ms.sss

I think genetics plays a big part of it too...years ago when I had a breast reduction my surgeon told me I have hyper-pigmentation and that I will likely have scars that won't fade to my liking. He was right. Its been over 15 years and the scars are still visible...a lot better than before, but it took a while (1-2 years) to get to an acceptable level for me. Its been almost 8 months since my sleeve and my scars from that are still dark and raised. I knew it would be this way and I'm good with it. (Now that I'm getting plastics at the end of the year, I will probably end up looking like a verifiable Frankenstein naked. Mr. and the Kid suggest I get some tattoos not just as a cover up, but to increase my street cred. LOL)

Agreed. Some people can handle seeing the daily fluctuations and get on with their day, but for some others, that occasional 1/2 pound overnight gain causes anxiety and stress. Know what helps and what doesn't help you, and behave accordingly. I weigh myself every morning at the same time, wearing nothing at all. lol. Works for me

*raises hand*

nailed it.

Oh, I am brightened to read this. I am almost at 8 months and while I thought my hair loss stopped, I was sorely mistaken. While I love my short hair now (cut off in month 3 when I got sick of seeing my shed hair everywhere), I still would like the option to grow it out long again someday. I'm glad that yours came back after an extended period of loss...gives me something to hopefully look forward to myself.

I was intrigued with the idea of greek cream cheese after reading all this and found this site with instructions to make your own Looks easy.... https://lifeshouldcostless.com/diy-how-to-turn-greek-yogurt-into-cream-cheese/

Wow! I see a difference, and you look great! Going to the gym is magic. LOL. Congrats!

This was key for me. My mindset changed early on that parties/get-togethers were about the company and not about eating the food.

Earlier on, I could only drink a few sips of sparkling water at at time. It made me burp like crazy and I swear I could feel it travel through my stomach and intestines. Now (almost 8 months post op) I can drink sparkling water just fine, and in pre-op quantities. I suspect I do have issues drinking carbonated alcoholic drinks, but that is probably more because of the sugar content than the carbonation (a lesson I learned the hard way )

So last night I was so tired that I fell asleep on the couch around 6pm and woke up 12 and a half hours later. And I didn't get up to pee the entire time! It made me realize that I can hold my pee in waaaaaaaay longer than I used to. I remember having to go almost every 1-2 hours (even at night). Yay bladder control!!!

I didn't go to any weddings until recently, but I went to many a dinner party and get-togethers at peoples homes and restaurants/bars. In the beginning I brought protein powders along with me in a mix cup and just added water at my destination. When I got to solid foods, I'd check out the menu before I went to a restaurant for stuff I could eat and if there was nothing I cared for, I'd just eat before hand and drink water when I got there. If it was at someone's house, I would make/bring a pot-luck style entree and/or appetizer that I could eat. Also, I always have beef jerky in my purse wherever I go. But back to weddings, since you mentioned it specifically: it may prove difficult to eat a full-on contraband meal at the table...so maybe eat beforehand and bring some small snacks in your clutch to munch on between dances just in case ...or if the invite allows it, mention that you have special dietary restrictions, and the caterer may be able to fix a special plate for you. EDIT: remember, this is not forever, it is just just for now while you are in weight-loss mode and taking full advantage of the rapid-weight loss stage

Ooooh. This is a good one...never thought of it!

Right back at cha.

I timed my bites with the timer on my watch, and still do (I'm 7.5 months post op). In the earlier months it was about 15 mins minimum between 1-2 bites. Now I do 7-10 minutes between every 4-5 bites. Oh, and put down your fork/spoon/whatever between bites. And in the beginning, eat at the table and not in front of a screen or on the go to get yourself into the habit of slowing down.

Being on the receiving end of advice/comments/opinions from fellow bariatric patients is a lot easier to swallow/accept than from my mother-in-law

I have thought about this many times myself, but hesitated to say it out loud/type it out thinking that either I did actually develop an eating disorder and don't want to admit it, or that I am being over-analytical and hypochondriac-y. I took that test you provided a link for and I got zeros in everything except "Restrictive Eating" (2/6) and "Food Fears" (1/4). Which I sort of knew already and identified as my fear of carbs, and am currently working on it :). I don't believe (at least right now) that my carb-avoidance behaviours are impairing my quality of life nor resulting in negative self-worth/negative body image. Honestly I think that I am all that and a bag of chips these days. At most, I sometimes worry that I should be worrying more, if that makes any sense..but because of this I am keeping an eye on myself and mental well-being, so that's a good thing.

Day 2 for me too.

This. I am 7.5 months out today, and had my consult with one of those well sought after surgeons almost a month ago. By the time my scheduled surgery comes around I will be 14 months post-op. It would have been at 17 months post-op, but I got lucky and got placed on a newly opened date.

Though I haven't seen the effects of this yet as I still really need to up my calories more. I've been at 900 cal/day since last Wednesday which hasn't really had any effect on stopping the weight loss, which I sort of expected. *sigh*. I was at a party on Friday, and there was all sorts of food in abundance, and yet I still could not bring myself to eat items that were "off plan" even though I knew it would've been ok. I mean, I ate, I just ate the "healthier" stuff over the non-so-healthy stuff. Sometimes I wonder if I have a complex, or if this is just they way I eat now. *shrugs*. P.S. at this party my mother-in-law told me I need to gain some weight back because I have gotten too thin. While I may agree with her, I don't like her telling me so! *clenches fists*

I've added stuff like avocados, nuts (walnuts, brazil nuts) & nut butters, seeds (chia, pumpkin), and edamame in attempts to increase calories.

@Msdooloo you look smokin HOT.

I'm 7.5 months out, and at 900/day...but I'm working my way up to find my maintenance calorie level. (When I was in the losing phase though, I was like 500-650)

I have a giant tub of Isopure Dutch Chocolate. I like it because its the least sweet of all the powders I've tried (but if you like sweet, it may not be for you): https://www.bodybuilding.com/store/isopure/zero-carb.html?skuId=NB032&cb1560389876603=US I mix mine with 2 teaspoons of decaf instant coffee grinds. I've never added any fruit (too much sugar for me).