lsereno

Yum that sounds good. I bought a mandoline to make slicing veggies thin super easy. I like zuchinni and yellow squash done that way. Sometimes I add jarred red pepper too. Baby spinach is easy too. Just toss a handful in Soups or wilt it quick with a little oil and then put under whatever Protein you're eating. Lynda

Here are a couple of tips that worked for me and a couple of lessons I learned: I didn't want anything around my tummy after surgery so I had two nighties. I had thought one would be enough, but I recommend two so you have one to wear while the other is in the wash. I bought a lot of stuff I didn't eat, like sugar free Jello, Popsicles, and pudding. I used a demitasse spoon and a tiny bowl to eat with. I used a clock to make sure I ate slowly enough and chewed enough times. I used a shot glass for a drinking cup and a 1 cup measuring cup as a little pitcher. I sipped one ounce of Water every 15 minutes while I was awake. At first it took the whole 15 minutes to get the one ounce down, but it was so worth it. I bought myself a nice lip gloss and some lotion. It really cheered me up post-op. I developed lactose-intolerance post-op. I got terrible diarreha. I had diarrhear after eliminating the dairy, but it was much better. It cleared up in about a week. unjury chicken Protein was the easiest for me to eat immediately post-op. After about a week I also enjoyed GNC 100% whey Protein in vanilla. Pre-op, I liked chocolate better. I walked every day, a few times a day. I think it really helped me feel better quicker. Three days after surgery, I thought I had to fart, but I pooped instead (see note about second nightie above!), Do not fart unless you are sitting on the toilet for the first week after surgery. I used a bunch of pillows to prop myself up in bed so I could rest comfortably. I used a couple under my knees and three behind my back. Looked like I was in a hospital bed with the knees and back raised. I am so excited and happy for the May 2012 group. As I do things this year, like getting ready and cleaning up from my annual easter party, I am reminded of how I felt last year during the final countdown to surgery. It was so much easier to do the party this year. What a difference more than 100 lbs. makes! And it felt great to not be the biggest person at the party too! The most important post-op advice I have is be nice to yourself. Post-op recovery is short period in the rest of your life. You deserve the chance to heal up and get a good start on your new life on the loser's bench! Lynda

Here's a typical day in Protein for me: Wake-up: Soy Latte, 8 grams protein Breakfast: 1 cup greek yogurt, 1 .slice whole grain toast: 26 grams protein Lunch: 2 oz. light salami, Baby Bel light cheese: 20 grams protein Dinner: 3 oz. of fish, chicken, pork, or beef: 21 grams protein That gets me to 75 grams of protein. Before I could eat so much at one sitting, I had a mid-afternoon snack of light cheese or lunch meat and sometimes an after dinner cup of soy milk to get more protein in. Lynda

I cup cooked quinoa has 222 calories, according to Self Nutrition data, http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/cereal-grains-and-pasta/10352/2. It's a little higher than Pasta and rice. It is a complete Protein, but since I eat meat, I do not eat quinoa for a protein source. It's too calorie dense for the amount of protein you get. I eat as a grain, instead of whole wheat bread or pasta or brown rice. My max serving is generally 1/2 cup per meal and I'm more likely to eat about 1/3 cup. Lynda

I do mention it in passing when it fits the conversation, but I never push it or tell anyone it would be a great for them. For someone who is not ready, it would not be great for them. Some people do gain all the weight back after this operation. It happens. If someone isn't ready for the operation, my opinion is they will have a harder time complying with the requirements and dealing with recovery issues. I have a friend who was scheduled for RNY, decided not to have it, then decided to go through with it when she heard I was getting the sleeve. She didn't follow through. Now it is a year later and I am at goal weight, She just had her other knee replaced. It breaks my heart, but it is her body, her life, and her decision. I don't just throw it out there if someone is overweight, but I always mention it if appropriate, just to get the word about surgery out there. For example, when a waiter/waitress asks if I didn't like the food because I ate very little, I'll say "it was really yummy. I had weight loss surgery and it just doesn't take as much to fill me up now:" I told my fav bartenders why I couldn't have a drink for six months as I sipped a still Water with splash of cranberry and hubby enjoyed a mai tai. Also when people complement me on my weight loss, I always mention the surgery. For me, I don't have an issue with letting anyone know my choice. If they have a stupid reaction I just move on. I feel I am helping get the word out that surgery can make a difference if you are ready for it. I started investigating the surgery after my step-daughters' aunt had it done. I had never heard of the sleeve and thought there was only the band or RNY. Lynda

I'm 55 too. I do have more wrinkles and saggy skin, but I feel I look younger without the extra weight on me. My face and body are youthfully thin. I only have one chin. I do have wrinkly skin under it though. My tummy, upper thighs, butt, and upper arms have lose skin. Some I'm sure is just being 55, but some comes from losing more than 100 lbs. I hope it springs back a bit, but I've got about another 11 months or so before I can evaluate how much shrinkage to expect. See if you think I look older or younger in my before and (almost) after pics. I need to add a couple now that I am at goal weight. http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/gallery/album/1340-lyndas-wls-journey/ Lynda

I burp more than I used to. They are not painful or noisy, they just pop up throughout the day. They were noisier early on. I'm almost 11 months out now. Like Shells, I'm happy to burp a little more and be at a healthy weight. Lynda

