lsereno

Size is so variable! How tall you are, how you are built, how much extra skin you have, where you shop,etc. For me, I like how I look in size 6. I'm 5'6" and 58 years old. I weigh between 135 and 137. I agree with others, no matter where you set your weight, you have to work at it to maintain. We all get used to whatever our normal is and then want more. Just my opinion. I would set my goal for what I want. You can always change it later if it no longer works for you. Lynda

I just signed up for two months at The Dailey Method here in Willow Glen. Got a great Groupon. two months unlimited access for $129. Looks like it will be good workout for me. Joint injuries prevent me from the Body Pump class, who kph I really liked. This gym also has several early morning classes. I need those because I gave to exercise BEFORE I have all day to come up with an excuse. Has anyone else done The Dailey Method? Lynda

I've been at goal almost two years. I transitioned by adding more healthy fats and more treats. I do t avoid carbs, but I do focus on Protein first, then some mar starchy veggies, then a complex carb, like whole wheat bread, sweet potato, oats, or barley. It's a fine line on the treats. I weigh daily and slack off if I'm over my bounce range. I do exercise, but it's more to feel healthy than weight control. Lynda

Haha, no worries. I'm always mentioning unjury too and they aren't paying me :-) it's the only Protein powder I tolerated in the first week after surgery. Lynda

The Food and Nutrition Forum is now under the General Weight Loss Surgery heading. There's a sub forum for post-op under that. I don't refreeze foods much. I freeze it in the smaller portions and then eat it. There are some dishes that I use meats that have been frozen then freeze portions of those dishes. Chili and spaghetti sauce for instance. I haven't had any problem with those. Lynda

great to see you here! I know you can be a loser too! Lynda

My favs were Gold Standard whey Protein in French vanilla and unjury chicken. I mixed the Vanilla with 1/2 soy milk and 1/2 Water. For variety, I added a packet of Starbucks Via in Italian Roast Decaf. No need to heat the water with the Starbucks instant. Also, the blender made it too foamy, so I used a blender ball for all my drinks or just stirred them. Lynda

Well I'm 2 years at goal and still get colder, except late at night. I usually wake up too hot at least once per night and have to adjust my covers. I got silk long johns and extra thick wool socks for Christmas along with thicker gloves for my morning walks. If it very cold out I wear a hat too. My stay warm tip? Get up and move to get the blood flowing. And heat your blankie in the dryer for a few minutes. Yum!

Not sure who the host is for this forum, but this thread should be moved under food and nutrition forum. I think there is a sub forum for postoperative eating. There are a lot of good tips there already. I often buy a rotisserie chicken from costco. I can't eat the whole thing so I freeze two and three once portions for lunches and dinners. I also freeze ground beef the same way. Because the package is so small it thaws fast. Early out, I heated the Protein in a fry pan and tossed in a bite or two of frozen veggies. Top with some kind of sauce and it's an easy quick meal for one. Lynda

I swallowed mine beginning the day after surgery. All except the Calcium supplements. Post op orders were to skip those the first two weeks. I just took a tiny sip and took each pill one at a time. Lynda

I am saddened by the tone this thread has taken. How many of us have heard "Why didn't you just eat less?" I don't think there is one person here who has ever weighed 600 lbs. It takes a very severe food addiction to reach that point. IMO, Penny needed support she did not receive. Perhaps a longer hospital stay so her food choices could have been more restricted. For sure, more counseling. I understand people who contributed financially are disappointed, but there are no guarantees in life. Of course, we've all seen that ability to make choices and the lack of intervention to stop them due to legal and financial restraints. I have friends and family members who abuse food, alcohol, and other drugs and I can't stop them. It hurts, but I have learned that heaping guilt and scorn on them does not help them or me. I haven't seen the show, but I do know that most reality shows are scripted and any story can be twisted a bit based on the bias in which it is shot and edited. Not that there is any denying that she made bad food choices, was enabled by those around her, and didn't want to face the face that she has responsibility too. This is just my opinion, but before you comment, please remember the hurtful things others have said to you. How many people are secretly wondering why you didn't get thin sooner for your childen's sake? How many are wondering why you just didn't get it under control with diet and exercise? Lynda

I'll be three years in May. I got to goal in in nine months and have stayed at goal. I'm 5'6. Start weight 254 and goal at 135. WLS offers the best odds of taking weight off and keeping it off, but it is still takes effort. Anyone can continue to eat slider foods ( most white carbs and sugary treats) and gain weight back. It takes commitment to eat the right foods and avoid the wrong ones to get to goal and stay there. For me and many others, the months following surgery, when it's difficult to overeat, are a time to come to grips with emotional eating and develop new, healthier habits. For me, the difference is I don't have an all-day every-day raging hunger. For example, instead of eating a sandwich with two slices of bread, four ounces of meat and a large salad too to feel full, I now eat one slice of bread, two or three ounces of meat and a few bites of veggies for a very filling lunch. I still have to choose NOT to eat a large amount of sweets, high calorie coffee drinks, chips, etc. If you look in the vets forum and in other online groups you will find people who have gotten to goal and are staying there. Best wishes on your journey! Lynda

Glad they found the issue! Best wishes for a speedy recovery. Lynda

Congrats RJ! I had a personal trainer for several years preWLS and kept her till I got to goal. I think it made a difference in getting to goal because I had a good muscle mass. I hate exercising, but I feel better when I do, physically and mentally. Now that I am at goal and in good Heath, I can't justify the expenses. But I miss it! Lynda

Hi Kim, Coming here often helps keep me on track. One of the most powerful things I've read here about emotional eating is "self-soothing, not self-sabatoge" I think the person who said that is no longer on the forums, but it's still a great mantra when the going gets rough. Helps me reach for hot tea with Splenda instead of a high calorie snack. Lynda

Haha. I found a little bump where my ribs meet at the bottom of my chest and first thing I thought "Cancer!" Thought the same thing about the lump on my right collarbone. My doctor managed to keep a straight face while telling me both were normal at my age (57). Also, my elbows bumped my hipbones a lot when sitting before I got used to them poking out. I'm wide hipped, so I also have a huge gap between my thighs when standing. Lynda

If I don't eat enough earlier in the day, I get a raging hunger at night. I am up for several hours after dinner, so I plan a small evening snack in my daily calories. If I am bored and want to munch, I have a calorie free drink and find something to do besides watching TV, which can be an overeating trigger for me. I take Prilosec. If you don't, it may be acid masquerading as hunger. If I don't get enough fluids, I want to eat more. Hope one or more of these tips help. Lynda

I get hungry. I can't remember when it first came back, but I do recall how little it took to satisfy hunger at first. Now, if I'm truly hungry, I have to have some Protein and a little carb. If I'm busy, I sometimes forget to eat, but that was true pre-op too. I can get laser focused on something and then realize I've been on it for hours without looking up. Generally, I get up at 6 or 7 and eat something by 10 am latest. If I eat earlier, I have a little snack, such as a soy latte or a piece of fruit before lunch. I eat lunch by 2. Small snack in the afternoon, dinner by 7, and another snack before bed. Lynda

I stuck with these lines: "My doctor and I have decided this is the best option for me." "Thank you for worrying about me, but my doctor and I have decided this is the best option for me." For family members, they knew I had struggled for years and didn't say that, but were worried about the operation. I took my Mom to a support group meeting and a pre-op appt. She felt much better after that. Lynda

Congrats! I keep my Vitamins and supplements in a pill holder by my toothbrush and it helps me remember to take them. Lynda

I lost 32 lbs over 4 months. My program required me to lose 10% before they would schedule surgery. They provided a pre op diet, which I followed pretty closely. I was very motivated because I felt it was my last chance to get the extra weight off. Lynda

Also I kept track of all foods, liquids exercise etc. in a small notebook using 1 page for each day and I took it with me to dr appts. It's nice to look at now to see hoe far I've come. I also use a pill holder for my vitamins and supplements. I keep it on the shelf with my toothpaste and it helps me remember to take them. I keep the calcium there too but in a sugar shaker because they are too big to fit in the pill holder. Lynda

My bathroom scale My food scale Measuring cups Blender Blender ball cup Small bowls that hold about 1/2 cup Tiny food processor for pureeing foods For right after surgery: Tiny spoon liquid measuring cup and shot glass (use the liquid measuring cup like a pitcher and drink 1/2 shot glass every 15 minutes) Fine strainer for cream Soups to strain out any food bits Moist bathroom wipes Best wishes on your journey! Lynda

I've gotta say, I think the surgery brings pre-existing issues out. If you've got a good relationship going in, surgery won't change that. My hubby and I have been together 33 years. We've both changed a bit post-op, but we e changed as the years have gone by anyway. But the things we love about each other do not really change. Of course, it's just my opinion. Lynda

If you can't do it for yourself, think of what you would tell your best friend if they were in this situation or one of your daughters. Then do that for yourself. You are worth it. Lynda