lsereno

I had some smaller clothes from previous diet attempts along with my wedding dress, going away outfit and one really hot dress i wore in my early 20s. As I worked my way through the various smaller sized clothing, sometimes things were out of season or too big before I tried them, so I didn't use all of them. I now fit in the wedding dress, going away outfit, and hot dress (although things have shifted in the last 30 years and the dress is not as hot as it once was!) I bought smaller things as I needed them, getting them so snug they barely fit and keeping them till they got baggy. That worked better for me that buying smaller things for "later." Lynda

Happy Surgiversary Lissa and congrats on your continued success! Thanks for sharing on this forum: I always find you inspiring! Lynda

When I was early out like you, I had to use a timer and I concentrated on drinking one ounce every 15 minutes while I was awake. I used a measuring cup like a little pitcher and shot glass for my drinking glass. I spent the whole day sip, sip, sip to get my fluids in. I got about 55 grams of Protein per day at first. Mostly through unjury chicken Protein powder. I did not tolerate other protein powders well at first. Lynda

Have you been walking? I walked 3 days per week for about 45 minutes. I also strength trained 3 x per week for 30 minutes per session. There are a lot of exercise gurus on here who can provide more details, but basically, building muscle will improve your metabolism and give your skin something to drape over. For me, I feel an emotional lift from regular exercise and can feel the difference when I miss it for a while. I work out first thing in the morning because I still would rather not and I get it done before I talk myself out of it. Lynda

I took my pain med (liquid lortab) for 8 days. I tried to only take tylenol on day 5 and I could feel an ache in my tummy even while laying still, so I went back to the stronger stuff. I know a lot of people didn't need pain meds for as long or even at all, but I did! I did drink my Water, walk a lot, and eat the right foods and amounts. Everyone is different. Lynda

I like the Anderson's Split Pea. It's not low sodium, but it does have more Protein than most and it was the only one I could eat early out. Anything with potato bothered me at first. Lynda

I chose the sleeve because it's a one-time procedure that leaves only titanium staples behind. I was frightened of the band and didn't want to deal with the port. Also, from what I read there seems to be less acid reflux issues with the sleeve than with the band. Lynda

I was a 40 BMI to get in the program, but was 35.8 the day of surgery following 4 months of pre-op diet. I'm currently 21.8 and holding. Lynda

It slows and then stops eventually. I've heard it all - too skinny, don't lose anymore, you weigh less than me, wish I could do that for the 10 lbs. I want to lose (that one really pisses me off!!), you look old, you look sick, you're gonna blow away, bet your husband can't keep his hands off you (ahem, he liked me fat too!), and then the nicknames: skinny-mini, slim, bones, boney-moroney, etc. Whatever. Most people have quit mentioning it after a few months. Thank goodness!! And as for the rest, well, there's always a few in every bunch. Lynda

Yup everywhere! I've had to resize rings, buy shorter necklace chains, get shorter bracelets, and buy new shoes, bras and undies, coats, etc. And things feel more breezy down there without so much fat padding! Lynda

I had a six month wait. During that time I focused on getting ready for surgery. I trolled this forum and obesity help, attended a face to face support group, got all needed tests, bought the Vitamins my program recommended and started taking them, followed a pre-op diet and dropped 32 lbs., worked out 5 days a week (3 x strength training for 30 minutes, 2x walking for 1 hr.), bought or gathered stuff I needed for post op (small spoon, small fork, little plate and bowl, nightie, slippers for the hospital, books to read while recuping from surgery) tested Protein drinks, and as time drew closer, I cleaned the house and did as many errands as I could pre-op so I had less to do post-op. It seemed so long at the time, but when surgery came, I was so grateful that I was well prepared and informed. Best wishes on your journey! Lynda

Glad you called your doc. If they gave you pain meds are you taking them? I was uncomfortable without my pain meds till about 8 days out. Lots of people didn't need their pain meds but I did! Lynda

