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Congrats Kayla! I'm so happy for you. It's a great way to start the new year. Can't wait to see you progress in 2012! Lynda

Irene, Congrats! I'm so glad you have that feeling of self acceptance and pride in your looks. It truly is the final step in our journey and one that many people probably never arrive at. Thank you for showing us the way to get there: one step at a time, sometimes struggling and sometimes soaring. Your willingness to share is a gift to all of us, and I treasure it. Your posts have helped keep me focused, help me forgive myself and climb back on the wagon, and help me to understand what this journey means to me and what goal looks like for me. Lynda

Hi all, I'm down just .2 lbs. this week. I will have to work hard to meet my goal. I need to lose about 5 more lbs in the next 23 days. I really slacked off this week. I've had Snacks every day and I missed three workouts. I did have a great week decorating for Christmas. It was so much easier this year, 100 lbs. lighter than last year. My goal for the coming week is to work out on each scheduled workout day and to cut back on snacking. Lynda My Christmas Goal also includes reaching the following goals: 154 lbs.: I'm a NORMAL BMI!!!! and I have 19 lbs. to goal 154: I've lost 100 lbs total - 32 pre-op and 68 post-op. I'm in the Century Club! 152: I've lost 70 lbs. post-op 149: My number starts with 14. I haven't weighed this since the mid-90s. 146: I've lost 10% of my total body weight for the fourth time since the operation. I have less than 10% of my body weight to go to goal, so it will be my last 10% loss. 145: 10 lbs. to go to my final goal! 144: My Christmas goal and I've lost 110 lbs. (32 pre-op and 78 post op). 9 lbs. to my final goal!!! Christmas Goal: SW-157.9.............CW-148.9...............Christmas Goal-144 Oct 28: 157.9 Nov. 4: 155 Nov. 11: 152.8 Nov. 18: 150.4 Nov. 25: 149.1 Dec. 2: 148.9 Dec. 9: Dec. 16: Dec. 23: Christmas:

I am basing my goal weight on adding 15 lbs. to what I weighed till I was in my late 20s. I am 5'6" with a small frame. I weighed 120 and felt great. I added 15 lbs because I'm now in my 50s and need to carry a little more weight so my face won't look gaunt. One thing to consider is how much you weighed at your highest. I have read that bones thicken to support extra weight so that may add a few pounds you don't see. And as Diva mentioned, extra skin will add a few pounds. Lynda

Congrats! Those last few pounds can be so hard, but you are almost there! Lynda

Congrats! What a nice Christmas present and a great way to start the new year. I can't wait to join you at goal. I went down a slide today. First time in at least 10 years, probably more. It felt GREAT! Lynda

I eat too fast. I have a mostly liquid breakfast and I spread it out. I start with a Soy Latte then about an hour later, I have a Yogurt shake and 1/2 piece of toast. My program calls for three meals, not to take more than 30-45 minutes per meal and to get nutrition from solids. I skip my exercise here and there and don't make it up. I eat a little junk food here and there. I don't eat the recommended amount of protein (my program calls for 65). I do get at least 60 grams per day. Nobody's perfect!

Thanks for sharing your pics. You are a beautiful bride! I know what you mean about pics. I don't think I have any good full body ones from my highest weight, and I haven't taken many in the months since either. Lynda

Wow! Welcome to the Century Club in record time! Thanks for sharing your diet plan - You are an inspiring success story I've lost more than 100 lbs., but that includes 32 lbs. lot on the pre-op diet. At six months out, I've lost about 70 lbs. post-surgery. Lynda

Forensikchic, I'm past Aunt Flo, but she always loaded me with a few extra pounds when she came to visit. I could literally feel the puff! Hang in there and keep working on it. We've got 4 weeks to go. Lynda

I use baggies and ice cube trays to freeze small portions. Portion your meats to the serving size for you and anyone else who is sharing the meal. For example, I now pack my ground beef into 12 oz. packages. My husband has a 6 oz burger and I have two 3 oz burgers (raw weight). For chili, I freeze in 2 cup portions. Hubby has 1 cup, I have 2 1.2 cup portions. Same for Beans. You will need even smaller portions at first! For Protein post op I like: Tuna moistened with low fat mayo and honey mustard Greek Yogurt, sweetened with Splenda or made into a shake (add a splash of orange juice, 3 Tablespoons splenda, `1/2 cup Water, and a couple of frozen strawberries) Anderson Split Pea Soup Low fat lunch meat Low fat String cheese Low fat chili Soy Milk (8th Continent is 80 calories for 8 grams of protein) For other foods: For veggies, I buy frozen mixed veggies ( can just pour out a little for dinner) or just a dab of something fresh from the salad bar. Another option is a few pieces of broccoli, a single zucchini, or a handful of fresh spinach. For fruit, I buy an apple and eat 1/4 at a time. I just wrap the rest up. It turns a little brown, but I slice that part off. I also eat 1/3 of banana at a time. I just slice it in the peel so the rest stays good. I also like frozen strawberries in the yogurt smoothie I drink for Breakfast. I didn't really add starches back till I was further out. Now I have 1/2 piece of toast with breakfast (save the other half for the next day), a few crackers, a small red potato, or a little of whatever starch my hubby wants with dinner.

