Catracks

Welcome Catracks, the Vets forums rock. Yes, the 5:2 worked for me when nothing else would. I had gained 22 pounds last year, and couldn't get it off until I started the 5:2 in June, I am now 4 pounds from goal, and think that using the 5:2 or 6:2 will be just right for maintinance. Do read up! Best of luck.

5:2 has made a huge difference to me. I think it's a great way for sleevers to lose the last little bit and to use for maintenance. I was not doing maintenance myself on my own very well. I gained weight and I could not lose it until I started eating the 5:2 way.

Today is horse day. I think I will post one of me on a horse in the Water. It's our backside, but oh well.

I live in So Cal too, but there is a definite change in the air. It's not just the temperature -- it's the length of the day. When you walk into work and it's dark and you walk out and it's dark ...
Okay, so it's not Siberia, but still.
Hey, my chickens feel it. They've stopped laying.

Healthy Protein packed Soups and stews. There was a lady in here I think that had the best soup/chowder/stew recipes.
You can make big batches and freeze them. Great to take for lunch.
I lived on pureed Soups during those first couple months.

I has been while, hasn't it? I think I started to drift away when the boards started the weird little wars (aka: when can I eat Cheetos again -- You shouldn't do that -- have a little compassion -- stop judging me). I haven't been outside the veterans board and don't think I will.
Check! No two days in a row. Tuesday/Thursday for me then.
Thanks for the links!! I think I'll hang around.

How can one measure happiness or measure ongoing happiness?



Making good choices in life.


Major step taken 3 years ago yesterday by self paying for VSG surgery as an outpatient in US (after being denied by insurance) and had over 80% of my stomach removed. Sleeve gave me a great tool to battle my obesity. So at three years out, I can assure you I made a good or dare I state fabulous choice. Today weighed in at 6 pounds below surgeons goal still well in range of healthy BMI. Yes, I am healthy & take my suppliments & follow up with surgeon annually while still attending a bi-monthly support group here in SoCal
While I can babble on about the benefits of my choice, let me assure you

I have no regrets & LOVE MY SLEEVE


Thank you to each of my fellow vetrans who encourage, support and have imparted valuable information. You have made me a victor.

I didn't know there was a vet board...nice!! I posted this earlier on a different board and it was mentioned that I ought to throw it out here as well. Here's the original post....hope this finds you all well! :-) Hello all!! It's terribly strange for me to say that in just a few weeks I'll be celebrating my 2 year sleeve-aversery! In some ways it feels like I had my sleeve done years and years ago, and other ways it feels like just yesterday. I thought I'd pop back on because I remember reading these posts before my sleeve and wondering what I was in for. I also remember wondering why there didn't seem to be many veterans on here. If I may, let me give you a little insight on what it's like 2 years later. My highest weight was 342.2 (every oz counts right?) and now I stay between 168 and 171....if you're doing the math...171.1 is exactly half my weight. Odd isn't it? I was never one to really work out. I would walk in the neighborhood, maybe. But working out? No way. I can remember reading posts about people finding the fun in working out and I thought they must be nuts. Funny that I have now become one of those folks. I am at the Y every Mon/Wed/Fri and alternate between Zumba and a strength class. Depending on the week I'll add yoga in on Tues/ Thurs but I'm not always able to fit that in. I've competed in several 5k's and will be doing a mud run this Saturday. The most exciting thing for me is that in August I got my Zumba certification and hope to begin teaching that soon. Two years ago, had you told me that fitness would become this important to me, I would have laughed at you. As for food, I feel as though I eat fairly normal. I do stay away from breads because I don't like the way they feel in my stomach, and for me, one bite could easily lead to 7. Sugars? I do allow myself a very small dessert on Sundays only...my mom cooks a big Sunday dinner for the family and I do allow a taste. My portions are different from where they were in the first few months, but still no where near what I used to eat, or what everyone else is eating for that matter. I still measure deli meat and Proteins just to make sure my portions stay in check. I can tell you that I have zero regrets, aside from the old cliché regret that I wish I had done it sooner. I'm enjoying shopping and feel pretty again...which ladies, let's be honest. Cute clothes do not come with x's or w's attached to the size. I have gone from a 26 and 28 to a 6. It's unreal! Recently I was asked by my doctor to film a web spot for him which later turned into a commercial and 3 billboards (which still blows my mind). I'm posting the link just so that, if you're interested, you can hear a little bit about my story. I'm hoping that any of you who might be on the fence, hear this or read this and trust that it's truly a life saving procedure! Little things like walking up the stairs without getting winded, fitting into a booth, tossing your meds...crossing your legs....all of this is possible! And let me also say this, I swore that even after my surgery I would stick around this board. To help and encourage others, to stay in touch...but let me tell you. I am no longer a sit in the chair and surf the web kind of girl. Our tv is rarely on. I think, the reason why you don't see many old timers on here is because they've found their energy...they're out and about. We haven't left you and we certainly haven't forgotten where we started from....but life is now night and day better. I wish all of you luck in your journey and pray that you have successes beyond your wildest dreams!! The link to my story is : http://www.srmconlin...My Journey.aspx Click on hear my story, I'm Kristin Wishing you all the best!!

