delta_girl

Someone mentioned these a long while back but I can't find the thread. Anyway... food for a discounted price. Here are some restaurants that recognize WLS cards:\ Golden Corral Olive Garden Chili’s Applebee’s Red Lobster Denny’s Cracker Barrel Outback Steak House The Keg

I've pretty much maintained for the last 5-7 months at or around 8-10 lbs from goal, which I still have yet to reach. (I was once 2 lbs away). I travel a great deal for work, so eat out a lot and don't usually deny myself much. Overall I eat somewhat healthy for the most part, even when eating out, but bad habits can sneak back in. Where I still could not tolerate certain foods at 14 months, I can now eat anything and everything with no problem. I can also eat more than I could in the past. Though I will probably get fussed at, I do drink alcohol when I want (craft beer, wine, mixed drinks), snack, don't measure food, don't count calories, don't exclude any foods, skip Breakfast, occasionally drink a few sips with meals, don't always eat enough Protein, and I never exercise. With all of that said, I am still stabilized on average around 8 lbs from goal with indulgences. Last week I decided to regain some measure of control over my relationship with food and the bad habits that I have been allowing to become more and more a normal part of my eating habits. My first thought was a lot of fear. That I couldn't do it. That I would fail (again!). Those old fears from a lifetime don't just vanish. If I never reach "goal" I'll be ok. It isn't an end all and I don't know if I could realistically maintain it considering my lifestyle and choices. But I do want to address creeping gains. 3 lbs become 5 lbs become 6 lbs become 8 then 10. Changes I have made are focused on protein and Fiber, small portions of lean meat and good fats (chicken, eggs, olive oil), fresh vegetables (spinach, kale, cucumbers, celery), and some fresh fruit (frozen banana slices, frozen grapes, watermelon juice), and a few random carbs (Beans, Stacy's pita chips ....yeah, I know....). So mostly protein, fiber, a very small bit of good fat, and some carbs. I also allow myself a few teaspoons of ice cream at night. Maybe two. Ben and Jerry's. Outside of the Ben and Jerry's and pita chips, I'm averaging around 850 calories a day easily. Not saying this is good or bad or what anyone should do. I'm no nutritionist and have no medical expertise relating to proper maintenance nutrition. But I will say that it has been surprisingly easy, which would have been impossible pre-VSG. I attribute most of it to the reduction in ghrelin. The added fiber has brought on a lot of stinky gas and I'll take that any day. I am not going to eat like this every day. I plan on doing it for around 80% of the meals I eat during the month of June, with the other meals more relaxed in composition. In 3 days I've lost 1 lb, so far so good. Just a share for anyone interested.

I'm still bruising easily and try to get in C rich vegetables and fruits on a daily basis. What I really would like to know since searches don't really provide a conclusive solution, is how to get rid of them more quickly. Some are from extremely minor things but look like something bad.

I also have the scale. Love it. Auto-syncs wirelessly.

I wore mine and tracked data for a year. What I found for myself was that it did not accurately record sleep at all. I also found that it was not usually accurate for many activities. I wore it on my non-dominant hand, which is not moving as much as my right. It didn't show intense activity when I was actually doing it. It also didn't show my activity if I walked long distances holding something in my non-dominant hand which caused it to be stationary. I took it off last month and haven't put it back on again. This is not to say that it wasn't worth wearing at all. It was motivating and I got a lot out of what I learned, but after a year, I would like to see another level of tech. development.

A tall skinny is only 100 calories. 30 lbs = a LOT of lattes!! I'm 19 months out and have been drinking grande and venti lattes for about a year now and have lost over 20 lbs during those months. I'm maintaining at around 6 lbs to goal of 125 lbs. Caffeine may be an appetite stimulant to some people who are sensitive to it. It actually makes me not hungry.

If you get their phone app, you can build different drinks to check the calories and find what you think will work for you. I have a few that I stick to. It is very rare for me to add any sweetener to anything, but in the rare case that I do, I use one package of honey. The milk provides Protein. On the days that I indulge in a Starbucks drink, I usually have it for breakfast with a very tiny snack. triple grande, non-fat latte - I don't use any sweetener because the milk adds a natural sweetness to it IMO - 130 calories quad venti, non-fat latte - occasionally on those mornings when I need the extra kick - 170 calories grande skinny vanilla (or caramel) latte - 120 calories brewed coffee with 2% milk, no sweetener - 0 calories Black shaken iced tea - no sweetener added, 0 calories

Whatever is your direction or definition of "compliant" go for better than that.

I was just told I had better not gain any weight before surgery or my surgeon wouldn't do it. I think, If I recall correctly, I lost 4 lbs in the few weeks prior to surgery.

