lsereno

I picked mine: 135. It's 17 lb.s more than I weighed in my 20s (118). I felt great at that weight then, but it would be too thin now with a few years (I'm almost 60) and extra skin. My Doctor never mentioned a goal weight. Lynda

I occasionally look at before pics to remember where I came from and as a reminder that I have to be ever vigilant to not return there. I kept a pair of my largest pants. It's the only clothing item I have from that time. I also started a big pants thread here: http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/266039-big-pants/?p=2989646 it's been dead for a while, but it's fun to look at. I'd love to see a pic of you and those big pants now. Lynda

For me, it's a combination. Before WLS, I had to eat a huge meal to feel full. Now, 3 oz. of Protein, 1/2 cup of veggies, and 1/2 cup of something starchy is my max. Sometimes I have 4 oz. of protein and less of other stuff. So grateful to be able to eat a normal sized meal and feel full! But I could eat really fatty stuff or eat junk foods and gain very quickly, even with the restriction. I learned that my first holiday season at goal. Hello Sees Candy, I'm talking to you! As for getting hungry, I think a 4 hour window is fairly normal. I expect to feel hungry a little before I eat. I think it's a healthy precursor to enjoying my meal. I go from I feel full, I feel comfortable, I could eat, mmm food sounds good, to it's time to eat! This is a very nice change from my pre-op hunger, which was a raging beast. I would feel so hungry my stomach hurt. Georgia, If I don't get enough fat with meals, I get hungry quicker. Doesn't take a lot. A couple teaspoons of oil or butter, few slices of avocado, or a fattier meat all work for me. I'm only three years out, so not sure that will work for you, but you might want to try. Another thing I've noticed, if I don't get enough calories earlier in the day, after dinner, I feel hungry and like I can't get full. I have a super strong urge to snack all night. When I feel that way, I go to bed early and take care to eat a little more earlier in the day the next day. Lynda

Hi Jeff, Welcome back! For me, I think it's all about having a small window for goal weight. I found it's too easy to let it creep up when the window is bigger. By the time I think it's too much, I have already been overeating and have to break that habit. I'm a foot shorter than you and small boned. My window is 2 lbs either side of goal weight. Have to admit, the lower end is never a problem for me :-). I started with a window of 5 lbs either side of goal weight, but that was too much for me. The goal weight itself is personal. whatever you pick , it's more about staying there when you arrive. I picked 135. When I first got to 135, it looked different than it does now on me. I think after that rapid weight loss, it takes a while for things to settle down. In the second year, my face filled out a bit, even though my weight was stable. I weigh every morning and cut back on treats and higher calorie Proteins when I don't like what I see. And I usually realize about then I haven't been drinking enough fluids. Lynda

Glad you are feeling better! That is very scary. I haven't heard of that related to WLS. My husband had a similar problem a couple of years ago with weakness, but no fever. His legs gave out. I think part was dehydration and maybe an overtaxed system because he had taken a lot of cold medicine. Had to use a wheelchair, ambulance to emergency room and stayed several hours. After a banana bag and several hours, he was able to come home. It took a few months for him to really get his strength back. Lynda

Welcome back Nurse Grace! Everyone is different. Some people have to give up some foods to avoid cravings and triggers. Others have to exercise. For me, I have to weigh myself daily, keep crap foods out of the house, weigh and measure to get my Protein in, and track fluids. I also exercise at moderate intensity for an hour three tines a week. Lynda

Also, I make sure I'm drinking enough Water. I tend to slack off on water, then crave more Snacks. Lynda

I have to weigh every day, keep crap foods out of the house, stock up on healthy, low cal choices, and weigh and measure foods to get back on track. Lynda

http://healthland.time.com/2014/02/06/what-happens-when-your-body-loses-half-its-weight/?iid=gs-main-mostpop2 Interesting read. I had to learn how to walk, sit, and stand after losing weight. I walked with my legs too far apart, my arms out from my body, and slightly hunched. Also took a while to realize I could fit down an aisle even if someone was standing there. Lynda

Glad to hear the report was good Jane. I net your appetitive will be better when your son comes hone. Lynda

Lisa, I am thinking of you. Do be kind to yourself and take care of yourself. Both for you and your sweet man. I will tell you what my best friend told me: Don't trouble trouble till trouble troubles you. It's hard to not look to future and dread what is coming, but if you can, enjoy what you have now. If you live somewhere with grocery delivery consider using that to get healthy foods delivered to the house. Lynda

