lsereno

Congrats! Welcome to the land of the merely overweight. It feels so good!!! And you've got less than 25 lbs. to goal - lucky you!! Lynda

I stopped mine at 6 weeks, per doctors orders. Kaiser Fremont guidelines are twice a day for the first six weeks and then only as needed. I haven't had issues with acid yet. I didn't have acid issues before the surgery either. I have eaten spicy foods, such as Chili, salsa, jalapenos, and hot sauce without a problem. Of course, I haven't had much of any of them because I still can't eat more than 1/2 cup at a time. Lynda

I'd call the Dr. or nutritionist - you might be lactose intolerant following surgery. I am. There are varying levels. I can tolerate whey Protein, yogurt, and hard cheeses, but not milk or cottage cheese. I switched to soy milk in my Protein drinks and felt better. I still had diarrhea the first couple of weeks, but I had less gas and I went poo less often. Lynda

I feel your pain. I'm very honest about my surgery too. And I've seen the look. And, to be honest with myself and others, I struggle with the fact that I could not control my eating. I am still working on accepting that. food was an uncontrollable addiction for me. As a society, I think we have a hard time understanding addiction. The drug addict, the smoker, the compulsive gambler - all related to me: the eater. And people assume addiction equals weakness. One of my friends who doesn't have any of the traditional addictive behaviors was horrified that another friend of ours continues to smoke after a cancer diagnosis. I'm not surprised though, and I tried to help her understand why our friend might find it even harder to quit smoking now. I am grateful there is a surgical option to help me control my weight. I wish there was a similar option for the other addictions that people suffer with. I ignore that look when I see it in someone's eyes, unless I care about then. I feel it is not worth my time or effort to enlighten them. They have to live with their stifled view of life and their hardhearted approach to others. I simply move on and do the best I can for myself. I know why I chose to have this surgery. It offers the best odds for beating obesity. And it's not a guarantee. For people I love who have issues, I do spend the time trying to help them understand. Just like I spent time helping my friend understand why our mutual friend can't quit smoking. Lynda

My surgery was on a Tuesday. I had my first BM on Thursday afternoon and it was diarrhea from there for the next two weeks. I developed lactose intolerance after surgery, which initially contributed to the problem, but I realized that by Friday afternoon (with the help of the nurse in my Drs. office) and eliminated dairy products. Do not trust a fart during this stage! I had an unfortunate incident with that on Thursday evening, and had to hop up, shower, and change the bedding. What a mess! And I burst out crying when it happened, which scared my poor hubby and mom. Gotta say, at three months out I so do not miss the early days!! But it is so worth it - I feel so much better and I am so much happier at my new, lower weight. Just make yourself as comfortable as you can and know that it will pass. Lynda

In the first couple of months, once I ate something that irritated my sleeve, I had to be extra careful the next day or so. I just went back to my more bland, mushie diet for a day and that worked for me. I spring back faster now from mistakes and generally have to be careful just on the next meal - not for a whole day. For example, about 6 weeks out, I got sick from something I ate at dinner. So that night, I had unjury chicken Protein, which is the easiest for me to digest. The next day, I had greek yogurt for Breakfast and lunch, and soymilk/protein drink in the evening. Last week, I ate to fast and felt sick after. So for dinner, I had Anderson split pea Soup, which I know is easy on my tummy. I skipped my Protein Drink that evening and by the next morning, I was back to my regular eating routine. Lynda

The

Hi all, I lost 2.2 lbs. this week. I missed my mini-goal of getting to 180 by August 17th, but I'm well on my way to hitting my Labor Day goal, and if all goes well this week, I will be at 180 1 week late. My calories have been acceptable this week, but protein is low. I've been eating out a lot and missing a few meals here and there. Lynda Labor Day Goal: SW-197...............CW-183.6...............Labor Day goal-179 July 4: 197 July 8: 193.7 July 15: 191.6 July 22: 189.5 July 29: 186.3 August 5: 183.6 August 12: 182.9 August 19: 180.7 August 26: Sept 2: Labor Day!:

Yes, it is. I've read other complaints about being cold on these boards. My gas bill doubled the month after surgery between running heater and using my gas fireplace to take the chill off. And three months later, I still am colder than anyone else I hang around with. I think it's the rapid weight loss. Lynda

Thank you for sharing your successes and struggles with us Irene. You have inspired and comforted me so many times. Congratulations on reaching your goals and best wishes for a safe surgery and speedy recovery. You are already gorgeous - you are going to have to beat the boys off with a stick! Lynda

You look great! Thanks for sharing your success - it helps me to stay motivated when I see it really does work. Hope you had a great day in your rockin' outfit. Sometimes hubbies do know best :-) Lynda

Wow-your calories and carbs look good to me and you are doing everything you are supposed to: tracking, exercising, keeping a healthy calorie and carb count. Everyone loses at their own pace. Every ounce is an ounce towards a healthier you! Lynda

Haha. My license has been renewed so many times that I actually finally weigh about what it says on my license: 180. Which was a lie: I'm sure I actually weighted around 200. But you can bet I never once heard anyone say "Man you have gained weight since you got that license"!! Lynda

I have Kaiser for individual plan. I paid around 2K out of pocket. I have the second from the best level of coverage available to individuals. Lynda

