lsereno

Hi all, Just wanted to check in and say Hi! And let you know I've been reading your posts and thinking of you all even if I haven't posted in a while. Diva: Thanks so much for sharing your story. You are a rock star! Meg: So glad you found the problem and that it's easily fixed. I like Ferrimin 150. It has a stool softener included. Kaiser Fremont recommended Ferrous Fumarate Iron instead of other kinds. Globetrotter: I know a good part of that 6 lbs. is Water retention. Maybe try drinking more water, as counter-intuitive as that sounds. It should help flush the extra fluids out of your system. As for me, I've been poking around not following my plan and I have gained a pound. I'm still less than five pounds to goal, but I think I am eating at what is going to be close to maintenance for me and I have to step up the exercise or cut out the extras to get to goal. For me, it just has not been important enough to work on this last week. But I am in the gonna get to goal group and I am going to get back on it! For next week, I plan to add a spin class or a zumba class and see how that does. Lynda

Hi all, I have a gain this week too. I snacked and had drinks, but I did get in all my workouts. This time around snacking and drinks have been more important to me that hitting my goal. I guess I know how many calories I will need in maintenance too: a little less than I am having now. I'm going to switch it up the following week and try a new exercise class. Zumba or spinning. Lynda My Valentine's Goal also includes reaching the following goals: 144: This was my Christmas goal and I've lost 110 lbs. (32 pre-op and 78 post op). 9 lbs. to my final goal!!! 142: I've lost 80 lbs. post-op 140: Five lbs. to my final goal!!! 139: My number starts with 13. I haven't weighed this since the early-90s. 135: GOOOAAAL! Lynda Valentine's Day Goal: SW-144.2.............CW-139.3.............Goal-135 Dec. 25: 144.2 Dec. 30: 142.8 Jan. 6: 142.6 Jan. 13: 141.7 Jan. 20: 138.4 Jan. 27: 138.3 Feb. 3: 138.8 Feb. 10: 139.3 Valentine's Day:

Forensikchic: I'm pulling for you and the big numbers! dorrie and jcollins: Congrats on making your Valentines Goal! Lynda

I had a hernia repair too. I progressed through the stages at the right rate for my program (Kaiser Fremont), but I wasn't cleared for red meat till after week 6. I checked my food diary and at three weeks out I was eating greek yogurt, soymilk, Protein drinks, lunch meat, light cheese sticks, moist fish and moist chicken, and Anderson Split Pea Soup, and saltine crackers. I also ate a little tiny bit of fruit, but only melon on its own. Mixed with yogurt, I could eat a couple of strawberries. Early out, the acid in fruit bothered me. Lynda

Fern, Thanks for sharing your struggle and your positive solution. As I get closer to goal, it's important for me to read how others in maintenance are dealing with every day issues and keeping the weight off. I can see exercise is a huge win-win for burning a few calories, giving me a little alone time to think things through, and burning off bad feelings by wearing myself out a little bit. Life at goal: here I come!! Lynda

Having WLS is kinda like being pregnant. Everyone has an opinion and many, many people think it is important to share that opinion with you. I have heard it all I think. Diva is right. You have to develop a thick skin and a way to deal with comments that is best for you. For me, that doesn't include being snarky back. That just makes me feel worse. Instead, I try to reason with those I care about and I simply ignore those I don't care about by cutting the conversation short. I too am afraid of weight regain. My opinion: By the time you get thin you will have heard so much that you won't really care about other's opinions as much. You will care more about weight regain for yourself, not what others think. Lynda

I agree with Foxbins. I ate 600 calories at 3 months. For Protein, there are plenty of alternatives to red meat including chicken, pork, fish, shellfish, greek yogurt, and cheese. Are you taking your Vitamins and Iron and getting your fluids in each day? Also, I was tired till about 4 months out, so if you are tired but slowly feeling more energetic, you may be a slower recup person like me. I would address your concerns with your Dr. Lynda

For my exercise: Sunday a.m.: 1 hour Body Pump group exercise class Monday p.m.: 1 hour Cardio Sculpt group exercise class Tuesday a.m.: Group walk for 45 minutes, ride bike couple of miles Wedneday: Day off, but may add stationary bike to lose last few pounds to goal Thursday: Same as Tuesday Friday: 1/2 hour strength building with personal trainer Saturday: Same as Wednesday

Mel34, There is nothing wrong with you. I didn't start working out with my trainer again till I was 6 weeks out and we started slow. I was pooped till about 4 months out. I did walk but it was hard at first. My walking group usually walks 2-3 miles and the first couple of times I walked with them I had to turn back 1/2 way. Just start slow with walking and add on as you feel better. Everyone heals at a different pace. Lynda

Phoenix, I was afraid of dying. It's a statistical reality that some people die during any surgery. I didn't write letters, but the itching fear was in the back of my mind. The first thing I said post-op was "Good job! I'm still here!" I also was afraid of complications. Lucky for me, I'm a very analytical person and I know that statistics for death or disease are higher for remaining obese than for undergoing surgery. That really helped me stay focused on the prize. I just kept reminding myself the alternative to surgery was worse for me. Lynda

It's nopt just the bougie size, but also the technique (what angle was used, how close did the surgeon staple) and how long your stomach is. My Dr. used a 40. At 8.5 months, I can eat 3 oz. of Protein, some veggies, and a little starch. My weight loss has slowed due to snacking and the fact that I added drinking back in, not because I can over eat at meals. I am happy with my sleeve and wanted to be able to eat three small meals per day and get my required nutrients. I'm there. Lynda

Congrats Sharon! I bet the towel goes all the around now too? I just love the bathroom now :-) Lynda

Congrats on your one year surgiversary! That's an incredible amount of weight to lose, sleeve or no sleeve! You look fabulous! Lynda

