lsereno

I'm 55. For me, I knew I couldn't keep the weight off without surgery. And I was simply unable to get under 200 lbs no matter what I did, which included a gym membership, personal trainer, Weight Watcher meetings and Weight Watchers online, hypnosis, and Alii diet pills. I was scared of surgical and post-op complications. They do happen! But I am a measurer: I measured the risks I was taking my being overweight and the restrictions it was causing me and found that surgery looked less risky and less likely to cause permanent restrictions. I am very happy with my choice. I can see that as time goes by it is going to be my choices that make me successful. At 9.5 months, I could easily eat enough to gain weight if I made the wrong choices. But I don't have the gnawing hunger i had pre-op. It is much easier to resist the treats and to eat a nutritious meal and feel satisfied. Lynda

Hi all, Cscake: Thank you for sharing your story. It's so important for us to realize the risks and be vigilant about our health. I'm so glad that the boys are doing well and that you are too. Back to the original topic: I do love looking in a mirror now and it's really been an important tool for me. When I look down at myself, I don't see the weight loss like I do when I look in a mirror. Those three way mirrors at the clothing stores have given me a new perspective on my current dimensions. I look at me from all angles: sitting up straight and slumping, standing up straight and slumping, bending over, doing exercise and fashion poses, in heels and flats, in pants and dresses, even - gulp - neckid! Sometimes I look in the mirror, pull up my extra tummy skin and dream what it might look like if it reabsorbs (I don't have enough to get a tummy tuck but my navel is a frownie face now!), Same thing with that droopy skin under my chin and besides my mouth (hey, I'm 55 - some sag is expected!). I bend over and observe my extra skin droop down then stand up and see it hide out. Just today I shook my arms and looked at that from all angles. End result: you will not see me shaking my arms in public any time soon! I am constantly amazed that I am looking at myself in that mirror. It does feel SO GOOD!! Lynda

I get in at least 65 a day and it was probably around 4-5 months out before I could do so without a shake or Protein supplement. I eat greek yogurt for Breakfast every day and that really helps. I still need a protein shake sometimes when I'm traveling. here's a typical day for me at 9.5 months: Wake up and have a soy latte (8-9 grams of protein, depending on the soy milk I use) Breakfast: Cup of non-fat Fage plain greek yogurt, 1 slice whole wheat toast, 1/3 cup fruit (23 grams protein for the yogurt, 3-4 grams for the toast) lunch and Dinner: 3 oz. of solid protein and some vegetables. A little starch if I have room. (15-22 grams of protein depeding on whether I eat lunch meat, light cheese, chicken breast, shellfish, etc) Favorite protein snacks: light cheese, beef Jerky, light salami, soy milk in a latte or sweetened with sugar free syrup. Lynda

Congrats and Happy Sleevisversary! You look fabulous darlin'! And so what about the naysayers: they are out there. I don't let it worry me. I know what it takes to succeed and for me it has included being accountable for what I eat and drink and getting off my butt even though exercise is so not my favorite thing. Enjoy your success - you earned it the hard way! Lynda

I dye my hair every 4-6 weeks. I'm 55 and loaded with grey, not that cute brown/blonde in my pic anymore without a lot of help! My hair has thinned at the same rate since month 4 and is just now coming back at 9/5 months. I've got little fuzzies all over and when my hair is clean it is so puffy at the roots cuz of those short hairs in there. Lynda

Congrats Wishes! You have really rocked your sleeve and you look great! I agree that following your plan and tracking is so important to success. Lynda

I am 9.5 months out and I have found a lot of sliders and calorie-laden drinks. Pretty much any junk food feels like a slider to me because they are so calorie dense. Popcorn is the one I have eaten the most of. Lynda

