lsereno

Hi all, I haven't posted in awhile. I'll be 5 years out from VSG in May. I miss: The ladies in the plus size department in Macy's Valley Fair. Shopping in the regular departments can be a nightmare! I love: Buying tons of things at Marshalls, Walmart, and Target. So easy to get a cute sweatshirt, tank, or tee. I miss: Margaritas, Milk and most milk products, and Flour Tortillas. Other than those foods, I can eat small amounts of about everything else. I love: Not being the biggest person everywhere I go. Fitting into seats and not worrying about it. Walking down aisles in the store even when someone else is already in them. Feeling healthy, strong, and in control of what I eat. Lynda

How do you know you're a vet? You have at least one pic of yourself in one leg of your old pants! Here's mine. Let's see yours!

Hi all, Just returned late Sunday from a trip to Palm Springs to visit family. I only did one fast day last week, but was careful most of the time and weight was 142.5 yesterday on my weigh in day. Very stressful week with lots of family drama. I haven't fasted yet for this week and may skip. My mom and sis are here through Friday. I made a big pot of veggie soup and bought a bag of mandarin oranges. I hope having those low cal treats around will help me at least stay the same weight this week. Florinda: Great way to lose about 200 lbs of extra weight by kissing the boyfriend goodbye. He doesn't deserve you. Sheryl: Congrats on three years!

Hi all, One day late. I was traveling most of last week and only got one fast day in. Weighed 142.5 on Monday, so I'm very happy with that. Not sure which fast days I will have this week. I have family here till Friday. May skip the fast day this week and just try to avoid Snacks and sweets. Lynda

No ideas. I did get more heartburn around 2.5 or 3 years and am back on Prilosec. But nothing as extreme as what you are experiencing. Interested to here what the doc says. Lynda

Hi RJ, So you are having surgery for skin removal? I'll be thinking of you on the 17th. Lynda

Hi all, So happy to see so many old friends here. I'm on my second week of 5:2 and HUNGRY. Waiting to eat dinner at 5. And I've got an unexpected trip to SoCal. My sis's son and his girlfriend had a baby that they are giving up for adoption. I'm going for a couple of days to see the baby and provide family support. Couldn't plan trip in advance because didn't know exactly when baby was coming. At least it is an open adoption so we will know how the baby is doing. I know adoption is the best option for all of us, but it's still hard on everyone. I will miss two events here at home, not to mention time I had counted on to rest up and get ready for Christmas. And it's a 7 hour drive. But I am grateful I can go. Worried about my eating while I'm gone. I will pack some items (splenda, tea bags, sugar free cider mix, pretzels) and buy some when I get there like greek yogurt cups, some fruit, low fat lunch meat. Lynda

Hi all, Monday check in here. Weight is 145.2. Doing good on the fast day today. I'm hungry, but holding out for dinner. I had a light cheese stick with two slices of low fat ham at noon and 3/4 cup raw brocolli and tomatoes at 3 p.m. I've had 5 cups of fluids so far. 1 coffee, 1 decaf, 1 Water and 2 sugar free hot apple cider mixes with sugar free caramel syrup. For dinner, I'm having BBQ chicken, I think I didn't lose last week because I overdid it on splurge days and had a little extra on Friday and Saturday too. I will be traveling this week. Next fast day will be Wednesday. I plan to clock in around 600 calories by eating a small dinner. Driving home Sunday, which will be my second fast day. Following week, I will not be fasting on Monday because that would be two days in a row and I'm going to a potluck luncheon that day. Lynda

Hi all, I'm in! As you may know, I'm over goal a bit and looking to 5:2 to get me back to 135. So far, so good. I'm grateful to have this private place to vent a few things years out. I keep a nice calm profile in public posts because I never type anything I would be ashamed to let me grandmothers read, but here in private I may say a bit more. Thank you for letting me join the group. Looking forward to participating in whatever we're discussing. Lynda

Second fast day yesterday went well. I had a light cheese stick wrapped with two slices of low fat deli ham at 10:30 a.m. and 3/4 C. each mashed potatoes and hamburger gravy at 5:30 p.m. I felt a little hungry mid afternoon but I was so busy I forgot it was a fast day most of the time. I need to do a better job of getting in some veggies on fast days. Today is splurge day. I'm hosting a cocktail party and cookie exchange tonight. I will eat some snacks and some cookies and have three cocktails. My other splurge day will be Sunday, when the kids come to watch football. I'll have snacks and two cocktails that day. Friday and Saturday I will stick to a healthy plan with three meals and two healthy snacks. Lynda

HI Lisa, I do like a homemade version of flavored coffees. I use Starbucks Via Decaf mix with hot soy milk and a splash of sugar free pumpkin syrup. Another seasonal flavor is I mix splenda, pumpkin puree, vanilla, and cinnamon in my non-fat plain greek yogurt. Lynda

