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Hello paddyski, I am feeling MUCH better. Thank you for asking. Yesterday was a significant improvement for me. It was my first day that I was able to go for a short walk (only the length of 5 neighbor houses and back) but a start. Baby steps. It was a beautiful day (mid-60s) so when we returned I sat in my rocker outside for about 3 hours and watched my family clean gutters and work around the yard. It was such a blessing to get the Vitamin D and just be outside. I figured I was still following quarantine orders since I was not interacting with anyone. I am finding it a little difficult to get all my liquid and protein in on some days, for the most part I'm good. I have to take my antibiotic treatment for the c. diff every 6 hours, so that requires me waking up constantly. If I have a hard time falling back asleep, it has effect a few days where I don't even start eating (drinking) my protein until 10:20am and at that point it's very hard to get it all in during the day. I've made a conscious effort to wake up by 7:30am no matter how tired I am and begin my fluids/protein and just take naps along the way. I know once I complete the antibiotics (Thanksgiving day) it will be a huge improvement in my sleep, which of course will help with my healing.

I just had my surgery 10/29. I lost 24 pounds on the liquid diet, and then 17 my first week after surgery. Then nothing. lol, I thought I was gonna be the one this didnt work for, that my stomach was too big, that I was just not able to lose weight. Stayed that way for almost 2 weeks, now blammo, 3 days 6 pounds gone. I am breathing again lol. The weirdest part is that what appears to have triggered the new weight loss is that I have been able to eat about an oz more than I had and it feels perfect and comfortable and honestly really good to eat what feels like a normal amount lol. So basically I feel fabulous eating 3-4oz a meal (about 1/2 cup). My head and mouth seem satisfied along with my stomach! My calories increased by about 75 to 100 (25 to 35 a meal). My fatigue is way better and honestly, I feel amazing! Now that I had my first period of not losing anything for almost 2 weeks, then watching it come off again, I am way less worried. I just needed to come out the other side of it and lose again to be sure I wasn't just gonna already stop losing forever lol! You will really get there and I understand. Its hard to be patient but just keep doing what's recommended and it continues to work! Thank goodness!

1. Challenge Starting weight: 202 2. Current weight lost: 41 3. Losing or maintaining weight: losing 4. Fitness/exercise goal: 5x week 5. Total weight loss at the end of challenge: (Post January 1st 2019) 12-15 6. Check in: Tell us how you are doing - I have been very focused, so I don’t want to lose that during the holidays. I also have a lot of travel, so I need to take each week as a goal.

How are things going? I am in the same boat as you just 2 months later. I was sleeved on 10/15 and everything you mentioned is the same with me. Any tips or tricks?

That's the first I've heard about any Medicare rebate. I'll have to make an appointment with the surgery and ask those specific questions. I was told Medicare Will only pay if you meet the standard for public surgery not private. I've still got 10 months wait as I've just started with PHI Tnx

@Samiam1130 How things going? I am in the same boat as you just 2 months later. I was sleeved on 10/15 and everything you mentioned is the same with me. Any tips or tricks?

a majority of people experience their first stall about three weeks after surgery (search for "the three week stall" (it even has a name!)). The first month or so is also when you'll typically see your biggest losses, after that, your 2.2 lbs a week thing is pretty common. Just stick to your plan and the weight will come off. After the first month, I lost about 10-12 lbs a month for awhile (and once I was about six or seven months out, it came off even slower). But I've lost over 200 lbs in total, so it does work as long as you stick to your program.

Challenge Starting weight: 278,6 Current weight lost: 25 Pounds ( 20 pre surgery) Losing or maintaining weight: Losing Fitness/exercise goal: Walk 7 days a week Total weight loss at the end of challenge: (Post January 1st 2019) TBD Check in: Tell us how you are doing - (How is your diet and exercise plan going? Any struggles? Stress level? What have you overcome? Any strategies that have helped) I am excited for this. I will check in on Sundays..(even though today is Saturday.. LOL)

I am going to have my bypass done in Feb 2018. Did you go on any special diet beforehand? If so where can I find a diet to follow before surgery? Thank You for your help. My sister had bypass 10 years ago and said she never had dumping. I have asked her questions and she said that she didn't really follow any special diet in the months before just right before surgery.

