lsereno

Thanks so much for sharing! Its really important for me to see successful maintenance stories and yours is!! Congrats on your sleeviversary! Lynda

Yes, exactly what Sharon says@ I am also really close to hitting goal and switching to maintenance and I really appreciate your story of how it is working for you. Thank you for always being there for this forum. It means a lot to me and so many others. Looking forward to hearing about your exercise escapades in 2012. For me, I hope 2012 is the year of maintenance because I hope to be at goal in the next few weeks. Lynda

My plans is for three meals per day. I eat three meals per day, plus one soy latte when I first get up and an occasional mid-afternoon or after dinner snack. On most days, I am able to get in enough Protein and calories in 3 meals per day plus latte. Lynda

Congrats Dorrie! You are right, inches will be next. I hope I get to goal let alone set a new one! Lynda

Dr. Obrien at Kaiser Fremont Bariatric Center shared an article with me at my six month appt. It had a chart showing the health benefits of exercise. Basically, once you hit overweight BMI, there is a very small health difference between that and reaching normal BMI if you are exercising. And those at normal BMI who do not exercise are actually less healthy than those at overweight BMI with a regular exercise routine. Sorry I didn't get a copy of the article. I have tried searching for it on the web, but I've been unable to find it. I will try to get a copy at my next appt. It was very enlightening and let me know that I'm basically in the vanity phase now as I try to get to a lower BMI. I am chosing a lower BMI goal for several reasons: - Vanity. I was a low BMI when I was younger and I prefer that look. - Health: I have blood pressure and joint issues and I'm hoping being at a lower BMI will mean less meds for me. -Regain: I'm scared of regain, and if I regain from a lower BMI, I will wind up at a smaller size. Who knows how that will work out, but it IS in the back of my mind. Also, when considering a final weight, I think it's important to consider your original weight and how long you carried that weight. I have read that bones get heavier under the stress of carrying more weight for a long period of time. Heavier bones can affect that way a certain weight looks on you. And if you are bigger to start with, there will be more excess skin and deflated fat cells unless it is surgically removed. Those cells and skin weigh something too. Lynda

Hi all, I have a new low for a loss this week, but at least it's a loss: .1 pound! I skipped two workouts and snacked more than one day, so I can't say I'm surprised. I have 3.3 lbs. to go to my final goal weight. I know I can get there if I buckle down. My Valentine's Goal also includes reaching the following goals: 144: This was my Christmas goal and I've lost 110 lbs. (32 pre-op and 78 post op). 9 lbs. to my final goal!!! 142: I've lost 80 lbs. post-op 140: Five lbs. to my final goal!!! 139: My number starts with 13. I haven't weighed this since the early-90s. 135: GOOOAAAL! Lynda Valentine's Day Goal: SW-144.2.............CW-138.3>.............Goal-135 Dec. 25: 144.2 Dec. 30: 142.8 Jan. 6: 142.6 Jan. 13: 141.7 Jan. 20: 138.4 Jan. 27: 138.3 Feb. 3: Feb. 10: Valentine's Day:

I'm about 8 and 1/2 months out. I get hungry, but not "I'm gonna die" hungry. I'm with little miss diva. If I haven't eaten a Protein rich meal, I will feel hungry sooner. I don't get the dizzy feeling I used to if I miss a meal, but I try to be regular in my eating habits, with Breakfast before 10, lunch by 2, and dinner before 7. Sometimes I want a snack mid-afternoon, or in the evening. I think often the evening snack is head hunger: that was a big problem for me pre-op. I just couldn't stop snacking after dinner. Now, I can usually control it with just something small, such as a little cutie tangerine, 1/4 apple, or a couple of graham crackers. If I overeat, I have a range of symptoms, depending on how much I've overeaten: First step: I am overfull, kinda like thanksgiving, but not as rewarding. I do this periodically because I'm not paying attention, eat too fast, or I really want the item I'm eating and stuff in an extra bite. I haven't done it since early out, but I tried to eat more than I was comfortable with back then and would get a serious pain in my tummy, like a cramp. Learned not to do that fast! And a couple of times I got the slimies and one time I threw up. Really quick learner on those things and has never happened again. Lynda

