Middlesister57

It is so hard to break bad habits. If you can, try to get in your protein in addition to the fruit. I have struggled with my snacking habit, and no matter what I do I seem to find time to get in a individual bag of chex mix at least 3 times a week. I wish I could break that habit, it is so hard. Just try your best that's all you can do.

My surgeons office are recommending 80 grams or higher. When I had my surgery in December they were recommending 60. So I think you will be fine.

As I have heard there is not much you can do to avoid it. It either happens to you or not. I am 5 months out and my hair is thinning, everyone in my support group suffered some degree of hair loss, all of them said it came back. I also heard that taking Biotin can help. I have not tried that yet.

Marie, Yes you can come as much or as little as you like. Some get out of work at 5 and have to come late, and some have to leave early for things. Like I said it is very informal. Just come when you can. I wish they advertised it more because I think it is the BEST! Hope to meet you soon. Lisa

Yes I also had the sleeve. My surgery was Dec 14. You should come to the Monday night Peer Support group. We have a great group. It's from 5-6 at GHP on Monday nights. It's great for asking questions and just feeling supported. I've been going for about 2-3 months now. I really look forward to it every week. It's very informal and everyone is so helpful and nice. Please come. We also have a Facebook page if you are on Facebook. Just search GHP Support on Facebook and you will find us. Good luck in your continued success. Lisa

Hi Marie, I am from Grand Rapids also. Who was your surgeon? I went with Dr. Kemmeter from Grand Health Partners. Lisa

I had my surgery on 12/14/10 and I quit with the Diet Coke on 10/1/10. I didn't want the withdrawl symptoms while trying to recover. I have been a Diet Coke Head forever. It was not as hard as I thought it would be. I never even had a headache. But I've quit before and had a terrible headache. The headache will go away, but you need to get off the stuff now so you are used to it. I now have a pop maybe once a week. Before surgery I would start my day with a large one from McDonalds, and then during the day I would have 2 or 3 more from the pop machine. Not drinking with meals is the hardest thing for me. But I am now addicted to the Crystal Light Peach Tea. I really love it. I mix Nectar Lemon Tea Protein powder with it and have one every day. Really boosts up the protein. Good Luck to you. Stick with it. It is so worth it. Lisa

I was sleeved in December, and I've heard "can't wait to see you when you are a normal weight". This freaks me out, because I have been fat all my life, and what is normal? It's a little scarey to think what or who I will be at a normal weight, and what is normal. Normal for me is fat. I can't think of being anything other than that. I struggle with this. There are several in my support group that have lost over 100 pounds and I just can't imagine them being fat. I hope I have someone say that about me some day. Good Luck to you. Lisa

Not Lansing, but Grand Rapids for me. I started at Grand Health Partners, Dr. Kemmeter did my surgery at St. Mary's in Grand Rapids. Check them out.

Don't be too anxious to try a salad. For one thing you will be only able to eat a tiny bit, and when I tried it I didn't make it to the bathroom. It was awful. I won't try lettuce for a very long time again. My surgeons office sells a really good Protein powder that comes in a variety of flavors. I love mixing them with sugar free pudding powder, lactaid milk, and frozen fruit. They make terrific smoothies and I even get some of the whipped cream in a squirt can and put a little of that on top. They are so thick with that pudding powder in them. You can find it on the web by googling Syntrax nectar, there are several sites that sell it. You can get a variety pack of all the flavors in a single serving. I would recommend that. But my favorites are the Lemon tea, vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry. I use frozen strawberries and blueberries and different flavors of the pudding powder to make lots of different combinations. Vanilla/Strawberry, Lemon/Blueberry, Chocolate/Bananna, etc... Other things I eat are Cottage cheese, the grilled chicken from KFC, lunchmeat with cream cheese and a little shredded cheddar wrapped around a pickle (Yum). HOpe this helps Lisa

I have been losing from the top down, and most people at my support group have lost from the top down also. I WISH that my lower abdomen and legs were looking smaller, but they all say it will come. I hate my legs and it seems like they are the same size as before I started. I have lost 71 pounds and it is mostly all on top. I used to have really nice skinny legs and arms, even when I was bigger, but the past 5 years my arms and legs have gotten HUGE and I hate it. I also alway had a flat butt, and now my butt sticks out like a shelf. I will be glad when I start losing in those area's also. I don;t think you can do anything do direct where you want your weight to come from. It will just do what it wants. Lisa

OK this is totally off the subject... But how many of you think that Alex needs to cheer up? His picture is so serious... Just a thought. Lisa

Rest up in the hospital. Hope all goes well. Congrats on your "new life" Lisa

Thank you all.

I am having such a good day today. After 4 months of slow losing (I think because I was having a hard time getting in all my protein), I have made great headway in the weight loss category. I'm down 69 pounds and I have on a top today that I haven't worn in 5 years. I saved it from 2 garage sales because I loved it and hoped to fit into it again one day. Well today is that day. I lost 6 pounds this week and last week I lost 4-1/2. I had a goal of 70 pounds by the end of June when we are having a family reunion. I guess I am going to meet and surpass that goal. I'm just so dang happy today. I hope you are having a good day too. Lisa

I have a small collection started also. FUNNY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good Luck Leah, I'm a Michigander too, but from the other side. Lisa

All hospitals are different about the CPAP, I don't have sleep apnea but my hospital stay instructions said not to bring yours they would supply one, so you should check, your surgeons office should let you know before your stay. All I used from home was slippers and clean underpants. I slept most of the time I was there, I was really tired. I'm 54. They get you up to walk a lot, but if I wasn't walking I was sleeping. Good luck. Lisa

I just got my dollar out to go the the snack machine at work and buy a bag of Chex Mix. I got up and went to the bathroom instead. So proud of myself. I am a snacker too Sassy, it is soooooooooo hard. Today is a new day. I have no suggestions for you because my willpower is low also. Just try hard, that's what I try to do. GOOD LUCK TO YA SISTA. Lisa

I'm surprised your surgeon hasn't told you what to take. All doctors are different of course but I take 2 Celebrate Chewables, 1 Iron, and 6 Calcium Citrate.

Stick with it, it will be worth it.

The Greek Yogurt adds some extra protein. Good idea. This was one of my faves when I was on mushies.

Somehow this seems so different. Maybe because I've struggled with my weight for 50 years and have had only fleeting glimpses of victory. I know what it looked like and I know what it felt like -- it just never lasted -- ever. Somehow that's what I can't seem to get my mind around -- lasting success at something I've failed at for years. It just doesn't seem real. I can so relate to this. Even now after 4 months post op. I still have that thought in my head. This can't work because nothing has ever worked in the past. Every time I get on the scale and it is less than the time before, I just kind of chuckle and wonder when it is going to start going the other way, because that is how it always goes for me. I lost weight back in the 70's on the liquid Protein diet and got down to 153 pounds, FOR ONE DAY. That was my lowest ever. I'm 54 years old and don't have any idea what being "normal" is going to feel like. Normal for me is FAT. I was even fat in my baby pictures. What will it be like? I can't even imagine. People are already calling me skinny and I weigh 371 pounds. HA HA HA HA. I always think "Oh I hope no one else heard them say that". I love that I've lost almost 70 pounds and cant wait for the other 100+. Good Luck tomorrow. I'll be thinking of you. Lisa

I am a snacker and my NUT told me that as long as I am getting enough protien I can have a snack of whatever I want. When I plan my day I make sure I am getting at least 60-80 Protein and then I plan in a snack. Here is a list of some that I like. 16 Wheat Thins and a 100 calorie pack of cheese bites 1/4 cup of hummos and some black olive tapenade with a few slices of cucumbers or red pepper slices Chex Mix - single serving bag Smart Pop Popcorn - single serving bag Peanuts - single serving bag Beef or chicken Jerkey I don't feel guilty at all as long as I am getting my protein. Making good choices is not alway easy, but at least I have a few "go to" Snacks that I can eat and that makes me happy when I can have a snack that I like. You should get a list of things that you like that are not too terribly bad like I did. It really helps me to have a plan. When I don't I tend to go a litte overboard. I'm learning every day. Good Luck Lisa