fourmonthspreop

Hey! I was wondering for those who have started taking vitamin capsules instead of chewable vitamins, how do you take your calcium? I know you can't take iron and calcium together so if I get some capsules when should I take the calcium chewable? I will ask my doctor but I want to know what you guys are doing/what's worked with you and your blood tests. Thanks!

I got sent home with a velcro binder that really helped with the soreness after my surgery. I wore it for about 2 weeks. I bought a post partum binder recently since I've lost 100 lbs and my stomach is full of lumpy saggy skin. It might be a little too small because it squishes my loose skin upwards giving me back rolls so I'm not sure it's the best one. It's also super short and I have a very long torso so I need to keep looking. This is what it looks like. If anyone has found any good shape wear for stomach loose skin, I'd love to know too! Sent from my SM-G975U using BariatricPal mobile app

I cant do bananas either! They make me nauseous Sent from my SM-G975U using BariatricPal mobile app

It's the most hard in the beginning but things go back to normal (as normal as they can feel after wls). You'll eventually be able to eat certain foods out and enjoy yourself but you'll know your limits and no, food will not be the main reason you're there and that's okay. In fact it's wonderful. It's a part of surgery (beyond weight loss) that doesn't get talked about enough. If you put the work in , food will be there but it will no longer keep you prisoner in your own life because moderation and eating what makes your body feel best will become your main priority. I have a lot of hobbies but I find that instead of eating or focusing on food I have a new found confidence to focus on people....talk to people, not feel self conscious about how I look or what I'm eating, connecting with others when I can. Beyond losing weight, this surgery really freed me from my food prison and I feel like I can open up to other people now that I'm m not hiding and I'm not scared. This is a great thing and I find I am no longer planning around meals but planning around activities, seeing other people and making time to connect. On a less whimsical note, if I feel like eating and know it wouldn't be a good idea I drink tea, diet soda, or chug a lot of water. If I'm still like I want to eat I honor that by eating a high protein snack like a cheese stick or half a protein shake and move on with my day. Sent from my SM-G975U using BariatricPal mobile app

Another weird NSV but shopping less and having a fuller pantry. Because of how little I can eat, I don't need to buy groceries like I used to. I use to spend so much money on groceries and go through them within a week because I ate so much. But now I'm spending less money and my pantry is fuller longer. It almost feels like a bariatric super power as I see my roommate buy hundreds of dollars worth of groceries and go through it within a week! I can make one 100 dollar trip last 20 days! Of course I spend a fortune ordering my fairlife shakes online hahaha Sent from my SM-G975U using BariatricPal mobile app

I feel this! I went out last week on Friday to the bars and walked 4 miles and went dancing. My friend who is a bit heavier was complaining of being sore the next day and I didn't feel any soreness when in the past, my legs and knees would've been in pain. Def an NSV for me. Sent from my SM-G975U using BariatricPal mobile app

This is really true. It depends the food, what surgery you had, how it was done, how tight your esophagus is etc. I find that I can eat one serving of most foods at a time too. Usually like 1 egg and I feel full. I can however resume eating within 1-2 hours pretty easily but you have to be careful not to eat too much throughout the whole day if you need to take a break in the middle of your meal. Sometimes I need a break after two bites because it feels so tight in my throat. But yeah then there are foods I can eat more of like salad, cheese, and bread. I can also eat more than the recommended serving size of chips or crackers but that tends to make me very nauseous so I avoid it. Pureed foods like refried beans, light soups, and yogurt I can eat in large amounts but again I don't because it makes me nauseous. For example today, I had a protein shake for breakfast and felt fine for 4 hours. Then made lunch as i started feeling low energy. made a sandwich for lunch with some protein chips. I use low calorie low carb small slices of bread (45 calorie slice) 45 calorie slice of cheese and 40 calories worth of plant based lunch meat. I got through a bit over half of the sandwich and three chips from a 160 calorie serving bag. Won't finish it, feel satisfied and know if I went back for more I'd start feeling nauseous. Sent from my SM-G975U using BariatricPal mobile app

Tell me about it! I never wore high boots before because I didn't want to spend the time finding thr wide calf boots. Even booties were tight around my ankles and now there's room and I don't need a wide size. It's nice! Sent from my SM-G975U using BariatricPal mobile app

Omg SAME. I had compacted stool within 3 weeks post op and almost went to the ER. Dealt with it myself saved myself a fortune in ER bills and my pride. It's still bad but not as bad as it was 1-2 months post op. I still have stomach pains, bowel pain, feel sluggish and nauseous from how backed up I get. Sent from my SM-G975U using BariatricPal mobile app

I wish someone told me how constipated I'd be and how that's normal. I'm like 5 months out and still can't go regularly most days because of the high protein diet. I pop stool softeners like it's candy lol Sent from my SM-G975U using BariatricPal mobile app

