lsereno

I couldn't eat more than a couple of bites of Pasta, rice, or untoasted bread till I was nearly 8 months out. I still can't eat a lot of them, but I can eat enough to be a small serving now. Lynda

Hi all, I'm a May 17, 2011 sleever. I didn't loose as fast as some, but slow and steady got me there. I was a relative lightweight -222 the day before surgery, so I got to goal in 9 months. For those of you with hunger, some people do feel hunger right away, but make sure it is not an acid issue. Does the Dr. have you on an acid-reducer? If not and you are hungry, I suggest calling and seeing if they will prescribe one. It may make a difference for you. For those having problems with Protein powder, one I like is unjury chicken. It was the only one I tolerated well at first. Fat-free greek yogurt is another good source of protein. I liked it made into a shake: 1/2 cup greek yogurt (more when you can eat more - I use a cup now) 1/8 cup OJ 1/4 cup Water 3 Tbsp. Splenda 2 frozen strawberries Blend until smooth. Yum! Lynda

tntransplant06, Lots of good advice and words of encouragement here. I think you are doing a great job and it's really good you are working with a counselor to address food issues. I tried hypnotism before and did lose about 20 lbs, but gained it back after I quit listening to my tapes. I recommend using a scale to measure your food. It makes it easy and accurate. I just put my plate on the scale, hit the button that resets it to zero, then add Protein or whatever. I also use it to measure my yogurt in the morning instead of spooning it into a measuring cup and then a bowl. It's great for Snacks too. For example, I measure pretzels and watermelon with it. I find I have to eat a high-protein diet to keep hunger at bay. At least 65 grams and sometimes 80 grams per day. Some of my fav lower calorie protein snacks are: low fat cheese sticks low fat babybel cheese low fat salami fat free greek yogurt beef Jerky costco roast chicken 98% fat free ham and turkey lunch meats 99% fat free beef chili Best wishes on your continued journey, Lynda

For me it's a big 10. I am able to eat and drink whatever I like in smaller quantities, except most dairy. I can eat greek yogurt and firm cheeses, but everything else gets me. I switched to soy milk in my latte. I can tolerate dairy a little better now and occasionally have ice cream or whipped cream, but not much. I am at goal and have been maintaining a couple of months. I have a lot more energy now and I love the way I look. I do have some loose skin, but at 55, I didn't expect to look 30, so I'm OK with it. Lynda

I use the nutrition data on the package. I aim for 65+ grams of Protein a day and now, in maintenance, >1500 calories on average. Some days I eat more and some days less. It's working for me so far. I had stellar stats at my one year check up and I have been maintaining my weight for a couple of months now. Lynda

I started walking immediately and rode my bike after two weeks out. At 6 weeks out, I returned to strength training three times a week. Lynda

When you have to sip slowly. a trick for keeping your Water icy cold or hot is to use a well-insulated travel mug as a pitcher and a teeny cup (shot glass works well) as your drinking cup. Just keep refilling the small cup as you sip. The Contigo cups do a good job of keeping liquids warm/cold. Lynda

Tiffy-kins, Congrats on the boy! Rest up and take care of yourself. I am forever in your debt for being there for me throughout my journey. Your level-headed, honest replies to so many posts and your continued success in maintenance helped give me the confidence I needed to start the journey and the strength I needed to follow it through to goal and maintenance. Best wishes for a safe and healthy pregnancy. Lynda

Congrats Thinmint! Glad to hear your skin is tightening. I heard it can shrink for up to a year after your weight stablizes, Mine isn't terrible, but I'd like it to be better! Lynda

Lots of bad stuff. B12: Irreversible brain damage Calcium: Osteoporosis Iron: Tired I highly recommend taking the Vitamins. I put mine in a pill holder and keep them in my medicine cabinet. I take them when I brush my teeth and wash my face morning and evening. Lynda

M2G: Congrats on the labs and the svelte new look! Love the pics! Lynda

I ate a 6" inch on whole wheat with bbq chicken, lettuce, tomato, and bbq sauce the other day. Normally I can't eat all the bread, but for some reason I could that day. I am 1 yr. out. I agree with others, may stretch a bit, but if you stick with dense Protein and avoid too many noshes between meals, it won't be a problem. Good to see you back on the board! Lynda

