Dunndeal

Thank you Cinwa!

My 5 year surgiversary came and went earlier this week but today is the first day I’ve worn real clothes and done my hair since having a hysterectomy on 8/15 so here’s my annual update. I share this each year in the hopes it encourages others wherever they may be in this journey. If you’re not having surgery due to fear of regain or what all you won’t be able to eat after surgery- please don’t let that deter you. My goal weight is 150lbs and I’m currently about 5lbs over that. I’m blaming it on surgery swelling but have tightened down the diet until I’m back to 150lbs. I manage my weight through portion control and if the scales go over 150lbs, I go back to clean, low carb eating. I don’t eat dense meat so I still have 1-2 protein shakes a day, fruit and yogurt (with chia seeds and nuts for added protein) almost everyday for lunch and a lot of beans, cheese and eggs. I dump so I eat very few sweets but sometimes, I go for it, suffer the consequences, swear I’m never doing it again because dumping is miserable and then a few weeks later, there I am again. Health wise, I’m very healthy but do get iron infusions 1-2 times a year. They’re no big deal. Regardless of these post-surgery things, I would do it again and anytime I’m asked by someone if they should do it, I tell them “yes without a doubt, do it”. It’s still, 5 years later, one of the best things I’ve ever done for myself. Hope everyone is doing well!

Welcome back @GAviv. The kids are beautiful! Glad to see you back in the game. Regardless of circumstances- when you were at you’re healthiest and now, on your way back there, you’ve always been a source of inspiration here at TTF and we’re all here cheering for you!

8/14 came and went like any other day. I totally forgot about my surgiversary! I’m posting because I remember in the early days how scared I was of regain and how I relied on this forum for info and encouragement. Weight management and healthy food choices continue to be a daily focus for me. I stay right at 150. If the scales go above that by even an ounce, I lock down my diet until I get back to 145ish. I eat pretty much anything I want and can tolerate (tolerate being the key word- I still have a picky pouch) but in moderation. I still drink a protein shake every day for breakfast. The most exciting part of the last year is that I started doing some basic daily exercises (sit ups, planks and squats) and as a result, for the first time in 18 years, at 46 years old, I wore a BIKINI this summer. It was modest - high waist bottoms and full coverage (read good support) top- but it was 2 pieces and my mid drift got tan! Here’s a pic from today, the pic from Christmas 2013 that inspired me to have surgery and another pic from 2013. Good luck to all of you who are headed into, just getting started, or are well underway in this weight loss journey.

Hi everybody. I’ve been away for awhile but always lurking. Just wanted to stop by and tell you all how fabulous you look! @Cardamom77- so funky! @Jen581791- so classic and summery! @CheeringCJ-that tiny waist! Looking good ladies!

Love this! I don't mind at all. I felt like a princess that day as every bride should.

Today is my 21st wedding anniversary. Hubs has loved me through thick and thin - literally. I think it was Julie who posted a pic in her wedding dress awhile back. It inspired me. So here it is - straight out of 1996 and it still zipped!

Hi Sleevalicious, thought I'd check in and see how things are going? Any success getting the scale to move?

Sleevalicious, When the pounds start creeping on, and they do, I devote a week to a very strict diet of a protein shake for breakfast, a protein shake for lunch and a protein shake for a 3pm snack. I'll eat some cheese and nuts mid-morning between shakes and then I'll have a hearty dinner. I can't eat dense meat but I can eat ground beef so I eat a lot of taco salads and tacos in romaine lettuce boats. Sometimes I eat a parfait of berries, walnuts, yogurt and chia seeds. Good luck - don't give up - the scale will move again.

TT Friends, This devotion spoke to my soul this morning so I thought I would share it in case there are others here who could use this encouragement. http://info.proverbs31.org/when-words-leave-you-wounded?ecid=ACsprvs6plEdTFFb1H9WifbJ-4SVq5oupwmzwLWbcpXZiMIrMk15FNkYdtFoHyXRbIJ9H-verelw&utm_campaign=Daily Devotions&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=55814081&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8Fc4NpcWsu7uT2Tr0o-IDPoHQJ9iHgso-ImWBSPWY-vOSTYmJ7jldmlsqSdLQZ0HNSY5QW6KDflppTibvOgW5FtHEIdA&_hsmi=55814081

Try not to get too concerned. It eventually stops falling out and usually before the thinning becomes noticeable to others. And it grows back. In fact, I think my hair is thicker now than it was before surgery due to the vitamins and protein.

Thank you! 45 to be exact.

Thank you Cinwa. It was fairly common in years 1-2 post-op for people who don't see me often to not recognize me at all. Honestly, I'm very glad to be past the "OH MY GOD HOW MUCH WEIGHT HAVE YOU LOST?!" phase. It was an awkward time.

Just remembered that today's my 3rd surgiversary! I went from 270ish to a lowest weight of 139. My surgeon wanted me to be around 150 which is right where I stay now (although I prefer more like 145). Attached is the pic from 2013 that pushed me over the edge to WLS when I saw that my hubs could barely get his arms around me. The other is today (not the best pic- today's clothing choice was function over fashion). To the newbies- the "secret to success" is keeping an ongoing commitment to making healthy choices every time it's time to eat. It's not always easy but it's so worth it.

I realized I took a pic last week and forgot to post it. Green blouse with my new obsession- bell sleeves. Size medium - not sure of the brand (got it at TJMaxx). Black Express slacks size 6.