lsereno

I wish! I actually am small on top. l

Hey Lisa, Maybe she is stopping at higher BMI than you. I see many people with goal weights that put them at a BMI over 25, so even though she had less than 100 to lose, she may have started and ended with a higher BMI than you. Also, some people are not getting the guidelines for calories, Protein, and Water. They may lose faster because they aren't even getting in the recommended amount of calories per day. I'd rather get the nutrients and calories my program recommends and lose a little slower. One thing about it, if we are eating and exercising according to our plans, we will lose weight. Even if it's at our own schedule. My personal cross to bear is that I am bigger than others who weigh the same as me. I'm still in medium tops, size 10 pants and size 9 undies and I have less than 10 lbs. to go till I'm at a normal BMI. Sheesh! I see people on here wearing size 7 panties, size 4 pants, and small tops and they're the same height as me and outweigh me by more than 15 lbs. Lynda

Hi all, Another slow week this week. I lost .8 lbs. Not sure if it's a coincidence, the 4 steroid shots I got in my finger joints on Monday, or the 21/2 donuts, peanut butter snack crackers, or cup of bar mix I chowed down on this week. It's gonna be quite close if I get to goal with 4.6 lbs. to lose in the next 16 days. I'm gonna need two solid weeks of good weight loss to get there. Keep your fingers crossed for me!!! I am hungrier and more energetic, so I guess the honeymoon period is starting to wane. Good news is I have already lost more than 90 lbs., I have less than 10 lbs. to go to a normal BMI, and I get all my protein from food almost every day. Lynda Halloween Goal: SW-177.............CW-164.4...............Halloween Goal-159 Sept 2: 175 Sept. 9: 173.1 Sept 16: 169.6 Sept 23: 168.8 Sept 30: 166 Oct 7: 164.4 Oct 14: 163.6 Oct 21: Oct 28: Halloween:

Congrats! Size 11 is small and I bet you look smokin' hot with no muffin top!

Oh I do feel your pain. I'm a month behind you and I've already had more than a few falls off the wagon. It's so important to just climb back on!!! Easy to say, hard to do. Get away from me demon bread! Get thee behind me evil cookie! And most of all, do not cross my doorstep donut! I don't know what the answer is besides to just keep trying. That and don't focus on a lot of negative self talk. Just look forward and think about what could change so it wouldn't happen next time. Lynda

Try taking really teeny sips. I took 15 minutes to get down an ounce the first few days after surgery. Also, my stomach grumbled like a Mac truck was driving through it the first couple of weeks. Prop yourself up with pillows in bed or sit in a comfy recliner and hog the TV. Before you get settled, upt a small container of Water by where you will be resting. Use a clock to watch the time and drink one ounce from a medicine cup or a 3/4 full shot glass every 15 minutes. I'm sitting here almost 5 months out and 60 lbs. down from my pre-op weight. Energy has returned and I can guzzle a cup of water at a time if I'm inclined (which I am when I drink my benefiber- it gets thick quick!). Point is, it is worth it and temporary. Baby yourself - you deserve it!!!! I put on hand lotion and lip gloss every once in while to cheer myself up, but everyone has their own favorite thing. Lynda

I missed this the first time around. I took it for about 5 years when I was peri-menopausal (fancy way of saying your body is changing but you are still having periods). I stopped taking it about two years ago when I read an article that said exercise was more effective at relieving depression. First they put me on Prozac, but it made me feel funny and I gained up to 260 - my highest weight ever. I dropped back to 220 after switching. I didn't notice a decrease in appetite. I never went under 220 without really struggling and tracking every bite I ate. Lynda

Congrats! You are rockin that sleeve. 110 lbs. - I know you feel so much better. Thanks for sharing your story-it's inspiring! Lynda

You may not be able to get your former favorites, but you should be able to order meat or fish and get it cooked in any cooking liquid other than the oil. Get the entree sauce on the side. Their menu: http://www.meltingpot.com/our-menu/individual-entrees.aspx You won't be able to eat it all, but it will make a nice lunch for the next day or two :-) I often choose a restaurant with seafood and get crab cocktail or shrimp cocktail. Before dinner I have still Water (no bubbles) with a splash of cranberry. I LOVE the Seabass at PF Changs, if you have one of those by you. I can't eat the whole entree, but I enjoy the rest for lunch the next day. Have a great time and Happy Anniversary! Lynda

