lsereno

If you are lactose intolerant post-op as I was, unjury is great. It was the only Protein powder I could tolerate at first. I only tried it in unflavored (I could taste it and didn't like it) and the chicken soup flavor. It was nice to have something savory. After I could tolerate a little lactose, I mostly drank the Gold Standard whey Protein available through GNC. My fav flavor was the Vanilla Creme. I drank it with soy milk. I flavored it with Starbucks instant decaf coffee for a change. Lynda

I love plain greek yogurt mixed with Hidden Valley Ranch dressing mix as a dip for cucumber rounds, sugar snap peas, celery, and carrot sticks. I also love it with blueberries. I buy the little frozen wild ones from TJs. I like them better than the big ones so it feels like a treat. I feel you Laura-Ven. It's going to be a lifetime struggle for me to stay away from the sweets and Snacks. I'm really hoping it will be like when I quit smoking. At first, I was consumed by wanting a cigarette. Now, 20 years later, I still occasionally want one, but it's so much easier to say no and the craving is pretty rare. Lynda

While I was in the losing phase, I ate the recommended amounts of foods in the lowest calorie way I could have them. For example, I ate 3 oz. of Protein at dinner, but I chose low calorie Proteins, such as chicken breast, low fat ground beef, or fish. And same with vegetables, dairy and starches. I did not eat extra just because I exercised. Now that I'm in maintenance, I do eat higher fat foods on occasion and I have more treats, but I still don't eat extra on days I exercise. Lynda

Oh and one other thing. sometimes it has to be something filling, which is why the greek yogurt is a good choice for me. Lynda

Laura-Ven, get something sweet that is less calories than the Protein bar that you don't like well enough to go nuts on. For me, that's sugar free hot chocolate, Splenda sweetened greek yougurt with fruit and a crushed graham cracker on top, or hard candies. I can keep those in the house without pigging out on them and I like them well enough that the usually hit the spot for something sweet. Lynda

Congrats and Happy Surgiversary! I love having fellow vets on the board. So good to have others at the same point in the journey. Lynda

You can also get your sandwich sans bread. I ordered that way a few times early out. Bread did not agree with me for quite a few months post op. My fav is the sweet onion teriaki chicken with spinach and red onions, no cheese. Lynda

Bless your heart! The camera is kind. I got a bit of a turkey neck going on, which totally gives away my age. That and my old lady hands. But at least I'm at a healthy weight! Lynda

Waiting to welcome you to the century club in 8 little pounds!

How long till I can return to work? How long till I can lift more than 5 lbs.? Will you use a drain port? How long will I be in hospital? What kind of test to you do for leaks? What can I eat the first two weeks post-op? Can I call you on weekends if I have problem? If not, who should I call? How long till I can drive?

Total weight is what I counted. I lost 22 lbs pre-op, but I count them in my total loss. I would have never kept it off without surgery. Lynda

I wasn't cleared for any exercise other than walking till my 6 week checkup. And then Dr. said to go easy on the stomach till 3 months. My trainer told me the best exercise you can do to whittle your waist is to think about sucking your stomach in. She said that is better than sit ups or other exercises to flatten your tummy. Lynda

I'm nearly two years out and I ca eat about that much. I had salad last night. About 1/2 cup greens packed tight, 1/5 cucumber, 5 cherry tomatoes, 1 green onion, 1/4 avocado, 2 oz. turkey lunchmeat, 1.5 slices of bacon cooked crisp, 2 T. lowfat blue cheese dressing. I also ate 1 slice whole wheat bread toasted. Yum! Lynda

I don't like eggs. Here's a few of my typical breakfasts: Soy Latte when I get up then later 2 oz. low fat lunch meat, 1 slice toasted whole wheat bread, small piece of fruit 1 slice toasted whole wheat bread with 1 oz. goat cheese and a little sugar free apricot jelly, 5 little smokie turkey links, small piece of fruit 2 oz. low fat ham and 1/4 cup quick cook oatmeal made with 3/4 cup Water, 1/2 banana Low cal english muffin and a Yogurt smoothie: 3/4 cup greek yogurt, splash of OJ, splenda, couple frozen strawberries, and 1/4 cup water, blended Low cal raisin bagel and Cheesecake yogurt: Greek yogurt with couple tablespoons whipped cream cheese topped with blueberries sweetened with splenda Tropical fruit cup, whole wheat toast, and ham