17 months out. Still losing. May get concerned if my historical pattern of the last 5-6 months continues to repeat.

No doubts, questions, or complaints. It has been the best thing I have ever done for myself. I wish I could have had the current level of medical advancements 20 years ago. The difference is physical, mental, emotional, and completely life changing.

I keep losing. It is a lot slower now, and I have periodic maintenance periods, but still lose about .5 lbs a week. I really don't want to lose much more. I'm 2lbs from goal and have loose skin. At this point, my concern is that if I continue the pattern that has been playing out over the last many months, I will be losing too much weight. I've seen people on the forums fuss about this as if they are doing an eye roll that it isn't a real problem or that the solution is just to eat more. Just like when someone says, "If you are fat, eat less and exercise more. You don't need surgery." ...they are over simplifying a complex problem and don't really understand. I eat lots of junk. I eat Desserts and bread. I drink beer. I eat and drink anything and everything I want. But, believe it or not, I'm still losing and it has not stopped. I may sustain a weight range for a month, but then it drops. No, I don't exercise at all. This may not be the norm, but is a legitimate concern and a reality for some here.

Its been quite a while since I've been here, but thought an update might be appropriate. My "after" picture shown here is actually around 8-10 lbs heavier than I am right now. I'm still losing, but very slowly at this point. If you have any questions, I'll be happy to answer them, but be prepared for some brutal honesty that may not jive with other experiences and perspectives.

I have asked two surgeons about this and both say it is totally irrelevant. The difference between what most bariatric surgeons use now is so minute as to be negligible. That tool serves more as a guide than a final sleeve size since the anatomy of each individual is not identical. If my current pattern of slower weight loss continues, even though I indulge more often than not, I will be in a position of losing too much weight. The difference is your consistent use of new lessons learned.

I just read about Panera's Hidden Menu today. You won't see it anywhere in the store. You have to request an item specifically from the Hidden Menu. Here are photos and descriptions of the choices: http://mypanera.panerabread.com/articlestips/article/access-into-paneras-hidden-menu/ And nutritional information: The so-called hidden menu has six items, including the power Breakfast egg white bowl with roasted turkey (180 calories; 25g protein), the power breakfast egg bowl with steak (230 calories; 20g protein), power Mediterranean chicken salad (360 calories; 35g protein), power Mediterranean roasted turkey salad (320 calories; 22g protein), power chicken hummus bowl (330 calories; 33g protein) and the power steak lettuce wrap (280 calories; 28g protein). I can't wait to try the Power Breakfast Egg White Bowl!

I also order their low fat chicken noodle Soup, which is on the menu year round. Though it is high in sodium, it is very low in calories, tastes wonderful and is filling. I usually only eat a cup and half of the bread.

I'm around 17 months out and there isn't anything I miss. I eat what I want and some things that I loved before I don't want to eat at all. Fried items are very unappealing. So are foods high in fat such as full fat ice cream, creamy sauces and Soups, alfredo, etc. I don't miss anything. There is no need for a food funeral or the psychological fear or need to "eat it forward" because it is the "last time." I even drink beer when I like.

Everyone is different, so I can only speak from my experiences, but many of the fears, rumors, advice has turned out to be far, far off base. I am not promoting or endorsing any of my particular choices for others, but I've found that I can still have anything and everything I like to eat and drink and more. I rarely exercise, I can drink any form of alcohol I like, with no difference in tolerance from pre surgery. No special gear, eating utensils, measuring devices, apps, fitness gear is necessary. If anyone is told they need any of those things by other post vsg individuals, they really don't (unless it is the advice of a surgeon/doctor). But, hey ...if it works for you or makes you feel better, by all means go for it. Weight goes up and down. Stalls happen. Weight gain happens. Its not hard to get back on track. Paying close attention to what my body is telling me is one of the big differences for me. hair falls out, hair grows back. With a large weight loss at an older age, there is extra skin that I may or may not address at a later time. My latest lesson is that there are extremely unpleasant consequences to missing B12 supplements for very long: shaking, numb hands and fingers bruises weakness breathlessness extreme...very extreme, joint pain debilitating back pain Sometimes I'm not hungry and don't eat all day. Other days I eat constantly.

Stalls and plateaus are to be expected for almost everyone. I've had stalls that went for 3 months. One thing I tried that worked was to start daily D3+Calcium. I've done 3 trials of the combination to see if there was a valid impact. It took around 2 weeks before anything much happened during the first trial. After those two weeks, my weight began to drop over 4-6 weeks. I lost around 8-10 lbs, then quit the supplements. After another stall of around a month or two, I started the D3+Calcium regimen again. Again it took 2 weeks before anything happened, then over the next four weeks I lost 8-10 lbs again. I thought I was on to something, so after a long plateau with no loss, I tried the same process again. The third time didn't have the same results, perhaps because my body had adapted.

