lsereno

I have not had any issues with vitamins and they have been checked at 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years out. My program requires a lot of vitamins and I am very compliant at taking them. And I eat a well balanced diet with low fat protein, whole grains, vegetables and fruit.

Heh heh. Yes I did read this far. Well just break something then. That does it for me some days. I just take something in the backyard and smash it. It's been years. I think the exercise and meds got the ugly urge under control a little better. Lynda

I get in at least 60 and that's been my goal since immediately post-op. My Protein levels are good at every checkup (just annual now). I know many programs require more. Early out I needed two Protein drinks per day to get to goal. Now I get it all from food. Lynda

Oh and the support group in Saratoga and the one at Good Sam both charge $5, even though it says free in the Kaiser guide. Kaiser WLS support group meetings at all locations are free. Lynda

Kaiser Fremont Bariatric Program Guidebook has a section with local support groups: http://mydoctor.kaiserpermanente.org/ncal/Images/ADA-06-Support%20Groups%20-%20Where%20they%20are_tcm28-532134.pdf I have been to the one in Fremont and the one at Good Sam. I am planning to attend the one in Saratoga on Wednesday, August 7. They will have a speaker ( I think a Dr.) who will talk about weight regain. Maybe we can meet up at that one? I think most of these groups have a lot of pre-ops because some insurance co.s require you to attend a few support groups pre-op. Fremont has one specifically for long term post-ops, but I haven't been to it yet. Lynda

You can't hate yourself thin. But you know that. My best advice is talk to yourself like you are your own best friend or your daughter. What would you tell her? I made little cards with sayings like " My mind is a garden. I weed out bad thoughts and plant happy thoughts." and I looked at them several times a day. It sounds trite but it worked to help me. Stop the negative loop. I found a cognitive behavior handbook that discusses how to do this. It is very similar to the one Kaiser gave me when I attended the class a few years ago. http://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/monograph_reports/2005/MR1198.6.pdf Exercise, esp. outdoors makes a huge difference for me too. I know you went on a hike and had a great time. Can you get up and walk every morning for even 15 minutes? DO NOT beat yourself up if you don't. Just know that this might be a healing activity for you, if you can find time for it. Also, medication may help. If you are already taking meds, they may need to be changed. You are at a different weight and body composition now and you eat differently. Lynda

Here's a few things I bought for myself at goal: Jewelry: A regular sized bracelet or a shorter necklace Knee high boots Splurge clothing items: Your choice. I bought a couple of skirts, belts, and cute little jackets. Enjoy! See you on the goalies bench. Lynda

I didn't have a problem with my Protein powder in carry on. Lynda

Do what you have to do to get back into doing some kind of exercise. Walking, esp. brisk walking, is way better than nothing. It works some of the largest muscles in your body: your leg muscles. For me, staying with exercise means I have to do it first thing. I simply won't do it later. And it has to be a group or timed activity, such as walking with friends, an exercise class, or working with a trainer. I do think doing muscle building activities, such as strength training is important. It boosts your metabolism and helps retain muscle through the losing phase. But just get walking for starters. Lynda

Ms. Skinniness, finally a pic! I have to admit, I didn't read your post well before looking at your pic and when you said you looked old and I looked at the pic, I thought your Mom was you, and you were you daughter. No way did you look like you were in your 50s! We are about the same age. I think you look fabulous. But I'm constantly amazed at how old I look and how old many others my age look. I'm probably never going to get a face lift because I'm pain averse, it's expensive, and even if I lift my face, what about all the other old stuff. Honestly, I earned these wrinkles. Lynda

Thanks!

I would ask the dr. I haven't heard of other food allergies getting worse. Just lactose intolerance, but I wouldn't chance it if I were you. Lynda

I ate shrimp at 3 weeks out. I could only eat about an ounce of firm Protein. My program recommended staying away from starches and I had no room for them. I'm more than two years out now. My program allowed moist fish, shellfish, chicken, and pork from weeks 2-6. We weren't allowed beef till after 6 weeks. Lynda

My program allowed many soft foods between weeks 2 and 6, but I had trouble too. I had to eat very tiny bites, chew for 30 seconds, wait 30 seconds and then another bite. I used a clock with a second hand and demitasse spoon. I could only manage about an ounce. Most of my nutrition still came from Protein drinks and greek yogurt. And like someone else noted, if something is bothering you, just drop back to your previous stage for a few days and try again. Lynda

I had the sleeve because: I wanted a WLS option that relied on restriction, not malabsorption and one that didn't require ongoing maintenance. The band would have left something foreign inside me and the port under my skin that would require periodic fills. Plus, I know me: I would have been feeling for that port under my skin. The RNY would prevent me from taking some drugs (such as ibuprofin) or may cause issues with dumping (inability to eat sweets). Also, the malabsorption scared me and the blind organ thing was weird too. Plus the pyloric valve is removed and I have read the stoma used in its place can stretch. DS was too extreme and my insurance doesn't cover it. Lynda

You can be modified from a sleeve to a bypass. My Dr. at Kaiser Fremont mentioned this is done if GERD is very bad post-op. I wouldn't say many people revise to DS, but some do. There is a DS board on Obesity Help so you could get more info about DS there. There are many more side effects with DS, but for some it is a life saver if they can't take the weight off another way. The restriction alone has been enough to get me to goal. My program uses a 40 bougie to size the stomach. I have started a blog on this site and discuss bougie size there: http://www.verticals...-and-then-some/ For North Carolina references, check the Gastric Sleeve Surgery Support Groups → Local Gastric Sleeve Surgery (VSG) Support Groups → USA Local VSG Support and then search for North Carolina. I found three threads for that state. Best wishes on your journey! Lynda

My husband was OK with surgery but my Mom was scared. My advice? Take him to a support group meeting and a surgeon appt. It's what I did with my Mom and it helped soothe her fears. Lynda

Congrats and welcome to older land!!! Lynda

My fav on-plan sweet treats are grrek nonfat yogurt with blueberries and Splenda, any fruit that's in season, or a soy latte with sugar free syrup in vanilla or chocolate. I also like the 15 calorie sugar free hot apple cider. Sometimes I add a splash of sugar free caramel syrup. Lynda

Congrats and happy Sugiversary! Lynda

Fluids are your number one priority. Instead of staring at a huge container of Water, set a goal of one ounce every 15 minutes while you are awake. I used a clock, a shot glass, and a 1 cup liquid measuring cup as a pitcher. Try the water at different temps: cold, lukewarm, and hot and see if one goes down easier. I did better with lukewarm. Add a splash of juice or try herbal tea. I like SleepyTime Tea. Lynda

Thank you Alex for all you do. Lynda

Happy Surgiversary! You're screen name doesn't match the way you look now. Maybe you're gonna have to change it to skinny b*****

Congrats!

Thank you! I just want people to see what eating looks like after a couple of years. I was 135.6 today. And I'm still working on understanding how to eat and stay at goal. Here's today: B: slice of WW bread, 2 oz. of 98% fat free ham, about an hour later, Decaf Soy Latte (22 grams protein) L: 1/4 cup lettuce, 1/4 cup chopped tomato, couple pieces of red pepper, 1/4 avocado, 2 oz. lowfat turkey lunch meat, 1/2 c. black Beans, 2 T. light ranch dressing (18 grams protein) D: 3 oz. smoked chicken, 2 T. BBQ sauce, 1/2 small ear of corn, 1/4 c. veggies sauteed with 1 T. olive oil (21 grams protein) S: Mango