lsereno

I did a family vacation at about 3 weeks out and another at about 6 weeks out. I brought:

I agree with PDXman. I occasionally eat fast food for one or more reasons: 1. Everyone else is. In this case, I can usually find something pretty healthy. At McDonalds for breakfast I get the yogurt parfait. For lunch or dinner, I get a grilled chicken salad. 2. I'm craving something. I had a few sips of Eggnog Milkshake at Christmas time. That was enough to satisfy my craving for that treat. I gave the rest of the milkshake to another family member. I also ate the meat from a McRib sandwich for the same reason. I got the sleeve so I could learn to eat like a normal person. Normal people have treats once in a while. But fast food was never a big trigger food for me. I know my triggers and I avoid them. I love mixed nuts, candy, and certain chips. Some foods that were trigger foods make me sick, so they are easy to avoid: creamy Desserts (I'm lactose intolerant now), greasy foods (I can eat a bite or two but that's it). At six months, I could eat about 1/4 more per meal, and now, at 8.5 months, it's roughly double. For dense Protein, I've gone from 1.5 to 2 ozs tops to 3 oz. tops. For soft foods like yogurt and Soups, I've gone from 1/2 cup to 1 cup. And I now can fit in a little veg or fruit with meals. For example, at two months, I ate 1/2 cup of yogurt and 1/4 cup of fruit for breakfast. Now I can eat 1 cup of yogurt and 1 slice of whole wheat toast, well toasted. At six months, I ate 3/4 cup yogurt and 1/2 slice toast. Lynda

Hey Sterf! There are a lot of Kaiser sleevers here. My details are in my sig line. Keep us posted! Lynda

Sorry I should have mentioned that early out, I also had a Protein Drink to get in enough protein per day. So I had three little meals, and a Protein shake after dinner if I was short on protein, which I was every day till I was a couple of months out at least. So, about four weeks out, a day looked like: Breakfast: 1/2 cup fat-free plain greek yogurt, with a little splenda, 1/8 cup cantelope Lunch: 1 oz. low fat ham lunch meat, 1 Babybel light cheese, 1 saltine cracker, 1/8 cup green Beans Dinner: 1/2 cup split pea Soup, 1 oz. low fat ham lunch meat After dinner: Protein powder mixed with soy milk Lynda

I am 8/5 months out and I make an effort to always get the recommended Water, Vitamins, and Protein. I snack here and there, but mostly eat on plan: protein first, then vegetable or a little fruit, then a little starch. My hair started thinning around 3.5 months, but no one except my hairdresser has commented on it. I am expecting regrowth to start soon, based on what others have reported. One nice thing: your head will be smaller so the hair has less to cover :-) Lynda

I am 55 and I started at 254, in a size 22. Three months of pre-op diet later, I weighed 222 and was comfy in my size 18 pants. By the time I could comfortably wear jeans again, I was in a 16. Now, 8 1/2 months out, my size 8/10s are too big but I'm waiting a little to get a smaller size because new jeans are goal reward for me. I took my measurements the other day and they are 39(hips) 29, 35. At my current weight when I was younger, my hips were bigger and waist and bust was smaller. I am also 3/4" shorter than I was in my 20s. Body shapes are so different! I expect to wear a 6/8 at goal weight of 135. Lynda

I bought jeans at Target and Walmart. Workout pants too. And tops. Target has a new thing with marking jeans for a certain fit type. I'm a pear shape and will remain that way no matter how much weight I lose so I went with Fit 4. I also had good luck with the new Levis Denizan jeans. Lynda

Wow! Thanks for sharing. And great job on maintaining your loss too! Maintenance here I come! Lynda

I waited about three weeks to wear jeans. I had some nice looking workout pants and just wore those instead. My jeans fit right under by belly button and I had some swelling on my tummy and when I sat down the edge of the jeans rubbed the incisions. The scab was off, but I didn't want to irritate them anyway. Lynda

Sharon, I am very interested. I think Kaiser Fremont has an excellent bariatric program, but that don't offer these classes and I am really ready to learn more about these success habits. I'm just a few pounds from goal and for me, maintenance is the big ticket item. This year, next year, and every year after that. Thank you so much for offering to share the info you learn. I was getting more and more jealous of you and that class as I read through the thread :-) Looking forward to hearing more about how to successfully maintain. Lynda

Someone in society was the first to use the wheel to move something, the first to use fire to heat their food, the first to wrap a skin around themselves to stay warm in winter. I'm sure all the other people thought it was odd and not a good idea, but thank goodness someone forged ahead anyway! WLS has the highest success rate for permanent weight loss. You are the one that must live in your body. Do what is best for you. If others aren't supportive, do containment of the issue. My Mom was terrified before the operation and didn't look very happy right after when I was uncomfortable, only able to sip tiny drips of Water and running to the bathroom every few hours. But now, she is so glad I had the operation and I'm at a healthy weight for the first time in 20 years. Some lines I used: - My doctor and I have decided that this is the best choice for me. I have to do what I think is best for my health. - I am frightened of the risks of surgery, but I am more frightened of the risks of staying morbidly obese. - If I could have lost the weight on my own I would have. I have been trying for years. Best wishes on your journey~ Lynda

The first week I lived on unjury chicken Protein powder, Water, and greek yogurt. After I could tolerate it, about 10 days out, I drank the Gold Standard Whey Protein French vanilla flavor with soy milk and 1/2 packet of the Starbucks Via Italian Roast Decaf. I also liked Sleepy Time Tea. Lynda

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

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

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