Hey I'm a May Sleever: May 2011 that is! I've been at goal a year. Here are some things I enjoy at goal: Amusement park rides Fitting in any chair with room to spare Fitting down a small isle at the store without turning sideways or waiting for others to leave the aisle Buying clothes in any store or department Crossing my legs Putting on my shoes without feeling like I'm bending over a basketball Wearing a regular sized bracelet Wearing short necklaces Going sleeveless in the summer Tucking in my shirts Knee high boots Wearing heels Running Picking stuff up off the floor without going "oof!" Taking group exercise classes Feeling healthy and strong Lynda

Kristy26, I believe the thought is it's a combination of after effect from the anesthesia and a result of severely restricted calories. For those who are not careful, it can also be a lack of Vitamins and Protein. I know for me it was not a lack of protein or vitamins. Talk to your hairdresser. Basically, if it stresses your hair and you can avoid it, I recommend putting it off till your hair recovers unless it's more important than thinner hair. For me, I preferred thinner hair over gray hair. Lynda

At Kaiser Fremont, we are allowed NSAIDS, but must take a PPI if we are using them. Fiddleman, I think you are on to something about losing weight fast and the body's musculature adapting. When I first lost weight, I was still walking hunched over and with my legs far enough apart to accommodate my formerly fat thighs. Took some effort to straighten up and walk with a stride that matched my current weight. And I did a lot of stretches to regain a full range of motion. My fat had been preventing me from bending over as much as I could, flexing my arms as much as I could, etc. Lynda

Sorry I did mean 64 oz, not 84. I barely got the 64 at first too. You are doing great! Lynda

I tracked calories and still do a little even in maintenance. I didn't track carbs, but I only ate healthy carbs (whole grain bread, brown rice, etc), and not much of them. Lynda

Hey Rebecca, What's the fastest way to lose 100-200 lbs? Dump the spouse/mate! Seriously though, weight loss has to be for you. It's one of the nicest things you can do for yourself. When I get down, I buy myself a little present and it helps. Even a new lip gloss. Also, walking really helps me clear my head and focus. Even just around the block. And throw those pastries out. If the kids want sweets, buy them one item apiece. Sending loving thoughts your way, Lynda

I gained like 17 lbs. from IV fluids and I lost the Water weight in the first two weeks. If you are 12 days out and still weigh more than when you went in for surgery, I'd call the dr. You do have to drink fluids to flush the extra fluids (counter-intuitive, right?), so if you haven't been drinking the recommended 84 ounces per day, you could step up Fluid intake to see if that helps too. Lynda

Colace stool softener. I'm a once a day girl, so if I miss a day, the next morning, I take the colace till things are back to normal. If you use it, but sure to drink plenty of Water too. Lynda

I had to give up coffee. It was hard, but I thought it would be easier to deal with the pain pre-op, and have more energy to deal with all the other post-op issues. I agree with weaning off if you have terrible headaches. I was pretty grumpy and groggy for a few days, but it went away quick. My favorite flavored no-cal beverages are Crystal Light Lemonaide and Diet Lipton Green Tea with Citrus. I also like Sleepy Time Tea. Lynda

Welcome to the goalies bench! I love it here, and so many of us fit because we are all smaller! I haven't ridden a horse since I lost weight, but I gotta tell you, the amusement park rides are so much more fun now that I'm not stuffed in the seat like a sausage. And I don't have the fear that I can't fit at all! Lynda

I don't think there are a lot more people with regrets. I think they are speaking up more because one got the nerve to really speak out. And we don't hear from the ones that have regained all their weight or never got remotely close to goal and quit coming here. IMO, those with regrets should speak out so others have an idea of issues they may need to work on pre-op or post-op. When I first starting reading VST, Tiffy-kins was on here all the time. She had a terrible post-op experience, with a leak and having to get rid of her gallbladder, but I saw she got over those things and I thought, well if that happens to me, I can get over it too. I also read threads about people not getting to goal and those that did get to goal so I knew what I had to do if I wanted to get to goal and stay there. And I read the threads about people who became addicted to alcohol or drugs. After I started drinking again when I got close to goal, I set a limit on how often and how much I drink to avoid those issues. I think we all have issues with food or we wouldn't have got overweight to start with. And it's important to work on those issues because no matter how tight the restriction, at some point in the future, enough capacity for weight regain will return. Of course, that's just my opinion. Your mileage may vary. Lynda