I walk several miles with friends a few times a week and take Body Pump group exercise classes at my gym. I also take Cardioscupt group class, but I like Body Pump better. Lynda

Hi all, Life at goal: Today I was at 132.7. I've been eating a lot of junk and not participating in formal exercise as much this week, but I've been running around like a mad hatter getting ready for an Easter Party for 40 at my house. I can't believe the difference a year has made in my life. Last year I was weighing about 222 and waiting for my surgery date on May 17. I was so tired as I got ready for the Easter party. My feet and knees ached. Everything was such an effort! This year, I have breezed through preparations, my feet and knees feel great, and I've got this afternoon off to do what I want! Happy Easter to all of you! Lynda SW-139.3.....CW-132.7.....GW-135!!! Feb. 10: 139.3 Feb. 17: 138.3 Feb. 24: 137.6 March 2: 136.4 March 9: 137.4 March 16: 135.1 March 23: 135.9 March 25: GOAL! 134.5 March 30: 135.4 April 6: 132.7 Easter:

Yay! I was sleeved May 17, 2011. I've been trolling the May group looking for someone who will share my sleeviversary! I will be thinking of you on the 17th and wishing you a speedy and uneventful recovery. It's been a long year, but I do remember how frightened and nervous I was. I'm here to say one year later that it is so worth every minute! Lynda

So sorry Lissa! I do get hungry, but if I'm busy sometimes I ignore it and it goes away quick. Thank goodness I haven't gone all day yet. Glad you are back on an even keel and thanks for the warning! I'm nuts enough without throwing anything extra in the mix :-) Lynda

Happy surgiversary and congrats on joining the Century Club! Lynda

A little light mayo. I saw a recipoe that blended Greek yogurt, light mayo and lemon juice and garlic. I'm gonna try that next time. Lynda

Try the

Try a group exercise class at the gym.. I won't exercise alone.

Dorrie, Our program (Kaiser Fremont) did not set a specific weight for us. At my six month appt. I was about 150 and I told my Dr. I wanted to get to 135. She said there was no medical reason to do so. But I am happy at 135 and glad I stuck with that as my goal instead of just stopping at a normal BMI where I was at 6 months. That last 15 lbs. made a real difference in my weight under my chin, on my tummy and in my thighs. I really prefer the leaner look I have now. Weight is very personal. Unless you are at a super low BMI, I don't see anything wrong with picking a lower goal weight. Of course, that's just my opinion! My happy, lower BMI goal weight opinion :-) Lynda Edited to add: I'm 5'6" and small-boned.

Working your sleeve means you are following your program and successfully getting your Protein, Fluid, and Vitamins and losing weight/inches or maintaining if you have reached goal. Lynda

The meds in the hospital and home kept my pain away unless I moved. I slept propped with pillows to replicate a hospital bed with the knees and head raised. Also used a nightie and no undies instead of my usual sleep pants. It was easily tolerable. I believe walking and sipping fluids helped me feel better faster. Lynda

I know a couple of people who went with injectables. It looks good after a little while and then slowly fades away. Think of them like getting a perm: first it's too crazy curly, then after a couple of weeks you're like "yeah baby - I know why I got it now!" then after a few months, your hair is about straight again. And for those who are not yet at goal: After getting to goal, I have no fat under my chin, just a few wrinkles and a little 50+ skin bag! Lynda

Hi all, I'm at goal, but I am going to continue updating my weight each Friday. Today I was at 135.4. I'm OK bouncing a little up and down, but the whole goal weight management is going to take some work on my part. I still can't believe I'm actually here :-) Lynda SW-139.3.....CW-135.1.....GW-135!!! Feb. 10: 139.3 Feb. 17: 138.3 Feb. 24: 137.6 March 2: 136.4 March 9: 137.4 March 16: 135.1 March 23: 135.9 March 25: GOAL! 134.5 March 30: 135.4 April 6: Easter:

My hair thinned, starting about 4 months, I had normal thickness of hair pre-op, and it went to thin, but not unmanageable. I didn't have to change my style and you couldn't see my scalp. It just looks scraggly and thin at the bottom. My hairdresser said at month 9 he was beginning to see regrowth. At 10 months, I have tons of short baby hairs growing back and my hair feels super thick at the base. I have to use hairspray to hold the little buggers down. But I am happy to see them! Lynda

I eat a lot of fibrous foods too, but I didn't till I was more than 6 months out. Just had an artichoke yesterday - talk about Fiber, but so good! Lynda

Thank you! I checked your diet and nothing jumps out at me. Instead of the protein drink, I have greek yogurt almost every morning to get help get my protein in. I am exercising most days. I walk for 45 minutes 3-4 days a week and take a group exercise class twice a week. Also, I weigh my food on a food scale. I find it easier and more accurate than using a measuring cup or eyeballing it. I am also careful to get in the 64 oz. of fluid a day and take the vitamin supplements my program recommends. At 5 months out, I got around 800 calories a day. You might look at trimming back a bit on nuts and cheeses and see if it makes a difference. A lot of people do stall, so don't give up! It will come off! Lynda

Good luck tomorrow on your surgery! You can have my spot on the Losers Bench! It served me well and I'm on the Goalies Bench now, 10 months later. Rest and be kind to your self in the days after surgery - you deserve it! Lynda

Welcome to the Goalies Bench! So glad to hear you are enjoying the fruits of your labor - brutal triathlons and all! Lynda