Puja

Lynda, I never did do the math, and it makes sense now that you posted it up. Fiddleman, I was doing yoga and pilates classes 4 days a week! You've hit the nail on the head about why I was so surprised... the exercise routine was new for me, not something my body should have been used to. You're also right in your concern about never being able to eat foods like bread, nuts, and avocados without the worry of weight gain. You look great, by the way! Jensjoy, you make a good point! NtvTxn, you don't eat cheese or nuts?? Oh man, that would be misery for me! I rely so much on dairy Proteins, and absolutely love cheeses. It takes amazing strength to avoid those foods. Thank you for your input.

Shiela, congratulations on your surgery! This forum is an amazing source for information, and the members here are very helpful. All the best to you! Thanks for posting an intro!

Enjoy your trip, Mistysj!

I hope you have a wonderful time!!! Please plan out your meal options before going, so that you are well prepared when you get there. Also, be even more careful with food and drink than you normally would be. I got a stomach bug about 2 months post-op, while in India, and it was the one time I regretted having surgery. That episode was by far the worst, in the 7 years that I lived in India.

You look absolutely amazing, and carry the sari so elegantly! Congrats on your success!

Ncdimps, congratulations! Preetyfatchic, look at your new picture! It's amazing!!

Reality Strikes! Holy crap, woman, you look gorgeous!!! Congratulations on your health, happiness, and success! Mistysj, I went to Bangalore while I was in the soft food stages. I lived off of beans/lentils, cheese (natural, not processed), paneer, and milk. I would not do kesari bath or khara bath, because the semolina may expand. Same goes for pongal (the rice will expand). As for potato and roti, you won't be getting in any Proteins, which is your primary goal, like Avanti said. Avanti mentioned palak paneer which is an excellent option! Paneer anything is wonderful. Don't worry too much about the higher calorie or fat content. Focus on Protein, nutrition, and satiety. If you can make paneer at home from low fat milk, all the better. eggs are another great option. I would not do sambar at all, until you are sure the spice and acidity is something your new tummy can handle. Idli is surprisingly not very good as a protein source, but it's better than nothing if you have no choice. It expands a tad, but not as much as rice or bread. Avoid coconut chutney! The fibers sit very heavy in the stomach, and I was told there is a chance of them getting stuck in the suture line. Peanut Butter with apples or crackers is an easy on the go option. Tofu is also available in lots of restaurants, at least in Bangalore. Where in Bangalore will you be? If you inbox me about it, I'll let you know where and what I was eating when I went out. Good luck!

Preetyfatchic, your new picture is gorgeous!! Avanti, let us know how it works out.

Does anyone else get this feeling? It's quite irritating to be very honest! Before I lost weight, I felt really strong and "hearty".. I could lift things and push heavy boxes around. Now, I feel like those silly girls at the grocery store that ask for help to lift a box of Water bottles. I AM that silly girl. I've been studying for exams these days, and often find my bum hurting from sitting on it too long, and certain positions are no longer comfortable, because I've lost the padding! I also have this constant irritation around my elbow, where the nerve keeps getting pinched, because I rest it on the table, just so. It's getting ridiculous! While I like that my boyfriend can lift me, I don't like that a really strong wind can also throw me off balance. I'm wondering if this is because I've lost muscle, and really need to work out more... or if my center of gravity is off, and I need to work on my core strength.. or if this is what normal petite women deal with on a daily basis?

What a wonderful way to start off the new year! I've noticed that if you get some carbs along with your protein in the form of daal or dahi, it's easier to avoid rice and roti. Good luck!

Hi, Avanti! Congratulations on your surgery! How are you doing post op?

Thanks, everyone, for your replies! I'm really enjoying hearing everyone's stories and feedback, please keep them coming. Cowgirljane, pet owners tend to make better patients than those without pets! They have a good understanding of the benefits of exercise and nutrition, and they tend to be more aware of symptoms and take those symptoms more seriously. It's very interesting. Benisa, I'm curious, too, about why your husband objects to the idea of gymming?

CowGirlJane, it's so exciting to hear about your agility and energy! I know that I was feeling stronger before I started sitting inside and studying all day, so I'm sure that has a lot to do with it. It's not the best excuse, I know, but it is the main priority at the moment. I'm glad to know, though, that some fitness will really help. Thanks!

Msskinniness, please let me know if the exercise helps! I've been mostly sitting on my butt for the past several months due to exams, but I'm itching to get active again. Butterthebean, good point! Perhaps a lot of the lifting and pushing was simply me throwing my weight around. I do think that some strengthening will help.

