SKCUNNINGHAM

No eggs from me. I think those that are slow losers have a very eficient metabolism. Their bodies go into starvation mode and figure out how to survive on the limited amount of calories they are ingesting. It is a survival mechanism from way back when humans experienced times of real famine. If you could survive on fewer calories, you lived longer. Back when I did Modifast- I ingested 450 calories for 9 months. At some point, my body stopped losing weight. I figured my Irish ancestors would have been ones that would have survived the potatoe famines, if they hadn't decided to decamp to the USA.

Another benefit of exercising while losing is it helps your skin retract. When I have lost a large amount of weight previously I exercised throughout. My skin retracted back much better than this time - although I am 8 years older, so that my be as much of a reason for the droopier skin this time. I haven't been doing much exercise this time around. Some elliptical, some walking and occasional Zumba classes. Back when I worked out with a trainer, he was a fan of using your own body weight to exercise. For abs, his favorite was the plank. He also was a great fan of squats and lunges. If you don't know how to do these, look them up on the internet. You can do them while you have the TV on. Good luck!

Congratulations! Welcome to the century club. You are doing wonderful with your sleeve. Best of luck on the rest of your journey to a normal BMI.

Glad to hear you and Tatum are doing well. Welcome to Texas - I really enjoy living here.

I reached normal BMI today - on my 10 month surgiversary. I am now down 108 pounds and only 10 more pounds to go. I have set my goal of losing those last 10 pounds by my 1 year mark. I know these last 10 will be the hardest. I had my family (husband, son, daughter in law and 2 granddaughters) go for a portrait sitting last Saturday. Attached is a picture of my husband and I, and one from last Chistmas for comparison.

Twice during the past 10 months I had happen what is happening to you. My BP was about 90 / 55. Both times I called my doctor and my BP meds were lowered. Each time, it took me around 3 days to start feeling better and my BP to stabilize at the 120/80 level. I would recommend calling your doctor, ASAP. Other things that compounded my feeling week during the past 10 months was low B12 and low Iron (I was anemic). But neither of those would cause your BP to register this low. I hope you get this resolved quickly. Hang in there, it is worth it.

I have had other surgeries besides the sleeve (gallbladder the old fashioned way, and an abdominal hysterectomy). The sleeve was much less painful than either one of those. It is more like other laparoscopic procedures I have had. The only really sore spot is the incision where they pull out the stomach. I took some pain meds in the hospital, and one pill the first night I was home. (I was only in the hospital one night). Haven't taken a pain pill since in the 10 months since surgery. I wore an abdominal support belt when I got home, and used a heating pad. Those helped the discomfort of getting up and down from the bed or the recliner.

I chose the sleeve over the other two procedures because I thought it gave me the best shot at leading a normal life. No foreign object in me (like the band) to cause problems later - no rerouting of my internal plumbing (like the bypass) and no dumping syndrome. I travel for my work, and thought living with a bypass and having to travel would be awful. I loved sweets pre-sleeve. Now, if I want a sweet, I get one-two bites and I am satisfied. During my Christmas celebrations, I had two bites of pecan pie and gave the last bite on the plate to my husband. I couldn't eat a third bite - it was too sweet and rich. Later in the day, I had a tiny morsel of fudge (1/2" square) and gave the rest of the piece to my husband. Tasted wonderful - but couldn't handle more than a taste. The sleeve is the right choice for me. I love the lack of appetite and the fact that I get full with just small amounts of food. Having a small stomach is wonderful. And, with the sleeve, I don't worry about what problems may be lurking in the part of the stomach that is closed off. I know too many people that have regained weight with the bypass, or never successfully lost it with the band. The sleeve is not a "magic bullet" - you have to follow the guidelines on how to be successfull with it.It is posible to cheat your sleeve and gain weight. And, they operate on our stomachs, not our heads - so you will need to address whatever demons you have in your head that caused you to abuse food - we all have to do this. Good luck on your decision.