Hi Sleeve 4 Me, I'm a little late to the party but want to send my warm wishes and congrats to you, along with my thanks. You've been a guiding light for me and I'm so happy you have continued to thrive at goal. You were beautiful in your heavy picture and you are knock-out, drop-dead stunning in your goal pics. Thank you for all you do for all of us that follow in your footsteps - it means a lot! Can't wait to see your 36 months out post! Lynda

I started eating it about 9 months out. I was afraid to try it sooner because I had issues with bread, rice, and Pasta early on. I eat 1/4 cup of oatmeal made with 1/2 cup of Water at Breakfast now instead of a slice of toast. Tastes great with a little splenda and I haven't had any problems. Lynda

Hey all. I've spotted a couple of times post-sleeve even though I'm about two years since my last real period. For hot flashes, I mostly have them at night. I kick off the blanket, stick my feet out from under the sheet and turn over my pillow. If I'm still hot after that sometimes I step out the back door for a minute or two. That usually fixes it for me. Lynda

I had crackers as soon as I was approved for them: 2 weeks out. I ate saltines. Just one or two with my lunch meat or cheese. Lynda

Remind yourself why you want the surgery. Picture your life in 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, 5 years, in your old age. When you worry, go over these thoughts. If you are still worried, spend the time planning and cleaning so you are ready for a great recovery at home. You are close enough to start packing what you will need for the hospital and prepping what you will need when you get home. Do you have these things ready? I found them handy: lip balm and lotion 2 nightgowns, robe, and slippers Spare pillows (great for propping up in bed when you get home) Tivo movies or make a list so someone can rent for you after Magazines and books demitasse spoon (easier for eating small bites) one cup liquid measuring cup ( use it like a pitcher beside your bed and measure out one ounce per 15 minutes) shot glass (fill 3/4 full for one ounce every 15 minutes) timer or clock with second hand so you can keep on eye on how long to chew, how long between bites and how often you are downing liquids blender and strainer for pureeing foods and removing lumps bed tray to corral your phone, cups, books, etc. - I used a plastic tray I use on the patio. Worked great. flushable wipes. I got diarrhea and those wipes were great when things got a little tender. I'm coming up on my one year anniversary, at goal and happier and healthier than I have been since my 20s. Best wishes on your journey, Lynda

I gained 16 lbs. while in the hospital. I had lumps under my skin that did not match my incision sites for probably three months. The worst of the swelling was gone in about three weeks. Lynda

I ate saltine crackers as soon as I was cleared for them: 2 weeks out. Lynda

As long as its not too acidic for you. I didn't do too well with tomato products till a little further out. One soup I really liked early out was Anderson's Split Pea. Other brands of split pea soup bothered me. Anderson's is pretty high in Protein for a soup too. It has 9 ot 10 grams of protein per cup. Lynda

I burst into tears a few days after surgery. Scared my poor mom and hubby half to death. Go easy on yourself. You deserve to rest and heal. Lynda

Hey KB, check out my date in my sig: We will have the same sleeviversary but I am one year ahead of you! That liquid pre-op diet can be hard, but it is so worth it! Go easy on yourself post-op. Next thing you know, you'll be a year out and welcoming the new sleevers! Lynda

It's always foamy in the blender for me too and I hate the foam. I make the drink in the blender without the Protein powder, then mix the Protein Powder in at the end. I mix the protein powder with a little of the liquid (milk, soy milk, coffee) first so it blends in better. Lynda

I waited six months and started with a couple of ounces of port. I moved on to MaiTais after a few weeks. I drink slightly less sour drinks now. I drank margaritas and vodka/cranberry or vodka/grapefruit pre-op. Now I drink sweeter drinks. The acid hurts my tummy a bit now. Although last SaturdayI did manage to enjoy 5-6 tequilla shooters. It's the first time I've done that post-op. It set well, but I was hung over but good the next day! Lynda

Yes, post op I have switched from my double espresso straight to a tall soy latte. And at first, coffee, even decaf did not sit well. But by 7 weeks I could enjoy a decaf soy latte. I didn't go back to caffeine till I was three months out. Lynda