lsereno

I am worth it. What kind of example do I want to set for the children I love? I deserve to be healthy and happy. Will I feel better after eating this? Will I feel better after exercising even though I don't want to right now? I agree with OTR, after a year at goal, I do find it easier to resist the treats. It feels great being skinny and healthy. I love looking in the mirror. Lynda

Greek Yogurt is a great substitute for sour cream. I like Fage 0. I ate so little at first, I didn't cook much so I'm not much help with recipes for the mushy phase. Lynda

Bring protein powder and a shaker cup. If you don't get enough protein at meals (can be hard if they don't have the right foods), have a protein shake before bed. I liked the GNC Gold Standard Whey Protein Powder in French Vanilla Creme mixed with a Starbucks Via Decaf Italian Roast packet and 1 cup water. Easy to travel with the ingredients. I also liked the Unjury Chicken protein because it mixes with just warm water. Order ala cart instead of meal if you are ordering your food. For example, just scrambled egg for breakfast. Order soup and just eat the parts you can. Ask for apple sauce.(Apple sauce cups are a good snack to pack too because they are shelf-stable.) Have fun and win big for me! Lynda

Greek Yogurt has a great Protein bang for calories. Fage 0 has 23 grams of protein and 130 calories in a cup. Lowfat cheese sticks are good too. 3 sticks have 24 grams of protein for 180 calories. For meat, chicken and turkey breast have the highest levels of protein per ounce. Lynda

Eat protein first (too full for junk after that) Tell myself I can have the treat at a later date Remind myself that this stuff is available at the store whenever I want it. I do not have to eat it now. Do something else that smells nice, such as a candle, lip gloss, and hand lotion Drink a cup of hot tea or other low cal beverage Remind myself each time I resist something bad for me, it's like building a willpower muscle. Eat something similar but with less calories. For example, instead of cake, vanilla protein shake. Not ideal, but does have that sweet vanilla taste.

Odwalla Juices sells Watermelon juice. I was able to have watermelon after my two week check up. Lynda

I wanted a BMI squarely in the middle of the normal range. I weigh about 15 lbs. more than I did when I was in my mid-twenties, before I started gaining weight. Hardest part of surgery was the first few days afterward. I spent 100% of my time focused on my recovery - taking pain meds, sipping fluids, sleeping and walking. I developed lactose intolerance (it's about all gone now almost two years out). Hardest part of maintenance is just making the right choices. I could easily gain weight now and over time weigh the same as I did pre-op. I had a lot of training in how to do things correctly because I spent years in WW, but I am able to use those lessons now that I am less hungry and already at goal instead of ravenous 24/7 and struggling to lose even a few lbs. I am not more confident, but I do move better and fit in small spaces (like theaters, crowded grocery story aisles, and plane seats) better so I am more comfortable in public spaces. Also, if I drop something, I can pick it up without nearly fainting. Lynda

Butterbean, of course you're vet enough! I eat salad in the summer, but in the winter, I prefer Soup. I'm eating about 1200 calories a day to lose the extra couple of pounds I gained back after getting to goal, but I think around 1800 will do for maintenance. Lynda

Hey Catracks, Goal weight is such a personal thing and a moving target for so many. I agree about not starving yourself and getting Protein first. My Dr. had a chart that showed people who were in the overweight BMI range and exercised were healthier than those in the normal range who didn't. For those that exercised, the health difference between those in the normal range and the overweight range was minimal. If you have extra skin that does add some weight and if you were heavy for a number of years, your weight bearing bones are probably thicker too. For me, the big job is staying at goal weight. Sometimes those old habits really cry out to be satisfied I really hope that it's like when I quit smoking and that as the years go by, it will get easier and easier to say no to unhealthy eating habits. Lynda

[quote name=Lisa ' timestamp='1359347834' post='655578] Carbsmart is made by Kroger (Ralph's). My FAVORITE way to eat greek yogurt is to whip up 2 tbs of Trader Joe's Organic whipped cream cheese with 8 oz of 0% greek yogurt (my personal favorite is Trader Joe's b/c the Protein content is so high). I add a few drops of vanilla extract as well and I sweeten with Splenda. Tastes like cheesecake!!!! I add blueberries or strawberries and then I sprinkle with 1/2 of a crushed graham cracker. It's AMAZING!!! i can never eat it all so I usually split into 2 servings. Yum! I see a visit to Trader Joes in my near future. My fav Greek Yogurt is Fage. I buy it at costco. Lynda

Little Smokies Turkey Sausage Fat free Hebrew National Hot Dogs Low fat chili (I like Dennison's 99% fat-free beef) Crudites with ranch dip made with greek yogurt. I have also made a good blue cheese dip with a few cubes of laughing cow light blue cheese and greek yogurt. Sliders (use a low fat ground beef - make each patty about 1.25 ounces and serve on Hawaiian rolls that you have cut in thirds horizontally so two rolls make three sliders) Low fat popcorn (I pop my own and add seasoning such as cajun spice mix or ranch dressing mix) for dessert, make sure you have an option that works for you. I like strawberries mashed with splenda and a plain cake and whipped cream. Everyone else can have theirs with lots of cake; I have mostly berries with just a little cake. .

