suejersey

I find that the 5 - 6 small meals a day is the best way to go to get the Protein in. I can't remember the hot chocolate that I had but I believe I looked it up on like netrition or lucky Vitamin or bariatric something (can't remember the name) but any of the good online vitamin shoppes should have it - search protein hot chocolate. It was really tasty, just can't remember specifically which brand it was. One thing I do is add a scoop of Syntrax chocolate Protein Powder to my coffee each morning and I get like a mocha latte type of thing out of it. I get my coffee which I love but don't have to add creamer or sweetner because the protein powder does it. I was wondering if adding the protein powder to Water (not hotter than 140 degrees) would give me the "hot chocolate" effect but since I like the coffee and it's only one cup a day I just do it that way. For other protein sources I also like Jerky hut beef jerky. High in protein, one ounce fills me as a snack and it is real "meaty" not stringy or fatty. I eat cold cuts and will make chicken breast with some Italian seasoning, salt and pepper and bake and keep in the fridge for a snack as well.

I find that the 5 - 6 small meals a day is the best way to go to get the Protein in. I can't remember the hot chocolate that I had but I believe I looked it up on like netrition or lucky Vitamin or bariatric something (can't remember the name) but any of the good online vitamin shoppes should have it - search protein hot chocolate. It was really tasty, just can't remember specifically which brand it was. One thing I do is add a scoop of Syntrax chocolate protein powder to my coffee each morning and I get like a mocha latte type of thing out of it. I get my coffee which I love but don't have to add creamer or sweetner because the protein powder does it. I was wondering if adding the protein powder to Water (not hotter than 140 degrees) would give me the "hot chocolate" effect but since I like the coffee and it's only one cup a day I just do it that way. For other protein sources I also like jerky hut beef jerky. High in protein, one ounce fills me as a snack and it is real "meaty" not stringy or fatty. I eat cold cuts and will make chicken breast with some Italian seasoning, salt and pepper and bake and keep in the fridge for a snack as well.

1 year anniversary in one week I can do 2 - 3 ounces to full.

Wish there was something I could share that really helps. Some people say special shampoos are helpful and Biotin certainly doesn't hurt and get all your Protein. But most likely it will happen. Some people it doesn't happen to, most it does. But I wouldn't say losing in handfuls. I would way when I washed my hair my hands would have a lot of strands, but not "handfuls" I could feel hair falling on my shoulder and my pillow had more hair on it than before but again, not handfuls. I am almost 1 year out and I think it has pretty much stopped for me. I would say it started about 5 months and subsided at about 10 months, for me. I cut my hair really short now (pixie - love it) and although I don't have a lot of hair it doesn't look like I've lost a lot either. I Take your biotin, eat your protein, perhaps try the shampoos and be happy that you are taking control of your health and losing the weight. If you do lose hair, it WILL stop and will grow back. Good luck!!!

It feels good to feel good. No need to feel bad about that. Be healthy and happy and those you love will see that. Healthy is number one so that includes being fit so you have good goals of wanting to tone. Congratulations!

Looking good! Keep it up!

Not sure how helpful I am I am 5'4" started at 278 (over 200 for about 15 years). I am now wearing a comfortable 10 pants and mostly medium tops. I could see myself possibly getting into a size 8 pants in the next 5 - 7 pounds. I would also think bone structure will play a part in size. I always had large breasts (C cup in 5th grade) and would say I am now a C again (although a "long" C - not a perky C)

A few years ago some friends came to visit. We live about 5 minutes from Six Flags and our families went to the park. I wanted to ride the Batman ride. I get on and could get the seat all the day to get the buckle to work. The guy was rushing to make sure everyone was set and I had to get off because I was just too big to fit. On Friday night my daughter, her friend and I went to Six Flags and I rode Batman! (and Superman!) It really meant A LOT to me to say I can do anything a normal person can do again! And then I said, "Why am I riding a roller coaster?!" I "cheated" death on those two roller coasters LOL and now I am done with roller coasters, I think, but so proud, happy and normal!!!!!

Just beautiful! Absolutely stunning! You look wonderful! And I love the veil and the dress! So happy for you!

In my experience sugar (and carbs) are very addictive, causing cravings for me. I try to do sugar free most of the time and now full sugar things are actually very sweet to me. In lessening my consumption of sweets I lessen the cravings for them so it is win-win. I do still have dessert every so often, though but I notice the next day I think about food more than I normally would. I also subscribe to the idea of moderation. If you can have regular sugar but in low amounts that won't sabatoge your weight loss and dont' cause you cravings then I don't see an issue. Everyone tailors their "tool" to what works best for them. Good luck, you will do great!

I purchase on Amazon.

Good for you! You look so much happier, too!

I eat full fat and reduced fat cheese. YUM!! My nutritionist has no problem with it. And I agree I would rather eat a small amount of something I like versus eating something low fat that tastes nasty.

ROFLOL! I love your title for this post!!!! I totally relate. And to be honest, I wish my breasts were as perky as the ones in the cartoon! I wear a size "long" in bra now.

I can totally relate to this! I find myself having a little "extra" on my weigh day, when I have lost. I do have days (like yesterday) were I wanted to just nibble all day long. It was frustrating and scary. I hadn't exercised for three days and yesterday (3rd day) I think it made a big difference in my ability to stay focused. Today I did Zumba and Body Pump and feel much more in control. I do think some days we are just more hungry than others, and we need to listen to our bodies. But perhaps "overindulging" in good things isn't so bad, certainly not as bad as a binge on junk. But it still freaks me out when I feel I have over done it.

Congratulations. It is a wonderful motivator! Enjoy the victory and keep on pressin' on!

I have to vent about the gym. I can.not.stand the: super tan 50 year old ladies (I am 47 by the way) who park their convertible BMW in the corner of the park lot so they don't get scratched wearing full make up when they show up at the gym with matching headbands sneakers and outfits who come into class and complain about the instructors and the routines and how the old instructor was so much better UGGGGHHHHHH! We are here to stinkin' workout, get or maintain health and get stronger. Please, I can't stand it. Thank you, now back to your regularly scheduled programs. And I hope I didn't offend anybody.

Yep, I too cannot stomach plain water. At first I needed my liquid to be room temperature to cool but not cold - it would make me nauseous. Now I can have it cold but it has to have some type of flavoring. I absolutely love Diet Snapple Green Tea. That is my number one go to drink now. Plain water feels too "heavy" to me. Go figure!

I don't have GERD but I will say that I never had problems with heart burn or acid more than 3 or 4 times in my 46 years and I have had it probably 5 or 6 times since my sleeve October 2012. Certainly managing for me, but without any history. So, just for what it's worth.

I was going to say the Premier Protein Chocolate, too, if you are looking for something already prepared for on the run. Or what about a Quest protein bar?

I think having the surgery and losing this weight brought me back to myself. I, too, wasn't LIVING. I was watching life go by, going through the motions. I had lost my sassiness, my go-getter-ness because I was fat, and uncomfortable and tired and had no energy. Now I am living again, enjoying doing things, exercising, making my body a STRONGER machine. I feel like I can do anything I choose to put my mind to now because my body won't hinder me. But I have to put my mind to it. So my mind still plays a part, it's just that the body won't stop me now. So working on your mind and dealing with other issues I think you will have more of a desire to do when you feel better in your physical body. I have had to keep myself grounded, though, because sometimes I start to feel a little too good about myself and I don't want to jeopardize my relationships because of it. (I have heard of relationship problems after losing the weight). I remind myself that my body is the vessel and tool I use to live the best life I can and that best life includes the people most important to me, my husband and my children. You certainly will feel a sense of accomplishment and that, I think, will give you the determination to keep working on the other things in your life that need to be figured out. It is not magic fairy dust that life will be perfect, but it definitely puts you on course for positive things! Good luck!

It took people at least 5 months to notice a difference for me! I was like, huh?! The changes that I saw in myself each month were subtle (I took pictures, too) but when we have a lot to lose, those 10 - 20 pounds don't show up as much as when someone only has 20 - 30 pounds to lose. Don't weigh yourself every day (if you are) do it once a week and forget about the scale for the rest of the week. See it as a reward for your work during the week to check that scale once a week. You will have a more accurate account and not as much of a rollercoaster of up and down. .2 could be a few serious farts LOL! And by all means, stop rushing yourself! You are only about 2 weeks post op. I know we all want to see buckets of weigh falling off and before you know it, it will be a few months down the road and you will be amazed at how much you have lost, but give yourself time. Focus on LIVING not waiting for the weight to come of. It WILL, but in the meantime LIVE don't wait. Keep on or start walking (exercising), look for interesting recipes to try, go shopping in your closet for things you haven't been able to wear. It will work. I think the majority of us who have had the sleeve done think we are going to be that ONE PERSON who the surgery doesn't work for. But I know you can do this. Know why I know? Because I thought I was the one it wouldn't work for, and as you can see, it is working! Just wait till you are almost 11 months out like me it is the best feeling possible. And I am just someone who tried and failed miserably at losing weight many times. Now I am healthier, stronger and happier than I have been in ages. Meet me back here in 11 months and give me an update

Awww, I am sorry she made you feel bad. But don't let that stop YOU! 3.4 pounds is almost 2 pounds per week, you can't be getting many calories and your body is trying to figure out what is going on. Look at the BIG PICTURE. You have lost 14 pounds in one month. Have you ever done that before? Follow your plan, get your protein, start walking or exercising, whatever you can do and you will see it working. At your three month you will be amazed at your progress and six months from now you will be thrilled for this awesome step you have taken to better your health and your life!

That sounds yummy!!!

I am coming up on 11 months out and I still have a scoop of Protein in my coffee each morning. I use that as my Breakfast, as I love my morning coffee and I am not big on eating "food" in the morning so it kills two birds with one stone. I get between 80 - 100 grams of protein a day now and am up to about 1,000 calories a day. I eat beef Jerky, cheese and lunch meat as Snacks to up the protein and then lunch and dinner is mostly protein with a few bites of veggie. Edited to add, I think it is unrealistic to get all your protein from food at 4 weeks out. I was at 60 grams per day till about 6 months and at that time with only 600 calories there was no way to get enough protein with out the supplement. If you HATE the shakes/powder it can be done, but it definitely will take planning very carefully what to eat to hit the mark. You MUST get your protein though!