Bob_350lbs

Simple meal I love, now that I am at 2 mos and can eat regular food: One 3 oz talapia fillet 2 tbls corn, I cut right from a fresh cob, I keep on my counter, cause I use it every day. 1 tbl onion or other favorite veggie. Saute & brown w/cooking spray, salt & pepper, then cover and turn off heat, in a few minutes it is cooked to perfection. Yumm.. It's around 100 calories and 20 gms of Protein.

With the bypass, it interfers with the digestion of lactose (milk sugar), because of removal of part of the small intestines, but later may adapt itself, and then malabsorbtion doesn't work so well for them. With the sleeve, I don't know why we might become latose intolerant or suddenly not be lactose intolerant anymore, good question. I can eat yogurt, cottage cheese w/o any problems. If I bought those WW ice cream cups, it would be disaster for me, though. I don't trust myself.

I think I just need to eat more fish. A bought frozen talapia from Target. I was pleasantly surprised because each filet was individually wrapped. It tasted pretty good. 4 oz has 20 grams of Protein and only 90 calories. And, it is satisfying. Tuna is good too, but I need light mayo, because it is too dry for me w/o it, so that brings the calories up to about 125 and 15 grams of protein. What bars do you eat? The ones I have checked out are too many calories and too many carbs. I like Medifast crunch bars, 110 cals and 11 gm protein, but they are expense.

The more I read about bands, the more it enforces how I have always felt about them.

Wow, Tiff, you have really been through a lot. Thank goodness, you are healthy now, and doing well. Your story is already helping others.

I also wondered how in the world could I stall when I am taking in less than 800 cals per day?? Well, it could be a combination of a the body going into starvation mode and/or that I am not weighing my food properly and not counting all the licks, bites, and taste I may be doing through out the day, and maybe constipation? I don't get it, but it will come off. I am determined to be more accountable. But, I can tell you that I have never lost 25 lbs in two months before. Usually, I would give up and quit. And, I feel so much better, emotionally, physically, mentally. My CFS is almost completely gone. I have the energy to exercise every night after work, when usually I just crashed on the couch. And, I actually feel happier and more hopeful about the future, and that is priceless. Being 2 sizes smaller helps too :-)

KayKay, you are getting the sleeve on my b-day. I hope that turns out to be a very good day for you too. I think after people lose their wt, they look 10-20 yrs younger. So happy birthday to the new you!

Tiff, my heart goes out to you and your husband. It's okay to feel the way you do, that is perfectly normal. Yes, thank goodness it's not a long delay. I pray he is home for Christmas for you.

Oh, just realized another *thing* that makes me feel great..COMEDY & laughing my a** off. The Soup, Reality Hell, Comedy Central, it feels good and has no calories!

Me too, Tiffy. I bought some really loose, baggy sweats. I also about a really big sundress, but didn't need it, nothing touched my incisions. We drove home the next day from SF to Sac, and I was pretty doped up still. They didn't d/c my PC until right before I was discharged. That made it very pleasant for me.

Sounds good, I am PST and 7 pm my time is good for me. Week nights are when I will be hanging out there. Chat with you soon!

One gal did ask, I had just gotten back that day, and told her I had a hernia repair, which was true, they did repair my hernia and did a VG too. I just wasn't ready to come clean, cause I still wasn't sure I would succeed at this whole thing. I still have 65 lbs to go, so it still feels so far away. And, Chancie, about the whole "don't get too skinny" thing, my sister told me "We will tell you when you when you get too skinny" Like hell she will, I told her, when she says that, I am looking forward to that day, because I still know that I will have more weight to lose! haha! She just got embarrassed..teehee Chancie, just follow your heart, you do look fabulous, and you must feel fabulous too. If the rest doesn't come off as fast, so be it, just keep doing what your doing and go for it! My old coworker who got the RnY, she is 5'9" and is in a 10/12 now, for about 2 yrs now. She looks fantastic and her whole outlook on life is so much happier, healthier. Cheers to you Chancie, you are doing great!