My first resolution is to achieve my goal weight by my 1 year anniversary of 2/22/12. My second resolution is to stay within a +/- 3 pound range of my goal weight for the rest of the year. My third resolution is to exercise more - 3 times per week.

I have been using Natrol brand of Biotin, 1000 mcg tablets that dissolve sublingually. I take three each morning. I started using them about 3-4 weeks post surgery. My already thinninsh hair did thin, but by 6 months I had a healthy regrowth all over my scalp (so said my hairdresser). So I think the Biotin has definately helped. I am continuing to use it, and will probably continue at some level forever. After 18 months I might slack off to 3 times per week. Next time I am close to a GNC, I will try the brand that Lilmiss Diva recomends!

I am 107 pounds down since last Christmas. This inspired me to schedule a family photo shoot for last Saturday with my husband, son, daughter in law and 2 granddaughters. I would never have done that previously. And yesterday, at the family gathering of my extended family (siblings, mom, etc.) I wasn't hiding from camera-holding relatives. In fact, in the group shot, my husband grabbed me around the waist and placed me more prominently in front of him. He said -"you don't need to try to hide in the photo this year - you are skinny". The food at the celebrations wasn't a problem at all. I ate until my sleeve was full then stopped.It tasted wonderful, but I didn't want to just gorge like previous holidays. I had three bites of a sweet in mid afternoon. Wasn't tempted to over-eat at all. I was having way to much fun playing on the floor with the kids and talking to the adults.

I have been wearing shapewear throughout my losing period. I really helps hold the jiggly, droopy parts in place. I am trying several different brands. I like Flexees support briefs and a couple of different camisole brands. No way am I wearing an all-over one piece. I drink way too much Water and go to the ladies room way too ofen to have to fight getting in and out of one of those. Rhond Shear (of the Aah Bra) makes a shapewear cami that is great - but hard to find. I also like a brand called Paris Pink (found on ebay). I like Barely There Smooth toners collection cami's, too. I don't like the Sonic Slimmers brand - even though it does the job - I don't like the feel of the material. I agree with the comments on Spanx. I by a Large size cami, even though I now wear Medium tops. The large is an effort to get into, but I like the way I look with it on. I told my husband I think the military could should buy SPANX - put the soldiers in a couple of layers of SPANX, and bullets would probably bounce off of them.

I will be 10 months post surgery on 12/22, and I still don't eat bread hardly at all. I have had a couple of hush puppies twice, and 3 bites of dressing at Thanksgiving, and a small serving of bread pudding. Bread (even dressing) swells in my stomach and I am uncomfortable. I eat the flatbread crisps with toasted cheese as a Protein sometimes for lunch or dinner. I may try nachos in the future. I am going to try to avoid corn chips (fritos and cheetos) for as long as I can. That is a dangerous path for me to even begin to walk down. I eat the dried snap peas if I want that kind of crunch. I did eat half a toasted tortilla once with fajita fixing. Stuffed to the gills!

Here is a link that can help you set your target goal weight. http://www.halls.md/ideal-weight/body.htm This site also has a link about the Metropolitan Life Insurance weight tables, and why that reference may not be the appropriate weight target for individuals. I had never seen the study / charts it references. Interesting stuff - but I happen to like statistics. I am 11 pounds away from my original target, and am trying to decide where I want to stop - so I am revisiting this whole topic again.

Ocean-Ophelia - you are right - gallbladder problems can happen after any kind of weight loss - whether as a result of WLS or an extreme diet. Back in 1987, after having loss 100 pounds on Modi-fast in 9 months, I had a severe gallbladder attack - I was early in my maintenance phase. I had the gallbladder removed the old fashioned way - this was pre-laparoscopy. My surgeon said I must have had gallbladder problems for years, because of the size of the stones. I hadn't recognized the symptoms as gallbladder - I thought I just got stomach pains after I ate because I was overeating. I think other heavy people may have existing minor gallbladder problems and don't know it. During the weight loss phase the symptoms go away due to the great diet that this being followed. The problems recurr when the person is trying to eat a diet that includes a normal amount of fat (or whatever trigger food sets off the acute response). So the gallbladder issues "suddently" appear. Getting your gallbladder out isn't normally a bad surgery now. If you show symptoms, go to the doctor. Don't ignore it like Oregon Daisy did. Bad things can happen. Good Luck. Sharon

Take chapstick or some other kind of lip balm. Warm houseshoes and socks. Something comfy to walk the halls in (PJ's or sweats - loose around your middle). A comfy bra to wear under your top while you are walking. Moisturizer for your face and hand creme for your hands. My favorite Protein during the clear liquid stage was isopure plus. I ordered it from Amazon.com. Good Luck! Sharon

Congratulations! I went to your profile, and noticed your birthday is on 12/24. I'll bet you get to onederland for your birthday present! You are doing great - I will do a little happy dance here in my office for you.

Hello neighbor! I live at Lake Tawakoni, not far from you. First of all, congratualtions on what you have achieved! You have lost 90 pounds in a year, and kept if off for two months. YEA! What other program have you done that has given you those kinds of results? Second thing, I would seriously re-think your ultimate goal of 150pounds. You couldn't maintain that weight at 16 years old without starving yourself, do you really want that as your ultimate goal? If you want to weigh less than you do now, talk you your doctor about what a realistic end goal would be. How much exercise do you want to do once you are at goal weight? How restrictive do you want to be with your goal weight eating? Talk to your nutritionist and tell them what you want to eat on a daily / weekly basis once you are at goal, and how much exercise you want to do. They can tell you what that calorie count range will be. Use this in helping set your goal weight. When I was just past 30, I starved myself on Modi-fast down to 118 pounds - I wore a size six. I lived in the gym and ate as well as I could, but couldn't maintain that weight. Needless to say, 118 pounds is NOT my goal weight now. In fact, I am considering raising my goal weight from 135 to 140. Try not to compare yourself with others. We all are different and our journeys to becoming healthy, happy normal weight people (not necressarily "skinny" people) are different. Best of luck to you. PM me if you would be interested in getting together. Sharon

Congratulations on getting to this point. All your hard work has definately paid off. I am happy for you! Enjoy the holidays. Sharon BTW - that picture of you in the red dress is stunning! we may need to start a thread for LRD along with the LBD's!

I was diagnosed with bad GERD back in the 1990's - before PRilosec and Nexium were invented. Zantac didn't do anything for me. Finally, with a combination of old fashioned medications, severe dietary restrictions, no booze, no carbonated beverages and self hypnosis when I felt an attack coming on, I got it under control. I went on the PPI's when they came on the market and ultimately got it under control with them. Since being sleeved, I have been taking Famotadine (Pepcid) - first morning and night, now just morning. I also have been taking Prilosec at night - but have just recently stopped it. I am not eating any of the foods that make it bad - greasy foods, overly spicy foods, popcorn, raw broccoli and cauliflower, carbonated drinks or booze. I'm doing fine.

I take the bariatric advantage chewable lemon lime flavored pills - two each evening before I go to bed. I also take two chewable vitamin C tablets at the same time since iron is absorbed better with vitamin C.The C's are orange flavored, the iron is lemon lime - my mouth tastes like a citrus explosion after the four pills. Even with all of that and eating red meat multiple times a week, I hover at the edge of anemia. Nothing to do with the sleeve, I am that way most of my life.

This is what I have done to keep myself "moving right along". I always drink plenty of Water - I usually go for 80 ounces (minimum of 60 - some days approaching 100 ounces). If you don't drink enough water/fluids - it doesn't matter what else you do - you will be constipated. I get my Protein from a variety of food sources (chicken, fish, yogurt, cottage cheese, cheese, beef, pork, venison, seafood, etc). I only do Protein powder or a shake at most once a day. I try to eat small amounts of a variety of veggies.I mix 1 dose of Miralax and 2 packages (sticks) of benefiber either in my Breakfast smoothie or my breakfast oatmeal. I also have been using either flax oil or ground flax seed in my diet every day. If I eat oatmeal, I mix the flax seed in it, if not, I use the flax oil in my smoothie. The other thing that is needed, is keep moving. The more you walk and exercise, the more your system is regular. If I don't do the things mentioned above, I have problems. When that happens, I drink milk - I am lactose intolerant to milk (not cottage cheese, cheese or yogurt). Milk gives me a case of the trots, so it fixes the constipation problem. NOT a good solution! I try to avoid doing it. I am also going to start working in the dried plums into my diet (a new way to market good old prunes). They will definately help. I have been trying not to eat much fruit until I hit goal weight (except when I make a fruit smoothie - fruit is a rare treat for me).

I take Famotadine (Pepcid) first thing in the AM and Prilosec at night, right before bed. No problems taking it that way.

I also make a quick and easy taco soup this high in Protein. Brown 1 pound of lean ground beef (or turkey or venison) in a skillet. I also add in 1 package of frozen seasoning veggies (celery, onion and peppers) to the skillet and cook with the beef as it browns. Season with bay leaf, basil, garlic, salt, pepper and worchestershire sauce. While the beef is cooking, open 2 cans of Beans (your choice - black, pinto, brown, or kidney - I usually pick one can of two kinds), one can of corn, two cans of stewed tomatoes, and one can of diced green chiles. Dump all of the canned veggies into a soup pot, don't drain the liquid - it goes into the soup pot. Add 1 package taco soup seasoning and one package of ranch dressing seasoning. Start this cooking on low to heat while the meat finishes. When the meat and veggie mix is done, drain the liquid from it. Add the mixture to the bean/corn mixture in the soup pot. Stir to mix everything together. Add Water (or v8 or tomatoe juice, or beef broth) to the pot to get the soup the consistency you want (solids vs. liquids). Adjust seasonings to your taste. If this has too many carbs for you - only use one can of beans, or omit the corn. If you want it spicier, use 1 can of rotel tomatoes instead of 1 of the cans of stewed tomatoes.

I make a chicken and rice soup (very little rice). Get a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store and dump it into a soup pot and cover with Water. Bring to a boil, and then lower the temp to a simmer. Cook the bird until the meat is about to fall off the bone, adding water as needed. You can throw a couple of ribs of celery and green onions for seasoning, and herbs and spices of your choice to season the broth. Take the meat from the bones and chop. Recover the broth from the soup pot, straining out any solids. Put the chicken back into the soup pot with the broth, and add either water or store-bought broth to the pot to give you enough broth to make a pot of soup. For the veggies - I either use fresh celery, carrots and onions, or I get a package of frozen "seasoning" veggies (Celery, onions, red pepper and green peppers) and fresh carrots. You can cook the veggies separately in the micro with a little butter, or just dump them into the soup pot and cook on top of the stove - it is a matter of how much time you want to make the soup. For the rice - I either use rice from a traditional rice package (brown, wild, or white) and put it in with the chicken and broth and cook on top of the stove. If I am in a hurry, I get one of the packages that you can zap in the micro for 90 seconds. Since being sleeved, I only use about 1/2 C COOKED rice in the soup - it is basically chicken and veggies - not chicken and rice. So it doesn't take much raw rice to yield 1/2 c cooked rice. If you use the microwave package, either toss the rest of the rice you don't need from the package or feed it to a family member. For seasoning the soup - I use about 2T of soy sauce and about 1/2T of tobasco sauce. The two seasonings are wonderful together. Adjust the proportions for your taste. Sounds complicated, but it really isn't. I can make a pot of this soup in very little time.