I used Protein shakes for quite a while until I could eat enough to get more than 60 grams of protein a day. I didn't eat mashed potatoes because there are not enough nutrients in them for my needs. I ate only a bite or two of veggies or fruit along with my protein and 1-2 Protein Shakes per day. My preferred protein shakes are the unjury chicken flavor and Gold Standard whey in French vanilla, bleneded with Soy Milk or Starbucks Via Italian Roast Decaf or sometimes both. Lynda

Welcome to the Losers Bench! There's always room for more because we're all shrinking! Glad you are feeling better and are at home. Take it slow an easy and be nice to yourself - you deserve it! Lynda

Hi Yecats, You will do great with that attitude. It seems slow, but looking back time zooms by and IT IS SO WORTH IT. I love taking my friend's exercise class now that I can keep up and not feel like I am going to keel over right in the classroom. The sleeve gave me that. And fitting in my car seat with room to spare, less pain in my knees, ankles, and feet, and really cute cheap clothes! I'm so thrilled with the way I look that I'm very happy in inexpensive jeans, tshirts, and sweaters. They all look fab if you ask me :-) Buy yourself some treats for post-op. A yummy book, a luscious lotion and lip gloss. super soft and warm socks, a pretty nightie, robe, and slippers. Think of some movies to rent and watch. Take your pain meds if you need them instead of toughing it out. These things all helped me. That and knowing that the sleeve works and I would feel just like I do today - thin, healthy, and happy! Best luck on the 4th! Lynda

I had a problem early on with soups that had potato in them. The potato didn't sit well with me, creamed or not. Other than that, I don't think it matters as long as you strain any remaining chunks out, the same as you would do for the canned cream soups, such as cream of mushroom. I like the Anderson's Split Pea soup. It has 9 grams of Protein in a cup and 130 calories. I could eat 1/2 cup at first. Lynda

Maddy- Welcome to Onderland! YOu have really rocked your sleeve and I can't wait to see your fourth goal post this year! Lynda

Wow! Talk about rockin' that sleeve! Congrats and welcome to onderland!! I love it here and I just couldn't get here without my sleeve. Lynda

For me, I am getting to goal weight and then waiting 1 year to see how much skin will reabsorb. I'll evaluate then. Lynda

The unjury chicken Protein sat better with me the first week out. I had to order it online, but it was worth it to me. I am lactose intolerant post-op, but I can tolerate greek yogurt. Have you tried it? 23 grams of protein per cup in Fage 0. I also like the taste of 8th Continent Soy Milk Original. 80 calories and 8 grams of protein per cup. Sometimes I heat it up and add a little sugar free caramel syrup. I can also tolerate firm cheeses and goat cheese, but that may be a bit advanced for your current program. I hope you are feeling better soon. Lynda

I love to travel. I use Gold Standard Pro vanilla Protein powder and mix it in my shaker cup with a packet of Starbucks Via Italian Roast Decaf. I also travel with the unjury chicken flavored protein. Once you are on solids, beef jerky is a great protein snack. I usually pack some flavor packets for Water too. Most airports I've been in lately have a Starbucks. If I need a snack in the airport, I get a soy latte or for a bigger snack, I get a yogurt cup. For car trips, I bring along my fav quick foods: 55% reduced fat Gallo Salami (that 55% is important - they make two kinds of light salami and the 95% reduced fat is nasty!), light string cheese, greek yogurt cups, and whole wheat crackers. I also throw a case of bottled water in the trunk. I also travel with remedies for constipation. If I miss a day, I'm on it. Lynda

Boy, I guess I'm the big baby of the group! I took liquid Lortab for the first week or so following surgery. I had surgery on a Tuesday and came home the following day. I started taking the Liquid Lortab Wednesday afternoon before leaving the hospital. I tried taking 2 tylenols on Saturday, but with them I felt a burning sensation in my tummy that I didn't want to deal with, so as soon as they wore off I went back to Lortab. I cut down to 1/2 dose by Tuesday and quit taking the Lortab on Thursday, 8 days after surgery. Because you will probably need less Percocet as time goes by, I think you probably won't need another refill. Especially since I took pain more pain meds than anyone else I've seen post in this forum and even I was in good shape on day 8. Lynda

