lsereno

Congrats Erp! Love your non-scale victories! I was frightened to move out of the basement, but I've gotten used to stopping in the big world of normal sizes. Lynda

Yeah, the learning curve can be a bit steep. I remember when my post op diet said two ounces of firm Protein. Made myself sick several times before it sunk in that two ounces was not ok for me! I very, very rarely eat to the point of discomfort now. But it can happen if I don't pay attention and I eat fast. I've also learned to drink before meals so I don't feel thirsty while I'm still too full to have some Water. And I drink my coffee before Breakfast too. Lynda

dens on how often, why. If you drank or ate too much or too fast, it's pretty normal. If you are vomiting every day, the frequency is increasing, or you can't get the recommended fluids and food, call your dad. Lynda

http://www.gossipcop.com/rosie-odonnell-weight-loss-surgery/ Sorry, I can't find the VSG News forum or I would have put this tidbit there. Lynda

I waited till I was cleared by my Doctor at 6 months. Lynda

Hi, How fast you can drink liquids the weeks after surgery is more about how your body heals than the size of the sleeve. Some people have less swelling and can drink more early out. Most people have more swelling and are stuck sipping slowly to get liquids in till the swelling goes down. Don't worry that you can drink more as long as your doctor says that is OK. Once you start eating more solid foods, you'll find out what your restriction is. Lynda

If I need to take off weight, I follow something fairly close to my plan's pre-op diet that I followed when waiting for the surgery, eating lean Protein first, then non-starcy veggies, whole grain, and fruit in about that order with 2 servings of nonfat dairy or soy milk per day. It's basically how I eat period, but if I'm at goal, I have treats and cocktails here and there too. It looks like this: Breakfast: 1 dairy, 2 protein, 1 fruit, 1 fat, optionally 1 starch Lunch: 2-3 protein, 1-2 veggies, 1 starch, 1 fat Dinner: 3 protein, 1-2 veggies, 1 starch, 1 fat Snacks: 1 dairy, 1 fruit I'm smaller, older, and less active so I have to really ratchet the calories back to lose. I stay at goal at around 1300 calories per day. To lose, I cut that to around 800 per day. Lynda

My tolerance is down, but hey, I weigh half what I did before, so I'm not surprised. I never cared for beer. I like everything else, except margaritas. I used to love them pre-op, but now I rarely want them. I stay drunk as long as I ever did, it just takes less to get there. Lynda

Yes, I'm satisfied with much smaller portions. Pre- op, I would eat 3/4 cup of oats cooked with 1.5cups of Water. Now I eat 1/4 cup oats cooked with 3/4 cup water. Before, I would eat 4-6 oz of Protein at dinner, a cup of something starchy, and a very large salad. Now I eat 3 oz. protein, 1/3 to 1/2 cup something starchy and a very small salad. I'm satisfied with about 1/2 the food I ate pre-op. Lynda

Yeah, I don't feel any more obsessed than my normal weight friends. They watch what they eat too. Well, maybe I have to work a little harder than them, but it's totally doable and very comfortable at this point. Lynda

I'll be three years out in May. Been at goal two years in March. My hunger is much more manageable post op, but it's still there, along with head hunger. The difference for me post-op is that I CAN manage my hunger. I really tried pre-op, but I just couldn't get it under control. I knew what to do, but I couldn't follow through. I had to eat more to get full and head hunger seemed worse too. Lynda

No I used the greek yogurt to add creaminess to the chicken salad without using much mayo. I use 1 tbs mayo and two tbs greek yogurt. Although I have used greek yogurt in my soup before I do like it. Lynda

I enjoyed strawberry blended into my smoothie after I was released to soft foods. But check with your Nut. Every program is different and as a conversion you might have stricter rules too. Lynda

Here's my dinner today. 1 cup Trader Joes Tomato and Red Pepper Soup, 1 slice whole wheat bread toasted and cut in quarters topped with 3 oz. chopped rotisserie chicken, 1/8 cup chopped celery, 1 tbs mayonnaise and 2 tbs Greek yogurt. Lynda

My top ten success strategies are: 1. Weighing daily 2. Correcting my diet to stay in my bounce range. 3. Not bringing food home that I find hard to resist. 4. Stocking the house with healthy, easy to eat foods and low or no calorie drink options. 5. Weighing and measuring foods most of the time. 6. Using smaller plates and bowls. 7. Keeping my supplements and Vitamins in a pill holder by my toothbrush so I remember to take them. 8. Coming here to offer support and get support. 9. Exercise (more for my health and happiness than weight control). 10. Changing my self talk. My two favs are reminding myself that self soothing is not self sabotage and I can't hate myself thin. With that in mind, I try to choose non-food treats such as lotion and perfume, calling a friend, or taking a walk when I am stressed or upset and I try focus on my success and planning on how to increase that instead of focusing on what I don't like about myself and what I have done wrong in the past. Lynda

Here's my lunch today. 1/2 cup canned vegetable soup. I've doctored it with 1/3 cup cooked barley, 2 oz. rotisserie chicken, 4 chopped cherry tomatoes and four chopped frozen green beans.

Hi Cheri, I'm so sorry to learn of the loss of your dad, your health issues, and your other issues. I'm sending love and thoughts your way. I don't have tine to write a long post so I'm just gonna say two things You can't hate yourself thin. Focus on your success. A beautiful baby, years at goal, and friends and family that cherish you. Self-soothing, not self sabotage. Stock up on easy to grab healthy foods and treats. Clear the junk out of the house or set your healthy treat area away from the junk area. Buy yourself a non food treat. Lynda

Zsaylnn s on my 600 lb life and in this show too I think. I've been waiting for this since last year, when I first learned about it. I posted in January noting the play date on PBS but stuff gets buried here. Lynda

Finally in the party! The attached image is a typical lunch for me at almost three years out. It's four romaine leaves, 8 cherry tomatoes, 2 oz. chicken breast, 1 slice whole wheat bread, and 2 Tbsp lite Caesar dressing. Lynda

it does, but it takes time. I. Almost three years out. Most of time, I see myself accurately now. Lynda

One of the best pieces of advice I got when I lost my dad early and fast from cancer was "don't trouble trouble till trouble troubles you" Try to stay in the moment because if he doesn't get better, you will have the rest of your life to mourn, he is still with you now. I am thinking of you. Lynda

Before I could eat enough to get in Protein and Fiber, I had to rely on Colace fairly often. And I drank Metamucil to add fiber. Lynda

You rock, no matter what version of you you are working on. I'm successful because of the time, care, and love you invested here and I'm honored to be around to pay it forward. Here's to the next years together! Lynda

Lisa, I am saddened to learn your husband's diagnosis. Vent away. My thoughts are with you. Lynda

I don't hate the extra skin around my middle, thighs, or upper arms enough to go under the knife. But at almost 60, my turkey neck, eye bags and sagging cheeks get to me. The expense, pain, and fear of looking stretched has kept me from even getting a consult. I'm still traumatized from visiting a plastic surgeon to get skin skin tags removed and having him pull my checks back to show how I'd look with a lift. That was before I lost weight and I didn't like how my face looked pulled. It distorted my lips and the outer corners of my eyes. Lynda