kristieshannon

Mounjaro/Zepbound = tirzepatide Ozempic/Wegovy = semaglutide

Gorgeous, and your shoes are amazing!

I didn’t have a belt lipectomy, but I did have an extended tummy tuck. I didn’t buy a recliner, but did buy a set of wedge pillows off Amazon for about $50. They were worth it and made sleeping much more comfortable. One big wedge under my head/shoulders and a smaller one under my knees.

I often still, even 5 years out from my VSG, will see something in a store and think “that’ll never fit me” or “no way I can pull that off”. Today I was out shopping for a holiday party dress and saw this. Made myself try it on and bought it! You can’t tell so much from the pic, but it’s a burgundy burnt out velvet. I can’t wait for next weekend to show it off!

Progesterone can make you mildly sleepy, so take it at bedtime.

When I first started working nights it took me a couple months to adjust. A couple things I’ve done to improve my sleep: I have double layer black out blinds. My bedroom is an absolute cave. I use a white noise machine to block out daytime noises. I work 7pm-7am. I cut off caffeine at 1am and don’t drink any more fluids after 4am. I have a small, protein containing snack around 5am. I’ve done nights off and on through my 18 years as a nurse, currently on nights now. It does get better after your body gets used to sleeping during daytime hours!

Hottie alert!!

2013 vs now

I LOVE Somebody Feed Phil! Such a fun show and I adore his goofy personality.

Honestly I have no idea what actual size I was. I was only wearing sports bras pre-op but had a whole lot of loose flesh. Just empty sacks of skin really. Mine are the “gummy bear” type of silicone implant, and were placed under the muscle.

Shoulda’ added a pic :)

Mine are 375cc moderate profile. I told my doc I wanted to be about a D cup. Turns out I’m a 32G. Drop and fluff-I guess that’s what I’d call it. Mine looked weirdly squared along the bottom, the rounded out after a couple months. I’m still thrilled with my results almost 4 years later.

This was very disconcerting to me. I’d been overweight most of my adult life. I found it pretty insulting that I was now “worthy” of male attention. That feeling has settled down, but I still can’t say I’m 100% comfortable with the attention.

Congratulations! You’ve been an inspiration to many, me for sure. I love the scientific info you share!

I have the weird post-covid effect of yogurt (all yogurts!) tasting metallic. So cottage cheese has replaced it for me. I eat mine with a handful of blueberries and a sprinkle of chopped walnuts.

I would start the habit now of following your surgical team’s instructions to a T. I think most who have had long term success here did just that. I know it helped me immensely in my first year, when I lost the most weight, to do what they said rather than trust my own instincts which led me to being overweight in the first place.

People aren’t responding with questions because they don’t believe you, rather because more information about the situation gives us more to go off of in order to give you good advice. This is in general a kind and helpful community with lots of folks with many years experience under their belts.

I should have added, this was in 2021 so I’m sure prices have gone up a bit.

Prices vary wildly across the country. I had an extended tummy tuck, breast lift/augmentation, and arm lift. I was quoted as high as $40,000 in Seattle. I ended up having it done in Miami and paid $16,000.

I’m 5 years out from my surgery. I can eat a small amount of pasta or rice now-and do enjoy it when I do. But I fill my plate with meat and veggies and just have a few bites of the pasta or rice.

It’s been 5 years so my memory is super clear, but I do remember being given a 1oz med cup in the hospital. I believe I was told to drink one of those full of protein shake every hour while awake. So assuming 16 hours awake that is 16 oz so just about 1.5 shakes. I think that was for the first week, then increased after that. All programs do vary with their instructions though!

My boys (Finn on the left, Guinness on the right) love all the long walks they get to take. And are particularly fond of cleaning up mom’s leftovers since I don’t usually finish the food on my plate :)

5 shakes per day? Never! I think max I ever had was 2 or maybe 3 in a day. I drink premier protein, so 30g protein each. I think at 5 a day (so 150g protein) is even more protein than most body builders need. I’m 5 years out now. Still drink 1/day for breakfast and am able to hit my 90g daily protein goal easily with food.

Yes this! At 5’3” and petite I often look like I’m swimming in things. I’m smaller on top, so in particular many sleeves are too long and shoulders too big.

I’ve tried various things through the 5 years since my surgery. Regular gyms, kickboxing gyms, walking, running, yoga. What I’ve found works for me is just doing activities I enjoy. I discovered (once my butt was small enough to fit in one) that I love kayaking. And in the last year or so I’ve been getting in to cycling. I don’t walk a ton for exercise anymore, but have found I love to walk around cities I visit when traveling, and walk my dog several times a day. Once the weight came off all of these things became easier and more enjoyable.