My sleeve is bigger. I can eat 4 oz. of a dense Protein and a very small potato at dinner. I definitely have sliders and can eat a lot of popcorn, crackers, or bread. I think as time goes by you'll be able to eat more. I was able to eat more at 12 months, 18 months, 2 years, 2.5 years. But around 2. 5 years I maxed out. Capacity has not changed since then. Lynda

Bahaha. I love the EverSlimEnema. I think it will be sooner than we expect. In the meantime, I have been very happy with my surgery (3.5 years and counting!) and hope you will be too. What a great way to start the new year! Lynda

Hi Lisa, I'm 3.5 years out. I've got a little off track over the summer and holidays and gained 10 lbs. The key for me is healthy foods and limiting Snacks and treats. I have substitutes for high calorie favorites. For example: PB2 mixed with Water and apple slices as dippers Fat free, plain greek yogurt mixed with splenda and topped with frozen blueberries sugar free hot cider mix with a splash of sugar free caramel syrup Hot Gingerbread Tea with Splenda For Breakfast, I eat one small serving of whole grain, such as a 100% whole wheat muffin or 1/4 cup of oats cooked with 3/4 cup water, and some Protein. Either greek yogurt or low fat turkey sausage. For lunch, I often eat Soup. I am lazy and eat the canned Soups. I drain off some of the liquid and add extra veggies and meat. For an afternoon snack, I have a little protein such as a slice of ham rolled around a piece of string cheese. For dinner, it's more whole grain, veggies, and protein. After dinner snack is fruit or fruit and yogurt. Sometimes the PB2 and apples. I'm thinking of you. If you're interested in trying the 5:2 plan, I'm checking in on that thread every Monday to report my weight and provide details of the previous week's eating. Lynda

Last week I went to my three year surgery follow up at Kaiser Fremont. It was a group appointment that took a couple of hours and included talks by our Bariatric Medical Doctor, Bariatric Psychologist, Bariatric Nutritionist, and Bariatric Surgeon. If you needed one on one appt, they scheduled those after. Kaiser does a great job with education. There were a lot of good handouts and good information shared. Some highlights: From the Surgeon: When people get a revision, weight loss is only around 10 lbs., which the surgeon credited to the liquid diet followed before and after surgery. He said they don’t know why there is not substantial weight loss with the revision surgery, but he theorized that whatever was reset during the first operation was a one time thing. He also showed an image of stomach and how blood flow to the stomach is decreased with each operation. I hadn’t realized how many veins and arteries were connected to the part of our stomach that is removed. A lot! The stomach can only stretch so much. It does not continue stretching once it gets to maximum capacity. People may think they are eating more at one time because the brain adapts. Ulcer is leading cause of death in long term complications. Ulcers are caused by too much alcohol, smoking, and some drugs, including SSRIs, immunosuppressors and the usual suspects. Not spicy or acidic foods. From the medical doctor: Kaiser Vitamin recommendations have changed. For the latest, along with the latest Kaiser Bariatric Surgery Guidebook, see: Iron in Ferrous Sulfate form can cause stomach upset, that’s why they recommend Ferrous Fulmanate or Ferrous Gluconate. Take with stool softener if needed. Watch for birth control pill malabsorption. For those that don’t like pills, she offered the following schedule:Morning: Wellese liquid Calcium or calcium citrate chews, multi with iron Evening: Wellese liquid calcium or calcium citrate chews, multi with iron Weekly: 5000 mg B12, 250 mg B1, Iron with Vitamin C Once per month: 50,000 iuVitamin D From the Psychologist: Tip for eating less: Do not put serving plates on table. People eat more then. Serve from kitchen so people don’t see extra food and have to get up to have a second helping. Cross addiction is more common in year two than year one post op. She had a whole list of books for us, but strongly recommended Mindess Eating by Brian Wansin. She had a handout from AmiHungry.com for Mindful Eating After Bariatric Surgery. Download it here: Water, etc. From the Nutritionist: Eat 20-25 grams of Protein per meal (70 grams per day). 3-5 planned meals per day, 1200-1500 calories per day, limit carbs to 30 per meal (15 carbs average in 1 starch, dairy or fruit). Eat protein first, then up to ½ cup veggies, then carb such as whole grain, fruit or dairy. Eat protein with any foods with higher sugar content. For example, have some cheese with grapes.

