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Search for Puja ans send her a message if she doesn't reply to this thread. She is a vegetarian vet and will have lots of good advice for you. Lynda

Yes, the blender ball or pour just a little Water in and then use the whisk. After you get all the lumps dissolved, add the rest of the water. Lynda

Lots of people like Isopure, but I didn't. My fav Protein drinks were GNC Gold Standard whey in vanilla, which I drank plain or mixed with Starbucks Via Decaf Italian Roast, or

Writer Girl, Thanks for another enlightening post! Love your whole series. For those that missed a few, from the website, you can click Writer Girls phtoto to display her profile, the click Topics in the nav bar on the left to find the other posts. Lynda

I didn't choose the band for myself, but not everyone has problems. One of my neighbors has it and she's done great and is happy with it. And isn't that what Sharon Osborne had? But to say it's safer is ridiculous. I agree that they use less than one year statistics to avoid issues. Just like a lot of these WLS ads tout excess weight loss, but they don't say many regain between years 3 and 6. Sheesh. lynda

Yes, I've heard a lot of hurtful things. But I just keep doing what I think is best for me. I don't like arguing so I don't do anything to prolong a conversation I'm not enjoying, including sniping back. That person is stuck with themselves all the time. The best thing I can do for myself is minimize my exposure. Lynda

Yum! Thanks for sharing. I'm having a bunch of these foods today! Lynda

Like Cheri, I'm usually too full after eating to even think about a drink. I do tend to drink right up to the time I eat now that I'm further out. Lynda

Hi, I'm a little late to the party, but I think it's a good idea to not be sleeved at the same time. Don't say no to daughter, just not now. If you get yours this year and plan hers for beginning of summer next year it gives time to: Allow you to heal, get to goal weight or close and time for your sleeve to mature so you have a better idea of long term issues - First hand. Allow her to prep for surgery by getting medical tests done, monitoring these forums, trying Protein drinks, taking Vitamins, meeting with a counselor who specializes in disordered eating, and seeking out other teens who have had the surgery. Gives her a full summer to heal before starting school in the fall. Lynda

Go Georgia! Love the side by side. You look happy and healthy now. Lynda

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Heh. 135.9 today, but I'm beating my way back to 135 before I add back Snacks unless we go out to dinner tonight, in which case I will have a low calorie meal and two cocktails. Yesterday, I had an extra evening snack of 1 oz. pretzels and I only got in 7 cups of Water instead of 8. Today, I'm planning around 1,000 calories for food, 74 grams of Protein and possibly 250 calories in drinks if we go out. I walked for an hour this morning and worked hard in the yard for an hour. I'm pooped, but the yard looks good. Shooting for 8 cups of Fluid again today. B: Soy Latte, then an hour later a slice WW bread, 2 oz. 98% fat free ham, and 1/2 banana (250 calories, 22 g. protein) L: Open faced sandwich of 1/2 large sliced tomato, 1/4 cup grilled summer squash with 1 tsp olive oil, 1 oz. goat cheese, 1 oz. 98% fat free ham, 1 slice WW bread (250 calories, 14 grams protein) S: 1 cup watermelon cubes (80 calories, 0 grams protein D: ? Not sure but will include 3 oz. of protein and some veggies and a starch and come in around 250 calories S: 1 cup Fage 0 yogurt, 1/2 c. blueberries, splenda (170 calories, 23 grams of protein)

Every program is different. I could all of these except beef and jerky after my two week post-op appt. Was cleared for beef and jerky at 6 weeks. But I didn't eat jerky till I was further out. Lynda

Another thing is the fast weight loss releases a ton of hormones into your system. You will feel better soon. In the meantime, get in your fluids and Protein and walk. It helps. Lynda

Before WLS, I promised myself a bike if I could get under 200 lbs. I got close, ordered the bike and promptly gained 20 lbs. back. But I rode the bike anyway. It's a lot easier with more than 100 lbs less of me. I guess goal is a good enough gift on its own. But I had lots of gifts and mini goals along the way. I was just looking at the list the other day. lynda

Are you kidding me? The car is a goal gift? Sorry but you're gonna have to pick me up next time we go to the F2F support group, or at least give me a quick ride before we call it a night! Lynda

Wow! You look great! Congratulations. I do think it is good to visit the past now and then. For me, it took awhile before I "saw" myself at the new weight, so I would look at my pics and not see the difference much. Now, I'm like: Who was that - oh! It's me! Lynda

OK! It's on the list.

