lsereno

I had extra drinks (I can have 1-2 per week now that I'm more than 6 months post-op and doing well), sweets, and a little fried food (chips and the fried green Beans at PF Changs). I tried to get my Protein and Fluid in each day, which limits how bad I can be. And I can't drink or eat sweets like I did pre-op, so that slows me down too. On Christmas, I had the foods I traditionally eat. Just a lot less of them. For Breakfast, I had a sweet roll, a sausage link, and a tangerine for breakfast. For lunch, I had lowfat cheese sticks, another sausage link, and whole grain crackers. For dinner I had smoked sturgeon mixed with low-fat mayo, more whole wheat crackers, and another tangerine. During the day, I ate nuts (in the shell, so it takes longer to eat them) and three pieces of Sees candy. Today, the day after Christmas, I am back on track. Even on track I have an occasional cheat, but I whooped it up in Vegas and on Christmas Day. Here's to a happy, healthy, and successful 2012 to all my fellow VSGers! Cheating is not failure. Failure is when you never climb back on the wagon! Lynda

I drank one ounce every 15 minutes while I was up. I watched the clock and used a measuring cup as my pitcher and a shot glass or a one-ounce medicine cup as my drinking cup. It took the whole 15 minutes to finish the ounce because I had to take small sips, but breaking it down and measuring it helped me get in my 64 oz. every day until I could take bigger sips. Lynda

Any doctor can order the blood work. Kaiser has a cheat sheet for General Practitioners that details what should be checked: http://www.permanent...r/pdf/63284.pdf Some stuff in the sheet applies to other surgeries, but most info applies to sleeve. Lynda

I strongly recommend starting Iron and taking all other supplements your program recommends. I am about one month ahead of you and I got my full energy back between months 4 and 5. I actually have more energy now that pre-surgery. No suprise since I not dragging around an extra 100 lbs. everywhere I go! I take Ferrimin 150 a couple of times a week. It has a stool softener built in, which is helpful with iron. And the type of iron it contains is absorbed more easily than the type that is is most iron supplements. Lynda

I buy at Target and Walmart, with the occasional find at Ross or TJ Maxx. I buy the jeans with stretch at Target and get them very tight. At first, I don't dry them in the dryer, as the become looser, I dry them in the dryer to get a better fit for a little longer. Once they get baggy even when the first come out of the dryer, I buy a couple more pairs. I usually find them for about $15 per pair, so it's not a major investment. I buy a couple of sweaters and several t-shirts at Walmart or Target and layer stuff up. I can get quite a few looks out of stuff with scarves, jewelry, and just mixing sweaters, t-shirts, and jeans. I don't dress up much and nomally I would keep one dress up outfit but I haven't been doing that because there is no sense in buying one in each size. I figure if I need a dress up outfit, I 'll just run out and buy one that fits right then. Lynda

Yes, I'm ready for a new challenge goal! Valentine's Day is 7 weeks away. I am hoping that's my last challenge goal and I get to GOAL by Valentine's Day. I started my pre-op diet on Feb. 15, so it will be a perfect time to get to GOAL: one year from pre-op diet to goal! Lynda

Hi all, I missed my Christmas goal by .2 lbs. On Christmas morning I weighed 144.2. This last week was challenging, with a trip to Vegas and lots of Christmas goodies around. I am so grateful for the restriction of the sleeve and my smaller appetite for sweets and fried foods! I didn't get a single workout this last week, but I walked a lot in Vegas. We ate at several buffets; I concentrated on seafood, a little fruit and vegetables, and then a little dessert, so not too much damage there. And a few Christmas goodies and cocktails too. Our next challenge goal may bring me to my final goal. I'm just 9.2 lbs. away. Lynda My Christmas Goal also includes reaching the following goals: 154 lbs.: I'm a NORMAL BMI!!!! and I have 19 lbs. to goal 154: I've lost 100 lbs total - 32 pre-op and 68 post-op. I'm in the Century Club! 152: I've lost 70 lbs. post-op 149: My number starts with 14. I haven't weighed this since the mid-90s. 146: I've lost 10% of my total body weight for the fourth time since the operation. I have less than 10% of my body weight to go to goal, so it will be my last 10% loss. 145: 10 lbs. to go to my final goal! 144: My Christmas goal and I've lost 110 lbs. (32 pre-op and 78 post op). 9 lbs. to my final goal!!! Christmas Goal: SW-157.9.............CW-144.2...............Christmas Goal-144 Oct 28: 157.9 Nov. 4: 155 Nov. 11: 152.8 Nov. 18: 150.4 Nov. 25: 149.1 Dec. 2: 148.9 Dec. 9: 146.6 Dec. 18: 145.4 (late weigh-in because I was traveling) Dec. 23: (no weigh-in because I am traveling) Christmas: 144.2

