Kay07

I have oddly enough. I would say it is similar in taste, but not exact. I kind of felt it had an earthier flavor to it, less rich. Not bad though. I had it mixed with high flavor items though so its possible it was a mix of things rather than the norm.

I kind of adore you @Matt Z, in a totally non-creepy way. Especially when you get snarky ;). Incredibly insightful post. Posts like this, to me, are essential for all pre-op and recent post-op folks because it reinforces the commitment behind this surgery. Sometimes we focus so hard on the I-want-it-now mentality. Despite popular stereo-types, this really is not a quick-fling type of ordeal. It's more like a in-it-for-the-long-haul-in-fact-let's-get-married ordeal. It's emotional, it's frustrating, it's amazing, it's terrifying, it's freeing. You have ups and downs both emotionally and physically, and it truly requires a strong desire to change. Great great post!

GROUP PHOTOS! In large group photos it's like a freaking "where's Waldo" scenario now because I no longer look for the larger mass. I blend in! I know this is a silly thing to get excited over, but before I could spot myself immediately because I typically stood out. Now it takes me a little longer to find myself in a sea of average sized people and I am totally cool with that. In smaller group photos I am pretty excited about not taking up a majority of the photo so joy all around!

Agreed with all the above, especially @FluffyChix about the cocoa powder being a PITA to dissolve in a cold liquid. If you want a smoothie consistency, adding milk alone isn't going to do it. Ice can but I found that it often melts too fast since I don't drink them quickly. I almost always use either greek yogurt or cottage cheese in my shakes. Now I hate cottage cheese, but man does it make one super thick and creamy smoothie! I.E. 1/2 cup cottage cheese 1 scoop protein powder 1 tbs unsweetened cocoa powder 2 tsp stevia (or to taste, I use 2 packets which I think is 2 teaspoons) 1/4 cup almond milk As the others mentioned, frozen banana is a good way to thicken it up, as is avocado though I would recommend that more for savory shakes. I like it with peanut butter and spinach personally but it's not for everyone. My blender of choice: Ninja. That thing is my baby.

My apologies! So... I started taking the one-a-day 2 weeks after surgery because the 5 other vitamins (including ones that mix with water) made me super nauseous. And I had been taking pill form of prilosec already so I clearly had the swallowing capabilities (<--hehe teenage me is giggling because adulting is boring).

Thank you! It’s been a great journey! I buy them at any grocery store, but they have them at bjs and cosco too! I am super careful about sugar because it really does breed a desire for more, but these make me feel slightly less guilty...

I take a women’s one a day since the Bariatric kinda made me super sick. But I also take extra calcium and b12. I also need more bit D since New Englanders are pretty much always deficient in that...

❤️ Love this time of year... not that I let the time of year stop me from watching cheesy holiday romances....

Honestly? You may not have this moment for several months. We stare so much at ourselves in the mirror, just waiting for those changes to flash us a neon sign saying "Here! Here look this is soooo much thinner!" but that's not really how it happens. It took a few months for me before I looked in the mirror and saw myself. And it wasn't I looked in there and said "Damn you fine!" or anything like that. In fact I looked practically deranged since I just come back from my first real run in several years. I was sweaty and gross and blotchy and covered in gnats because summer running sucks... but I really saw a difference. I was capable. That was my "aha!" moment. There are some people who drop 30lbs, but are still in the same sizes. They drop 60lbs and have only dropped 1 pant size. There are some people who drop 15lbs and drop 2 sizes. How we hold our weight is so very different from person to person. So if your looking for each little tiny change, you may miss the bigger picture. Instead, focus on some other aspects. Could you walk further this week than last? Did those stairs kick your ass as much as yesterday? I found this to be very very motivating!

I literally just snorted out my water. 🤣

Not going to lie, @BigViffer I love reading your posts. As someone who wanted to make sure my recovery included a heavy amount of exercise (I refused to be one of those people who viewed exercise as optional since the "surgery will make me lose weight anyways.") I have made it my goal to research as much as I could. Your fitness posts have always been helpful!