I agree with AvaFern! After this time you know what you need to do. Yes, it is hard. I have a 10 pound regain too. I'm trying 5:2 to drop it and I'm limiting drinks and treats to 2 days per week. So, I'll have two days of semi fasting with very low calorie lunch and dinner, three days of three meals and two healthy Snacks, and two days where I can splurge with cocktails, desert, etc. I'm hoping that will do the trick. If not, I'll have to cut back more. One final thought: You can't hate yourself thin. So next time you start beating yourself up over the weight gain, ask yourself what you would tell your best friend and then say that to yourself instead. Lynda

Yes, I am 3.5 years out! Wahoo! I am struggling a bit after regaining some weight over the summer and slacking off over the recent holdiays. I'm 10 lbs. over goal. I'm still in the normal BMI range, but I'm trying 5:2 to get rid of the regain. I'm also still wearing the same jeans, but with the extra pounds, they are snug! Looking forward to getting back to goal. You can follow my progress on the 5:2 thread in the Vet's Forum. I'll be posting there every Monday with a weight check and report about the previous week. I love life post-op. Still feeling great! Lynda

Hi all, Checking in with my first 5:2 fast day. My weight is up following the holiday weekend. 145 today. 10 pounds over goal. I will be checking in here at least every Monday to report my current weight and previous week's details. Today, I had 1 cup of homemade beef stew for lunch and 9 small scallops with three pieces of bacon for dinner. I am going to try to stop at that amount for food, but if I am starving later, I will have 3/4 cup of plain, fat free greek yogurt for an extra 90 calories. I will be doing my second fast day on Wednesday this week. I plan to restrict drinks and extra treats to two days per week. This week it will be Thursday, when I'm throwing a holiday cocktail party and cookie exchange. Probably will save my other day for the weekend. Lynda

5:2 is an eating plan named because on two days a week you consume a very restricted caloric intake. There's a huge thread with lots of great links pinned to the top of the Vet's Forum. Lynda

Sorry I haven't replied earlier. If you haven't already done so, these things might help get the last little bit off: Switch to whole grains whenever possible. Include a little at every meal. If you eat a snack, make it Protein between lunch and dinner and dairy or fruit after dinner. Don't pick fruit only if you're hungry. You'll need the dairy to stay satisfied. Bone up on calorie vs protein and eat protein sources that have at least 1 gram of protein for every 10 calories. Weigh your food Track your fluids and get 64 oz. per day. Get some low cal veggies in at lunch and dinner. If that doesn't work, you might consider 5:2. Lynda

Hi all, I'm going to try 5:2 so just checking in on the Monday thread. I think my days will be Tuesday and Friday, with the Friday a bit variable, depending on what's going on. I am starting next week because I have drink testing tomorrow, I'm baking Cookies Wednesday, traveling Thursday, eating Thanksgiving a day late, traveling Saturday and hosting a gingerbread party for about 80 on Sunday. So, I'll check in next Monday, hopefully just 7 lbs over goal still. I put it on over summer by eating too much Snacks during the day and sweets after dinner. Lynda

Never heard of cuddle duds, but I do have silk longjohns I wear under my pants in winter. I wear boots instead of shoes if it's cold out. My idea of cold out is in the 50s. It was worse the first year, but I'm still colder than I was. My mom bought me some rockin wool socks. They are super thick and rather ugly, but I wash and wear them day after day in the winter because they are the only socks that keep my feet warm. I also layer tops in the winter, with a cami, shirt, and sweater. Then I top with coat, hat, gloves and maybe a scarf for outside. Lynda

Congrats and welcome Vet! Lynda

I'm a sleever, but my comments are general and apply to all surgeries. Like others, my comfort foods have changed. And I've found ways to get the flavors and textures I like. Early out, the Protein shakes helped when I wanted something sweet ( vanilla was my fav) or salty (chicken protein powder). I use PB2 instead of Peanut Butter and enjoy it with apple slices. I make my own pumpkin spice latte using a sugar free syrup, Starbucks instant decaf, and soy milk (lactose intolerant after surgery). I also flavor up plain nonfat greek yogurt for the season. Right now, I'm mixing in pumpkin purée, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla, and splenda. Yum! Instead of chips, I eat pretzels. They are crunchy and salty and I don't like them well enough to overboard with them. For treats I like but can't limit on my own, such as Cheetos, chocolate candy and white cake, I only eat them when away from home so they are not in the house. It allows me to enjoy them occasionally. Each of us has to find their own way. Lynda

Make a list of food items you are eating and health habits you dont like. Then write down what you do instead. Pin it to your refrigerator door. For example: Starbucks Mocha Frappachinno - Homemade version using coffee ice cubes, vanilla soy milk, and sugar free chocolate syrup. Chocolate Candy - Sugar free hot chocolate Skipping exercise - Walking on break at work, different body exercise each day while brushing teeth morning and night. Give yourself a reward for making the list, and rewards for sticking with it. lynda