I am sorry you do not feel you have support. My wife went through the same 10 years ago. Today this site facebook and MFP all have support groups and people like myself who had RNY in July who are here for you, Check the following web site https://www.obesityaction.org/community/find-support-connect/find-a-support-group/ the site has some bariatric support groups Also have you done a google search for support I a, on MFP my profile is josephskop You can friend me and I will try to provide support Joe

Luna, at least they have a lemon one, so fed up with protein bar companies cramming chocolate down a weight loss person's throat, Geez Louise, I am not the only,one intolerant or down right allergic to the stuff! And while we are are on the subject, all I can find are vanilla or chocolate protein shakes, I am 23 miles from the nearest Sams Club and 40,miles from Costco so neither is an option. And one gets so sick on. vanilla, nearly 4 weeks pre and 10+ post, and the Bariatric Pal ones the best is Orange Creamsicle and I'm getting,low,on it.

The protein/caloric intake is something I'm confused about, too. I'm supposed to be advancing my diet, but the only way to meet my protein goal is to do 2 Premier Protein shakes a day, which basically uses all of my calories for the day, so I can't really advance. Even more confusing is that I'm supposed to be working up to 80g of protein per day, but am not going to be increasing my calories for another 2 months, and even then, I'll only get 500 calories (or possibly a few more depending on my workouts). I have a follow up in about 10 days so I'll ask for clarification on all that. I am having trouble even getting to 64 oz of water, so I will keep working on that. Thank you for the response. I really appreciate it! I will keep at the water intake!

Wow...I logged back in to this platform as my journey continued and forgot this thread was here. I can’t believe I’ve been in this band nightmare for over 12 years!!! In 2007 I finally got the port removed. My doctor very nonchalantly said “it tested positive for MRSA infection”. I had NO idea the implications. He handed me a card for an Infectious Disease doctor and told me to go across the street to their office. Again, NO idea what was ahead. Suddenly I had a nightmare of a PICC line (took 2 excruciating days to insert) for Vancomycin and a wound vac system. I had both of these for weeks, my home was a virtual hospital. I even took that show to work a few times. Crazy. That was over 10 years ago. In those 10 years I had just the band. I’d never been able to get it removed because it wasn’t presenting obvious negative effects and my insurance wouldn’t cover it. After a decade I finally started the path to revision to a sleeve. I had the band removed on 10/26. It was very complicated. My outpatient procedure turned into 6 days in the hospital. The band had eroded into my stomach (common) but also had RAVAGED my small intestines. The new surgeon said he had never seen anything like it. He had to get the band out of several spots in the intestines and do a lot of repair work. While recovering, about 24 hrs after surgery, things went south. BP low, breathing shallow, heart rate up, fever...ugh. Many tests later and we determined that my chronic Diverticulitis had flared up and was causing the additional pain and infection. It was a very long 6 days, and the fevers kept coming. After being released and on a better coarse of oral antibiotics, things are finally better. It’s been 3 weeks and I am almost not in pain. It was a miracle I didn’t have a blockage, or major infections with that band. I now think my bowel perforations and infections may be related to the band. I had no idea and I guess the band was never visible in the CT scans. Anyway... I wanted to finish my 12 year saga. I’m almost second guessing the sleeve surgery. I feel like I am 4/4 with bad surgery issues...but the reality is that a lot of things (if not all) were caused by that awful band. I may have the surgery, but it will be after the New Year. That bums me out because it will very VERY expensive with out of pocket costs...but realistically I need more time to heal...and I am unable to miss a wedding on Dec 29th. Not sure anyone will read this...but that’s where I am. Xx

I just had surgery done by Dr. Z on 10/30. He is an amazing man. You won't be disappointed with the service you will receive Sent from my SM-G930V using BariatricPal mobile app

3 small meals, 3 snacks was the original directive. Go no more than 2-3 hours without something going on. Well honest that's what THEY SAID. My real life, water of some sort when I wake up, either plain or Nestle Splash no calorie, take am pills, try to down 2-oz every 15 minutes, hopefully I took my Carafate at 6Am and my Zofran at 8Am or my day goes badly. 9-10 am protein shake, getting down to soy and pea not my favorite or dry powder from Bariatric Pal. WARNING-DO NOT BUY THE NY CHEESECAKE flavor, I whipped up frozen unsweetened strawberries in it this AM, still FOUL! Tak8ng it 2 oz by 2 oz grimacing all the way. Why don't I dump it, hate to throw that money away. Then lunch time, strained soup with protein powder added, after long enough start on the water torture every 15 minutes, for dinner broth , soup , something with scoop of protein added. Try mightly to get the 90 grams of protein Dr Noria wants for healing those ulcers. Calories, hopefully 600-800 if I have done things right, don't miss zofran, don't miss Carafate, make sure multivitamin, B12 get taken. Live a sad little life, not much flavor, keep it smooth, keep it liquid. Don't rock the boat, I defecate every 2-3 days, often needing prompting. Void 4 to 6 times daily smells of mutivitamins et all. I know everyone has their own JOURNEY but it is lonely being a Stricture Kid, having a pouch,that hurts almost constantly, hard to descern ulcer pain from hunger, emotionally I want to eat , but my body doesn't accept much. Surgery weight was 319, now I am somewhere in the mid 270s, maybe purchase a scale the first of December, first time I have lived somewhere with smooth level floors. And the only joys I have, my son, my cats and Bariatric Pals that I have made. I do make an attempt to be upbeat but it is becoming harder, I see no bright star☀or Sun ahead, had last regular appointment in October, not scheduled for another until December 19th, the average patient is doing well, doesn't need much maintainance, well Dayum I am SPECIAL. Biweekly I go have Dr Noria go try to stretch me somemore, make comments about my,ulcerations and then back home. And like the Little Match Girl staring into the Brightly lit Toy Store, nobody seems to care. Not so much regret as feeling neglected and unfulfilled.

Please add your current weight in your responses. Thanks! Challenge Starting weight: 132 Current weight - 132 Current weight lost: Losing or maintaining weight: Maintaining Fitness/exercise goal: Less cardio more weights Total weight loss at the end of challenge: (Post January 1st 2019) Check in: Tell us how you are doing - (How is your diet and exercise plan going? Any struggles? Stress level? What have you overcome? Any strategies that have helped) Family stress! Keeping my stress/emotional eating in check. What doesn't challenge you does not change you. Its time to get out of my comfort zone at the gym. My goal is a booty in 2019.

I'm just over 4 weeks out. I lost 20 pounds in the first 4 weeks, BUT almost 15 was the first week after surgery. Then I had a stall/recovery period at week 2 and didn't lose for 10+ days. Now I'm losing at a rate of 2.2 pounds per week. I'm so sad and angry. Why isn't it falling off like everyone says? I'm eating 300 to 400 calories per day and aiming for 60g of protein per day (per my doctor's plan- at 3 months I get upped to 500 calories per day and should be near 80g of protein and possibly more calories depending on workouts). I can't believe it. 2.2 pounds per week?? That's what normal people lose, but I'M NOT NORMAL. I just had 75% of my stomach cut out and I'm restricted to starvation levels of calories. How am I only losing 2.2 pounds per week?? I had surgery at 265, and I'm only 5'5", so I have a lot to lose. Even now I have 95 pounds to go to get to a normal BMI and healthy weight. I just started really working out this week (20-30 mins daily of walking or biking and 2 specific arm exercises using light weights and lots of reps) so I know it's not muscle. I'm so sad about this. Please tell me I'm not the only one who isn't experiencing magical weight loss of 5+ pounds per week. I'd be so happy with like 3.5 pounds per week, but I can't even get to that. I feel like this didn't work and I've changed my whole life for nothing. If I'm only at 2.2 pounds per week now, what happens in 6 months when the honeymoon phase is over?! I'll never lose weight again! Also, I'm still hungry!!

Challenge Starting weight: 237.2lbs Current weight lost: 50.8lbs Losing or maintaining weight:losing Fitness/exercise goal: 3-4x a week Total weight loss at the end of challenge: (Post January 1st 2019) 25lbs Check in: Tell us how you are doing - (How is your diet and exercise plan going? Any struggles? Stress level? What have you overcome? Any strategies that have helped: Currently working out 3x a week and the weight is coming off slowly. Up 1/2lb today from the red dragon but that's life. [emoji849] Sent from my SM-G960U using BariatricPal mobile app

Challenge starting weight 272 Surgery weight 319 (9/5/18) Pounds lost since HW 93 pounds (10/17) Exercise minimal, diet restriction with stricture, attempting to upgrade daily, but still bouts of dizziness.

