SKCUNNINGHAM

Great NSV!

Congratulations! 99 pounds is wonderful - you have lost over 3 times as many pounds as you have left to lose. I love to visualize my weight loss that way.

I am leaving in a couple of hours for a business trip and I won't return until late Friday. I used to be a "road warrior" and traveled 80% of the time. When I became a road warrior, I was about 15 pounds smaller than I am now and was a real gym rat. Being on the road destroyed my disciplined exercise and eating habits - and over the next two years I became a 125 pound heavier couch potato. So, this is my first long business trip since being sleeved almost 9 months ago. I have made plans on how to get my Protein in, what to eat for Breakfast, etc. I will record everything I eat and drink. But I am a little scared. It is SO EASY to make poor choices when travelling. Anyway - I wanted to post this so I would have accountability to you guys to post an update on how I did after the trip. I WILL DO JUST FINE. (repeat to self periodically). Thanks for all the support I get from this forum - it really helps me keep focused Sharon

Diva - hope the procedure went well and you are on the road to feeling better. You will fit into those size 4 levis size 0 vanity sizes in no time! My 12 skinny jeans from Levi's are starting to get lose - but NO WAY my skeleton would ever fit into a 4. You are a TINY and beautiful woman. WAY TO GO! Sharon

Thank you Coops, SunnyDays, and LoserMomma for the support and suggestions. Got back from my trip last night about midnight. Stepped on the scale this morning - and I weighed the same as when I left. YEA! I didn't expect to lose - just stay the same - so I met my expectations. It wouldn't surprise me if I lost a pound this next week, once my body realizes it's back home. The place I stayed had a fridge and a micro in the room (Holiday Innn Express) - so that made the trip easier - no need to get a cooler and keep stuff iced. I took some baby bell cheeses with me and some individual servings of jerky, and some nectar Protein powder individual servings, and some Miralax & Benefiber individual servings. I also threw in a box of assorted crystal lite/propel Water flavor packets and one foil pack of tuna and salmon each. I stopped and got a four-pack of EAS Protein shakes and 4 Protein Bars as soon as I got to the town where my hotel was - and a few bottles of water. So I was good to go - no need to worry I would get caught without protein and have to eat junk. Some meals ate at restaurants with work associates - one pretty fancy place and a variety of other places. As I was reading the menus, I found myself looking for protein and veggies. Most any place you can find some choice that is protein with some kind of veggies. I have always thought of a menu as a list of suggestions, so I would basically order what I wanted and see if they could do it. Overall, I was pleased with my ability to find something to eat and to stick with eating what I should. I did eat a couple of things that weren't optimum - but only a bite or two. The trip was to attend two classes - so all week was in classroom settings. As I would have a snack mid morning and mid afternoon (cheese or 1/2 of a protein bar) I observed the rest of the room. A bunch of the normal / slender people in the room were also having Snacks at the same time. They didn't eat junk - it was ususally yogurt, or fruit or some kind of granola/healthy "bar". It reinforced to me the way we sleevers are supposed to eat is HOW NORMALLY THIN PEOPLE EAT. I did fine on getting in all my water / liquid. I didn't do as good at recording everything I ate - it was spotty. And, I didn't get in as much exercise as I should have. Sunny Days - I need to borrow a page out of your book and do better at that on my next trip. So I think overall, I would give my performance a passing grade - but room for improvement on the next trip. Thanks again Sharon

Before surgery, my husband, family, boss and a couple of close friends knew. After I got back to work and started losing, I told people when they asked abou my weight loss. I am not ashamed of it and don't try to hide it. But I am not trying to sell anyone on the idea of not hiding it. It is each of us's (bad grammar) own personal business. Whatever you decide - good luck on the journey.

