lsereno

I agree with what others have said. Just want to give you a little encouragement to stick with your program and know the tool will work for you! My weight loss has been slower than a lot of people who started at a weight near mine, but I'm closing in on goal. Lynda

I got a weird dry skin rashy thing on my chest, just below my collarbone, and in a couple of places on my arms around month 4 or 5. It's gone away now. I thought maybe it's because I shrunk quickly and my skin couldn't keep up. I use a body oil instead of lotion after every few showers. I think the oil helps me skin. It sure soaks in fast! Lynda

My hair started thinning at 4 months and is still shedding faster than usual at 7 months. I have not had to change my style. As you can see in profile pic, taken Dec. 23, it still looks good. It makes a really scrawny ponytail though! Lynda

I'm very goal-oriented and I'm probably the queen of short-term mini-goals. Setting mini-goals helps me work out and avoid foods that are bad for me. And it gives me something to look forward to. I don't set a date for most mini-goals, they are steps on the way to a bigger goal. I participate in the holiday challenges posted in the General thread and those do have a date associated with them. I follow my program to reach the goal - I don't work out extra or skimp on good-for-me foods. I try to set a goal that is achievable if I work out and follow the program. Lynda

Happy New Years to you! And welcome to onderland. I love it here!!! I tried for more than 10 years to get there without the sleeve. Thank goodness for our wonderful tool. Lynda

Congrats Sharon! Can't wait to see the pic of you in one leg :-) I saved my biggest pair of jeans, but I haven't tried them on in awhile. I am down about 110 lbs.

Congrats, what a terrific way to start the New Year! How thrilling to see goal weight on the scale, and in less than 7 months! I love success stories. Pat yourself on the back for me! Lynda

I watched the clock and just drank an ounce every 15 minutes while I was awake. I only did this while I couldn't drink more than a sip without pain. After a few days, I didn't have to watch it so close to get the fluids in. Lynda

Hi all, I will update my full post later, the cut and paste isn't working for me tonight. Just a quick check in to let you know I'm at 142.8 this week. Just 7.8 lbs. to goal. So I'm down 1.4 lbs this week. Start: 144.2--Current: 142.8--Goal: 135 Lynda

I went to So Cal (400 mile one way road trip) three weeks after surgery. I packed stuff to eat in a little cooler bag. I still got tired really easy at 3 weeks and had to take a nap every day. Also, I couldn't wait till 8 p.m. for dinner, which is when my family liked to eat, so I just ate a little early. I packed Water, Protein powder, yogurt, instant decaf coffee, and lunchmeat. When we ate out, I had shrimp or crab cocktail. I had yogurt for Breakfast, lunchmeat at lunchtime, shrimp, crab, chicken, or Soup for dinner and two Protein drinks a day (one midmorning and one after dinner). Lynda

About a week for me too. I was up 13 lbs. when I came home the day after surgery. Sheesh! But now, 7 months out, I have lost about 80 lbs! Lynda

I use the unjury Protein powder. But I also use one from GNC. I use regular Vitamins. Lynda

Congrats and Happy Anniversary! You look fabulous and so happy. I know you must feel so much better without that extra 140 weighing you down. Lynda

My back fat rolls disappeared about the time I hit a normal BMI. My extra chins have been slowly dwindling, but are not completely gone. My tummy, thighs, upper arms, and torso are thin looking, but the skin is jiggly. I'm 55, so it's hard to tell what skin damage is age and what is weight loss. I still have love handles on my hips, but I had them when I was young and thin unless I stayed at the very low end of the healthy BMI range, so that's just my body type. For me, strength training exercise is key to looking more fit. I can see my muscles under my skin and they provide shape in my arms, legs, and torso. Also, I know I don't see myself as I look to others yet. I feel fatter and am constantly surprised that I fit in the small pants I wash. Lynda

Thank you! I was going to wait till I got to goal, but seeing my pics in a Facebook timeline and reading posts about whether surgery risks were worth it changed my mind. I truly didn't realize how very different I looked till I saw my pics from several years all in one place. The biggest part of my story to me is how many years and how hard I struggled to lose weight before deciding to have the operation. As others have said, for me it wasn't the easy way, it was the only way! Lynda

Congrats! Thanks so much for sharing. I love to see people at goal. It gives me hope that I will get there too! Lynda

Hi all, This is my first attempt at sharing pics, other than my profile pic. I'm not a goal yet, but I'm getting close. Just wanted to provide a little motivation for those who are contemplating surgery or muddling through those first few weeks after. This pics show my struggle to lose weight before surgery, and the amazing transformation I've enjoyed post-surgery. Best wishes to all on the loser's bench in 2012! Lynda

I ate low fat ham lunchmeat from costco, Greek Yogurt mixed with splenda to sweeten it, Anderson Split Pea Soup, and Protein drinks mixed with soy milk or the unjury chicken protein. It took awhile for things to taste good and go down well again. I could only eat one ounce of protein for a while. It took time to get to two ounces and now I can usually fit three ounces, but not always. Be sure to get your liquids in and eat protein first! It's a process, but well worth it if you ask me! At 7 months out from surgery, I'm just 9 teeny pounds from my personal goal of 135, which will put me at a BMI of 21.8. I'm small boned and prefer a long, lean look so I went for a lower BMI. Lynda

I'm so sorry your dear friend has had such a serious complication. When you are weighing your options, please consider the health risks and life imitations of being overweight. For me, those risks and limitations far outweighed the risks of surgery. I was very afraid when I went to surgery, but not too afraid to follow through with it. One thing that helped me was to read people's stories. Most people with complications have overcame them and gone on to succeed. And the majority of people sail through without complications. I'm seven months out and the only issue I've had is that I'm now lactose intolerant. I can deal with that! Best wishes to you on your weight loss journey and healing wishes for your friend. Lynda

Reach my goal weight and maintain (within a 5 lb. window either side) throughout the year. Continue my exercise program. Do not succumb to alcohol addiction now that I can't eat as much. Lynda

Are you drinking at least 64 oz of Water a day? I am hungry and my weight loss stalls if I don't get at least 64 oz. of fluids every day. Are you eating Protein first at every meal? With 1200 calories per day, you should be able to get at least 60 grams of protein in food alone without the Protein Drink. For example, 6 oz. of beef has 42 grams of protein and 6 oz. of chicken breast has 60 grams of protein, according to about.com, http://lowcarbdiets.about.com/od/whattoeat/a/highproteinfood.htm. If I don't eat protein first, I am hungry after meals. Are you exercising? My weight loss sped up after I returned to a full exercise regimen after surgery. My program recommends at least 5 days per week. I walk fast for 45 minutes at a time twice a week, do strength training with a personal trainer once per week, and take two group exercise classes (body pump and cardio sculpt). Are you taking Iron? I felt tired till I started taking an iron supplement a couple of times per week. Those are my ideas. Hope they help. Lynda

Thanks Forensikchic! I'm in! My goal for Valentine's Day is based on losing another about 1.25 lbs. per week and arriving at GOAL one year after I began the pre-op diet and nine months post-surgery. I weight every day but I only log my weight on Fridays (except for the final challenge date) to keep myself sane. 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: Fivelbs. 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-144.2..............Goal-135 Dec. 25: 144.2 Dec. 30: Jan. 6: Jan. 13: Jan. 20: Jan. 27: Feb. 3: Feb. 10: Valentine's Day:

Congrats Raine! What a great Christmas present. And I think it's a good idea to wait a little before having surgery to remove extra skin. My understanding is that some of it disappears on its own during the first year at goal weight. Lynda

I take the calcium with Breakfast and dinner and then have the Iron just before I go to bed. Lynda

I think that applies to RNY only. I know my program allows them but if I take them I also have to take prilosec or the generic version, omeprazole. Lynda