lsereno

Thanks! I hit 3 moths on August 17. Maybe I'll Celebrate my three-month surgiversary by trying a little cottage cheese. Lynda

Welcome Wannabethin! No time to start like the present Lynda

Onderland: Congrats!!!!! I'm so proud of you and all of us who have made the effort to take back our health and our lives. Your success brought a smile to my face! Lynda

Hey! Where is everyone? Here's my info for today: August 2, Tuesday: 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: 1 oz. pastrami, 1 oz. fat free jalapeno cheese, 5 whole wheat crackers, 2 baby carrots, 2 cherry tomatoes: 13 grams protein, 130 calories Planned Dinner: 2 oz.pork rib meat 1/4 cup mixed veg.: 14 grams protein, 155 calories Planned Late Snack: 1 scoop French Vanilla Gold Standard Whey Protein, 1/2 C. Starbucks Via Decaf Italian Roast, 1/2 C. plain soy milk: 27 grams protein, 155 calories Planned Protein, 69 grams, Planned Calories: 555, Water: On cup 6 Vitamins: Forgot my lunchtime calcium today Exercise: Walked fast for 45 minutes, cleaned the garage for 1/2 hour

Hi all, After surgery, I am lactose intolerant. I can have yogurt and hard cheeses, but soft cheese, milk, cottage cheese, and things with milk added, such as Fudgesicles all make me sick. I get gas followed by diarrhea. I have read some people were only temporarily lactose intolerant. Please chime in if you can now enjoy dairy again. I'm sick of soy milk and I really would love to have a pudding cup or a fudgesicle once in a while. And I miss cottage cheese too. Thanks, Lynda

The first few days are the worst. Try drinking some hot Water or a soothing tea, such as Celestial Seasonings Sleepy Time. Do go to bed early. Getting enough sleep will help. Buy yourself some nice lotion and lip gloss. Instead of snacking, put on your lotion and lip gloss. Look over the list of allowed foods and try to select the ones you will find most filling. It's so worth it but it is hard at first. I remember how hungry I was when I started my pre-op diet, but after a while (I was on it for 3 months!) I was satisfied with it. You'll be on the loser's bench before you know it! I thought I would never get there and now, here I am, almost three months out, forcing myself to eat because I'm rarely hungry. Lynda

Thanks for the info on fitday. I will check it out. Today I stepped on the scale and was greeted with 184.9!!! I am officially merely overweight, not obese!! The first time since the 1990s. Thank you sleeve!! We went to the movies today and I was able to resist popcorn. It smelled good, but I was full from my protein drink and hubby didn't want popcorn so I wasn't going to by a bag for the bite or two I might eat. On Sunday, I feel asleep AGAIN before drinking my evening protein shake and taking my evening pills. No more laying down in bed to watch TV after dinner. And I have to eat dinner earlier so I have enough room to get the shake in before I am pooped. So total calories and protein for Sunday was Protein, 36 grams, Calories: 425. August 1, Monday: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: 1 scoop French Vanilla Gold Standard Whey Protein, 1/2 C. Starbucks Via Decaf Italian Roast, 1/2 C. plain soy milk: 27 grams protein, 155 calories Dinner: 2 oz.ground beef mixed with 1/4 cup mixed veg.: 14 grams protein, 155 calories Planned Late Snack: 2 oz. ham, 1/2 C. melon: 10 grams protein, 70 calories Planned Protein, 66 grams, Planned Calories: 610, Water: On cup 6 Vitamins: Took my lunchtime calcium today! Exercise: Did 1/2 hour taped sit and be fit before lunch today

My advice? Whatever you get to soothe your bottom for bowel prep - save the rest because it's very common to have diarrhea for the first couple of weeks. I did. Hello Charmin Freshmates and Prep H ointment! Whatever: it's definitely worth it! I hit Overweight on the BMI scale today! I haven't seen that since the 1990s. Lynda

Hi all, Today I stepped on the scale and was greeted with 184.9!!! I am officially overweight, not obese! I have not been merely overweight since the 1990s. I still can't believe it is true!! I'm on track to lose another 10% of my body weight by the end of month three post-surgery ( I lost 10% of my body weight in the first month post-op). I can't wait for my energy to be back to normal. I'm hoping that happens in the next few weeks around my three-month surgiversary. I've hit a number of little goals in my time following surgery: Lost 10% of my total body weight: A little over 1 month out In Onderland: 6/24 First number starts with 18: 7/22 Overweight BMI: Today!, 8/1!! Lynda

Lila, Thanks for adding our calorie info! It helps me plan for what will work in a few more months when I can eat more. Are you using a tool to get the carbohydrates or just adding them up from the package nutritional data? I should add fat and carbs to my tracking too. Lynda

Congrats! You are rockin those jeans! And only a few days into the 30 day challenge! Lynda