I'm a month further out than you and I have to watch the Snacks and drinks now. If I'm truly hungry and sometimes I am, I have to have some Protein or I get hungry again pretty fast. Veggie Soup is good with the lowest calorie dense protein you can get. Turkey or chicken breast is perfect. I found some good sliced turkey breast at costco. I also like Tuna mixed with a little light mayo. Sometimes I drink a V-8 with a low fat cheese stick and some Special K Crackers. I also like a yogurt parfait with greek yogurt and fruit. I start with the fatfree plain greek yogurt and add Splenda and Water to get the sweetness and a lighter consistency. Then I layer it with a little Breakfast Cereal and some cut up fruit. For snacks and more head hunger I like any fruit, sugar snap peas, and cherry tomatoes. At night, sometimes I get by with hot tea and a little Splenda. Period time is the worst! I'm glad those days are behind me, but sometimes the cravings still hit me. Lynda

I agree with others that it's best to shift the focus to people instead of food, but I do go to events where I bring things home. If I want to bring home leftovers from an event, I sometimes bring something in my purse, such as a plastic bag or small plastic container. Sometimes i just wrap something in a napkin or use a paper plate with another as a cover. If I can't keep it at a safe temperature and I won't be home within 2 hours, I don't take it. Lynda

I gained 13 lbs. of fluid and took a couple of weeks to work its way out and I was good to drink 64 oz,. of water a day and walk every day. Plus, I was an emotional hot mess right after surgery and about scared my mom and hubby to death by bursting into tears after having what I thought was a fart that turned out to not be. (First rule, never trust a fart the first few months!), One day before you know it you will be sitting in your chair at goal weight, rocking your way smaller clothes and the way the dog can now easily fit in the chair with you, answering a post about how bad someone feels post op. :-) Be kind to yourself. Its a slow and hard journey, but so worth it! Lynda

Early out, I enjoyed eating from the appetizer menu or eating at family style restaurants where we ordered a lot of dishes and I could have a bite of several different things. Do remind yourself you've simply got to make it through the healing phase. You will be able to eat a more average size meal later. Yesterday for dinner I had a glass of iced tea with splenda, a slice of garlic bread, salad with blue cheese dressing, a couple of bites of loaded baked potato, and about 1 1/2 ounces each smoked chicken and ribeye steak. Now pre-op, I would have ate a lot more but this is a good sized meal that I enjoyed and I'm maintaining my weight at a fairly low BMI. Lynda

I was only cleared for walking till my 6 week post op appt. I just walked longer each day till I was back to walking about an hour per day. I walked 4 days per week. At 6 weeks, I began strength training, going easy on the abs for a while longer. Lynda

I was tired till around 4-5 months. By six months, I felt like I could whip the world! Do get your Vitamins, Protein, Water, and exercise in. I did and I'm sure it helped, but it was still quite a while longer for me than many on the list. Go easy on yourself and remember it's temporary. For me, its been well worth it. I've been at goal since March and I fell terrific! Lynda

I love doing things with the grand-kids and nieces and nephews. Yesterday, I rode my bike and nephew rode his long board and we went all over downtown San Jose. So fun! Then last night we went to the boardwalk in Santa Cruz. I rode all the rides and walked all evening without feeling exhausted. One great thing about the rides: my butt is so small I get air on the roller coaster and a lot of other rides because the restraints are loose. Lynda

I burp a lot more than I used to. I just say excuse me. It's not the end of the world. Also, I burp with my mouth shut unless i'm alone. One nice thing: I fart alot less! I think it's because I don't eat as much as I did pre-op. Who knows, but I'll take skinny and burping over fat and farting! Lynda

I am 5'6". I weighed 254 when I started and I stay right around 135 now. I do have to watch what I eat, but I enjoy Snacks, cocktails, and fattier food choices on occasion. I exercise 4-5 days per week for at least an hour, generally a brisk walk. There are plenty of people here who have lost 120 lbs. or more. Best wishes on your journey, Lynda

