lsereno

I love crunchy stuff. At first, I ate a single saltine to get my crunch fix. Now I rely on whole wheat crackers. I found a great one at Walmart with 5 grams of Protein for 100 calories. I usually just eat half. Cucumbers, baby carrots, and apples are good crunchy treats too. I like my apple with a little Peanut Butter. I make a ranch dip using the dry mix and greek yogurt. It's great with the cucumbers and carrots. I also double-toast my whole wheat bread so it's really crunchy. Lynda

I walked every couple of hours when I was awake. I took pain meds for 8 days post-op. The last couple of days I only took a half dose. Lynda

You look great! And you're almost in twonderland! Hitting that new first big number is just a great feeling. Thanks for sharing your photos! Lynda

I think I think you might retain a little Water. Give yourself a few weeks to see the real difference. And watch what you're eating. When I first started exercising (pre-WLS), I was hungrier and I ate more without realizing it. I've been exercising 5 days a week (mixed program of walking, cardio, and strength training) since 6 weeks out. I think it has made a difference in my continued weight loss and in the way my body and skin look. Lynda

I was cleared for a couple of drinks a week at 6 months out. I started with a glass of port. It had been so long that the first one felt warmer than I remembered and I needed just one to get a little buzz. Next up a few days later, I tried my traditional Christmas drink: Cointreau and and Cranberry juice. I had a couple of those and had a pleasant buzz. A couple weeks later I had a Mai Tai at PF Changs. Only needed one of those. Those puppies are strong! I think it takes a little less because it's been six months since I had anything. But drinks are empty calories so I am really limiting how many I have since I'd really like to hit goal by Valentine's Day. And I will be diligent about how often I drink even after I get to goal because I am scared of transfer addiction. I'm in my mid-fifties and I've never had a problem with drinking too much, but I sure don't want to start now. Lynda

I like cheese, Beans, lentils, soy milk, and greek yogurt for non-meat Protein. I do stick with low-fat cheeses. I am shooting for a lower BMI and try to keep calories under 1,000 per day at 8 months out. Lynda So non-meat day for me might look like: Wakeup: Soy Latte: 80 calories, 8 grams protein Breakfast: Greek Yogurt smoothie and slice of whole wheat toast: 250 calories, 28 grams of protein Lunch: 2 low fat string cheese, 1/4 orange, 1/3 c sugar snap peas, 8 whole grain crackers. : 220 calories 16 grams protein Dinner: 1 C. split pea Soup, 1/2 slice whole wheat toast with 1 oz. soft goat cheese: 250 calories, 16 grams protein Late NIght: Soymilk with sugar free caramel syrup: 80 calories, 8 grams protein 76 grams protein, 880 calories

I agree that there will be surprises. For me, I expected to be a perky, 100% in a week. Not so much in reality. It was between 4-5 months before I really felt like my strength was totally back. I have worked on head hunger in the past and it took awhile for my appetite to come back so I'm still dealing with this one. It is much easier with the sleeve, but it's not automagic. I have to refuse the extra treats and choose the healthier options. Yes, I would like that bagel with friends. In my head at least. But the non-fat soy latte makes me much happier in the long run. Lynda

Hi all, I lost .9 lb.s this week and hit a mini-goal. I've lost 80 pounds post-op in a little less than 8 months. That better than the last two, but I'm gonna have to work harder to get to goal. I have 6.7 lbs. to go and 4.5 weeks. I did return to a full workout schedule this week, but didn't cut the snacking as much as I could. I'm gonna really buckle down this week and see how it goes. One week without Snacks won't kill me. I do not need movie theater popcorn to see a movie!! 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-141.7..............Goal-135 Dec. 25: 144.2 Dec. 30: 142.8 Jan. 6: 142.6 Jan. 13: 141.7 Jan. 20: Jan. 27: Feb. 3: Feb. 10: Valentine's Day:

Congrats! I can't wait to join you! Do you have any tips? Lynda

Yes, I do get head hunger. I try to have something that is one of the following, depending on the circumstances: 1. Small. Sometimes I just need a little something sweet, salty or whatever. If this is true, often a saltine cracker or two will satisfy a salt urge and one small candy or sweet will satisfy a sweet urge. 2. Without calories. Sometimes I am thirsty. If that's true, after I drink a glass of cold Water or a cup of hot water, I'm not hungry anymore. This hits me most often if I'm slacking on my water that day. 3. With Protein. Solid protein limits how much I can eat and keeps me full longer. Some days I just need a little more solid food. That's probably not head hunger though. Sometimes if I know I should be full, I distract myself by putting on lotion on my hands or face, brushing my teeth if it's nighttime (try to not eat after nightly brush and floss), or finding something else to do. I might start reading or play a computer game instead of watching TV. I also sometimes light my fireplace and a candle. That feels like a treat to me! If I go that route, I usually also have a cup of hot water with a little sugar free caramel syrup in it. If I eat empty carbs, like white bread, cake or Cookies, I seem to be hungrier the rest of the day. Needless to say, I avoid these empty carbs most days. Lynda

I used the unjury chicken Protein powder when I wanted something not sweet. I also like Gold Standard French Vanilla Creme mixed with soymilk and a packet of Starbucks Via Italian Roast Decaf. Tastes like a latte to me. Lynda

Coops, Are you weighing your food or measuring using measuring cups? I find weighing my food gives me a more accurate reading of what I'm consuming. Also, I step up the Protein when I'm hungry and that helps speed weight loss for me because it keeps me full longer and I can't eat as much of it. That being said, It is so hard for me to leave the treats and higher-calorie/fat protein choices alone! Today I had a tablespoon of low-fat Peanut Butter. A better choice would have been a cheese stick or a cup of soy milk. And I ate a chocolate candy (80 empty calories that could also have been a cheese stick or a cup of soy milk!) Try to get a little fresh air at least if you can't exercise. I really think a little sun and being outside does a lot for me. Maybe invest in a session with a trainer and get some exercises you can do while your groin/back are healing. We will get there if we stick with it- slow and steady does win the race!! Lynda

Looks average to me. I'm almost 8 months out and I can eat 2.5-3 oz of firm Protein, a few crackers or a /12 slice of bread, and about 1/4 cup of soft vegetables or fruit at a sitting. For example today's menu: 8 a.m.: Caffee Latte with 8 oz. soymilk 8:30 a.m.: 1/2 slice whole wheat toast, Yogurt shake with 1 cup greek yogurt, splenda, splash of OJ, and a couple of berries 12:30 p.m.: 2 oz. chicken breast, 1 oz. lowfat cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup vegetable barley Soup 4:00 p.m.: 1.4 cup greek yogurt dip (mixed with packaged ranch dressing), 3/4 cup mixed veggies (baby carrots, broccoli, cherry tomatoes and sugar snap peas), 1 tablespoon lite Peanut Butter and 1.2 graham cracker 6:30 p.m: 3 oz. ground beef, 1/2 cup vegetable barley soup (This is planned - I haven't had dinner yet) Lynda

Haha, On most days, I don't see myself as smaller or feel smaller when sitting, standing, etc. But other people seem bigger. My clothes look to small to fit, but they are actually a little loose now. My face looks way thinner when I see a pic, but not when I look in the mirror. When I look at myself full-length in a mirror, I do notice I am smaller. Part is that I rarely saw myself at my true size as I gained weight. At my heaviest, my clothes looked too big, but were snug or even too small. Part is that my head has just not caught up with the new me. I am confident it will though. I'm ever hopeful :-) I'm also hoping for some skin shrinkage over the next year. My tummy has a frowny face for a belly button. So sad! But not as sad as dying from being overweight, which was a very real fear of mine. Lynda

I like greek yogurt for Protein, Fage 0 is available a lot of places and it has 23 grams of protein per cup. I like it with splenda stirred in or made into a yogurt smoothie (1/2 cup yogurt, 1/4 cup Water, splash OJ, couple of frozen strawberries, and some splenda. Cottage cheese is good for protein too. unjury makes a plain Protein powder that can be mixed with other foods. I think people like it with pudding. I don't care for it myself, but lots of people do. Glad the gatorade is going down without a problem! Fluids are #1 towards feeling better. Lynda

I didn't get my full energy back till the fourth or maybe it was the fifth month out. I agree with the list of Vitamins Lisa821 recommended along with a B multivitamin. I drank two Protein shakes a day to get my protein in till I was able to eat enough protein. Go easy on yourself and please don't spend a lot of time regretting your surgery. For one thing, it's a done deal now and for another, the issues you are having are miserable, but temporary. One day, you will bop up in the morning, realize you are thinner that you ever dreamed of getting on your own, and that you feel GREAT! It just takes time. Lynda

Boy, do I remember the antsy wait for a surgery date. Now is a good time to stock up on stuff for post surgery, like a cute nightie, robe, and slippers. Clean the house with some of that nervous energy and dig out those too-small clothes (who doesn't have at least one box of them?) and get them ready to try on post-surgery. Buy a couple of books to read and some nice lip gloss and lotion. If you don't have a food scale yet, I highly recommend getting one. Weighing is the most accurate way to measure your food. I also used a shot glass and teeny spoon and bowl for my drinks and meals in the first few weeks. One thing I wish I hadn't stocked up on so much is food- a lot of what I bought pre-surgery I just didn't want post-surgery. Good luck to you! Lynda

Lissa, I'm so sorry for your loss. I agree that exercise will help. Especially exercise outdoors, such as walking because you get two good things at once. Be kind to yourself. You deserve it! For me, that includes making time for myself, making sure I have foods that are good for me that I enjoy, drinking enough fluids every day to keep everything running smoothly, and forgiving myself for not being perfect when I fail . I also recommend a support group, not only one for WLS surgery, but one for grief too. I went to one when I lost my Dad and it helped. Please know that I am thinking of you. Lynda

I was itchy at the incisions and across some of the areas that shrank the fastest during the most rapid weight loss. I put vaseline on the incision sites and use a body oil or heavy lotion on the rest of me. It really helped! Lynda

I'm in! I'm in the last stretch to goal and weight loss has been super slow in December due to empty calories and less workouts. I really would like to hit goal by Valentine's Day. That's one year from the date I started the pre-op diet and about 9 months post-surgery. I know it's do-able if I slack off the empty calories. I'm tracking my weight in the Valentine's Day Challenge. I weigh myself everyday but only record my weight on Fridays. Goal in 2012 here we come! Lynda

Even though you're not a fan of drinking and walking, give it a try till your tiny tummy can take more water. After a while you will be able to gulp water again but in the meantime, you need some way to keep from getting so thirsty. Just a little sip here and there on the walk will help. I had that issue too and I carried a water bottle everywhere and sipped, sipped, sipped. I still take water most everywhere, but I can now take a nice long walk and then drink a full glass pretty quickly when I get back home. Congrats on the exercise! For me, it's really been key to continued weight loss as I approach goal and to giving some nice form under the looser skin I now have. Lynda