lsereno

Welcome to Onderland! And congrats on passing the test. Lynda

Welcome to Onderland! I'm so happy for you. Looks like you missed your anniversary weigh in by just one day. You are doing fabulous! Lynda

Forensikchic: You look fabulous! Congrats!

I think you are overeating a little. Your surgery is very recent. If you have a nutritionist in your program, ask them. If not, try eating a little less at a time and eating more frequently or adding another Protein drink at the end of the day to get enough protein in. You are less than one month out. Everyone's tummy recovers at a different rate. Some have more swelling than others. You are right about capacity -it does increase a lot as the months go by, but thankfully nothing like pre-op size! Lynda

I had pains and lumps that didn't map directly to the incision sites. I think once they are inside, stuff is cut and moved in other locations. But if pain is getting worse or you have fever, it's time to call the Dr. Lynda

Walmart and Target. I bought just a couple of pairs of pants in each size. Inexpensive tanks or tees with a few sweaters. Lynda

Congrats! Welcome to the goalies' bench! Lynda

Congrats on your sleeviversary! 88 lbs. in one year is a great achievement. Lynda

Congrats and welcome to the goalies' bench! Lynda

My new tummy was sized over a 40 bougie, It really depends on the surgeons technique. As for four cups, it depend on 4 cups of what. You will never be able to eat 4 cups of solid Protein, such as beef, pork, chicken, or fish. But you probably will be able to eat 4 cups of popcorn. I'm almost a year out. For Breakfast, I had 1 cup of greek yogurt, mixed with 1/3 cup berries and on the side I had oatmeal (1/4 cup oatmeal cooked in 1/2 cup water). I was full and it took be about 30 minutes to eat. For lunch I had chicken salad (3 oz. chicken breast, 1/3 small apple, 2 T. dried cranberries, 1 tsp. walnuts, 2 T. lite mayo and a small handful of spinach) with about 10 whole grain wheat thin crackers. For a snack this afternoon I had 1 oz. of pretzels. For dinner I plan to have 3 oz. of shrimp with 1/4 cup cocktail sauce and another handful of spinach. For a late night snack, I will have a couple of cups of popcorn and a small orange. Lynda

I drank two a day at first, then down to one a day, then just when I travelled and didn't get enough Protein in. Now when I travel I usually do get enough protein. I haven't had one in more than a month. I keep the powder around for if I travel or if I get sick and don't feel like eating. Lynda

Early on, I ate frozen mixed veggies and frozen green Beans. Tomatoes bothered me at first so I avoided most veggie Soups because they are tomato-based. I did enjoy Anderson's Split Pea Soup. Campbells Split Pea soup did not sit well on my sleeve. I also liked zuchinni. It's easy to add a few thin slices to whatever Protein you are cooking. By around 5 weeks, I also liked the 98% fat free turkey chili and could eat tomato-based veggie soups. Frozen veggies are really convenient if you are just cooking for yourself because you can take out just 1/8 cup or whatever you can tolerate. Lynda

I really recommend practicing those little sips.. You will be forced to after surgery, but I do think it's helpful to get the practice in first. Also, if you haven't given up coffee yet, now's the time! It's better to get that headache out of the way per-op so you have less to deal with afterwards. Lynda

Boy, I heard this from everyone starting about 6 months out till just recently. I really think the way we stand, walk, and move is affected by how much we weighed for so long. As my weight dropped i had to consciously learn to walk with my legs closer together (no more fat holding them apart), stand up straight, sit straight, and sit down/stand up/bend over differently. I also noticed I held my arms out from my body I bit when I walked. It really does feel different without all that extra weight! Lynda

I set my goal at 135 (BMI of about 21). My Doctor did not set a goal for me. Goal weight is really personal and has many factors: How much did you weigh to start with and how long?: It's going to affect how much extra skin you have and how heavy your bones are. How much muscle have you retained/added/lost during the process? 10 lbs. of muscle is a different volume than 10 lbs of fat. How old are you? As we age, our face looks better with a little more weight (one reason I didn't shoot for my youthful weight of around 120). What kind of build do you have/prefer? Are your bones large, are your hips wide, is your chest large, do you prefer a more rounded look? If so, that's a few pounds there. I feel great at my goal. Lynda

I was able to take all my smaller pills the day after I came home. We got a pass on taking the calclium the first two weeks. It is the only really big pill I take. I had to take the pills one at a time at first, but I'm back to being able to swallow a handful. I take my ra and bp meds right before bed. Lynda

I love your sig! So simple but so true.

Congrats! All that heavy-lifting of keeping up with Vitamins, Protein, and workouts pays off! You could lift three of me now. Before I had the surgery you could have only picked up one of me ( and a smaller person). Lynda

I have ra. Weighing less has helped.. i'm still trying to get it under control. I've had a few steroid shots for the worst flare ups. I'm currently taking about 15 mg of methotrexate once a week, but I'm still having some issues. Lynda

Congrats Fancypants! I'm so happy you are maintaining without any issues. I completely agree about working out to help tone up as the weight melts away. Lynda

If you have a PF changs nearby the oolong tea marinated sea bass is so good. Served on a bed of spinach. it was my first restaurant meal post-op..also like using the Chinese flavors at home. Just a splash of soy and a litte sesame oil can take chicken or fish to a yummy new level. Add a little splash of orange juice too.. Yummy

I work out 5 days a week, about 45 minutes to an hour. I do a mix of cardio walking with a group of friends and strength training in group exercise class. It's gotten me to goal and I'm maintaining without a problem. Lynda

Congrats Rootman! I love reading your posts and seeing your smiling face in your profile pic. You have been an inspiration to me on my weight loss journey. Lynda

Pookeyism, I'm so sorry for your loss. Please be kind to yourself and celebrate your success. Heart and head hunger will always be with us. Recognizing them for what they are is half the battle. My wish for you on your three month surgiversary is that you will look in the mirror with love and see your success and beauty shining back at you. At three months out, I was still tired. I did't get my strength back till about 4 or 5 months out. Recovery is a small period of time in our future lives, give yourself permission to go slow and heal. Sending loving thoughts your way, Lynda

I drank one to two Protein drinks per day when I was early out. And I had protein at every meal. So, something like: 1/2 cup greek yogurt for Breakfast, 12 grams protein 2 oz. chicken at lunch, 14 grams protein unjury Chicken protein mid-afternoon: 20 grams protein 2 oz. fish at dinner, 14 grams protein Soy milk and vanilla Protein powder before bed: 32 grams protein Lynda