lsereno

I have read many people say the same thing. It does affect me more now but I drink less (1-2 drinks no more than 2 times per week) and I weigh less(over 100 lbs less!). I stay buzzed just as long as I did pre-op and it doesn't affect me faster. I didn't start to drink till I was six months out. Lynda

That is ugly. My Dr. told me that I had done so well the first year she knew I would be a long term success. I hope to prove her right as time goes by! When someone tells me that, I tell them "Yes, some people do gain the weight back but WLS has the highest long term success rate of any method for controlling weight." Lynda

Maintenance mode. Weight was 134.5 this a.m. B: 2 oz. 98% fat free ham, 1 slice WW bread, 1/2 c. cherries L: 1.5 oz. shrimp, 1/2 c. chopped tomatoes, 1/3 c. chopped green onion, cucumber, and celery, sqeeze of lime juice with 1 oz. Special K whole grain crackers, 1 oz. goat cheese, 1/2 T. chinese sweet chili sauce S: 1 c. watermelon, soy latte D: Going out tonight. Will have 1-2 cocktails with a higher-calorie than usual dinner S: ? Under 200 calories though

ldydrgnkpr, Congrats on staying at goal. I'm sorry to learn of your ulcer. Thank you for sharing the symptoms. It's easy to think all issues are behind us as we get further out from surgery, so it's good to know the symptoms of issues that can still crop up. I hope they are able to resolve the problem without surgery. I will be thinking of you. HatheryOnHerWay, Every plan is different. My plan (Kaiser Fremont) does not prohibit NSAIDs or other ulcer-inducing drugs, but does require you to take a PPI with them (PPI: proton pump inhibitor, such as omeprazole). Lynda

That's very similar to the amounts I consumed at 4 weeks. My plan also allowed chicken, pork, and fish, along with cooked vegetables. So I ate an ounce or two ounces of Protein at lunch and dinner instead of soup. Sometimes, I ate turkey chili. Lynda

Kaiser Fremont Bariatrics recommends the following labs at 6 mo., 1 year and then annually: Chem 10, ALT, AST, PT, Albumin, Prealbumin, Ferritin, Iron/TIBC, CBC, Serum B12, RBC folate, B1, 25 OH Vit D, PTH, Alk phos(metabolic bone disease) Vit A, glucose, lipids, HbA1c. Use “PNL BAR” in Order Entry in HC, Consider copper deficiency if unresolved hypochromic anemia. They also recommend annual bone density screening.

Thanks Laura! I know you will get to goal, I'm saving you a spot on the goalies' bench. Lynda

There is a lot of attrition following surgery. People focus on other things and don't come here as much. If you look at those of us that are at least two years out, there are just a handful of us compared to hundreds who are contemplating or recent post-ops. But support is here if you want it. I get most of my support from this group. I also participate in the VSG forum on Obesity Help and I still occasionally hit a F2F support group. I do these things to give back and to keep myself accountable. I DO NOT want to be a regain statistic. Lynda

It all depends on how your Dr. is progressing your foods. I was allowed soft cooked meats (except beef), and cooked veggies during weeks 2-6. If you make the ham salad yourself you can control the fat and what's in it so it meets your plan. I would try: 2 oz. Lowfat Ham 1 T. lowfat mayo 1-2 T. greek yogurt Small splash of pickle juice if you like pickle taste Blend till smooth. Lynda

Maintenance Mode today. Weight was 135.4 this a.m. Ate a bigger snack than planned last night. I had 1/2 c. Rasberry sorbet, 1 graham cracker, and later I had a granola bar. B: Soy Latte, 2 oz. 98% Fat Free Ham, 1 slice WW bread L: 1 slice WW bread, 1 oz. 98% Fat Free Ham, 1 slicelowfat cheese, 1/3 c. green Beans, onions and peppers S: 240 g. watermelon, 1 oz. Special K crackers, 1 oz. hummus D: 3 oz. shrimp, 1/2 c. Pasta, 6 cherry tomatoes S: 3/4 C. Fage 0 with 2 T. whipped cream cheese, 1/3 c. blueberries, 1 crushed graham cracker and splenda to taste

Welcome to the goalies bench Ms. Skinniness! There's room for lots of us here because our butts are so small :-) Lynda

I got mine at Bed Bath Beyond. They have cute little appetizer spoons and forks. Lynda

Congrats Carole! Thanks for checking back in. I love to hear from successful vets. It gives me confidence that I can keep the weight off. Lynda

