Robyn Owens-Miille

At 5 months it seemed my restriction increased. Doc said it was the nerves healing and I could now really tell if I was taking in too much. That's why he wants us to religiously weigh/measure our food for the first 6 months.

Diet Dr. Pepper was my "drug of choice." I seriously didn't drink anything but it. I will allow myself an occasional one, poured over ice to let the bubbles go a little flat. It hurts if I forget that step!

For lunch today I had a 3 oz piece of meat loaf made with ground turkey, 1/4 cup of green Beans and 1/4 cup of scalloped potatoes. I ate the meat loaf and green beans and only 2-3 bites of potatoes. Focus on the Protein and non-starchy green beans, let the potatoes/rice/bread/etc be something you have a few bites of and be done. If you're not a person who can do that, then stay away from them. Just my $.02

Do NOT let them scare you. You need to make an informed decision that is right for you. Remember, most people who have a normal, successful post-op period don't post about it.

I eat 1/2 an apple cut into thin slices and dip it into my fruit dip (plain greek yogurt mixed with cinnamon, PB2 and a splenda packet).

My husband tried so hard to not eat in front of me. He and the kids would eat in another room so I wouldn't be confronted by the smells and sights. I ended up feeling so awkward that I blew up at him. He really thought he was being helpful. He felt bad for making me feel bad. But then, he ate popcorn in the same room with me and I cried because i couldn't eat it (I was about 2 weeks post-op). It's just one of those times in a marriage where you have to be really committed to each other. Sometimes no matter what you do it isn't right. This is an especially hard time for any couple.

At 41 years old with a lifetime of obesity, my surgeon just said up front, "you will need plastic surgery when done losing weight." He said we will document the skin issues (already having some with my panus) and show my insurance that it's not a cosmetic procedure but a reconstructive procedure after weight loss.

What part of town are you in?

Thanks ladies. I'm just in a rut. Plus, my family really doesn't eat much of what I do these days and it's getting frustrating.

I've lost 110 (95 since surgery) and I think she's right at 95 total lost (she never disclosed exact pre-op numbers). I'm 7 months post-op and she's right at 9 months. We need to set up a meeting sometime soon.

"I think I'm going to have the surgery you had. It will make me quit eating all the junk food so I can lose weight too." Said the social worker at work to 2 of us (both RNs) who had VSG done. We both corrected her and she acted SHOCKED that the surgery wasn't the "magic pill" that would make you quit eating junk.

I lost about 90 pounds in the first 6 months post-op. The goal set for the 2nd half of the year is 60 more pounds. Doc said some will do more, some will do less. It just gets harder. So far, I've been on track losing 10 pounds in the 7th month.

Not too far at all. I don't think I could meet up on a regular basis but certainly we could meet occasionally to do a work out. My sister had the same surgery 6 weeks before me and she also lives in Azle.

I nearly always purchase Lean Cuisine. I have about 4 favorites that I buy and keep in the freezer.

I'm in Azle (15 miles north of Fort Worth). Would love to meet up some time.

I'm in the Azle area. I have a gym membership at a small local gym and I'm committed for a year. What area of town are you in?

It's great for flexibility. I have focused so much on cardio and strength training these first 6 months. No, it shouldn't hurt your sleeve.

I didn't make my goal of 220 but I did lose 12 pounds this past month! I had majorly stalled so I'm very happy with this. Now, I have a new workout plan and praying my knees like it better than the old one. Goal for 4/1/13... to be under 200 (that's 10 pounds a month).

Yep, you can. Start slow and don't get frustrated when you can't bend yourself into a pretzel. It gets easier with time.

I do at least 30 minutes of cardo and then 3 sets of reps on each weight machine. I started out at the lightest weight setting and didn't move up the weight until I could comfortably do 3 sets of 15 at each machine. The machines in our gym are set up so they alternate muscle groups. I just watched people and then started doing it. I had no real instruction. I'm thinking about treating myself to a couple of training sessions just to get some pointers on changing up my routine.

I love them for many reasons: #1 built-in portion control #2 fast and easy #3 meat is generally in small bites and usually soft #4 I can rely on them when there is nothing in the house or work cafeteria that I want to eat. Shop around. There are plenty out there that are lower carb (or the carbs are separate enough that you can eat around them). Yes, they have a lot of sodium. I just drink extra Water later in the day. I have several that I routinely buy and keep in the freezer handy.

Hide the scale. Literally have someone put it up where you can't find it. Focus on your body- how your clothes fit better, how much more physical activity you can do now that you couldn't do then, etc. Stop and notice how much better control you're getting of your food, you're drinking Water and eating required Protein. And, as everyone said, you're in a normal pattern.

Oh, I definitely don't keep it in the house. If I do have one, I buy a single can or bottle at the convenience store. And I proudly walk past the hostess fruit pies, without purchasing them, that used to always accompany my morning soda! Now those are "gateway drugs" for me. I do think I could eat a whole hostess cherry pie!

Take this time to re-address your relationship with food so that when you are healed, you don't go back to the "old way." I enjoy a meal with my family. Most days we eat the same thing. I just focus on Protein and only nibble a bite of the starch, if there is one. We go out to eat. I had 3 Texas fries the other night (fries with cheese and bacon) and then focus on my beef fajita strips. But, I STOPPED at 3 which is NOT the way the old me would have done. The old me would have ordered my own plate and not shared with anyone AND eaten a full entree. I now share my entree with my 7 year old son or take leftovers home. For the first time ever, I'm learning to control my food. It still wins sometimes (damn Christmas cookies). I can eat a bite or two of something that's not so healthy and then stop. I feel like a normal woman. I was always amazed seeing dessert left on a plate or a few bites of a yummy looking appetizer. Now, I can do that! There is no need to scrape the plate clean every time. You had surgery at a super hard time of the year (it's always hard). I hope it gets easier soon and you don't regret your sleeve. I love mine. I've never lost weight with any long-term success in the past. 7 months... 110 pounds... and still losing.

I will occasionally allow myself a glass of diet dr pepper in the morning. I'm not a coffee person and I sometimes need the bubbles to help clear out my throat if my sinuses are acting up. I was a hard core diet soda addict pre-sleeve. I chose to go cold turkey when I started my pre-op diet. So, I'm very cautious now. I could see myself easily sliding back into that addiction.