I like a few slices of Gallo Lite 55% reduced fat salami. 5 slices are 70 calories and 7 grams of Protein. Like others, I also enjoy light cheeses and beef jerky. I like 1/2 apple with some Peanut Butter, but I don't consider peanut butter a protein food. It's too many calories for the amount of protein. Sometimes i have a Soy Latte or soy milk heated with a little sugar free caramel syrup. It's 80 calories and 8 grams of protein. Nuts are a trigger food for me so I try to avoid them. Lynda

Vanishing, you do own sexy!! And training for a 5K? Great way to celebrate a new you. Happy birthday! Lynda

Hi all, For the first time post-op, I have a gain. I snacked, had drinks, and skipped workouts, so it's not shock that it happened. I just have to own it and take responsibility. I'm late posting my Friday weight because I just didn't want to have to enter the number, but I have to own what I'm doing so I can make a change. I have 3.8 lbs. to go to my final goal weight. I know I can get there if I buckle down. My Valentine's Goal also includes reaching the following goals: 144: This was my Christmas goal and I've lost 110 lbs. (32 pre-op and 78 post op). 9 lbs. to my final goal!!! 142: I've lost 80 lbs. post-op 140: Five lbs. to my final goal!!! 139: My number starts with 13. I haven't weighed this since the early-90s. 135: GOOOAAAL! Lynda Valentine's Day Goal: SW-144.2.............CW-138.8.............Goal-135 Dec. 25: 144.2 Dec. 30: 142.8 Jan. 6: 142.6 Jan. 13: 141.7 Jan. 20: 138.4 Jan. 27: 138.3 Feb. 3: 138.8 Feb. 10: Valentine's Day:

Congrats! Life at goal looks good on you! Lynda

I used Greek Yogurt and Protein shakes to get to my calorie and protein goals when I was early out. I could only eat about an ounce of protein and only really soft protein like moist chicken, tuna mixed with a little light mayo, or low fat lunch meat. This phase seems so long, but it's well worth it! I'm now enjoying small, healthy meals and never need a Protein shake unless i'm traveling. I still rely on greek yogurt most days. At 130 calories and 23 grams of protein per cup, it's perfect for me at Breakfast. Lynda

You can see my weekly weight loss in my ticker if you click on it and view historic data. I'm with Meg - I never felt like the fat me was the real me. But it does take some getting used to. I am still surprised by how small my clothes are. Yesterday I was looking for pants and I kept picking up the 14 and 16 size before I checked the label. I think that was my goal size for so long pre-op. Without the operation, that was my dream - to just get to a 14 so I could be healthier and shop in the regular department instead of the women's dept. Looking forward to seeing your progress Char! I just tried on my wedding dress a few weeks ago. It felt so good to have it fit again! Lynda

I use a white board on the fridge door to track Water, Protein and calories. If it's complicated, I take a stab at it. Most things I eat at home or on plan are pretty simple to tally. For things like storebought cake, Cookies, donuts, etc. I use 300 for a small serving. drinks are hard to tell too. I like the Mai Tais and Agave Margaritas at PF Changs. I enter them at 300 too. Lynda

Welcome New_Hope! Maybe we'll be sleeve sisters - I had my VSG on May 17, 2011. Best thing I've ever done for my health besides starting an exercise program. Lynda

I really resisted stopping coffee (my pre-op diet lasted three months), but in the last month I did manage to give it up and I was so grateful! Right after surgery I really had to work to get in enough fluids and I couldn't stand the thought of something as strongly flavored as coffee for the first week or two. The thought of dealing with feeling crappy after surgery and caffeine withdrawal really helped me stick to giving up caffeine pre-op. I had the headache and felt really fuzzy, but it does go away after a few days. I did well after surgery and at three months was cleared for caffeine. I am enjoying my coffee again! Lynda

I've probably got 20 to 30 years on you (I'm 55), and my bust is waaay smaller, but our other statistics are similar. I'm 5'6". I started at 254 and I'm currently 138. I went from similar sizes to a 6 in Merona Fit 4 jeans and XS in tops at Target. In Denizen Jeans, I wear a size 8. I have some extra skin, but my understanding is it takes up to a year to reabsorb, so I am going to wait 1 year before deciding what to do. For me, I know I will not be considering a lift anywhere. At 55, I expect some saggy skin and I'm not up for pain. I am interested in the skin tightening laser treatments because they are much less invasive and I hope to not need that much tightened. How much your skin tightens depends on a lot of stuff out of your control, like your age and genetics. One thing you can do is exercise. It really helps pull the skin in and give it something to drape over. Search for blackberry and take a look at her pics. Her skin looks good. For the bust issues, I started at a 40 D and I'm now in a 34 D I think. I don't think firming creams work. A good skin lotion or body oil will help your skin look its best. And being sure to get enough Vitamins, Protein, and fluids are important too. Lynda

Agree with the dumplings. I ate those early out and discarded the wrapper. I love PF Changes Ooolong Tea Sea Bass. It's expensive but so worth it. I don't care for eggs, but isn't Egg Foo Young basically an eggy omelet kinda thingy? Lynda

Meg, I'll be thinking of you and watching to see what is said. It's so hard to tell what is caused by the operation and what is something that just occurs after and would have hit anyway. Coops: Your newer profile pic is fabulous! Looks like those last 13 lbs. will have to come out of your foot :-) Diva: Haha. That amount of workout time explains A LOT. I weigh less than you but I'm in a much bigger size. I average 45 minutes of light to moderate exercise 5 days a week. And I have to talk myself into that! On the weight front, I'm really struggling with the snacking. I think it is the first week I will have to post a gain since the surgery, but maybe the scale will be kind to me tomorrow a.m. Ugh. Snacking go away! Lynda