid diet prior to surgery. The first day of the liquid diet was hard, but the excitement of my upcoming surgery made the other two days fairly easy. I arrived at the hospital last Monday morning at 5:45 am and was wheeled into surgery at 7:45 am. I don’t remember much of that first day but I was up and walking that afternoon and evening. I was sore and there was pain but it was managed with Roxycodone every 3-4 hours (as long as my blood pressure didn’t drop too low - overnight, I had to wait 6 hours between doses as my BP had dropped below 100 systolic. Day 2 at the hospital was filled with trying to get my fluids in and trying to get the gas out! The pain I was experiencing was mostly related to my abdomen being bloated with gas as a result of the laparoscopic procedure. I was successful on the former (sip, sip, sip!) but woefully unsuccessful on the latter. (In retrospect, I wish I would have walked more that second day.) I was released by noon on day 3 and recovered the rest of the week at home. Below are just a few things that I’ve learned. Please share some of the things you’ve learned as well wherever you are in your journey and let’s help set expectations and share great ideas! 1. When you begin your protein shakes, your bowels will start moving again! I called my Drs office panicked because I pooped! (A bit scary after not pooping for almost a week!) 2. For me, I was unable to lay on my side until Day 6 comfortably. I used a comfy recliner most nights which prevented me from trying to toss and turn from side to side (I’m a side sleeper) 3. Sugar free popsicles are great! 4. I don’t know if this will last, but my taste for broth has changed. Pre-surgery - and for my whole life - I have loved beef and chicken broth. But now, I can’t stand it. 5. You will get bored on the all liquid diet post op. Look for things you can combine. On my plan, I was allowed coffee. The protein shakes I found to be quite chalky in my mouth. On Day 5 I combined the two, using my flavored protein shake as a “creamer” to my coffee. It was warm and delicious and now the only way I get in my protein shake. 6. Listen to your pouch. The one thing you don’t want to do is pop the pouch. The staples need at least 3 weeks to fully heal so follow your surgeon/dietician’s program exactly. No cheating! Two tips my surgeon gave me - if you hiccup, you’ve overfilled - and if you want to clear your pouch sooner, stand up very straight for a few minutes to help facilitate drainage through the small intestine. 7. You will get tired easily - so push yourself but don’t overdo it. I started out walking throughout my house the first few days, up and down the stairs, went outside on Saturday and walked up and down the driveway, and finally went out to a few stores with my husband yesterday. I did okay at the grocery store until we went to check out. All of a sudden I was super tired. When we went to Home Depot to pick out a barn door, I found a chair to sit in while my husband picked up a few things before meeting me in the door section. I was ok walking back to the car but was tired the rest of the evening. Take it slow. Today starts Week 2 and I get to add applesauce, yogurt, mashed potatoes and oatmeal. It’s nice to have something warm and chewy in my mouth again. I will continue to post updates and invite all other March surgery dates to join. Thanks, Roxine

6 months before and after. Down 86 pounds, 35 to go for goal. Follow-up with my surgeon and nutritionist today.

Going in for my 6 month follow-up today. Thought I'd post some updated pictures and stats. Currently in a size 8 - have lost 86 pounds - 35 pounds to goal. Pictures taken last week. Have not had any issues. Food and eating is pretty perfunctory for me now. I don't really get hungry. I don't really crave anything. I eat pretty much anything I want, but continue to make good choices - lean proteins first, veggies next, then perhaps a carb (particularly if I'm plateaued for awhile) just to jump start the weight loss again. Not too bad with sagging skin - arms and tummy and inner thighs but not completely unsightly. Hair thinning seems to have slowed - I did get what they call a "topper" to help fill out the hair - I'm wearing it in the top left and bottom right pictures. Looking forward to my hair coming back in full That's it for the 6 month update.

What time is your appointment? I will be there at 1:00 today.

What time and where is the meeting tonight? I have a follow-up appointment this afternoon and may just stay in the area.

I went to a place that specializes in wigs for chemo patients. All in it cost $230 (including shampoo/conditioner/moisturizer). Well worth it! I love it and it looks so natural

I got my topper to day and I love it! Picture before and today - 8.24.18 below.