You don't owe anyone an explanation. I stick to telling people I feel it'd be important for them to know which is virtually no one haha. I told my immediate family and my best friends, that's it. I told my boss I was having digestion issues and needed surgery. Sent from my SM-G975U using BariatricPal mobile app

Some recent nsv's - Not having the shower curtain stick to my body while showering - Not being sweaty in 100 degree weather -In fact I find I am washing my clothes less because I dont sweat at all - Weird but I had bad body odor around my breasts when I was heaviest because I sweated so much there and now I don't have that issue at all -my calves fit into high boots -I can wear most women's XLs and Ls (before I was an xxxl+) -I can go thrifting now. Nothing fit me before at most thrift stores but I can easily find clothes in the large and xl racks. - my friends telling me that I don't need to use a plus size dating app anymore lol and meeting a guy off of the app who asked me why I was using a plus size dating app [emoji854] Sent from my SM-G975U using BariatricPal mobile app

I know this is posted on here time and time again but I'm so frustrated. I'm getting ready for a cross country move. I really imagined that by this time I'd be in the 230s. I have stalled out for the last 3 or 4 weeks and am so frustrated about it. I keep going in between 248 and 251. I don't know if this is maintenance because im only a bit over 4 months post op from gastric bypass. I have definitely increased my calories but am eating in a deficit. My BMR is around 1900 and I'm eating in between 1000 and 1300 a day plus exercise. I have been slacking in water and have not been having protein shakes at all because I'm getting a decent amount through solid food and don't want the extra cals. How do I get past this? I'm going to stay off the scale until the end of next week but I'm still feeling really down and bad about myself. I feel like a disgusting fat mess honestly. I haven't had these feelings since pre op and I just need to vent about it. I was experiencing a period of mania a week ago for a good 2 weeks straight (I'm bipolar) and missed some of my meds. I think I might be crashing and going through a depressive state. It's not super bad but the weight loss stall is making me have a lot of negative self image and feelings of failure. Should I just get back on liquids for a week or something? I'm losing my mind and getting depressed as hell. I'm taking my meds regularly again. I really only missed like 3 or 4 days and I take a small dosage. So I'm hoping to even back out soon but the stall is messing with my brain and confidence. What do you do? Sent from my SM-G975U using BariatricPal mobile app

Definitely! I've been really good about keeping on track with my meds lately. Taking it day by day. Really just making sure I cross off my protein and water for the day and workout. I broke my stall as of the last time I checked. I've actually dropped about 8 more lbs since moving. I am trying to have faith and confidence in myself that as long as I'm doing things right, the weight comes off. Sent from my SM-G975U using BariatricPal mobile app

I think you can only add it from the website. Not the app. At least not android users Sent from my SM-G975U using BariatricPal mobile app

Without insurance, there isn't really a long wait. They moreso want you to be ready for it so it's kind of in your control without insurance. I think it's different depending on where you're at and how you present to them during the initial consultation. I was not given a weight loss goal or timeframe but I was also told some people are, it just depends. I came into my consultation incredibly depressed and recently diagnosed with bipolar disorder which is why my preparation was more about the mental health stuff. I was told to seek counseling because I have an eating disorder (which I was already doing), 3 months of nutrition visits, and pass a psych eval. Once I got that done, they approved me for the EKG, endoscopy, and pre-op bloodwork. They basically said once I complete those (plus establishing care with a primary care doc), I was good to schedule my surgery. I prolonged it for 3 months extra and did extra nutrition because I was still deep into counseling and wanted to make sure my mind was right before jumping into it. So my first visit was in July 2021 I believe and I had my surgery on February 14 2022 in short.

My arm flab for reference Sent from my SM-G975U using BariatricPal mobile app

Check out Dr. Dietrich at Advent Health Bariatric. Incredible program, state of the art facilities and holistic approach to weight loss. Sent from my SM-G975U using BariatricPal mobile app

I did Advent tampa with dietrich. Highly recommend. Sooooo state of the art in surgery, hospital stay, medicine. Very holistic approach to weight loss. They want you to get your mind right along with your eating habits and understand there's a mind body connection in morbid obesity. Dr D very cleverly placed my incisions so one of completely out of sight. He's incredibly thorough, kind, and caring. I felt listened to the whole time by everyone. I paid out of pocket because my insurance didn't cover it. Costs over 25k for everything (Dr visits, blood work, mental health, endoscopy, ekg, hospital stay, surgery, nutritionist) and came with free appointments up to 90 days post op. Loved the experience. Sent from my SM-G975U using BariatricPal mobile app

Just wanted to update here, I broke my stall. Stepped on the scale today since writing the first post here. Am at 243 now. I feel okay about it. I am going to stay off the scale until next month because mentally, I am having a hard time facing the numbers and feeling okay with my progress and the way my body looks. There's a lot of self-hatred I need to undo and the scale is not helping me with that. Thanks for all your kind wishes and praise. I know we're all on different stages of this journey and it's never easy. I truly get so much from posting on this form and it's definitely changed my surgery journey for the better. Hope everyone is well xx