Kelly, Congratulations! I'm a few days behind the Red Velveters: I'll be at 3 months on the 17th. Your numbers are amazing! Would you mind sharing what a typical day of food and exercise looks like for you? Thanks, Lynda

Hi all, Well we went to casino yesterday and I had bad stuff for dinner and couldn't face drinking my Protein drink after I got home at midnight.On Friday I missed my protein drink and nighttime Vitamins because I was super tired and fell asleep at 8 p.m. so actual calories and protein for Friday were 43 grams protein and 445 calories. I feel pretty drug out today, but I am on track with food and vitamins and catching up on the Water. July 31, 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: 1 oz. lunch meat, 1 oz. baby bel lite cheese, 1/4 avocado, 5 whole wheat crackers 11 grams protein, 185 calories Planned Dinner: 2 oz. steelhead trout, 1/4 cup mixed veg.: 14 grams protein, 125 calories Planned Snack: 1 scoop French Vanilla Gold Standard Whey Protein, 1/2 C. Starbucks Via Decaf Italian Roast, 1/2 C. plain soy milk: 27 grams protein, 155 calories Planned Protein, 67 grams, Planned Calories: 585, Water: Need to step it up- only downed 3 so far. Vitamins: Took my lunchtime calcium today! Exercise: Planning to do 1/2 hour taped sit and be fit after lunch today. July 30, Saturday: 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 caloriesLunch: 2 oz. lunch meat 10 grams protein, 50 calories Dinner: 1/2 oz. chicken wing meat,cheese and sour cream from potato skin, 1/2 fried zuchini stick, 1/2 onion ring inside and 2 bites fried outside, inside of a pork pot sticker: 5 grams protein, 200 calories (guestimate) Snack: Decaf Soy Latte, saltine cracker, 1 t. peanut butter:7 grams protein, 150 calories Protein, 37 grams, Calories: 515, Water: Got it all in. Vitamins: Missed lunchtime calcium Exercise: None today unless you count walking around the casino for 5 hours :-)

For me, at 2.5 months out, I am still tired a lot so no increased energy yet But I can bend over easily now. I used to have enough belly fat it totally got in my way. And I fit in all chairs and booths now too! Lynda

Congrats on your three month surgiversary! I'm so happy that your hubby is joining you on the losers' bench! Lynda

Hi all, Yahoo! I lost 3 lbs. this week, so my goal is looking pretty solid. I'm hoping to blow it out of the Water and get to 180 by August 17th. That means I will have lost 10% of my body weight in the first month following surgery and 10% more in months 2-3. I'm at 186.3 today. Only 9 0z. to my next mini goal: I'll be Overweight, not Obese!!! I'm following Little Miss Diva's 30 day challenge over in the General VSG Support thread. It's helped me stay away from the snackies! Lynda Labor Day Goal: SW-197...............CW-189.5...............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: August 12: August 19: August 26: Sept 2: Labor Day!:

Hi all, I missed posting yesterday, but I'm on track! July 29, Friday:Weighed in this morning at 186.3!! 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: 1.5 oz. chicken, chopped with 1 T. lite mayo and 1 T. honey mustard, 1/2 C melon: 10 grams protein, 140 calories Planned Dinner: 2 oz. meat, 1/4 c. vegetables : 14 grams protein, 165 calories Planned Snack: 1 scoop French vanilla Gold Standard whey Protein, 1/2 C. Starbucks Via Decaf Italian Roast, 1/2 C. plain soy milk: 27 grams protein, 155 calories Planned Protein, 66 grams, Planned Calories: 575, Water: On cup 4. Need to step it up a bit. Vitamins: I forgot my Calcium at lunchtime today. Exercise: My trainer was sick today so I need to work out one day this weekend. I am planning to clean the garage and count that as a workout! July 28, Thursday:Went to the outdoor movies last night. I followed my plan to take my dinner for a snack but I didn't have my evening Protein Drink until I got home around 11 p.m. I didn't want it but I drank it anyway to get to my protein goal. I did pretty good staying on plan but I had one bite of an apple fritter that hubby was eating and 1/2 cup microwave popcorn. So calories for Wednesday were 663.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: 1 oz. low fat salami, 1 oz. low fat string cheese, 3 grape tomatoes: 15 grams protein, 140 calories Dinner: 1.5 oz. taco meat (carne asada and al pastor) : 10 grams protein, 110 calories Snack: 1 scoop French Vanilla Gold Standard Whey Protein, 1/2 C. Starbucks Via Decaf Italian Roast, 1/2 C. plain soy milk: 27 grams protein, 155 calories Protein, 67 grams, Calories: 520, Water: 64 oz. Vitamins: Took my calcium at lunchtime today. Just because I don't want to doesn't mean I can't do it! Took an Iron pill before bed.Exercise: 45 minutes fast walk with walking group this morning.

