lsereno

I had a couple of dents in my tummy post-op, but they are long gone. I think they were gone by 6 months. Lynda

That's a great day, NuLife! Takes me back a couple of years! Lynda

My kitchen scale is my best kitchen buddy: I weigh most foods even now, over two years out. It ensures I'm getting enough Protein and stops portion creep. Lynda

I agree with another poster that you will find better support for your issues with a surgery forum for plication instead of the sleeve because most of us are unfamiliar with how that surgery works and issues around it. I'm sorry you are struggling. I hope Laura-Ven is on the right track and that capacity is larger at the beginning for this type of surgery, but winds up being the same down the road. Lynda

Thank you for sharing. My heart goes out to you. I hope you succeed in whichever path you choose. Lynda

Weight this morning: 136. Maintenance mode B: Soy Latte then about an hour later: 2 oz. 98% fat free ham, 1 slice WW bread, 100 grams fresh mango L: 2 oz. fresh spinach, 4 slices turkey bacon, 2 T. sliced almonds, dressing of 1 1/2 Tbsp honey mustard, 1 tsp olive oil, and water, 1 slice WW bread S: 1 cup watermelon cubes D: 3 oz. shrimp cooked in 1 tsp olive oil, with 1 oz. spinach, 1/3 cup cherry tomatoes, 1/4 cup cooked pasta with sauce S: 1 c. greek yogurt with sugarfree cheesecake pudding mix topped with 1/3 c. blueberries

Short term: Return to strength training class 2 days per week. Find a way to make it work with arthritis. Go on a hike, not a walk. A group hike. Long term: Stay healthy, fit, and strong into my 70s (less than 14 years away) As you can see, I'm not much of an exercise person, but I do it anyway because I want to stay fit and healthy. Lynda

I do burp lots more than I used to. Everyone in my family has commented. Thank goodness they are small burps. I do not burp or hiccup when full like some do. I burp later, sometimes hours later. Lynda

Any kind of firm Protein does the trick for me. Also, now that I'm further out, I find if I don't get enough calories in earlier in the day after the full feeling from dinner leaves I just stay hungry until I go to bed. I've taken to adding oil or cheese to lunch and dinner. Only need a little to do the trick. Lynda

I was never in the "I'll ever diet again camp". I was naturally thin into my early 30s, but I did watch what I ate. I cut back when the pants got too tight. And my naturally thin friends pace themselves. Sure, they eat crap occasionally. Occasionally is the operative word. I've been in maintenance for 16 months. Yes, it's tiring to limit treats and somedays it's just much harder than others. But it's way easier than being more than 100 lbs over a healthy weight. I worry that I will gain weight back. I think about food a lot. But I'm at goal and I'm pushing for 18 moths at goal, then two years at goal, etc. and I worry about transfer addiction, so I have a limit of 1-2 cocktails 1-2 times per week. That is working for me. For me the hardest thing has been finding the balance of how much I can eat and still stay at goal. That still looks a bit like a teeter totter for me, up a little, down a little, repeat. I reset my bounce range to 133-137 to deal with that. I haven't went below 134 . I am doing a good job of staying between 135 and 136. But it's not because I'm not thinking about it. My hope is that as the years go by it will come a little more naturally. Just like the craving for cigarettes slowly eased off as time went by. Lynda

OK. And I'd love to meet up with any other Bay Area VSG peeps. See you at 6:30 there. Lynda

It was for me! Take me if you need them. Everyone is different. Lynda

I have not had any issues with vitamins and they have been checked at 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years out. My program requires a lot of vitamins and I am very compliant at taking them. And I eat a well balanced diet with low fat protein, whole grains, vegetables and fruit.

Heh heh. Yes I did read this far. Well just break something then. That does it for me some days. I just take something in the backyard and smash it. It's been years. I think the exercise and meds got the ugly urge under control a little better. Lynda

I get in at least 60 and that's been my goal since immediately post-op. My Protein levels are good at every checkup (just annual now). I know many programs require more. Early out I needed two Protein drinks per day to get to goal. Now I get it all from food. Lynda

Oh and the support group in Saratoga and the one at Good Sam both charge $5, even though it says free in the Kaiser guide. Kaiser WLS support group meetings at all locations are free. Lynda

Kaiser Fremont Bariatric Program Guidebook has a section with local support groups: http://mydoctor.kaiserpermanente.org/ncal/Images/ADA-06-Support%20Groups%20-%20Where%20they%20are_tcm28-532134.pdf I have been to the one in Fremont and the one at Good Sam. I am planning to attend the one in Saratoga on Wednesday, August 7. They will have a speaker ( I think a Dr.) who will talk about weight regain. Maybe we can meet up at that one? I think most of these groups have a lot of pre-ops because some insurance co.s require you to attend a few support groups pre-op. Fremont has one specifically for long term post-ops, but I haven't been to it yet. Lynda

You can't hate yourself thin. But you know that. My best advice is talk to yourself like you are your own best friend or your daughter. What would you tell her? I made little cards with sayings like " My mind is a garden. I weed out bad thoughts and plant happy thoughts." and I looked at them several times a day. It sounds trite but it worked to help me. Stop the negative loop. I found a cognitive behavior handbook that discusses how to do this. It is very similar to the one Kaiser gave me when I attended the class a few years ago. http://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/monograph_reports/2005/MR1198.6.pdf Exercise, esp. outdoors makes a huge difference for me too. I know you went on a hike and had a great time. Can you get up and walk every morning for even 15 minutes? DO NOT beat yourself up if you don't. Just know that this might be a healing activity for you, if you can find time for it. Also, medication may help. If you are already taking meds, they may need to be changed. You are at a different weight and body composition now and you eat differently. Lynda

Here's a few things I bought for myself at goal: Jewelry: A regular sized bracelet or a shorter necklace Knee high boots Splurge clothing items: Your choice. I bought a couple of skirts, belts, and cute little jackets. Enjoy! See you on the goalies bench. Lynda

I didn't have a problem with my Protein powder in carry on. Lynda

Do what you have to do to get back into doing some kind of exercise. Walking, esp. brisk walking, is way better than nothing. It works some of the largest muscles in your body: your leg muscles. For me, staying with exercise means I have to do it first thing. I simply won't do it later. And it has to be a group or timed activity, such as walking with friends, an exercise class, or working with a trainer. I do think doing muscle building activities, such as strength training is important. It boosts your metabolism and helps retain muscle through the losing phase. But just get walking for starters. Lynda

Ms. Skinniness, finally a pic! I have to admit, I didn't read your post well before looking at your pic and when you said you looked old and I looked at the pic, I thought your Mom was you, and you were you daughter. No way did you look like you were in your 50s! We are about the same age. I think you look fabulous. But I'm constantly amazed at how old I look and how old many others my age look. I'm probably never going to get a face lift because I'm pain averse, it's expensive, and even if I lift my face, what about all the other old stuff. Honestly, I earned these wrinkles. Lynda

Thanks!