Arabesque

Love that you massaged the kale & spinach. Sounds so intimate. 😉 I’m a giant bowl of salad every day person too regardless the weather. Chicken or prawns & never skimp on the dressing. Mmmm. Can’t wait for lunch. I used to scramble 2 eggs & it would take me three days to eat them @slimbunny so like you. Could eat one egg by maintenance & still can’t eat 2 scrambled eggs almost 2 1/2 years out. I sometimes make a three egg omelette with various vegetables & eat half for lunch & the other half for dinner. It took me a while to meet my protein goal every day but my surgeon was happy if I was close to hitting it. I found a good high protein yoghurt & yoghurt drink that helped ge close to goal so I didn’t have to have shakes (🤢).

Exactly as @Hop_Scotch said. It’s the way it goes for all of us. You may have odd weeks you lose more others you lose less but you’ll find your general trend, while still downwards, does slow. Just wish surgeons, nutritionalists, etc. would tell people this. It would save a lot of angst & worry. Heaps of home workouts videos on you tube from low to higher impact, strength training, yoga, etc. I bought some resistance bands & you could also buy some weight cuffs for ankles & wrists. Congrats on your weight loss so far.

You are absolutely correct @RickM. Though I should have explained that maltodextrin is used to sweeten (& thicken) foods. So the labelling while correct is also misleading. Maltodextrin is just a sugar alternative they use so they can say no added sugar but it has the same calories as sugar, will spike your blood sugar levels more than sugar & does nothing to reduce your craving for sugar & sweet tasting foods. It is a real challenge to find foods that don’t have added sugar, sugar alternatives or artificial sweeteners in them these days - nigh on impossible. I swear they’re all out to get us & keep that addiction going strong. It took time & effort but I’ve neutralised most of my desire for sweet things & find sweet foods are crazily too sweet. If I want anything sweet I go to fruit. Reading the nutrition panel & ingredient list is really important so you can make the most informed & best decision for you. But as I said the protein component is the most important consideration in the first weeks.

It’s likely swelling from the surgery. I had the same issue for the first 3 or 4 days. It improved a lot after that. I found warm drinks easier to swallow than cold or room temp ones. That first cup of green tea I had was bliss. Don’t be afraid to warm your shakes. I used to heat my Chocolate shakes & pretend they were hot chocolate - took a real lot of imagination though 😉.

OMG! Just remembered I still had the dress. Da daa… The shirring doesn’t seem to have perished & if I keep my arms close to my body (so no one can really see my loose skin 😉) I think I can wear it again. WIN.

Didn’t have enough to worry about that when I wire them back then 😂. But I had a a dress & a jumpsuit with shirred bodices about 15yrs ago when I was an Aust size 10/12 & wore size 12E bras & I’d go bra less when I’d wear them. The shirring was firm & offered enough support. Oh the joy of being braless. Bliss! You look gorgeous in the newest dress & all eyes will be on you.

Add some soluble fibre (look for non swelling ones) to your soups, shakes etc. it will help make things a bit ‘firmer’. I used Benefibre for months to boost my fibre intake & help with regularity.

Maltodextrin is closely related to corn syrup & contains the same number of calories as sugar so the no added sugar line is really just twisting words so you think it’s better/healthier for you. What’s the protein content per serve? After surgery looking for a high protein content is important - gotta aim to reach that 60+g a day goal. Protein shakes are are the better choice because of their high protein content. Also try some bone broths. Don’t rely just on the low fat, no added sugar, lite, etc. labels on products - a lot of misleading advertising. Checking the ingredient lists (listed from the largest percentage to least) & nutrition panels will become a way of life. Good luck & hope your surgery goes well.

I ate the meat (bolognese) sauce alone but when I got to the next stage of solid foods I’d add fresh zucchini noodles occasionally primarily to ensure I was eating more protein at first. PS - the dried high protein vegetable pastas still contain flour so something best to try closer to or at maintenance. Personally I found they sat heavily in my tummy (even at about 2 yrs) but I may try them again in the future. Congrats on your surgery.

Aah, so it looks like the skirt is shirred. I love shirring. My mum made me a shirred top & shirred bodice dress for me when I was about 10 which I’ve never forgotten. Amusingly many designers have made the exact same shirred bodice dress in the last 12 months. Fashion does go around even if it takes 40yrs. Actually the dress would probably almost fit me again if I still had it. 😆 https://www.net-a-porter.com/en-au/shop/product/ganni/clothing/midi-dresses/ruffled-smocked-checked-organic-cotton-blend-seersucker-midi-dress/2009602782814 Oh, I hear you about the short girl problems. All the trousers that are loo long, sleeves drooping over my fingers & looking swamped in dresses & jackets. Sigh.