I agree with JustSleeveIt. I loved Kaiser's program, both pre-op and follow up. Yes, most surgeons are not the best with people, but a good program will include a nutritionist and a therapist. My program also had an entire handbook of information, and we had a case manager and a general medical doctor that we see after the 6 week post-op at 3 months, 6 months, and annually after that. Lynda

My surgeon took pics of my before and after stomach and insides. He showed them to my Mom and Hubby before I woke up. LOL! They still looked pale when I saw them! Lynda

Mine was: Day 1-2: Clear liquids (broth, decaf coffee, sugar free jello and popsicles, tea) Day 3 to 2 week post-op appt: Full liquids (strained cream soup, greek yogurt, milk, cottage cheese, soy milk, apple sauce) 2 week post op to 6 week post op appt: Soft foods (cooked veggies and fruits, soft chicken and fish (no beef or pork), lunch meat, saltine crackers) 6 weeks post op: beef and pork, raw veggies and fruits, well-toasted bread Starches were discouraged. I really didn't eat them till much later. Lynda

Yes, liquid does go down more easily. And everyone heals a little differently too. Some people have more swelling and for them even fluids are a struggle at first. When you are able to eat a solid protein you'll find how much restriction you truly have. Lynda

Hey goalie! Congrats!!! I'm coming up on a year at goal. I have to watch what I eat to stay at goal, but it is easier. I'm still tempted by treats, but I am satisfied with smaller meal sizes still so overall to me it is much easier to maintain that it would have been if I had managed to get the weight off without surgery. Pre-op, I had a raging hunger and had to eat a fairly large meal to feel full. Lynda

Hmh - What's next? I'm coming up on one year at goal and then in a couple of months, two years post-op. What's next for me is learning something new this year. Haven't decided what yet, but maybe a language (I only speak english now and I would love to learn spanish) or a musical instrument (I had a brief, bad stint with a clarinet in 4th grade), I usually have goal every spring, but getting to goal weight and feeling like I could stay there took me three years: nine months to try losing weight AGAIN and then finally talk to the Dr. about the surgery, six months pre-op, nine months to goal weight post-op, and another year to realize that I can stay at goal weight. I'm still filling my closet with clothes (I really do hate shopping even now that I am at a healthy weight) and I occasionally toy with the idea of plastics. Lynda

My program allows decaf coffee immediately post-op and caffeinated coffee after the three month check up. I had a hard time with plain coffee at first and drank it with soymilk for the first year. I drank Soy Latte or made instant with Soymilk instead of Water. I can drink coffee and espresso again now and really enjoy it. Lynda

For Protein powders, I recommend unjury chicken. It was the only thing I could tolerate for the first couple of weeks post-op. Lynda

I'm no gourmet, but I like the Swanson's canned broth just fine. It's loaded with sodium, but I like the flavor. Lynda

I recommend calling and discussing with the Dr. My program recommended going back to the previous stage of my diet if I experienced any issues then waiting three days before trying again. I do know that in the first few weeks I had to eat very small bites (I used a baby spoon and a demitasse spoon) and I had to chew 30 seconds and wait another 30 seconds before the next bite. If I didn't, I felt pain and pressure. Lynda

Oh I still see that fat girl! Still not sure how I really look, because pics vary so much. I know I'm not fat, but in some pics I look thinner, in some I look more wrinkled, etc. Looking in a mirror at my backside was how I first realized how skinny I am. From the front, I still look fatter to myself. I'm never upset about being able to eat less. On the contrary, I miss the restriction I had in the first few months when a few bites of popcorn or two saltines was a big snack. Now I have to rely on my self control to stay on track and it's a struggle! My energy is fabulous, but it took about 5 months post-op for that to happen. Lynda

I've heard of that too. Tiffykins, who used to be on the board a lot when I joined, mentioned that. Take a look at Little Miss Diva. She looks fab and I believe she has a fairly high BMI. She works out a lot and has a lot of muscle. Lynda

OMG. I wish I had a buck for each person who said something similar. The good news is, most of them eventually get used to you at the new weight and lighten up. Lynda

Congrats Pasquini! You look fabulous! I'm so glad to hear you are celebrating a year on the goalies bench! Is that you in that giant poster being loved on by that cute girl? Lynda