lsereno

How tall are you? I see you goal weight is 130. Are you exercising? I walk several miles 4 days per week and do 2 strength training classes per week. Are you eating at least 65 grams of Protein per day? I find I eat less if I make sure I'm getting enough firm, low-calorie protein, such as chicken, fish, and lean meats. Are you eating whole grains instead of white bread, etc.? I only eat 100% whole grain bread unless I am at a restaurant with really good bread. I stick with oatmeal or unsweetened cereals, I don't eat much rice or Pasta. I also tracked my food - protein and calories till I got to goal. I used a white board on the fridge door to keep track. Lynda

I scheduled my Water throughout the day. At first I drank one ounce every 15 minutes while I was awake. After my tummy settled a bit, my schedule was more: 1 cup soy milk with my coffee 1/2 cup with my pills before Breakfast 2 cups before lunch 2 cups in the afternoon by 4 p.m. 1 cup tea after dinner or third cup of water before dinner if eating late 1/2 cup with my pills before bed 1 cup while reading in bed

I believe lettuces are hard to digest. Salads are generally all raw veggies too. Maybe you are still on cooked veggies? I drink right before I eat but wait at least 30 minutes after. I find if I try to drink before then I get uncomfortably full. For alcohol, I waited the 6 months my program recommended and was cleared by my Dr. I felt more comfortable following the program. Maybe ask your doctor about a few ounces of wine? Lynda

Two things to consider: If it's getting worse and smelly, be sure to call your doctor. Sometimes you can pick up a bad bug and they want to know ASAP. There is a simple test to see if is something like that. If it's more than 2-3 times per day, you might be lactose intolerant. It's fairly common post-op. I could not tolerate dairy products, including many whey Protein powders right after surgery. I switched to unjury Protein powder mixed with Water, water, and tea until it settled down. Lynda

I started having a few drinks a week after I was cleared by my Dr. at 6 months. I started with drinks with less acid and no shots, but I am back now and drink about the same as I did before . Not quite the same taste for salty, acidy margaritas that I had before, but I've had one or two. Lynda

I was lactose intolerant post op and found I was more successful eating: Anderson Split Pea Soup (other brands did not sit as well, I think because they have potatoes)

I'm a year out and can eat a hot dog, but I have to be in right frame of mind. Greasy food still can bother me so sometimes I prefer something with a little less fat and more Protein, such as turkey kielbasa, turkey smokey links, or a chicken sausage I tried the other day. The lowfat hotdogs I looked at didn't have enough protein, but I just noticed Hebrew National has one with 6 grams of protein per frank. That works for me if they are not too big. I like to get close to 20 grams of protein per meal. Lynda

I just learned how to make ice cream from only bananas. It's a great way to use overripe bananas. Peel and slice bananas into 1 inch chunks. Freeze at least a couple of hours. Toss into a food chopper and process until they turn to a soft serve consistency. You may have to stop and scrape down the sides a couple of times. Here's a great link with pics: http://www.thekitchn.com/stepbystep-instructions-for-on-97170 Of course, I'm a year out now and have more room for foods besides just Protein. Lynda

Congrats! Looks like you are thin this day, not thin one day :-) Lynda

Rootman, Sending loving thoughts your way. I am so sorry for your loss. You have been such a source of strength for me and so many others here. Your kind words and sensible way of looking at things have helped me so much on my journey. If you can, maybe a little trip with the wife. Buy yourself a present, or a present for you and your wife. Walking outside helps me too. I love being outdoors in the sunshine and the exercise helps me feel better. Writing is also good for me when I am sad. Sometimes I just write something in Word and don't even save the document. Just write whatever I'm feeling and then delete it. It helps me. Thinking of you, Lynda

I also love the Gold Standard Optimum Vanilla, but right after surgery it didn't set well with me. I didn't tolerate it well till about 2 weeks out. Lynda

At just over one year out, I drink the occasional diet rootbeer, carbonated Water, or flavored sparkling drink. I count them towards my daily fluids. I do not have one per day, more like 2-3 per week when it is hot. I mix them with ice, which takes some of the bubbles out. I never liked beer so I haven't tried it. Lynda

My doc told me that PPIs do not stop Calcium Citrate from being absorbed, just the Calcium Carbonate. She wanted me to take a PPI because of my RI med (methotextrate). Lynda

I wasn't cleared to drink until I was 6 months out. I started out with sweeter, non-acid drinks because my tummy was still a little sensitive. I liked Cranberry and Cointreau and port wines. Not low calorie, but since I only had one or two, no big deal. I'm back to regular now, and drink anything I want. Lynda

Oh those sounds. Finally don't have that problem anymore. At a little over a year out, the only thing like that I have left is I do burp more than I used to. Lynda

