lsereno

The deal is those are extra calories. So the calories she was already consuming normally keep her at goal. She lost while she was on vacation, which might have included some dehydration. I eat bread, nuts and avocados at goal without gaining weight, but other than bread not as much as the OP. I think for most people, if they are not trigger foods, they can eat limited amounts of these at goal. The trick for many with these foods is they eat more. Instead of one ounce of nuts, its a handful everytime they pass the jar (and that's why mixed nuts are rarely in my house!), or they eat a piece of bread, waking the carb monster and then go on a carb bender. Also, not everyone is going to be able to eat as much as I do post-op. I'm 5'6" and I walk at least an hour 4 days per week. I built up a lot of muscle pre-op, some of which I still have. Lynda

First of all, it's just about physically impossible to gain that much actual weight in a day. So at least some of that is Water. Whether you were dehydrated before and have returned to normal or whether your hydration was good and you are retaining too much water is a question you can answer. I'm not going to crucify, but think long and hard about what you are doing to yourself if you are drinking while you are having problems with acid reflux, energy and dehydration. If you are not seeing a counselor, I recommend it. A counselor can help you identify food issues you didn't even know you had and help you come up with strategies to deal with them. Measure your foods and your liquid intake over the next few days. Go for a walk. Preferably outdoors because the fresh air and scenery will help you clear your mind. Measuring, tracking, and following my Dr's plan are what got me to goal. It can work for you too! I'm rooting for you! Lynda

Hmh. That's about 10 avocados (2270), 42 slices of whole wheat bread (3360), and 21 oz. of nuts (3633 calories). That's about 3 lbs. of extra calories. Through in an extra pound for Water, and there it is! At least you chose healthy foods. I had a little junk food party around Christmas time and had to reset my bounce range to 2 lbs. Lynda

Agree with Laura about the shot glass. Set a clock by your chair or bedside. Aim for one ounce every 15 minutes while you are awake - either Water or your Protein drink of choice. I used a 1 cup measuring cup like a little pitcher to keep refilling the shot glass. It was a lot easier for me to drink when I broke it down like that instead of facing a big glass of water. I took my pain meds for almost two weeks and I didn't have any complications. It will get better. Lynda

I take 3 Kirkland calcium citrate when I get up and before bed. The ideal plan is to take 2 three times per day, but my Dr. said it was OK to take 3 two times per day if we kept forgetting our lunchtime dose. I was able to swallow them at two weeks out, which is when my plan said to resume taking them post-op. Lynda

If you are having the spasm when drinking or eating - slow down. Take a tinier sip and wait longer before having the next one. for the OP, you may be lactose intolerant. Try a 100% whey Isolate Protein, because these will be easier to tolerate.

Here's my list: Daily AM: 3 Kirkland calcium citrate (500 mg each), 1 Kirkland Multivitamin with minerals, 1 Kirkland Vitamin D3 (2000 I.U.), 1 NatureMade Super B-Complex Daily PM: 3 Kirkland Calcium Citrate (500 mg each), 1 Kirkland Multivitamin with minerals 2 x per week: 1 Spring Valley B-12 sublingual (2500 mg) Lynda

33 lbs down is great, but it's more important how you feel about things. You say you can eat a lot, but keep in mind there is almost no restriction for the foods that are most likely to make you stop losing or regain. Don't beat yourself up about what you have done. You can't hate yourself thin (this thought thanks to Elina from Obesity Help VSG board!). Just remember what Writer Girl from our boards said: Self soothing doesn't have to be self destructive. It's imperative that you track what you are eating: including amounts. I strongly recommend weighing your food or measuring it. I find weighing more accurate. If you have junk food around, get rid of it. If you can't get rid of it because other family members want it, move your food or their junk food to another cupboard and shelf in the fridge and freezer. Find something that makes you happy besides food. That is different for everyone. Make yourself a goal board, with pictures of things you want when you are at goal. Put it somewhere you can see it. If you eat something bad, just get back on the wagon and try again. We've all been there and we are rooting for you! Lynda

I set my goal weight for 15 lbs higher than what I weighed in my 20s . I prefer a leaner look and I'm comfy at my goal weight. I can see the extra lbs. on me between now and when I was smaller, but at my age, I didn't think the lower weight would look good (I'm 56). My goal weight puts me a little higher than the middle of the normal BMI range. Goal is extremely personal. Once you get into the overweight BMI range, there are minimal health benefits to being thinner. 150 would put you right in the middle of the normal range. Perhaps it would be good to set your original goal at what your surgeon recommends and your your stretch goal at 150. When you get to the surgeon's recommended weight, you can reevaluate and see if you still want to be 150. If you do, I say go for it! Lynda

Are you viewing from the ipad app or the website? I can see all group posts from the website, but not the ipad app. Lynda

We can all read the messages in the 5:2 group. Only members can post. Please do not assume anything posted in a group is private. It is not. Lynda Edited to change any to anything.

