Newfoundlove

What everyone else has said is correct. I actually gained 13 pounds during surrey but lost it all within a week and have kept on loosing. I know it's hard to stay off the scale, but try it and see if it helps at all. I recently went on a business trip for 5 days and couldn't weigh myself. When I got home I had lost four pounds! So, now I'm only weighing once a week. It takes a lot of will power, but I feel better seeing the scale move!

I used to drink red wine with regularity, but after surgery, I don't really have a taste for red wine. But, I do enjoy a glass of white wine on occasion - on the weekend. I went on vacation for a week and there was plenty of white wine flowing. I can't drink as much as I used to and one glass is usually my max, sometimes two. I didn't gain any weight on vacation, but I didn't lose like I was either. This past weekend I had a watered down margarita which was very yummy but is very high in calories too. My surgeon said wait 8 weeks before drinking any alcohol. My nutritionist said to have a drink if I want to but make sure I count it in my daily calorie count. Also, you need to drink more water than usual if you drink alcohol since it is a dehydrating beverage, so that's what I do when I drink an alcoholic beverage. Everything in moderation, just like high calorie, high carb foods.

I used to take Ambien and every once in a while will pop one as I go to bed if I am under stress and want a solid night's sleep. No issues for me. But my doctor did say it is habit forming so most nights I take one Tylenol PM. I have a hard time shutting off my brain as I go to sleep, so the Tylenol PM helps.

I'm at four months out now and I stated noticing more hair in the shower and after blow-drying about two weeks ago. It's not bad though, at least for me. It's not coming out in handfuls or anything like that yet. And, it does grow back. I'm taking Biotin -- started at about month 2. The pills are really small so the go down easy. I have noticed a real difference in my fingernails. They are a lot stronger. I'll take the hair loss, because the weight loss is excellent!

Like every one else, once in awhile, I have to eat the Protein Bars. I travel for work and also have meetings outside the office. SOmetimes, Protein bars are the answer. I like Quest bars too, but my favorite is Simple Truth Protein Bars (I can get them at QFC here in Seattle area, but I think Kroger carries them as well). They are 210 calories, 14 carbs, 7 sugar and 21 grams of Protein. They have chocolate and peanut butter crunch - I like both of them.

Joyce - I promise it will get better! My energy was pretty low for almost two months. Now, I am four months out and let me tell you that I have energy to spare and I LOVE it! Once all the anethesia is totally out of your system and you are on solid protein-rich foods, you'll start seeing an amazing difference. One other thing I have noticed about energy, if I don't eat Breakfast in the morning, the rest of my day is not as energetic, so I make sure I get breakfast. Most days it is a Protein shake of some kind, or cottage cheese with pineapple or some fruit. Also, once you start getting in some cardio and possibly weight-training, you'll notice a difference because your metabolism will speed up. I only work out three days a week - 30 minutes on a recumbant bicycle (I have a sciatica problem in my left hit so I can't walk on the treadmill, or do the eliptical) and 20 minutes of resistance weight training. I can really tell a difference. I wasn't cleared to work out by my surgeon until eight weeks out though, and I really wasn't in the mind set or ready to work out any way. Keep your chin up and your eye on the prize - you're going to love the difference you will feel.

Wow! Way to go!

Down 62 total, 45 since surgery date of May 3.

My NUT says decaf is perfectly fine. I have a tall decaf soy latte every morning. I wouldn't do the caramel unless it was sugar free, but that's just me. Every once in a while won't hurt you and there's an interesting thread going on now about a poster that ate two ice cream sandwiches and how people deal with 'treats.'. Check it out. Some interesting posts in response.

Hi QofC: I read your blog weekly and always learn something. Thank you for writing it. I must say, I've been very fortunate with the affects of my surgery. I can eat pretty much everything, including rice. Every once in a while I'll have a little bit if I've fixed it for dinner, but I concentrate on Protein rich foods. I still love cooking, but I now cook things that are really healthy and my taste buds are really sensitive now -- as in enhanced. Putting herbs, etc now into my food tastes awesome. This morning I had a egg white omelet with arugula and a tsp of Gorgonzola cheese in it-- yum! I've begun losing my hair, but it's not too bad yet, but I was pretty lucky to have thick hair. So, the one thing that is bothering me is that my boobs are pretty saggy and it's going to get worse as I need to lose another 50 pounds yet. I've already decided that a breast lift is in my future next year. That's the only negative I can think of, but I'll take it. There are just so many more positives. Like, today I went kayaking, in my bathing suit! I would not even have considered kayaking last year, or the year before that, or the year before that. You get the picture. And, I loved kayaking!!! It felt great! The amount of energy I have now is extraordinary! My friends and family comment on it frequently and they say I am glowing. Having the Sleeve was the best decision I've made in a very long time.

Salad with sliced strawberries, a little cut-up avocado, a tablespoon of blue cheese crumbles, small amount of sliced cucumber and a piece of Columbus Smoked Turkey shredded in it. Topped it all off with one tablespoon of Ken's Steakhouse Light Italian dressing.

Didn't check in last week because I was on vacation. I lost one pound on vacation which I consider to be a victory! While I was really good with my food choices, I did indulge in some wine drinking. But I also had plenty of exercise with hiking and kayaking. I doubt that I'll make my goal of 180, but I'm okay with that as long as I keep losing. I feel great! SW: 207 GW: 180 CW: 193

I sleep really well, but sometimes it does take me a bit to get to sleep. I now go to bed later than I used to. Once I started exercising, the extra energy really kicked in and I don't seem to need as much sleep as before.