lsereno

Glad you called your doc. If they gave you pain meds are you taking them? I was uncomfortable without my pain meds till about 8 days out. Lots of people didn't need their pain meds but I did! Lynda

I'm a month further out than you and I have to watch the Snacks and drinks now. If I'm truly hungry and sometimes I am, I have to have some Protein or I get hungry again pretty fast. Veggie Soup is good with the lowest calorie dense protein you can get. Turkey or chicken breast is perfect. I found some good sliced turkey breast at costco. I also like Tuna mixed with a little light mayo. Sometimes I drink a V-8 with a low fat cheese stick and some Special K Crackers. I also like a yogurt parfait with greek yogurt and fruit. I start with the fatfree plain greek yogurt and add Splenda and Water to get the sweetness and a lighter consistency. Then I layer it with a little Breakfast Cereal and some cut up fruit. For snacks and more head hunger I like any fruit, sugar snap peas, and cherry tomatoes. At night, sometimes I get by with hot tea and a little Splenda. Period time is the worst! I'm glad those days are behind me, but sometimes the cravings still hit me. Lynda

I agree with others that it's best to shift the focus to people instead of food, but I do go to events where I bring things home. If I want to bring home leftovers from an event, I sometimes bring something in my purse, such as a plastic bag or small plastic container. Sometimes i just wrap something in a napkin or use a paper plate with another as a cover. If I can't keep it at a safe temperature and I won't be home within 2 hours, I don't take it. Lynda

I gained 13 lbs. of fluid and took a couple of weeks to work its way out and I was good to drink 64 oz,. of water a day and walk every day. Plus, I was an emotional hot mess right after surgery and about scared my mom and hubby to death by bursting into tears after having what I thought was a fart that turned out to not be. (First rule, never trust a fart the first few months!), One day before you know it you will be sitting in your chair at goal weight, rocking your way smaller clothes and the way the dog can now easily fit in the chair with you, answering a post about how bad someone feels post op. :-) Be kind to yourself. Its a slow and hard journey, but so worth it! Lynda

Early out, I enjoyed eating from the appetizer menu or eating at family style restaurants where we ordered a lot of dishes and I could have a bite of several different things. Do remind yourself you've simply got to make it through the healing phase. You will be able to eat a more average size meal later. Yesterday for dinner I had a glass of iced tea with splenda, a slice of garlic bread, salad with blue cheese dressing, a couple of bites of loaded baked potato, and about 1 1/2 ounces each smoked chicken and ribeye steak. Now pre-op, I would have ate a lot more but this is a good sized meal that I enjoyed and I'm maintaining my weight at a fairly low BMI. Lynda

I was tired till around 4-5 months. By six months, I felt like I could whip the world! Do get your Vitamins, Protein, Water, and exercise in. I did and I'm sure it helped, but it was still quite a while longer for me than many on the list. Go easy on yourself and remember it's temporary. For me, its been well worth it. I've been at goal since March and I fell terrific! Lynda

I love doing things with the grand-kids and nieces and nephews. Yesterday, I rode my bike and nephew rode his long board and we went all over downtown San Jose. So fun! Then last night we went to the boardwalk in Santa Cruz. I rode all the rides and walked all evening without feeling exhausted. One great thing about the rides: my butt is so small I get air on the roller coaster and a lot of other rides because the restraints are loose. Lynda

I burp a lot more than I used to. I just say excuse me. It's not the end of the world. Also, I burp with my mouth shut unless i'm alone. One nice thing: I fart alot less! I think it's because I don't eat as much as I did pre-op. Who knows, but I'll take skinny and burping over fat and farting! Lynda

I am 5'6". I weighed 254 when I started and I stay right around 135 now. I do have to watch what I eat, but I enjoy Snacks, cocktails, and fattier food choices on occasion. I exercise 4-5 days per week for at least an hour, generally a brisk walk. There are plenty of people here who have lost 120 lbs. or more. Best wishes on your journey, Lynda

