LilMissDiva Irene

That is great!!! It's so amazing how wondrous our bodies are and the more we lose and more we get it to move - the more we can get it get along.

:D WHOOHOOO!!!! Awesome thread!!!! Thanks Mini, Chilo those are awesome ideas - in fact mini I actually have some of those fruit cups, untouched of course... LOL In the mean time I had to go downstairs (I'm at work and they have an onsite mini store) and buy a V8, kinda a little band-aid until I can plan a little better. And whoa no joke, I suddenly feel AMAZING!! I also had a Deli turkey half sandwich on wheat. Wow my lunch made me feel so good. Aahhh... I think I needed that. Funny thing, there was a little eating plan booklet in my Leslie Sansone DVD and I'm going to give it a whirl. Who knows, maybe it will boost my metabolism back to full force. It had lots of little fruits and veggies mixed in. Of course I can't eat the full servings she was suggesting but still - very well balanced. That's cool in itself that I'm actually thinking her "diet" is too much food... haaa!!! Yes, please keep the ideas coming...

Hi DivaCakes, No worries, I seriously doubt anyone here will be mean to you. I just haven't seen that kind of thing go on here, and that is a good thing. I think you just need a fresh start. Set yourself small goals for now and build from it. Sometimes when we look to far ahead we don't see the forest for the trees. I know this is true because I'm guilty of this and I'm constantly having to remind myself of all the good things. Look back - how did you feel when you were losing your weight easily? Don't you want to feel that again? What do you have to do to get there? That's the first step my friend!!! We have a weight loss challenge here and I plan to keep it moving along every 6 weeks or so. It's important to have something to work toward - so what is your goal? What do you want to weight on Valentine's Day? Ready, set... goal!!!! Start logging your intake too. That's really important. You may not even be eating all that bad, and maybe your lacking something. That is something I learned today. I'm already feeling better and I'm making sure I'm staying well balanced. Yes - it's true we should eat Protein first, then veggies and some complex carbs. That's what I do, but I think I was completely locking out my healthy carbs at all - and that's not good either. I workout a LOT so I really can't do that. Too much and not enough of anything is not good for us. Good luck!! You CAN DO THIS!!!!

Oh wow... Well, I guess that's that then. This thread is too funny! Ok, there was an old DS thread on the LBT site that was a crack up too. The DS folks aren't without negatives when it comes to theirs, so they really need to just stay shush. Just want to say - I'm glad I had the VSG and likely the RNY or DS would kill me. I'm already diagnosed with anemia B-12 AND Iron. Not everyone can even have a surgery like that. It's just annoying that some folks they think they have the power to tell others what kind of surgery they should have. If they're happy with their DS... great!!!! I'm happy with my VSG.

Awesome, awesome, AWESOME!!! Thank you for taking the time to share your story ...and for the record I did read the entire post. You are so very inspirational - and THANK YOU for posting how much you lost every month. I don't know but I think I really needed to see that today. We are about the same in height and size - so it makes sense that I'm only losing about 5-7 Lbs per month right now. It's just nice to know I'm falling in line with someone else. Again, THANK YOU!!!!!

Wow great question! I never even thought about this, but no I'm never hungry during sleep. I was just like you pre-surgery too when I was dieting. I'd go to bed hungry, wake up in the middle of the night hungry and wake up in the morning hungry. But, not anymore!!! I do LOVE MY SLEEVE!!!

Hi Kris, Yep sounds very normal! The shakes may be from low blood sugar. Try adding in some Propel or Gatorade (full not G2) to help with some of that. It will make you feel much better and of course it counts toward your daily Water intake. Or are your hot beverages high in Caffeine? Could be from that too... 300 Calories total for the day is pretty spot on for the clear liquid phase. The liquids you're consuming are pert near zero - but it will increase quite a bit once you get to the full liquids. Whining is perfectly ok here, that's what this is all about. This surgery is not a walk in the park - but I'll tell you what, it sure is worth it in the end!!! Hang in there - it will get better and you'll begin to feel normal very soon. Of course, if you feel faint or light headed - please contact your surgeon or PCP.

You didn't slip up hardly bad at all. I don't think it will cause you to gain in any way - and you could even be spot on with how much you need to eat in order to sustain your weight. NO WORRIES!! You could fluxuate up and down a few hundred calories per day and still be ok. Now smile!! I just wanted to say though that yes, logging food is so very important. I've just started back up with it today and I'm already seeing some patterns. Especially the fact I have eaten zero fruits and veggies thus far. That isn't healthy and I'll need to address this soon. I'm not eating a healthy balanced diet whatsoever. Shame on me!!! It will get better in time though. I need to start over from scratch here, as I've fallen away from the more balanced diet approach which has always gotten me the best results in the past. Anyway - great topic lady!! You are oh so right, logging food is way under rated!!

Haaa!!! I know... sorry!!! I like to keep track of all that stuff - when I do it, I do it big!! Just not my body anymore...

Yes, you do have to pay for the WW system. For me though, I find this food logging system works perfect for me. I have tried the daily plate website but I found that there would be so many different choices for one thing so it made it difficult for me to really know if I was entering it correctly. I always felt like it wasn't as accurate as it could be. WW, I add in what I get off the Nutrition Facts and can save it for future use and I can create meals that I eat a lot. I just find it much more user friendly and I don't mind paying for the service when I'm using it. I can always cancel and pick it back up when I need it and it will always save my personal information forever. Even all of my personally created meals and foods. Also it tracks everything for me, weight, measurements, workouts - everything that should be tracked with a healthy lifestyle. I know most do, but I just prefer the way this one tracks personally. They also pre-calculate some really good goals - like 5% loss, 10% - etc. So there's even more pats on the back for doing a good job. Everyone has their own preference and over the years I've found this one works best for me.

Okay my fellow slow losers, another week and a another weak .2 lbs loss this week. I know I KNOW I need to remain positive, but I've been In the mid 230's for it feels like a month now. I need to truly figure out what I'm doing wrong because the reality is, I should be losing! I'm back to doing my workouts around 2 hours a day. All mixed up, but majority is heart healthy cardio with about 30 minutes of muscle toning in there daily. I have decided to bite the bullet and sign back up with my Weight Watchers Online food tracking system. I need to know exactly what I'm doing, by how much I'm intaking. I did this on my own (personal logging) for a few days awhile back but it's not enough. I need to be accountable for everything. I didn't have this surgery to lose only 40 LBS!!! No way - no way!!! In the reality I should be losing more and more steadily. Yes, it's true I'm just coming off my TOM and I could still be holding some fluids - and I've bumped up my fresh Water intake to nearly 100 oz a day. Wow!! That's a lot - but I think I need it, especially with my more rigorous workout schedule. That and logging in everything I put in my mouth (including my Vitamin supplements!!!) I'm sure I'll find the deadly culprit that is impeding my weight loss. The first year is the BEST year for WLS to get the greatest results and I know this. I'm already nearly 4 months out, so I'm 1/3 of the way into my honeymoon period. Yes, I know I can still lose after one year, but it is absolutely true that the very first year is the most productive. Here's something new about the Weight Watchers Online that I've noticed. They were more kind to lower sugar, lower fat and higher Fiber contents in their point system. However they have changed their formula to include bad carbs. THAT IS EXCELLENT!!! It's about time they did this to be honest - and I think I'm more inclined to be even more successful with it, simply because this is how my sleeve forces me to eat. I know I needed something more scientific than what I was doing which was just self monitoring. No longer, it's time to "GET REAL!!!" So sorry for the long post, but I didn't know where else to put all this. I wanted all the fellow slow losers to hear this, because I believe you are the group to best understand my struggle right now. Hugs to all!!! We will do this, and we will do this SOONER RATHER THAN LATER...

Here's the only thing I think I've noticed... besides which I agree with Chilo - maybe mix in more fresh veggies. 3-4 Larger glasses of water, what does that equal? Would that be about 10-12 oz? It sounds like you might need to add more fresh water to your intake. The teas, etc. add some caffeine (unless it's decaff) and may actually cause an effect of water retention. Other than that, your daily intake did not sound bad, IMO.

Oh wow Julia, that is AMAZING!!!! Congrats on your outstanding success!! Someday I'll get to post a loss again - however nope, not this time. Only .2 this week... LOL!! I have to stay positive though. I have decided I'm going to track my food more intensely now. The Weight Watchers Online Tracking System has always worked the best for me and right now they are waiving the start up fee - so I started back up. I'll check back in when I have something to check back with!!! I just wanted to stop by and tell you Julia how awesome you're doing, kudos!!

Brian, what an incredible moment that must have been for you!! Thank you so much for sharing this with us. I do love reading NSV's like this. There is always SO MUCH to celebrate!!!!