I will get a panniculectomy and I want my insurance to cover it. I've started documenting my problems with a dermatologist and my PCP already. I will never get a boob job and if I ever did change my mind, I would get a reduction of the extra skin and skip the implants. As it is now, I can stuff them in a bra and they look fine. I like the post where someone called them "Ethiopianesque." They do remind me of old National Geographic magazines from the 50s. Well so be it. What gross is that flap skirt. I will go through that pain, but no one is cutting on the ta-tas. Maybe if I were going from a DDD to a B, but not a smaller D to a B.
Do your boobs hang low?
Do they wobble to and fro?
Can you tie 'em in a knot?
Can you tie 'em in a bow?
Can you throw 'em o'er your shoulder
Like a continental soldier
Do your boobs hang low?
Got to love my husband. He doesn't mind the skin and he didn't even mind the fat -- only that I was unhealthy.

Your secret would be safe with me. I know how those things happen!

I have an old set of restaurant ware. That is heavy restaurant china from the early to mid 20th century. These sets came with what were called fruit bowls. They hold about 4 oz. of liquid are are perfect for new sleevers.
Hit Ebay and do a search on "Restaurant ware fruit bowls." There are some really cheap ones in every color you can imagine. Be careful because if you are like me you will think: The Soup cups for this pattern are cute ... so are the pie plates ... THEN: I like this pattern too.
I would rather not disclose how many sets of dishes I have including serving pieces.

I have an old set of restaurant ware. That is heavy restaurant china from the early to mid 20th century. These sets came with what were called fruit bowls. They hold about 4 oz. of liquid are are perfect for new sleevers.
Hit Ebay and do a search on "Restaurant ware fruit bowls." There are some really cheap ones in every color you can imagine. Be careful because if you are like me you will think: The Soup cups for this pattern are cute ... so are the pie plates ... THEN: I like this pattern too.
I would rather not disclose how many sets of dishes I have including serving pieces.

I do have the butcher grind my beef. I've always liked it better that way. Pink slime is not anything I could have imagined.
I pop my own corn. Nobody had to tell me microwave popcorn was bad news. It tastes like chemicals. I just do it on the stove with coconut or olive oil. Yeah, I know that you're really not supposed to heat extra virgin, first cold press, but I love the taste.
I have been trying to eat natural and eat as many non-processed and minimally processed foods as possible. Unfortunately it's a trade off because these Protein powders are totally food science. The SF Jello pudding and Gelatin and the SF Torani syrups keep me from the sugar. I love to make Protein packed Desserts. One thread goes into philosophy about eating everything you used to in moderation or deny yourself some foods.
I'm of the latter philosophy, but have found things to replace the foods that are not good for me with better ones that taste just as good.
Sorry to hear about popcorn and the GI tract. I would have thought all that Fiber would be a good thing. It could also be what's stalling my weight loss even though I don't eat more than a cup or so and my carbs are under 45 grams. So much for my low calorie snack
I absolutely will continue with minimally processed things. I don't want to go totally Paleo.
I'm going to try mixing the cuts Wheetsin.

Glad you found the answer. You are one of those for whom it is necessary for the short term because of that hiatal hernia. I was one of the lucky ones.I had no pain and no complications. I only had some discomfort from the gas which I walked off like one possessed. I do attribute some of it to the fact that I treated this surgery as something akin to a vacation and a new lease on life.

I have an old set of restaurant ware. That is heavy restaurant china from the early to mid 20th century. These sets came with what were called fruit bowls. They hold about 4 oz. of liquid are are perfect for new sleevers.
Hit Ebay and do a search on "Restaurant ware fruit bowls." There are some really cheap ones in every color you can imagine. Be careful because if you are like me you will think: The Soup cups for this pattern are cute ... so are the pie plates ... THEN: I like this pattern too.
I would rather not disclose how many sets of dishes I have including serving pieces.