For the first three weeks, I drank Water, Protein drinks, broth, herbal tea, and sugar free popsicles. I tried to get in as much protein as possible, but I doubt it was thirty grams of protein, and it was a struggle to get 40-60 oz of liquid in. For the second three weeks (mushies) I was eating pureed Soups (I loved pureed hot and sour soup), bean and bacon Soup (made with extra water), cottage cheese with applesauce (and Protein Powder mixed in),cottage cheese with salsa and protein powder, yogurt and protein powder, pudding and protein powder, and really loose chicken salad (lots of light mayo and pureed chicken). I drank Protein Drinks and made protein fruit smoothies. At six weeks, for Proteins, I was eating chicken, tuna, salmon, fresh fish, shrimp, pork roast (cooked in a crock pot), moist cooked ground beef, beef roast (cooked in a crock pot), baby bell cheese, laughing cow cheese, string cheese and cheddar or swiss cheeses. I really didn't start eating the pork or beef unitl about 3 months - at 6 weeks, it still upset my stomach. I also seldom eat eggs (maybe twice a week) - I have a very low tolerance for them - they make me break out in hives if I eat too many (old alergy - nothing sleeve related). Eggs are a good protein source and usually people have no trouble digesting them. The only dairy I ate was lowfat cottage cheese, lowfat Activia yogurt, or greek yogurt. I would occasionally (maybe once or twice a week) have a 60 calorie sugar free pudding cup. I might mix 1/2 applesauce or water packed peaches with the cottage cheese. For veggies - I ate tomatoes, green Beans, squash, cucumber, sugar snap peas, carrots, green peppers and carrots. I started asparagras at six weeks. I stayed away from raw celery (only ate it cooked), and brocolli / cauliflower (raw or cooked) - didn't start it until later. I would make smoothies for Breakfast with nectar protein powder and frozen strawberries and frozen banannas. I would sometimes use different fruit in the smoothies. For 1 smoothie , I use at most 1/2 bannana and approx 6 berries. I would eat a 2" long piece of corn on the cob maybe once /week. I would eat little melba toast squares occasionally with the laughing cow cheese on it. I didn't eat any other crackers or bread. I didn't (and still don't at 9 months) eat bread, Pasta, potatoes, rice or crackers). When I cook post roast, I might bend my rule and now eat a 1" cube of cooked potatoe. I drink EAS /Myoplex protein drinks for breakfast if I don't make a smoothie. I also will occasionally use an Isopure PLUS Protein Drink. I also eat sugar free popsicles and sugar free pudding cups. For the first six weeks, I probably was getting around 300-400 calories, and maybe 40 grams of protein. At 6 months, I ate between 65-80 grams of protein and maybe 800 calories. Some weekend days I now may go above the 80 / 800 mark. I don't ever want to go over 1000 unless I am working out A LOT that day. The things I can't eat now? Lots of raw celery, lots of raw cauliflower or broccoli, not more than 1/4 cup of corn or 1/4 of a long ear of corn, beef or pork that is too dry or spicy, or more than about 1/2 of salad. More than 2 swallows of liquor or 4 oz of beer or wine give me a buzz like two drinks did before. I also can not tolerate carbonated beverages at all. About two bites of something sweet and I have to stop - very rich foods I can't eat much of (THREE CHEERS FOR THAT!) I still avoid bread, pasta, rice, and potatoes. I might have one or two bites of rice or potatoes as a special treat - and I just don't do bread at all.

Wow! You are proof that dedication and diligence to your goals can get you the results you want! You are an amazing, beautiful woman. I admire you and am pleased for you. Sharon

My nutritionist said the max you could absorb at one time was 20 - 25 grams. I recommend taking half the shot, cutting it with something you like to drink and sipping it slowly. Save the other half for later.

It is easy to make cream of potato Soup. Cook potatoes peeled, or by the steam fresh potatoes. Get low fat canned milk or regular milk. Mash the cooked potatoes and add milk. Add seasonings and some butter. Put it in food processor or blender. Control the thickness by how much milk you add. This can be used after surgery once you get to thick liquids and can be the base you add Protein to. I also make an easy chicken and rice soup starting with 1 1/2 box of canned broth, one package of rice that cooks in 90 seconds (I like wild/brown combo), a package of frozen seasoning veggies, and a rotissery chicken from the grocery store. I take the chicken from the carcass chop it and add it to the broth in a soup pot. Cook the rice and add it to the pot. Dump the frozen veggie mix in the pot. I like to season with Soy sauce, garlic, basil, and tobasco - but this is totally up to you. Cook until the veggies are soft and the seasonings are right. Puree by small batches in the food processor or blender. Control thickess with the amount of broth you use.

When the office told me I had to take a new ID picture. Being called tiny (which I'm not, but it made me feel good) One guy at the office called me "the incredible shrinking woman" And when my husband calls me his "skinny wife".

Lynda - congratulations on becoming a member of the century club! It feels wonderful to be here with you. You have worked hard and the results certainly show. Good luck getting those last few pounds off. Sharon

Wow - I am SO IMPRESSED with you and your results. You are such a hard worker and your focus is amazing - you deserve all of the good things that are coming your way. Take care of yourself - can't wait to see the pictures of your legs! Sharon

I agree, shea butter is great. All sorts of commercial creams are now adding some % of shea butter (it will be prominate in the label or advertising). Or you can get high % of shea butter stuff that normally comes from Africa. I bought a container of shea butter cream from an african ebay vendor. Really makes the skin soft and smooth. I asked a masseur once how he kept his hands so soft, and he told me shea butter.

