lollyfidy1965

I've been using a sublingual B12 tablet since a month after surgery, and noticed an improvement in energy almost immediately. I've never missed a dose, and don't intend to!

Not to frighten you, but this is major surgery, and there is a possibility for complications afterwards. I had inflammation in my sleeve, immediately following surgery, and ended up being in the hospital for 6 days. While most don't have problems, you should plan to have enough time to allow or them, just in case. (I had no comorbidities going in....no reason to think I would have problems....they just happen.) I wish you the best of luck! Laura

Buying things ahead of time is a great idea...particularly if you're going to be buying online, and have to wait for shipping. HOWEVER...be aware that your taste buds may change dramatically, once your surgery is done...and what you LOVE today, you may HATE the morning after! I would suggest buying sample sizes of things (Protein powders, in particular), try them after surgery, and then buy locally (Vitamin Shoppe has a million different things, and will refund your money if you buy something and hate it) until you can get things ordered online. I started using 5" plates, tiny bowls, cocktail forks, and baby spoons a couple months before my surgery, to get myself used to the process of eating tiny bites, chewing like crazy, and eating very slowly. I HIGHLY recommend you get into these habits now....because it will take some time to get used to, and to fully integrate the new behavior into your life. Having measuring utensils, a good kitchen scale, and a shaker bottle are also a good idea. I would also suggest you begin tracking everything your put in your mouth...food, liquids, medicines, etc...in order to develop the habit. Regardless of how you do it, (on paper, or online), tracking calories, protein, carbs, fat, etc are critical (IMHO) to success, post-surgery. Whatever little tips/helpful hints you get from your surgeon....do them! Take the time, now...before you HAVE to..., and start working on the behavior changes you will need afterwards. It will make your overall journey much easier! I wish you great success! Laura

I moved mine to the ring finger on my right hand after losing about 70 pounds. They're now very lose on that finger, so I may have to look into the inserts. I really don't want to get them cut and sized down...cuz you lose gold when you do that, and I paid for that gold!!!

I'm "from" Belleville, Illinois. I'm living in the Boston, MA area now.

My "yogurt cocktail"... Plain fat-free yogurt, cherry flavoring (or vanilla, or any other flavor you like), add Splenda to sweeten to your liking. No fat, no added sugar, no problem! Oh, yeah...and it tastes pretty darn yummy, too! As for me...I can't even stand the smell of Greek yogurt...regardless of the brand, flavor, whatever. Its disgusting. LOL

Another challenge...a little longer term than the new Thanksgiving Challenge....I like that!! Hmmm....I think I'll shoot for 215 for my New Years goal. My stats... Heaviest weight (March 2012): 354 Weight at 1st surgeon visit: 330 Weight on day of surgery: 302.4 Current weight: 237.4 Halloween goal: 235 Thanksgiving goal: 225 New Years goal: 215 (with a stretch goal of 205!) Best of luck to everyone!! Laura

I have a pretty regular cycle...10-12 days of rapid loss, then 7-12 days of stall (I like to call "Adjustment Period"...it's not so negative!). I typically lose 8-10 lbs during a loss phase, and 1-2 inches during an adjustment period. As long as I'm losing SOMETHING I feel pretty good. By day 10-12 of an adjustment period I do get pretty frustrated, though. I just have to remind myself that it's all part of the bigger journey.

I would suggest you might feel better if you ate more Protein (say 3-4 oz each meal), with non-starchy veggies, and remove any other starches/carbs. Protein is metabolized more slowly than carbs, so you will feel "full" longer. My nutritionist recommends not adding simple carbs/starches to my meals until I'm able to eat 4 oz of protein first. I'm still only able to eat about 2 oz of protein at a time, so I don't worry about the starches. I'm 4 months post-op and haven't experienced any hunger. I can't help but think its in part due to my focus on protein. Best of luck! Laura

Ok....I'm assuming I'm going to hit my Halloween goal (to be at 235). I'm due for a stall, so I'm going to make this a short goal. Surgery date- 6-19-12 Highest weight- 354 (in March 2013) Weight at 1st surgeon appt- 330 Weight on surgery day- 302.4 Current weight- 237.4 Thanksgiving goal- 225 Good luck everyone!!

It was salt that was so wonderful about them....they were very tasty with the cottage cheese.

Yes...you will.

If you get the "Junior" chewable acetaminophen (the Walgreen's brand is cheaper than Tylenol, and tastes pretty good), it isn't loaded with sugar.

I had 3 Ritz crackers with my fat-free cottage cheese yesterday. Yeah....I'm pretty compliant with my plan.

