lsereno

I'm almost 10 months out. I new my life would be better, but I did not truly understand how hard it was on my body to carry around more than 100 extra pounds till they were gone. I literally had to learn to walk again because I no longer need to carry that extra weight so my step is lighter, my posture straighter, and my legs are not spraddled because of the size of my thighs. I can eat anything I want - spicy, sweet, rich. Except dairy. I'm one of the few who develop lactose-intolerance and it has not disappeared yet. I do eat greek yogurt and firm cheeses. But not ice cream, milk, soft cheeses, or whipped cream. I love good food and I honestly enjoy it more now that a small portion satisfies me. You will find real stories of people who have had complications on this forum, but that actually helped allay some of my fears because they all seem to have recuperated. Even the worst cases with leaks. Best wishes on your journey, where ever it takes you. Lynda

Little Miss Diva, Maybe the only one surprised on this forum is you!! You are an inspiration to all of us, along with coach, cheer leader, and counselor! Glad you are getting the recognition you deserve for a job well-done. Lynda

Clothing size and body shape have a lot to do with it. I have pants that all fit about the same and they are size 10, 6, and 9. I have one pair that is too big and they are an 8. Sheesh! I have wide hip bones, so I have to be careful when buying pants. I do drop sizes faster now that I'm thinner. i'm just a couple of pounds from goal so I'm not expecting my clothing size to change much now. I have read that weight continues to redistribute for a few months and extra skin is reabsorbed to some degree during the first year after getting to goal, so maybe a little change in size is still coming. Lynda

Sorry about the clotting issue. One good thing about Water weight- it rolls off fast when it lets go! I gained like 17 lbs. when I had surgery because they really pushed the IV fluids. I puffed up so much my skin itched. Lotion really helped. I will be thinking of you! Lynda

No they haven't been healthy. Sometimes I start out healthy, but this late night snacking has been a problem for me ever since I first started gaining weight way back when. For me, I have to cut it out. I plan to eat a little more earlier in the day. If I can get it under control, I think a late night protein snack is a good idea for me. Just not a lot of pretzels with Peanut Butter, popcorn, chex mix, candy and whatever else I can find in the cupboards. I can't get totally rid of snack food because dear hubby eats it. But I can resist it and I will! Gonna....get....to...goal! And I have to get snacking under control or it won't be maintenance, it will be a slow crawl upwards in weight. I don't want that for myself. Lynda

Right after surgery I developed lactose intolerance and I had a hard time with all Protein powder the first few days except for unjury chicken flavor. I had to order it because it is not available in stores and I wish I would have got some before surgery. I recommend getting a few packets or a container pre-op. Once my tummy settled down a bit, I also like Optimum Nutrition 100% Whey Gold Standard in French Vanilla Creme, mixed with Soy Milk or sometimes with Starbucks Via Italian Roast Decaf. I buy it at GNC. Lynda

I take a stool softener when I need it without a problem. I have had hemorrhoids since having my son 38 years ago. I find if I keep things moving they don't flare up. I'm a very regular person when things are moving well, so if I miss one day, I take the stool softener the next morning and keep taking one twice a day till things get back to normal. In the early days, I also took benefiber but I am not now because I can eat a little more and I do get fiber from whole grains, fruit, and vegetables. Drinking enough Water is important too. Lynda

Hi all, Well this week I am back up 1 lb. I know how it got there too. After dinner snacking. Once I let that cat out of the bag, it just doesn't want to get stuffed back in. My goal for this week is to not snack right before falling asleep or when watching TV. My plan for making that happen is that I am going to find something else to do with my hands while watching TV and to floss right before I hop in bed. To keep my hands busy while watching TV I am going to apply a hand when I want a snack, apply lip balm when I want a snack, apply a foot lotion when I want a snack, buy some embroidery thread and other needed supplies TODAY and work on mending my grandma's quilt. Lynda SW-139.3.....CW-136.4.....GW-135!!! Feb. 10: 139.3 Feb. 17: 138.3 Feb. 24: 137.6 March 2: 136.4 March 9: 137.4 March 16: March 23: March 30: April 6: Easter:

I sounded like a Mac truck was rolling through my insides. And about day three or four, I had what I thought was a small fart, but turned out it was much more. Burst into tears, scaring poor hubby and mom who had been hovering nearby and had to take a shower, wash my nightie, and change the sheets. It does get better fast. I can't believe it's almost 10 months for me. I feel so good now and you will too soon! Lynda

Kaiser Fremont didn't make us take the calcium the first two weeks post-op. After that, I was able to swallow the regular calcium citrate from costco. If you use the Petites, you need to take more of them. I think you take 8 petites a day or 6 regulars. Lynda

You should report the trainer to the gym owner and look for a new trainer if you want to use a trainer or need help learning to use the gym equipment. What a doofus this guy is! I use a trainer because I wasn't in good enough shape to attend group exercise classes and I won't work out on my own. I'm down to one session per week with the trainer and two group exercise classes now and I'm probably going to give up the trainer and go to three group exercise classes to save money. I also walk 2-3 days per week. My trainer has been nothing but supportive through the whole process. She knew how hard I tried to lose weight and how important it was to me to get to a healthy weight. Lynda

I think Cottage cheese may be like yogurt, Soup, and liquids and go through the valve at the bottom your tummy faster. I'm sure you couldn't eat 3/4 cup of firm protein! But if you are getting those pains, my recommendation is to cut back to 1/2 cup cottage cheese. At 3 weeks out, my day looked like this: Daily total: 74 grams of Protein, 435 calories Breakfast: 1/2 cup Fage 0 Greek Yogurt with Splenda: 12 grams protein Morning snack: Lowfat Cheese stick: 8 grams protein Lunch: 2 oz. lowfat turkey lunch meat: 10 grams protein Dinner: 2 oz shrimp: 12 grams protein Late Night Snack: 1 scoop Protein powder and 1 C. soy milk: 32 grams of protein I couldn't always eat 2 oz. of protein at a time. Sometimes I could only eat 1 oz. or 1.5 ozs. Lynda

Congrats! I'm so happy for you! What a major health/happiness victory! My feet and knees hurt so much when I was heavy that I often limped. That is long gone now. In fact, I had to learn to walk with my legs closer together as I got thinner. It feels so strange at first to not be restricted by the fat that used to gird my body and keep me from bending over, etc. Lynda

I was pooped till about month 4. I really lagged in the energy dept. and I ate correctly, got in the recommended water/protein/calories/vitamins and exercised. It does pass though. I feel great now and have for a long time. Lynda

Wakeup: Soy Latte Breakfast: 1 cup Fage 0 yogurt with a little strawberries in juice, 1/4 C. granola, and some Splenda mixed in, 1 slice whole wheat toast Lunch: 1 slice whole wheat toast, 1 light baby bel cheese melted onto toast, topped with 1 oz. 98% fat free ham. Afternoon snack: About 5 pretzels Dinner: Not sure yet!

Well I admit I'm an exercise hater, but I do it. I find as the years have gone by, I hate it less but even now, without scheduled exercise events I know I wouldn't do it. I have used a trainer for years. Having a trainer saves me from thinking about an exercise routine and I show up for exercise because if I don't she charges me any way! Before I lost weight, I met with my trainer three times per week. I also walk with a group of friends 2-3 times per week. Now that I am thinner and can keep up a little better, I take two group exercise classes per week and meet with the trainer just once per week. I am thinking of dropping the trainer and taking 3 classes per week. It will be a savings of more than $100 per month. So short answer is: My opinion is that exercise is important. If you won't go on your own, then a trainer is a good way to get started. After you get a little healthier, group exercise classes are cheaper. Lynda

I love fruit. The first fruit I added back was watermelon. Just 1/4 cup. It's very low acid and for the first couple of months I was very sensitive to anything acidic. i also enjoyed adding a couple of frozen strawberries to Protein shakes or yogurt smoothies. The next fruits I ate were applesauce and bananas. Now that I'm further out I can eat any fruit I want. Just like everything else, I don't eat the amount I used to pre-op. For example, day before yesterday I had some frozen mixed berries in my yogurt at breakfast and for an after dinner snack I ate 1/2 orange. Lynda

Congrats Bionic! So good to see you rockin your sleeve! Lynda

Pasquini, You look fabulous! I hope I have to add some calories to maintain, but since my weight loss has almost ground to a halt already, I doubt it will be an issue for me. I know Tiffy added healthy fats, like avocados and cheese to her diet. Lynda

Ooh! I hope I gain back the 3/4 inch I lost somewhere since my 20s. You look fabulous! I bet 160 or 170 will look great on you! Lynda

Thank you Suzanne. I am getting close to maintenance and it's so helpful to see others successfully navigating the waters! And at about the same BMI I want to maintain too. Lynda

You are still healing from surgery and your tummy is much more delicate now that it will be in a few months. I'm 9.5 months out and I haven't noticed any tendency to catching things easier. Hope you feel better soon! Lynda

Welcome to Onderland and good luck on the job interview next week! Lynda

I wear a small or medium in tops and a 6 or 8 in pants. I just bought a darling dress at Target for $8 in a size 10. I can tie my shoes without huffing. There is room for a small child and me in a chair that used to fit only me. My legs don' rub together when I walk. There's a ton of room in my bathtub and all of me fits under the water line. I don't hurt when I wake up. My feet don't hurt. My knees don't hurt. I enjoy my group exercise classes and I feel good afterwards. I don't have leakage issues when I laugh hard or sneeze. I am super comfy when I cross my legs. I'm off my blood pressure and cholesterol meds. I am comfy in the plane seat and the car seat. Lynda

Read Puzzles Walk outside Pack too-big clothes and try on formerly too-small clothes Play computer games Spend a lot of time at this community Get ready. Once you heal up and the weight is falling off, you will have a lot more energy so you will be doing a lot more than you used to! Lynda