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Welcome. Sorry to hear you're struggling. I want to touch on a couple of things you said since the truth may be different than what you thought? First, I want to hit on this idea of a "pouch reset". There really is no such thing. Your stomach expands and contracts normally, just like a non-surgical stomach. You can't make it appreciably smaller just by eating less for a few days or weeks. Sometimes people feel like this makes a difference because it mentally helps reset what it feels like to be full. (A lot of people overeat after a few years.) If you really want to go down this road, you certainly can, but just understand it's not going to magically reset the size of your stomach. It might help reset your brain a bit, but the effect won't last long if you go back to eating too much at a time. You can get the same effect by just reducing portion sizes. Second, I want to touch on you gaining muscle from going to the gym. There are a few things to unpack here, but let's start with the fact that scales are NOT your friend and I would strongly advise you to not use the scale as the thing you use to gauge your success. Let me give you a hypothetical situation: If I could give you a magic potion that overnight made you look just like a fitness model, but it also made you weigh 300 pounds, would you take it? I don't know what your answer is, but I'd guess that like most people, you probably would in fact drink the potion. I don't have a magic potion, but doing strength training in the gym is kind of the same thing. It just takes a lot more work and time. The point here is that muscle is a lot denser than fat, so you can in theory be even heavier than you are now, but still look a lot thinner because you've changed your body composition to favor more muscle mass. Keep in mind that most people find more muscle mass more attractive (well up to a point anyway). Also, you are NEVER going to actually lose weight from doing strength training. it's not a great way to actually burn calories, so thinking you're going to go to the gym and lose fat just isn't realistic. Cardio at the gym isn't much better, so don't think that's the secret either. It will burn more calories, but the reality is a couple of things happen when you do cardio (or resistance training) at the gym: You'll be hungrier, so you tend to eat more than you would otherwise (this might be why you're snacking more). It will seem subtle and may be almost unnoticeable, but you will move less the rest of the day because your body is trying to recover from the workout. This means you don't actually burn many, if any additional calories. Said differently, your body will do everything it can to keep you right where you're at, so it is literally slowing your metabolism down to make up for the calories you burned exercising. I'm not trying to discourage you from working out. It has a LOT of health benefits, but as a way to actually lose weight, it's not so great. Now once you get to your goal weight, working out at least 5 hours a week can REALLY help you stay at your goal weight, so keep that in mind as well. The final thing I'll add here since this post is already pretty long is that the one sure-fire way to lose fat is to eat fewer calories than you burn in a day. I know that seems fairly obvious, but people think sometimes they're special, or that it doesn't apply to them. I don't know how many calories you're eating right now, and it honestly does not matter. Right now, whether you're eating 1500 calories or 3500 calories, you're eating at maintenance for you. If you want to lose fat, then you've got to eat less. The way to do that is whatever way works for you. There is no secret diet that works for everyone. All diets can work if they have you eat less than you eat now. You've got to find not only what works for you, but what is a sustainable way of eating for the long term. Crash diets almost always fail, so I wouldn't look for something that works in the short term. What you need is something that you can do for the rest of your life. Best of luck.

I am glad to read these posts here. I'm in really bad shape when it comes to muscle. Does anyone know about how much a person should have? I read like 30% of our weight?? I was 244 and had 26 lbs of muscle. Just doesn't seem possible I can walk around and carry that. Now I'm 183.8. But probably lost more muscle too. Every time I lost and gained 60 or 100 lbs over the years, I gained way more fat. So makes sense but scares me. Had eggs and half a protein shake so far today. Haven't liked the powder much. It's ok. But tried using it in cooking. Not really good. And don't like milk much to drink it. I'm doing resistance and small weights. But I feel weak and I work alot so not much energy left to do a full work out and go all in on that right now. Can't be good to have so little muscle. My heart is a muscle! 🙁

Hi Lisa, I’m so sorry you’re struggling. You are not alone and there is always hope! I agree with @SpartanMaker above. I am post menopausal and that peri-menopausal and immediate post time is so tricky. There may be some other reasons for continuing weight gain and stagnant loss. As a sped teacher, I always look at crossing out medical issues first. So thyroid, PCOS, fibroids, and endometriosis should probably all be ruled out. I too am a sooth with food comforter. I had therapy that was very specific to me, related to eating disorders. My counselor helped me with body dysmorphia,and feeling good about making positive choices. For me, I had to stop tracking. I pretty much stick to keto with some veggies. I reached out to TOPS and OA for advice and most people there kind of came to the same conclusions. Many women found they needed to keep taking Metformin to help with genuine continued hunger. They were peri menopausal and we wondered if their doc didn’t snip as much stomach off as the ones from my clinic. (We compared notes.) In the end, we were all fighting for our health and there was no shame. Asking for help is the best sign that things will turn around for you too! I found an affordable therapist in psychologytoday.com It sounds like insurance might cover yours through your clinic. I had to pay out of pocket but it was well worth it.