Thank you for sharing your story. Self care, not self destruction is a powerful thought that will help me. I can see why you've got writer in your username! I took some cognitive behavior therapy sessions a few years back and they have been helpful to me. I have also found that regular exercise is key to avoiding depression. I still don't like exercise, but I do it anyway!! I'm still on a learning curve about emotional eating. I just read an interesting article about nighttime eating, which is still a problem for me. It mentioned that many eat at night to decompress from the day. Duh!! Understanding that little factoid will help me recognize that behavior faster. Can't wait to see your practical tips next. Lynds

I had a hard time with meats at first. I did better with lunchmeats. I could only eat an ounce for a while, then as time has gone by (I'm more than two years out), I can eat 3 oz.s and some veggies and starch. If you can't eat something now, give it a few weeks and try it again. Lynda

That looks fun!

Call the Dr. I haven't seen this and I did a quick search to see if it was related to gallbladder because so many people develop an issue with that. Looking forward to hearing what the issue is. Lynda

Do you like the taco meat wrapped in lettuce? I do. I like shredded chicken with seasonings a little hot sauce, topped with chopped tomatoes, wrapped in a big lettuce leaf. When cooking spaghetti, use a low fat ground beef and add some zuchhini. Eat the sauce without the noodles. When making tuna noodle casserole, make a little dish for you with just tuna, a low cal sauce and a little cheese. Here's my recipe for chicken pot pie: http://www.puffpastry.com/recipe/24055/chicken-pot-pie-in-a-shell. I don't use puff paste shell. I pour it into a pie pan and top with a single crust. Eat your serving without the crust and make it with the lowfat cream of chicken Soup and lowfat milk. You can also cut most of the oil used for the onions if you cook them slowly in a nonstick pan. I also like this recipe for garlic lime chicken: http://savingdinner.com/garliclimechicken/. I use less oil than the recipe calls for. Crockpot BBQ meat is good. You have yours without bread and they eat theirs on buns. Goes great with coleslaw. Lynda

It'll go away. When I quit smoking, I smoked in my dreams. Funny thing was, after a while, I felt guilty about in my dreams, but I was still smoking. Then it slowed down and I never dream about smoking. I often think of this whole life style change in the same way. Quitting smoking is the second hardest thing I've ever done. I consider weight loss and remaining at a healthy weight the hardest. I didn't have to have surgery to quit smoking. It's really important for me to find a healthy substitute for whatever I gave up if I really love it. So what can you drink that's cool, refreshing, and gives you a lift BESIDES Coke0? Maybe Lipton Diet Green Tea with Citrus? Maybe lemonaide made with Splenda? Maybe suck an ice cube? It's cold and slurpy. I've been known to slurp down several on hot days. Lynda

Hi Amy, I checked and you're about 4 months out. I think the antidepressants might be a good idea. Hormones can go crazy during weight loss. As far as eating goes, changes need to be for life, so you should be cooking things for the family that you can eat to instead of making two meals. As you begin to be able to eat more or get to goal and go into maintenance, you can eat more of what you cook for them. Things like Stir fry, Soups, roast meats, grilled meats, BBQ should work for the whole family. Another poster mentioned pot pie. I made pot pie and during early months, mostly ate the meat with a bite of veggies. Now in maintenance, I eat a slice including crust. Modeling healthy eating habits will help your children learn to eat healthy too. You might consider Leeanne Elly's menu mailers. It's $15 fore three months. She includes paleo and low carb menus: http://savingdinnershop.com/menu-mailer-3/regular-menu-mailer-membership/3-month-membership/ I'm thinking of you! Lynda

Cheri, Thanks for a fabulous post. You are so spot-on with your comments. I love your pics. Congrats on your continued success with WLS and your beautiful new addition to the family! Lynda

There is a DS forum on Obesity Help, http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/ds/ Lynda

I'm 5'6" I have a bunch of pics in my gallery, with weight details. Lynda

Congrats Fiddleman!

Great post! Can't wait to read the next installment. Lynda