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I pushed the plus sign. But ended up clicking quote because I don't see how to reply without the quote. Hmm.. I promise I'll get all this down! I need to be here! Just wanted to say thank you for trying to show me how these things work. I tried responding from my phone earlier and it wasn't doing right so I came to my laptop when I got home. Also I wasn't able to fill out my starting weight etc. So going to try to do that from my laptop too. And I realize I should have made a post to introduce myself, right? I said most everything on this responding to Amber though. LOL!! And it's nice to meet all of you for real! Thanks for all advice! Have a nice weekend! But when I have time I'll be popping in here. Super busy lately with work and still moving in. We moved last month and lots of pics aren't hung and all that. And I'm a Realtor and have been busier than normal! But that's good! I also am a personal assistant for 3 separate clients during the week. And I am home now, doing laundry and swept my whole house. LOL! Always something, right? I recently joined the Philatelic Society as I am a stamp collector and our annual show is this weekend so I'm excited to go and meet some members who will be at our monthly meetings and also experience a stamp show for the first time. Yay! (yes. I'm super nerdy and I love books and history, etc. LOL!) I was reading all of your little details of where you are now, what type of surgery, etc. I am going now to try to add mine. Thanks for having me. I have friends and family who are supporting me in this but they've not gone through it. Some cousins did. And they did ok. But I don't live near them and they did their's years ago. Just don't want to bug them I guess. So thanks again!!

Really it’s the carbs and protein that I am mostly interested in but I get it. They aren’t necessarily accurate. I have to get at least 90g a day and that’s actually a great deal harder than I remember without shakes. They didn’t operate on my stomach so it’s not an issue of capacity. It’s that I already eat every three hours. I can’t imagine eating any more often than that.

You can totally DM me on here! Totally am down to help a fellow bariatric pal! I took 2 weeks off, just for my mental health too. I needed to get into the game with the foods and the meal prepping. I definitely had to work my way up, Lots of tears and sweat. Even still ! LOL I did greive clothes, I still have 3x tops and dresses in my closet that I have not been able to get rid of. I wear them tthe tops to bed now..For the most part I had to buy all new clothes. Still working on building it up. I went from an 18/20 to a size 4. 2/3x to a Small top. No you do not need to add the quote lol

Thank you so much for taking the time to tell me all this! How long were you off work right after surgery? I told them 1 to 1.5 weeks is my guess. But one lady here said she was back in a few days. I don't want to push it if I need to heal more though and my clients are all understanding. My dad passed away last year after 25 years of congestive heart failure then also diabetes and lost one leg then the other. It was extremely heartbreaking and don't want my kids to see that happen to me if there is any way at all I can be healthier. So going to do this. Have 12 dietitian appts. Done two. Already had psychological and was cleared. Have endoscopy Oct 11 and last dietitian appt on Oct 30. Surgery after final approval so they estimate Nov. Hopefully early Nov. Doesn't bother me at all about the holidays. One year I lost 5 lbs from Thanksgiving to Christmas. It's all mindset. But it's when I go back to eating like everyone else I always gain! Sucks. Thank you again! I'd love to be able to text with you if you'd consider that! It's ok if you'd rather not though. Lol! I know I'm a stranger. Lol! You look great and I'm so happy for you. And yes when I'm even at 200 I have the energy for the gym and remember only being able to do the stairmaster for seconds and worked my way up to 20 or 30 minutes. I was so much stronger. It was years ago so can't remember but think I got up to 30 mins and now I love esp the machines and esp the leg machines. Leg day is my fave! Can I ask you, did you grieve your clothes? Even though they are big now I like them. I remember when I lost before I grieved them because I'd raised babies with them all and kept some just as memories. Lol! But will just alter what I can and the rest will buy new. Bet no one ever asked you that one! Lol! Unless you've been there and dropped several sizes before you wouldn't understand. 💗 And do we need to add quote when replying because won't these get too long? Lol! Have a great Friday!! ⚘️ Wow! That's awesome. I'd take even half that loss and be happy. But would sure be nice to lose quite a bit so my low back can calm down. Severe osteoarthritis there. About 240 lbs now. 277 was my highest many years back. Lost 100 through diet and exercise and slowly came back. Then end of 2021 was 265. So did it again. Ate less, moved more and lost 64.5 lbs about 2 years ago and got to 200. Felt sooo much better even there but slowly back now to 240! Blah! Surgery most likely early Nov for sleeve. Said bypass will cause ulcers since only ibuprofen helps my back. Can I ask you about exercise you did? Also that you do now? And did you have any skin removal? May need that around my middle later on. Heard someone with our insurance got that covered also. Praying for that but will save up for it if I have to. Thanks for any advice and info! You look great and I know you must FEEL better. That's what I want. I never sought surgery to look better but hopefully will. I just feel terrible and need some relief and want the weight to stay gone. Using this tool to help me remain smaller.

Okay pretty much what I do now LOL I run 5x a week, HIIT once a week, close min 10k steps a day, lift heavy 5x a week. Maybe I need to incorporate Pilates then. Do you feel like you need to eat more? I am closing close 1700-1800 calories a day. I tried to cut back and I was sooooo tired. My protein is above 150g a day. you look phenomenal! Your stomach is so flat, and not to be weird but are you blessed up top or did you have a breast aug? My have completely depleted. I went from a 44DD to a 36A (barely) LOL

I was in the same boat, My very highest was 310Lbs then lost 100lbs through WW, had my daughter gained most of it back. Lost 50 ish pounds, gained 75lb back. A constant yo yo of my weight. I got down to 240 when I met my partner, then had our son and gained it all back to 297lbs. At that point I was tired of feeling like crap, being too tired to do anything, not being able to be active with my kids, not being an active partner. So I looked into the sleeve, didn't feel like the bypass was for me, due to certain restrictions with meds. My goal wasn't even to get this small. It was to be at 190lbs which put me in the "normal bmi" and I wanted to have more energy and not to hurt anymore. But then I really got into into fitness and eating healthy. Can I ask you about exercise you did? I started with walking around 6weeks post op, just 30min during my lunch break, about 2 ish weeks later I started incorporating weights and workout videos. Very light 5lbs or just body weight. Then at about 3ish months post op I joined my gym and I hit the ground running and never have stronger and fitter in my life. Also that you do now? I work out 6days a week. 3 days lower body/cardio, 2 days upper body/cardio 1 day HIIT training/cardio each about an hour to hour and half a day. If you need assistance what to do workout I am super willing to give you some things that helped me. And did you have any skin removal? I have not, I am getting my boobies done in January lol but nothing else. Its so expensive! so I have to do it in parts. Right now I am working out as hard and heavy as I can to tighten up as much I can. This tool was THE BEST DECISION ever! I wish I would have done it sooner. I got my life back.

Okay, so as I see it, you have three potential issues with coffee. The first is caffeine, which is the main reason some (not all) doctors say not to drink it. It's a mild diuretic, and if you are struggling at all with hitting your fluid targets, you want to avoid anything that will make it worse. If, on the other hand, you easily can surpass 64oz water in a day, you're probably good to go. I never had issues hitting my fluid targets. The second issue is acidity. It's possible the coffee may upset your stomach (but if you are already drinking decaf without an issue, you're probably fine here too). I had to stop drinking coffee except for a few times a month well before I ever had surgery because the coffee was making me sick, so I switched to tea. And I started drinking regular tea at around 4 months because decaf was just sad. The third issue is all the stuff people love to put in coffee and forget has calories. That's just something to be mindful of, because if you mix up a large coffee with tons of real sugar, sugary syrups, and cream, you can easily consume hundreds of calories without even thinking about it. This happened to a friend who had VSG and didn't use sugar but would add a ton of cream to a very large thermal cup of coffee. He honestly thought he was just adding "a splash" of cream. Like, dude, that's 400 calories you just put in that coffee. And it's liquid, so it just goes right down without filling you up at all.

Thank you!! I lift heavy 3/4 days a week (legs/glutes, back/chest, arms/shoulders, strength and conditioning) and do Pilates twice a week. I also run/jog daily on the treadmill, I do HIIT once a week and I close at least 10k steps a day! That’s pretty much it! I focus on protein mainly and enjoy eating out on weekends.

Well you motivated me to see what was available for cheaper in my area in order to hopefully give you some suggestions and I found out that my own community center has lots of classes for cheap. They have a yoga class that looks promising. It’s Stretch and Flow Yoga. I have no clue what that means and I’m pretty sure it’s not beginner but I will just start in the back and do what I can I guess. 🤷🏼‍♀️ They also have a class that does some strength training and moderate cardio that I think I need to wait a little longer in the cardio and I know I need to wait two more weeks to be cleared for weights. I will be able to do them both time wise eventually, though, which would be 4 days a week. I’m seriously excited. I really hope that you find something that makes you excited too because exercise really does make you feel better once you get into the grove. Now I just have to figure out what people are wearing to Yoga nowadays. She says as she plans to go check out Amazon right after this. 😂

Several years ago, I was going to a gym 4-5 days a week. Not ONCE did I get that euphoria. I'm glad you do. If I did, it might make it easier to get started.