Congrats! What a wonderful Christmas present for you. Lynda

I'm 7 months out. I started at 254 (I'm 5'6") and was 222 the day before my surgery, May 16. I am now 144 (I only update my ticker once per week so it's at 145.4, which is what I weighed last Friday). I'm 9 lbs. away from my goal, which will put me at a BMI of 21.8. I have small bones, so I don't look as skinny as you might think. I still like sweets and greasy foods, but not very much of them. They don't set as well as they used to. I think it's because I am out of the habit of eating them. When I was younger and thin, I couldn't eat a lot of greasy food or sweet food because it bothered me. Not everyone who gets RNY gets dumping syndrome when eating sweets, so it may not offer the deterrent you hope for. I am very happy with my choice. The weight loss, appetite suppression, and ability to eat a small amount of any food I choose, has been everything I hoped for. Best wishes on a speedy recovery. I'm keeping you a seat warm on the losers' bench! Lynda

I drink a yogurt smoothie made with greek yogurt, splash of OJ, couple of strawberries, and Splenda every day for Breakfast. I started with 1/2 c. yogurt and am up to 1 cup of yogurt. Now that I'm further out, I also have 1/2 slice of whole wheat toast with it and a Soy Latte when I first get up. For lunch, my fav is Gallo Light Salami, a light string cheese, and a few whole wheat crackers. I started with one ounce of salami, but I now can eat two ounces of salami and a little fruit, such as 1/4 apple or orange or 1/2 a small tangerine. For dinner, my fav is ground beef (we grind our own) with a little bit of vegetables. I also love to get a costco roasted chicken and use the meat in Soup, chicken salad, or on its own with bbq or other sauce. Lynda

Congrats Lisa!!!!

Congrats on making it to goal Susni!!!!

Hi former_vbg, I'm also lactose-intolerant post-surgery. I drink SoyMilk. The 8th Continent Original Soy Milk has 80 calories and 8 grams of protein per cup. I make a Soy Latte in the mornings and sometimes have a glass of Soy Milk before bed if I need a little more protein and calories for the day. I can also tolerate yogurt and hard cheeses. Soft cheeses, milk, ice cream, and whipped cream all bother me now, even at 6 months out. Lynda

Hi all, I'm down 1.2 lbs. this week, so my Christmas goal is looking a little more do-able if I stick to plan this week. I have 1.4 more lbs. to goal. And I hit a mini-goal this week. For the fourth time since the operation, I have lost 10% of my body weight. This is the last time that will happen, because I will be at goal before I lose another 10%!! I was in Japan last week and didn't find the food options I expected. I expected to find a lot of teriaki meats, but I didn't see it at even one restaurant, so I ate a lot of Udon and Soba noodle soups with meat in them. I didn't track protein or water all week. Fortunately, we walked a lot every day and I packed protein powder, so in the end things seem to have evened out. My goal for the coming week is to eat healthy, get in one workout, and walk a lot. I am worried about reaching goal because I am traveling to Vegas for four days this week and my yogurt shakes and low-fat protein options will not be on restaurant menus. And I plan to have a few drinks (empty calories!). As the finally topper, we are having a big family get together on Christmas Eve. But I will be walking a lot in Vegas and taking my protein powder, so keep your fingers crossed for me and goal! Lynda My Christmas Goal also includes reaching the following goals: 154 lbs.: I'm a NORMAL BMI!!!! and I have 19 lbs. to goal 154: I've lost 100 lbs total - 32 pre-op and 68 post-op. I'm in the Century Club! 152: I've lost 70 lbs. post-op 149: My number starts with 14. I haven't weighed this since the mid-90s. 146: I've lost 10% of my total body weight for the fourth time since the operation. I have less than 10% of my body weight to go to goal, so it will be my last 10% loss. 145: 10 lbs. to go to my final goal! 144: My Christmas goal and I've lost 110 lbs. (32 pre-op and 78 post op). 9 lbs. to my final goal!!! Christmas Goal: SW-157.9.............CW-145.4...............Christmas Goal-144 Oct 28: 157.9 Nov. 4: 155 Nov. 11: 152.8 Nov. 18: 150.4 Nov. 25: 149.1 Dec. 2: 148.9 Dec. 9: 146.6 Dec. 18: 145.4 (late weigh-in because I was traveling) Dec. 23: (no weigh-in because I am traveling) Christmas:

Happy late birthday Diva!!