That is awesome Cait, way to go on your success so far! Welcome to the posters side. We are here for each other, and I'm glad you decided to join in.

Well I don't know the first thing about being at goal, much less maintaining it - I just thought I'd stop by and congratulate you much on making it!!! I can't even fathom it, but hey - there's a first time for everything.

Congratulations on your newly sleeved tummy!! You are doing the perfect thing by starting off slow and go. If you are not used to doing much of any kind of workout, you absolutely must take baby steps. That is likely why you did 2 weeks hardcore workouts and would quit so abruptly before giving your body a chance to get used to what you were doing to it. Also, walking is really the only widely recommended workout this close out of surgery. 15 minutes at a slower pace is perfect. Bumping it up 5 minutes after a week is good too, but maybe up the pace a little as well. Continue on with this for the first 6 weeks. After the 6 weeks, perhaps try adding in a little something more and different, so that you don't get burnt out on doing the same thing day in day out. Keep up the positive morale - this is going to be a bit of a bumpy road, but I think it's also one that any one of us can do!!!

Wow fabulous post!! It definitely brought back many GREAT memories of my experience with Dr. Aceves, Dr. Campos and the rest of his fabulous team! I will also go with Dr. A's suggestion for plastics in Mexico. Besides have you seen those great looking ladies on the TV? They're really good about surgery there... LOL Just to clarify, I did have a spinal block with Dr. Aceves. Not sure why I would and others not... but I did. Would be a good question to ask Dr. A or Yolanda - or perhaps the Anesthesiologist, whoever here that might have that question, prior to being having surgery. Anyway, you will love you sleeve. Dr. A makes a great one, and it WILL do it's job. All the best as you continue to recover!!

When I reach little milestones or reach my mini goals, I just feel happy - I don't really have any kind of reward system in place I guess. I mean it's a really good idea, I just don't have anything really mapped out. I only have one major one when I reach goal, my plan is go on a crazy shopping spree... LOL That is much reward enough for me!! I'm already saving up for it here and there and have gotten a lot of gift cards for my birthday, christmas, anniversary... I'm ready and set for goal.

Wow that is a great website!!! Thanks for sharing!

Send the request to lilmiss_sleeve_diva@yahoo.com - that should work.

Whoohoooo!!!! Way to go!!! Keep it up - wow, I so look forward to being able to do this myself. And you know it's working because you're feeling it! Are you taking before's and after's? You gotta do that, like those folks on the infomercial. The differences are so incredible!! Thank you for posting this, please keep checking in!!!

Whoa I was just thinking about this too. Some of us DO do better with a more balanced diet. I have been known to be able to drop a lot of weight very fast. For some reason I'm just not doing it this time. I'm starting to wonder if I need to go back and start adding more healthy carbs back into the mix. I'm just not eating ANY really. I don't know why I've got it in my brain that I can't eat any carbs. I'm basically just eating my Hi Fiber oatmeal, veggies and cheese and that seems to be all the carbs I'm eating all day. So, I've decided to go back and add those good for you healthy carbs back in. Whole grain breads, Red Potatoes, Corn and Peas, good stuff like that. I know it will add to my energy and I'll be able to maintain my higher intensity workouts!! I guess I'm just one of those kinds that need this sort of stuff. There's no way I can over do it, there is only so much room in my stomach!! More like a couple bites... With that, today I need to flush. LOL!!!

I do early morning workouts as well, and I actually do not eat anything prior to. I take my Omeprazole, drink some hot coffee for awhile and take my B-12 sublingual - then I start my workout. During my 30 minute session, I'll drink 20oz of Water. I actually CAN'T eat before working out. It makes me feel tired, so I'll workout first and then eat - or drink my Protein shake. I don't wait more than 30 minutes after though because it's optimal to get in hi-protein 30 minutes before or after a workout. After my evening workout I'll go straight to eating dinner, protein first, then veggies. I am seriously considering adding back in healthy Carbs. I always lose much faster when I do eat at least some carbs. I don't think I'm getting in enough seriously. That's another subject matter though!! Once I'm finish though I'll drink a Hi Protein Shake, take my Vitamins and Calcium, Potassium and Magnesium. Yeah!! It makes me feel great.

Congratulations doeboy - for losing 100 lbs and especially for taking your life back!!! You look really great, healthy and most of all HAPPY!!! I'm only but a couple pounds away from hitting the Century Club and I can't wait! Thanks so much for the inspiration!!