I had good luck with unjury when everything else made me sick right after surgery. Also, Fage 0 Greek Yogurt has 23 grams of Protein per cup. You can thin it with Water to make a smoothie. I like it blended with splenda, orange juice, and a couple of strawberries. When I was early out, I could only eat 1/4 to 1/2 cup max, but every little bit of protein helps. Lynda

Thanks for sharing the link! I loved seeing and hearing you talk about your journey. You look beautiful and you sound so happy! Lynda

I took mine the next day. I waited two weeks to start the Calcium, but took all other supplements and prescribed meds. I had to swallow each pill one at a time, but they went down fine. Lynda

I think you will be fine, but do plan on some emergency things you might need: What if you have to stay in hospital more than one day? Be sure babysitter can cover. May have to research getting someone from a service. Can you hire someone to come in and help for an hour or so each day for the first few days? If you feel really crappy that might help. And spending time getting ready will make you feel more comfortable: If you don't already have the babysitter book with Dr. info and emergency info, now is a good time to get that ready. Look at getting some movies/ books/ toys for you and the two year old to enjoy together while you recuperate. Buy yourself a pretty gown, slippers, lip gloss, and lotion for the hospital and home the first couple of day. Stock up on TP, cleaning supplies etc. so you have less you need to buy right after surgery. Buy the supplements. They are important. You have to take care of yourself. I wasn't supposed to drive right away. Have a plan for how to get around if you need to. Best wishes, Lynda

I chose VSG because: I had less weight to lose and I thought it would be sufficient. I wanted to be able to take arthritis medications. I thought I wouldn't need to take as many Vitamins (turned out I was wrong - my program through Kaiser has me take the same vitamins as someone who had the bypass. I'm OK with that now anyway.) I was afraid of the intestinal rerouting. I originally thought VSG was an external sleeve that was placed around the stomach to prevent it from expanding. But even after I learned what it really was, after reading this forum and other information about the procedure, I felt confident choosing it. BTW, I do know people who have gained weight after having VSG and some that have not been able to get to goal. So I wouldn't say I chose it because I thought weight loss was better or more permanent with VSG than with RNY. Lynda

Supersweetums, I think it's great you are going for counseling for the issues you describe. I do think it takes time to relearn or learn for the first time what it means to be our goal size. I have a hard time selecting the right size clothes still. I sometimes see fat legs and arms even though I no longer have them. And bathing suit fitting room - ugh!!! One thing that helps is I look in a full length mirror every day after getting dressed. I use a three way mirror when trying on clothes. Plus I consciously think about my new size and what it means as far as moving through three dimensional spaces, bending over, holding my knees closer together, holding my arms closer to my sides and even sitting closer to the table or desk. I do walk a lot too. I think that helps me get used to walking more erectly instead of kinda hunched from the extra weight. I've got a ways to go, but I am comfortable with the progress I'm making. I have it easier than some because I was naturally thin until my 30s, so I do remember how it felt to be a normal weight adult. Best wishes on your journey. Lynda

Can you email or call your doctor? That's what I recommend. Lynda

I practiced eating slowly by using a clock. One small bite per minute. Try to chew for 30 seconds. I did this on and off before pre-op. Post-op I ate like this with the clock to make sure I didn't eat to fast and make myself sick. I also used a very small spoon and fork at first. Gradually I was able to return to my fast eating habits. Hasn't seemed to hurt so far. My one year labs were great and I've been at goal a few months, maintaining without a problem. Lynda

Hi DPFeffer, I would repost this in the post op thread or the support thread. I think you might get more responses there. I am so sorry to hear you are struggling. I agree with the tips I've seen so far, esp. for adding exercise and following Diva's bootcamp. Not sure if your program has a psychologist, but if it does, you might be able to get an appt to discuss. I also like going to a face-to-face support group for WLS. Not sure if you have one of those available. One tip I've used is instead of just giving something up (overeating), substitute something. So instead of just saying "I won't eat Snacks while watching TV after I eat dinner" go with the game plan "Instead of eating after dinner, I am going to paint my finger nails while watching TV and then have a cup of tea" Instead of "I won't eat a candy bar after lunch" go with "I will eat an orange after lunch instead of a candy bar". It's worked for me sometimes :-) If it worked all the time, I wouldn't have needed WLS Also, if possible, clear your house of crap. You can't eat what's not there. Love and best wishes on getting back on track! Lynda

I weigh myself every morning too, but I agree it's strictly personal preference. As with Little Miss Diva, I only got worked up when trying to hit a certain number. I thought I would never loose the last few ounces to my goal. Now that I'm at goal, I stay in a 3 lb. range on either side. If my weight creeps towards the high end, I slack off on Snacks and alcohol and make sure I am hitting all my workouts. If it drops too low, I up the fat content in my food. I like the daily weigh in for accountability and I don't trust myself to stay in range without it. During the losing phase, I weighed every day, but only tracked it on Fridays. Lynda