I am 1 1/2 years out and in maintenance. I still cannot eat high or even moderate carbohydrates and maintain my weight. I still eat between 70-90 grams of Protein, under 50 grams of carbs and under 35 grams of fat -- unless I am hiking. In that case I can up the carbs and calories.
I do not eat white flour, white Pasta or white rice. I use only butter, olive and coconut oil (or animal fat). I still also enter everything into My Fitness Pal. It's habit now, like brushing my teeth.
I haven't had fast food except for El Pollo Loco and Taco Bell one or twice. I had one bite of a filet o' fish a year ago.
I will never go back to what is a "normal" diet. I try to make almost everything from scratch and go pretty much sugar free. Highly processed foods are off the list for good.
I never want to be fat again. I'm having too much fun!

with this all said, I was once in your shoes and now I am in maintenance. I find that when I eat the way I did in the past, I can still gain some weight back. So I have to be really careful what I put into my body.....I don't eat breads, pastas, potatoes, rice or other foods that contain sugar out of choice and do enjoy my new habits. If I eat something with sugar, I crave sugar. It is way to easy to slip back into those past behaviors that got me fat to begin with. So you all have a good start and can't wait till you get to the finish line.....

I VERY occasionally get frustrated when enjoying something really good and suddenly getting full. No problem. Box it up and eat it later :-)
This is the best decision I ever made -- well that and my husband :-)

I will never, under any circumstances, walk around complaining about losing 10 pounds in 1 day lol NEVER

I VERY occasionally get frustrated when enjoying something really good and suddenly getting full. No problem. Box it up and eat it later :-)
This is the best decision I ever made -- well that and my husband :-)

I am 1 1/2 years out and in maintenance. I still cannot eat high or even moderate carbohydrates and maintain my weight. I still eat between 70-90 grams of Protein, under 50 grams of carbs and under 35 grams of fat -- unless I am hiking. In that case I can up the carbs and calories.
I do not eat white flour, white Pasta or white rice. I use only butter, olive and coconut oil (or animal fat). I still also enter everything into My Fitness Pal. It's habit now, like brushing my teeth.
I haven't had fast food except for El Pollo Loco and Taco Bell one or twice. I had one bite of a filet o' fish a year ago.
I will never go back to what is a "normal" diet. I try to make almost everything from scratch and go pretty much sugar free. Highly processed foods are off the list for good.
I never want to be fat again. I'm having too much fun!

There are a lot of us that focus on a moderation based approach.
My opinion is that for at least the first six months your primary focus should be Protein. After that point, start incorporating a more moderate approach with more carbs and good fats. That does not mean start eating processed junk (SLIDER) foods. Start with good grains, fruits and veggies and work into "normal" foods until you can identify the foods that will sabotage your success. Many people have addictions to white flour, white sugar, processed foods, soda, etc. Those are the foods we need to avoid for the most part. But good, well rounded choices are important.
This isn't a diet. If you diet your way to goal by making the sleeve Atkins part B and restricting yourself in a way that you cannot maintain long term, you are going to have a struggle ahead of you in maintenance. Maintenance is forever, so finding a way we can eat well, be satisfied and not fly off the rails is critical to our long term success.
Good luck - I agree that you probably just need to put the scale away and weigh weekly for now. Loss is tricky, especially for women. I only lost one week out of the month. The other weeks I either stayed the same weight or gained.
~Cheri

I took two shots of morphine in the revovery room, felt like crap and never took another dose. They sent me home with an RX for this huge bottle of Vicodin. Never took it. Anybody want some Vicodin/oxycodone?
I never was in any pain except for the gas which I walked off. How could I have walked it off all drugged up? Besides, narcotics mess up you digestive system. Things slow down and don't move well.

Here is a study that agrees with a another study I can't find.
"The early postoperative gastric volume was 108 +/- 25 ml (80-120 ml) and 116.2 +/- 78.24 assessed with barium sulfate and CAT scan, respectively. The gastric capacity at the late control increased to 250 +/- 85 and 254 +/- 56.8 assessed with the same techniques. However, patients remained stable with a BMI close to 25 without regain of weight at least at the time of observation."
So in other words it went from about 4 oz to 8 oz. Big fat hairy deal right? Some will call this significant, but even at 50% you still are left with 1 cup or 8 fl. oz. or so. Just don't overeat or eat around your sleeve (slider foods, alcohol, drink with meals, etc.) get your eating habits under control during the first year and make sure you are eating healthy.
Oops, forgot the link:
http://www.ncbi.nlm....pubmed/19533260
Here is another interesting study. I can believe that dilation would not lead to weight regain because there is still plenty of restriction
http://www.weightlos...astrectomy.html