Bypass2Freedom

It is so difficult to stop! I didn't even realise how bad my posture was until recently - definitely to do with the tummy slowly disappearing! Funnily enough I have asked my boyfriend & mum to remind me if I am slouching, but yeah I am just getting frustrated with myself!

As you say, I definitely need to give myself some grace! We started at a very similar weight, and I am 5ft 5" so I completely get it! I'll start trying those stretches in the morning - thank you

Oooh I shall have a look at this! Thank you

I've currently started back at the gym so I have a basic full body workout to get me used to it, and then I will see if I can add some more exercises to strengthen those areas! Any suggestions? I am trying really hard to concentrate on straitening out my back as I sit at a desk most days! Your advice really helps and allows me to visualise it so thank you!

Thank you for reading 🖤 I like to think I'm an open book, especially when it comes to my more difficult experiences, purely because I believe having an open and non-judgemental platform to talk about things that may otherwise be hidden away, is really important! That's actually a really good idea - I think I'm going to do that!

It's so moving to hear that people have had such an emotional reaction to my little rambling, thank you for reading it and for your kind words x

My boyfriend plays Tarkov and omg it seems so complicated! Definitely a tough one to get into, but rewarding as you say!

The belt that I wear to work (size L) now fits around my hips on the biggest setting - it previously only JUST made it around my waist on the same setting!

Woo!

Just a checkpoint to remind people to take their measurements when the scale isn't moving! Feel free to share ❤️ Starting weight: 281lbs Bust = 53", Waist = 45", Hips = 56", Stomach = 56" 26/08/24 216 lbs Bust = 45", Waist = 36.5", Hips = 49", Stomach = 47.5" Current Weight 196.2 lbs Bust = 43", Waist = 35", Hips = 46", Stomach = 46"

Thank you! It definitely boosted my confidence! It is so weird to have these intrusive thoughts like "is the surgery still working, am I still going to lose weight" - but getting to this point makes me realise that all is well and I am on the right track!

Definitely get a new one! Ah that is amazing! Well done!

That is so heart-breaking to hear - I hope that you feel comfortable to wear it again, as you should!

Thank you for taking the time to read it 🖤 I'll admit I cried when reading it too! I hope it does - we are all on such a complex and personal journey, I think it's so important we take the time to praise ourselves and reflect. Thank you🖤

Prior to my WLS I remember having this overwhelming feeling of pressure & guilt all mixed into one, because I felt lazy - why couldn't I just go to the gym and make a change for myself? And that feeling of pressure and negativity just stunned me into doing nothing. I swore that post-WLS I would do my everything to never be like that, yet here I am - yes I am losing weight, I am eating better, but I have been to the gym like 5 times in 2 months...why can't I just do it? I feel like I am really just putting a lot of pressure on myself right now, but I just think I need to make a change and get into better habits. Sorry guys - just needed to vent! Anyone else struggle with this kind of thing?

I completely get that feeling - I hope that your day starts to improve and you feel better x

So my bf also seems to have started the "mourning" process 😂I've always had astronomically sized boobs (38GG) and I am just watching them slowly deflate 😅 I swear to god when I lay down they almost touch my mattress, so I am just dealing with that fun new thing 😂 He has this idea in his head that 'fake boobies' are those old-style, unmoving, plastic type deals. I have had to tell him again and again that plastic surgery has come such a long way, and that fake boobs can look so realistic, that sometimes you wouldn't have even known they were fake if not for the scars! Either way, time will tell! He is more of a bum man though, so lets just hope that doesn't deflate too much 😅 BUT - I know my man will love me regardless, he loved me at my absolute heaviest when I couldn't even do that myself, and he loves me and finds me just as attractive now. I like his male gaze 😍

Just to change the narrative back onto the male gaze here 😳😂 Picking up on what someone else has said - I feel more confident, I wear better fitting clothes that don't hide away my figure now, so I do get that it would make people look at me differently. I don't think that is what bothers me at all. It is just the leering, or me just genuinely not knowing how to respond to compliments 😅

I have never heard of that advice before in my life 😳 bloody hell! Yeah...no wonder!! The leaflet instructions just say take it an hour after food, and I always find in the evening before bed is best, as if I have nausea I can just try and sleep it off! Definitely chase it up with them!

@NeonRaven8919 no problem at all! Yeah I have heard a lot of people are very sick with Forceval dissolvable, but with the tablet I have had minimal issues. I wait an hour after eating in the evening and then I take it, and that helps with the nausea! My surgeon said literally ANY A-Z multivitamin, so long as it says A-Z, and just to take 2 rather than 1! Vitamin D I would say yes definitely, you can get a spray version of this and it isn't too bad! But Calcium you shouldn't need unless you aren't having the required amount of Calcium as listed in the above! It is really really confusing, and if I am being honest I have only been taking my Forceval and that is it. I have just had my blood test yesterday, so I wait to see where I need to supplement!