What everyone else said!! The last cookie I ate was so stale my husband was like "Didn't you throw those Cookies out?" It was a sad day for me in a way when I found I could eat a lot of my fav junk foods such as chips, crackers, and sweets. Only kinda sad because I think I would have been even sadder thinking they were gone forever. Now I know I may have to fight to control them, but I will be able to enjoy them in moderation when I'm at goal or for a special occasion. And I deserve better than a stale cookie or something a thin person wouldn't dream of eating!! Little Miss Diva started a 30 day challenge in the General VSG Support thread. Check it out! It's a great way to get back on track or stay there. Lynda

Thank you and congrats to you too! I saw your post under success about getting to overweight BMI. I agree those BMI charts can be so full of it, but you rocked it anyway! And I know what you mean about those cravings. But I have a goal - get away from me cookies!! Hope you are feeling better soon. It sounds like you got the infamous summer cold. Lynda Hey Lynda, great job!!! Today is DAY 4 and we have 26 DAYS LEFT!!! If you have gotten through the cravings by now you really should be good to go for the remainder of the days. My day 2 was sooo terrible, however I'm not having much cravings at all now. Thank goodness!!! For me today I'm sick I have a sore throat, a bad cough and a fever.

Hi, I'm post-menopausal and somewhat of a lightweight too. My surgery date BMI was 35.8. I have lost 10% of my body weight in the first month followiing surgery and I am on track to lose another 10% by the end of month 3. I'm happy with my weight loss. I have seen others losing a lot more, but I'm not sure of their BMI. And I've seen some people losing less. For me the surgery is a huge success. I already feel so much better and I'm thrilled to be in regular sizes and shrinking at a pretty good clip. Lynda

Congrats! I know how hard you've been working on this! Can't wait to see what the next 27 days of the challenge bring! Lynda

Wow Laura, you are rockin that sleeve! Enjoy your vacation - you've earned it! We are really close in surgery dates and weights. My surgery was 5/17 and my surgery weight was 222. I'm currently 186.7. I hope to catch you in the 170s soon! One goal I've set for myself is to to lose 10% of my body weight in months 2-3 post-surgery. I lost 10% in the first month (From 222 to 200) and now I need to get to 180 by August 17 to reach my next goal. You've inspired me! Lynda

Hi all, How is everyone doing? Please post even if you are not meeting your daily goals. Tracking what you eat is the number one habit of successful weight loss maintainers! I still have a hard time with chicken so I ate a little less than planned last night. And I had one graham cracker with 1 t. peanut butter. So my actual protein and calories for Tuesday were 68 grams of protein and 583 calories. Today I hopped on the scale and was greeted with 186. 7!! I don't log my weight till Friday, but if I lose a little more between now and then I might actually make my goal of losing 10% of my body weight in months 2-3 post surgery. I'm going to the outdoor movies tonight. I will take my dinner for a snack and have my evening protein drink at dinner time. And I'll have an extra snack of some watermelon and a few whole wheat crackers. I was low on yogurt so I had to improvise on my morning smoothie today. Wasn't nearly as good! July 27, Wednesday: Breakfast: Yogurt Smoothie (1/3 C. Fage 0 Plain Yogurt, 1/2 scoop Unjury Unflavored Protein Powder, 1/8 C. OJ, 1/4 C. water, 2 strawberries, Splenda): 17 grams protein, 118 calories Planned Lunch: 1 oz. low fat salami, 1 oz. low fat string cheese, 3 grape tomatoes: 15 grams protein, 140 calories Planned Snack: 1 scoop French Vanilla Gold Standard Whey Protein, 1/2 C. Starbucks Via Decaf Italian Roast, 1/2 C. plain soy milk: 27 grams protein, 155 calories Planned Late Dinner: 1 oz. low fat salami, 1 oz. low fat string cheese, 5 grape tomatoes: 15 grams protein, 140 calories Planned Late Night Snack: 1/2 C. Watermelon, 5 whole grain crackers: 60 calories Planned Protein, 69 grams, Planned Calories: 613, Water: On track - 3 down, 5 to go. Vitamins: I will take my calcium at lunchtime today. Just because I don't want to doesn't mean I can't do it! Exercise: 30 minutes with the trainer

Riding in the car bothers me now and it never did before, but I am only 10 weeks out. Pre-surgery, I never suffered from motion sickness of any kind. I'm not sure that will be true now. Lynda

Happy birthday! I think others are right and you will be able to eat a little more later on down the road. Everyone heals at their own pace. I already can eat a bite of just about anything, as long as it's not in the morning. food and me are not friends till lunch time. So that allows me to feel pretty normal. Like you, I love eating out and all that goes with that. The San Francisco Bay Area is very food-focused. I eat out a lot. I order an appetizer, or share a main dish with someone else. Only thing I am missing right now is alcohol. But I am willing to wait. Lynda