Welcome! At 55, I'm definitely of a certain age. My skin does look a bit more crinkly here and there, but that's what I expected. My hair is thinner, but not so thin you can see through it and not so thin that I had to change my style. Lynda

Raine, AKA Skinny Minnie: You are rockin' those boots! Lynda

I didn't in most joints. My feet, ankles, and knees are better though. The Dr. did tell me being overweight is known to cause inflammation and losing weight is supposed to help RA. Lynda

I'm 11 1/2 small pounds from goal and I know people treat me differently. I have always been well groomed, with a stylish do and makeup. My pic still shows me at close to my heaviest weight ever: 254. As you can see from my happy grin and hoisted drink, I knew how to have fun, play up my good points, and put on a winning smile. A few people comment on my weight every time they see me and ask what I weigh; once I weigh less than them, a look of distress crosses their face. I finally told one friend, don't worry I'll never weigh less than you (She's 4'11" and weighs 125.) One former friend avoids me now (we were supposed to have the surgery around the same time but she backed out of the program). Strangers are nicer to me and notice me more. My medical plan finally treated my joint issue (turns out I have rheumatoid arthritis). I think they could see the swollen joints more after I lost weight. I had been complaining for a couple of years, and joint problems are one of the reasons I wanted to lose weight. I don't think these people are evil haters. Bias for most people is something they are not even aware of. I was thin when I was younger and I thought the changes in other's attitudes were more about aging, but I see that it not true now. I am thankful I am older now, though: there is far less skanky male attention at 55 than in my teens, twenties, and thirties. Lynda

Hi all, I'm down just 2.3 lbs. this week, after a super-small loss last week. I have to lose another 2.6 lbs. in the next 16 days, so goal will be challenging for me. I am traveling to Japan next week and will be checking in late. I missed three workouts again this week, but I have done much better eating on plan. My goal for the coming week is to eat healthy in Japan and get in enough protein and water each day. Lynda My Christmas Goal also includes reaching the following goals: 154 lbs.: I'm a NORMAL BMI!!!! and I have 19 lbs. to goal 154: I've lost 100 lbs total - 32 pre-op and 68 post-op. I'm in the Century Club! 152: I've lost 70 lbs. post-op 149: My number starts with 14. I haven't weighed this since the mid-90s. 146: I've lost 10% of my total body weight for the fourth time since the operation. I have less than 10% of my body weight to go to goal, so it will be my last 10% loss. 145: 10 lbs. to go to my final goal! 144: My Christmas goal and I've lost 110 lbs. (32 pre-op and 78 post op). 9 lbs. to my final goal!!! Christmas Goal: SW-157.9.............CW-146.6...............Christmas Goal-144 Oct 28: 157.9 Nov. 4: 155 Nov. 11: 152.8 Nov. 18: 150.4 Nov. 25: 149.1 Dec. 2: 148.9 Dec. 9: 146.6 Dec. 16: Dec. 23: Christmas:

Congrats! What a fabulous Christmas present for you: Goal! Lynda

Recovery was a bit tougher than I expected. I was not one of the lucky ones who felt great in a week. I took pain meds for about a week and a half. I was super tired the first couple of months and didn't feel 100% in the energy department till about 5 months out. Instead of dropping steadily, my blood pressure did a wild up and down thing for a while and it still goes up once and a while. Losing weight did not cure my joint issues, but once I lost weight the doctor could see how swollen my joints can get and I have been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. I am so grateful that while my hair has thinned, it is not so thin that I have had to change my hair style. I was worried I would have to get extensions or go short (hubby hates short hair). It was easier to go heavy on the Protein than I expected. I was a carb monster pre-op and I really dreaded having to eat protein first. But it totally doesn't bother me now. I was worried I would not be able to lose the weight even with surgery, but now I am just 13 teeny pounds from goal. At almost seven months out, I have fewer side effects than I expected. I can eat spicy food, have a drink, and generally enjoy myself without it bothering my tummy. One thing: I am now lactose intolerant and I drink my morning espresso as a Soy Latte instead of straight. Straight espresso is a bit harsh for my tummy now. Lynda

I'll be 7 months out on Dec. 17th. I have lost 100% of my excess weight (BMI <25) and have about 13 lbs. to go to goal (BMI 21.8). I have followed my program's eating, drinking, and exercise plan with a few Snacks (not a lot!). I had a lot of muscle mass going in to the operation because I had been working out with a trainer 3 x per week for several years (one of my many failed attempts to get my weight under control). I'm very small-boned (ring size 6) and prefer to have a long lean look with a few feminine curves, so my goal weight is less than many people who are the same height as me. Lynda

My program said to only take them for 3 months, but I took them for 6 months. I stopped without any problems at all. I did not have a problem with acid reflux before surgery (unless i had about 5 margaritas and a bunch of chips). Lynda

Congrats! You look fabulous! Lynda