You need the Protein to heal and to feel full. The Fage 0 greek yogurt has 23 grams of protein per cup. Early out I could eat 1/2 cup at a time, made into a yogurt shake. Blend the yogurt with a little sweetener (I like Splenda), Water, and fruit. My fav add in was a splash of OJ and a couple of strawberries. Low fat cottage cheese is also a good protein source if you are not lactose intolerant. The 8th Continent Plain Soy Milk has 9 grams of protein per cup. The almond milk I checked had almost no protein. chicken breast is one of the densest Proteins, with 7 grams per ounce. So your day could look like: B: 1/2 cup greek yogurt in a shake (12 grams) S: Decaf Soy Latte (9 grams) L: 2 oz. chicken breast (14 grams) S: 1/3 cup cottage cheese ( 8 grams) D: 2 oz. chicken breast (14 grams) S: Cup of soy milk (9 grams) That gets you to 66 grams of protein. Lynda

I ordered off the appetizer menu early out. Shrimp Cocktail and Crab Cocktail were my favs. Scallops are also good. Some restaurants have chicken, beef, or lamb kabobs on the appetizer menu too. appetizers are perfect early out because you probably won't be able to finish even that and everyone likes to share an appetizer. Soup is another option if it is something you like. I try to check out the menu online before I go. At home, if you are mostly cooking for yourself, look for Protein foods that are easy to prepare and reheat or cook in small portions. I get a costco rotisserie chicken and use the meat in lots of different ways. In stir fry, with BBQ sauce, or mixed with a tiny bit of mayo and chopped celery. I can't eat the whole chicken before it spoils, so I pull the meat off and bag it in portions and freeze. Frozen shrimp are good too because you can shake out just as many as you want. I also portion ground beef and bag and freeze. I like frozen veggies for the same reason. I also eat lots of lunch meat, greek yogurt, and I have soy milk. Canned low fat chili was another early fav of mine. If you are cooking for your family, just make sure your meal includes a dense protein. They can eat everything else and you will be able to measure out your protein and have a bite or two of other dishes you make for dinner. So, for example, if you make a stir fry for dinner, add a few extra ounces of meat, fish. or poultry. Scoop out the protein for your meal portion before serving the family. I use a scale to measure most foods because it's so easy. I set my plate on the scale, 0 the scale, then add my desired amount of protein. At 6 weeks, that was about an ounce for me. I had to have 1-2 Protein drinks to get enough protein in. I generally had one for Breakfast and one after dinner. Lynda Lynda

I hate the ugly thoughts. I still get them even at my ideal goal weight. I have to remind myself: What would I say to my best friend?

Congrats PdxMan! I'm glad you are maintaining and doing well. Lynda

Hay Strongnsexy, Congrats on your upcoming surgery! To get ready, I recommend practicing eating slowly with a timer or clock (one small bite, chew for 30 seconds, then wait 30 seconds before another bite), sipping water slowly all day, giving up coffee if you are not allowed to have it immediately post op, and buying a small spoon and fork if you don't already have one. I used a demitasse spoon and an appetizer fork. I had small plates and bowls, but if you don't get a few. Lynda

Maintenance Mode today. Weight was 135.2 this a.m. B: 2 oz. 98% Fatfree ham, 1 slice WW bread, 2 dried apricots S: 1 oz. roasted nuts from costco L: 2 oz. BBQ chicken thigh, 1 serving trader Joes Frozen Sweet Potatoes, 2 T. sauteed rainbow chard S: 1 oz. mixed pretzels and cheezits, Gingerbread tea with Splenda and splash of soy milk D: 1 link Benetino's Bistro Sensations Chicken Habanero Sausage, 1/4 C mashed potatoes, 1/4 cup green Beans with peppers and onions S: Not sure, but under 200 calories and will include 1 c. watermelon

Congrats!

I think it does help to read the vet's posts so you will know how life will look a few years out. It is work to get to goal and stay there, but the sleeve is the only thing that helped me. Year of knowing what to do, following Weight Watchers online and in person, hypnosis and a personal trainer did not do it for me. Just want you to know that it does include diet. Lynda

Fiddleman, you seriously need to get one of those body mass measurements done. I remember a couple of years back several people here who got measured with the BodPod, including FeedYourEye. Here's the thread: http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/20517-the-bod-pod/page__hl__bodpod#entry172680 You can go to this page to find a BodPod near you: http://www.cosmed.com/en/test-site-locator Lynda

According to this chart, I'm a few pounds underweight but not according to the Halls chart: http://www.halls.md/ideal-weight/body.htm

Sorry to pop your bubble Dee Dee, but if you don't watch what you eat post-op, you will watch your weight go up! This thread is for people who are trying the 5:2 or 6:1 diet to get to goal, return to goal, or stay at goal. It's buried in the Vet's Forum, because for the first few months post-op, it's pretty hard to not see a dramatic weight loss, but as time goes by, it's very easy to gain weight. I have met many people online and in person who stay at goal weight, but they are ALL mindful of what they eat. It is easier with the sleeve, because it takes less to feel full, but I didn't get fat because I couldn't get full. Lynda

Love that smile and wave! You look awesome. And the horse looks happy with skinny you astride! Lynda