About three days for me. I would not take the miralax right now unless your doctor recommended it. After I started pooping again, it was a couple of weeks before things firmed up and I got back to my one poop per day schedule. Lynda

Congrats! Enjoy that extra space - you worked hard to get it! Lynda

Foxbins, Congrats on a successful surgery. I've heard the surgeons in Costa Rica are very good. I do think you are still swollen a bit and that it will take time to get used to the new look on your face. Best wishes on a speedy recovery! Lynda

Hey Former_VBG, you are doing great too! I'm so glad this tool is around for all of us. I know what you mean about weighing yourself. It's so much more fun now :-) Can't wait to see your post about the 130s! Lynda

Congrats Lash! Happy surgiversary! Lynda

Hi all, This morning I hopped on the scale and I have less than 5 lbs. to go to goal!!!!! I wasn't sure I would ever get this close and I thought it make take up to a year to get to goal, maybe more. I am so stoked and in love with my sleeve right now that I could sing and dance down my street singing the praises of the sleeve! I am blessed that my food addiction was less than some and head hunger has not ruled my life post-op. It does get to me sometimes, but so far, so good. And it's not like I haven't worked hard to get here. I've resisted extra treats, forced myself to work out when I didn't want to, and tracked food and Water intake till I'm pretty sure I could do it in my sleep. I was not a Protein first eater pre-op, but I have stuck with it long enough now that it is a comfortable habit for me. If you have head hunger that is ruling your life post-sleeve, I really recommend counseling. Our sleeve is a tool, but for some, I think an extra tool is needed, on top of the sleeve. For example, Weight Watchers was a good tool for me, it taught me good eating habits, tricks to get head hunger under control, and how to accurately measure and track my food and exercise. But it wasn't enough of a tool for me. I needed the sleeve to help me get my hunger under control. Without the sleeve, I was always hungry. I had to eat a bigger meal to be satisfied and I got hungry faster after I ate. I finally realized I needed another tool and I got it through the sleeve. If you are not getting where you want with the sleeve, look for another tool to help you get there. Maybe it's counseling to deal with head hunger, maybe it's finding an exercise program that you actually like and can do (for me that means it has to be a scheduled, group activity!), maybe it's investing in a food scale to accurately measure your food. Whatever, you are so worth it!!!!! My wish for 2012 is to see everyone here getting healthy, happy, and heading towards or at their own goal! Lynda

Congrats Feedyoureye! Slow but sure wins the race and you are winning.! Your pics are fabulous! I agree with Coops- you are one stylish lady, at any size! Lynda

Hi all, I had a great week this week! I lost 3.3 lb.s this week and hit my last two mini-goals. My number starts with 13. I haven't weighed that since the early 90s. And I now have less than 5 lbs (3.4 lbs to be exact!) to go to my final goal weight. It was my second full week at my regular workout schedule after the holidays and I managed to get the snack monster under control. I did enjoy a bag of 94% fat free kettle corn, a Mai Tai, and an extra snack after dinner one night, but other than those extras I stuck to my three meals, Protein first. I love my sleeve!!!!!!! My Valentine's Goal also includes reaching the following goals: 144: This was my Christmas goal and I've lost 110 lbs. (32 pre-op and 78 post op). 9 lbs. to my final goal!!! 142: I've lost 80 lbs. post-op 140: Five lbs. to my final goal!!! 139: My number starts with 13. I haven't weighed this since the early-90s. 135: GOOOAAAL! Lynda Valentine's Day Goal: SW-144.2.............CW-138.4..............Goal-135 Dec. 25: 144.2 Dec. 30: 142.8 Jan. 6: 142.6 Jan. 13: 141.7 Jan. 20: 138.4 Jan. 27: Feb. 3: Feb. 10: Valentine's Day: