lsereno

Hi all, I missed my Christmas goal by .2 lbs. On Christmas morning I weighed 144.2. This last week was challenging, with a trip to Vegas and lots of Christmas goodies around. I am so grateful for the restriction of the sleeve and my smaller appetite for sweets and fried foods! I didn't get a single workout this last week, but I walked a lot in Vegas. We ate at several buffets; I concentrated on seafood, a little fruit and vegetables, and then a little dessert, so not too much damage there. And a few Christmas goodies and cocktails too. Our next challenge goal may bring me to my final goal. I'm just 9.2 lbs. away. Lynda My Christmas Goal also includes reaching the following goals: 154 lbs.: I'm a NORMAL BMI!!!! and I have 19 lbs. to goal 154: I've lost 100 lbs total - 32 pre-op and 68 post-op. I'm in the Century Club! 152: I've lost 70 lbs. post-op 149: My number starts with 14. I haven't weighed this since the mid-90s. 146: I've lost 10% of my total body weight for the fourth time since the operation. I have less than 10% of my body weight to go to goal, so it will be my last 10% loss. 145: 10 lbs. to go to my final goal! 144: My Christmas goal and I've lost 110 lbs. (32 pre-op and 78 post op). 9 lbs. to my final goal!!! Christmas Goal: SW-157.9.............CW-144.2...............Christmas Goal-144 Oct 28: 157.9 Nov. 4: 155 Nov. 11: 152.8 Nov. 18: 150.4 Nov. 25: 149.1 Dec. 2: 148.9 Dec. 9: 146.6 Dec. 18: 145.4 (late weigh-in because I was traveling) Dec. 23: (no weigh-in because I am traveling) Christmas: 144.2

Congrats! What a wonderful Christmas present for you. Lynda

I'm 7 months out. I started at 254 (I'm 5'6") and was 222 the day before my surgery, May 16. I am now 144 (I only update my ticker once per week so it's at 145.4, which is what I weighed last Friday). I'm 9 lbs. away from my goal, which will put me at a BMI of 21.8. I have small bones, so I don't look as skinny as you might think. I still like sweets and greasy foods, but not very much of them. They don't set as well as they used to. I think it's because I am out of the habit of eating them. When I was younger and thin, I couldn't eat a lot of greasy food or sweet food because it bothered me. Not everyone who gets RNY gets dumping syndrome when eating sweets, so it may not offer the deterrent you hope for. I am very happy with my choice. The weight loss, appetite suppression, and ability to eat a small amount of any food I choose, has been everything I hoped for. Best wishes on a speedy recovery. I'm keeping you a seat warm on the losers' bench! Lynda

I drink a yogurt smoothie made with greek yogurt, splash of OJ, couple of strawberries, and Splenda every day for Breakfast. I started with 1/2 c. yogurt and am up to 1 cup of yogurt. Now that I'm further out, I also have 1/2 slice of whole wheat toast with it and a Soy Latte when I first get up. For lunch, my fav is Gallo Light Salami, a light string cheese, and a few whole wheat crackers. I started with one ounce of salami, but I now can eat two ounces of salami and a little fruit, such as 1/4 apple or orange or 1/2 a small tangerine. For dinner, my fav is ground beef (we grind our own) with a little bit of vegetables. I also love to get a costco roasted chicken and use the meat in Soup, chicken salad, or on its own with bbq or other sauce. Lynda

Congrats Lisa!!!!

Congrats on making it to goal Susni!!!!

Hi former_vbg, I'm also lactose-intolerant post-surgery. I drink SoyMilk. The 8th Continent Original Soy Milk has 80 calories and 8 grams of protein per cup. I make a Soy Latte in the mornings and sometimes have a glass of Soy Milk before bed if I need a little more protein and calories for the day. I can also tolerate yogurt and hard cheeses. Soft cheeses, milk, ice cream, and whipped cream all bother me now, even at 6 months out. Lynda

