lsereno

Congrats on your three month surgiversary! I'm so happy that your hubby is joining you on the losers' bench! Lynda

Hi all, Yahoo! I lost 3 lbs. this week, so my goal is looking pretty solid. I'm hoping to blow it out of the Water and get to 180 by August 17th. That means I will have lost 10% of my body weight in the first month following surgery and 10% more in months 2-3. I'm at 186.3 today. Only 9 0z. to my next mini goal: I'll be Overweight, not Obese!!! I'm following Little Miss Diva's 30 day challenge over in the General VSG Support thread. It's helped me stay away from the snackies! Lynda Labor Day Goal: SW-197...............CW-189.5...............Labor Day goal-179 July 4: 197 July 8: 193.7 July 15: 191.6 July 22: 189.5 July 29: 186.3 August 5: August 12: August 19: August 26: Sept 2: Labor Day!:

Hi all, I missed posting yesterday, but I'm on track! July 29, Friday:Weighed in this morning at 186.3!! Breakfast: Yogurt smoothie (3/4 C. Fage 0 Plain Yogurt, 1/8 C. OJ, 1/4 C. Water, 2 strawberries, Splenda): 15 grams Protein, 115 calories Lunch: 1.5 oz. chicken, chopped with 1 T. lite mayo and 1 T. honey mustard, 1/2 C melon: 10 grams protein, 140 calories Planned Dinner: 2 oz. meat, 1/4 c. vegetables : 14 grams protein, 165 calories Planned Snack: 1 scoop French vanilla Gold Standard whey Protein, 1/2 C. Starbucks Via Decaf Italian Roast, 1/2 C. plain soy milk: 27 grams protein, 155 calories Planned Protein, 66 grams, Planned Calories: 575, Water: On cup 4. Need to step it up a bit. Vitamins: I forgot my Calcium at lunchtime today. Exercise: My trainer was sick today so I need to work out one day this weekend. I am planning to clean the garage and count that as a workout! July 28, Thursday:Went to the outdoor movies last night. I followed my plan to take my dinner for a snack but I didn't have my evening Protein Drink until I got home around 11 p.m. I didn't want it but I drank it anyway to get to my protein goal. I did pretty good staying on plan but I had one bite of an apple fritter that hubby was eating and 1/2 cup microwave popcorn. So calories for Wednesday were 663.Breakfast: Yogurt Smoothie (3/4 C. Fage 0 Plain Yogurt, 1/8 C. OJ, 1/4 C. water, 2 strawberries, Splenda): 15 grams protein, 115 calories Lunch: 1 oz. low fat salami, 1 oz. low fat string cheese, 3 grape tomatoes: 15 grams protein, 140 calories Dinner: 1.5 oz. taco meat (carne asada and al pastor) : 10 grams protein, 110 calories Snack: 1 scoop French Vanilla Gold Standard Whey Protein, 1/2 C. Starbucks Via Decaf Italian Roast, 1/2 C. plain soy milk: 27 grams protein, 155 calories Protein, 67 grams, Calories: 520, Water: 64 oz. Vitamins: Took my calcium at lunchtime today. Just because I don't want to doesn't mean I can't do it! Took an Iron pill before bed.Exercise: 45 minutes fast walk with walking group this morning.

What everyone else said!! The last cookie I ate was so stale my husband was like "Didn't you throw those Cookies out?" It was a sad day for me in a way when I found I could eat a lot of my fav junk foods such as chips, crackers, and sweets. Only kinda sad because I think I would have been even sadder thinking they were gone forever. Now I know I may have to fight to control them, but I will be able to enjoy them in moderation when I'm at goal or for a special occasion. And I deserve better than a stale cookie or something a thin person wouldn't dream of eating!! Little Miss Diva started a 30 day challenge in the General VSG Support thread. Check it out! It's a great way to get back on track or stay there. Lynda

Thank you and congrats to you too! I saw your post under success about getting to overweight BMI. I agree those BMI charts can be so full of it, but you rocked it anyway! And I know what you mean about those cravings. But I have a goal - get away from me cookies!! Hope you are feeling better soon. It sounds like you got the infamous summer cold. Lynda Hey Lynda, great job!!! Today is DAY 4 and we have 26 DAYS LEFT!!! If you have gotten through the cravings by now you really should be good to go for the remainder of the days. My day 2 was sooo terrible, however I'm not having much cravings at all now. Thank goodness!!! For me today I'm sick I have a sore throat, a bad cough and a fever.