At 4 months, my average weight loss for the entire time period was slightly over 3.5 pounds per week. Here are my monthly losses: 2 week pre op diet - 13 pounds 1st month - 18.5 pounds 2nd month - 12 pounds 3rd month - 11.5 pounds 4th month - 12 pounds 5th month - 10 pounds 6th month - 7 pounds 7th month - 9 pounds 8th month - 6 pounds

WOW! What a wonderful experience! Just think - you will be buying smalls for the REST OF YOUR LIFE! CLAP, CLAP, CLAP, CLAP, CLAP, CLAP, (standing ovation)

I had surgery on a Tuesday, went home Wednesday afternoon. I was off work until my 3 week checkup (which was a Tuesday). Wednesday - Friday after the check-up I worked from home (I, too work on a computer). The next week I went to the office and stayed half days. I have a two hour commute, which was my doc's major concern. He didn't want me in a car for over an hour without taking a 5 minute break to walk around. So I would drive towards my office for an hour, stop at a quick-trip store, walk around, buy a bottle of water, use the facilities and get back in my car for the rest of the drive. I staid at a hotel the first week back at the office rather than make the drive every day. The second week back I worked 6 hour days and stayed at the hotel again. The third week back I stayed full days. I just didn't have the energy for 8-12 hours days for a few weeks.

February 22nd 2011 103 pounds gone FOREVER.

Start doing core exercises and ab exercises. This will strengthen the musculature in your mid-section. Also, look and see if you have bad habits about slumping when you walk or stand. It is amazing how much better your belly looks if you stand up straight, hold your shoulders back, and tuck in your gut and butt! It won't make them go away, but it does minimize them. Look for some exercises that will strengthen the upper back and shoulders, and encourage the better posture. Good luck!

I have lost a total of 117" - but I measure EVERYWHERE there is to measure - and I started out right from the first and took my baseline measurements. Here are some highlights 3" from my neck 1" from each wrist and ankle 5 1/2" from each upper arm (still LOTS to go here) 2 1/2" from each calf 5 1/2" from above each knee 7 1/4" from each thigh 11 1/2" from my hips and also from my belly 13" from my waist 11" from the fullest part of my bust That's about 93" - the other 14" come from other spots that I haven't listed. I agree with you - Diva - sometimes looking at the measuring tape results is more fun that watching the scales. As you build muscle - even though you get heavier - you get smaller. Since muscle has a more dense molecular structure, it takes up less volume. By the way, Diva - you are looking spectacular. I love the look on your face in your latest profile picture - you are glowing with happiness.

I wore one. I went to my local Wal Mart and got a wide abdominal support belt (like warehouse workers might wear) that closed with velcro straps. I wore it once I was home from the hospital. It really made me feel more comfortable - when I was walking around and particularly when I would get up or down from the recliner or the bed. I wore it all the time for the first couple of weeks, during the day for the third week, and if I was going to do anything where I thought a might strain myself for about another month.

Congratulations!

Congrats on the weight loss! Nice to see your smiling face. This picture of the bike was nice - but it's good to have your face to match all of the great comments you make. Good luck with continued success. Sharon

My suggestions are in two separate areas - 1) work on finding out why you are sabatoging yourself, and 2) external controls you can use until you get your "internal" controls back in order. On finding out why you are sabatoging yourself - have you considered talking to a counselor experienced with weight loss patients? If you can't find one with that experience, one who is used to working with other addictions (other than food)? If you are against talking to a counselor - You are going to have to be a dective and find out what are your triggers that are causing you to go out of control. Keep a food diary that talks about what you were feeling each time you ate something - what at that time was motivating you to put food in your mouth. Also, note the times. If you do this diligently for two weeks, you will have enough data to discern the patterns. Once you know what the triggers are, then you can figure out ways to address them. For the external controls - where are you getting all of these foods you shouldn't be eating? Beer, ice cream, chips, etc? In your house? If so - get rid of them. Don't buy them. If you don't have the strength to get rid of them-have a friend come over and get rid of them for you. Newly "dry" alcoholics do not live in a house with alcohol. And you should have a plan each day of what you are going to eat and when that you try to stick to. If you want to PM me, feel free to. I wish you the best of luck getting in control.

Hello Seraphina - I am 8 1/2 months out and live and work in the greater Dallas area. I was sleeved by Dr. Nicholson in Plano. I told quite a few people before my surgery. I would be happy to communicate with you. Feel free to PM me.Sharon