Apple1

I remember the first time my son saw a bald man. He was probably about 3 and we were standing in line at the bank. Yes people actually used to bank in person..lol.. He asked me in a very loud voice why doesn't that man have any hair? Did he get a bad haircut? I wanted to just disappear, but several people including the man he was referring to busted out laughing while I was about to apologize. Most of the time I would like to believe the kids are just curious. It helps if we can find the humor in uncomfortable situations. I know that is hard and I know sometimes it still hurts.

Another thing. I have started eating a salad for lunch almost everyday. I use a mix of dark leafy greens , cabbage, peppers, radish, tomatoes, walnuts, basically any veggie I have on hand, and I use a simple vinaigrette dressing. I have never been this regular. I mean twice a day regular..lol.. and I feel amazing!! Greens really are a super food.

I am still listen to "How not to Die". Some of the things I am learning are really reinforcing my decision to avoid animal products and eat a WFPB diet for life. Do you realize all of the pesticides that find there way into the fat of animals raised for human consumption? And that scraps from slaughtering are sold to feed companies and used to once again feed the animals sold to us as food? ??These two points alone are good enough for me.

I agree!! So many great things have happened to me as a result of having the surgery. I know for a fact I wouldn't be as healthy as I am now if I hadn't done it.

You look fabulous ? I am considering a TT and a breast lift. I am waiting to see what i look like closer to One year out to make a final decision. I am saving up though just in case.

I agree with fluffychix you look beautiful. Congrats on your success!

You know what is weird, based on feedback I have been getting I changed my goal weight from 150 to 160. I have let other people's opinions change my own perceptions. I thought maybe they are right and I am getting too thin. I even started to worry about how to stop losing weight. And despite that I look at photos and still see my flaws...lol... the brain is strange sometimes and I just need to get comfortable in my new body where ever I end up. I think this is why just getting fit and healthy appeals to me so much more then worrying about a number. Maybe staying off the scale would be a good thing... I doubt I will though..lol

I would make sure you don't over heat yourself before you are able to drink more fluids. I waited 5 weeks before I started running and I only ran early morning so I didn't get too dehydrated. I could drink much more by then. At 3 months I can even gulp water a little if I need to.

Yes very normal for the VSG. Most doctors start you on a acid blocker in the hospital.

That surprises me, but you can buy one over the counter if you need to. It takes a few days for the meds to build up and kick in. I would start with 20mg emerprazole and if need be move up to 40mg. I am not sure if I spelled that correctly, but it is close. I usually just buy the store brand and it works fine.

I don't think the sleeve gets bigger, it is just the swelling goes down and as it is fully healed we can eat more.

Yes. When I see recent photos of me I think I still look fat, even though I know it isn't true. I hate photos of myself for some reason. I am beginning to be self conscious of people complimenting me on my weight loss. I just don't want to be noticed so much. I know people are being kind and they just want to say "You look great" "You look so skinny", but I am having a harder time with it this past week. I try to change the subject as fast as I can. Maybe it is because I didn't tell anyone outside my family about having WLS, but I just don't like all the attention I am getting. And I hate when people tell me "I hope you aren't gonna lose anymore because you look too skinny" In fact, I am still in the over weight BMI category. I need to lose about 10 more pounds to be a normal healthy weight. I never know what to say back and I hate feeling like they are judging me... ... Sorry this turned into a rant.

Are you still taking your acid blocker? That is needed for up to 3-6 months after surgery. It could be you ate a little too fast. If I do that I will feel bad for about an hour after eating.

Beets are such a healthy food I would keep them and ditch or cut back on the yogurt.

I went running in a different location today with my hubby. It was the first time he has joined me. We went to a local park that has some hills. I was a little worried about him running as he has a bad knee and you know that man macho pride makes them keep going even when it hurts... It was fun and I hit some personal bests today, longest run, fastest pace, and most calories burned!! So I can say without a doubt this WFPB diet does not hold you back at all with performance. Yesterday I consumed 53g protein, 64g carbs, and 53g fat for a total of 924 calories. I need to eat more carbs and less fat. I think my protein is fine. My diet is a work in progress as I transition because old habits die slowly. Everyday I am choosing healthier items purposely, and I get closer and closer to the ideal I have in my mind. Have a great Sunday everyone.

Somehow I missed this thread. I'm in for sure. Goal-160 Current weight 8/25/17 170

Fajitas are a favorite at my house. I need to come up with a veggie version. I debated whether to eat the salmon or not lol . It was good, but honestly I could have skipped it. I am sure it is hard to cook in some one else's kitchen. You just don't have the things you are used to.

Dinner tonight. I made a Peruvian onion salad called Onion and tomato curtido salad/salsa {Curtido de cebolla y tomate}. We had it with salmon at my hubby's request. He still wants to eat his salmon a couple times a month and I am happy to oblige. I had a small piece also. His plate and mine:

I want to be like @Newme17 when I grow up?. She directed me to the book Proteinaholic and I was hooked on the WFPB diet. You should check it out for sure. I'm still tracking my foods for now, but I am trying to break the habit. Eating such a healthy diet does give you so much more confidence in yourself.

I am glad you have found a lifestyle you can embrace and be happy with. I think this is where we all need to end up at the end of our journeys. I have decided that gaining health and fitness is more important to my overall happiness then a certain number on the scale. I think my thought process was backward. I thought losing x number of pounds would make me healthy, get rid of my medical issues ect... But the truth is when I eat a healthy diet and exercise daily the weight loss happens naturally. Too bad I had to have WLS to figure this out. I am eating with a healthy purpose in my mind and so I still don't believe intuitive eating is for me, but I am glad it is working for you. You look very happy. Obviously you are investing in the slimmer you by having plastics done so I do believe you care about your size. I think we all care and that is not a bad thing. It will keep us from gaining back what we lost or losing our focus on a healthier lifestyle.

Oh my. So glad you evacuated. Praying for everyone in the storm area!

You look fabulous. Keep up the great work!!

I am getting a dexa scan and my RMR tested next Thursday. I think this will help me determine where my calories should be in maintenance. I am a bit obsessive with tracking my food intake and I was hoping I could start to eventually wean myself from having to do this. I don't overeat. I can put 5 oz of food on my plate and I still only eat 4oz. I think I need to keep tracking until I have reached goal and maintained for a couple of months and then re-evaluate. I am more afraid of not eating enough.

I am on chapter 14 of "How Not To Die" by Dr. Michael Greger. I don't understand why more people are not eating a whole foods plant based diet. I know if you really wanted to tear apart the research and find flaws you could, but the weight of the evidence is so clear. The health benefits are so many, with almost zero negative side effects. Keep an eye on your B-12 and iron and that is about it. The incidence of protein deficiency in this country is almost nil so that isn't an issue at all. I wish I had paid more attention to this when I was younger. I might have avoided type 2 diabetes and weight gain all together. I don't miss meat, and I am happy to stay away from sugar and processed junk. I was a cheese junkie, and I don't even miss cheese. There are so many new foods to taste and try. I don't think you could ever get bored eating this way.

I was just there this past May and my dh and I felt very safe. We walked around near the Pueblo Amigo hotel where we stayed and did not feel uncomfortable at all. The valets take real good care of you so you don't even have to go out alone if you don't want to.