TexasT

I eat the Premier Protein bars and not the drinks. At a year post-op they are an easy snack to keep at my desk or in my purse and they taste better than any others with 30grams of protein that I've tasted (and I've tasted A LOT of brands).

Great job on reaching this important goal!!! I know you'll also reach all your others too - you're doing great so far!

Flo Mo - or Flower Mound to everyone one else!

No regrets about the sleeve. I was a revision from the lapband - which is kin to a medieval torture device - so THAT I regret! The sleeve is amazing and I promise you won't regret it if you have it done.

It sounds like you've got the right attitude about all of this, and that's the most important thing right now. The first few weeks can be pretty frustrating as you learn a new way to eat, and are on such a restricted diet. I'm over a year past surgery and I'm still on an acid reducer, so don't be in too big of a hurry to get off of it. Some people can do it, others can't. I can't believe you're on mushies after just one week. I couldn't have them until after week 3. Take it slow and steady and enjoy not being hungry and not being able to eat a ton of food anymore. The weight coming off is great motivation to keep with it and not get discouraged. Best of luck to you and keep with it- sounds like you're doing great!

I LOVE Bari-wise Protein hot chocolate mixes. I buy them online from Diet Direct. They taste like Swiss Miss, only better. The Cinnamon flavor is my favorite. I've also gought the Wonder Slim brand, but didn't like the taste of them as much. For Breakfast I've been having one of the hot chocolates with a Bari-wise crispy Protein Bar. That gives me 30grams of protein between the two. For a snack, I normally eat the Premier Nutrition Protein Bars that have 30grams each. I can't stand the normal Protein drinks anymore, so I just try and get it from my foods and these products.

I tried Bare Minerals at an Ulta store, where they will give you a "makeover" and let you try it before you buy it. I found that it did NOT work with dry skin. It just made it seem even drier because it's just all powder. I continued using my "anti-aging" foundation and cream blush and have had no problems. I haven't tried the Philosophy Miracle Worker so I can't offer an opinion on it. I use Olay Regenerist serum morning and night and can tell that my skin is smoother and less splotchy (not sure that's even a word!) - so I'm going to continue with it.

I was a revision from lapband. When I had my sleeve my BMI was 31.1, and within just a few months I was at goal with a BMI of 24. I had not lost any weight in over 3 yrs with the band, so the sleeve got me to where I needed to be. Don't let anyone tell you your BMI is too low. Yes, this is drastic surgery. But I know without it I most likely would have gone back up to my pre-band BMI of 39.

Congrats on the size 8 - way to go! It feels so great, doesn't it? Now to your question of how to stop losing weight - well, just eat whatever you want, which is what I do. No low fat or diet foods in my house anymore. I drink sodas, alcohol, eat sweets, cheeses, chips, etc. and never gain a pound. Of course, I eat my "good foods" first and get my Protein in, but I don't make any type of effort anymore to watch calories or fat grams. I don't eat those high calorie items all day every day - I don't even WANT them but every now and then. Everyone is different, so I'm not advocating anyone "do as I do", I'm just telling it straight as to how I keep at goal weight. I guess it's been very easy for me - I don't even think about my weight anymore. I've even got a new favorite fast food - the McDonald's Angus Wrap. It's like getting to eat a burger, but no bun to deal with. You can hold the mayo and cheese if you want, add extra pickles and lettuce and get a nice tasting burger patty. I get them a couple of times a month and they curb that little nagging fast food demon we all have. It took me a year to get to this point, but I'm enjoying it now.

I was a revsion from lapband, but also self-pay. All I had to have was a cardiac clearance from a cardiologist, but my surgeon had already scheduled my surgery beforehand. It was basically as soon as I wanted. Only pre-op diet was a few days of liquids and nothing night before surgery.

I'm in Flower Mound, north of DFW airport. A year post-op and at goal - AMEN!

I've been dodging my surgeon's office's invites to their support group because they DO NOT want me there. I would have a hard time not dissing the band and telling anyone there with one that they have a ticking time bomb inside them. Bands are EVIL (in my opinion)!!!

I used the gorgeous and extremely experienced Dr. Wade Barker. I was self-pay so I went to Forest Park Med. Ctr. in Dallas. His staff is also great to work with. He has a monthly support group, but I don't go to it as I live an hour away.

I'm almost 50 and had the VSG a year ago.

I never had any complications from the band, unless you call not being able to eat a lot of healthy things because they would get stuck a complication. I also could never find the sweet spot, and I got real good at eating fattening slider foods to get around it if it felt too tight. I just hated food constantly getting stuck (and yes, I chewed like crazy), not being able to eat salads and fruits like grapes and oranges, and the feeling of the port bumping my ribcage. One of the most embarrassing things I dealt with was running out of a restaurant in downtown Santa Fe after a fancy meal and basically throwing up out in a dark alleyway. The bathroom was full and I didn't want to have to do it in front of people. Getting all that plastic out of my body was so freeing. Living with the sleeve is completely effortless. I love it and would recommend it to anyone not happy with their band. Fills, schmills - who needs them??? In Texas there are plenty of surgeons experienced in revisions. I was also self-pay, so I know this is not a decision to take lightly. Good luck!

I'm don't know that I really ever felt "insecure" regarding my weight after the VSG. Once I started losing weight so quickly, then got used to this new body, I didn't really worry that much about gaining it back. But now that I can eat more at a sitting, I know I need to be more mindful of what I'm eating and not push it. My body has always given itself a "set point" that it's comfortable at, and it's a major challenge to change it once it gets to that point. Now my body and I are BOTH happy at the weight it's chosen - which is a first in about 23 yrs!

This is the first I've seen of this thread or I would have posted earlier., I guess I may be the odd duck in the group because I've been at the same weight for about 6 months and I eat whatever I want. I don't count calories or carbs. I drink a coke once or twice a week. I eat cake, candy (a few bites of dark chocolate), chips, rice, full-fat cheeses, etc without even thinking about it. I love salads, but I eat regular dressing on them along with diced ham and cheese. I don't eat ice cream, fried foods or anything greasy (sausage, bacon, etc.) because I had my gall bladder removed with my VSG and those things nauseate me now. I don't eat bread with meals, but that's because I'm trying to make sure I get all my Protein in first. I will have 1/2 an English Muffin with honey or Peanut Butter as a snack sometimes though. And I usually have a Protein Bar laying around to take a few bites out of when I feel that tummy hunger between meals. I guess I would say I eat a well-balanced diet, but I don't stress about it. I went to Italy last May and walked a few miles daily to get in shape for the trip, but since then I've done virtually NO exercise . My muscle tone is terrible, so I know I need to work out to get it back. But right now I've got a broken rib with another month to heal, so I'll have to wait to get started back with the weights. At first I was afraid I'd get huge again if I ate regular food, but I guess at thispoint my body is happy where it is and is going to stay at this weight. Not to say that I don't watch the scale though. I fluxuate between 3 lbs. If it got more than that, then I'll cut down on carbs and see if that helps. But so far, I just eat what I want in small quantities and have stayed steady (knock wood).

I was on liquids for 3 wks post-op, so it seems really early to me for you to be on soft foods. I know all docs have different diets, but if you're having problems, I might suggest going back to liquids for awhile.

And my insurance company still won't pay a dime for any type of weight loss help - surgery or otherwise. STUPID!!

My butt is one of the first places I lost weight from, and the same goes for a lot of us ladies. My hubby would call me "baggy britches" until I bought all new clothes that fit better. I couldn't have Kim K's butt unless I had "cheek implants" - and that ain't gonna happen! I'll just have to try and get it back the old-fashioned way - lots of booty exercises...and maybe a pair of those "toning shoes" that are being advertised so much now.

It looks great Tiff. It fits your petite face and body and it really does look full and healthy. The color is super fun too!

You should feel very proud of yourself and all you've accomplished in the last year. Losing 100lbs is fantastic however you do it! And I agree with your husband - you've always been a beauty, but now I can see your confidence is starting to shine through and you're even more attractive. When I go back and look at my "before" pics, I don't even recognize that person anymore. You already look like a "new you". Congrats on all your success!