wishes

No problem, I am really glad to see you back on VST. That is what everyone is here for. I am not on as much here as I used to be, but I still come here occasionally for the support and to support others. Also, I am on myfitnesspal everyday, and there is definitely big support there too. I will definitely be there to cheer you on!

Congrats, so glad to read you finally made it!

That's awesome. Congrats! I am 8.6 lbs from my surgeon's goal, and 28.6 from my own. This is really inspiring, and makes me know it is even more important to keep up with my plan. Thank you for posting.

Back to basics. You can do this, lady. You are taking a huge step by coming here. My advice would be Protein first, then veggies, and then carbs if there is room if you want. Try to get at least 70 grams, try to keep the carbs lower to decrease cravings and get more protein, and if you can, fit in exercise at least 3x a week for 30 minutes. Set up a meal plan. Literally, plan out each meal, and eat what you say you are going to. Hold yourself accountable. If you are having a hard time with protein, drink a shake. I always start my day with one. I will repeat. You can do this! Edit: And if you can, try to get in at least 80 ounces of decaffeinated fluids. It helps stave off hunger, and it helps with weight loss.

I am so happy for you. You look amazing. Congratulations on winning, I am so glad I could vote for you. You totally deserved this.

It takes awhile for you adapt to the new normal. Things will get better. I hated that I couldn't eat a whole cheese stick in the beginning. Seriously? A cheese stick! But it gets better, and you appreciate what the sleeve is doing. It is teaching you how to eat again and learn how to eat better. Because your restriction will loosen. You will be able to eat and drink more, and developing good habits now will help you fight regain later.

Woohoo! And before you know it you will no longer be able to fit those!

Errr..... right. I know I am not over a year out, but I really want to reply to this. That is not true, for me at least. I think it is how you approach it. We get fat from eating too many calories and not burning enough. Why would I want to eat like I used to? I am trying to hit goal and I want to be able to maintain my weight loss. I have always had problems with this. The sleeve helps you learn new habits, so you can take control again. Right now, I am making homemade black bean corn salsa, homemade baked tortilla chips, grilling swai, grilled onions and peppers, and making refried beans! Serious? My boyfriend and I love home date nights. I normally eat my Protein and a little of the veggies. I might have a couple chips and a bite or two of salsa, but I don't want to eat a whole entire basket of chips like I used to. So I make some corn chips for him and I eat a couple of the low carb tortilla chips. We still really enjoy eating together, and my sleeve hasn't really affected our relationship much except he has dropped 30 lbs by trying to eat better.

You look amazing. Thank you so much for posting!

So it has been about two weeks since I last logged here. Two weeks ago: 155 lbs Last week: 152.6 lbs This week: 151 lbs Slowly but surely I am going to leave the 150s. Can I lose 11 lbs in 4 weeks? Maybe. Gotta get in some more cardio!

Wow, you look so happy in the second picture. Congrats!

I understand completely. My mother had surgery two months after me. She had a complication which would have been mild if she would have received care when she started experiencing symptoms, but she waited until six months post-op to seek treatment. In all honesty, complications occur pretty infrequently with the sleeve. Just pay attention to her symptoms and trust the surgeon to do his or her best. I will be keeping you and your mother in my thoughts.

34f, but it really isn't about just the size of the bougie. It is how close the surgeon cuts to the bougie and how close he or she staples. Also, there is another factor. Does the surgeon oversew? Multiple factors contribute to the size of the new sleeved stomach. Depending on the surgeon a 40f can end up a tight 32f and a 34f could be a loose 40f.

Still on track, by I am kind of zig zagging out of the 150s this week. I won't do a final weekly weigh in until Friday when I see my PCP. I just want to thank everyone so much for the motivation to keep up with my nutrition this week. I really think I can hit this goal if I stay focused.