Aaah, the ‘tummy says no’ fun & games. So annoying cause you can eat something yesterday no problem, then today it’s no way & tomorrow it’s fine again. It’s why I described my tummy as a petulant two year old who’d randomly & unpredictably throw tantrums. Thank gracious it does get better.

Unfortunately the feeling of failing is very common. A lot of it comes from poor information from your surgeon & your team. I don’t understand why they don’t prepare people better on what to expect. It would greatly reduce a lot of the anxiety people experience after surgery. Makes me angry. So sorry your surgeon & team didn’t private you & don’t seem to be on your side through this. Ok, first. The heady amounts of weight you lose at the beginning doesn’t continue. The rate at which you lose will reduce as you get closer to goal & are eating more. Losing about 1-2lbs a week is pretty average by months 3 or 4. Some my lose more, others less. You will lose at your rate. Many factors affect the rate (age, starting weight, previous weight loss history, gender, etc.). Stalls (plateaus) happen. Think of them as your body taking a break to come to terms with the stress of the diet & weight loss. You may stall from 1-3 weeks at a time. Every pound you lose is a win. Sorry but eating one meal a day is ridiculous. How are you able to consume 60g of protein plus a variety of other nutrient sources in one meal? It’s physically impossible for you! No wonder you’re feeling hungry. You are hungry!!! Do you have a dietician/nutritionalist? Once eating solid foods the goal should be introducing healthy eating habits (when you eat, what you eat, why you eat) which is why we’re advised to eat 3 meals a day & some (like me) are encouraged to add snacks as we progress to ensure protein & other nutrient goals are being met. Your portion sizes will increase as you progress too. Eat slowly. Don’t be afraid to graze on a meal for 30+ minutes if necessary. It takes time for the message you’re full to get through. I still try to eat only until I’ve had enough. (Do I really need the next bite or just want it?) Keep protein the biggest part of any meal or snack & eat it first if possible. Having a small amount of whole or multi grain carbs is ok - I was allowed to eat rolled oats from the purée stage. I even could have any fruit from around months 3/4. I went to my dietician every two weeks but honestly, I worked most of my eating plan out myself - she just confirmed I was making sensible choices & suggested some alternatives. You have to work out a way of eating that works for you & while you’re losing is the perfect time to begin. Do lots of reading (avoid the fad stuff - they’re never sustainable), reflect on your eating habits (trigger foods, foods you crave, what drives you to eat, weight gain/loss history, etc.) & how your lifestyle may impact your eating plan in the future (you have to be able to maintain a weight you’re happy & healthy at while still being able enjoy your life). A too restrictive diet will fail because it will limit you enjoying your life. You will get where you want to be. Good luck.

You look just smashing in that lavender grey rib dress & jacket @Sophie7713 and I love the buckle detail on your new shoes. The sheep is really sweet too. What’s the detail on the skirt of the lantern sleeve dress @ms.sss? It looks really interesting. The pencil skirt looks fabulous on you - I vote for getting it altered if possible. PS - Had some Botox for the first time this morning - not a Botox virgin anymore. Had it put in my chin - was starting to suffer from old lady chin & (hopefully) we won’t be wearing masks for ever 😉. Was actually looking at some cheek fillers but it wouldn’t give me the gentle lift needed. Plus because of my bee allergy I can never have fillers. Not because of the fillers but because of the neutraliser that reverses the filler (if ever needed). Learn something new everyday.

Actually while drinking it I thought I know someone who would also enjoy this 😂😂😂. And yes, it was refreshingly delicious on a warm Spring day in Brisbane (before the storm hit!) . OMG @Starwarsandcupcakes. Your cookies would tempt a saint. PS - If you want a giggle have a look at Grace Dent, the noted British restaurant critic, on Instagram being almost orgasmic eating roast potatoes dipped in mayo & white bread toast with Nutella & banana.

You won’t be restricted to just having to eat pasta & pizza when in Italy. Italian’s also eat a wide range of meats & seafood without pasta or rice. If you are limited by menu choices try to eat the protein in the dish before the pasta & opt for tomato based sauces not creamy ones. Pop into grocery stores & purchase tubs of yoghurt & any other available food stuffs which would keep up your protein levels. I love the card idea to explain your eating situation. By four months I was easily eating steak (thick cuts cooked to medium rare so still very juicy) but yes some can’t tolerate it yet. I’d contact the cruise ship line & ask them what foods you could take with you. Would think powdered protein shakes would be ok. Hope you have a wonderful time.