Portion your chips or crackers and only eat them after Protein. If you eat your protein first, there will be less room. If you start with the slider, such as chips and crackers, you will fit a lot more in before you get full. Your breakfast should have more protein. One egg is 7 grams. Mix in some lowfat protein and have a glass of fatfree milk or soy milk during the morning. For easy to eat meals, here are some of my favs: For veggies, which I have with lunch and dinner: Can of V8 if I'm too busy to eat veggies Handful of raw veggies such as snap peas, baby carrots, cherry tomatoes. I also buy romaine and clean it by cutting it at the base, rinsing and drying. I put the leaves in a baggie and then use them as needed for salads, sandwiches, and lettuce wraps. I also like zuchinni, brussel sprouts, brocolli heads, frozen green Beans, and frozen mixed vegtables. It's easy to just cook at little of them and to buy a small amount. For fruit, which I have with breakfast and as a snack: I cut up a small watermelon or cantelope Wash grapes I buy a little of pretty much whatever is in season - I love fruit. but I couldn't eat anything except melons till I was about 6 months out. At first, fruit was too acidic. For protein: Fat free plain greek yogurt made into a shake with a couple of strawbberries, some splenda, a splash of OJ and some Water. Pair with whole wheat toast or oatmeal (couldn't eat oatmeal till about 6 months out) Lowfat string cheese with lowfat lunchmeat wrapped around it. Special K Crackers. Sandwich: 1 slice whole wheat bread with lowfat mayo and honey mustard, Rotissiere chicken: I use it salads, in stir fries, and mixed into canned Soup to up the protein. Sometimes I buy the premade salad bowls and then add chicken. Ground beef: I portion up a pound putting each portion in a baggie. Then I squish the baggie flat and freeze. It thaws in 30 minutes. Pork chops: I portion them into one chop per baggie and freeze. I fry stuff in a little fry pan, tossing in some veggies at the end, or I grill it on a little countertop grill and grill veggies with the meat. I love good food and I was used to cooking small amounts for myself because my husband's tastes have always been different than mine. Lynda

Pre-surgery diets can vary wildly from doctor to doctor. One tip I found especially useful was practicing eating as I would have to following surgery. I used a clock with a second hand to pace myself. Chewing at least 30 times, waiting at least one minute between bites, and pacing my Water consumption through the day instead of gulping a few glasses in the evening to get to my required 8 glasses per day. Best wishes on your journey. It's the best thing I have ever done for my health besides quitting smoking! Lynda

I followed the Kaiser Fremont Bariatric program, which went to soft foods at two weeks, as long as your 2 week surgeon appt. went well, which mine did. I really didn't eat foods that weren't Protein dense, such as oatmeal or mashed potatoes, till much later in the process. I never stalled and have been maintaining since March, so I am quite happy with the food program I followed! Here's at typical day for me at 2 weeks past surgery: 6:00 a.m: 1 cup Water 7:30 a.m: 1/2 cup fat free plain greek yogurt mixed with splenda (12 g. protein) 8:30 a.m. 1 cup water 9:30 a.m. 1 cup water 10:30 a.m. 1 oz. lowfat cheese stick (7 g. protein) 12:00 noon: 2 oz. turkey lunchmeat (10 g. protein) 2:30 p.m: 1 cup water 4:30 p.m: 1 oz. shrimp, 1 oz. scallops ( 10 g. protein) 6:30 p.m: 1 cup water 8:30 p.m: Protein Drink with water and soymilk (27 g. protein) Best wishes on your journey, Lynda

Buy yourself a present. Do something fun for yourself that wasn't possible or as easy 31 lbs. ago. For me, I couldn't just give food up, I had to find something to replace it. I read more now because I snacked after dinner while watching TV. I use lotion and lip gloss before sitting at my computer instead of grabbing a snack. I cut up fruit and leave it in the fridge for midafternoon and late night snack attacks. And I recognize that I miss food, just like I still occasionally miss cigarettes, more than 20 years later. I tell myself it's going to be like smoking. I will miss it less and less as the years go by and it will get easier and easier. Best wishes on your journey, Lynda

I recommend adding some milk or soy milk and sticking with the higher Protein meats. Here's a menu I used early out that provides 62 grams of protein: 6 a.m.: Latte with 1 cup milk or soy milk: 8 grams (I bought myself a stovetop espresso maker so I could have lattes at home.) Breakfast: 2 oz. Ham lunch meat rolled around 1 low-fat string cheese: 18 grams Lunch: 1/4 cup Tuna mixed with light mayo: 10 grams Dinner: 2 oz. chicken breast with BBQ sauce: 18 grams After dinner Snack: 1 cup milk or soy milk with sugarfree caramel syrup: 8 grams

