TealSister

* TALL BOOTS --- Figures that this year when I *might* fit into tall boots, booties are in . I have a new pair of knee high boots still in the box from last Fall and have been too nervous to try them on. Status: Pending * FOOTBALL GAMES -- Status: Complete! Went to a football game and didn't care how far away we tailgated, climbed to nosebleed seats without gasping for air, didn't care I wasn't drinking alcohol and stuffing my face. * OLD COATS - Status: Complete! Went through my closet and got rid of the big coats and kept the cute jackets from years ago (yes, some are still in style ). I love this time of year! Especially when layers are acceptable - even though I don't need to hide as much!

This may not make you feel better, but you're not alone! It's so hard letting go of the past demons. You learned a lesson - no temptations in your own house. You are still very newly sleeved (I'm at 6 months so no pro here), you will get there. It will be a process, but you will succeed

I had mine cut off a few years ago and resized. Now I'm wearing that bigger ring on my middle finger. I'm thinking of just getting a plain band when the weight is off.

This may not be news to anyone here, but some of it was to me. I had my six month appointment last week and told my PA that I was still only going 1x/week. She said that going every day increases your metabolism, reduces chances for colon cancer and helps lose more weight. She said that keeping waste in your colon for a week stretches the colon, adding an increase in cancer risk. Huh. I have since added Miralax. Good luck!

Sorry - long. My 6 month + "rules": Important Rules: 1. Eat only three small meals a day of 1/2 to a maximum of 1 cup food per meal. Some individuals may need an additional small meal or snack of Protein rich foods to meet their nutritional needs. There is no painless way to melt the pounds away. Total calories eaten must be less than your total calories expended in order to lose weight and maintain weight loss. 2. Stop eating as soon as you begin to feel full. Overeating may cause you to vomit or stretch your pouch and decrease the effectiveness of your surgery. Indications of fullness are:  A feeling of pressure or fullness in the center just below your rib cage.  A feeling of nausea.  Pain in your shoulder area or upper chest. 3. Eat slowly and chew food thoroughly. Chew each bit 20 to 30 times before swallowing to incorporate salvia and begin the digestion process. A meal should take 20 to 30 minutes to eat. 4. Do not eat between meals. Eat meals at regular times. Eat at the dining room or kitchen table. 5. Do not drink liquids 30 minutes before or during a meal. Wait 1 hour after a meal to start drinking. 6. Drink enough fluids during the day. Goal is 8-9 cups (64-72 ounces) minimum. Plan your Fluid intake. You may not always be able to drink when thirsty. Sip all beverages slowly. 7. Drink only low-calorie liquids. No carbonated beverages, sparking Water, beer, alcohol, tobacco and caffeinated beverages are allowed, as they will cause gaseous distention, pouch stretching, irritation, and nausea. No high-calorie drinks such as milkshakes, Cappuccino, cream based Soups, or fruit smoothies are allowed. These calorie dense liquids have poor nutritional value, lead to unsuccessful weight loss, and do not provide a feeling of fullness. 8. Eat only good quality food. Remember to start a meal with Proteins first. No high-calorie, low-nutrient foods such as cakes, Cookies, pies, candy, pastries, gravies, high-fat snack foods like chips, regular jellies & jams, honey, sugar, ice cream, etc. are allowed. Keep total fat intake below 30-40 grams per day. Read labels for fat and calorie content. No high fat meals such as salami, bologna, bacon, and sausage. They contain more fat and less high quality protein. No fried foods. 9. Bake, broil, boil, grill, steam, or roast are ways to cook your food instead of frying to cut down on fat calories. BEWARE – you may have problems tolerating high-fat, greasy foods after surgery. Season foods with herbs and spices instead of creams, sauces, and fats. Marinate meats to tenderize, flavor and moisten. 10. Have a meal plan in mind when eating away from home. Beware of buffets and salad bars. Share a meal or ask for a “doggie bag”. 11. Prepare a shopping list and stick to it! Shop after you eat. Avoid your eating triggers. 12. Exercise at least 30 minutes each day. Walking is the best exercise. Exercise may be in small 5-10 minutes increments per day. Make exercise a part of your daily routine. Up to 60 minutes per day is best. 13. Keep a daily food and exercise diary. Record amount/type of foods eaten, length of time taken to eat and any triggers that cause over eating – boredom, angry, lonely, etc. Avoid excess TV and computer time. Guide for Daily Eating Provides 1000 to 1400 calories and 50 to 60 grams of protein. Plan for about ½ cup of food at each meal, over time, no more than 1 cup. meat & Bean Group (Protein): 4 to 6 ounces each day. Serving size 1 ounce equals 55-75 calories, 6-8 grams of protein. 1 ounce of lean meat, poultry, or fish, 1 egg, ¼ cup cooked very soft dry Beans. Eat 2 to 3 ounces at a meal. Milk Group: 4 choices each day. Serving size ½ cup equals 40 to 50 calories, 4 grams of protein. Serving size ½ cup: Skim or 1% milk, sugar free yogurt, 1ounce 2% or Fat-Free natural cheese or processed cheese. Do not drink dairy fluids with a meal. Vegetable Group: 1 to 1.5 cups each day. Serving size ½ cup equals 25 calories, 2 grams protein Includes fresh, frozen, canned and vegetable juices. Use caution with high Fiber vegetables like corn, peas, and celery, skins and seeds that may block the outlet. Fruit Group: 1 cup each day. Serving size ½ cup equals 60 calories, 0 grams protein Includes fresh, frozen without sugar, canned without sugar, and 100% fruit juices. Chew fruit with skins, seeds, and membranes extra well, or peel, remove seeds and membranes, or cut into small pieces. Juices pass through your outlet without causing fullness. Try to limit 100% real juice to ½ cup or 4 ounces (diluted) a day as part of your liquids. Grain Group: 3 to 4 ounces or equivalent each day. Serving size 1 ounce equals 80 calories, 1 to 3 grams protein. Includes all foods made from wheat, rice, oats, cornmeal, barley or rye such as bread, Pasta, cooked cereals, unsweetened Breakfast cereals, tortillas, and grits. 1 slice of bread, ½ bun, 1 cup ready-to-eat Cereal, or ½ cup cooked rice, pasta or cooked cereal can be considered as 1 ounce equivalent. Choose whole grains with at least 2 grams of fiber per ounce. Note: some patients have difficulty eating bread or any doughy bread product. Try toasting whole grain bread, use whole grain crackers, pasta, and cereals. Try brown rice, chew well, and mix with a vegetable. Eat this group last and after protein, vegetable, and fruit groups at a meal. Fat Group: 3 teaspoons. Serving size 1 teaspoon equals 45 calories, 0 grams protein. Include fats that are liquid at room temperature, such as olive, canola, corn, soybean, or sunflower oil. Some foods are naturally high in oils, like nuts, olives, some fish, and avocados. Limit intake of mayonnaise, low fat salad dressings and soft margarines. A small amount from this group helps to lessen dryness of skin and hair.

10/5/15: steady at 208 Thanks!

My mom was diagnosed with stage 4 brain cancer in January 2014 - it was the most horrendous thing I have ever witnessed. I started the WLS process in August of 2014. My dad didn't want me to tell mom about it, but she overheard me say "surgery" so I told her and she smiled. She passed away on December 12, 2014 and I had surgery on 3/26/15. I know she has been with me every step of the way. Have you been through counseling at all? Everyone goes through the grieving process differently, so it's hard to say when will be the "right" time. Just make sure you have a support system in place. For me, after helplessly watching my mom being ravaged by cancer, the opportunity to control something in life has been very therapeutic. I have many, many struggles still but the quality of life is so much better now. Best wishes and sorry for your loss.

9/28 = 109 Thanks!

Great job!! Keep up the good work

@@CowgirlJane Thank you for the information. I was following this thread and am so grateful for vets who share what helped them!

My surgeon said no straws ever. It seems like most people on here have received the same directives, although some use straws anyway and claim they have no problems. I haven't used a straw and don't plan to. Get a good cup that you can easily sip from.

Someone on this site recommended the Tervis Tumbler. I ordered the cup, lid and handle from Amazon and LOVE it! No condensation and ice cubes last all day long. Since I've started using my Tervis, I have finally started getting all of my fluids in. Sorry I sound like a commercial - but I seriously love this thing

9/21 = 211 Thanks!

@@feedyoureye I don't like your post at all! Wait - those who received bariatric surgery were excluded. Whew! Seriously though, this goes to show we are in charge of our own destinies. If we follow our surgeon / nut plan, we have the right tools in place to be successful and much more so than we were in our previous weight loss efforts.

I called my surgeon's office and they mailed me one. I haven't used it yet because I keep forgetting to bring it! (don't need purse when hubby pays!)

For people who know I had surgery (anyone who asked), they have commented all along to keep me going People from work and church who don't know I had surgery just started saying things this week (when I hit 90#). I started at 302 and am at 211, so it was a significant weight change before they noticed!

@@Kathy812 Best wishes and keep us posted! I'm in the same boat (timewise) with @Sonitas. Very frustrating, but trying to stay positive!

I have been very open and honest with anyone who has asked how I've lost "all that weight"; I can't lie and I have no filter. The only thing that has bugged me was mentioned a few posts back. "I bet your husband is so happy." He is, but he's happy that his wife is happier and healthier. Otherwise, my friends, family and random acquaintances have been supportive to my face. If they talk behind my back, I don't let that stuff bother me anymore

Starting Weight = 212 Goal Weight = 199

I am in (old name = deetz71)! GOAL: 199 Thanks again!

Did you change your name? If so, what was it before?Thanks! SORRY -- changed from deetz71

Please, please, please don't judge (too hard). Weekends are killing me. It's not meals, it's snacking. These past few weekends I have found myself binge munching while binge reading. At first it was a handful of almonds or half a Protein bar. Lately it's been cheese popcorn, crackers, ice cream, etc. THEN, I feel terrible (nauseous and guilty) so I go in the bathroom and make myself sick. I used to do this occasionally before WLS. I have been seeing a counselor for years and have touched on this a bit but probably need to tell her the extent of the problem. I'm five months out and I KNOW this is not good. Has anyone else dealt with this? What did you do to stop? Thank you in advance for any advice / tough love.

FINAL = 211 Thank you so much for doing this!!

I started with a partial hysterectomy (preventative for pre-cancerous endometrial cancer cells) in March 2012. During surgery, they found ovarian cancer, so I had a complete hysterectomy. Like you, they got everything and I had no subsequent treatment. I had the hysterectomy 3/28/12 and sleeved 3/26/15. I did have 3 years between, but had no issues whatsoever with my gyn-oncologist approving. In fact, he was HAPPY since it was hard to sew me back up after surgery due to the excess belly fat. The pain was similar (I had/have a large vertical scar) with both surgeries. A five month gap wouldn't be too bad. Healing from the hysterectomy should be pretty good by then. You have just had a second chance at life with your hysterectomy. Take advantage of that with the WLS. I wallowed in survivor guilt for 2.5 years before taking control of my life with WLS.