My surgeon never gave me a number. His nurse did, though, by accident maybe? I think I recall him saying that if you were at 70% success, then you were doing far better than average. I asked him based on what? He wasn't clear, but did reinforce that he would not give me a number. I said my goal weight at 5'3" was 115 lbs (starting weight was around 218). He said it was possible, but I would probably have to do a lot of regular, dedicated exercise but even then I probably wouldn't be happy at that weight (too small). Then he asked how would I feel if I stabilized around 142 and I said, "Delighted." I have had several long plateaus or stabilizations at 172, 164, 158, 148, 142, 138, 132. Today I weighed in at 126 and I'm really not even trying. I'm not concerned yet, but I really don't want to go much lower. Skin is becoming an issue.

400-600 was the range of my average around that time. Some days when I don't feel particularly hungry, I'm probably around 800 calories even this far out.

If you do well in the first 6 months, that is pretty much the indication of your success afterwards (from my surgeon's patient stats). I was probably 95% good during my first 6-7 months, then the weight loss slowed down a lot. I had a long stall of no weight loss for almost 12 weeks, so I shook some things up and lost another 10 lbs. Then I stalled again for about 3 months, then I changed a few things up, stalling again for another 2-3 months. I issued a weight loss challenge at work to help me get motivated to get to goal, and in the last 3 weeks have lost around 8 lbs. I have less than 3 lbs to goal and still another 2 weeks to lose them to rank top in the weight loss challenge. This is probably going to sound terrible, but it isn't what it might seem from a glance. I DO drink coffee, beer, and wine whenever I like eat candy, Cookies, cake, chips, ice cream, pie, and other sweets travel a lot and eat out around 14+ meals a week (I pre-screen menu items so am familiar with nutritional contents most of the time) eat salads with no dressing, cooked and raw vegetables with no oil or fat eat plain chicken, steak, salmon, lighter Soups, fresh fruit, raisins, raw spinach get a monthly b12 shot, take prescription Iron, take a ppi 2x daily, take something to be "regular" drink a lot of Poweraide Zero (not the greatest, but a no cal indulgence) still eat sugar free popsicles use only coconut or first press olive oil when cooking add in cheese and nuts in moderation use mustard varieties and mayonnaise made with olive oil (sparingly) recognize that "crunchy" is craved because it is a release of stress, which can build up in your jaw and facial muscles, so try to crunch on things that aren't unhealthy practice "self care" choices, especially if I'm feeling down or vulnerable (pedicure, massage, a movie night, a new cosmetic item, haircut, a walk, a focused moment of appreciation/thankfulness I DON'T count calories or Protein drink Protein shakes or eat meal bars drink soda at all (maybe 3-4 in the last 17 months) exercise (I've been hibernating all winter), but have plans to up my activity when the weather warms up eat fried foods eat cream based Pasta sauces or soups eat much pasta, bread, or rice (use it as a condiment, not a side) always eat Breakfast (I do when I'm in a hotel), sometimes I don't eat anything until afternoon if my body doesn't tell me it is hungry drink X ounces of Water daily freak out when the scale goes up. I've tracked daily weight for so many months that I understand it looks more like a horizontal zig-zag than a smooth decline or flat line over time listen to negative internal dialogue, complain, make excuses, whine, pity party (or put mental/emotional work into keeping it at a minimum) I could probably add a lot more, but I'm sure many of you have other Dos and Don'ts that help you to be more successful than not.

For me, the most important part of VSG wasn't the reduction in the size of the fundus, it was the impact on ghrelin. Part of that is a mental analysis of hunger, head hunger, thirst, cravings, and an acute awareness. At 17 months out and 91 lbs lost and still losing, I supplement with foods that have a lot of Fiber or Protein. With that said, I also eat out constantly and am an avid fan of craft beers and red wine. Every time I feel something like hunger, I try to become very still and aware of what it really is. I still remember my surgeon saying to me, "So, what happens if you are hungry?" ....and I said, "I don't know?" ...he replied ..."Nothing."

I didn't have one. I dove in head first with the feeling that I would not be successful. It was a leap of great faith. 91 lbs later and still losing, but mostly maintaining with little effort.

Lots of variables there that are unknown from your description. I cut out all soda, fried food, creamy foods, most refined or highly processed foods, many sugary foods. I weigh regularly and when I don't see progress, I take immediate action. Its calories in vs calories expended. Salads with no dressing, plain chicken, fresh fruit, avoiding saturated fats, turning down tempting treats brought by others to work. I still eat what I like, just not much of it. If you give more information about your typical food intake, then maybe you will get more sound advice.