lsereno

Apply scented hand lotion and lipgloss. The smell and feel is soothing. Play games on your ipad or computer. Read. Create a look book of new clothes, hairstyles, activities, places to visit that you will enjoy as you lose weight. Use Pinterest or print photos and paste them into a binder. Clean and organize. After your strength returns and a little weight is off you'll be amazed at how much energy you have. If all else fails, set a timer for 15 minutes and tell yourself you can eat it it then if you still want it. Go to bed earlier. This really helped me with late night snacking. Lynda

The question is: Can you maintain the loss without the sleeve? For me, I couldn't lose weight period. I got under 200 using hypnosis, but even with weight watchers I struggled to get to 200 and my weight crept up again quickly. I had a raging hunger that I could not control. Over three years out and more than two years at goal and I have no regrets. Lynda

I thought I couldn't pick stuff up off the floor or tie my shoes easily because I am older and less limber. Turns out I was just fat.

On WL mode, I didn't eat more than 1/8 large avocado with meals. In maintenance, I sometimes eat as much as 1/2 avocado per day. It's not a regular part of my diet, more like an occasional treat in salads, on a sandwich, or just smushed up with a little salt. My post-op plan allowed 1/8 avocado as a healthy fat with lunch or dinner once I was able to eat enough solid Protein ( about month three for me). Lynda

I agree with Cowgirl Jane. The most important thing right after surgery is fluids. Drink on a schedule to help get them in. I felt really el crappo after surgery. I developed lactose intolerance and for the first week the only Protein drink I tolerated well was unjury chicken flavor mixed with Water. Also, I slept propped with a lot of pillows the first week. Kinda made my bed like a recliner. Everyone heals differently. I was still tired until about 4 months. Everyone else was like "I feel great after the first few days" and I was so discouraged that I wasn't, but in the long run, I do feel great and I'm celebrating more than two years at goal weight. Give yourself time, concentrate on getting in those fluids and resting up so you heal better and faster. Lynda

My understanding is base Protein needs goes by weight (which roughly correlates to height at average BMIs), http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/news/20081107/weight-is-key-to-protein-requirements http://www.lifeed.ucla.edu/documents/CHS19Protein.pdf

Congrats and Happy Surgiversary! Here's to many more years of health and happiness! Lynda

Call your Dr. at only two weeks out, it's best to check any out of the ordinary changes. That said, headache, naseau are both signs of dehydration. Are you tracking fluids? If you are not getting 64 oz. try a schedule: 1 cup before 8 am. 1 cup before 10 a.m. 1 cup before noon, 1 cup before 2 p.m. 1 cup before 4 p.m. 1 cup before before 7 p.m. 1 cup before 9 p.m. 1 cup before bed

got my first post op stomach virus this week, along with fever and the worst runs I've had in my life, but thankfully no vomiting. After two days of misery, fever has broken today and I'm hoping things "solidify" soon. I have to say it feels different post op. Still don't want to eat, but I am getting fluids and had some Soup yesterday and today. Lynda

Based on a recent study that gut metabolism changes, not sleeve size, causes weight loss after surgery and another study that shows mice injected with bacteria from thin mice lose weight when exposed to healthy foods but not when they eat fatty foods (and mice not injected don't lose weight even when exposed to fatty foods) my take is: Restriction does play a part no matter what any else says. I can't eat as much at once. I wonder if the early "failures" did not experience the gut metabolism reset to the full degree because of their particular metabolism or because they ate fatty foods early out. I wonder if later "failures" accidentally undid the gut metabolism reset by eating too much fatty foods. My fear is that if I eat too much fatty foods, my gut metabolism reset will go away. For whatever reason, I had no problem maintaining a very slim weight until I was in my early 30s. After that, I never got my weight under control again till surgery. I was raving hungry and even though I am a very controlling person, I couldn't control it. My heart goes out to those who don't get where they want with this surgery or those that suffer regain. How many of us heard "Just don't eat so much!" before we had the operation. Sometimes it's not that easy. And yes, I do know I am responsible for what I eat, but for those who don't think body chemicals control more than we think, take some peyote and tell me all about it. Just my two cents. Cited studies: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/03/140326142209.htm http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/06/health/gut-bacteria-from-thin-humans-can-slim-mice-down.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