I was on Dexilent next, took it faithfully, felt results were good, was faithful up into my bariatric surgery time. Afterward what should rear it's ugly head but omeprazole. Oh no no, I told them THAT doesn't work for me. Their excuse: you can open those capsules and pour it on food or stir into applesauce. Moot point on the capsule opening, I was willing to cut the Dexilent capsules open if that was the rationale.Why not give me something that works instead of that stuff. But they insisted and I finally bent,to their will. 2 weeks in I stated THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG, and at first I was poo!pooed, You're swollen, give yourself time to heal, you're imagining things, my favorite We Are The Bariatric Weight Team, We Know What Is Best For Your Body, yeah Your Degree- My Body! Finally, I suspect, to shut me up they scheduled me an endoscopy, an EGJ, because of course, a bypassers duodenum is never easily visualized again, only the jejunem can be, the price RNY pays. And who was right? ME ME ME! I have lived in this body many years, give me a little credit please! And in addition to the stricture I thought I hand who should be there except 5 new nasty little ulcers 2 in the pouch near the stomal openings and 3 more on the back wall of the,jejunem, all grown with daily dosing of omeprazol. I have had scoping 12th October, 26th October, 9th November and another 23 November, just don' t have designated time yet. And,last time Dr Noria stated the ulceration is worse, I cannot longer be in the presence of an active smoker, indeed not even someone who has tobacco residue on their clothing, I am not yet bleeding or ready to perforated but who knows? Of the precipitating risks? Ischemia from the operation, Roux limb tension, dehydration, difficult to move past when Precious Pouch accepts no more than 3 ounces of anything without active rebellion. And after 10+ weeks it is emotionally wearying, so I have gone back to mini-cup therapy every 15 minutes, manage to get medications, vitamins, minerals in , thing,i may be living on them instead of effective calories. And since I am still on a limited Stage 2 diet it is difficult to be dietarily indisecreet. I have been on Zofran 3 times daily, now have added Carafate every 6 hours around the clock. James I would like to receive some,joy by now! I am dropping weight like an anorexic sailor, I'm tired, dizzy if I exercise very much. Clothes much looser, some people have noticed my weight loss, the average person can't be bothered to care. And I keep on keeping on and yearn for a change.😙😉😳😜

Challenge Starting weight: 190 Current weight lost: 20.8 Losing or maintaining weight: Losing Fitness/exercise goal: 6 days/week Total weight loss at the end of challenge: (Post January 1st 2019) Check in: Tell us how you are doing - (How is your diet and exercise plan going? Any struggles? Stress level? What have you overcome? Any strategies that have helped) Struggles: Lately I have been having difficulty getting in water/fluids. I am now using a straw (with permission), which is helping tremendously.

Hi, new to the forum. I had my surgery 10/17/18 and was on liquids (3 protein shakes and water with broth, SF popecycles and SF Jello for snakes) week one with soft foods for the next 3 weeks then reg food starting week 5. Soft food consisted of seafood (fish, crab, etc), soft cooked veggies (but no asparagus yet), and the usual sliders. Pureed stage was only for Bypass patients. I ate all the above with no issues. Down 30lbs as of this morning. I'd advise to follow your program but listen to your body. As they advised, if u try something that doesn't work initially then stop and reintroduce the food a couple weeks later. Sent from my SM-N950U using BariatricPal mobile app

Yeah, I was cleared to start on soft foods 10 days after my surgery. I started with easier stuff like yogurt and cottage cheese and refried beans -- chicken wasn't for a couple of weeks, for me, and I started with chicken cooked in a crockpot with barbecue sauce, pulled apart with a fork like pulled pork -- but it was fine. I tried a new food almost every day and worked my way through the list without much trouble. I was on that until almost the 6 week mark (so, 4.5 weeks on soft foods), and now I'm allowed to try anything I want (except for rice, pasta, or alcohol, anyway). I haven't tried any raw veggies (besides a little lettuce) or steak or anything I know is super hard. But I've had grilled chicken and hamburger patties without problems, and I'm not 7 weeks out yet. The other thing they told me was, if something does settle wrong, and you throw up: give yourself a day of only liquids, to rest your stomach.