Mmm I'm not sure if you are referring to "flavors" as spices that complement each other, or foods with a complete different texture and taste from each other? An Indian dish might have tons of different spices with some lentils, but the flavors are homogenized for the most part. Each bite will be similar. If I pair that with a side of a single veggie, or a small portion of rice/bread, I will feel satiety soon, However, if I mix those same lentils with different veggies so that each bite is different, or I add a few side dishes, I will probably eat more and feel satiety later. Does that make sense? I don't know much about French or Asian cuisine (unless it's Indian) that is normally served in homes, so I can't comment, but I have read something similar to what Missmeow mentioned.

CowgirlJane, here's an article! http://mentalhealth.about.com/library/sci/0601/blobese601.htm I know there are more extensive papers out there, but this was the first one I found, and it gets the basic idea across. Happy reading!

I can eat fruits and veggies in greater quantities, and have come up with a few theories: 1. The Water content is higher 2. Carbs are broken down very quickly. I imagine the Fiber content of lettuce is higher than spinach, which is why it fills you up faster? I have no idea about its nutritional content, so maybe you can look it up. 3. If I eat a veggie patty from Subway along with some veggies, I can eat much more than if I have the patty first, followed by vegetables. Perhaps it has something to do with satiety levels? I know one of the reasons nutritionists recommend eating one or two items during a meal is because many different flavor varieties increase our appetite, and we eat more. I have a fondness for combining sweet with salty, and often find that it takes much more of the combination to satisfy me, than if I had eaten each item separately.

Oops, I somehow missed the part about gallbladder surgery!

TES, I'm going to go ahead and PM you! Just to give a basic idea to anyone who is interested, though: There are many different causes for anemia, of which nutrition (rather, the lack of it) is the most common cause. Iron, B12, folic acid, and even Vit. C (and lots of other nutrients) all play their rolls in preventing anemia. If in case nutrition is not a factor, then the other causes left include decreased absorption of nutrients, or blood loss. A blood smear helps to confirm the cause and point us towards obtaining a diagnosis. Decreased absorption can be easily tested, if that is suspected. In women, heavy or prolonged periods are usually implicated in low iron levels. These days, there is an increase in gastric and duodenal ulcers, which cause minute amounts of blood loss that go completely unnoticed. Stool samples and medical histories will help with these situations. Of course, this is only the tip of the iceberg! The point is, being a vegetarian will not cause anemia, if you take steps to ensure your meals are nutritious and balanced. At the same time, eating loads of meat will also not prevent anemia, if there is an underlying problem!

There are a few reasons your iron would be so low, along with your B12. Nutrition would be the most common cause, in which case Feedyoureye and O.T.R. have given some good tips. However, I would talk to your doctor about ruling out any other possible causes for your anemia. There is no reason anyone on a well balanced vegetarian diet should actually require meat to maintain their iron and B12 levels. I'm going to send you a PM with some things you might want to look into!

I had many many arguments with my parents, and had to convince them that the sleeve was right for me. When they finally agreed to having a bariatric procedure, they wanted the band, and that led to more fights. It stems from a place of love and concern, I understand where your husband is coming from. Even my parents thought it was as simple as eating better, or eating less. They thought, if my diet changes would help post-op, why not make those changes without surgery? The sleeve does a lot more than the band in that way. It brings satiety, which is so important in finding weight loss success, and overall happiness. It helped us as a family to approach the situation practically, and arm ourselves with education. I presented them with the differences between the procedures, statistics of complications, and we picked a surgeon only after getting good recommendations from other doctors and nurses that had worked with him. My parents were not convinced I would succeed with the surgery, but they were ultimately left with very little room for argument after all our research. It also helped for them to speak to post-op patients. However, prior to surgery, I did have a long talk with the office's psychologist and nutritionist, to find where the weak points were in my support network and my own behaviors. I spoke with my parents about what I would need from them to help me change my lifestyle, and how their behaviors affected me. It was a very emotional time, but it helped bring us all closer, and paved the road to my health and happiness.

I would get a stool sample tested. Were you ever diagnosed with IBS or IBD, or was there any documented intolerance?

Neil, you look brilliant and glowing! Especially in that suit!...Very sharp. Congratulations on all your success, thank you for posting pictures!

Mrsmsp, 13 kgs in 2 months is excellent! Everyone loses at a different pace, and at this point your focus should be on health and happiness. The weight will come off in its own time. Eating and living healthy is priority! Keep tracking your Proteins and calories religiously, and you'll be there before you know it. Vsg_usd, it's amazing that you are able to control your blood sugar levels without the need for insulin! Congratulations! That, along with your loss, is a wonderful achievement.

Neil, you're always so good about following up on the posts made in this thread! How are you doing?