MINI-Me

Dee - congrats on your success. I had gained with the birth of our adopted son in October and the Holidays. I have lost 5 of the 10, but keep bouncing around the last 5. I hate dieting again, but I guess I have to if I want to get back to 127. WE CAN DO IT!!!

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It sounds like you are a newer sleever. Therefore, go with your measuring spoon for now ... It's looking at the volume capacity of your stomach, not how much the item weighs. After your tummy has healed and you find your stomach is emptying faster, you can start looking at calories and measuring weight. Right now, you really aren't consuming enough calories to be much of an impact. I know it's all confusing right now, but you will find your way. Until then, feel free to ask away! ;0)

I've been away for a while, but I miss you guys. Easy to grab Cookies and Snacks during the holiday season & I've gained a couple of pounds. Clothes still fit fine, but want to be very careful not to fall back into bad habits. How's life going with the rest of you?

I hated them ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But, the one below was the best of the worst. I mixed it into my yogurt and hot chocolate (just be careful with the hot cocoa - if you get it too hot, it will curdle. YUCK!) http://www.amazon.com/Optimum-Nutrition-100%25-Unflavored-Servings/dp/B005HFNAHI/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1333121768&sr=8-3I

Those first few days can be terrible ... but you will overcome! http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/3403-surgery-recovery-sucks/page__fromsearch__1

Please ignore that link above ... it didn't do what it was supposed to & it won't let me edit. Sorry!

Instead of typing again, I thought I would link to my comments on soda. http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/34256-can-you-have-sodas/page__fromsearch__1

Hello ... anyone else out there?

You really should follow your doctor's advice. Now that I've said the right thing, I will tell you (as I have done on several posts) that I started drinking diet soda again at month 3. It was very bubbly at first & filled me up quickly. But, at over 2 years out, I have no issues. Yes, it does sometimes "fill me up", but Water does that as well. I drink several a day & I haven't seen any adverse issues - my restriction is still great and I haven't had any issues with ulcers. Of course, your experience may vary.

Thanks ... Only 3.9 to go. I WILL DO THIS!

Well, I guess I got good Karma for "being accountable". 0.6 pounds down this morning. I'll take that!!!!! :wub:

Sleeved January 27, 2010. Still working on the last little bit of baby and holiday weight ... but doing very well!!!!! 131.8 this morning so almost back to the top of my "bounce" allowance.

AWESOME!!!!!!

Everyone's story is different, but I have absolutely no regrets in having this surgery. If you look at my posts, yes, you can gain weight after VSG, but if you stay on top of it, it is fairly easy to get back on track. I was self-pay so I don't have a lot of insurance knowledge. I'm sure others will chime in . Good luck at your information night ... don't be afraid to ask questions. Find out about their success rate ... ask what size boughie they use & if they sew tight or loose. There is A LOT of research about weight regain if the sleeve is left too big and strictures if too small. Keep reading on here & ask any questions that you have.

What a dork! Don't listen to him or let his uneducated opinions influence you at all. Several years ago, I dropped from 189 to 155 and thought I would join a gym to help me get the rest of the weight off. At 5'6" and 155, my BMI was 24. Well, the "free" trainer they gave me for 5 sessions was a lot like your guy. He put me through a few tests to assess my fitness. He told me I was obese and that if I didn't change things up, I would die from obesity! This was after 30 minutes with me. He never acknowledge the weight I had lost and that I was trying to improve my fitness. He never asked me my goals. He gave me a generic plan and told me "it will be a long road". I tried to push back and tell him that my goal was continued weight loss and toning. He just gave me a speil about dramatic changes. It was so discouraging. My husband (who is very fit and trim) wanted to go beat the guy up, but I just declined further appointments and tried to work out with my husband. Whenever that trainer saw me in the gym, he would make comments like "good to see you, but you aren't making much progress". Needless to say, I didn't go to that gym much longer. I've decided to go back to a new gym near me & declined any personal training. I'm using the treadmill for now & walking for 30 minutes. As my confidence improves, I will start some of the other machines (I love the thigh ones!) and maybe join a class or two. I'm doing this for me and no one else!!! Best of luck to you! Don't let anyone bully you into their plan or spending money for their way. You do it YOUR WAY!

Yes, it is very common. I was told to limit exercise for 6 weeks after surgery. My surgeon also said to do what I could, but listen to my body. Sounds like your body may need a little more time. For me, the abdominal pain was nerves and muscle healing after the surgery. Take your time ... this is not a race, but a journey. You will be able to exercise very shortly. Right now, rest, sip, and follow your eating plan. (Easier said than done, I know!)

I had no problems. Some people switch to liquid medication for the first few months or buy ones that can be split into smaller portions. A good rule of thumb (unless instructed otherwise by your doctor) is that you can take anything the size of a regular M&M or smaller. Too bad they don't taste like M&M's!

Thanks!!!!

Dee - Good for you! Those 130 numbers are terrifying, aren't they. When I first started this journey, I thought I would be happy with 145 and 135 was a dream goal. Now, I never want to see the 130's again. Yes, I too will be a slave to the scale. I'm prefering to look at it as another tool. If I go past 129.9, time to get my head back in the game. Best of luck & let me know how you are doing!!!

On another thread, we started talking about fruits and vegetables. How do you incorporate them in your diet? I know for me, I never eat salads because they are just too much volume & stop me from getting in my Protein. I do have a few tricks, but would love to hear your ideas as well ... Starwberry Overload Smoothie: 1 CarbMaster strawberry Yogurt (Kroger, FredMeyer) 1/2 Cup Frozen Strawberries 2T Torani SF Rasberry Syrup 0.5 Scoop of On's 100% Any whey Protein powder = 140 calories, 12 carbs, 3 g Fiber, 22 g protein, 2 g fat, and 40% daily Calcium Green Beans - Side dish with protein meal Celery with Peanut Butter - snack Cucumber Slices (pretend it's potato chips) and maybe a little bit of Ranch Dressing Del Monte No Sugar Added Diced Peaches = 25 calories & 6 g carbs as a side dish with protein meal So, what other ideas do you have for incorporating more fruits and veggies in your daily diets?

I love this! Mind if I steal it for a tag line? I am the world's BEST PLANNER ... it's the eating what I wrote down that is the problem.

I am a little over 2 years out. I think my tag line says it best "this surgery saved my life"!!!!!