Dar61

Congrats, your numbers are very close to mine, so I can really relate to exactly what you went thru and the feeling of exhilaration on achieving your goal. Great job.

Congratulations! You did very well very quickly! Good luck with the maintenance phase now.
I think that is my biggest fear, only because I have been able to lose years ago and always put it back on. This time I believe is different but I do believe maintenance will be the hardest part of this journey.
Best of luck to you!

Starting at 326 lbs. last April, I could only dream of being 199 lbs. again for the last 30 years. It was a dream I never expected to come true. I'm so happy to say that I OFFICIALLY hit my goal this morning and cannot be happier with where this journey has taken me and what all it has taught me. Thanks to God, my family, doctors, friends, and nutritionists!!! Without all of them, this would have never happened or been this enjoyable of a story. Eating right and keeping a positive mind will never allow me to go back to the pain, both physically and mentally that I experienced for most of my adult life. I encourage anyone reading this that is thinking of surgery to talk with your doctor and look at its benefits. It's not the magic pill, but it is the tool to get you back in charge of your life.

Well I missed the six month update but how about a nine. I was sleeved on 04/08/15 starting weight was 319, at surgery it was 196, now I'm at 201 almost in Wonderland. So excited. You were looking great at the six month mark, congratulations! Where are you now?

I have also chosen to keep my surgery to myself. I do have one friend who has went through the whole process herself and had her surgery 1 month after mine. Then I had to tell another friend who helps with my son who has DS, because she would be keeping him while I was in the hospital. Then one other person my sons service coordinator. She is the one who took me to the hospital and came and took me back home after. To my knowledge none have told. None of these are someone to share with, only to say thank you when they comment on my weight loss. The exception being the one who had the surgery also. But unfortunately our experiences have been so different it has made it difficult to share my joy! When people ask, I just tell them changing my eating habits and more exercise, The truth without knowing everything. Like a lot of you I just didn't want to deal with the gossip, opinions, embarrassment and awww you did it the easy way from people who have No ideal what before surgery was like. Heart attacks, diabetes, ablations for arrhythmias, ICD placements, fear of not being here for my son. And certainly not after surgery , I've been so blessed but the easy way, I don't think so.

Just got home from work,
Gas for the generator- check
Fill the bathtubs with Water - check
Propane tanks are full and the fireplace lights - check
Turkey chili in the crockpot - check
Veggie platter prepared - check
Let it snow

Here in Missouri we've had snow and ice for several days, and Snowpocalypse is now moving toward the East Coast.
You're welcome!

Stay safe all you East Coasters (and some of the south!)
We've been flat out balmy here in Idaho for the last couple of weeks. High 40's and some rain. I'll take that as opposed to 2 feet of snow! Although snow days can be kind of fun just hanging out watching movies and whatever else....

Since I still have tubs of Protein Powder and a case of Premier Protein I am not in any danger of starving if I lose power.

Even prepping for snow days has changed since WLS. The snow is due here early Saturday morning (I'm in NYC) and yesterday I went out shopping. Bought fruit to nibble on..and for dinner, I have farrow and asparagus to go with the roast chicken the BF is bringing by after work. What I didn't buy....how 'bout candy, Cookies, chips, soda, etc. That's just too tempting and why would I want to sabotage myself anyway. I did buy ice cream...because he likes it and I can eat a little bit and feel like I indulged.
As far as what we have planned for fun...well...I'll leave that alone for discretion's sake...

I just made myself a cup of Peppermint "Tea" and am watching and old movie from TCM.
If you are snowed in today, what are you doing for fun?

I told my mother and a few very close friends. A lot of my co-workers knew I was having "surgery" but didn't know what kind of surgery I was having. It had nothing to do with embarrassment. I spent a very long time coming to terms with the fact that I needed the help that bariatric surgery would provide to me, and I cannot expect others, especially those who have never struggled with their weight or any sort of medical ramifications or causations of obesity, to understand that for me this surgery was a necessity. A lot of people term bariatric surgery as "taking the easy way out," but let me tell you, there has been nothing easy about spending thousands of dollars, having my abdomen stabbed five times, having half of a major organ removed, being at a Vitamin deficiency for the rest of my life, and still having to watch every single thing I put into my mouth until the end of time.
I have so much to worry about, that the way I look at it, this is and and can only be MY business. No one else needs to be concerned with what I do.

I told my mom (my companion for the surgery itself), my brother (emergency contact), and one supervisor at work because I wanted to claim/use sick leave instead of vacation leave for the time away and he had to sign off. My mom is not telling anyone in our family because they are typically quite judgmental, and really, why do they need to know. I told my supervisor that I was not telling anyone at all, and as far as everyone else was concerned, I'm on vacation!