Might be your vitamins. Iron deficiency is notorious for making people tired. Kaiser Fremont recommends Iron in ferrous fumarate format. The Ferrimin 150 from Daliyvite is on the approved list of supplements. It contains a stool softener. For best absorption, you should take it two hours or more after eating and then not eat for a couple of hours after My nutritionist recommended mid-afternoon because I sometimes have to eat a snack in the evening to get my protein for the day in and then I fall asleep before two hours go by. Lynda

I eat a little fruit or vegetable every day. It's not much, but I think it helps. A couple of strawberries at Breakfast and 1/8 cup or more vegetables with lunch or dinner. Of course, I'm quite a bit further out. At first I didn't have room for Protein and vegetables. I did used to eat about 1/4 cup of watermelon before I had room for veggies. I also started taking 1 rounded teaspoon of benefiber a day. Everyone's body has its own schedule, but I've always been a regular once per dayer. If I miss a day, I take colace till I'm back on track. Lynda

I spent time working on these issues pre-surgery. Here's what works for me: Exercise. I hated it and still would rather not, but it truly makes me feel better. Totally bummed? Walk outside. Feeling depressed, set the alarm and hit the a class at the gym before work. Yes, it would be easier to just eat a few donuts, but - a. I can't now and b. The more I lean on exercise, the more I want it because it gives a better result. It can make me feel better than food ever did. Counseling: I took a cognitive behavior class at Kaiser that was a godsend. (Never had realized how much self talk is negative and that I would never talk to any one else the way I talked to myself in my head!) And I also did some one on one counseling and tried a 12-step program on for size. Hobby or other interest: Honestly, I spend a lot of time I used to spend snacking trolling these boards and typing. Hard to eat and type at the same time :-) Make changes instead of avoiding a problem. I finally dealt with my #1 troubled relationship by attending a 12 week class for families with a mentally ill family member and learning better ways to deal with them. I finally realized that I was not helping my family member by letting them abuse me and put some distance between us. It hurts sure, but it hurts less than the mess of a relationship we were having. Yes, it's scary and hard but I am so much happier now and I feel like have more to give as well. Good luck to you! Lynda

Congratulations and thanks for sharing your story. It thrills me every time I see someone post that they have reached their goal. I guess secretly I fear it just isn't possible and every time I see someone make it, I gain a little more confidence to smack down that fear. And normal blood pressure!! Woot woot! I am off all meds, but mine is still running a little high at 41/2 months out. I can't wait to join you on the goalies bench! I have 28 lbs to go. Lynda

I am 5'6", started at 254 and my bras were too small. I had gained about 30 lbs. and hadn't bought new bras. I got new ones when I weighed about 205 because mine were badly worn, but they were the still the same size. I also asked the fitter for help getting one size smaller because the store had a buy two get two free sale. She recommended the same cup size and one size smaller band. I started wearing those at about 175. For me, it's about the fit. When the band started to be too big to support me and the cup started emptying out on top, I switched to the smaller size. Lynda

I lost 32 lbs. in three months following the Kaiser pre-op plan. I did exercise 5 days per week for 30-45 minutes. I went from 254 to 222 and I'm 5'6". I did cheat but not often. Generally a couple of times per month. Good luck Deb, you can do it! Lynda

Yogurt Smoothie: Blend 1/2 cup Fat Free Greek Yogurt with at least 20 grams of protein per cup, 1/8 C. orange juice, 1/4 C water, a couple of frozen or fresh strawberries, and Splenda to taste ( I like three tablespoons). Split Pea Soup: Andersons Split Pea with Bacon has 5 grams of protein per half cup Decaf Soy Milk or Skim Milk Latte: 8 grams of protein per cup of milk Lynda