Portion your chips or crackers and only eat them after Protein. If you eat your protein first, there will be less room. If you start with the slider, such as chips and crackers, you will fit a lot more in before you get full. Your breakfast should have more protein. One egg is 7 grams. Mix in some lowfat protein and have a glass of fatfree milk or soy milk during the morning. For easy to eat meals, here are some of my favs: For veggies, which I have with lunch and dinner: Can of V8 if I'm too busy to eat veggies Handful of raw veggies such as snap peas, baby carrots, cherry tomatoes. I also buy romaine and clean it by cutting it at the base, rinsing and drying. I put the leaves in a baggie and then use them as needed for salads, sandwiches, and lettuce wraps. I also like zuchinni, brussel sprouts, brocolli heads, frozen green Beans, and frozen mixed vegtables. It's easy to just cook at little of them and to buy a small amount. For fruit, which I have with breakfast and as a snack: I cut up a small watermelon or cantelope Wash grapes I buy a little of pretty much whatever is in season - I love fruit. but I couldn't eat anything except melons till I was about 6 months out. At first, fruit was too acidic. For protein: Fat free plain greek yogurt made into a shake with a couple of strawbberries, some splenda, a splash of OJ and some Water. Pair with whole wheat toast or oatmeal (couldn't eat oatmeal till about 6 months out) Lowfat string cheese with lowfat lunchmeat wrapped around it. Special K Crackers. Sandwich: 1 slice whole wheat bread with lowfat mayo and honey mustard, Rotissiere chicken: I use it salads, in stir fries, and mixed into canned Soup to up the protein. Sometimes I buy the premade salad bowls and then add chicken. Ground beef: I portion up a pound putting each portion in a baggie. Then I squish the baggie flat and freeze. It thaws in 30 minutes. Pork chops: I portion them into one chop per baggie and freeze. I fry stuff in a little fry pan, tossing in some veggies at the end, or I grill it on a little countertop grill and grill veggies with the meat. I love good food and I was used to cooking small amounts for myself because my husband's tastes have always been different than mine. Lynda

Pre-surgery diets can vary wildly from doctor to doctor. One tip I found especially useful was practicing eating as I would have to following surgery. I used a clock with a second hand to pace myself. Chewing at least 30 times, waiting at least one minute between bites, and pacing my Water consumption through the day instead of gulping a few glasses in the evening to get to my required 8 glasses per day. Best wishes on your journey. It's the best thing I have ever done for my health besides quitting smoking! Lynda

I was tired longer than most. I didn't really feel fully up to speed till about 5 months out. I had a couple of hard, weird lumps in my stomach that didn't match up to where my stomach was removed. They disappeared after a few months. I had to run out and buy a spare nightie for resting post-op (see never trust a fart comment many many, many times) Lactose intolerance is fairly common post-op and manifests as gassy diarrhea. I had to switch to Unjury Chicken protein to clear up the lactose issues. I'm more lactose-tolerant now, but I'm not back 100%. I can eat a small amount of dairy, but if I have it two days in a row, watch out!

I followed the Kaiser Fremont Bariatric program, which went to soft foods at two weeks, as long as your 2 week surgeon appt. went well, which mine did. I really didn't eat foods that weren't Protein dense, such as oatmeal or mashed potatoes, till much later in the process. I never stalled and have been maintaining since March, so I am quite happy with the food program I followed! Here's at typical day for me at 2 weeks past surgery: 6:00 a.m: 1 cup Water 7:30 a.m: 1/2 cup fat free plain greek yogurt mixed with splenda (12 g. protein) 8:30 a.m. 1 cup water 9:30 a.m. 1 cup water 10:30 a.m. 1 oz. lowfat cheese stick (7 g. protein) 12:00 noon: 2 oz. turkey lunchmeat (10 g. protein) 2:30 p.m: 1 cup water 4:30 p.m: 1 oz. shrimp, 1 oz. scallops ( 10 g. protein) 6:30 p.m: 1 cup water 8:30 p.m: Protein Drink with water and soymilk (27 g. protein) Best wishes on your journey, Lynda