Bariatric multis normally have the vitamins and nutrients we need in bioavailable (easier for the body to breakdown and use) forms such as the difference between calcium carbonate and calcium citrate. However, there are multivitamins on the market such as Centrum Silver Chewables/Tablets that have the same vitamins in the same bioavailable form. I prefer chewable, and I also like the orange flavor from Celebrate Vitamins so that is what I take. I can remember them a whole lot better if I enjoy the taste, but it is all about preference on that end.

That's awesome. I love Ruby Tuesday. I actually went there tonight with my mom, and we split the petite sirloin with mashed cauliflower and green beans. It was really nice.

Thank you so much everyone! She really appreciates the kind thoughts and prayers, and yes, thank you about the spicy tip. I feel like I have dead taste buds because I don't register spicy at all, lol. @thinoneday: I definitely agree. After surgery, it is so important to be gentle with your stomach and go through the stages. My mom and I had the same surgeon and followed the same plan, but she still had this complication. It is so important to take every step you can to make sure you heal, so if something does happen you at least know you did all you could.

I stall regularly. I am pretty sure the scale won't move for another 2 weeks. Just keep following your plan and the weight will come off!

Okay, my mom was not one of the lucky ones. Yesterday, at six months out my mother finally had an endoscopy. The gastroenterologist said she had an angulation of her sleeve, which is an irregular bend of her stomach. This contributed to the consistent vomiting my mother experienced after eating dense Proteins like beef and chicken or just randomly after eating. Furthermore, the constant vomiting has lead to extensive ulcers at the stomach opening to the esophagus. My mother has been directed to continue taking her PPI twice a day like our surgeon suggested in January and to remain on a soft food diet until the ulcers heal. It is also possible she might need a second surgery to correct the angulation. Please do not wait to get treated if you are experiencing any irregular symptoms, such as pain or vomiting consistently after eating. It is not normal. I just wanted to share this as a word of warning. Even if you follow each step as recommended by your surgeon's plan, complications can still occur. This is a major surgery and losing at least 80% of a major organ is something that requires a little post-operative care whether from your surgeon or PCP. Also, I created a soft food list for my mother. If you have anything to add, I would really appreciate any ideas. It doesn't have to be low carb, but high Protein would be great. eggs Scrambled Poached w/ Canned Chicken and Salsa omelet w/ cheese Egg salad Deviled Quiche or Frittata [*]Sloppy Joes [*]Fish Broiled Boiled Baked [*]Shrimp [*]Peanut/Almond Butter [*]Hummus w/ Canned Chicken Pita [*]Chicken Salad w/ Mayo and Mustard w/ Taco Bell Chipotle Sauce [*]Tuna Salad [*]Crab Salad [*]Crab Cakes [*]Beans Refried Black Bean Bean Salad [*]Melted Cheese Wrapped in lunch meat [*]Rotisserie Chicken [*]Baby Bel Cheeses [*]Ricotta Cheese with Marinara (Baked) [*]Yogurt [*]Mashed Potatoes [*]Protein Gatorade [*]Milk [*]Cheese Cottage Stick [*]oatmeal [*]SF pudding w/ Protein powder [*]Cream of Wheat [*]Protein Bars (Cliff/Quest/Luna) [*]Oh yeah Protein shakes [*]Muscle Milk Protein Shakes [*]Isopure Protein Shakes

No, no, do not feel bad about this. My mom is the same way. Evidently, she has an angulation in her sleeve and if she eats anything too dense.... it comes right back up. She is literally stuck on the soft food diet. I am so glad you are going for the endoscopy. My mom waited until she was 6 months out and now has some serious ulcers.

Lol, I was like you. I had the runs bad. Just keep sipping! Keep getting in those fluids.

That's awesome! Congratulations!

My boyfriend and I eat the same things, only difference is the volume.We both do low carb, and he has lost over 25 lbs since he started. He was motivated from the get go. And since I do all the cooking and refuse to eat leftovers, he gets portion controlled lunches for the next day.

Congrats on getting to goal! That is an awesome SV!

Are you taking a PPI still? That can really help with the acid production.