lsereno

Low fat cheese sticks (at 6 months I also have 1/4 apple, and a few whole grain crackers) Greek Yogurt (at 6 months I also have1/2 slice whole wheat bread and 1/3 banana) Andersons Split Pea Soup (at 6 months I also have 1/4 apple) Soy Milk, vanilla Protein powder, a little pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice (yum! - now that I get my protein from food I sometimes have this sans Protein Powder - 8 grams of protein for the soy milk) Beans (any kind, I have a pot of Great Northern Beans on the stove right now! - I enjoy them with fresh spinach or kale now) At two months out, I could only fit protein and a bite of vegetable or non-acidic fruit (melon is good) - no room for starches. Lynda

Thanks Raine! I did feel like I have a golden key when I saw that number on the scale :-)

May 17, 2011 101 lbs gone (69 post op)

Don't stock up much pre-op. Your tastes and what your tummy can tolerate can change. Try to just get small amounts or sample packs and then buy more post-op. One thing I wanted after surgery was two large nighties. My tummy was sore and I didn't want anything around it. If you don't already have it, measuring cups, small spoon, food scale is handy. Lynda

Sounds like you will be 5-6 months out from surgery for the vacation. I've traveled at lot since my VSG almost 6 months ago. I do pack Protein powder when I travel - but it's just my backup. Everyone's journey is different, but I think you will be fine. Your energy should be really good by then too. I took longer than some to get my energy back, but by about 4 1/2 months, I felt better than ever. When I travel, I track protein and fluids using a sticky note pad I keep in my purse. I just jot down the approximate grams of protein at each meal and make a hash mark for each cup of Fluid I drink. I try to get 64 oz. of fluids and 60 grams of protein. If I don't get enough protein, I drink a Protein shake at the end of the day. I pack a shaker bottle, instant Starbucks Italian Roast Decaf, a scoop and vanilla Protein Powder. I mix the Vanilla protein powder with Water and the instant coffee. Tastes OK and it's super easy and compact for travel. And unjury chicken Protein powder is even more compact - just pack it and a scoop and stir it into warm water. I also pack something to treat constipation. I keep it under control pretty good at home, but on the road it usually hits me. Have a fun trip- it will be a lot nicer being smaller in the airplane seat! Lynda

A popsicle is just frozen Fluid. You will feel the restriction when eating semi-solids and maybe when drinking fluids. I could drink only about 1 oz. every 15 minutes for the first few days after surgery. I bet the popsicle isn't much more than one ounce and that it takes you about 15 minutes to lick it away, so that sounds about right. As for Protein, it depends on what your program allows. When I came home, I tolerated unjury chicken Protein the best. You must order it on the Internet, it is not available in stores. I also ate a little greek yogurt and drank soy milk mixed with whey Protein powder. It sounded like I had a Mac truck in my belly and I had diarrhea the first couple of weeks. All pretty normal. Rest and rejoice: You are on your way! Lynda

Well hello skinny! You look great. Congrats on a stellar three month loss! Those arms will leave you. Probably like my thunder thighs-- they love me and don't want to leave, but they are being forced out baby! Lynda

I'm a few days away from being 6 months out. I can't tolerate greasy foods and can eat only a little of sweet foods. I used to love BBQ ribs but now they are a bit too greasy and don't sit just perfect. When I eat popcorn, I don't add butter. I also avoid extra acidic foods. I drink orange juice, but just a couple of ounces, not even 1/2 cup. Same thing with acidic fruit, such as strawberries. I eat only about 1/4 cup at a time. And I don't drink straight espresso anymore. I have soy lattes now (6 grams of Protein in 6 ozs!). When I eat sweets, I have a mini version or share it with someone because a few bites is enough. Lynda

Hi all, I forgot to check in last Friday. I was so stoked to get to 155 that I updated my ticker, wrote a long post in VSG Success Stories and completely forgot the challenge. I thought at 155 that I was at a normal BMI. But when I updated my ticker, I found out it's 154 for me. But this week I am really there! I weighed in at 152.8 this week. Hurrah! Less than 6 months out to a normal BMI. And I've joined the century club! I've lost 100 lbs. since starting the pre-op diet on Feb. 15. Just .8 of a lb. and I've lost 70 lbs. post-op. I hope to be there by my 6 months surgiversary next Thursday. I was a bit worried about losing weight this week too because we were on vacation and I ate more and more fatty foods and exercised less, I had a great time but I'm glad to be back home and back on schedule. Lynda My Christmas Goal also includes reaching the following goals: 154 lbs.: I'm a NORMAL BMI!!!! and I have 19 lbs. to goal 154: I've lost 100 lbs total - 32 pre-op and 68 post-op. I'm in the Century Club! 152: I've lost 70 lbs. post-op 149: My number starts with 14. I haven't weighed this since the mid-90s. 146: I've lost 10% of my total body weight for the fourth time since the operation. I have less than 10% of my body weight to go to goal, so it will be my last 10% loss. 145: 10 lbs. to go to my final goal! 144: My Christmas goal and I've lost 110 lbs. (32 pre-op and 78 post op). 9 lbs. to my final goal!!! Christmas Goal: SW-157.9.............CW-152.8...............Christmas Goal-144 Oct 28: 157.9 Nov. 4: 155 Nov. 11: 152.8 Nov. 18: Nov. 25: Dec. 2: Dec. 9: Dec. 16: Dec. 23: Christmas:

I am not a goal yet, but I am almost at a normal BMI. I agree exercise and tracking helps. I work out 5-6 days per week unless I'm travelling. I'm not good at exercising while on the road. I track my Protein, calorie, and Fluid intake every day. I also measure my food with a scale or measuring cups and spoons. Otherwise,it's too easy for extra ounces to creep in portions and then my tracking can be off. And I have not returned to drinking alcohol yet. I've heard that slows down loss. Lynda

Hi all, Today I weighed 165 (Not reflected on my ticker: I only update it once per week on Fridays). I have exactly 30 lbs. to go to my goal: 135 and a BMI of 21.8!! I'm so excited. It's been about four and half months since my surgery date. I'm scared of the inevitable slow down in losing as more time passes and I get closer to goal. I have noticed I am getting hungrier. Nothing like pre-op thank goodness! I'm working out 6 days a week and sticking pretty close to my program guidelines. I'm participating in the Halloween Challenge and I check in there every Friday. I missed last Friday because we were gone on vacation and I didn't have access to a scale. I'm hoping to be at goal at 8 months from my surgery date. That's assuming I can continue a 10 lb. per month weight loss. I think 9 months may be more realistic, what with the holidays and a planned trip to Japan in December. I have not weighed 135 since the late 80s. My joints still hurt a bit and I'm hoping these last 30 lbs. will help that. I'm already off my blood pressure meds and high cholesterol med. Currently, I'm wearing medium tops and size 12 pants. The pants are a little baggy, but I'm going to wait a few weeks before buying new ones. I am finally feeling like my pre-surgery self in terms of energy. It took me longer than many on the board. Now, I'm hoping to feel more energetic in the months to come. What with nearly 90 lbs. gone since beginning the pre-op diet, I should be way more energetic! 30 lbs and counting! Lynda

My energy was good by 4 months, but didn't really return full strength for a couple more weeks. I think I am a bit slower than many on that front. My doctor said some people take up to 6 months, but most have their energy at normal levels by 3 moths. At four months, I could eat a small amount of non-Protein foods. Pack your Protein powder as a backup. The unjury chicken can be mixed with warm Water, so it's great for travel. I started at 222 (5'6") and was down 52 lbs. to 170 at 4 months out. I follow the plan with very few cheats and exercise 5-6 days per week. Lynda

Does your plan include a therapist? If it does, or your insurance covers it in general, take advantage of it. Face to Face Support groups are really helpful too. If you can, track everything you eat and drink. Get your Protein in first. It will limit the amount of junk you can cram in. Also, I like to plan little treats for myself. I buy myself a new lipstick, new perfume, or new hand lotion and use it when i need a little pick me up. I buy a book (less likely to eat whle reading as opposed to watching TV). Or download a new computer game. Sometimes I take out my smaller clothing, admire it and try it on. Getting out of the house for a walk or visit with a friend is good for me too. Too bad the surgery only works on our stomachs, not our brains! Lynda

I'm 5 1/2 months out. I get at least 60 grams of Protein, 64 oz. of Fluid per day and average between 700 and 900 calories per day. I also take all supplements recommended for my plan. I take my Calcium in tow doses in instead of three; my nut said that was OK because I kept forgetting to take it at lunchtime. I exercise 5-6 days per week. Two 45 minute walks at a fast pace, two 1-hour group workout classes, one 30 minute session with my trainer, and one other activity, such as a bike ride, walk, or yoga class. Lynda

Leslie, Congrats and Happy Anniversary! You've really rocked that sleeve this last year! You look fabulous in that little black dress. What a nice surprise for hubby. Lynda