I am feeling better! Yes, I'm very careful of the fluids. Totally slacked on Protein because there was no way I could choke down that much and didn't want Protein drinks. Figured lack of protein won't kill me for a few days. I started drinking pedilyte today and it's thicker and doesn't go down as easy as Water. Fooled me because it looks and tastes like liquid Jello. But that slightly thicker viscosity makes a difference. Can't drink it like water, I have to take little sips. Hoping to be solid by tomorrow. I'm on oatmeal, chicken noodle soup, saltine crackers, Fage Greek Yogurt, Ginger Ale, and Pedilyte. Haven't tried the yogurt yet but planning on it tomorrow. I am a frequent hand washer. No idea how I got sick. I'm the only one in a large group of family and friends who got it. And I'm way below goal now but I expect most of that is water loss. Lynda

OK, from the Web browser, go to your profile, then your gallery, select the Before and After Album and look at the right side of the screen for the edit option. After you click it, you can delete and edit photos. Remember to click Save at the bottom of the page.

Maybe one with a sporty brim then, but you can't beat those big Sophia Loren film festival ones for sun protection! The girlie fedoras are cute and would at least protect your ears, forehead, and scalp. My hope for you is that as time goes by you more often see the you we all see. I know I still have days I feel fat (really - I'm at the lower end of normal BMI!), ugly, wrinkly,old, whatever. And then most days I feel pretty good about myself. l

Welcome back Madam! You look fabulous. I'm so glad you are seeing it now. As for the sun, one word: HAT! Protects thinning hair from sun damage and exposed scalp. Plus, it looks exotic when paired with oversized sunglasses and you don't have to slather as much sunscreen on your face, ears, and neck. Like everyone else, I adore your witty posts and admire your helpful tips to those in need. Lynda

I tried looking for it but couldn't find it I don't come on here as much as I did in the beginning so I'm not great at navigating through the different areas lol Found it! The search is MUCH better on the browser app than the device apps. http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/266039-big-pants/?p=2989646

Congrats! You look fabulous. And I love the big pants pic! We actually have a big pants thread in the vets forum, but I can't figure out how to link to it from the app. Lynda

Hi Blondie, I'm over 3 years out and it is about me now. I still have good restriction but have to choose wisely, avoid Snacks, blah, blah, blah. I have healthy weight friends and they have to do the same thing, so I don't feel too bad about it. Try uping your fluids. I find if I drink less, I snack more. Lynda

I love coffee too. I gave mine up 1 month before surgery so I didn't have to deal with caffeine withdrawals along with being post-op. I like the Pete's Italian Roast Decaf and the Starbucks Via Instant French Roast Decaf. Lynda

I have weighed daily every day since surgery. First thing when I get up. When in weight loss mode, I only tracked my weight on Fridays. I saw up and down fluctuations during the week, but every Friday I was at least a little smaller. I was really stringent about sticking to the program and I exercised 5-6 days per week for 45 minutes to an hour. Three days of strength training, two to three days of walking. Lynda

You look fabulous! Congrats on rocking your sleeve. Bet those three boys are a lot easier to keep up with these days! Lynda

At three months, I still needed a Protein drink when traveling to get all my protein in. Greek Yogurt was my fav protein food early out, followed by low fat cheese, soft chicken, fish, and ground beef dishes. I traveled with a blender ball cup, vanilla Protein powder and starbucks decaf instant coffee. I mixed the instant coffee, Water, and the protein powder for a drink that tastes like a latte. I preferred mine room temp, but also good cold by adding some ice after it's blended. It does get better. You are still healing at three months. Be easy on yourself. Lynda