very interesting Michele - thank you for the feedback.  I'll call the Dr.s ofc.  The dehydration thing is interesting as I don't drink nearly as much water as I should.  Thank you.

 "I hadn't "suffered" from Charlie Horses in a long time, but seems like they have happened more lately than I'm used to. Does anyone use potassium supplements? I take all of my prescribed vitamins etc."

you got that right. in regard to "the arnold". 

In regard to "support", one of my "friends" who I never told that I was going to have the surgery, finally is starting to talk to me again, but only because I really haven't changed and it was time to reconnect.  She or any of her "cronies" have said word one about how good I look or you look so different or how did you do it?  They all know because of my "friend".  But she was real quick to acknowledge when I said something negative about myself in regard to losing too much.  I quietly thought to myself, sure, you can agree that I now look anorexic, but not that I look good.  It's crazy.  Ah, but that's another post  :-)

I have 3 sisters and 1 brother, plus their spouses and my mom and all have been awesome through this whole thing.  You're right, I'm very fortunate.  Where are you from?  I'm sure my family would be willing to take in another tomboy  :-)   

yes, I tend to lean towards sugar free and because the other stuff is way too sweet in general, even pre-surgery.   I still watch the fat and sugar content, but not perfect in that dept.  If I want a funnel cake, I just eat a couple of bites.  Fair season :-)

thank you for the recipe  :-)   Hopefully the soy will work for you.

oh Lord, so you're sayin' I'm skinnier than the pictures - lol

I never in a million years thought I would be saying that about myself  and you're right.  Don't want to look like "the Arnold"  I'll never get there and my sis is definitely concerned.  Love her to pieces.  I have a super supportive family  :-)   It's all good.

thank you Kelly  :-)

thank you for sharing your story Martita  :-)     It's helpful to remind me "don't sweat it"  :)

thank you - I tend to make my protein shakes the same way all the time  and am very good about drinking them daily, sometimes 2 x a day, but focus primarily on protein intake.

What's your recipe?  :-)

thank you Lindsey.  Fortunately, I know how my sister is and she's brutally honest and it's all good.  She's still one of my biggest supporters  :-)   If nothing else, they simply reminded me what I was already thinking.  "these arms!!"   :-) 

138 lbs and 5'5"  (I usually say 5'6 for bmi calculations).

Thank you MM and I agree, I think it has most to do w/my muscle tone.  I probably should go back to writing down my calories just to see where I'm at on an average.  Mind you, some days I can eat more than others.  I appreciate your feedback  :-)   I've got a drawer full of protein bars, but they're too darn sweet.  Sicky sweet.   I guess I need to focus on muscle tone because I feel great overall, but agree I'm getting that gaunt look.  Another poster below your post is also saying the same thing about muscle tone and I agree.

So how do you build muscle back?

ok, so I'm starting to believe what I'm hearing, but I'd like to think that my body will even out and maybe redistribute whatever body fat I might have.  Should I be worried?  I feel like I have reached my goal weight, but I also know how these things work.  I feel like I eat a lot and little meals, but my primary focus is definitely still protein, although I do get some carbs from time to time as well.,  I physically can NOT eat as much as I used to, but I know you all understand that part too. 

So, how do you maintain or allow yourself to gain just a bit?  I honestly am not proud of the way my pictures are looking esp. when I'm wearing my short sleeves.  Maybe I'm just not used to seeing myself this way?

And yeah, my lil sister who I love dearly is the one who made the concentration camp comment this morning  :(    I know she's just looking out for me and my family has been super supportive all along.  She's just being honest  :-)

I've added pics from yesterday to my profile page.   What do you all think?

p.s. I tried to upload a picture to this post but couldn't figure out how to do it short of 'searching"  ;-)