I would recommend you read "The End of Overeating", to gain a clear understanding of why you're even wanting something like Cheetos. Seriously. Stick with your nutritionist's plan, and gain an understanding of why you would do otherwise. Best of luck to you

At 4 months post-op, I've never experienced anything even remotely like this. I'm wondering if the people who have are eating this they shouldn't be eating (sugary/high carb/high fat/etc). I don't eat anything with sugar added, avoid simple carbs (potatoes, rice, pasta, breads, etc), and keep to low-fat/fat-free whenever possible. Perhaps that's the ticket.

My surgeon didn't have a set approach to goal-setting. Instead, he asked me where I would like to be, and then we talked about whether or not that was a realistic goal, based on his experience with the surgery. Originally, I set my goal at 180-185, because I could remember being at that weight (a billion years ago!), and remembered feeling like I looked "great" when I was there. My surgeon felt that that might be a bit of a "stretch goal" for me...based upon my starting weight (which was 330 the first time I met with him). Since my surgery, and based upon the progress I've made so far (I'm 4 months post-op, and weighed in at 237 this morning), I have made a slight adjustment to my final goal. I decided that I really (REALLY!) wanted to be in the "normal" range, based on the BMI charts. In order to do that, at my height (5'10"), I need to hit 174. That's only 6 pounds lower than my original goal...and I'm feeling pretty confident that I will be able to get there. I have no desire to be "skinny"...but I would love to lose the "overweight" label, once and for all!!

Woot!! I'm only 3 pounds away from my Halloween goal, and I'm in a losing week!!! I'm thinking I may actually make this goal!!

OMG! I hope not!! Like you, I've lost 115 pounds, and have 64 pounds left to lose...and, while I have until June 2013 to hit my "yearaversary", I'm really hoping it isn't a struggle the entire way between now and then!! Wishing you great success! Laura

My surgeon recommends taking chewable/liquid/mixed medicines permanently, after surgery. I know there are many (on VST) who swallow pills/capsules immediately after surgery, and this is apparently ok with their surgeons. I prefer the conservative approach taken by my surgeon....because I know I will likely not have problems following that path. My suggestion: reach out to your surgeon/program, and ask them the question. If they give you the go-ahead, go for it. If not, Walgreens makes a great "Junior" chewable acetaminophen that's cheaper than brand name Tylenol....I have a stockpile in my medicine cabinet! I wish you speedy relief from your headache! Laura

I came home from the hospital with instructions to take 2 chewable multi-vitamins daily (I use Flintstones Complete), and chewable Calcium (I take a 3X a day version). As with everything, however, everyone's program seems to have a different approach. Best bet is to follow what your particular nutritionist recommends, even if its different from everybody else on VST. Best of luck! Laura

At 4 months post-op, I'm still averaging between 600-700 calories most days. I'm only able to eat about 3 oz of solid food at a time ("meal"), so its hard to get in more than that (unless I started making "bad" food choices...which I'm NOT about to do!). I have 8 oz of Muscle Milk Light at 6:30am, before the gym, and 8 oz more around 9:30am, after the gym (I typically burn 1200 calories every morning, 5 days/week). I'll have a 2-3 oz lunch (typically high-protein), an afternoon snack (usually 2 TBSP hummus and 6-7 baby carrots), a 2-3 oz dinner (again high-protein), and 1/2 a Quest Protein bar for an evening snack. I keep my carbs below 30 grams/day, and protein between 80-90 grams. I have a relatively predictable cycle, regarding my weight loss. I'll lose 8-10 lbs in 10-14 days, then have an "adjustment period" for 10-12 days. I don't change anything in order to speed up weight loss...I allow the cycle to run its course...because its what my body needs to do. Unfortunately, there's no one answer to how to do this...each of us has to find our own approach, in response to what works for our own bodies. I wish you great success! Laura

In looking at what you list as things you've eaten, I'm not seeing any (or much) Protein. Most nutritionists would tell you to focus on getting plenty of liquids, and between 60-80 grams of protein/day. There are multitudes of Liquid Protein options available (Muscle Milk, unjury powders, Syntrax, etc)...I would start by adding some of those to your daily intake. As for the top ramen broth....that is horribly high in fat and sodium. There are many alternative broths on the market that would be (imho) a much better choice. Wishing you the best! Laura

LOL Too funny!

Ok....so I've decided to give MFP a try, after using the Weight Watchers online tools for months. I've cancelled my WW account, and am looking to build a group of supportive friends on MFP. If you'd like to join me there, my username is "lollyfidy1965". I hope to see you there!! Laura