Hi Rootman, We're hitting a lot of the same benchmarks at the same time. Feels great just being overweight doesn't it? And I just checked with my Dr. yesterday after getting a couple of blood pressure readings like yours. His nurse said those numbers are nothing to worry about, but I am hoping when I see him I get off my last couple of blood pressure meds. Currently I'm taking 1/2 cozar and 1 atenol. That's already down from the 1 cozar, 1 atenol, a low dose aspirin and diuretic that I took pre-op. Of course, I agree with others: check with your Dr. We don't want them getting lonely just because we are getting healthier by the day! Lynda

Are you tracking your food? If not, try it. It really helps me. To see what I've been eating and doing for exercise the last few weeks, check out: http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/21563-30-day-challenge-get-ready-to-kick-some-butt-here/ Lately, I'm the only one posting in the challenge thread, so you can easily see each day. Last week, I lost less than 1 lb, but most weeks I lose a little more than 2 lbs. Lynda

Hah! No snacking today. Yahoo! Now, if I could just get the lunchtime calcium in every day. And I'm probably more motivated than most: my paternal grandmother suffered terribly from osteoporosis. August 15, Monday: Breakfast: 3/4 C. Fage 0 Plain Yogurt, Splenda, 5 cherries: 15grams Protein, 115 calories Lunch: 2 oz. crabmeat, 1 T. cocktail sauce, ¼ slice bread, 1/8C. Clam Chowder: 10 grams protein, 150 calories Dinner2 oz. pork, 5 whole wheat crackers : 14 grams protein, 200calories Late Snack1 scoop unjury chicken Protein in 12 oz. water: 20grams protein, 90 calories Protein, 59 grams, Calories: 555, Water: 64 oz. Vitamins: Missed my lunchtime calcium Exercise: 30 minutes strength training

Lactose intolerance varies. I developed it after surgery, but I can tolerate Whey-based Protein drinks, yogurt, and semi-hard cheeses, such as light string cheese and the lite babybel cheese. At first, I did better with the

Hi all, I'd love to hear from others on this challenge. Overall, I'm doing pretty good, but today I had a little slice of cake ( 4-45 small bites). For the most part, I am full after eating my required Protein, but sometimes I do sneak in a treat. My other problem is remembering my lunchtime calcium. Lynda August 14, Sunday: Breakfast: Yogurt Smoothie (3/4 C. Fage 0 Plain Yogurt, 1/8 C.OJ, 1/4 C. Water, 2 strawberries, Splenda): 15 grams protein, 115 calories Lunch: low fat cheesestick, 1/2 oz. low fat salami, ¼ c. cubedmelon: 12 grams protein, 110 calories Dinner: 2 oz. pork, 1/8 C. green Beans with butter, 1/8 C. MashedPotatoes : 14 grams protein, 200 calories Late Snack: I small piece pineapple upside down cake:0 grams protein, 100calories Planned Late Late Snack: 1 scoop

I am a little over month behind you (5/17). I have a sweet Protein drink after dinner every evening. Sure, I would rather have something sweet with no nutrition but the good news is the Protein Drink gets me up to my daily protein goal (65+) and after I have it, I don't want any other sweets. I switch it up a bit, adding coffee or cinnamon to the French vanilla flavor or sugar free choco syrup to the chocolate flavor. If that works for you, Eggface has a ton of tasty-sounding Protein drinks too: http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/ Lynda

I'm on Kaiser Fremont's Vitamin regime which you can view or download here: http://www.permanente.net/homepage/kaiser/pdf/63279.pdf Lynda

Hi, I agree with what the others have said. For me, walking helped the gas. It didn't eliminate it, but it did help. And I was lactose intolerant. I switched to soy milk and for the first couple of weeks I used the

Lolli, I agree with Foxbins. I'd start with your bariatric program. If you can't get in to see them, see your primary care doctor. 200 calories a day is way to low. I'm thinking of you, Lynda

12 more days to go! I fell off the wagon today with a bite of chocolate cake. It's so hard to resist the treats hubby brings home. One saving grace: one bite is really enough. I don't want to eat more than that. I hope that lasts, but we'll see. Hit the face to face support group tonight. August 12, Friday: Breakfast: Yogurt Smoothie (3/4 C. Fage 0 Plain Yogurt, 1/8 C.OJ, 1/4 C. Water, 2 strawberries, Splenda): 15 grams Protein, 115 calories Dinner2 oz. ground beef, 1/8 C. mixed veg, 1 t. oil : 14 gramsprotein, 185 calories Dinner: 2 oz.pork rib meat, ¼ C. mixed fruit, .: 14 gramsprotein, 165 calories After dinner Snack: 1 small bite chocolate cake: 50 calories Late Snack: 1 scoop French Vanilla Gold Standard WheyProtein, 1/2 C. Starbucks Via Decaf Italian Roast, 1/2 C. plain soy milk: 27grams protein, 155 calories Protein, 70 grams, Calories: 670, Water: 64 oz. Vitamins: Missed my lunchtime calcium Exercise: 40 minutes withthe trainer.

Hi all, I lost .7 lbs. this week. I think it's the least I've lost in a week except for the notorious stall at 3 weeks. But it's a loss and I'll take it! It looks like I won't hit my mini-goal of getting to 180 by August 17th, but you never know! I have my 3 month check-up on the 17th. Lynda Labor Day Goal: SW-197...............CW-183.6...............Labor Day goal-179 July 4: 197 July 8: 193.7 July 15: 191.6 July 22: 189.5 July 29: 186.3 August 5: 183.6 August 12: 182.9 August 19: August 26: Sept 2: Labor Day!: