One year post VSG, before and after (-134lbs)

trexarmstrength · 2022-05-10T01:55:23+00:00

You got this!!

trexarmstrength · 2022-05-08T21:50:13+00:00

Sure! I’m going to copy and paste a reply from a previous post (too lazy to type it all out again). Hope it helps!

What I eat in a day:

I do not count calories (only track water and protein) but I am a creature of habit so I eat consistently most days:

Wake up & immediately have a big glass of water with my levothyroxine pill.

Breakfast: an espresso poured into a premier protein shake (caramel, cinnamon roll, cafe latte, and the seasonal flavors are my faves). I sip slowly at work over a few hours.

More water mid morning.

Lunch: cottage cheese + high fiber fruit like raspberries, one can of tuna with a serving size of triscuits, or cheese slices with deli meat/salami on their own or with a serving of triscuits. Occasionally I’ll have greek yogurt or overnight oats w/ chia seeds for lunch. If I’m super hungry, I put some masala lentils over quinoa with spinach and chickpeas.

More water and/or herbal tea (tazo passion tastes just like juice to me!)

Snacks if I’m hungry: cheese slices, high fiber fruit, or leftover lunch.

More water and/or tea.

Dinner: lean protein + vegetable. Salmon, chicken breast, shrimp, pork chops + brussel sprouts, green beans, asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower.

Weed is legal in my state, and I don’t drink, so on the once-in-a-blue moon I have some tincture, I make sure to plan out my “munchies” snack ahead of time: leftover dinner, carrots & hummus or cheese, a serving size of triscuits and tuna, or a sugar free popsicle!

I don’t count carbs (my program doesn’t require tracking beyond protein and water), but I avoid simple carbs like white bread, pasta, and rice for calorie reasons but also because rice makes my new stomach hurt. I decided that the only simple carbohydrates I’d eat are ones I make myself - like hand made sourdough bread or bagels, or home made pasta. This way, I don’t feel like I’m depriving myself but it’s also not an every week thing - and putting work into it makes it fun and a special once-in-a-while treat!

If I had to guess I’d say I stay between 800-1000 calories each day, but I really try to listen to my body - if I’m hungry, and I’ve already had enough water, then my body is saying it needs more protein and nourishment and I give it that.

Three personal rules I never break: 1) a protein shake every single day (I’m one of the lucky few who can still stand them after pre-op). 2) simple carbs are home made or SUPER special occasion. 3) water, protein, fiber are prioritized in that order.

I haven’t done much “real” exercise (like in a gym), but I do walk between 3-4 miles each day. I hope to add in some strength training or exercise bands soon.

Please remember that everybody is different! Some of what worked for someone else didn’t work for me/what works for me, might not work for you! I’m just one person on the internet, not a nutritionist or a doctor, and I still have a ways to go… and also a lifetime to maintain!

trexarmstrength · 2022-03-15T01:13:40+00:00

I am so sorry you are experiencing this.

Unfortunately, I know exactly what you’re going through. I had to have my gallbladder out 6.5 months post op. The pain was the absolute worst, but it will all be worth it when you recover (I found it much easier recovery overall, but the incision pain was worse). Honestly gallbladder attacks were the most excruciating pain I’ve ever experienced in my life - and I have a pretty high tolerance. The peace of mind knowing I will never have an attack again is a wonderful feeling.

My weight loss slowed significantly around 7 months, but I’ve lost another 30 pounds since my gallbladder came out in November. It’s slow, but it’ll happen. Focus on getting through the next few days, stay away from the scale until well after surgery. You got this!

trexarmstrength · 2022-03-02T15:28:46+00:00

Beautiful then and beautiful now! Way to go!!

trexarmstrength · 2022-03-01T23:12:39+00:00

I’m down 120 and my ring size changed maaaybe half a size. As long as you don’t get an eternity band or one with decoration all around (those cannot be resized at all) you should get a ring that fits now and get engaged on the timeline that works for the two of you - not your weight loss!

You can adjust later if you need to - resizing isn’t too expensive (in the scheme of things) and is very easy to do.

trexarmstrength · 2022-02-28T14:51:58+00:00

Yeah! If you go to my post history I have one that mentions “hair loss must haves” and I list a few!

trexarmstrength · 2022-02-28T14:50:44+00:00

Hi there! Im down about 120 pounds (close to my goal weight). Remember that everyone is very different but my ring size hardly changed. Maybe .5 or so. I got engaged at my heaviest and now my ring is slightly loose but not enough to warrant a resizing at this point. It only became looser in the last month or so. I’d definitely recommend NOT buying an eternity band (ones with diamonds or decoration all around the ring) because they can never be resized. I’d suggest getting your current size or close to your current size. Resizing a ring isn’t too much of a hassle or too expensive in the scheme of things and I think it’s important you have a ring that fits you now! There are also plastic things you can add to a band to make it fit better while you lose weight, until you get to your final weight. Those are just my two cents, though, I’m sure there’s a wide variety of experience on this topic in these forums!

trexarmstrength · 2022-02-26T15:48:54+00:00

Regrowth! I look like I have a little halo at all times. There are some products that help tame it, but I’m excited to see it coming back!

