lsereno

Congrats Carole! Thanks for checking back in. I love to hear from successful vets. It gives me confidence that I can keep the weight off. Lynda

You need the Protein to heal and to feel full. The Fage 0 greek yogurt has 23 grams of protein per cup. Early out I could eat 1/2 cup at a time, made into a yogurt shake. Blend the yogurt with a little sweetener (I like Splenda), Water, and fruit. My fav add in was a splash of OJ and a couple of strawberries. Low fat cottage cheese is also a good protein source if you are not lactose intolerant. The 8th Continent Plain Soy Milk has 9 grams of protein per cup. The almond milk I checked had almost no protein. chicken breast is one of the densest Proteins, with 7 grams per ounce. So your day could look like: B: 1/2 cup greek yogurt in a shake (12 grams) S: Decaf Soy Latte (9 grams) L: 2 oz. chicken breast (14 grams) S: 1/3 cup cottage cheese ( 8 grams) D: 2 oz. chicken breast (14 grams) S: Cup of soy milk (9 grams) That gets you to 66 grams of protein. Lynda

I ordered off the appetizer menu early out. Shrimp Cocktail and Crab Cocktail were my favs. Scallops are also good. Some restaurants have chicken, beef, or lamb kabobs on the appetizer menu too. appetizers are perfect early out because you probably won't be able to finish even that and everyone likes to share an appetizer. Soup is another option if it is something you like. I try to check out the menu online before I go. At home, if you are mostly cooking for yourself, look for Protein foods that are easy to prepare and reheat or cook in small portions. I get a costco rotisserie chicken and use the meat in lots of different ways. In stir fry, with BBQ sauce, or mixed with a tiny bit of mayo and chopped celery. I can't eat the whole chicken before it spoils, so I pull the meat off and bag it in portions and freeze. Frozen shrimp are good too because you can shake out just as many as you want. I also portion ground beef and bag and freeze. I like frozen veggies for the same reason. I also eat lots of lunch meat, greek yogurt, and I have soy milk. Canned low fat chili was another early fav of mine. If you are cooking for your family, just make sure your meal includes a dense protein. They can eat everything else and you will be able to measure out your protein and have a bite or two of other dishes you make for dinner. So, for example, if you make a stir fry for dinner, add a few extra ounces of meat, fish. or poultry. Scoop out the protein for your meal portion before serving the family. I use a scale to measure most foods because it's so easy. I set my plate on the scale, 0 the scale, then add my desired amount of protein. At 6 weeks, that was about an ounce for me. I had to have 1-2 Protein drinks to get enough protein in. I generally had one for Breakfast and one after dinner. Lynda Lynda

I hate the ugly thoughts. I still get them even at my ideal goal weight. I have to remind myself: What would I say to my best friend?

Congrats PdxMan! I'm glad you are maintaining and doing well. Lynda

Hay Strongnsexy, Congrats on your upcoming surgery! To get ready, I recommend practicing eating slowly with a timer or clock (one small bite, chew for 30 seconds, then wait 30 seconds before another bite), sipping water slowly all day, giving up coffee if you are not allowed to have it immediately post op, and buying a small spoon and fork if you don't already have one. I used a demitasse spoon and an appetizer fork. I had small plates and bowls, but if you don't get a few. Lynda

Maintenance Mode today. Weight was 135.2 this a.m. B: 2 oz. 98% Fatfree ham, 1 slice WW bread, 2 dried apricots S: 1 oz. roasted nuts from costco L: 2 oz. BBQ chicken thigh, 1 serving trader Joes Frozen Sweet Potatoes, 2 T. sauteed rainbow chard S: 1 oz. mixed pretzels and cheezits, Gingerbread tea with Splenda and splash of soy milk D: 1 link Benetino's Bistro Sensations Chicken Habanero Sausage, 1/4 C mashed potatoes, 1/4 cup green Beans with peppers and onions S: Not sure, but under 200 calories and will include 1 c. watermelon

Congrats!