Hi all, I'm down 1.2 lbs. this week, so my Christmas goal is looking a little more do-able if I stick to plan this week. I have 1.4 more lbs. to goal. And I hit a mini-goal this week. For the fourth time since the operation, I have lost 10% of my body weight. This is the last time that will happen, because I will be at goal before I lose another 10%!! I was in Japan last week and didn't find the food options I expected. I expected to find a lot of teriaki meats, but I didn't see it at even one restaurant, so I ate a lot of Udon and Soba noodle soups with meat in them. I didn't track protein or water all week. Fortunately, we walked a lot every day and I packed protein powder, so in the end things seem to have evened out. My goal for the coming week is to eat healthy, get in one workout, and walk a lot. I am worried about reaching goal because I am traveling to Vegas for four days this week and my yogurt shakes and low-fat protein options will not be on restaurant menus. And I plan to have a few drinks (empty calories!). As the finally topper, we are having a big family get together on Christmas Eve. But I will be walking a lot in Vegas and taking my protein powder, so keep your fingers crossed for me and goal! Lynda My Christmas Goal also includes reaching the following goals: 154 lbs.: I'm a NORMAL BMI!!!! and I have 19 lbs. to goal 154: I've lost 100 lbs total - 32 pre-op and 68 post-op. I'm in the Century Club! 152: I've lost 70 lbs. post-op 149: My number starts with 14. I haven't weighed this since the mid-90s. 146: I've lost 10% of my total body weight for the fourth time since the operation. I have less than 10% of my body weight to go to goal, so it will be my last 10% loss. 145: 10 lbs. to go to my final goal! 144: My Christmas goal and I've lost 110 lbs. (32 pre-op and 78 post op). 9 lbs. to my final goal!!! Christmas Goal: SW-157.9.............CW-145.4...............Christmas Goal-144 Oct 28: 157.9 Nov. 4: 155 Nov. 11: 152.8 Nov. 18: 150.4 Nov. 25: 149.1 Dec. 2: 148.9 Dec. 9: 146.6 Dec. 18: 145.4 (late weigh-in because I was traveling) Dec. 23: (no weigh-in because I am traveling) Christmas:

Happy late birthday Diva!!

Welcome! At 55, I'm definitely of a certain age. My skin does look a bit more crinkly here and there, but that's what I expected. My hair is thinner, but not so thin you can see through it and not so thin that I had to change my style. Lynda

Raine, AKA Skinny Minnie: You are rockin' those boots! Lynda

I didn't in most joints. My feet, ankles, and knees are better though. The Dr. did tell me being overweight is known to cause inflammation and losing weight is supposed to help RA. Lynda

I'm 11 1/2 small pounds from goal and I know people treat me differently. I have always been well groomed, with a stylish do and makeup. My pic still shows me at close to my heaviest weight ever: 254. As you can see from my happy grin and hoisted drink, I knew how to have fun, play up my good points, and put on a winning smile. A few people comment on my weight every time they see me and ask what I weigh; once I weigh less than them, a look of distress crosses their face. I finally told one friend, don't worry I'll never weigh less than you (She's 4'11" and weighs 125.) One former friend avoids me now (we were supposed to have the surgery around the same time but she backed out of the program). Strangers are nicer to me and notice me more. My medical plan finally treated my joint issue (turns out I have rheumatoid arthritis). I think they could see the swollen joints more after I lost weight. I had been complaining for a couple of years, and joint problems are one of the reasons I wanted to lose weight. I don't think these people are evil haters. Bias for most people is something they are not even aware of. I was thin when I was younger and I thought the changes in other's attitudes were more about aging, but I see that it not true now. I am thankful I am older now, though: there is far less skanky male attention at 55 than in my teens, twenties, and thirties. Lynda

Hi all, I'm down just 2.3 lbs. this week, after a super-small loss last week. I have to lose another 2.6 lbs. in the next 16 days, so goal will be challenging for me. I am traveling to Japan next week and will be checking in late. I missed three workouts again this week, but I have done much better eating on plan. My goal for the coming week is to eat healthy in Japan and get in enough protein and water each day. Lynda My Christmas Goal also includes reaching the following goals: 154 lbs.: I'm a NORMAL BMI!!!! and I have 19 lbs. to goal 154: I've lost 100 lbs total - 32 pre-op and 68 post-op. I'm in the Century Club! 152: I've lost 70 lbs. post-op 149: My number starts with 14. I haven't weighed this since the mid-90s. 146: I've lost 10% of my total body weight for the fourth time since the operation. I have less than 10% of my body weight to go to goal, so it will be my last 10% loss. 145: 10 lbs. to go to my final goal! 144: My Christmas goal and I've lost 110 lbs. (32 pre-op and 78 post op). 9 lbs. to my final goal!!! Christmas Goal: SW-157.9.............CW-146.6...............Christmas Goal-144 Oct 28: 157.9 Nov. 4: 155 Nov. 11: 152.8 Nov. 18: 150.4 Nov. 25: 149.1 Dec. 2: 148.9 Dec. 9: 146.6 Dec. 16: Dec. 23: Christmas:

Congrats! What a fabulous Christmas present for you: Goal! Lynda

Recovery was a bit tougher than I expected. I was not one of the lucky ones who felt great in a week. I took pain meds for about a week and a half. I was super tired the first couple of months and didn't feel 100% in the energy department till about 5 months out. Instead of dropping steadily, my blood pressure did a wild up and down thing for a while and it still goes up once and a while. Losing weight did not cure my joint issues, but once I lost weight the doctor could see how swollen my joints can get and I have been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. I am so grateful that while my hair has thinned, it is not so thin that I have had to change my hair style. I was worried I would have to get extensions or go short (hubby hates short hair). It was easier to go heavy on the Protein than I expected. I was a carb monster pre-op and I really dreaded having to eat protein first. But it totally doesn't bother me now. I was worried I would not be able to lose the weight even with surgery, but now I am just 13 teeny pounds from goal. At almost seven months out, I have fewer side effects than I expected. I can eat spicy food, have a drink, and generally enjoy myself without it bothering my tummy. One thing: I am now lactose intolerant and I drink my morning espresso as a Soy Latte instead of straight. Straight espresso is a bit harsh for my tummy now. Lynda

I'll be 7 months out on Dec. 17th. I have lost 100% of my excess weight (BMI <25) and have about 13 lbs. to go to goal (BMI 21.8). I have followed my program's eating, drinking, and exercise plan with a few Snacks (not a lot!). I had a lot of muscle mass going in to the operation because I had been working out with a trainer 3 x per week for several years (one of my many failed attempts to get my weight under control). I'm very small-boned (ring size 6) and prefer to have a long lean look with a few feminine curves, so my goal weight is less than many people who are the same height as me. Lynda

My program said to only take them for 3 months, but I took them for 6 months. I stopped without any problems at all. I did not have a problem with acid reflux before surgery (unless i had about 5 margaritas and a bunch of chips). Lynda

Congrats! You look fabulous! Lynda

I developed lactose intolerance immediately following surgery. I could tolerate yogurt and firm cheeses right away. Now I can eat 1/4 cup ice cream or milkshake without getting sick. I haven't tried more than that or the other foods that bothered me, including cottage cheese. I have heard that many people are able to eat dairy again after about 6 months. When I get brave, I'm going to try a Nonfat Latte instead of the Soy Latte I have every morning. But not yet. Lynda

Congrats! Size 0! You look fabulous. Lynda

Many people get diarrhea following surgery and it clears up in the first couple of weeks. Do let your Dr. know though. For most people, diarrhea is just a minor blip that goes away on its own, but for some, it's a bacteria that needs to be treated. If you are drinking/eating milk products, try cutting them out. I developed lactose intolerance following surgery. At 6 months out, it's much better now. I can have a little ice cream or some milk without it bothering me. Lynda

In addition to what others have said, add Water. I notice if I slack off on meeting my water goal, my weight goes up a little. And you may have to cut back on calories a little to lose the last two pounds. The lower your weight, the less you need, so you may have arrived at the break even point. Lynda

Congrats! Bye bye obesity, hello healthy life! Lynda

Your stomach will be swollen after surgery so that's why you will be sipping slowly to get in your Water. I believe 64 oz. is the minimum recommended amount, which is why you hear that number so much. At first most people have trouble even getting that much in. I did it by watching the clock and sipping one ounce every 15 minutes while I was awake. I used a one-ounce medicine cup for my drinking glass and a liquid measuring cup with pour spout for my pitcher. Everyone is different after surgery and some people find the swelling goes down much more quickly than others. I never had a problem with water, but many do. I drank it room temperature at first, but now I like it at all temperatures. Since I only have 1 cup of coffee a day now and I don't care for tea, if I am cold I have hot water, sometimes plain or with a little sugar-free flavored syrup. I can drink a cup of water in less than a minute now. I don't drink with meals or for 30 minutes after. I have tried drinking with meals and before the 30 minutes but I find it makes me uncomfortably full. Lynda