Hey! Glad to hear from everyone. I had my surgery Feb 14 and have lost about 66 lbs post OP and total weight loss 97 lbs in both pre and post op phases. I am feeling very mehh mentally. I was stalled out for a long time in the 250s but I recently broke the stall which is great but physically I really don't like how I look. I'm having a very hard time embracing the weight loss because my body still looks the same as it did at 340 lbs, just a smaller version now with loose and droopy skin. I cannot stop thinking about getting my arms done because I have huge loose upper arms with saggy droopy skin. It's 100+ degrees here and I refuse to wear short sleeve shirts never mind tank tops because I am so self-conscious about my arms. I am wearing long sleeve shirts and button-ups for now. I tried a girdle to suck me in but it just makes the loose skin on my armpit/back stick out and looks HORRIBLE. I am honestly having a really hard time accepting myself. I look in the mirror and still see a huge person and the fact that I'm not at my weight loss goal really adds to it. I'm also losing my hair and my front hair line is so thinned out, if my hair gets oily there's a bald spot on the left front side that is almost impossible to cover up. I just feel so ugly. I am trying to wash my hair less (because the majority of it falls out in the shower), brush it incredibly gently, and sleep on a silk pillowcase but I'm not sure there's much else to do about hair loss, just let the thing run its course and it is supposed to come back within a year. Dying my hair dark, dark brown helps it look fuller. Physically I feel better but still deal with crunching knee pain, I think that's just from having no cartilage in the knee and needs a medical intervention beyond weight loss. The knee pain overall has improved but there's no cartilage in my right knee and it still gets very painful. On the bright side I can run and run up stairs without getting out of breath. I don't sweat unless I'm doing something very strenuous too to the intense heat and long sleeves doesn't bother me too much because I don't really get that hot. I am only allowing weigh-ins once a month from here on out because I was obsessive about it and the number makes me incredibly depressed. I am not concerned about my diet or my movement - I follow what I'm supposed to be doing well so there's no sense in stepping on the scale every day. And the last two times I've checked the number went down from my previous stall. All the loose skin, lumps, nothing is flat or smooth and I'm still in my 20's, haven't had kids and am just so upset I did this to myself. I am obviously very happy about the weight loss but it's like now that a lot of weight has come off, I am now mentally dealing with the shame and regret I feel in letting myself get as heavy as I was. In the moment, I didn't think about it because I was so disconnected from my body - I always thought it's not that bad but now that I see how much my body has changed, I feel ashamed of myself. I am really working on "owning" my body at this point. I want to have a plastics consultation to see when and how they'd be willing to operate on me but until then, I just need to realize what's changed for the better. I just wish the body dysmorphia and self-hatred would go away but as everyone says, it doesn't. You still have to put the work in and that's my main priority right now. Anyway, sorry I am kind of venting here. Thanks if you made it this far. I'm incredibly interested to hear how everyone is doing too, physically, mentally, etc.

Hopefully that's it! I've been so active and barely eating but I am not getting on that scale because it has so much control over my mood. I'm just going to keep doing what I'm doing and maybe in a couple of weeks I'll check but I'm slowly realizing how much power the number has over me and how I need that to not be a thing because I am sick of hating myself. Sent from my SM-G975U using BariatricPal mobile app

Ommgg I'm not at my goal weight yet but I feel this. The biggest thing is how my heart literally races, my face turns red and I shake when I need to get on an airplane. I've learned by traveling a lot recently that seat belts fit with room but in my mind I still feel like that 340 lb person waiting to be embarrassed to find out the seat belt won't fit or barely closes. When I tell you my heart RACES still, it's crazy. I wonder when it won't be such an anxiety provoking moment. I also have body dysmorphia and still feel like I'm at my heaviest most days. It's a big long mental journey too. Sent from my SM-G975U using BariatricPal mobile app

It's possible! I have a small bicep muscle showing now when i flex which was not there before. I just want the number to drop though ughhhh to be less than 250 lbs a girl can dream LOL Sent from my SM-G975U using BariatricPal mobile app

I dont measure myself but I have like small goal clothes I try on periodically that are always looser when I do. I do feel though my body hasn't changed much in fact the last 3 weeks....mostly I look in the mirror and still see a 340 lb girl. Physically though I feel a lot better, ive had a surplus of energy but with the bipolar depression, mentally i have been just wanting to sleep all day thr past week. But i get up and down off the ground with ease, can run without getting out of breath, can do stairs without getting out of breath, and my knee pain is a lot better although the past week it's been flaring up which is causing me pain and discomfort. I know Physically I'm a lot better off but when that number doesn't change, I get really low and filled with despair. I need to adjust my thinking and be more accepting that the journey isn't linear. I wish my brain wasn't so messed up. Gratitude and greatfulness is everything. I am trying so hard to internalize that. Sent from my SM-G975U using BariatricPal mobile app