I was eating puree and soft foods 10 days post op per my team, Each team is different. My booklet from my team said 2 weeks liquids, 1 week puree 1 week soft and after that anything that I could tolerate and they stressed chew, chew, chew. They only mentioned to stay away from beef and pork chops for 6 months because it's hard to digest, but I've read on here lots of people eat those before 6 months...I did try beef and it did not sit well with me so I will wait like suggested.

Hi everyone! I technically hit 6 months 2 days ago, but whatever Wednesdays suck so boo. Anyways, I am 6 months into my new life, and good lord is it a new life. I am a new person for sure. One year ago to the day I had been sobbing in my room because my size 24s would barely button. I know without a doubt that I was over 300lbs, but the sight of a scale had anxiety clogging my throat. I decided that day something would change. I went out and dropped 2k on an elliptical and resolved to "fix this ridiculousness immediately." Fast forward to February of 2018, and I was frustrated as all hell. Killing myself on the elliptical every freaking day and I was sitting at 292 and not moving. It wasn't enough. It was never enough, because this wasn't the first time I had gotten fed up and resolved to change. I went online and booked myself an appointment for March 15 for a WLS consultation. I think the stress and anxiety over that appointment helped me drop a few lbs, but I weighed in at just under 288 for my very first weigh in, and the first day of my new life. I reworked everything about my diet, cut out the crap and worked studiously with the nutritionist. I was scheduled for surgery on May 14th, weighing in at 260lbs. Fast forward six months later, and I am sitting here at 184 (Darn you sweet potato wedges and the 2lb gain this morning because of you! But you were so worth it). I am OVER 100lbs down from where I began 2018. I am 76lbs down from my surgery weight. But numbers are really not my major accomplishments. Or at least, not those numbers. What are my important numbers? 2.5: The number of miles I can run without stopping to walk. I will be running my second 5k Thanksgiving Morning. 12: The size freaking pants I am wearing! I am NOT plus size anymore. This is huge for me. I've been in plus size clothes for the majority of my children's (8 and 5) lives and now I am not. I am below average size for the american woman. 7: The number of sizes I have dropped. I don't know why, but I feel like that's a big deal. I dropped SEVEN sizes in less than a YEAR. Total Mind F**k. 3: The number of days per week I take my kids on a hike/walk in the neighborhood. Given this is weather permitting, but I am always out with my kids now, doing the things I couldn't before. Whether it's riding on the bike trail, doing laps around the pond, or mini-hikes through the state forest, or even exploring the small woods behind our house- We are doing it. Every weekend and many times during the week if we can. 1 Million: The percentage displaying how much better I feel about myself, and about my health. and lastly, 0: The number of regrets I have for deciding to have this surgery. So that aside, whats my day to day like? Well here it is! (Work week, weekends are less regimented but usually are where I focus my heavier workouts) 4:30am: I wake up and drink a cup of coffee (8oz) mixed with half a bottle of caramel or chocolate Premier Protein RTD drink. This is the start to my day, every day. I then go for my run or do my weight lifting/exercise regimen. During the week it's usually only a two mile run. I also go to OTF once a week, but that's usually on weekends. Wednesday is my OFF day because F**K Wednesdays. 6am: I make a shake and drink it during my 1.5 - 2 hour commute. Yes 6 months out I still drink a shake. I do this because I make my own shakes and they are super good and I ALWAYS feel way more energetic when I have them. I have a huge selection of shakes I make, but they typically will consist of greek yogurt or cottage cheese, almond milk, protein powder, and either sweet or more savory items. I pack as much nutritional punch as I can into that shake. I even have holiday ones (My peppermint mocha shake is delicious!) 10am: I will usually have a small snack. Honestly it really varies. Sometimes it will be a fruit, but it's usually something more cheese based. I love cheese. So a babybell cheese, string cheese, or even my newest obsession Sargento breaks. 12pm: Lunch always varies, but I am usually good for about 2.5oz of food. I know it sounds super small, and at times I can eat more but I usually try not to since I don't need it. I tend to eat smaller frequent meals. Again this varies, but one thing I eat a lot is turkey salad. Roast turkey with greek yogurt and a FEW dried cranberries, salt, pepper and paprika and I am good to go. 2pm: Coffee #2! Actually I drink so much coffee, but luckily it's almost all decaf. This coffee is a staple because well I have routine issues and just need it. It makes me happy. If I am having a rough day energy wise I'll add some PP in like my first coffee, but I seldom need the added protein. In fact I take in too much protein honestly. I'm working on it with my nutritionist. 