snochick2005

To my shock and awe this morning I stepped on the scale into ONEDERLAND!!! This has been a very odd week to say the least! I have had serious issues with all week with what we will call regularity. Yesterday I had my first gallbladder attack. Let just say not fun and I wouldn't wish on anyone!
2/17- 205
Today- 198.5
Not only am I in Onderland, but I am also no longer obese... I am simply overweight. Its funny to say, but I have wanted to be simply overweight for a really long time!!
Good luck to everyone! We can do this :-)

To my shock and awe this morning I stepped on the scale into ONEDERLAND!!! This has been a very odd week to say the least! I have had serious issues with all week with what we will call regularity. Yesterday I had my first gallbladder attack. Let just say not fun and I wouldn't wish on anyone!
2/17- 205
Today- 198.5
Not only am I in Onderland, but I am also no longer obese... I am simply overweight. Its funny to say, but I have wanted to be simply overweight for a really long time!!
Good luck to everyone! We can do this :-)

Bea's having a GOOD DAY today! For the first time in 28 years my BMI says I'm "overweight" instead of "obese"! I hit 200.0 today and could not be MORE THRILLED!
I showed increases or the same weight every single day all the way up to the beginning of month 7. Now my weight fluctuates in both directions, although with a steady, but slow, decline every week. So although I know tomorrow may but slightly up again, after another week or so I can fully expect to NEVER see numbers starting with "2" again. There is something so very exciting in that!
I may log today's weight as my weekly weight, not because I am interested in "cheating" (it will all come out right in the end anyway) but simply because I've hit a point that is game-changing in my life and want to log it, share it, hold on to it.
Sorry for going on and on about this, but if anyone could understand what I'm feeling, it's all of you. So, I just had to share here.

Valentine's Challenge Final Results
Here's a wrap-up of how the Valentine's Challenge ended up (with some amazing team results!):
Number of people reporting, by week: 106, 105, 102, 97, 86, 77 Yes, there does seem to be a tendency to fall off the further we go Still, 77/106 means 73% of the original group stuck it out to the end...not bad! Total weight lost by the group: 1,104.9 lbs!!! Count and percent of those who made goal: 30/77 or 40% Start-to-finish border crossings:
Bigbeaz crossed a MAJOR border from the 300s to the 290s NewNana and Evolving crossed into ONEDERLAND from the 200s to the 190s livvsmum, mickally, and Seela crossed TWO borders and into ONEDERLAND, from the 200s to the 180s Bearman99 crossed THREE borders, from the 300s to the 270s! 4MEL21 crossed THREE borders, from the 270s to the 240s Stacy_wls crossed THREE borders, from the 250s to the 220s dreamscometrue crossed THREE borders, from the 250s to the 220s Sleeveless n Seattle crossed TWO borders, from the 330s to the 310s Lynnc121 cross TWO borders, from the 300s to the 280s Nurse_B crossed TWO borders, from the 260s to the 240s Hunter and magtart crossed TWO borders, from the 250s to the 230s Ree and Sherry73 crossed TWO borders, from the 240s to the 220s Comfy_Blue, tami j, Jhealan, and Mkak crossed TWO borders, from the 210s to the 190s planetheather and EarthyGoalie crossed TWO borders, from the 180s to the 160s Lorie77 crossed TWO borders, from the 170s to the 150s Oceana crossed TWO borders, from the 150s to the 130s Fallenangel2904 crossed from the 280s to the 270s Hannah55 crossed from the 270s to the 260s Ms. Keel and kyleebean crossed from the 260s to the 250s Jdub and back2barb78 crossed from the 250s to the 240s Eyedbrown crossed from the 240s to the 230s BeeLee37 and HardWork13 crossed from the 230s to the 220s mytime2shine, Mama Spike, crosabi, Cathysleever, VSG AJH, gourmetone, and nomytx crossed from the 220s to the 210s kltklass, snochochick2005, GatorGirl72, BeaAmaya, Beach Lover, and LisaDM crossed from the 210s to the 200s onsummit, Bombs, Yoga-lady, and longtimecoming7 crossed from the 190s to the 180s JanetPRN, krtrebie, jcoklahoma, and cms213 crossed from the 180s to the 170s marywithoutsound, tddonnell67, and Busymomof3 crossed from the 170s to the 160s Wags, crowsnestmama, Anouli, Sweet_Mia, and spritedcowgirl63 crossed from the 160s to the 150s Chellemetime crossed from the 150s to the 140s Whew! Looks to me like the Valentine's Challenge was a BIG SUCCESS!

I'm not fat (on the outside) any more! I'm not skinny by any means, but I'm not fat. I weigh 157 pounds which is still far too much for my 5.3 frame, but I wear size medium tops and size 8 pants, which is officially smaller than the average American woman.
I am no longer shopping in the women's section.
I am no longer wearing the largest size in the ladies' department.
I pick up clothes in consignment shops and often have to reject them for being too big. ( WTF?!?!?!)
I fit in bathroom stalls and dressing rooms with room to spare.
I can walk through turnstiles/bus aisles/theatre rows front ways instead of turning sideways and sucking it in.
I no longer stress when some jackhole parks too close to my minivan when I can barely open my car door to squeeze in.
Every seatbelt fits.
I can put my handbag in my seat with me instead of on a different chair.
I can sit in a booth without my tummy and/or boobs smooshing up against the table.
People don't mind sitting next to me at the movies or in tight restaurants.
More people make eye contact/open doors/smile/initiate conversation with me than ever before.
I am no longer looking around to see if I am the biggest person in the room because I'm not. Ever. Not even in Zumba.
I can wear my leggings home from the gym and stop at the store without caring if I run I to anyone I know.
I could go on forever. I'm still a fat girl on the inside so this whole thing is very surreal. It's just finally starting to set in that after 20 years of being obese, I'm now just a regular sized fit mom (with some loose skin) who can do anything I fracking want to do because I gifted myself with the least easy "easy way out" I could have ever chosen to do.
Love love love. Love.

Get-to-Goal is also specifically for Bypass not just any WSL. With Bypass, people typically lose weight much faster in the beginning then with the sleeve because of the additional malabsorption. Now that I'm further out, I feel its much more accurate to where I should be... Please don't let it discourage you!!!

After weight loss surgery, you need to plan your meals ahead of time. You always want a high-protein, low-calorie option to be available at meal time. You might find yourself carrying your own prepared food with you to be sure that you have the food you need. Sandwiches are good “go-to” option, but not just any old sandwich will do! This article can help you build sandwiches that are good fits for your meal plan.< /span>


What is Wrong with the Sandwiches You Used to Eat?
A typical workday might have started off with a trip through the drive-through for a Breakfast burrito or sandwich, or a bagel and cream cheese sandwich at work. lunch could have been a brown bag Peanut Butter and jelly sandwich or a trip to a nearby restaurant for a sandwich, burrito, or burger. Where might these options leave you?
Sausage, egg, and cheese croissant or biscuit from a drive-through (600 calories with 42 grams of fat)
Bagel with cream cheese (500 calories with 70 grams of carbohydrates)
Peanut butter and jelly sandwich (600 calories and 40 grams of sugar)
Club sandwich (1,000 calories and 2,500 milligrams of sodium)
Chicken patty sandwich (60 grams of carbohydrates and 1,100 milligrams of sodium)
Beef, bean, and cheese burrito (900 calories and 40 grams of fat)

Your breakfast and lunch sandwiches could have added up to over 1,500 calories. Add in beverages, sides (hash browns, fries or chips, anyone?), and Snacks, and you could have been at 3,000 calories by lunchtime!
These Choices Don’t Work After Weight Loss Surgery!
Needless to say, these options do not fit into your weight loss surgery diet.

First, some of those sandwiches have more calories than you are supposed to be eating in a day, not to mention that some also contain more saturated fat, sodium, and sugar than you should have in a day.
Second, those sandwiches emphasize starchy breads and fatty Condiments, not the lean Proteins and nutritious vegetables you need to stay full and nourished after weight loss surgery.
Third, they can cause complications. Doughy Bagels and fried chicken, for example, can cause obstructions in lap-band patients; fatty sausage and sugary jelly can cause dumping syndrome in gastric bypass patients; and these low-nutrient foods can fill you up and cause malnutrition.

Luckily, this does not mean that you need to give up the convenience of sandwiches and the pleasure you get from biting into one. There are plenty of ways to make sandwiches that are weight loss surgery-friendly: low-calorie, high-protein, convenient, and delicious!
Protein Fillings for WLS Sandwiches
Start by choosing a lean source of Protein, just like you do when you plan all of your meals. These are some healthier options compared to what you might have chosen before weight loss surgery. Don’t forget to measure your portions if you are making your own sandwich, or eyeball your portions if you are ordering in a restaurant.
2 scrambled egg whites (30 calories)
2 ounces of canned light tuna (60 calories)
2 ounces of chicken breast, lean ham, turkey breast (80 calories)
2 ounces of fat-free cheese (90 calories)
½ cup cooked Beans or 1 vegetarian burger (120 calories)
2 ounces of turkey or vegetarian bacon or breakfast sausage (130 calories)

Load up on Vegetables and Fruit
Vegetables and fruit are the next food groups to add to your meals. Vegetables especially are low-calorie, so add more if you want a bigger sandwich. Try classic combinations, or get creative. You can also experiment with herbs such as fresh cilantro, basil, and dill. These are some ideas.
Lettuce and tomatoes with meat and cheese
Grilled eggplant, zucchini, and/or bell peppers with beans
Cucumbers and sprouts with fat-free feta cheese
Diced celery, carrots, onions, and Water chestnuts with tuna
Spinach and mushrooms with egg whites
Pear or apple with fat-free cheddar cheese
Cantaloupe with ham and/or fat-free cheese
Blueberries with egg whites

Breads and Alternatives
Most bread is high in carbohydrates and low in protein – clearly not what you need for your nutritious weight loss surgery diet. Besides adding calories and carbs, bread can cause obstructions in lap-band patients and make gastric bypass patients sick or overly full. When possible, skip the regular bread.
Bagels
Tortillas
Subs
Croissants
Biscuits
Regular sliced bread

Instead, choose whole-grain, high-fiber, low-calorie breads, and consider open-faced sandwiches, with the filling on 1 slice of bread, instead of regular 2-slice sandwiches. These are some good options.
Reduced-calorie bread (45 or fewer calories per slice)
Light English muffin (50 calories per half)
Mini whole grain bagel (60 calories per half)
Low-carb tortilla (50 calories per small tortilla)
High-fiber, light wrap (90 calories per wrap)
Also, look for creative, non-bread alternatives.
Lettuce leaves to make lettuce wraps or cups
Egg roll or wonton wrappers
Sheets of dried seaweed
Grilled eggplant
Your fork (skip the bread and just eat the filling)

Keeping Condiments Under Control
The condiments that you add can make or break your sandwich, both in terms of nutrition and taste. Skip the full-fat Mayonnaise, dressings, dips, sour cream, and butter, and be wary of high-sugar jam, barbecue sauce, and honey mustard. Instead, consider the following condiments.
Salsa
Fat-free mayo, dressing, dip, or sour cream
Regular mustard
Plain, non-fat Greek yogurt
Hot sauce
Shredded fat-free parmesan cheese
Reduced-calorie, trans fat-free margarine

Some Breakfast Sandwich Ideas to Start Your Day Off Right
Egg whites scrambled with spinach, mushrooms, and fat-free feta cheese on ½ English muffin
Cottage cheese and strawberries wrapped in lettuce leaves
Shredded fat-free cheese and lean ham toasted on a slice of reduced-calorie, whole-wheat bread and topped with salsa and tomatoes
Egg whites cooked with turkey bacon and broccoli in a small, high-fiber wrap
½ whole-grain mini bagel spread with fat-free cream cheese and topped with canned salmon with diced celery and water chestnuts

Lunch Sandwiches
Lettuce wrap filled with diced chicken breast, bean sprouts, mushrooms, and bell peppers, and soy sauce or light Asian dressing
Dried seaweed sheet rolled around tuna salad made with fat-free mayo, chives, and celery
Pinwheels made by layering slices of turkey breast, lean ham, and fat-free cheese slices, spreading them with mustard, and rolling them
Bean burrito with black beans, fat-free cheddar cheese, salsa, and fat-free sour cream on a small, high-fiber tortilla
Chicken breast with sliced apple and light vinaigrette between slices of grilled eggplant
Tomato sauce, fat-free mozzarella cheese, and mushrooms on a light English muffin
Toasted Rueben sandwich with low-fat Swiss cheese, shredded cabbage or sauerkraut, lean corned beef, and fat-free Thousand Island dressing on a light English muffin

Are You Ready for Some Sandwiches?
You can eat these sandwiches at home, or make them ahead of time and carry them with you in a reusable container. As a weight loss surgery patient, you should own plenty of reusable containers with tight-fitting lids. If you do not already have some, they are worth the investment so that you can carry healthy foods with you wherever you go.
We hope that you enjoy these sandwich ideas and that you are inspired to make some of your own healthy, high-protein sandwiches!

I'm at 207.2 this morning. Finally a loss greater than 2 lbs! Going to the gym is finally helping the scale :-) I didn't make my goal but that's ok... Next time!

I'm in too! I need to finish up my slightly overly ambitious VDay challenge goal and get under 200 :-)
Thanks Bea!!

I just posted the next challenge details...St. Patrick's Day Challenge. You can start following that thread at: http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/296972-st-patricks-day-challenge/

OMG!!! I could not believe my eyes this morning.…
Today's weight: 308 which means I'm down 8.4 lbs in one week!! What the what? That's insane. I guess having a nasty cold does have an upside. Fingers crossed that I don't gain it all back as I start to feel better.

I'm 210.8 this morning, so I am not going to make my goal of 199.9 next week... I guess that is what the next challenge is for :-)

I'm 210.8 this morning, so I am not going to make my goal of 199.9 next week... I guess that is what the next challenge is for :-)

With St. Paddy's day falling on March 17 and Easter falling in April 20 this year, I think those would be REALLY good ideas (good windows of time) for the next two challenges. Great idea!

212.7 today, right direction.
Even with the gym, I don't think I'm going to make my goal though. I'm still trying!!!

212.7 today, right direction.
Even with the gym, I don't think I'm going to make my goal though. I'm still trying!!!

I forgot to post yesterday :-/
I am currently at 212.8, so down 1.9 from last week

Mine reminded me of dinosaurs fighting in my tummy! Like there's have said, it would also wake me while I was sleeping. I was so worried it wouldn't go away before I had to start teaching, so my high school students would focus on the noises rather then what I said.
However, as I progressed through the food stages, the noises quieted down. I think once I was eating soft foods, it was very infrequent and barely audible.

According to the flight map, I'm somewhere over the friendly skies of Bucarest (the German spelling) a couple of hours out of Frankfurt, Germany and a little less than 4 hours until I'm in Doha, Qatar. Funny how I can update our statistics from here (gotta love technology).
This is my first time traveling since losing more than 80 lbs of weight and the differences are just amazing. When I lived overseas (2009-20012) I traveled internationally once every 4-6 weeks. It was always uncomfortable, but it was just what I had to do. Here are some of the differences I've noticed on this trip:
when I buckle my seat belt and pull it snug, there is this flap of belting hanging out the end of the buckle when I walk down the aisles, I can walk straight on instead of having to turn and go sideways when I sit next to someone on the plane, I don't spill over into their space my bum is sore from hours of traveling (not enough padding anymore) I can take the stairs and not be winded people don't give me the oh-I-hope-that-fat-lady-isn't-sitting-next-to-me look I have no desire to finish off the tray of food served on the plane...can't wait to get some healthy Protein down when I land Although I am still "obese", for another 8 lbs anyway, and have nearly 50 lbs left to lose, I am feeling so good about myself...healthy and comfortable in my own skin. This has been a full day of travel and I honestly feel like a "normal" (i.e. not worried about embarrassing situations with my body) person. What an awesome journey this has been...and it's still not over!

Uhmmm heck yes! Being 100lbs lighter, there are a lot of moves we can do now that were no where near possible before :-) he can even pick me up now!

Uhmmm heck yes! Being 100lbs lighter, there are a lot of moves we can do now that were no where near possible before :-) he can even pick me up now!

Uhmmm heck yes! Being 100lbs lighter, there are a lot of moves we can do now that were no where near possible before :-) he can even pick me up now!

Hello Everyone,
Last week I was at 216.1 and today I'm at 214.7, which is a loss of 1.4 lbs. I wish it was more, but something is better then nothing. I'm doing everything I'm supposed to. I think my body is still adjusting to going to the gym.
Next week will be better!!!

HELLO ONDERLAND! So nice to see you after all these years!
199.8 this morning! Barely made it, but I'll take it!
Have a great weekend everyone! I have my first first date tonight in like 3 years. YIKES! Wish me luck!

I wish this was around when I was a newbie! 21 grams of Protein per serving!! Tastes pretty good :-) !