lsereno

For my exercise: Sunday a.m.: 1 hour Body Pump group exercise class Monday p.m.: 1 hour Cardio Sculpt group exercise class Tuesday a.m.: Group walk for 45 minutes, ride bike couple of miles Wedneday: Day off, but may add stationary bike to lose last few pounds to goal Thursday: Same as Tuesday Friday: 1/2 hour strength building with personal trainer Saturday: Same as Wednesday

Mel34, There is nothing wrong with you. I didn't start working out with my trainer again till I was 6 weeks out and we started slow. I was pooped till about 4 months out. I did walk but it was hard at first. My walking group usually walks 2-3 miles and the first couple of times I walked with them I had to turn back 1/2 way. Just start slow with walking and add on as you feel better. Everyone heals at a different pace. Lynda

Phoenix, I was afraid of dying. It's a statistical reality that some people die during any surgery. I didn't write letters, but the itching fear was in the back of my mind. The first thing I said post-op was "Good job! I'm still here!" I also was afraid of complications. Lucky for me, I'm a very analytical person and I know that statistics for death or disease are higher for remaining obese than for undergoing surgery. That really helped me stay focused on the prize. I just kept reminding myself the alternative to surgery was worse for me. Lynda

It's nopt just the bougie size, but also the technique (what angle was used, how close did the surgeon staple) and how long your stomach is. My Dr. used a 40. At 8.5 months, I can eat 3 oz. of Protein, some veggies, and a little starch. My weight loss has slowed due to snacking and the fact that I added drinking back in, not because I can over eat at meals. I am happy with my sleeve and wanted to be able to eat three small meals per day and get my required nutrients. I'm there. Lynda

Congrats Sharon! I bet the towel goes all the around now too? I just love the bathroom now :-) Lynda

Congrats on your one year surgiversary! That's an incredible amount of weight to lose, sleeve or no sleeve! You look fabulous! Lynda

I like a few slices of Gallo Lite 55% reduced fat salami. 5 slices are 70 calories and 7 grams of Protein. Like others, I also enjoy light cheeses and beef jerky. I like 1/2 apple with some Peanut Butter, but I don't consider peanut butter a protein food. It's too many calories for the amount of protein. Sometimes i have a Soy Latte or soy milk heated with a little sugar free caramel syrup. It's 80 calories and 8 grams of protein. Nuts are a trigger food for me so I try to avoid them. Lynda

Vanishing, you do own sexy!! And training for a 5K? Great way to celebrate a new you. Happy birthday! Lynda

Hi all, For the first time post-op, I have a gain. I snacked, had drinks, and skipped workouts, so it's not shock that it happened. I just have to own it and take responsibility. I'm late posting my Friday weight because I just didn't want to have to enter the number, but I have to own what I'm doing so I can make a change. I have 3.8 lbs. to go to my final goal weight. I know I can get there if I buckle down. My Valentine's Goal also includes reaching the following goals: 144: This was my Christmas goal and I've lost 110 lbs. (32 pre-op and 78 post op). 9 lbs. to my final goal!!! 142: I've lost 80 lbs. post-op 140: Five lbs. to my final goal!!! 139: My number starts with 13. I haven't weighed this since the early-90s. 135: GOOOAAAL! Lynda Valentine's Day Goal: SW-144.2.............CW-138.8.............Goal-135 Dec. 25: 144.2 Dec. 30: 142.8 Jan. 6: 142.6 Jan. 13: 141.7 Jan. 20: 138.4 Jan. 27: 138.3 Feb. 3: 138.8 Feb. 10: Valentine's Day:

Congrats! Life at goal looks good on you! Lynda

I used Greek Yogurt and Protein shakes to get to my calorie and protein goals when I was early out. I could only eat about an ounce of protein and only really soft protein like moist chicken, tuna mixed with a little light mayo, or low fat lunch meat. This phase seems so long, but it's well worth it! I'm now enjoying small, healthy meals and never need a Protein shake unless i'm traveling. I still rely on greek yogurt most days. At 130 calories and 23 grams of protein per cup, it's perfect for me at Breakfast. Lynda