When I first began my workout regimen, I started with the weight on my body. I started with air squats and lunges, getting my body used to the movement. This honestly helped me significantly with nailing down my form. You want to make sure your doing the movements correctly before you start adding in higher weights. After about two weeks of keeping the routine, that's when I added in the weights. Youtube is GREAT but do make sure you find someone who is reputable because you can really hurt yourself if you do the movements incorrectly. 1.) I would recommend kettleballs, I honestly enjoy my exercises with these much more than free weights. I have shoulder pain on my left side that makes it hard to lift weight over my head, but the way you hold a kettleball doesn't irritate it at all. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B072KSK1HT/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&amp;th=1. There is a set that comes with the DVD, though to be honest I did not have to use it as I received my instruction directly from a cousin. 2.) Resistance bands are great and inexpensive. They are also versatile. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0739ZJJYW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s01?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1 3.) I ordered very basic free weights in 5, 8, and 10lbs. Again with my shoulder, there are a few exercises I struggle with. However I couple my free weights with an exercise ball for some of my workouts and it is great! I used only those things for the first few months of my training, and still use them to this day in addition to my OTF routine.

Yeah my boobs haven't suffered too bad, I am actually quite thankful! I could stand to go down in size though... even at my thinnest was a "34C" (but really a D, but I was in denial). I am actually super excited that I have gone down to a 38DD right now!

I won't lie, I never would have claimed to have had an amazing bum, or anything to inspire poetry, but at least there was something! I kid you not even my workout leggings that are tight as heck highlight that my lower back pretty much goes straight into thighs... LOL

I am glad the two of you discussed it and were able to clear the air! I too distrusted my husband's exclamations of beauty, but since clearing the air with him about the texts, I have found myself able to enjoy his words a bit easier. However I am trying to steer myself away from focusing on his words and instead focus on my own. I am thankfully not one to let fester. I am very direct, so if I think it or feel it, I usually blurt it out with the force of an aluminum baseball bat. I think that's why this shift in my feelings, like being cringe-worthy levels of flustered when complimented is just so not me that it has battled with my feeling of knowing who I am. As has my obvious bitterness over discovering my husband's messages with another woman (in his defense, they were not sexual in nature but more disrespectful regarding our relationship). I felt like I didn't measure up, and that was not something I enjoyed. However it has sparked this two month long self reflection that has at least made me aware of some insecurities I hadn't really known existed, or perhaps I knew and just never had the reason to justify confronting them.

I’ll start incorporating them! I like that it will strengthen core too, as that’s an area I want to focus too

Sea salt caramel Yasso bars... may be Greek yogurt but they still pack a sugar punch so I limit myself to only having one on those days where I am rewarding myself for not punching someone 😊 (It’s easy to ration them since they are kind of pricey. I try not to have one more than once a week.

Hello! My calories range from 1100-1300, however I had to implement some heavier hitting foods because of how active I am. Was struggling for energy for a while when my activity went beyond my ability to eat. I had to implement some fuller fat items and a few higher calorie foods. However I just hit 102lbs down from starting this ordeal and 75lbs down from surgery on May 14 so I am feeling pretty happy.

Hahahahahaha! Fluffy I adore you.

You have to do it carefully since hot liquid curdles Protein Powder but no it doesn’t affect nutritional value.  

You are beautiful! Congratulations on your accomplishment!

This is pretty much the same timeline as me. I was cleared for cardio at 2 weeks, weights at 1 month, and full cleared at 3. I was doing OTF at about 4 months post op.

There are several treatments they can attune you to post-op if your normal method isn't accessible. I also have migraines and they had to tweak my meds a bit. It also depends on which surgery you are going for. Are you RNY or VSG?

I know many people conduct food funerals. I don't know why I didn't, I just kind of said enough was enough but I am pretty much the lone wolf in that regards. A lot of people felt a sense of closure when they had the last of their favorites before going into the more rigorous diets required for their pre-op. Do exactly what you feel like will give you the best sense of peace moving forward. If your a coffee aficionado though, I would HIGHLY recommend breaking that caffeine addiction PRIOR to your pre-op liquid diet because dealing with withdrawals while also going through the "I could eat my arm off but all I get is this protein shake" phase would be HELL. I was so so so thankful I quit caffeine immediately and had 2 months to recover before I had to recover from surgery too.