I just wanted to echo what @FifiLux has said - I haven't heard of Drs putting plans in wherein you can eat all food (inc. solids etc) 2.5 weeks after surgery. If that is the case, and you are eating solids and other 'normal' foods, that would likely be the problem. I know that a lot of people have had a strict 4-6 week post-op diet to follow, and solid foods are introduced slowly. I was always advised that I should not have water until 30 minutes after eating, and that is a rule I have stuck by - maybe give it a go! Definitely do check in with your team, though. It seems like you are in a lot of discomfort and it would be good to get some professional advice. I hope you feel better soon.

THIS - I have been noticing more often now that people who knew me when I was like 6 stone heavier are now creeping out of the woodwork and hitting on me...like...it is very strange!

Massive congratulations to you ❤️ Beautiful pictures, and such an inspiration

Just to note also, in the first 3 months post-surgery I was advised that no tablets should be taken - just chewable or dissolvable

Hey! I had the bypass, so I am just going to copy & paste the information that my nutritionist & medical team gave me regarding vitamins etc, because I also obsessed over it! A-Z Multivitamin and Minerals containing 2mg of copper. This means if you are lucky enough to get Forceval on prescription, you only need 1 Forceval tablet a day. You will still need to take the other supplements detailed below. For most other shop bought options, you will need to take 2 A-Z tablets a day (even though the packet says one a day). Remember the crucial bit is getting one that says A-Z. Options include: Dissolvable · https://www.naturesbest.co.uk/multivitamins/young-adults/effervescent-multivitamins-a-z-fizzy/ · https://www.boots.com/boots-multivitamin-effervescent-orange-20-tablets-10274999 Chewable · https://www.bassettsvitamins.co.uk/bassetts-vitamins/multivitamins-rb-pomegranate-flavour · https://solgar.co.uk/products/solgar-kangavites-bouncing-berry-complete-multivitamin-and-mineral-formula-chewable-tablets · https://www.naturesbest.co.uk/multivitamins/multivitamins-for-kids-teens/tasty-chews/ · https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/products/304373156 · https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/products/304385770 Tablets · https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/products/285513527 · https://www.boots.com/boots-a-z-multivitamin--live-friendly-bacteria-30-capsules-10274964 Calcium: You need at least 1200mg calcium in your diet each day. Count each portion of dairy as about 300mg (such as a yoghurt, a matchbox size piece of cheese or a glass of milk). If you aren’t getting enough calcium, you should top up. You can get Adcal D3 or something similar on prescription from your GP or shop bought options include: · https://solaray.co.uk/products/calcium-citrate-1000mg · https://www.hollandandbarrett.com/shop/product/solgar-calcium-citrate-with-vitamin-d3-tablets-60001382 Vitamin D : Most people need 50-75ug or 2000-3000IU to keep their levels in the healthy range after surgery. · https://www.hollandandbarrett.com/shop/product/betteryou-d3000-vitamin-d-daily-oral-spray-60012895 · https://www.hollandandbarrett.com/shop/product/holland-barrett-vitamin-d3-tablets-25ug-60099316 Iron: Most people need 45-60mg total iron a day (each multivitamin contains 14mg so 2 a day plus your diet may mean you don’t need extra). Women who menstruate should aim for 100mg so could get one on prescription from your doctor. If you suffer with constipation, try a gentle iron like Spatone or Floradix. · https://www.boots.com/boots-iron-14mg-60-tablets-10292905 · https://www.vitabiotics.com/products/feroglobin-capsules?variant=29079594991685&gclid=CjwKCAjwx7GYBhB7EiwA0d8oe9Z32aqlWYVdfZqyMPLnCP8nuZDgbwMS3xpj4nGXzaGIg46GQ0SjgRoCwV8QAvD_BwE Vitamin B12: You may get injections every 3 months from your GP or you can use a spray / sublingual drops. Don’t rely on tablets where possible as the absorption isn’t as good as the liquid. Try: · https://www.hollandandbarrett.com/shop/product/betteryou-pure-energy-b12-boost-oral-spray-60099160 · https://www.hollandandbarrett.com/shop/product/holland-barrett-b-complex-sublingual-liquid-60002871 · https://solgar.co.uk/products/solgar-liquid-b12-2000-with-b-complex-59-ml