I'd take a break and test it out again if I were you. I'm not sure but I think if you were lactose intolerant post-surgery, it would show up right away not 25 days later. I can't drink milk or have unfermented milk products since surgery. I had a problem with the first glass of skim milk and the first serving of cottage cheese I had. If it is indeed lactose-intolerance, you may be able to tolerate yogurt and hard cheeses no problem - I can. At the beginning, I used unjury Protein powder, which is Whey Isolate. I can now use Gold Standard Whey Protein, which is a blend. Lynda

Hi all, Over the last two weeks I have lost 4.4 lbs. so I'm back on track after a small weight loss week Sept. 16-23. I'm in the under 30 club and I'm so excited! Just .4 lbs to go and I've lost 90 lbs. since I began my pre-op diet Feb. 15. I was on vacation last week so I didn't do my Friday check-in last week. I'm entering a weight of 166 for that week because I weighed that the day we left on vacation. I did a good job of getting Protein and fluids on vacation. I used a simple sticky note to track protein grams and Fluid intake every day. Only had to use the Protein powder one day! I didn't exercise the week we were on vacation. Hubby's health keeps him from doing much, even walking a fair distance, so we did sedentary things throughout the week. As soon as I got home, I'm back in the saddle, working out every day except Monday, my day off. I notice the last few weeks I've been hungrier and I can eat a bit more (2.5 ounces sometime!) of solid protein than I could before. Still under 800 calories every day though. Halloween Goal: SW-177.............CW-164.4...............Halloween Goal-159 Sept 2: 175 Sept. 9: 173.1 Sept 16: 169.6 Sept 23: 168.8 Sept 30: 166 Oct 7: 164.4 Oct 14: Oct 21: Oct 28: Halloween:

I feel restriction with them. Not as much as solid Protein, but enough to keep me from overeating. Lynda

Thanks for sharing your story. I've got 29 lbs. to go to my goal (ticker only gets updated on Friday) and I'm 4 1/2 months out from surgery. Those last few pounds can be so stubborn, so it is good to know how you got rid of yours! And I love the pics- You are rockin' those boots! Lynda

I had melon, strawberries, and mango during my soft food stage. Also tried a few bites of fresh peach and nectarine. My program's equivilant to the mushie stage (weeks 3-6), allowed all soft fruits, skin removed. Lynda

Ugh. Rootman and Diva, I know you guys are right. I guess I will just wait till i get to goal and see if there's anything that bugs me so much I want it suctioned or cut off :-) In the meantime, I will be rubbing and exercising anyway. Maybe I'll get lucky and get a placebo effect :-) Lynda

I'm with Diva, I haven't heard of anyone getting an air bubble trapped. My program didn't want us using straws because you could swallow air and be uncomfortable. We were told many people have a problem with gas for a few weeks after surgery and swallowing extra air makes it worse. I used a one ounce medicine cup and a measuring cup after surgery to get my fluids in. I took tiny sips from the one ounce cup, working to finish it in 15 minutes. That's 4 oz. per hour and if you are up 16 hours, that makes 64 oz. per day. I used the measuring cup as a pitcher so I didn't have to get out of bed every 15 minutes to refill my medicine cup. I also agree with Diva that it helps to practice sipping ahead of time. It won't seem so strange after surgery if you have practiced a bit first. Lynda

I believe in massaging the areas where you want the fat to disappear. I have those fat pads too so when I take a shower, I rub the heck out of them, along with that little bulge on my lower tummy and the other areas that I am sincerely hoping disappear with the next 30 lbs. I lose. Who knows if it works, but it makes me feel like I am doing something. It definitely increases blood flow to the area. Try a back exercise for the fat pads. I believe the dumbell rows will target the area that is closest to the fat pads (at least where mine are): http://exercise.about.com/library/blbackexercises.htm Lynda

I followed my program guidelines. I was allowed decaf immediately, but I didn't have any for a couple of weeks probably. My tummy was really picky at first, and I was afraid it wouldn't sit well. I drank Starbucks or Peets decaf for the first three months, and now I am back to caffiene. Yeah! I generally get mine in by having a Soy Milk Latte in the morning. Gets in 8 oz. of fluids and 8 grams of Protein with my caffeine fix. Lynda