My surgery was May 2105. Initially I told my immediate family, very close friends, and a couple people at work (like my boss who needed to give me time off & had Bypass 7 years ago). People started to notice the difference pre-op, but like you I was honest & told them I was making some lifestyle changes and better choices. I felt that it was none of their business and I didn't want to listen to their judgmental opinions. My family is very supportive & I knew they would have my back no matter what, so I figured I was good.
After WLS was a completely different matter! What I found was that about 1 month post-op I had people asking me how I was doing it because they were genuinely interested in bettering themselves. I had become a inspiration to others ... a kind of "poster child" at my work and so many people began to support me in my goals. I started to talk more about my journey and now I have 2 others looking into it. I also have a group of 7-9 runners who found out I was walking 5K races and they now sign up with me & encourage me to finish each race.
Even though I didn't intend to make my journey a public one, that's how it has turned out. Honestly, I don't think I would change a thing!

I have told just close family & friends primarily. I ventured out to tell a newer friend and she tried to talk me out of it. Saying that I should really focus on eating and exercising. She is and always has been thin. ???? So just her response alone makes me just want to focus on the support system that will matter. My husband, kids, our parents and my best friends. I don't want to stress out on people's expectations of me or their judgments.

I had my surgery in July 2015 and the only people who know (besides my medical team) are my husband, older daughter (she's 25), and one very intelligent "I can trust with my life" co-worker. I have a large family and everyone has an opinion about everything and after being overweight for over 25 years, I just didn't want to be deterred from my decision. My PCP told me about the sleeve (never heard about it before he mentioned it) in December 2014 - I went home, did my research, decided after talking it over with my husband, and never looked back! Truly the best thing I've done for me.
In the process of my pre-op clearances, a tumor was found on my thyroid which I needed surgery for. I told my manager that in the process of getting clearance for gall bladder surgery, the thyroid tumor was found. I felt horrible for lying but as it turned out, during the sonogram process of my clearance, gall stones were found!! My surgeon removed my gall bladder and performed the sleeve surgery at the same time! (so I didn't feel so bad after all). When people ask how I've lost the weight, I just tell them that I've been eating healthier and exercising more - which is the truth (just not the whole truth). If conversation goes beyond that, I also let them know that I recently developed diabetes and my doctor advised that if I lose weight, he would not put me on medication (the truth) and losing weight would also most likely help with my high blood pressure. Well, I haven't taken one blood pressure pill since day before surgery (I've been on them for 15 years) and I am no longer diabetic!
I am amongst extremely judgmental folks in my personal and professional life and I really don't want to hear "OH YOU TOOK THE EASY WAY OUT!" Your body, your health, your life, your business!
Good Luck!!

Yes, there is a recipe section under food and Nutrition.

Another thing I do is when making tuna, egg, seafood or chicken salads, I sub out half of the mayo for FF Greek yougurt. Makes it really creamy & decadent.
More recipes, just cry UNCLE at any point, lol!!
Fried Cauliflower 'rice':
stir fry with cooking spray
1/2 head of cauliflower or 1 bag of frozen, thawed. Chop in food processor
1/2 onion
minced garlic to taste
1 cup peas
shredded carrot
red bell pepper
1 tsp ginger
soy sauce to taste
optional: scrambled egg substitute, tofu, chicken breast, shrimp, etc...
Refrigerator Protein overnight oatmeal:
equal parts oats and Water or milk of choice (I prefer plain unsweetened almond)
1 scoop of a Protein Powder with 100 cals per scoop
Additions:
baby food fruit stage 1 only (banana, nutmeg and walnuts is delicious!!)
unsweetened applesauce
canned cherries in Water and chocolate Protein powder
chocolate protein powder and PB2
cheese Sauce:
3 servings
1 cup shredded cheddar (ff or low fat)
1/2 c ff 1/2 & 1/2
3 T flour
cook and stir flour & 1/2 & 1/2 till thick (will be VERY thick
stir in cheese
mix with cooked spaghetti squash or non starchy veggies such as cauliflower, broccoli, california mix, etc...
can even add some cooked turkey bacon, turkey hot dogs or diced lean ham
'potato' salad (I've fooled many with this at BBQ's )
1 bag frozen cauliflower-cooked and chopped
1/4 c celery
1/4 c red onion
1T chives
3/4 T unsweetened rice vinegar
1/2 T dill
1/2 T parsley
3 hard boiled eggs
1 T ranch powder
2 1/2 T FF plain Greek yogurt
1/4 light mayo
1/2 T FF 1/2 & 1/2
3/4 tsp Dijionaise
in a blender or bullet: blend mayo, yogurt, dijionaise, ranch, 1/2 & 1/2, vinegar
and 1/2 c. cauliflower
in another bowl, combine cauliflower, eggs, celery, onion, chives, dill & parsley
combine both & chill
Black Bean brownies:
15 oz can black Beans, drain & rinse
2T unsweetened cocoa
1/2 c oats (grind to powder in bullet or blender)
1/4 t salt
1/3 c Splenda
1/4 c coconut oil or vegetable oil
2t vanilla
1/2t baking powder
combine all & puree
bake at 350 in sprayed 8 x 8 pan
15-18 minutes, cool 10 minutes
Chickpea Blondies (some sugar and chocolate chips, pay attention to whether that causes cravings and hunger for you)
1 1/2 c chicpeas, drained & rinsed
3/4t baking powder
1/8t baking soda
1/4 t salt
1/4 c brown sugar
1/2 c Splenda
2 t vanilla
1/4 ground oats or flax
1/4 c Peanut Butter
1/2 c mini chocolate chips
blend all except chips
stir in chips
bake at 350 in a sprayed 8 x 8 pan for 30 minutes
Flour-less chocolate cake: (some chocolate chips, pay attention to whether that causes cravings and hunger for you)
15 oz can black Beans
1/2 c unsweetened cocoa
1/2 c egg substitute
1 1/2 oz mini chocolate chips
1/3 c unsweetened applesauce
1/3 cup pure pumpkin
1/2 c Splenda
1 1/2 t baking powder
1 t vanilla
1/4 t salt
puree all till smooth, stir in chips
bake at 350 in a 9" round pan at 350 for 35-40 minutes
cool 1 hour
Protein Muffins:
1/3 c oats, ground
1/4 c water
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
1 banana or 1 jar stage one baby bananas or 4 oz container of unsweetened applesauce
vanilla & cinnamon to taste
milk or water as needed
blend all
bake in sprayed mini muffin pan at 350 for 6 minutes
makes 16 mini muffins
Zucchini Chips:
slice zucchini very thin with mandolin or peeler
spray cookie sheet and lay zucchini in single layer
lightly spray top & season w/ salt & pepper, and any other seasonings you desire
bake at 215-225 for 45 minutes to 2 hours till desired doneness
peanut butter cookie dough dip (some chocolate chips, pay attention to whether that causes cravings and hunger for you)
1 1/4 c chic peas or white beans drained & rinsed
2 t vanilla
1/4 c Peanut Butter
3 T Splenda
1/8 baking soda
2 T mini chocolate chips
1/8 t salt
combine all in food processor except chips till smooth
stir in chips
Cauli-tots:
These fool people, also. Tastes like tater tots from childhood!
3 c shredded cauliflower, squeeze out all moisture
1 t salt
pepper to taste
1/2 t dry mustard
1/4 c yellow cornmeal (Quaker is the best)
1 egg
4 oz shredded cheddar
1/2 c onion, minced
combine all
spray mini muffin pan
spoon in mixture, press it in well
bake at 400 for 15-20 minutes