I'm thinking of trying to give up the PPI again since my rheumatoid arthritis med has been changed. It may have cause the reflux. Esp. since I now know long term use can lead to osteoporosis. Although I do take calcium and Vitamin D so maybe that's enough to offset the PPI. Pre-op, I only had reflux after a lot of margaritas. Something about the sweet and sour mix never set well, even in my pre-op, cast-Iron mega tummy. Lynda

At Kaiser Fremont, we are told to take one per week, must be sublingual. Lynda

I had a very small loss of less than one pound in week 3, but it was a loss! I didn't stall till I hit normal BMI and slacked off on my eating habits. Lynda

Whether to tell or not is personal decision, just like the decision to have WLS. Do what feels best for you. I was a teller, because I'm comfortable with that, wanted to share the word about WLS, and worried my friends and family would think I had a terminal disease when I started dropping weight rapidly and my hair thinned. But that's me! If you decide to not tell, think of contingency plan for how to handle direct questions after weight loss begins and if someone you did tell blabs to others. If you decide to tell, think of responses for those that make comments about your choice, from those you care about most to near strangers. Be prepared, some comments will be nice and come from a caring place and it will vary from that to downright mean for some. Best wishes on your journey, Lynda Lynda

I take B12 sublingual once a week. My bariatric doctor calls it the brain drug. It's important to keep up with B12 and B1 because problems caused by deficiencies are non-reversible. Calcium is another one it's important to take. Deficiency won't show on a blood test, your body will just rob your bones to get what it needs. Lynda

This is the Vet's Forum, for more than one year out post-op (I know, it's hard to tell what forum you are in when replying to a post! ). Your procedure was just last month, so your issues will be different. Give it a few months and you should feel better about food. Lynda

Our own Miss Diva and Bariatric Pal staffer Susan both are converting or have converted to RNY because of reflux, so it is def. an issue for some. And since they were both further out when it occurred, it seems it can happen farther down the road, not as an immediate problem.

I quit taking PPI about 6 months out and didn't have a problem till around year two, when acid reflux started bothering me. I am taking one now and don't have a problem unless I overeat. I take 6 calcium citrate daily along with two Multivitamins, a D3, and a weekly B1 and B12 sublingual. That is Kaiser Fremont;s recommended Vitamin dosage. lynda

Everyone heals differently. I took Loritab at least 8 days post op before switching to Tylenol. And I see some people come home with no pain. Sip your fluids and Protein shakes, walk around the house to help with the gas, and give yourself time to heal. Lynda

It took months for my energy to come back, I really dragged those first few weeks and I wasn't full strength till about month 4. Everyone is different! Take it easy on yourself and get as much rest as you can. As time goes by you'll weigh less and feel better. I run around like a maniac now! Lynda

Convenience store or gas station: Greek yogurt cup, string cheese, lunch meat. I buy the smallest pack of lunch meat I can find and just eat what I want of it. I used to like jerky in the early months, but I never eat it now. Fast food: Early out, cheapest thing with grilled chicken. Tossed everything but the chicken and ate that. Now, I usually get a salad or small grilled chicken sandwich. Restaurant: Early out, soup, crab or shrimp cocktail, Protein dense appetizers, such as chicken skewers or scallops. Now, whatever I feel like! Lynda

I suggest looking around in the DS and RNY forums here and on Obesity Help. Look for people with a starting BMI similar to yours. Although you didn't mention it, I think some VSG people had a similar starting BMI. Find them here: http://www.bariatricpal.com/forum/420-200-pounds/ Best wishes on your journey, Lynda

Dress size doesn't mean much without height. Kinda like goal weight. I like the lean look and at 5'6" I wear a size 6 or small in women's clothes from most stores. In pants, a 28. Lynda

Sometimes I hold my tummy up or pull my arms back and think about how they would look without the extra skin, but I don't have enough to want surgery. I don't require shapeware and skin doesn't hang enough to overlap anywhere. Part of that is my age. If I were in my 40s or younger I would feel differently I think. I don't want the pain and expense. If anything, I could use a facelift and necklift, but I may enter my 60s a little wrinkly and saggy. It's only two years away for me. However, I too find that research fascinating. I'm guessing it's a combination of things already mentioned: more motivated people have the surgery, fat cells are removed, and seeing a great shape is a great motivator. Lynda