Had to look after niece #3 yesterday but before my brother went to a parent information session at her new school, we had a late lunch early dinner. My niece wanted Mexican & the only thing on the menu without chilli I could eat was … calamari (why is it always calamari?) as they could omit the chilli salt. It was a starter & the waiter said several times it was a very small portion & I’d want to order something else - good grief!! I ate most of it with some help from my niece. Also drank most of the passion fruit & lychee margarita. 😁

Scrambled all the way. Don’t mind the odd omelette with celery, capsicum, spinach, mushrooms & of course cheese. Never been fond of poached except as eggs Benedict & smothered in hollandaise sauce but that’s off the menu now 😁

That’s sounds a perfect job for you @Dtrain84 as it ties into your previous career as a police officer. What a lovely photo of you & your daughter @kristieshannon. Her lace dress is so pretty. And I agree - you do look alike. Had another visit with the hand therapy place today & decided to wear this slim fit panelled dress with cowl neckline & pouch at the hem. Skirt is very fitted though the hem restricting my stride so I had a real wriggle walk happening as I strutted down the street 😆 It was 5 weeks yesterday since I decided to add extra protein to my quiche busy slicing a chunk off my thumb & it’s just about fully healed now (was still oozing a little from one spot until yesterday). Just dealing with some hypersensitivity & dry peeling skin. You can just see a faint line from the skin graft. I was so excited last week as I was finally able to put on a real bra for the first time - I just couldn’t do the hooks up before then without causing my thumb pain & discomfort. Such a silly little thing but boy you need your thumb for soooo much.

Your fears are understandable but the slow staged return to eating (liquids - purées - soft - solid) allows for your tummy’s healings. If you are a bit concerned to jump to soft food, try some purées first then ensure your soft food is still sloppy with small easy to chew lumps & no coarse bits. It is just as important to get your tummy used to digesting food again. If you keep to your small portions & eat slowly as well you’ll be ok.

It’s a personal a thing. You know your strengths & weaknesses. I was an avoid sweet things person while I was losing - real sugar, artificial & alternatives. It is challenging as it seems like they put it in everything but avoiding it it did get rid of my desire for anything sweet. The first traditionally sweet thing I had was at Christmas (7 months after surgery & 1 month into maintenance) - I had a couple of teaspoons of Christmas cake & dessert. It was ok but I didn’t really want any more than what I ate. I don’t have desserts, cakes, biscuits, lollies, etc. much at all - go months without it. My sweet comes from fruit, yoghurt & a protein bar (low sugar ones cause a little sweet tastes crazy sweet to me now). I used to make chia pudding & flavoured it with vanilla if I really wanted something dessert-like.

I understand the not being interested in eating as I was the same. Wasn’t hungry either but I knew I had to eat to get nutrients into my body. I’d decided I wouldn’t rely on supplements & shakes but get everything I needed from what I ate. I ate scrambled eggs or rolled oats from when I was allowed - purée & soft foods stages - & tossed the shakes. You probably do need to start adding some solid ‘real’ foods into your diet especially if you’re weak & shaky . Try some thick vegetable & meat soups then some slow cooked stews & braises (perfect with your weather cooling now). You won’t eat much but you have to get your tummy used to digesting solid food again.

You may experience a lot of random discomfort because of your weight loss. A couple of months in I had discomfort across my upper back. Went to my acupuncturist & jokingly said wonder if it’s because all my bras are too big. That was the cause. Bought some new underwear & pain gone. As you lose weight your centre of gravity changes & you start holding yourself differently. Suddenly muscles, ligaments you haven’t used in a while become active. You might get achy hips, lower back pain, etc. I realised I was slouching because my tummy wasn’t there any more to support my upper body. Had to retrain myself to stand up straight. Or it could be nerves spasming & reorientation themselves after surgery. Not sure exactly why you are experiencing discomfort - just some suggestions. If it persists contact your surgeon again.

Yes to scrambled eggs made with 2 good splashes of milk. Also milky instant rolled oats, puréed vegetable soups made on bone broths, purée chicken with gravy or stock, soft boiled eggs mashed with a little Mayo or ricotta, yoghurt. I tried tuna & salmon but found the taste awful.

Your emotions are all up & down at the moment so it’s ok to be confused, angry, lost, miserable, etc. Take each day as it comes. Some will be great others challenging but it does get easier & better over time. Try some bone broth if you struggle with the shakes (they’re disgusting if you ask me) & some high protein drinking yoghurt (just watch the sugar & sweeteners as some have a lot). And the hair loss? Rather I temporarily lost some hair than still be obese. Good luck.

Very nice indeed @kristieshannon. And I’m not stunned it’s a size 4. You’re very slim. How did the date go? Congrats on the new job, @Dtrain84. What does it entail? Bought this rib knit skirt & top back in winter & finally wore it last week. And surplus it’s navy! The skirt has one of those sneaky high splits that you don’t notice until you sit down & hello. It’s actually higher than the 2nd pxt shows - reaches to a couple of inches below the knicker line.