lsereno

Thanks for sharing the new pics. You are looking fabulous! You are 8 months ahead of me and your leadership, advice, encouragement, support, and honesty has made my journey so much easier. As I get close to goal, I am more worried about maintenance, so I really appreciate that you continue to post now that you are at goal and maintaining. As for long struggles, I know what you mean! I have struggled with my weight since my 30s. The sleeve is the only thing I have found that worked for me. I tried it all (except fad diets, which I knew wouldn't work long-term)- Weight Watchers, Alli, hypnosis, personal trainer 3x per week. You name it, I did it! I love my sleeve. I know I still have to watch what I eat, but I feel like I have a fighting chance at the life and look I want for myself. Lynda

I'm colder now, even at 8 months out. I'm not as cold as I was at first. I was freezing all the time for the first few weeks after surgery. I just bundle up and thank heaven I can take off the extra layer instead of permanently wearing it like i did my fat! Also, once I start moving around I warm up fast. It mostly hits me when I am sitting around. Lynda

It took me till between 4 and 5 months to get my strength fast. I got light headed too. My blood work was good and my nutrtition/fluid/vitamin intake was good too. I was exercising. I think it just takes some people longer to bounce back after surgery. At 8 months, I am 100% and I really don't get dizzy anymore. I'm not sure when the occasional dizzy spell stopped and I can't remember the last time I was dizzy, so I would guess at least three months ago. Hang in there - it's so worth it! Lynda

Congrats Barbara! It is so good to hear from you. I'm just 8 months out and a few pounds from goal and maintenance is a bit scary to me. It boosts my confidence to learn that you are happy and successful two years out. Best wishes on your upcoming surgeries. Can't wait to see the pics! Lynda

I like Lipton Diet Green Tea with citrus. I was able to drink it within the first week or so following surgery. It has 11 mg of caffeine per serving, which is about the same amount as a cup of decaf coffee. I also like Crystal Light lemonaide, but at first it was a little too acidic for my tummy. I also like Diet Snapple Peach Tea. I'm not sure how much caffeine it has.

I agree with Meg. Unless i stick with Protein first I am hungry and eat more calories without feeling full. Eating protein first was a big change for me. I was never very protein-oriented pre-surgery and it was the last thing I would eat on my plate. But I notice how much better I feel if I eat protein first now and how much more satisfied I am after meals, so I'm a convert! I also think exercise is key. I exercise five days a week. For me, it's key to keeping my moods on an even keel and I think it has really made a difference it how my body looks. The last few pounds to goal are always the hardest. I've been whittling away at mine for the last couple of months. Lynda

Congrats! What a difference in the pants! Lynda

I'm lactose-intolerant post-surgery. I can have firm cheeses and yogurt, but milk, ice cream, and cottage cheese upset my tummy. I had runny poo the first few weeks post-op, but it got way better after I cut the milk and cottage cheese out of my diet. I went from going every couple of hours with gas pains throughout the day to minimal gas and going 3-4 times per day, slowly returning to once a day somewhere between 2 and 3 weeks out. Lynda

I love my food scale. It is so much more accurate and it can be easier than measuring once you get used to it. Mine has a zero function (I think most do), so I put my plate on it, zero it out, then add 3 oz. of Protein. I also measure my yogurt for my morning shake like that. Put the blender on it, then zero it and spoon it 227 grams of yogurt (1 cup). I was trying to eat to much because I thought I should, but I got over that and went back to drinking a Protein Shake. Our tummies all heal at different rates. I can get in enough protein now, but it took a few months before I could cut out the Protein shakes. I'm from the clean plate club, but it only bothers me at home. We served ourselves and were expected to eat what we put on our plates. My parents did not make me clean my plate at a restaurant because even then they served a lot of food! I have no problem leaving stuff on my plate at the restaurant! Lynda

Congrats Meg! I'm so happy to hear you had a good loss this month and you are so close to goal. Wish I could have seen your face when you saw the number on the scale. Welcome to onderland! Lynda

I try to not keep foods in the house that are too tempting for me. I'm with SKCunningham: throw it out! It's better to waste it in the garbage than waste it in yourself. Next time you want Pirate's Booty for a special occasion, buy a small bag. If it doesn't come in a small bag, then divy out your portion and give the rest away. Some foods I don't bring in or limit the portion size: mixed nuts, chocolate, chips, cakes and Cookies. Hubby likes sweets but we get his individual portion sized. A cake slice instead of the 8" cake. A couple of cookies from the bakery instead of the boxed dozen at costco. A piece of Sees or a candy bar instead of the bag of Hershey's miniatures. I can enjoy a bite of his cake or cookie without adding too many calories. And he likes ice cream, which I didn't like much to start with and can't have after surgery cuz' I'm now lactose intolerant. I have found other ways to satisfy my need for crunch and sweet. I like a cup of heated soy milk with sugar free caramel syrup in the evenings. Sometimes, I have just hot Water with the syrup. Tastes good to me! And I like whole wheat crackers and dry toasted bread for crunch. I've found beef Jerky to be a good snack. It's low in calories, loaded with Protein, and salty and chewy. For habit eating, like in front of the TV, I try to find something new to do. I spend more time on the computer in the evenings. Keeps my hands busier. I also like to light a candle, apply hand lotion, or put on lip gloss when I feel the need for a treat. No calories! I also brush and floss right after dinner. That doesn't always work, but it helps and my teeth are thanking me! Look at your habits and find substitutes that work for you. Just saying no is a lot harder than saying, I'm gonna try this instead. And SKCunningham, big shout out for dumping that popcorn! I'm proud of you!! Lynda