I exercised before surgery. I worked with a trainer 3x per week for 30 min. per session, concentrating on strength training, and I walked 2-3 times per week for 45 minutes. Following surgery, I started walking again right away but it was a few weeks before I could walk the full 45 minutes 3x per week. At six weeks, I was cleared for all exercise and I returned to strength training in addition to walking. After I dropped to merely overweight, I gave up the trainer and switched to a group weight training exercise class 3x per week. I did not stall once during the losing phase, although some weeks I only lost a few ounces. I have been maintaining since March without an issue. I'm able to eat more junk food because of the exercise, and that's great for me. I am glad to be able eat healthy foods and feel full and still have extra calories for the occasional margarita or sweet or salty snack. I do have saggy skin, but I lost more than 100 lbs and I'm 56 years old. I can see the muscle under the skin, and that does look better! Lynda

I'm with Quelyn01! I love it in a smoothie. Early out here's my recipe: 1/2 cup Fage 0 Greek Yogurt (I buy at costco or Walmart) 1/8 cup Water 1/8 cup orange juice 2 small strawberries Splenda to taste Blend and enjoy! I also like it with ranch dressing mix, but not till I was further out. Another fav way of mine is to thin the yogurt with some water, add splenda, then mix in fresh berries that have been mashed with Splenda. Yum! If I don't thin the yogurt, it is too thick for my taste. Lynda Lynda

For me, weight loss slowed as I got closer to goal. I haven't had a problem maintaining my goal weight. I do snack, but when I hit the top of my bounce range (139) I slack off on Snacks till I'm closer to my goal weight. I picked a goal weight that I would be comfortable with a 10 lb. range - up to 5 lbs over and up to 5 lbs. less. Lynda

I was tired until 4 months out. I ate right, exercised, drank my Water, and got enough sleep. Everyone is different. Even after 4 months, I still tired more easily. By around 6-8 months, I was finally back to full strength. And now, at goal weight I have a lot more energy. Amazing how dropping over 100 lbs can lighten the load on my body :-) My advice is give yourself a break and time to heal. Make it as easy on yourself as you can. Lynda

Check the 200+ to lose forum: http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/forum/39-200-pounds/ You are not alone! I had a little over 100 lbs to lose. It's been the best thing I've ever done for my health. Lynda

Two months out my tummy was still touchy, but I enjoyed watermelon and cant-elope, vanilla soy Protein drink with decaf coffee (tastes like a sweetened latte), blended vanilla soy protein with soy milk and a couple of strawberries and ice cubes. lipton diet green tea with citrus, and sleepytime tea with splenda, I was very lactose intolerant early out, so pudding was out, but I know many people enjoy it for a little something sweet. Lynda

I eat it, but it is a slider. I was probably at least three months out before I reintroduced it. I have it for a snack or at the movies, just not all the time. Also, I pop my own at home so I can control how much fat and salt are in it. Lynda

Shrimp and crab cocktail were my go to restaurant foods at first. Get the cocktail sauce on the side. If you can have beef jerkey it is a great snack. I also traveled with

I occasionally have a sip but mostly I don't because it makes me uncomfortably full once i've eaten my alloted Protein, veggies, and startch. I've heard it causes your tummy to empty too fast, but for me the issue is that I simply don't have room with meals. I can and do drink right up to the time I eat, but after I eat, I wait at least 1/2 hr. before drinking. Lynda

I really like the WW program. Other than hypnosis, it was the only successful attempt I made at losing weight pre-op. I think WW really helped me learn easy ways to track my food, which has been key to my success post-op. I also learned a lot of healthy eating habits (1/2 apple with cheese stick instead of bag of chips at snack time!), and some good tricks for dealing with emotional eating, head hunger, and snarky family and friends during the losing phase and beyond. I loved the WW meetings and also enjoyed WW online. But I could not get my hunger under control enough to get to a healthy weight with WW. I generally weigh my food because I find it easier than measuring. So hard to know what a cup of watermelon is, but very easy to figure out 140 grams of watermelon. At first, I wrote all foods down, but now that I'm at goal and several months into the rest of my life, I track in my head, just minding Protein and a general idea of calories in. Lynda

Tea and herbal infusions. Broth. Hot water with lemon and a little splenda. Hot water with sugar free caramel syrup. All these warm drinks helped me through the winter. Get yourself a lovely lotion and lip balm. When you feel like eating but you aren't truly hungry, rub the lotion on your hands and forearms and use the lip balm. Practice closing your eyes and a few deep breaths. Take time for yourself to walk if noone will walk with you. If you do give in to emotional eating, try for the healthiest, most low fat you can find. My go-tos include fruit, pretzels, and popcorn that I make myself so I can control the fat. I'm sorry you are having a tough time of it. I'll be thinking of you. Lynda