FifiLux

I have two bad knees, just bone on bone, and would not be able to walk or stand for long without being in agony that night in bed and sore for a day or two afterwards. Since the surgery the pain is much less, nearly zero, I do so much more and just have the aches I think would be normal from the exertion. For my upcoming trips (work and holiday ones) I will be on my feet a lot and doing a lot of walking so I am still going to get what has become my annual knee injections in the hospital in advance and bring a muscle gel with me on the trips but it is more just so I am not impacted at all while away so I can enjoy it. I am hoping that the ortho surgeon will say to give it longer before he sees a need to replace the knees now that there is considerably less weight on them.

Not boring and some of them were on my list of wins when I first started to lose the weight - my backside only taking up one seat on public transport, being able to get through a turnstile without having to turn sideways and performing some sort of gymnastics movement, being able to comfortably close the seatbelt on the plane, not fearing that every time a chair or bed creaked it was going to be the fault of my weight that caused something to break and not thinking that everyone was looking at and judging me when clothes shopping or eating. All dreams and wins count, big and small.

I am the same when it comes to the heat, I HATE it. A holiday in the heat/sun would be my idea of hell and the times I have had to do it I would melt within seconds and I would have chub rub on my thighs if I wore a sun dress. Then I would not want any part of me exposed, no way was I going to be seen in a swimsuit, couldn't get nice plus size summer clothes that would be a style I would wear all meant I felt like crap on a holiday when it is meant to be a relaxing fun time. I have gotten a bit better with the heat in the last couple of years but that is by my standards, what I consider hot is probably cold to say an Italian or Southern Spaniard I now either go out of season (also means cheaper prices) or to non sunny destinations. Like I went to the Spanish islands in May, perfect at 20c/68f with just blue skies and at least Washington next month should not be too hot plus it is the US so I am presuming everywhere except the sidewalk has aircon. You now have the time to think of some locations and plan a reward for yourself, you will have been through a lot and deserve the holiday.

I actually go to DC next month, wanted to get there (and back) before the election and hopefully have pleasant weather.

Also maybe you need to change your forum name to ShrinkingZ or PreviouslyKnownas...

You have done amazing. If it wasn't for the tats wouldn't even be sure it was you in the latest pics.

Great list. I took up pilates and like it so much the teacher is putting on an extra class each week for me, just have to hope others sign up also so she keeps them going. I am going on my long wanted holiday to D.C. I now know I can do all the walking and sightseeing I have had on my list and I can fly in comfort knowing I am not restricted in a small seat/seatbelt and can shop in the non-plus size sections of Macy's Bloomingdales etc. I bought myself a couple of handbags as 'rewards' I think I will soon be ready to look at starting to date again. It has been years as I never thought I was worthy, if I didn't love myself why would someone else? But I think I am close to now to being ready to at least dip my toe in the water, albeit the reality of if all makes me feel a bit nauseous. I used to like to walk and I have enjoyed doing that again, even if it is just 20 minutes around the block. Just nice to get fresh air and have a bounce in my step. I am organising a party next year for my birthday which I invited all my family (about 30) to a hotel for a few days away, my treat, to celebrate and also thank them all for their love and support over the last year. (Means I can't buy anymore handbags for a while as have to save!)

I had my gall bladder removed years ago after collapsing due to infected stones. I was told I wouldn't be able to eat rich foods afterwards but I didn't have any problems. I have to do B12 injections every 4 to 6 weeks. I used to get them at my doctors surgery but the GP said it was a waste of my money to be paying to go see her when I could do them at home myself. I used to be terrified of needles but like @MrsFitz says I actually find it easier to do it on myself now. I also do the thigh, alternate each time but I would consider it a long needle as it has to go through fat/muscle to get into the system. I often wonder what my cleaning lady must think when she is cleaning my cupboards, one is my drinks and medicine cabinet and when you open the door you see all the needles, alcohol wipes etc. nicely there besides the Baileys 😂

Exactly, box ticked and now on to the rest of the steps they will have you do and as you say here is a great resource.

Ah that is ok then I thought it might be if you got to 35 which isn't that far off considering how well you have been doing already. For the surgery here you have to have a BMI of 35 or greater or else 30 with co-morbidities.

I have been through so many pairs of jeans in the last few months if someone looked in my wardrobe they would think I was a jeans shop! For clothes what I have been doing is mainly buying second hand (vestiaire collective and ebay) or new but in sales for tops and trousers (Next, M&S, About You and Amazon) but then buying jeans new from some of the cheaper shops (Only, JJXX). The most recent pair of jeans are too big now, look a silly type of baggy so not great for wearing to office but I don't think I am at the next size down yet. I will be in the US next month for a holiday so I am hoping to hit up a lot of stores there and buy a new wardrobe 😁

Any bit higher is a win. Took me ages to get to where my doctor and physio wanted me to be but every little puff helps.

Yes sounds a bit vanilla of a presentation and she certainly doesn't sound like the best example, even for someone who had no issues with the surgery or recovery as not giving a great example of how to live life after by the sounds of it. Do you have to go to many of the sessions or is it just a once off? Do you need to have the knee surgery first? I was told I had to lose weight for knee surgery but hospital said to have the weight loss surgery first for two reasons, one to still be considered a high enough BMI (like you I had/have no co-morbidities) to qualify for the state paid surgery and also to release some of the weight pressure my knees are under before going through another surgery.

Woohoo

Congratulations on 5 years and it sounds like you are living the life you deserve.

That is all great news and glad you are home and recovering. I hope you don't even need the over the counter meds after another few days.

So by this time next week you will be post-op My surgery was 4th July last year and even though I am not American I consider it my Independence Day as it was the first day of a new and improved, as in happier and healthier, me but it has taken me many months of recovery and work to get where I am so far, surgery is certainly not the easy option some people think (as in those who don't need it). The coming weeks and months will be a learning curve so don't put unnecessary pressure on yourself, don't compare your losses to others as everyone is different and just most importantly be kind to yourself. That I think is what I have come away with most from the last year, I take time for myself when needed, I say no to things I don't want to do rather than try to make everyone else happy as I used to in the past, I listen to my body more when it says it needs a walk/fresh air or rest, I speak up for myself more and I am really trying not to let the little things stress me out as I am very much a person who always felt the need to be in control (even if it was control of overeating etc.). If you haven't done so already I recommend taking your measurements and some pictures today or tomorrow so you have something to look back on in the coming months and years to see how well you do.

I am sure your appointment will go well and you will be all set for 15th. I was the same, with no pre-op diet to follow so I just made sure to enjoy my last few pre-op meals, meeting friends and having drinks in the few weeks lead up and weaning myself off coffee. Of course you will lose weight and you just have to take the time to work on the new you (inside and out) so that you will have the strength and mindset not to get back to where you are now and what lead you to need the surgery. We all hope not to have regain but even a few kg/lbs back on is ok too but try not to focus on a negative like that as positive mindset going forward is the best way to be. Your body will be readjusting and has to find its own level. Over the course of your journey there will be weight losses, gains and stalls and we are all here for you to vent, ask questions etc. 🍀

A win for me today was bringing my good watch to the jewellery shop to get two links taken out so that the watch will now stay on my wrist again. Then another win was that the shop did not charge me, not sure why as I have never been to them before but I happily took their instance of no payment and left as quickly as I could (which was a bit slow as you have to be buzzed through two different security doors they operate from behind a desk) before they changed their mind! 😁

Thanks all 😁

Congrats on passing your test My boobs look smaller (😭) but whilst I have gone down a couple of band sizes the cup size is still the same DD just doesn't look it, I think I am closer to a D but it depends on the bra. My bum is also smaller/flatter which isn't so bad. Today I was on a day off work so I went to the shops and got myself a couple of padded bras, never had to do that before but already they make me feel better. I know feel like my boobs are a bit of false advertising, like something out of a JP Gaultier advert. 😀 I have travel for work and vacations next month so trying to build up my wardrobe bit by bit. I put 1kg on during the week, no idea how but as I am still under the surgeons target weight I am not letting it bother me too much. The health system here covers some plastics post weight loss surgery and I hadn't thought it would be something I would be interested in but I think I will enquire about when I have my next surgeon appointment in January to see what areas they do the plastics on and what the requirements are.

I don't know all the brands you have in the US but I have used BFree gluten free high protein wraps. Each wrap is only 3.5g carbs and 11g protein but you'll only manage small portions of each wrap so the carbs from the wrap itself will be negligible.

If you don't like to cook how about some (low salt) deli meat rolled with mashed avacado and anything else you want to add in there so a meat wrap with on actual wrap/bread? You could make your own simple quiche - tortilla protein wrap as a the base in baking tin, add in three eggs, a cup of cottage cheese, salt & peper- mix and then add your toppings of your choice such as spinach, green beans, peppers, tomatoes, can top with mozzarella then if you like. Oven bake until golden.

@AmberFL In all your exercising have you found that your arms are firming up, if they were flabby before? Just looking for some tips as they remain a problem area for me and doing arm weights at home (mix between 1.5kg and 3kg) a few days a week for some reps doesn't seem to be making any inroads. My legs are always going to be a problem area for me because of lymphedema but that just stops me wearing shorts or a short dress leaving me still with plenty of options but having to keep my arms covered all the time (because I hate my arms) is a pain.

Yes, I think it is just a case that maybe the wrong word was used which is unhelpful and can cause doubt and anxiousness. Maybe the therapist is just tying to get the point across to not let food control you going forward and not to just focus on being able to eat what you want again but do the steps to get to the right mindset so you get the best life out of the surgery.