I think it does help to read the vet's posts so you will know how life will look a few years out. It is work to get to goal and stay there, but the sleeve is the only thing that helped me. Year of knowing what to do, following Weight Watchers online and in person, hypnosis and a personal trainer did not do it for me. Just want you to know that it does include diet. Lynda

Fiddleman, you seriously need to get one of those body mass measurements done. I remember a couple of years back several people here who got measured with the BodPod, including FeedYourEye. Here's the thread: http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/20517-the-bod-pod/page__hl__bodpod#entry172680 You can go to this page to find a BodPod near you: http://www.cosmed.com/en/test-site-locator Lynda

According to this chart, I'm a few pounds underweight but not according to the Halls chart: http://www.halls.md/ideal-weight/body.htm

Sorry to pop your bubble Dee Dee, but if you don't watch what you eat post-op, you will watch your weight go up! This thread is for people who are trying the 5:2 or 6:1 diet to get to goal, return to goal, or stay at goal. It's buried in the Vet's Forum, because for the first few months post-op, it's pretty hard to not see a dramatic weight loss, but as time goes by, it's very easy to gain weight. I have met many people online and in person who stay at goal weight, but they are ALL mindful of what they eat. It is easier with the sleeve, because it takes less to feel full, but I didn't get fat because I couldn't get full. Lynda

Love that smile and wave! You look awesome. And the horse looks happy with skinny you astride! Lynda

My surgeon never mentioned a goal weight. I selected my goal weight based on my body type, age, and my weight into my 30s. I weighed 118 in high school and early 20s, up to 125 as I entered my 30s. My weight climbed slowly from my 30s till I had WLS, with brief dips when I did best with Weight Watchers and hypnosis. I set my goal at 135, which puts me at a B MI of 21.8. It adds 10 lbs to my weight in my late 20s, which allows for extra skin and age. I worked with a terrific trainer though out my weight loss to maintain muscle. Lynda

I got the card but I haven't used it. I just order off the kids menu if I want something. Generally, I get an appetizer if I want something smaller. Lynda

So far, so good for me in maintenance. I hope Oregon Daisy chimes in. I believe she is one who did well till after three years out. I do think a relaxation in attitude contributes to long term weight regain. For me, I'm hyper-vigilant. I weigh daily and changed my bounce range to 2 lbs. I still track my food. I do eat junk, but I limit it. We'll see how this pans out in year 3. Lynda

The biggest thing I can say is "ever vigilant" At two years out it would be so easy to gain weight. I control my snacking and choose lower calorie healthy foods most times. Check the Vets Forum and you will see we are talking about how to maintain or get back to goal after gaining a few pounds. I set a weight range for myself and when I get near the top of it: NO SNACKS! So far, that's working for me and I've maintained at goal for 15 months. I still weigh and measure my food most of the time and I weigh myself every morning when I first get up. Lynda

Yep, that's my experience too. I can eat a ton of crap but still have restriction on dense protein. I stick to max of three ounces of dense protein per meal so I have room for veggies and a little starch. I also still measure my foods. And I have to really watch the snacking and junk foods. Lynda

I used the Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% whey Protein in French vanilla, which I bought at GNC. Pre-op I also enjoyed in chocolate but after surgery I didn't care for Chocolate. One scoop of Vanilla has 120 calories, 3 grams carbs, and 24 grams protein. Lynda

Congrats! We have the same goal weight. I'm saving you a spot on the goalie's bench. Lynds

Oh I love my veggies. I eat whatever is in season. In addition, I like frozen whole green beans and frozen roasted pepper strips. Today, I used a mandoline slicer to cut a yellow crookneck sqaush, a japanese eggplant, and some maui onion. I sauteed them in a bit of olive oil, and added some chopped frozen roasted pepper and a few cherry tomatoes cut in half, and a basil cube (http://www.dorot.co.il/?CategoryID=27&ArticleID=36) right at the end. Yum! Lynda