i dont have a set recipe, i always just kinda wing it/taste test it...but basically: - 1:3 ratio of grated fresh ginger with chopped green onion/scallions in a bowl - corn oil - sesame oil - salt/pepper to taste - dried chili flakes (optional) - Heat up the corn oil on high heat until its shimmering, enough to be able to coat all the ginger and green onion you have - add grated ginger, cook for 15-20 or so seconds - add green onion, cook for another 20-30 or so seconds (you can add chili flakes here if you want) - transfer to a bowl - add sesame oil to the bowl (about 1 tbsp give or take), add salt pepper to taste. Taste and add what you need based on your preference. - move it all to a resealable jar and add more corn oil until it covers it all. - keep in fridge after it reaches room temperature. Its supposed to be able to last a week in the fridge, but honestly my fam finishes it like 2 days so I can’t confirm that timeline lol. ** I’ve added a bit of sugar to the recipe sometimes depending of what I plan to serve it with…the sugar version works well with duck or lamb and other gamey-er proteins ** ** also use this condiment to fry rice or noodles, YUM **

Hi all! I’m entering my 2nd week after gastric bypass and generally feeling pretty good (knock on wood!). The only thing I’m really missing— like, making me sad, missing— is coffee. I keep trying decaf but I can’t do the taste and all I want is a sugar free pumpkin cold brew cold foam. So my question is… how bad would it be to get one? I know I could only do maybe 3 or 4 sips of it but man, I want it. Thoughts? Experiences? Thanks in advance!

I see my surgeon next week I'm seeing my GP next week so will get a referral to a dermatologist. I see my surgeon next week too so will be again bringing it up. Previous to surgeries, my allergic reactions were hayfever not hives. I've cut everything and gone back to simple diet with no spices etc and soap/fragrance free everything.

One thing that helped motivate me to get started with at least 15 minutes a day was the physicians assistant said at one of my support group meetings before my surgery that just exercising 90 minutes a week which you can spread out over six days at 15 minutes each (which is 25 when you include your warm-up and cool down if it’s more than walking) But just that decreases your risk of “all-cause mortality” by 15%. The PA and surgeon agreed that no surgery, no pill, nothing else they can prescribe you is going to have such a phenomenal impact So exercise is pretty darn beneficial. I mean, I know for myself I was scared of a 2% risk of complications from the surgery that may or may not even actually kill me, but they’re giving me a 15% decrease of chances of mortality, that’s pretty huge just to dedicate less than a half hour of your day to walking around a little bit. And a brisk walk is all it takes for me to achieve the heart rate they’re speaking about because it doesn’t have to be full on high intensity, just raising it a bit. I’m not sure if it will be as profound for you but I heard that before my surgery and six weeks later it’s still ringing around in my mind as I’m exercising. I’m thinking wow you know weight loss aside, this is really a good thing that I’m doing for my health. After I got started, though I wanted to do more and more, but my goal is to do my 15 minutes, no matter what and that is my only expectation for myself at this point.

I had a ton of scar tissue from a butcher surgeon 40 years before my sleeve surgery. The bariatric surgeon noted it and allowed a little more theatre time for me. My surgeon said it was very stuck inside but he did it all keyhole. It just took him longer. This week I was due to have my ovaries and a huge ovarian cyst removed by key hole surgery. I was informed that I may have to be opened up if it became a problem. It was and I was. This is day 6 and I am feeling more like myself and the pain is manageable today without meds. So what are the differences, More pain, your muscles are cut. A big scar and drain holes. And a 12 week ban on house work and lifting, more of a bonus that one really. I hope it goes well for you. It will be worth it even if its not keyhole. Trust me

Snap, almost ! I have had my ovaries and a huge cyst removed this week. For some reason they left them 28 years ago when I had my hysterectomy. I now have a new belly scar and have lost my belly button. I have gotten to my own target weight at last. I wonder if its the missing belly button, the cyst or the deplorable hospital food that accounts for the big weight drop. Hope you are feeling more like yourself today, I am, even though I am walking around hugging my tummy like I am about to loose my insides.

My GP put me on a 12 WEEK liquid diet. I've lost almost 20lbs (10kg) it's a struggle the first few days, but it gets easier!

Hi! I don't have an answer, but I'm following in case someone else does too! My surgery is in 2 and a half weeks and I'm starting to get scared about this issue too.

I have also dealt with hives, even before I had the surgery. One day they just appeared. Long red welts on my abdomen and thighs. I went to an allergist, who couldn’t determine any cause for the hives. I was diagnosed with Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria (hives that have been there for longer than 2 weeks without apparent cause. After trying several medications alone, my doctor and I decided to try a “cocktail.” I was on 4 medications, but I only remember Ranitidine and Zyrtec. When the hives showed up again, we tried a couple of different combinations and finally landed on Doxepin and Benadryl. If I go a few days without the meds, the hives start itching again. During one stay in the hospital, the doctors gave me a topical cream called Sansa. It’s helpful.