So sorry that you're struggling. Weight loss is both the simplest thing in the world, and also incredibly complicated. The good news is there is absolutely hope for you! Thinking through what you've posted. I think I want to break things apart a bit so we can address a few different things: Let's start with being an emotional eater. My personal belief is that EVERYONE that is (or at one point was), obese has an eating disorder, or at the very least suffers from disordered eating. You simply don't get that big without having an unhealthy relationship with food. I'm really glad that you are working to get help in this area. We have a saying here on this board that you should take to heart: Bariatric Surgery doesn't fix your brain. Success or failure long term is most often about addressing these mental, not physical issues. The surgery is a tool that can help you, but surgery alone won't make you lose weight. My point here is YOU ARE NOT ALONE. A lot of the folks here have the same problem regarding turning to food for emotional support. You can get control of this, but it does take time and help. Failure to lose weight. We all lose at different rates, so it's hard to judge whether or not how much you've lost is problematic. First, can you clarify some things? Your sidebar shows you having lost 128 pounds, but your post suggests it's a lot less than that? Also, your post says it's been 6 months since your surgery, but unless I'm misunderstanding something, it's only been 4 months? Even if it's only 4 months instead of 6, having lost 9 pounds would still be on the low side, but I think you need to also keep in mind that you are on the low end of the height scale. That absolutely does matter when it comes to weight loss. Smaller bodies need fewer calories per day. That's just a basic fact. I think it's important for you to understand that you can't break the laws of physics. if you eat fewer calories per day than you burn, you'll lose weight. Eat the same amount as you burn and you'll stay at the same weight. Eat more than you burn and you'll gain. I know that seems obvious, but people often look for reasons other than this as to why they might not be losing as expected. They'll say things like "my metabolism is messed up" as if that means they're allowed to break this basic rule. Perhaps their metabolism is messed up, but there's no rule that says you should be able to eat, say 1300 calories a day and still lose. Your metabolism is your metabolism and while there are ways to ramp it up, you don't get to break the laws of basic physics. Calorie counting. You mention eating 700 calories a day, but then mention snacking on top of that? Did I understand that correctly? Here's the thing. Everyone is TERRIBLE at calorie counting and if you're not counting the snacks, you're estimates of how much you're consuming will be even worse. Even if you're counting the snacks in the 700 calories, the likelihood that you're actually eating only 700 calories a day is really small. Studies have shown again and again that people drastically underestimate how much they are eating per day, even if they try to accurately weigh and measure everything. Part of it's just user error, but part of it is that the actual calorie counts of food are not nearly as simple to measure as we think they are. One final thing to keep in mind. Our bodies are made up of lots of "stuff", and this "stuff" is all part of what you weigh day-to-day. Fluctuations in how hydrated you are, your muscle mass and even stool weight can mask fat loss, so don't get too caught up in what the scale says. Simply put, the scale is NOT your friend. Let me give you an example of just how much the scale can lie: I'm a runner and if I run in hot weather, it's not that unusual for me to lose 6 to 10 pounds in the space of a couple of hours. Does that mean I lost 10 pounds of fat? Of course not. It means I lost a bunch of water due to sweat. Using a scale as the sole means you use to judge your success would be a bit like trying to use a hammer as the only tool you use to build a house. a hammer's great for some things, but there are also times when it's not.

This is my first post here. I am Lisa. I am 42. I am six months post surgery (Duodenal Switch) and I have some questions. Did anyone just NOT lose the weight afterwards? I had to do a diet three months prior to surgery and I lost about twenty pounds doing that. However since surgery in February, I have only lost 9.2 pounds. Yes, you read that right. I am so frustrated. Even in the first two weeks post surgery where I religiously followed my liquid diet, I GAINED weight. From what my doctor told me, most people lose during that period. I have tried to follow my plan of 700 calories and no snacking since then but I haven't done the greatest at it. The PA and I have discovered I may have a eating disorder. I eat when I am not hungry. Sometimes when I feel full (never to the point of getting sick). I am an emotional eater. I eat my feelings so they are sending me to a therapist to try to help with that. I know most people would say "well that is why you aren't losing" but the thing is, MOST DAYS I follow my plan pretty well and I am still not losing. Especially not like I want to. I had hopes of losing big numbers and being way closer to my goal by now. Can someone please tell me there is still hope for me? Is there someone who has been there and went on to have a success story?

Nothing wrong with trying GLP-1s to see how they work for you. Cost can be an issue for a lot of folks, but as long as you have the means, then I'd definitely say give them a try. A few things to keep in mind: Some people don't respond to GLP-1 meds at all, or may respond to one and not others. If you find out that the first one you try isn't working, be ready to try a different one. Some people find that they quickly gain weight after stopping GLP-1s, which brings me to my next point:. Keep in mind that these meds can be life-changing, but they are also just tools (much like weight loss surgery). The real goal has to be retraining your body and mind how to eat better. The meds alone won't do that, so unless you're willing to dedicate yourself to learning how to eat better and move more, you may end up right back where you started or worse. In the end, these are not magic. They can reduce the "food noise", but they won't suddenly make you want to eat a salad instead of pizza. If eating better and feeling better is your real the goal, these alone won't do much.

CONGRATS!!!! so proud of u and u look fantastic!!! yesss they say u will gain abit now then it will stop at the perfect weight as u say 120 lbs is a safe spot and then u learn to maintain .. it iwll take time adjusting but u can do it!!! as long as u eat good whole food and MOVE MOVE MOVE then u r sorted.. believe it or not i am not even at my goal weight and apparently i am eating at my maintenance and its so annoying. if i undereat, then i am dead hungry!!! so i am about to hire a coach to help me and hopefully start losing again... i can still eat the same but i should burn more ahhh and obviously being consistent, i am perfect 5 days a week and i indulge on the weekend. so i need to reduce my cals for sure.. its so weird how much i can. anyways i am well aware of what needs to be done and tahts step 1

@AmberFL thanks for posting. You are definitely working hard (maybe too hard? ) I can definitely see the influence of crossfit into your workouts. I'm personally not a fan of crossfit, but you do you. It seems like most of the workouts emphasize supersets or short rests in order to make them burn more fat. Nothing wrong with that approach as long as fat burning is the main goal, but it does mute strength and hypertrophy gains. Some of those also have way more sets and reps than I'd consider ideal for muscle growth. It order to get that much volume in, you'd have to use lighter weights than what I would typically recommend for hypertrophy. The net effect is that those workouts are a lot more focused on muscular endurance. Nothing wrong with that, but it may not be what you actually are wanting from your workouts, especially since you're already doing a fair amount of cardio work as well. After all, one of the main benefits of cardio is not just strengthening your cardiovascular system, it's in increasing your overall muscular and aerobic endurance, which is highly correlated with an increased lifespan. To be honest, I also don't love doing 30+ minutes of cardio after strength training, especially on leg days. I know a lot of people do that, but the science is pretty clear that doing so can reduce your gains. If growing your glutes is a major goal, I'd probably advise skipping cardio on your leg days and maybe doing more cardio on non-lifting days to make up for it. Remember, you don't actually get any stronger or grow any muscle when you're lifting. It's AFTER your strength training when you're resting that your muscles and nervous system adapt to the training you've done. By following strength training with cardio, you're basically turning off certain metabolic and neuromuscular pathways and suppressing the very systems that should be focused on repairing and building new muscle tissue. Is it a huge issue? Honestly probably not. If you like doing that, more power to you as long as you do understand that you're not going to see quite as much muscle growth.

