lsereno

Don't feel guilty. Enjoy your success. I haven't had any complications and I lost every week till I was at a normal BMI and I have maintained my weight for 18 months. I am grateful to be one of the lucky ones. Maintenance takes vigilance, but it is worth it to me. I would not be at this healthy weight without the surgery. Lynda

Although I'm at goal and am able to maintain, I still eat more junk than I should. My main concern is that it will be an issue later on down the line. Lynda

Remember this super restriction is only temporary. Use this time to find the healthy Protein dense foods you do like, low calorie drinks that are soothing, and other activities to replace the joy you got from eating. You are still healing. At more than two years out and goal weight, I enjoy almost everything I did pre-op, in limited quantities. I do remember the first summer post op. I love fresh fruit, esp. stone fruits and they made me sick. I missed the entire season for peaches, nectarines, and plums. But the next year I was back at the farmers market! Lynda

Congrats! I loved hitting onderland. It wasn't far for me either, but I couldn't get there on my own so it was a huge achievement for me to finally see it. Onderland: I'm never leaving again!

I like quinoa in tabuli, stir frys, and instead of rice in many dishes. I didn't eat it again for quite awhile after surgery because I just didn't have room for much besides dense Protein. But now that my capacity is larger, I often eat it as a grain with meals. I do prefer to make my own to control oil, salt, and other flavorings. Lynda

Beautiful bride! Love seeing the pic. Thanks for sharing with us. Lynda

I belch a lot more and I ave since right after post op. f i want to be discrete I belch with my mouth closed, which makes it a lot quieter.

Congrats Jane!!

For me, if I want to lose, calories have to be under 1,000. If I stick to around 800, mostly lean Protein, low fat dairy, non-starchy vegetables, whole grain and fruit in that order, I can lose consistently. I exercise 4-5 days per week. Generally at least one hour walk at a brisk pace. At goal, I eat around 1200 to 1500 per day to maintain. Lynda

Congrats and Happy Sleeviversary!

I kept my biggest pair of pants. There's a pic of me in one leg of them in my gallery. I took my nicer things to my in person support group and let others shop from my trunk. That made me feel good because its such a hassle keeping up with clothes during the weight loss phase. ESP. Something like a coat. Who wants to spend on one when you know it will be too big the following year? I was fortunate to lose most of my weight over the warmer months. My new coats still fit because I was within a few lbs of goal when I bought them. Lynda

Yeah. If your lucky someone around you has a garden. It's great to get fresh garden produce. Lynda

I'd add some healthy fats first: Peanut Butter, avocado, olive oil. If that doesn't cut it, add a snack after dinner. I often have peanut butter and graham crackers after dinner. Peanut butter is calorie dense so it doesn't take much. Lynda

You look fabulous! I'd love to be rid of my turkey wattle and saggy cheeks, but I'm afraid. I'm really quite the chicken. It took a lot for me to decide to have WLS. I spent years trying to lose the weight. Lynda

Depends on the Kaiser. I went through Kaiser Fremont and had to do a sleep study. Went to a class, got a machine, went home and strapped it on and slept. I think I only had to do it one night, but it's been awhile. Then return the machine to Kaiser. I had sleep something, but not sleep apnea. They didn't make me use a CPAP machine. Lynda

If you don't find a lowfat cheese you like, just watch how much you have. I personally like the lowfat string cheese just fine. I also like the lowfat babybel, the 2% cheddar cheese, and the alpine lace swiss (which is lowfat). I also like the velveta slices, which have a decent amount of Protein and not much fat. I eat the regular version of Parmesan and goat cheese when I have them. Lynda

Maybe just have the same types of food you eat later in the day? What did you eat for breakfast pre-op? I liked vanilla Protein powder mixed with Starbucks instant decaf. Tasted like a latte to me. Lynda

Hi all, For those of you two years out or further, do you have more heartburn? I have recently noticed an uptick, and I'm not sure if its time related or because I've become a little more adventurous in my post-op eating. Today I had a small serving of spaghetti sauce, noodles (not whole grain), and a bite of garlic bread. I am paying the price! Not sure if it's the Pasta, which I rarely eat, the spaghetti sauce (ditto), or if I am just more prone to heartburn as time goes by. I don't think it's the bite of garlic bread, because I have had that without problems many times. Lynda

The Kaiser Fremont (my program) guidebook includes chapters on the surgery and the benefits of WLS in general. Read through the book for good discussion points (why it's important to have the surgery, what changes with the surgery, what you will do to get ready, what happens in the hospital, what recovery will look like). You might want to print some pages. http://mydoctor.kaiserpermanente.org/ncal/facilities/region/gsaa/area_master/departments/Bariatrics/binder.jsp Lynda

At home, if you are mostly cooking for yourself, look for Protein foods that are easy to prepare and reheat or cook in small portions. I get a costco rotisserie chicken and use the meat in lots of different ways. In stir fry, with BBQ sauce, or mixed with a tiny bit of mayo and chopped celery. I can't eat the whole chicken before it spoils, so I pull the meat off and bag it in portions and freeze. Frozen shrimp are good too because you can shake out just as many as you want. I also portion ground beef and bag and freeze. I like frozen veggies for the same reason. I also eat lots of lunch meat, greek yogurt, and I have soy milk. Canned low fat chili was another early fav of mine. If you are cooking for your family, just make sure your meal includes a dense protein. They can eat everything else and you will be able to measure out your protein and have a bite or two of other dishes you make for dinner. So, for example, if you make a stir fry for dinner, add a few extra ounces of meat, fish. or poultry. Scoop out the protein for your meal portion before serving the family. Here's a chicken recipe I love: http://savingdinner....liclimechicken/

Say, “my surgeon told me…,” not, “the only right way is…” Say, “I think I would choose …,” not, “You made the wrong choice.” Say, “Have you considered…?,” not, “You’re not ready for your weight loss journey.” Say, “I have found that …,” not, “The right way is …” Love these points! </p>

For the Vitamins, I put mine in a pill holder and keep it by my toothbrush. It helps me to remember to take them morning and evening. Find some easy to grab Protein and fluids such as bottled Water or low cal drinks, low fat lunch meat and cheese and beef Jerky. It's easier to get stuff in if its ready to eat. The Fage and Chobani Greek yogurt cups are good too. Glad you are enjoying your new life! Lynda