While I have always been an avid exerciser (think everything from running, cycling, weight lifting, marital arts, HIIT, hiking ...etc.) I have always taken up a supplementary form of exercise that is fun and that I looked forward to. A few years ago I played tennis twice a week, then hiking, then taekwondo (reached the blue belt then had a very bad ankle injury that cause a lot of my weight gain), now I do Pilates twice a week in addition to my gym routine and these two sessions are the highlight of my week. Once you find something you enjoy be it tennis, padel, hiking, cycling, swimming or even walking it will be easier to build on that routine and do the things you don't so much enjoy (like weight lifting for example). It is also always good if you have a group you can exercise with (or play certain sports with) or a gym buddy. I also made sure to build a gym studio in my new house and that has been wonderous, I wake up early and workout and don't need to worry about the commute or how to shower and do my hair before work, so a set of dumbbells and a bench at your home can do wonders (if you have that option). I was always asked by friends and family why I am so adamant and a freak about my exercise regimen and if I get bored or sick of it, and my answer is I do it more for my mental wellbeing than for my physical appearance. Nothing comes close to that post workout feeling, it is literal therapy to me. I love to challenge myself and I love to work hard and feel like I've earned it, and I feel sluggish and not great on days I don't workout. Once you commit to a sort of movement daily, it will become a healthy addiction and the feeling that that brings is euphoric, if I say so myself. Just make sure you start easy and build on that.

I got to move to the purée stage so that’s amazing but still in my stall which sucks!

Liquid diets or liver shrinking diets before surgery are very common. Different surgeons will want patients to follow specific diets (like all liquid) prior to their surgery usually for about two weeks though can be for longer or shorter. The aim is for you to lose a little more weight before surgery, thus making it safer, and to shrink your liver so the operating field is more visible and your tummy and digestive system easier to access. Different patients will fe given different plans to follow based on their weight, current health status, surgery, etc. Some are given weight loss goals to reach like you, others not. For example, I was put in Keto and not given a specific weight loss goal just had to lose some. I lost 4.5kg (9.9lbs) in just over two weeks. Just follow the diet plan you’ve been given & you’ll be fine.All the best.

Very common for you to experience temporary changes to your sense of taste and sometimes smell after surgery. Everything became super salty or super sweet and certain textures (like the grainy texture of the shakes) became off putting for me. And yes, sometimes foods you didn’t enjoy before become enjoyable though that can change back. For me it was smoked salmon which I strangely began eating regularly once on real food but a few weeks later it was back to nope it’s too strong & rich. I actually embraced the aversion to sweet and lost my desire for a lot of it.

In the last 3 weeks, I've been dealing with crazy weird constipation. But my poop isn't hard, it's really soft. Just won't come out. TONS of gas. Bloated stomach. I was diagnosed with IBS-C about 7 months after my initial surgery (sleeve). I was on the 145mcg dose of Linzess for about a year and a half, and between that and Miralax (and every once in a blue moon, a combo laxative/stool softener) I was very regular. Pooped either every day or every other day for the most part. No bloated stomach. No real gas. Then 3 weeks ago, the constipation just went crazy and got really weird. Gas has been the most insane of my life. Stomach super bloated and uncomfortable. Linzess was increased to 290mcg and has done NOTHING. Miralax was increased. Added more Fiber to my diet and even a fiber supplement. Even started taking more laxative/stool softener meds. Added prune juice. And still, I've had a good poop exactly twice in 3 weeks and 3 small poops. That's it. Nothing is working. I drink 100 fl oz daily. I don't drink soda or anything with sugar. I honestly don't know what else to do. Any advice or suggestions? Oh, I've also added magnesium. I tried Colon Broom. Literally....nothing. I JUST WANNA POOP!!!!!

🙋‍♀️ In the last 3 weeks, I've been dealing with crazy weird constipation. But my poop isn't hard, it's really soft. Just won't come out. TONS of gas. Bloated stomach. I was diagnosed with IBS-C about 7 months after my initial surgery (sleeve). I was on the 145mcg dose of Linzess for about a year and a half, and between that and Miralax (and every once in a blue moon, a combo laxative/stool softener) I was very regular. Pooped either every day or every other day for the most part. No bloated stomach. No real gas. Then 3 weeks ago, the constipation just went crazy and got really weird. Gas has been the most insane of my life. Stomach super bloated and uncomfortable. Linzess was increased to 290mcg and has done NOTHING. Miralax was increased. Added more fiber to my diet and even a fiber supplement. Even started taking more laxative/stool softener meds. Added prune juice. And still, I've had a good poop exactly twice in 3 weeks and 3 small poops. That's it. Nothing is working. I drink 100 fl oz daily. I don't drink soda or anything with sugar. I honestly don't know what else to do. Oh, and I added magnesium and tried Colon Broom. Still nothing...