To all my people out there who have a passion or knowledge for fitness/strength building - any tips on where to start in terms of pushing yourself? I know I have mentioned on here before about my exercise regime, but I feel that it was more centred around weight loss, and now I want to somewhat shift that in order to maximise some muscle gain & definition. I am not saying I want to be a complete muscle mummy, but I'd definitely like more muscle definition in my arms and legs My current exercise regime: Monday: Legs @ Gym 4 x 10 leg press 100kg 4 x 10 Leg extensions 4 x 10 leg curls 4 x 10 weighted hip thrusts & Les Mills Legs, Bums & Tums class Tuesday: 30 mins on treadmill at a 12% incline, 4.8, 3mph speed Wednesday: Chest @ gym 4 x 10 assisted bench press 4 x 10 tricep pulldowns 4 x 10 face-pulls 4 x 10 bicep curls superset with lateral raises 4 x 10 upright flyes & Les Mills Legs, Bums & Tums class Thursday: 30 mins on treadmill at a 12% incline, 4.8, 3mph speed So far Fri, Sat & Sunday I do nothing...maybe I need to change that 🤣 Anyway...any advice is appreciated! ❤️

Small changes for the win every time! Small changes are always much easier to adapt to and adopt. It might take longer but it’s more likely to stick in the long term. Track your eating and drinking for a week or so. Over time it’s easy to become complacent and let things slide a little in regards to food choices, portion sizes &/or frequency of eating and activity. Then choose which one or two you’ll focus on changing first. Remember to hit those old goals. Get your protein in first, then vegetables, some fruit and some whole or multi grain carbs last of all. Ensure you’re getting in your water. I’ve put on a small amount this year after a hysterectomy. We’re still trying to sort out my hormones but it’s been an emotional time not helped by experiencing full on menopausal symptoms (after managing them for years) plus cravings, food noise, bloating, headaches, … even acne. My weight had been stable until this & my routines were deeply embedded.i felt in control for the first time ever so the weight gain was difficult to understand & messed with me. But life does throw crap at us at times. I’ve dropped a snack, reduced my portions a little, added a couple more stretches and movements to my non exercise activity routine. Deciding what I might change next. All the best.

I am so glad you came back in the forum. You have made the big step by admitting your weight gain. It happens. To me you have done great, only 50 pounds on in 13 years means you have been on it. I have seen this advice given to others - You need to prioritise protein, then veggies. Up your water. Try to quell the snacks. Exercise more. You need a calorie deficit. Good luck, you will get lots of help from other members who know more than me.

Just hoping to reach out, to gain strength from my own weakness and now the gained 50 lbs I surely can not have. Backdrop, I had gastric bypass in 2012. Never had any real issues. All was good. I took all my vitamins did everything I was supposed to do. 7 years ago I broke my L1. And my L2. They discovered I had Osteoporosis at age 53 and with no family history and all my blood work every year looking fantastic, that slowed me down quite a bit. Here we are at a whopping 238. The last thing I need on my spine is more weight. Broke my l1 again not sure but I am guessing I best get busy and get this weight off. I am struggling. I am truthfully not hungry most the time. I am binge eating nothing horrible but certainly enough to help pack it on. I think most of my weight packed on when I started working from home and had access to everything. I think I just need some help getting started again of what I'm supposed to do going back to the basics of the beginning and since I know this. Why is it so hard for me to do it? If you had regained and lost the weight again, tell me how you did it. Give me a starting point

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!! HI, August surgery friends, Checking in to let you know that I have just met my weight loss goal! I am proud and happy, but also frightened. I have now lost an even 100 pounds, which was my goal. I'm pretty small (5'0") with a small frame, so if I lost another 5 pounds I would have lost half my body weight from when I started, which would be cool to say. But I'm already pushing it. I need to be satisfied with being able to say I've lost 100 pounds. I'm at 110 right now which is a BMI of 23, and that's lower than my surgeon would recommend already. I'm not sure if I'll be able to maintain it without chasing the weight all the time. That is what will determine whether I stay at 110 or settle at 120, which would be just fine. I do not want to have to be on a "diet" all the time fighting weight. Been there, done that, right?!?!?! I'm really nervous now, because I've lost weight before, and always gained it all back plus. We all know that story, don't we? I'm a compulsive overeater, and I'm fighting compulsions quite a lot in the last few months, so I'm concerned. That's probably a good thing because it makes me appropriately afraid of triggers and what they call in AA, "slippery places". My big goals have all been achieved: I am off blood pressure meds, my A1c is normal, I no longer need my CPAP, and I can walk as many miles at a time as I want again. I have all the stamina I ever had and it's glorious. I no longer fear a retirement where I'm trapped in a recliner for the rest of my life. Sure, I am also happy about how I look in clothes now, but it ain't like I ever planned to be a bikini model. (Not happening with all this hangy skin, anyway...) Anyway, just wanted to share my goal with you and check in to see how everyone is doing. I am seeing SO MUCH success around here! I'm really proud of all of you and proud to be walking this path with you.