You can see my weekly weight loss in my ticker if you click on it and view historic data. I'm with Meg - I never felt like the fat me was the real me. But it does take some getting used to. I am still surprised by how small my clothes are. Yesterday I was looking for pants and I kept picking up the 14 and 16 size before I checked the label. I think that was my goal size for so long pre-op. Without the operation, that was my dream - to just get to a 14 so I could be healthier and shop in the regular department instead of the women's dept. Looking forward to seeing your progress Char! I just tried on my wedding dress a few weeks ago. It felt so good to have it fit again! Lynda

I use a white board on the fridge door to track Water, Protein and calories. If it's complicated, I take a stab at it. Most things I eat at home or on plan are pretty simple to tally. For things like storebought cake, Cookies, donuts, etc. I use 300 for a small serving. drinks are hard to tell too. I like the Mai Tais and Agave Margaritas at PF Changs. I enter them at 300 too. Lynda

Welcome New_Hope! Maybe we'll be sleeve sisters - I had my VSG on May 17, 2011. Best thing I've ever done for my health besides starting an exercise program. Lynda

I really resisted stopping coffee (my pre-op diet lasted three months), but in the last month I did manage to give it up and I was so grateful! Right after surgery I really had to work to get in enough fluids and I couldn't stand the thought of something as strongly flavored as coffee for the first week or two. The thought of dealing with feeling crappy after surgery and caffeine withdrawal really helped me stick to giving up caffeine pre-op. I had the headache and felt really fuzzy, but it does go away after a few days. I did well after surgery and at three months was cleared for caffeine. I am enjoying my coffee again! Lynda

I've probably got 20 to 30 years on you (I'm 55), and my bust is waaay smaller, but our other statistics are similar. I'm 5'6". I started at 254 and I'm currently 138. I went from similar sizes to a 6 in Merona Fit 4 jeans and XS in tops at Target. In Denizen Jeans, I wear a size 8. I have some extra skin, but my understanding is it takes up to a year to reabsorb, so I am going to wait 1 year before deciding what to do. For me, I know I will not be considering a lift anywhere. At 55, I expect some saggy skin and I'm not up for pain. I am interested in the skin tightening laser treatments because they are much less invasive and I hope to not need that much tightened. How much your skin tightens depends on a lot of stuff out of your control, like your age and genetics. One thing you can do is exercise. It really helps pull the skin in and give it something to drape over. Search for blackberry and take a look at her pics. Her skin looks good. For the bust issues, I started at a 40 D and I'm now in a 34 D I think. I don't think firming creams work. A good skin lotion or body oil will help your skin look its best. And being sure to get enough Vitamins, Protein, and fluids are important too. Lynda

Agree with the dumplings. I ate those early out and discarded the wrapper. I love PF Changes Ooolong Tea Sea Bass. It's expensive but so worth it. I don't care for eggs, but isn't Egg Foo Young basically an eggy omelet kinda thingy? Lynda

Meg, I'll be thinking of you and watching to see what is said. It's so hard to tell what is caused by the operation and what is something that just occurs after and would have hit anyway. Coops: Your newer profile pic is fabulous! Looks like those last 13 lbs. will have to come out of your foot :-) Diva: Haha. That amount of workout time explains A LOT. I weigh less than you but I'm in a much bigger size. I average 45 minutes of light to moderate exercise 5 days a week. And I have to talk myself into that! On the weight front, I'm really struggling with the snacking. I think it is the first week I will have to post a gain since the surgery, but maybe the scale will be kind to me tomorrow a.m. Ugh. Snacking go away! Lynda

I like: Turkey little smokies: 5 have 80 calories and 8 grams of Protein Gallo 55% reduced fat light salami: 5 slices have 70 calories and 7 grams of protein and everything on Meg's list except eggs: I hate eggs! If you like eggs and you like cooking, eggface has some egg bite things that look interesting, http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/2009/10/party-time-confetti-bites.html Lynda