Hi, I'm post-menopausal and somewhat of a lightweight too. My surgery date BMI was 35.8. I have lost 10% of my body weight in the first month followiing surgery and I am on track to lose another 10% by the end of month 3. I'm happy with my weight loss. I have seen others losing a lot more, but I'm not sure of their BMI. And I've seen some people losing less. For me the surgery is a huge success. I already feel so much better and I'm thrilled to be in regular sizes and shrinking at a pretty good clip. Lynda

Congrats! I know how hard you've been working on this! Can't wait to see what the next 27 days of the challenge bring! Lynda

Wow Laura, you are rockin that sleeve! Enjoy your vacation - you've earned it! We are really close in surgery dates and weights. My surgery was 5/17 and my surgery weight was 222. I'm currently 186.7. I hope to catch you in the 170s soon! One goal I've set for myself is to to lose 10% of my body weight in months 2-3 post-surgery. I lost 10% in the first month (From 222 to 200) and now I need to get to 180 by August 17 to reach my next goal. You've inspired me! Lynda

Hi all, How is everyone doing? Please post even if you are not meeting your daily goals. Tracking what you eat is the number one habit of successful weight loss maintainers! I still have a hard time with chicken so I ate a little less than planned last night. And I had one graham cracker with 1 t. peanut butter. So my actual protein and calories for Tuesday were 68 grams of protein and 583 calories. Today I hopped on the scale and was greeted with 186. 7!! I don't log my weight till Friday, but if I lose a little more between now and then I might actually make my goal of losing 10% of my body weight in months 2-3 post surgery. I'm going to the outdoor movies tonight. I will take my dinner for a snack and have my evening protein drink at dinner time. And I'll have an extra snack of some watermelon and a few whole wheat crackers. I was low on yogurt so I had to improvise on my morning smoothie today. Wasn't nearly as good! July 27, Wednesday: Breakfast: Yogurt Smoothie (1/3 C. Fage 0 Plain Yogurt, 1/2 scoop Unjury Unflavored Protein Powder, 1/8 C. OJ, 1/4 C. water, 2 strawberries, Splenda): 17 grams protein, 118 calories Planned Lunch: 1 oz. low fat salami, 1 oz. low fat string cheese, 3 grape tomatoes: 15 grams protein, 140 calories Planned Snack: 1 scoop French Vanilla Gold Standard Whey Protein, 1/2 C. Starbucks Via Decaf Italian Roast, 1/2 C. plain soy milk: 27 grams protein, 155 calories Planned Late Dinner: 1 oz. low fat salami, 1 oz. low fat string cheese, 5 grape tomatoes: 15 grams protein, 140 calories Planned Late Night Snack: 1/2 C. Watermelon, 5 whole grain crackers: 60 calories Planned Protein, 69 grams, Planned Calories: 613, Water: On track - 3 down, 5 to go. Vitamins: I will take my calcium at lunchtime today. Just because I don't want to doesn't mean I can't do it! Exercise: 30 minutes with the trainer

Riding in the car bothers me now and it never did before, but I am only 10 weeks out. Pre-surgery, I never suffered from motion sickness of any kind. I'm not sure that will be true now. Lynda

Happy birthday! I think others are right and you will be able to eat a little more later on down the road. Everyone heals at their own pace. I already can eat a bite of just about anything, as long as it's not in the morning. food and me are not friends till lunch time. So that allows me to feel pretty normal. Like you, I love eating out and all that goes with that. The San Francisco Bay Area is very food-focused. I eat out a lot. I order an appetizer, or share a main dish with someone else. Only thing I am missing right now is alcohol. But I am willing to wait. Lynda