I chewed more and ate slower at first, but I'm back to eating quickly and not chewing 30 times. I can tell when I'm full and quit. It hasn't seemed to affect my weight loss or nutritional intake ( I had great labs at my 6 month appt. a few weeks ago). I am able to eat enough to stay full till my next meal. If I am eating with others, I eat slower so I will not finish way ahead of them. Most of my family eats fast, so I don't have to slow down much. Lynda

I used a lot of pillows and slept like I was in a hospital bed: knees and upper back elevated. I was super comfy with the pillows and slept well. It was over a week, maybe two before I could return to sleeping on my side and even longer till I could sleep on my tummy again. Buy some pillows and a couple of nightgowns. Much cheaper than a recliner. Lynda

Congrats!!! What a nice holiday present and way to begin the new year! Do you have a goal present in mind or is just getting there present enough? Are you planning to add more calories to halt your weight loss? Lynda

I'm a couple of weeks past 6 months and I've lost about 70 lbs. post-op. I exercise 5 days per week, with a mix of cardio and strength training. I eat about 900 calories a day. I lost 32 .bs. pre-op and I'm currently at a normal BMI. My goal is a BMI of 21.8 and a weight of 135. I have about 14 lbs. to go. Your calories are higher than some, but as long as you're losing and you're comfortable with what you're eating, I don't think they are too high. Kaiser Fremont guidelines allow up to 1200 per day. I'm more concerned with the fact you are hungry. I agree with what others have posted about drinking Water. I often feel hungry in the afternoon when I haven't had enough water that day. Once I drink a couple of glasses and am back on track, I usually am full till dinner time. I sometimes have a small snack in the evening if I'm hungry. A glass of soy milk with a little sugar free flavored syrup and a few crackers will usually hit the spot for me. One thing you might try is an antacid. I have read many posts where people thought they were hungry but it was acid and the antacid corrected the issue. Also, you mentioned calories, but not what you are eating. If I don't get enough Protein, I am hungry. I get at least 60 grams a day, spread over three meals. Lynda

Welcome to Onderland! I gotta admit, I love it here. All those holiday songs about Winter Onderland have a special meaning this year :-) Lynda

Congrats! I'm so happy for you! What an awesome way to begin the new year -at goal - healthy and happy. Lynda

Hi all, I'm down 1.3 lbs. this week and I've hit another mini-goal: I'm in the 140s!!! I haven't been here since the mid-90s. I'm weighing in one day late this week because we were traveling over Thanksgiving. This year, I am grateful this year for family and friends and for VSG. I'm also grateful that I lost weight this week in spite of going off plan and eating more often and more bad foods. I had my first drink since surgery on the day before Thanksgiving: about 3 ounces of port. I sipped it slowly over a couple of hours and I really enjoyed it! I'm back on track starting today! I enjoyed eating over Thanksgiving, and my new restriction allowed me to have a fun day and feel satisfied without eating the volume of food I would have in the past. But I can sure see how I could gain every ounce back by snacking all day and slacking off on protein foods. I'm really looking forward to decorating for Christmas this year. Last year I was close to my highest weight ever and it was such a struggle to move the boxes and decorate the house. I'm down 100 lbs. from what I was last Christmas, so I should be able to dance through dragging the boxes down and putting out my pretty Christmas decorations. Lynda My Christmas Goal also includes reaching the following goals: 154 lbs.: I'm a NORMAL BMI!!!! and I have 19 lbs. to goal 154: I've lost 100 lbs total - 32 pre-op and 68 post-op. I'm in the Century Club! 152: I've lost 70 lbs. post-op 149: My number starts with 14. I haven't weighed this since the mid-90s. 146: I've lost 10% of my total body weight for the fourth time since the operation. I have less than 10% of my body weight to go to goal, so it will be my last 10% loss. 145: 10 lbs. to go to my final goal! 144: My Christmas goal and I've lost 110 lbs. (32 pre-op and 78 post op). 9 lbs. to my final goal!!! Christmas Goal: SW-157.9.............CW-149.1...............Christmas Goal-144 Oct 28: 157.9 Nov. 4: 155 Nov. 11: 152.8 Nov. 18: 150.4 Nov. 25: 149.1 Dec. 2: Dec. 9: Dec. 16: Dec. 23: Christmas:

Mine is missing the button it had in the middle bit it doesn't poke out. Now it just goes in like someone tufted my tummy.

Shae, You're a sleeve success story!! Thanks for sharing your story. It is a scary time of year for me with so much food around. I read something interesting today. It said that flexing your muscles improves willpower. So they recommended making a fist when trying to resist something, like an extra helping at the buffet. http://m.psychologytoday.com/blog/psyched/201104/clenching-your-fists-increases-willpower

Congrats Paul! You are an amazing success. Lynda

Sharon- Happy Surgiversary! You've really rocked your sleeve and provided a lot of inspiration and support for others here, myself included. I really feel like we are sleeve sisters now, along with coops, because we all have about the same amount of weight to go to get to goal. 2012 will be our year! Lynda

More than 100 lbs gone and more than 60% of your excess weight too! You are a super-success story in my book! Lynda

Coops, you have done great so far! Looking forward to hearing what the dr. has to say on the 20th. Try to squeeze in a little extra activity where ever you can, even just walking around the house or store. I find the activity helps me with the menopause symptoms. Of course, menopause is like WLS surgery - everyone's journey is a little different. Lynda

Meg, Congrats and welcome to the Century Club! You look so healthy and happy. You, Sharon and I all have about the same amount of weight left to lose. Here's to success for all of us in the coming year. Lynda