Here's one more Brownie recipe:
4 servings:
42.5 gm chocolate Protein powder
46 gm unsweetened cocoa
120 gm egg substitute
18 gm Splenda
1/2 T baking powder
30 gm light margarine
60 gm sugar free Chocolate Syrup
114 gm cream cheese (neufchatel of fat free)
Mix till smooth
bake at 350 till a toothpick inserted comes out clean
(These fooled my carb addicted sis!! I left them on the counter, she tried some and LOVED them!!)
***If you just want to make one serving:
1/4 scoop chocolate Protein powder
11.5 gm cocoa
30 gm egg substitute
4.5 gm Splenda
1/3-1/2 t baking powder
7.5 gm light butter
15 gm Sugar Free Chocolate syrup
28.5 gm ff cream cheese or neufchatel

I'm pre op but I know when ever I am successful at cutting out the crap, it's because I'm journaling all my intake. I use my fitness pal, great app and I got a fit bit to keep me motivated. Good luck!

I agree with @@Babbs about reevaluating your intake. Also, set a schedule for yourself. The first year I struggled to hit enough calories. I needed to eat 5-6 small meals a day every 3 or 4 hours. Then magically at 11-12 months post-op I could eat more. So I had to readjust how many times a day I was eating. Now I eat 3 meals and sometimes one snack.< /p>
The Sugar Dragon will most definitely cause cravings. Make sure to eat Protein first, veggies second and starch only if room left.

I guess it depends on how much you want.
I have to be very careful with fruit because even though it has Fiber, Vitamins, and other health benefits, it is very high in sugar.
Please talk to your NUT to see how much fruit would work in your plan.

Thank you! I have posted some in another forum a while ago.
Don't know how you could save them, but you could copy & paste in MS Word or MS Works, then print

carfeli2004,
You’ve gotten some great tips here! Choosing better foods might help. You can eat more of the low-calorie foods like vegetables, so they fill you up. Plus high-Fiber, high-Protein foods reduce hunger for way longer than sugary and carby foods. Plus cravings go down when you stop with the sugar, fatty, carby, and salty foods. So, go for healthy choices!
Also, meal and snack timing might be important, too. If you’re “grazing,” you might be getting in more than you realize, but still feel hungry at meals. If you’re only eating meals and feeling starving before the next meal, maybe you need to plan some healthy (low-calorie) Snacks.
Good luck!

Do you have a nutritionist? I agree with @@Babbs - the processed carbs create a vicious cycle of addiction and cravings. Fruit is good, but needs to be in moderation as well. Even now I limit myself to half an apple or orange a day. The only exception I make is watermelon in the summer. Otherwise I have no more than 1 serving of fruit a day. Unless you're an athlete or working out super hard, your work burn all that fruit off.
There's also the mental work. Once you hit that one year mark, it's easy to let old habits slip back in. If you are one of those who don't get sick from food, there's no restriction to stop you from nibbling or overeating. I still do not allow any food I would binge on in the house. I tossed holiday foods as soon as possible. I still keep a food diary and every few months I reevaluate my activity/exercise level and eating habits. It keeps me honest.