I love this!! something that I am coming to terms with that the number on the scale is just a number, I have been battling with oh I'm too thin I need to gain weight well once I gained the weight after my BA I am not happy. But I still wear the same size, I can exercise the same, I look better with bewbies, that I need to be okay that my body is happy and healthy at this point. I just need to keep doing what I'm doing and stop sabotaging myself or giving myself negative thoughts. I am so proud of you!!

Sort of. I've always dressed a little more alternative/gothic, but considering most of those fashions don't come in plus sizes I've mostly just made do with black leggings and black tops. Now, I'm a size 14 (uk) so I can actually start buying and wearing all the clothes I've always wanted to wear! I do think that I've gain more confidence since I lost weight and that means I've starting taking more time and put more effort into makeup and hair etc.

OMG I think I gained weight just looking at that photo. Scrumptious. Gotta have a treat once in a while!

I should say it's not such a recent issue. I was borderline obese by 2016 weighing 186 pounds (I should have mentioned that). But by 2022 I gained almost 45 pounds in a year out of nowhere. Before that the weight issues was more creeping up on me It went something like this: I was 150 pounds at 18 years old. By 21 I was 160. By 25 I was 180. You get the picture. Something like ten pounds d year gained no matter what. But then at 32 and battling COVID my weight exploded and it wouldn't come off. Nearly a 50 pound gain. I had long COVID and couldn't exercise for five months but didn't eat any different but the damage was done. That weight wasn't coming off for nothing even after I recovered. And it worsened my asthma horrendously. Just the COVID but gaining so much weight. That's why I had no choice but to starve.

If you opted for the surgery - you would loose weight for sure. BUT once at target you would still need to increase your calorie levels to a maintenance amount. Without much exercise my maintenance level is around 1500 - 1600 cals a day. To eat more I would need to increase my exercise drastically or I would gain. So when you maintain on similar calories, you will gain if what you say is true. If that is so, baritric surgery is not a fix for you.

Hello, Wendyjane! The NHS is the National Health Service - socialised tax-funded medical care provided in the United Kingdom. The tier system is basically various levels of care for varying conditions. For those seeking weight management help through the NHS. Google AI summarised it really well for me: Hospitals are grouped into governing bodies (trusts), and each trust, I believe, decides how to invest in the tiers, which in turn impacts just how much and what kind of support is given. For example, when I went through Tier 3 in my trust, I was given 1:1 virtual support (zoom meetings) once a month for a year with a nutritionist to help me implement healthier lifestyle changes, and during that time, I also met with an NhS psychologist for 3-4 months to work through any issues I may have regarding food and mental health. I really enjoyed the support I received from my Tier 3 programme (“Weigh Ahead”). I was also held accountable for my weight, blood pressure, and body measurements. Tier 3 aims to help you lose 5-10% of your total body weight in order to be referred to Tier 4. The current Tier 3 service in my trust now allows patients to receive prescriptions for Ozempic and Mounjaro to help with weight loss. (I’m sure you can imagine I was sorely sad to find out I missed that opportunity! Whereas I think the injectables will be available to me only in Tier 4 and from the bariatric surgeon?) Also, in Tier 4, if you so desire to go forward with bariatric surgery, then you have multiple appointments with various consultants: the bariatric dietitian, bariatric nurse, bariatric psychologist, the anaesthetist, and finally the surgeon. Once your appointments with each of these completes, then they meet together as a “Multi-Disciplinary Team” to discuss each case and decide if that patient is a good candidate to go forward with surgery. If yes, you’re then placed in another waiting list. According to my trust, I am not meant to gain any weight from the time of my Tier 3 referral until surgery. This has been really, really challenging… and at times, frankly speaking, exceedingly discouraging. I hope this helps as an explanation. ☺️