My vote is for tracking. You can make it as easy as you'd like. I keep a white board on the fridge and periodically track calories, Protein, and Fluid there. Early out, I used a little notebook with times foods, amounts, and fluid intake. When I switched to the white board I used it every day while in Weight loss mode. Now at goal, I only track when I feel out of control or my weight hits 137 (2 lbs above goal). I have been at goal about 15 months, but I'm still learning how to eat to maintain. Lynda

Well when I look at that picture I see a skinny, good looking woman who is in a mood about something! Keep working on that self talk. It's just mean! Take a good look at your pic: You are rockin' those collarbones! And to top it all off, you are an inspiration and rock to so many here! I think you know my fav thoughts on this, but I'll say them again: What would you tell your best friend? (Thanks cognitive behavior therapy!) You can't hate yourself thin. (Thanks Elina!) Self soothing doesn't have to be self-destructive. (Thanks Writer Girl!) I do think as the years go by, the food cravings are going to lighten up. At least, that's what I keep telling myself. I know it's true about cigarettes. I quit in 1991. I still want one every once in a while, but it's not like it was the first few months and years. Lynda

Not sure the answer, but I have heard this same thing on Obesity Help VSG forum where there are also a few that are 3+ years out. We have so few people that are more than 3 years out and still at goal or trying and still on the boards, it's hard to tell. The general thought seems to be around year 3 it gets harder to lose the weight if any creeps back on. I've been wondering if it is because we actually have some malabsorption because they food passes so fast through our tinier sleeve and that as time goes by, the small colon gets more efficient at pulling nutrients from this food. I've been looking for studies that back that up, but I haven't found any yet. Lynda

Yeah I have avoided a blog for the same reason, but I recently started one here so I have one place with answers to frequently asked questions. It saves me time from hunting up a previous answer. I think a blog with helpful info is good even if isn't frequently updated or even if it is later abandoned. I've posted in the What did you eat today thread and will be posting there for a few days till my weight is back at 135. http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/79628-what-did-you-eat-today/ Thanks for your help. Lynda

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OK, I've been eating too much of something. Weight is the top of the bounce range today: 137 (confession: I ate two ballpark hotdogs, 1 oz. BBQ chips, and 1/3 C. chili with cheese and onions instead of my planned dinner last night) So today, it's all good, no junk. 895 calories and 74 grams of Protein. And I will be tracking fluids. When I get back to 135, I will be tracking in maintenance a little better to see where the problem is. I know some people don't want to think about food this much, but I am grateful to be at goal and I'd rather think about food now than think about it after I have more to lose. B: 1 slice WW bread, 2 oz. 98% fat free ham (110 calories, 13 g. protein) S: Iced Decaf Soy Latte (I use Starbucks instant decaf, mix with cold soy milk and then blend with a few ice cubes.) (9 grams of protein) L: 1/2 cup chopped lettuce, 1/4 cup chopped tomato, 1 green onion, 1/4 avocado, 2 oz. low fat turkey lunch meat, 1 slice WW bread, toasted and chopped into croutons, 1 T. light ranch dressing mixed with 1 T. Fage 0 (235 calories, 13 grams protein) S: I cup watermelon cubes (80 calories, 0 grams of protein) D: 1 Bistro Sensations chicken Sausage, 1/3 ear corn, 1/2 cup sauteed summer squash cooked with 1 t. olive oil (195 calories, 16 grams protein) S: shake of 1 cup Fage 0 Greek Yogurt, Splash of OJ, 2 strawberries, splash of Water, and Splenda (150 calories, 23 grams of protein

Thanks Writer Girl! I would love to be able to find all your wonderfully written posts in one location. Would you consider starting a blog here and copying them to your blog? I missed this topic the first time around. It's especially timely for me today. I'm at the top of my bounce range and I have cut back and re-evaluate how I've been eating. I'm sure all of the behaviors you have so aptly described are to blame. Lynda