Yahoo! About two weeks before my six month surgiversary I am NORMAL! I've gone from morbidly obese (254 at start of pre-op diet on Feb. 15) to merely obese (Was 222 on day of surgery and down to 216 two weeks after surgery), to merely overweight (185 at about 2.5 months out) to today: 51/2 months and I'm NORMAL! I am so stoked! Just one pound more and I'm in the Century Club. And only 20 lbs. to goal, which will put me at a BMI of 21.8., squarely in the middle of the normal range and will let me bounce up and down 5 lbs. and not be too thin or too fat for my taste. I can feel such a difference in my health and energy levels! I am off all blood pressure and cholesterol meds. I no longer snore (per hubby :-). My knees, feet, and ankles rarely bother me. I have noticed in the last couple of weeks that my gait has changed. There is more spring in my step with nearly 100 lbs. gone. Instead of plodding, I bounce a bit as I walk now. And my sinuses don't stuff up as much. I think the extra weight on my face pressed against them. As for the difference in my looks, people don't recognize me. My Mom had a hard time finding me in a store because she was looking for the bigger me. People react differently to me because I am thinner (rant on this later!). I enjoy squeezing in for a tight hug from hubby, trying on clothes, sitting in chairs with arms, tying my shoes, taking a bath in my newly roomy tub, and keeping up in exercise classes instead of paying a personal trainer. At the beginning of my journey, I wore size 22 jeans and a 3 X shirt. I now wear size 8 or 10 jeans and a small or medium top. My mind is still catching up with the new me. Although I often see the same me in the mirror, I know the change is astounding. When I write my weight, I have a tendency to forget I'm in the 150s. I still think of myself at 180 or 170. And my clothes look too tiny to fit me. I can eat small amounts of any food I have tried, except milk, cottage cheese, and ice cream. I'm still afraid to see if I can tolerate milk now almost six months out, but I think I will try soon. I am tracking my calories, Protein and fluids every day and taking all supplements recommended for my plan. I get at least 60 grams of protein, 64 oz. of Fluid per day and average between 700 and 900 calories per day. Greasy and overly sweet foods upset my tummy if I eat more than a few bites of them, so I generally only have a couple of bites of them when I eat them. For example, on Halloween, I had about a cup of popcorn popped in oil (no added butter), two and half fun-size candies, and a hotdog with chili, no bun. That was over the course of the evening and probably the biggest splurge I have had since the surgery. I didn't feel good later that evening and still felt a little off the next morning. I returned to having coffee after my three month checkup. But post-op I have a soy latte with two shots of espresso instead of my pre-op fav of a couple cups of french press or two shot of espresso straight up. I haven't started drinking alcohol again, but I plan to following my six month checkup. I plan to start with port. I am exercising 5-6 days per week. Two 45 minute walks at a fast pace, two 1-hour group workout classes, one 30 minute session with my trainer, and one other activity, such as a bike ride, walk, or yoga class. I do have days were I want to eat only bad stuff and I don't want to exercise. For the most part, I power through, but sometimes I don't. It's a journey and a struggle. I'm still terrified I won't be successful long term so I search out stories of people who have successfully kept the weight off for more than two years. They are out there! Thanks to all who have shared your journey for inspiring me to begin and continue the best thing I have ever done for my health and my looks. Edited: is my face red! I thought I was going to hit normal BMI at 155.5, but I now see when updating my ticker, I'm still overweight till I get to 154. So this post is 1 lbs. early. I will join the Century Club and hit normal BMI at the same time. The thoughts and sentiments are the same, just a little early. Oops!! Lynda

I developed lactose intolerance following surgery. I can tolerate yogurt, whey Protein, and firm cheese but not milk, soft cheese, or ice cream. I'm going to try again though because I've read that many people develop lactose intolerance, but it fades after a few months. I'm pretty used to soy milk now though! Lynda

Congrats! And just three lbs. to goal. You look fabulous in your profile pic. Lynda

Congrats! You look great in those 4s!

Congrats! You look fabulous! Lynda

Kelly, Congrats on your speedy trip to goal! I posted the same message on your photo thread, but just want to make sure you see it. I hope you have a fabulous gift planned for yourself for getting to goal - besides the ton of cute new clothes and the improved health you are already enjoying. Lynda

Kelly, You look fabulous! Congrats on your speedy trip to goal! Lynda

Thanks to all for your kind words. Goal, here I come!

I generally order off the appetizer menu or share an entree. Sometimes I order an entree for myself and box the part I can't eat. Most of our hotels have a fridge and I carry a small cooler bag, so I can eat the leftovers for lunch the next day. Or sometimes hubby polishes them off later that evening. Lynda

Hi, I told everyone I interact with on a regular basis. I didn't tell family or people I rarely see. Post-surgery, I mention it as it comes up. When someone who doesn't know compliments my weight loss, I tell them I had surgery. Also when the waitress asks why I didn't eat my meal (often they don't notice!). Pre-surgery, some people were concerned about the surgery, but I explained that it was best for my health and that satisfied them. Post -surgery, no one has said something negative about the surgery to me. Lynda