Clementine Sky

Here are some food staples I now keep in my kitchen at all times:
* Irishgold Dubliners cheddar cheese - wow! Just wow!
* Sara Lee whole wheat or multigrain bread - 45 calories/slice (has 6 grams Protein and 5 grams fiber)
* Litehouse chunky bleu cheese dressing - it's full-fat and high-calorie, but when you dip romaine lettuce hearts in it (and use only a little) it's just amazing! With that much taste you don't need a lot.
* Caltrate chocolate truffle chews - yes, it's a Vitamin, but it's also an after-dinner treat. 20 calories. Mmm mmm good!
* Smuckers sugar-free strawberry jam -- goes great with cheese on toast -- only 20 calories, but 7 grams of Fiber in only 2 tablespoons!
* Doctor Kracker Three Seed Crackers - HAVE ONLY EATEN THESE SINCE I BEGAN MAINTENANCE! They have such flavor and texture, as well as 5 grams of Protein and 3 grams of Fiber. I mostly eat them with tasty, full-fat cheeses and sugar-free jam (see above).
Hellman's Light Mayonnaise - this spread is more satisfying (fattier) to me than Miracle Whip, but not nearly as high calorie as full-on mayo. Only 70 calories for 2 tablespoons.
Starbucks ground espresso coffee -- I don't drink a lot of coffee anymore, but the first half-cup of this grind that comes out of my Mr. Coffee is very *shot*-like and, with heated skim milk, makes for a pretty darned delicious home-made skinny latte.

Happy to announce I have reached my first big goal! My surgery was 10/14/15 I lost 40lbs preparing for my surgery and I have lost 60lbs since. My life is completely different and I am not the woman I was before. Life is amazing & I am finally living. I have an incredible support system & I couldn't be more proud of the things Ive accomplished. To this day I have absolutely no regrets about my surgery ️  

Exactly!!!! As long as it keeps going down I am happy! I am a revision from lapband, so I know how this all works and I personally like to set small goals for myself. As of right now I am just wanting to get into Onederland! Then 190 is my goal for now... that was my pregnancy starting weight that has taken me a year to get off the weight! I started at 235lbs back in November before I had to lose weight for surgery. So all together of course I am happy to be down 35 lbs total so far!!!

Thanks for sharing the chart. It's reassuring. At six months out (which was two weeks ago) I had lost 52 pounds from my highest weight and 45 pounds from my surgery weight, so I am progressing better than I'd thought. I had a lengthy, discouraging stall but recently began to start losing again.

I will be six months out next week and I started at 244. I have lost 42 pounds. So far this chart runs true for me. It says I can expect to lose 35 to 45 pounds. Sometimes I feel disappointed in myself until I look at this chart again to remind myself that I am doing normal.

Thanks for sharing the chart. It's reassuring. At six months out (which was two weeks ago) I had lost 52 pounds from my highest weight and 45 pounds from my surgery weight, so I am progressing better than I'd thought. I had a lengthy, discouraging stall but recently began to start losing again.

I do like the Unjury choc splendor - I use Fairlife milk, and add half a tsp of PB powder. the shake tastes like a reeses.

I use GENEPRO with the approval of my NUT. IT IS AWESOME! Instead of a huge scoop it is just a tablespoon and has 30 grams of Protein and 98 calories and I believe it's 3 carbs. You can mix it in hot or cold. I use a scoop of vanilla Unjury, a cup of skim milk, a little sugar free pudding powder I love the banana cream and add a tablespoon of Genepro and some ice cubes mis it in a blender and I get 59 grams of protein in one shake. I drink one every morning then I only have to get a little more protein to meet my goal and it's simple!

Oh yea..I lie all the time now...well, when it comes to my weight
Are you losing weight?
Me: No, my clothes shrunk in the dryer, its tighter so makes me look thinner (lie)
How are you losing so much weight?
Me: Oh god, I live in the gym. I exercise 7 days a week, glad its paying off (lie)
Thats all you eat?
Me: Yea, not that hungry, Water filled me up (lie)
You drink a lot of water!
Me: Oh I love water! (Biggest b.s lie)
Lies,lies, lies...but really I'd rather lie than to tell my business and be criticized and hear negative comments people have to say about having wls.

Slow down, take a breath, and take care of yourself.
Do you have a therapist? Have you attended any support groups?
I find that exercise is a good stress reliever. So is getting a massage.

I was happy to discover a Peanut Butter I'd loved when I lived in New Zealand at a local grocery store. Pic's Peanut Butter. It only has one carb per tablespoon serving, and it's delicious.

Had my sleeve today, arrived at Atlana Surgery Center at 11:00 and was headed home by 3:00
Dr also did a hernia repair. No pain at all, not yet, just some soreness in abdominal area. Sipping the Water and Clear Liquids has been easy, so far . Walking hasn't been hard either.

If I could go back to my twenties and have this surgery I would do it in a heartbeat.
Here's why, the longer you carry that high of a BMI, you will do damage to your body that cannot be reversed. Take it from me, I am 52 years ago and have damaged my spine and joints so badly that I am in chronic pain every single day. I have had 6 back surgeries!
Don't wait, run! More yo yo dieting will only make your obesity disease worse. It is a metabolic disease and the cure is weight loss surgery.
Best of luck! Feel free to message me with questions!

At nineteen you are likely fully physically grown, and emotionally ready for the surgery if you and your surgeon believe it is appropriate. I've known 19-year-olds who possess more maturity and a stronger sense of personal responsibility than 50-year-olds, so it's definitely something that is very individual. Everyone contemplating this surgery needs to equip themselves with knowledge about it and give it serious deliberation. You need to consider the reasons you want the surgery, your willingness to comply with the necessary lifestyle adjustments, and your finances. I think there are advantages to having the surgery earlier in your adulthood, especially if you have a long history of struggling with weight. You are more prime to recover quickly and to experience fewer side effects. Many people have said they'd have had the surgery at a much younger age if it had been available to them. I think the VSG as a standalone surgery is relatively new, so many people didn't have the opportunity that you do.
Best wishes to you.

At nineteen you are likely fully physically grown, and emotionally ready for the surgery if you and your surgeon believe it is appropriate. I've known 19-year-olds who possess more maturity and a stronger sense of personal responsibility than 50-year-olds, so it's definitely something that is very individual. Everyone contemplating this surgery needs to equip themselves with knowledge about it and give it serious deliberation. You need to consider the reasons you want the surgery, your willingness to comply with the necessary lifestyle adjustments, and your finances. I think there are advantages to having the surgery earlier in your adulthood, especially if you have a long history of struggling with weight. You are more prime to recover quickly and to experience fewer side effects. Many people have said they'd have had the surgery at a much younger age if it had been available to them. I think the VSG as a standalone surgery is relatively new, so many people didn't have the opportunity that you do.
Best wishes to you.

I can't believe no one ever mentioned it to me. I saw something about it online a month ago, and decided to look into it. Until then, I thought it was only for people who were 500 lbs. I wish I'd looked into it sooner.

Sorry you might need a new pcp. Mine was the one who encouraged me to have surgery. You need support not negativity during this time.

I despise Protein shakes so my go to is GENEPRO Protein powder. I add it to foods like hot chocolate or milk based Soups. It's whey Protein so it works best with milk based products. One tablespoon is 30g of protein. For the first three months that was my main source of protein since I could eat so little.

I didn't explain myself correctly , I didn't say protein makes hair fall out, I meant that I will have to start drinking my protein even if I don't want to, because I heard your hair starts falling out because of the lack of protein & I don't want my hair to keep falling out!! , thank you for all of your advise , I will have to try that Protein Shake maybe I end up liking it

OK a couple if things. First, omeprazole isn't a Vitamin. That is an acid reducer. That one shouldn't make you sick but if you feel it does, take it right before you go to bed that way you will sleep thru the nausea. Second, Biotin dies not prevent your hair from falling out, it just helps regrowth. There is a lot if speculation on whether it truly works or not. If that ones makes you sick, just skip it for now. Third, check your Multivitamin to see how much Iron is in it. There may be sufficient Iron in it for you not to have to take the separate supplement. And lastly and most importantly, you HAVE to get your Protein up. At 3 months post-op, you should be getting a minimum of 60g (and possibly more). You indicate "you think" which means you are not logging your food. You need to do that at least for a while until you are sure you are getting the tight nutrients. And PS insufficient Protein is likely why you are losing so much hair.
Sent from my HTC One M9 using BariatricPal

@@smallbird
i love you back!!
great pics!!!
you are such a cutie!!!
the neighborhood hasn't been the same without you!!
younguns et al can learn from your experiences
don't be afraid to share!!!
keep up the good work
for the rest of your healthier, happier, longer life!!
while your weight goes DOWN!!
kathy

Hi everyone I am 3 years post op VSG and never showed anyone my before and after. I have decided I love this community and should not be shy to show my success and progress because I know it motivated me to see others post these, and I hope it helps my fellow WLS friends ❤️. Instagram: smallbird_vsg
Before surgery 260lbs after 140lbs lost 120lbs

Be strong or did you want her to wear a sarong?

Just thought I'd post a little update. June 5, I was at my heaviest 410 pounds. I felt like DEATH...literally. I had SEVERE sciatica which caused me to go onto disability after working for YEARS...I couldn't walk. I couldn't stand. I couldn't sit. All I could do is LAY THERE and cry because of the nerve pain down my left leg and lower back. It was either back surgery or weight loss surgery. Since I also HAD high blood pressure and PCOS plus VERY obese and the severe sciatica...I thought weight loss surgery would be my best bet. Plus, healing would be 2837739354928 times harder if I were to under go back surgery at my weight. Dr's told me over and over again that losing weight may or may not help my bulging disc which was in turn causing the sciatica but I went for it and just hoped for the best. Day of surgery 9/2, I was 367 pounds (I went on a damn strict diet) and today...I am 314!!! I am also BACK AT WORK with no more sciatica pain what-so-ever!!! I'm off all meds for high blood pressure and I'm feeling fanDAMNtastic!!!!! I love the way o feel and more so, I LOVE ME. I've never been one to post pics....but here we go. Not ready for the whole "body shot" because this girl is under construction but here goes nothin!!! Top picture is day before surgery...the collage pic on left is last month and on the right is yesterday! I drink 64oz+ Water each day...and always try to get 90g of protein...even if I finish my day with a premier protein!! Alot of you girls and guys on here don't know how many of us look forward and look up to your updates and advice...@Babbs...@Elode...@InnerSurferGirl...all 3 of u girls I look up to and I cannot wait to keep on keeping on. Thank You from the bottom of my heart!!! -Vanessa