Julia: Congrats and Welcome to Onderland!!!! Lynda

Hi all, I don't know what to say about this week except Yippee!! I expected to post a gain because I have been traveling all week and I haven't exercised and I have had extra treats and drinks on many days. And yet, I'm down 1.2 lbs. this week. Just 1.4 lbs. to goal!! Lynda SW-139.3.....CW-136.4.....GW-135!!! Feb. 10: 139.3 Feb. 17: 138.3 Feb. 24: 137.6 March 2: 136.4 March 9: March 16: March 23: March 30: April 6: Easter:

My opinion: Vacation is the perfect time to enjoy treats I don't have at home. It sets a good boundary for me. Sometimes I don't eat the whole thing, but I enjoy the bites I have. I do have foods I really have to watch because I just will eat way too much of them, but if I'm out, it's generally only available in a set amount and I am able to stop there and not eat it till the package is gone like I might do at home. Lynda

Yecats, You are going to do great! I had a hard time saying my new lower weight correctly and writing it correctly when I was losing fast because it's so mind boggling. I still get a little confused sometimes. Can't wait to see your Onderland post in the success stories section! Lynda

Happy surgiversary! You look amazing and your hair looks so lovely and thick! I'm jealous! Mine is so thin and just starting to grow back in little wispy tufts that stick up like chicken hair. Lynda

Happy surgiversary Heather -great way to celebrate! I can't wait to read your success story about the marathon. You go princess! Lynda

Happy sleeviversary Swizzly! Congrats on a normal BMI and a normal life. Lynda

6 months for me. I waited till I was approved for drinking at my 6 month appt. I'm OK'd for 1-2 drinks 1-2 times per week. Lynda

Kaiser Fremont guidelines are at least six months. I was OK'd for a couple of drinks a week at my six month appt. I drink one to two drinks once or twice a week now. I do recommend waiting till you are close to goal or at goal because they are empty calories. I had about 15 lbs. to goal in late November when I started drinking again. I used to drink 2-3 drinks 1-2 times per week before I started the pre-op plan so I drink 1 drink less now to get the same buzz. Lynda

Hi all, Yeah me! I'm at a new low: 137.6: Just a little over 2.5 lbs. to goal. I'll be traveling again this week so I hope I stay down at this weight. Lynda SW-139.3.....CW-137.6.....GW-135!!! Feb. 10: 139.3 Feb. 17: 138.3 Feb. 24: 137.6 March 2: March 9: March 16: March 23: March 30: April 6: Easter:

Kaiser Fremont plan has a ton of supplements, which I am dutifully taking. Better safe than sorry is my motto. I take: Calcium: 3 pills, twice per day Vitamin D: once per day Vitamin B: once per day Multi: twice per day B12 sublingual: twice per week Iron: Haven't been taking, but it's on our list. If I get to feeling tired, I take it for a while then slack off. Lynda

Congrats! Size 10 looks great on you! Lynda

I had hernia repair and I got the refill on my pain med and used part of it. Everyone is different. I felt like a wimp after seeing so many people say they didn't need pain meds or only used a day or two, but in the big picture it's such a little thing on the road to recovery. Your comfort is what's important. So what if others didn't need it. Taking pain meds a few more days than most has not affected my success or healing at all. At nine months out I'm nearly at my personal goal and I've had a normal BMI since before 6 months out. I can eat just about anything I want too (as far as spicy, sweet, etc.) Lynda

Agree with the cabinet sweep and the exercise advice. Just walk around the block even. Set out your exercise clothes and shoes the night before. Get out of bed and put them on and do something. And I like to buy myself something nice as a treat to replace the thing I am not doing. A nice lip gloss, hand lotion, candle, or trashy magazine all lift my mood and make it easier to say no to other stuff. Maybe a new sugar free syrup or new potted plant. Buy a hobby item to work on in the evenings. I like to work on my computer, read, do crossword puzzles. Anything but watch TV which is my prime snack time! And I also agree you haven't failed. You asked for help-you are a SUCCESS STORY in the making!! Lynda

HI Irene, I am thinking of you. This community is here waiting for you. Take care of yourself. Remember my favorite saying: "Would I do/say/expect that of someone else? Then don't be so hard on me!" Love and well-wishes, Lynda