Boston scientists have discovered a hormone that is secreted by muscles during exercise and boosts the amount of energy the body burns OK, Best new reason I've heard to exercise in quite a while: http://www.boston.com/Boston/whitecoatnotes/2012/01/dana-farber-scientists-discover-hormone-that-triggers-fat-burn-energy/RdTIxJZ7YtqTx7fV5PWh7L/index.html Sheesh! Maybe I'll go back to six days a week. I really wanna hit goal by Valentine's Day. Lynda

I've read it takes up to a year for excess skin to shrink, so I plan to wait a year after getting to goal to see how things look. I rub my skin to bring extra blood flow to the area after showering and then use any kind of body oil or lotion to keep it soft. Not sure if makes a difference, but at least it feels nice. Lynda

Leggings are a lot longer than compression shorts and have cute trim at the bottom, so they can be worn with a lot more. I got some cute llace-trimmed leggings for $8 at costco and they def. suck stuff in. I've seen girls wearing them with mini skirts or a belted tunic. If you pair with winter boots, they will look like tights. Also, exercise has made a real difference for me, but it takes time to see results. Lynda

I took it the first 6 months without a problem. Lynda

Congrats Pasquini! What a great way to start the new year: Normal BMI!! And I love your new profile pic. You look fabulous! Lynda

Hi, Being able to eat more is a natural part of the healing process. It's important to follow your plan. Yes, an occasional treat won't kill you but relying on restriction only and not good eating habits is a sure way to see weight loss grind to a halt and even reverse as our tummies heal. Here's what's worked for me: Stick with Protein first and get the Water in. Eat three meals with a max of two little Snacks. Eat protein as snacks. Limit the treats. Exercise. I want to get to goal ASAP so I am limiting calories to under 1.000 per day. I have great energy with that amount of calories. It means sticking to low fat or fat free protein options and using Splenda instead of sugar to sweeten things. I also stick to whole grains for bread and crackers unless its a treat. Lynda

I like to eat, but I don't like to cook for just myself: I like ground beef.You can have it as a patty or, crumbled with some veggies and sauteed real fast. I buy the chickens from costco and use the meat in chicken salad (made with lite mayo, greek yogurt, honey mustard, and some apple), chicken strips, or sauteed quick with veggies. thin pork chops fish on the george forman or baked in foil with lemon and then served over wilted spinach. I buy premade soups, like the Vegetable barley at Costco, then I add 3 oz. of dense Protein. I don't use all the liquid in the soup. Winds up being more like a casserole. Needs to be a good quality, low calorie soup like from Costco or Whole Foods to work well. I have lowfat salami and string cheese at lunch. Check the deli for pre-cooked kabobs. I like tuna salad too. I know what you mean about being hungrier. I'm a month ahead of you and my appetite is increasing. Hope it is getting close to being what it will be permanently. Lynda

I love crunchy stuff. At first, I ate a single saltine to get my crunch fix. Now I rely on whole wheat crackers. I found a great one at Walmart with 5 grams of Protein for 100 calories. I usually just eat half. Cucumbers, baby carrots, and apples are good crunchy treats too. I like my apple with a little Peanut Butter. I make a ranch dip using the dry mix and greek yogurt. It's great with the cucumbers and carrots. I also double-toast my whole wheat bread so it's really crunchy. Lynda

I walked every couple of hours when I was awake. I took pain meds for 8 days post-op. The last couple of days I only took a half dose. Lynda

You look great! And you're almost in twonderland! Hitting that new first big number is just a great feeling. Thanks for sharing your photos! Lynda

I think I think you might retain a little Water. Give yourself a few weeks to see the real difference. And watch what you're eating. When I first started exercising (pre-WLS), I was hungrier and I ate more without realizing it. I've been exercising 5 days a week (mixed program of walking, cardio, and strength training) since 6 weeks out. I think it has made a difference in my continued weight loss and in the way my body and skin look. Lynda

I was cleared for a couple of drinks a week at 6 months out. I started with a glass of port. It had been so long that the first one felt warmer than I remembered and I needed just one to get a little buzz. Next up a few days later, I tried my traditional Christmas drink: Cointreau and and Cranberry juice. I had a couple of those and had a pleasant buzz. A couple weeks later I had a Mai Tai at PF Changs. Only needed one of those. Those puppies are strong! I think it takes a little less because it's been six months since I had anything. But drinks are empty calories so I am really limiting how many I have since I'd really like to hit goal by Valentine's Day. And I will be diligent about how often I drink even after I get to goal because I am scared of transfer addiction. I'm in my mid-fifties and I've never had a problem with drinking too much, but I sure don't want to start now. Lynda

I like cheese, Beans, lentils, soy milk, and greek yogurt for non-meat Protein. I do stick with low-fat cheeses. I am shooting for a lower BMI and try to keep calories under 1,000 per day at 8 months out. Lynda So non-meat day for me might look like: Wakeup: Soy Latte: 80 calories, 8 grams protein Breakfast: Greek Yogurt smoothie and slice of whole wheat toast: 250 calories, 28 grams of protein Lunch: 2 low fat string cheese, 1/4 orange, 1/3 c sugar snap peas, 8 whole grain crackers. : 220 calories 16 grams protein Dinner: 1 C. split pea Soup, 1/2 slice whole wheat toast with 1 oz. soft goat cheese: 250 calories, 16 grams protein Late NIght: Soymilk with sugar free caramel syrup: 80 calories, 8 grams protein 76 grams protein, 880 calories

I agree that there will be surprises. For me, I expected to be a perky, 100% in a week. Not so much in reality. It was between 4-5 months before I really felt like my strength was totally back. I have worked on head hunger in the past and it took awhile for my appetite to come back so I'm still dealing with this one. It is much easier with the sleeve, but it's not automagic. I have to refuse the extra treats and choose the healthier options. Yes, I would like that bagel with friends. In my head at least. But the non-fat soy latte makes me much happier in the long run. Lynda