3pm: This is usually my sweet snack. I make my own seven layer bars that I will sometimes eat, but if not it will be some sort of sweet. I will often eat some sort of fruit, yogurt, or whatever floats my boat. If I eat chocolate, I eat dark. It's my preference anyways. 6pm: Dinner time! This is my last meal of the day. I almost never eat anything after this since I go to bed around 9am because I am secretly an old person LOL. Dinners as you can imagine vary a ton as well, but I eat predominately white meat. Not that red meat is bad, but my husband had a heart attack back in April so we limit the amount of red meat in the house. Despite changing taste buds I hate fish just as much post surgery as I did before it. I was bummed by this but whatever. We eat lots of turkey and chicken. Because my diet is pretty healthy, I do tend to be a bit more lax about dinner but that is just me. I will still opt for a healthier option a majority, but I still make a mean homemade chicken pot pie so I splurge every now and then Overall my calories range from 1100-1400 depending on how heavy my workouts are, and the time of the month because YES that makes a difference. I get in about 85-100g of protein (too much I know, I'm sort of working on it sort of. I made routines post surgery when you had to focus focus focus on building protein and I sort of overdid it. I mean I STILL drink protein waters because I'm weird. I drink about 100oz of water/fluid (This includes the DECAF coffees, I don't count caffeinated coffee in my fluid intake and will drink a bit more water if I have caffeine). Honestly any less than that and I really really feel awful. Keeping hydrated literally means the difference between going for that run, or lying in the fetal position on my bed with a migraine. I don't respond well to my migraine meds post surgery. If I only got in say 70oz of water a day for 3 days straight, I'd be bedraggled with dark circles, and fighting a headache. My body likes water. A lot. I take my vitamins mostly daily. The BIG vitamins I do... it's the calcium ones I don't always take. I don't know why, but they always make me feel super super thirsty after taking them. My one a day does too, but not nearly as bad and they are more important. I LOVE my b12 I feel like it makes a huge difference so I always take that one. I'd say I take the calcium one 5 out of 7 days. I would say I'm working on that too... but I'm really not. NOT because I don't think it's important, but because I am a stubborn idiot and my teeth are probably paying for it :(. Maybe that will be my resolution for 2019... So that's me in a nutshell I think? Hair loss sucks but I have alopecia so that's not new. Saggy skin is definitely a thing. Mine isn't TOO bad, but it's definitely there. I mean I've had two kids and been fat so I wasn't expecting any less. My ass ran away though. That's kind of sad. I've tweaked my workouts a bit in hopes of coaxing it back but who knows if that will work LOL. Oh and lastly I wanted to talk stalls. Holy lord do I stall. My body is kind of ridiculous. Each month I kid you not I will not move at all, then bam I'll lose a ton of weight. My body likes to stall...gain... then wooooosh drop 5lbs overnight. So don't let stalls discourage you. It's a thing. They happen. And if your eating right and exercising the weight will continue to drop until you reach your happy place. Don't get discouraged. I personally treat each stall like a good friend. Because that stall always means my clothes are going to get a bit looser So I welcome good old Mr. Stall ❤️ P.S. Running makes your legs look fabulous. My thunder thighs no longer go BOOM. In fact they look kind of... sexy... in my running pants P.S.S. My feet AND head shrunk too! Went down a full size in shoes (may go down to a 9.5 too since my 10s feel a bit slippery) and all my pre-surgery wigs are sooooooo big. Who knew I had so much fat on my head... Okay Piccy time (I know 90% of newbies will skip straight to that because that's totally what I did LOL) June-September 2017: I was probably about 295-305 in these pictures (Kind of hurts to look at them now to be honest.) October 2018: I was at a conference and getting ready to run down to the gym. (The bulge in the sweater is a water bottle, I know it looks super weird haha! I was about 190lbs. And lastly, this is me TODAY at 184! So the summary of this post... Life is effing amazing, and you can achieve WONDERFUL results if you are committed. I attribute my success to the dedication to BE a better, healthier version of myself and also a STRONGER version of myself. I can lift weights at the gym with the fit folks and NOT look out of place Such a good feeling. I even get a little smug when I notice my lifting form is better than the pretty boy who likes to offer me "advice"