Hi all,I'm a couple of days behind, but here's my info for the first three days of the challenge. So far so good except for the cookie on Sunday. I'm only 10 weeks out, so my portions are still smaller, but I am getting in 65 grams of protein per day and averaging 600 calories per day. I'd like to be at 180 on August 17 (Currently 188.5), but I think that's a bit aggressive. If I can get there, I will have lost 10% of my total body weight in the first month post-surgery (Started at 222 on May 16, was 200 by June 16) and another 10% in the next two months (From 200 to 180). My Labor Day Goal is 179, so I would blow that out of the water if I can make the 10% goal. Lynda Sunday: Breakfast: Yogurt Smoothie (3/4 C. Fage 0 Plain Yogurt, 1/8 C. OJ, 1/4 C. water, 2 strawberries, Splenda): 15 grams protein, 145 calories Lunch: 1 oz. low fat salami, 1 oz. low fat string cheese: 15 grams protein, 140 calories S: 1/2 C. Watermelon, 1 small Cookie: 100 calories Dinner: 2 oz ground beef patty, 1/8 C. steamed summer squash, 4 bites corn on the cob, 2 T. ketchup: 14 grams protein, 175 calories Late Night Snack: 1 scoop Unjury Chicken Protein, 12 oz. water: 20 grams protein, 90 calories Protein: 64 grams, Calories: 650, Water: 64 oz Vitamins: Missed bi-weekly iron Exercise: Free Day! Monday: Breakfast: Yogurt Smoothie (3/4 C. Fage 0 Plain Yogurt, 1/8 C. OJ, 1/4 C. water, 2 strawberries, Splenda): 15 grams protein, 145 calories Lunch: 1 oz. low fat salami, 1 oz. low fat string cheese, 1/3 C. watermelon: 15 grams protein, 155 calories Dinner: 2 oz ground beef patty, 1/8 C. steamed summer squash, 4 bites corn on the cob: 14 grams protein, 155 calories Late Night Snack: 1 scoop French Vanilla Gold Standard Whey Protein, 1/2 C. Starbucks Via Decaf Italian Roast, 1/2 C. plain soy milk: 27 grams protein, 155 calories Protein: 71 grams, Calories: 610, Water: 64 oz Vitamins: On schedule. Took bi-weekly iron tonight because I missed it last night. Exercise: 30 minutes with the trainer. Tuesday: Breakfast: Yogurt Smoothie (3/4 C. Fage 0 Plain Yogurt, 1/8 C. OJ, 1/4 C. water, 2 strawberries, Splenda): 15 grams protein, 145 calories Lunch: 1 oz. low fat salami, 1 oz. low fat string cheese, 3 grape tomatoes: 15 grams protein, 140 calories Planned Dinner: 2 oz. meat kabobs (chicken and pork), 1/4 C. mixed veggies from kabobs and grape tomatoes: 14 grams protein, 160 calories Planned Late Night Snack: 1 scoop French Vanilla Gold Standard Whey Protein, 1/2 C. Starbucks Via Decaf Italian Roast, 1/2 C. plain soy milk: 27 grams protein, 155 calories Planned Protein, 71 grams, Planned Calories: 600, Water: On track - 5 down, 3 to go. Vitamins: I've been skipped my calcium every day at lunch. I just really hate taking it three times a day. Maybe I will get some calcium chews for lunchtime. Exercise: 45 minutes fast walk with walking group this morning.

Try the Greek Yogurt in a smoothie. It hides the taste a bit. I like to use 1`/2 C. yogurt, 1/8 C. OJ, 2 strawberries, and a couple of tablespoons of Splenda. Blend it up and try it. It's 10 grams of Protein. I prefer Fage 0 brand. Here are some of my fav high protein foods that are not meat: Low fat cheese sticks. They have 8 grams of protein in 1 stick and 60 calories. Baby Bell Lite cheese, which has 6 grams of protein. Anderson's Split Pea Soup with bacon has 10 grams of protein per cup. I ate 1/2 cup for lunch for 5 grams of protein. Dennison's 99% fat free chili has 20 grams of protein per cup. I eat 1/2 cup for 10 grams of protein. unjury chicken Protein powder. It's 20 grams of protein per scoop. I don't care for eggs, but they are a good source of protein: 6.3 grams in a large egg. I am lactose intolerant, but if you are not, non-fat milk has 8 grams. I use Plain Soy Milk, which has 7 grams. I don't like adding unflavored protein to my food. I can taste it and I don't like that. But if you can tolerate it, it's an easy way to up protein in many foods. Lynda

I was an evening smacker while I watched TV. Since I no longer snack (3 meals and one Protein shake per day), I spend less time watching TV in the evening. I tend to play on my computer more and read. During the day I actually spend more time eating. Before retraining, I was a fast eater, often gulping down Breakfast and lunch in 5 minutes or so and finishing dinner in about 10. Now I spend 30 minutes on lunch and dinner and about 15 on breakfast. Lynda

First off, Dud2Stud, what a cute user name! But I don't think you're a Dud now! I'm 10 weeks out. I've posted what I've eaten today and what I plan to eat this evening. Don't worry about never being able to eat again! I think most people who have posted are fairly early out. I just got to where I can usually eat 2 ounces of Protein. I started out only able to eat 1 ounce. VST superstar Tiffykins is more than a year out and at goal. She has posted more than once about how much she can eat and I think she has a small sleeve. She manages to eat a small steak, have an appetizer, and enjoy a couple of drinks. Sounds good to me!! Can't wait till I'm at goal so I can do the same!! But for now, here's my typical day at 10 weeks out. It is 64 grams of protein. Breakfast: Yogurt smoothie (3/4 C. Fage 0 Plain Yogurt, 1/8 C. OJ, 1/4 C. Water, 2 strawberries, Splenda) Lunch: 1 oz. low fat salami, 1 oz. low fat string cheese, 1/3 C. watermelon Dinner: 2 oz ground beef patty, 1/8 C. steamed summer squash, 4 bites corn on the cob Late Night Snack: 1 scoop unjury chicken Protein in 12 oz. water Lynda

I agree with Janae- dehydration will make you feel sick and then you feel even less like drinking so it is an evil downhill spiral. Start logging your fluids and any foods you eat NOW so you have an accurate picture of what you are getting in. Call your Dr. - they may bring you in for IV fluids. The lack of weight loss is somehting to mention to the Dr. - perhaps it is a sign of dehydration? And if you're not dehydrated, your Dr. may have an idea of what the issue is and why it is affecting your weight loss. Till you are feeling better, I recommend trying unjury chicken Protein to help get some calories and protein in. Fluid is more important that calories or protein though, so work on that first. Best wishes - I'm thinking of you and sending healing thoughts your way. Lynda

Sorry about the mis-post. See my reply below. l

So today I stepped on the scale and was greeted with 189.9. It's the first time I've been in the 180s since around 2000, when I used hypnosis to lose about 25 lb.s and made it down to around 185. Thank you VSG!! I am two months and a few days out. 32 lb.s gone since surgery, 32 in my pre-op diet. Only 4.4 lbs. to go till I am merely overweight!! Thanks to all who post their successes and struggles. Reading your stories helps me every day. Lynda

Hi all, Yahoo! I hit my first mini-goal this week: I'm in the 180s! I got there on Wednesday when I stepped on the scale and saw - drumroll please! - 189.9!! I haven't seen that weight since I tried hypnosis to control my weight around 2000. This week I'm down 2.1 lbs. so I'm still slightly ahead of my schedule of two lbs per week to reach goal. I'm at 189.5 today. Only 3.5 to my next mini goal: I'll be Overweight, not Obese!!! This week has been more fairly easy for me. I've given up the snacking that was creeping in and I have exercised 4 days this week. Lynda Labor Day Goal: SW-197...............CW-189.5...............Labor Day goal-179 July 4: 197 July 8: 193.7 July 15: 191.6 July 22: 189.5 July 29: August 5: August 12: August 19: August 26: Sept 2: Labor Day!:

Hi all, I did good yesterday, eating as planned except for 7 grams of Pork Rinds with my evening Protein shake. I'm on track so far today with a yogurt smoothie for Breakfast and walking fast for 45 minutes this morning. Not sure about lunch and dinner yet, but I will report back tomorrow. Lynda

The scale can be tough! Of course you weigh more later in the day. Everyone does. No big deal. I weigh every morning, but I only track my weight on Fridays. I weigh first thing in the morning wearing the same thing. A lot of people are tracking measurements and clothing fit as well. I do notice sometimes that my weight is staying around the same, but clothing is mysteriously fitting differently. I'm postmenopausal, but I see women who are still having their periods report it can really affect even weekly weigh ins. Even without a period, may weight goes up and down over the week. l

I'm in! I'm only two months and a few days out, but I've already discovered that I can eat sweets and salty Snacks. So for today: B: Smoothie: 1/2 C. Fage 0 Greek Yogurt - Plain, 1/8 C. OJ, 2 Strawberries, 2 T. Splenda, blended into a smoothie L: Wahoo Fish Tacos: Inside of 1 Grilled Fish Taco and 1 bite corn tortilla Planned D: 1.5 oz. smoked pork chop, 1/4 C. steamed veggies (left-over side dish from Pollo Loco) Planned LNS: Iced Latte Protein Shake: 1 scoop French vanilla Gold Standard whey Protein, 1 C Plain Soy Milk, 1/2 C. Starbucks Via Decaf Italian Roast Water: On target - drinking glass 5 now. Vitamins: Ugh- taking them all and adding Iron today. Went with Kaiser Fremont's recommendation of Ferrimin 150. I had to order it online. Lynda Lynda

Hi Becky, I'm tow months out and I have lost 31 lbs. post surgery and 32 lbs. following the pre-op diet for three months before surgery. My starting weight was 254, 222 day of surgery, current weight is 191 and I am 5'6". My goal weight is 135. I weigh and track everything. Although I'm not a rabid low-carber, I am a de-facto low-carber because I eat Protein first and I simply don't have room to stuff carbs in after eating protein at Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.I do get my Water in almost every day. And I'm working out up to 5 days a week for 30-45 minutes. I hope your nutritionist has some tips for you. Lynda

In addition to lactose, you may have an issue with artificial sweeteners. Although I used them pre-op, after the surgery I ate a lot more (popsicles, Jello, Protein drinks) and I think that contributed to my "potty" issues. After I eliminated most artificial sweeteners and lactose, I was down to 2-3 poos per day. To get rid of most of the sweeteners, I switched to the unjury chicken Soup Protein powder and drank Water and unsweetened tea. Lynda

At McDonald's, I like the Asian chicken salad (Sorry Starygirl, I guess you'll have to wait till you're stateside to try it!). It makes two meals for me. Lynda