Been drinking green tea for about 24 years now and believe me it never did a thing to help with my losing weight. Was drinking it when I had my greatest weight gain periods. Only reason people may notice a little weight loss over time is you drink it plain without extras so no milk, cream, creamers, syrups, sugar, honey, etc. that many add to their coffee so fewer calories. I began drinking green tea for one reason: caffeine was kicking my butt specifically sleep issues & reflux. Tried decaf for a while but felt it was a sacrilege and it would make me a little nauseous. Interestingly the smell of the leftover coffee dregs in a cup turned my tummy too. I also thought if I get any anti oxidant benefits yay but not really a factor. I enjoy it. However, I don’t like the grassy, grainy texture of matcha nor any of the green and fruit blends: bit of a purist. Don’t miss coffee at all. Not all green teas are the same in regards to caffeine content but generally it’s about 1/4 the caffeine as coffee or black tea. So if I have a cup/mug too late it can affect my sleep as it will if I drink more than two a day. Personally I prefer Tea2 green teas (sencha and Buddha’s tears). I believe you can but them online in the US. They have a cleaner taste and tend not to get that bitter dry taste that some brands do. Note the tea bags are large and a single bag gives me a good strong 450ml (almost 2cups) mug. Funny story: Back about 20 years ago, my hairdresser asked an apprentice to make me a cup of green tea. He went out the back & was gone for a little while. He returned and asked how do you make tea green? He was being serious. Still makes me chuckle. Never forgotten his name either: Luke. Bless him.

Anyone who has ever flown commercial has seen the safety briefing, right ? "In the case of cabin pressure drop....an air mask will lower itself in front of each passenger.....put your own in place before helping those beside you" Took me quite a while to realize that our own personal health condition is no different. The WLS provided a wild ride for about three years. Surgery yield excellent weight loss results. Faster than I was ready for. I didn't make the best of decisions and never missed the opportunity to go have fun. One day....I woke up from the hubris and took inventory. My marriage had somehow survived...as it had survived tough times well prior. I was a dad to an insanely gifted son. I had a good job surrounded by great people. Mostly, though....my wife was there at my side and patiently waiting for me to get my head extracted from my arse. I did. We then had what can only be described as the best years of our marriage....like we were dating again. I was blessed and the first to acknowledge such. She had some health issues arise and we discovered it was worse than we were expecting. Diagnosis was cancer....treatment began right away but it was a terminal diagnosis. She fought hard...superhuman efforts. Her pain tolerance was simply beyond my compression. Cancer took her in April of 2021. I maintained my promise to her to keep on with the sobriety. I failed in most other ways. I had zero desire to cook as it was too painful. Anytime I'd try the sense of loss would be overpowering. We had so many fun times in and around the kitchen....I'd cook and she'd help me clean up my mess. Music always on....every day together was alike a date night. I remain so very grateful to have been given those recent great years together....but I chickened out when it involved anything we'd once do together. No cooking of anything other than maybe a quick breakfast.....no music....no movies or shows we once enjoyed, no gym, no maintaining of friendships......just went to work each day and came home....existing off fast food and vending machine garbage at work. Three and a half years went on like that. As the fourth anniversary of her death loomed, I once again took inventory. What I acknowledged was ugly. The mirror sucked, the way most of my clothes fit sucked, my annual checkups with our primary care doc sucked....and I owned every single bit of it. I owned all that suck. I also knew that she would kick my ass for letting myself give up like I had. I've never quit anything in my life....yet there I was....quitting on pretty much everything. I pissed myself off so badly. I made the decision to crawl outa that hole and do what she would have me do if she was here to push & pull on me to get my shyt together. She fought so hard to live....and there I was... giving up...no fight, no attempt, just giving up like a punk. So things began to improve greatly when I started jumping on what I could gain control of. My health was a perfect place to start..... And so it has been going the last few months. Daily macros are improving more each day. Essentially keto but am supplementing with fish oil, fiber, turmeric, powdered greens, multi-vitamins.....trying to shore up every aspect of daily good stuff taken in. I flipped the collective bird to all the fast food restaurants and their drive thru windows. Screw 'em all. Found the stereo again....whether in the truck or at the house. There is music. Took over the yardwork....and there is a pile of it needed. Joined a gym. Bought some new ear buds and gym clothes....and a heap more new music. In short.....I acknowledged that throwing my own health away was what had been selfish......taking control of it was imperative. The loss is still there....but my response to it is now different. Now I am doing much more to honor her by living as she wanted me to. She wanted me to live....all aspects of living. Health first, foremost and always.......and the other aspects of living are becoming more clear each day. Life is a gift. Squandering that gift is a crime. Longwinded answer.