Your symptoms do sound like lactose intolerance. I developed it after surgery. At first, the only Protein powder I could tolerate was unjury chicken flavor. It is easier to digest if you are lactose intolerant. I also switched to Soy Milk and gave up cottage cheese. I can eat greek yogurt, but not regular yogurt. After a few weeks I also used the Gold Standard whey Protein in French vanilla, mixed with soy milk. Hope you feel better soon. Lynda

I'm 8 1/2 months out. My craving are much worse since I slacked the reins at Christmas time. I am not more tired. Is your Iron good? Or do you eat a carby meal? That used to make me tired, but I can't stomach much bread, rice, potatoes, or Pasta, so I don't eat many carb heavy meals. The most carby thing I eat on plan is Beans. I sometimes have a cup of beans for dinner and I notice I am hungrier after eating them, but not more tired. I can now eat a cup of greek yogurt and one slice of toast for breakfast. That's about what I hoped for in restriction. I don't want to be stuck eating 6 meals a day to get my Protein in. For dinner, I can eat 3 oz. of dense protein, a little bit of veggies, and a bite or two of a starch. For lunch, I often have 2 oz. of lunch meat, an ounce of cheese, a handful of whole grain crackers and a little fruit, such as a little cutie or 1/4 of an apple. Lynda

Janerose, I'm with MeginNola. I buy lots of stuff that doesn't have to be cooked, such as: costco Rotissere chicken: I add it to canned Soups, eat it plain with BBQ sauce, chop it with a little lite mayo and eat on crackers, or mix it in with a package of stir fry vegetagbles Plain Nonfat Greek Yogurt: I like it as a smoothie: 1 cup yogurt, splash OJ, 2 frozen strawberries, 3 tablespoons Splenda, and 1/4 cup Water. Blend and Yum! Also good as parfait. I mix it with splenda and thin a little with OJ, then layer with splenda sweetened berries and Kashi Go Lean Crunch Cereal. lunch meats: My latest fav is Gallo Lite Salami 55% reduced fat (the 95% reduced fat is NASTY!) Light string cheese and Babybel cheese Whole grain crackers Whole wheat bread, well toasted Canned chili, 99% fat free beef Canned tuna, which I like mixed with a little liite mayo and some honey mustard Frozen turkey meatballs (I add these to soups for extra protein) Beef jerkey For eating out on plan I like: Shrimp or crab cocktail at the seafood place chicken, beef, or shrimp skewers at the Asian restaurant Smoked chicken at the BBQ joint McDonalds: Grilled Chicken salad PF Changs: Oolong Tea Sea Bass Subway: Sweet Chicken Teriaki with cucumbers and red onions on whole wheat ( I eat only a few bites of the bread) Everyone has to find a way to make the plan work for them. My biggest quick tip is find some prepared meats you like and add them to other take out stuff to get enough Protein in. The deli counter has a lot of good choices too. And I like the salad bar area because I can just pick and choose a few veggies instead of winding up with bug bunches lot of stuff that I throw out. Lynda

For a sweet treat with less calories, I like a cup of Soymilk with some sugarfree syrup in it. My fav is the 8th Continent Original Soy Milk with a teaspoon or two of sugar free caramel syrup. It's 80 calories and 8 grams of Protein. I drink that at night when I want something sweet. I am having a hard time with sweets too. And I like salty Snacks too. Grrr. lynda

Congrats! I've lost a short adult! My feet and knees know it too. I can barely lift 50 lbs. Go sleevies! Lynda

I have a Blender Bottle too. Also got mine at Amazon. I prefer it over the blender because the blender makes stuff to frothy. I shake mine over the sink because it leaks a little sometimes where the pour spout closes. I see others don't have a problem with that, so it may just be the way I hold the pour spout closed. Lynda