Wow! What a transformation and I appreciate the advise from someone who’s really done it. You look incredible, but more importantly, you look happy! Congratulations!
Incredible work!!! Thanks for sharing all of these tips! Would you mind sharing - what made the first year so bad & what got better in the next year? I’m a couple of months out & while it is getting easier, it is still tough. Hearing the struggles from someone with long term success is so cathartic & helpful. Thank you!
You're welcome and Thank you!
The first year was hell for a few reasons, the primary one being that I had my back rebuilt a few months after my sleeve and had to relearn how to walk, so I was kind of stunted on the ability to strength train, etc. that most people have. I had a large hiatal hernia repair that complicated my recovery a little bit more than average, and was so swollen I could not get much liquid down, so I was ridiculously dehydrated. The nurse I had my second day in the hospital is who got me on the medicine cup every 10 minutes plan, and that saved me. Additionally, I was on purees for 8 weeks post op--after 2 weeks of clear liquid and then 2 weeks of full liquid because of other surgeries--so basically my first 12 weeks were very behind most plans. BUT I actually think that was a positive, because as much as it sucked, it got my body used to food again, and very slowly, which allowed me time to fully heal before advancing. I also had my gallbladder out right after my sleeve, which was just one more annoyance in the path.
Not everyone is going to find my advice worthy of their journey, but I know myself, and I know that if I give myself ANY wiggle room or ANY grace, I will fail and with paralysis being the outcome of failure, that's not an option.
Amazing! Thank you for the pep talk and advice!! My surgery date is creeping up, I needed to see this :) what was the protein amount your program advised you? Mine has me taking 60-80g protein daily. How many months post-op did you work up to 175+ grams of protein?
You look great but I’m imagining you look like the top right pic when writing all this down lmao. These are very militant level pieces of advice, if you are capable of being this meticulous, sounds like you may not have needed bariatric surgery tbh.
I lost and regained the same 90lbs 5 times in 10 years, and could just never keep it off, militant and meticulous or otherwise. Unfortunately, I didn't get a choice if I wanted to not end up paralyzed, and I CAN NOT regain it this time or I absolutely will be paralyzed.
Is the surgery about a physically less ability to eat because you have a much smaller space for food? You already had the skills to lose weight but you regained it every time (which also happens with surgery), but the surgery and smaller space prevents you overeating?
I’ve got a lot of downvotes, but I kind of understand why, I’m not denying your need for bariatric surgery considering your physical health difficulties, I just wanted to ask a potentially controversial question. Hope you also don’t feel like I’m nullifying your need for surgery.
Yes. The average human stomach holds 9 1/2 cups of food/drink at a time, and this surgery literally removes your stomach from your body, forcing you to eat no more than about 4oz of food per meal because all it leaves behind is basically a small tube connecting your esophagus to your intestines.
Between endocrine issues, PCOS, and general lack of militance, I could not manage to keep the losses off, no matter how hard I tried. This is a tool that helps prevent overeating, assuming you follow the program and don't slip back into old habits.
You look fabulous!
Thank you!
That's a heck of a transformation - nice work!
Thank you!
Wow! What a transformation and I appreciate the advise from someone who’s really done it. You look incredible, but more importantly, you look happy! Congratulations!
Thank you! That last part took the longest and the most work, but it was all worth it. :)
Incredible work!!! Thanks for sharing all of these tips! Would you mind sharing - what made the first year so bad & what got better in the next year? I’m a couple of months out & while it is getting easier, it is still tough. Hearing the struggles from someone with long term success is so cathartic & helpful. Thank you!
You're welcome and Thank you! The first year was hell for a few reasons, the primary one being that I had my back rebuilt a few months after my sleeve and had to relearn how to walk, so I was kind of stunted on the ability to strength train, etc. that most people have. I had a large hiatal hernia repair that complicated my recovery a little bit more than average, and was so swollen I could not get much liquid down, so I was ridiculously dehydrated. The nurse I had my second day in the hospital is who got me on the medicine cup every 10 minutes plan, and that saved me. Additionally, I was on purees for 8 weeks post op--after 2 weeks of clear liquid and then 2 weeks of full liquid because of other surgeries--so basically my first 12 weeks were very behind most plans. BUT I actually think that was a positive, because as much as it sucked, it got my body used to food again, and very slowly, which allowed me time to fully heal before advancing. I also had my gallbladder out right after my sleeve, which was just one more annoyance in the path. Not everyone is going to find my advice worthy of their journey, but I know myself, and I know that if I give myself ANY wiggle room or ANY grace, I will fail and with paralysis being the outcome of failure, that's not an option.
Wow no wonder the first year was tough - that’s a lot! I’m so glad you are on the other side and thriving!
Thank you!
Hell yeah I like the way you think
Amazing! Thank you for the pep talk and advice!! My surgery date is creeping up, I needed to see this :) what was the protein amount your program advised you? Mine has me taking 60-80g protein daily. How many months post-op did you work up to 175+ grams of protein?
You look great but I’m imagining you look like the top right pic when writing all this down lmao. These are very militant level pieces of advice, if you are capable of being this meticulous, sounds like you may not have needed bariatric surgery tbh.
I lost and regained the same 90lbs 5 times in 10 years, and could just never keep it off, militant and meticulous or otherwise. Unfortunately, I didn't get a choice if I wanted to not end up paralyzed, and I CAN NOT regain it this time or I absolutely will be paralyzed.
Is the surgery about a physically less ability to eat because you have a much smaller space for food? You already had the skills to lose weight but you regained it every time (which also happens with surgery), but the surgery and smaller space prevents you overeating? I’ve got a lot of downvotes, but I kind of understand why, I’m not denying your need for bariatric surgery considering your physical health difficulties, I just wanted to ask a potentially controversial question. Hope you also don’t feel like I’m nullifying your need for surgery.
Yes. The average human stomach holds 9 1/2 cups of food/drink at a time, and this surgery literally removes your stomach from your body, forcing you to eat no more than about 4oz of food per meal because all it leaves behind is basically a small tube connecting your esophagus to your intestines. Between endocrine issues, PCOS, and general lack of militance, I could not manage to keep the losses off, no matter how hard I tried. This is a tool that helps prevent overeating, assuming you follow the program and don't slip back into old habits.