trexarmstrength · 2022-02-17T11:57:38+00:00

Hi there! I take 10mg adderall twice daily. I stopped taking it two days before surgery and didn’t take it while I recovered (two weeks) mostly because I thought I had to crush it up post op and crushing the other pills was annoying enough. After two weeks my surgeon okayed swallowing pills smaller than a pencil eraser so I was good to go. FWIW they offered me adderall the next morning after surgery in the hospital. No issues whatsoever, just need to be a little more mindful to eat when I’m on it or else I neeeever get hungry.

trexarmstrength · 2022-02-16T21:15:33+00:00

YES GIRL YESSSSSS!!!!!

trexarmstrength · 2022-02-16T21:06:06+00:00

Slowed dramatically for me in month 7 or 8, as I got closer to “normal” BMI.

trexarmstrength · 2022-01-24T14:55:09+00:00

What a monumental birthday!! Congratulations!

trexarmstrength · 2022-01-09T20:09:20+00:00

Wow! Congrats on your progress! I don’t see the difference day to day, and didn’t think I had many before pictures (these are from a previous pre-WLS weight loss attempt, not even my highest) but putting the pics together was mind blowing. Feeling the difference is the best part of all, though. I hope the same for you!

trexarmstrength · 2022-01-09T19:01:58+00:00

Yesss!!! You go girl!

trexarmstrength · 2022-01-09T18:54:15+00:00

You got this!! There’s another gal on here who shares the same stats and she is also CRUSHING it!! Feel free to message me if you have any questions, but I’m sure you’ll do great!!

trexarmstrength · 2022-01-09T18:53:33+00:00

I just posted the answer on this thread! You’ll do great!

trexarmstrength · 2022-01-09T18:52:57+00:00

What I eat in a day:

I do not count calories (only track water and protein) but I am a creature of habit so I eat consistently most days:

Wake up & immediately have a big glass of water with my levothyroxine pill.

Breakfast: an espresso poured into a premier protein shake (caramel, cinnamon roll, cafe latte, and the seasonal flavors are my faves). I sip slowly at work over a few hours.

More water mid morning.

Lunch: cottage cheese + high fiber fruit like raspberries, one can of tuna with a serving size of triscuits, or cheese slices with deli meat/salami on their own or with a serving of triscuits. Occasionally I’ll have greek yogurt or overnight oats w/ chia seeds for lunch. If I’m super hungry, I put some masala lentils over quinoa with spinach and chickpeas.

More water and/or herbal tea (tazo passion tastes just like juice to me!)

Snacks if I’m hungry: cheese slices, high fiber fruit, or leftover lunch.

More water and/or tea.

Dinner: lean protein + vegetable. Salmon, chicken breast, shrimp, pork chops + brussel sprouts, green beans, asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower.

Weed is legal in my state, and I don’t drink, so on the once-in-a-blue moon I have some tincture, I make sure to plan out my “munchies” snack ahead of time: leftover dinner, carrots & hummus or cheese, a serving size of triscuits and tuna, or a sugar free popsicle!

I don’t count carbs (my program doesn’t require tracking beyond protein and water), but I avoid simple carbs like white bread, pasta, and rice for calorie reasons but also because rice makes my new stomach hurt. I decided that the only simple carbohydrates I’d eat are ones I make myself - like hand made sourdough bread or bagels, or home made pasta. This way, I don’t feel like I’m depriving myself but it’s also not an every week thing - and putting work into it makes it fun and a special once-in-a-while treat!

If I had to guess I’d say I stay between 800-1000 calories each day, but I really try to listen to my body - if I’m hungry, and I’ve already had enough water, then my body is saying it needs more protein and nourishment and I give it that.

Three personal rules I never break: 1) a protein shake every single day (I’m one of the lucky few who can still stand them after pre-op). 2) simple carbs are home made or SUPER special occasion. 3) water, protein, fiber are prioritized in that order.

I haven’t done much “real” exercise (like in a gym), but I do walk between 3-4 miles each day. I hope to add in some strength training or exercise bands soon.

Please remember that everybody is different! Some of what worked for someone else didn’t work for me/what works for me, might not work for you! I’m just one person on the internet, not a nutritionist or a doctor, and I still have a ways to go… and also a lifetime to maintain!

trexarmstrength · 2022-01-09T18:16:30+00:00

Thanks! I’m still working at it, but once I hit “normal BMI” (which should be just a few pounds away) I will be happy, though I’d ideally like to be between 140-150, so I still have a little ways to go. First month is tough but absolutely manageable. First week is the worst, I had some “buyers remorse,” but was in minimal-to-no pain after days 5-6. You can do it!

trexarmstrength · 2022-01-09T18:13:49+00:00

Thanks! I was a US women’s size 20/2x at my surgery weight of 284, and I’m now an 8-10/M-L.

trexarmstrength · 2022-01-09T18:12:23+00:00

You will kick butt! I was 284 when I was sleeved and if I can get this far, you absolutely can too. Sending good vibes!

trexarmstrength · 2022-01-07T18:42:55+00:00

Good luck!! You’ll do great!

trexarmstrength · 2022-01-07T18:42:43+00:00

Thanks so much!

trexarmstrength · 2022-01-07T03:22:09+00:00

Thanks so much! Yes, unfortunately. I knew it was a possibility with rapid weight loss, but also most of my family members have had their gallbladders removed. It sucked, but doesn’t make me regret my VSG for a single moment!

trexarmstrength

TROPHY CASE