my 2 (or 5) cents about plastics: - first, as mentioned above, there is no absolute timeline in regards to losing (or gaining) weight post wls. i am 7 yrs post op this year. i lost what i wanted to (110 lbs) in 7 months. then had a net loss of another 10 lbs over the next 5 years. THEN i lost ANOTHER 15 lbs in the past year alone. for those keeping track that 25 lbs since calling goal back in 2019. lesson here is that it's not the surgery that dictates your weight, is your lifestyle and genetics. - second, i had plastics 1 year after wls surgery. i would have had it earlier, but my surgeon of choice was booked. from the time i booked plastics to when i eventually had it done i was 15-ish lbs lighter. so there was no "stable weight for six months" requirement for me. - third, my plastics removed a total of 400g off my body weight (it was basically just skin and little to no fat), so depending on what your body composition is like before plastics, it may not make a difference on the scale afterwards. - fourth, i weighed about 115 lbs at plastics time, and today i weigh about 100 lbs (dont be alarmed, i'm like 5'2" tall, probably shorter as i'm shrinking in my old age, lol, i also eat lots and admittedly, badly, but i exercise like a crazy person, so it all evens out, ha) my plastics results did not suffer in any way, in my opinion. if anything, the places where i DIDNT get plastics look so much worse at my lighter weight (i'm looking at you inner thighs and butt). my arms (lift), boobs (lift) and stomach (tummy tuck), where i did get plastics, still look fabulous. - fifth. for me, i didn't get plastics for anyone else, or to impress them, or to snag a husband/wife. i still never really understand why others think i do all my shopping and dressing and med-spa-ing for THEM. i do it cuz *i* want to. i want to look in the mirror and think, daammmmmnnnn. my confidence was re-instated after the weight loss (i can do anything! AND i look hawt!) , with the plastics and the exercise, my confidence level is thru the roof (i can do anything! AND i look SUPER hawt!). aint nothing wrong with wanting to look and feel great. i mean, who WANTS to NOT like how they look or not like how they feel about themselves?? and if liking how you look/feel means you get rid of some extra skin, or pump up your boobs, or lift your ass, so be it. you wont find any judgment here. be awesome. good luck! ❤️

I had been part time following the pre ops diet and cutting down on my food sizes a few weeks before I got news of my operation date : may 26, the same date 5 years ago I knew I was going to gain weight because of pregnancy complications. So the first two and the half weeks I just did more pre- ops eating (modifast in 4 different flavors) . They are quite tolerable. I usually had a normal (small sizemeal) in the evening with the kids. Now starting last Sunday, (18 may) I am on a full water fast for 5 days. Meaning my fast ends today at 19:20. I have my modifast oatmeal ready should I really need to eat something at that hour. Tomorrow Saturday I shall be on liquid pre ops meals as prescribed. Sunday will be another day on liquid only in preparation for my operation on Monday. I tell you what this is my body and I am determined to get it back. The operation is not a magic pill. It is just a tool in my toolbox. The way I think about food and how and why and when I ingest it- that to me is the magic. I am focusing very much in discovering my cues and knowing what triggers my eating habits. I am learning to say no all together when I am invited to that snack moment at work to eat what so ever what when I truly know I do not need it. - I am learning to say ’No’ and knowing it will be okay. I take it a minute at a time. We shall get through this and we will not turn back. I want to be able to jump into every photo without cringing I want to feel good and run about with my kids without feeling pain, exhausted and above all guilty. I am doing this for my boys and then for myself. We will be alright guys. We got this.

Amazing. Thank you so much. I just did my monthly inbody test and I've lose 4 kgs of fat and gained 2 kgs of muscles so I must be doing something right haha. And it made me excited to push through because I only lost 900g of "weight" so ya I should throw out the scale. I do want to build habits which I can sustain forever. So that's why my workouts and food are very normal and not special food for right now! Let's see how it goes!

My lap band removal was terrible. I lost a lot of weight in the beginning and ended up gaining all my weight back and then some after a couple years of having the band. I kept it about 10 years. I had my band out last January and ended up having bypass last October. The band removal was very uncomfortable, i had a drain and I just felt overall terrible compared to bypass which was an easy surgery for me….that band was the Bain of my existence personally….bypass a lot lot lot better so far for me. Good luck and get that miserable thing out.