Wooo Hooo!! Size 14!!! That's normal sized clothing! You know, I think shopping is good exercise too

True, that was so disappointing that Star could not be truthful, it would have helped so many. I have not told anyone except my family. When they start asking at work, I don't know what to say..because I feel it's personal and I don't like being judged regarding my weight. I have had *diet police* my whole life and people who immediately want to compete and beat me as soon as they know I am losing weight. At my last job, a gal had an RnY and it cured her diabetes and she looks fabulous, but still, people say, oh she had WLS, even two years out. I guess people will be people, and eventually it will settle down, and they will move on to talk about other things. Don't they understand how difficult this whole this is? It is not a magic pill, and if you don't follow your surgeon's plan, this might not work either. We all know that now. I guess I need to figure this part out. I can tell them in private, and just say that I don't want them to share with anybody..I don't know. Even my family didn't think I was big enough, cause my BMI was 39. Well, that already seems judgmental. But, we do what we know in our heart is right, and I knew the VSG was the right thing for me.

food was my way to make me feel better when I felt bad, it was readily available, it was pleasureable, distracting, and socially acceptable. You can do it at your desk, in your car, at church, anywhere..and they throw it in your face at every chance they can, billboards, TV, magazines...did we have much of a fighting chance?? I have to find a replacement for that "temporary high" Listening to a really good mix while sweating it out on the treadmill, that releases some of those "endorphins" which I like to call dolphins. Sex would work, but too many diseases out there, so yeah, better stock up on batteries..haha. I think I could easily transfer it to some good drugs, but I don't have Rush Limbaugh's connections..hahah...alcohol just makes me wanna eat more..never really like to drink that much. Smoking? I quit years ago and that would interfer with my *dolphins* when exercizing. Shopping? I am not there yet, still too big to really enjoy it and get a *rush*. But, for me, I difinately need to find another *feel* good drug to replace food. So far, exercising is the only replacement I have found. I wish drugs were legal..hehe.

Since we are all going to be wearing a swim suit soon, has anybody had experience with this? Waxing vs laser hair removal. I am modest, but really, everbody does it now, even the Brazilian wax, is pretty normal in most salons.

Okay, I have to up my protein and bring my calories back down. Has anybody tried these? Not the bullets, but proteinex. 2 tbls = 15 gms protein 60 cals, and they are sold in convenient indiv pkgs too.

www.obesitylaw.com helps w/appeals. I like manatee's idea too. Also, for those of use who had hiatal hernia repair as an incidental to the VG, got me thinking, what if the surgeon just billed for a hernia repair? Wouldn't they cover that? This whole insurance issue sucks, I know. The VSG has stats as good as the RNY, even long term out. Don't they realise covering a simple VSG procedure will save them millions in the long run?

I had *head* hunger, psychological hunger, return at week 3 when I started eating mushies. Missing food, or something like that. I think I was just tired of protein shakes for two solid weeks. But, believe me, the sleeve makes it so much easier. It is nothing like before. Ghrelin is gone, your eating protein, so your insulin in regulated. That is the beauty of the VG. Oh, and your stomach only holds 2 oz. I sometime get a weird burp come out, but hardly ever. It's like a release of gas escaping my esophagus. The fundus part of the stomach is removed. That is the part that makes ghrelin and also expands for gases that are created when digesting your food. I have to ask the RD if that is what causes it next time I talk to her.

Charles Gibson reported what we already know. Refined carbs make you fat. Yes, we know, they increase your appetite and make you crave more and more of the stuff. The more carbs you eat, the more you crave. It messes with your hormones; insulin, ghrelin, cortisol, and one more I can't remember, and changes the chemistry in your brain/body. Research shows that an egg/cheese omelete keeps you fuller 40% longer than oatmeal. Duh. Gee...I am sure General Mills, McDonalds, has known this for a very long time..it's like a legal drug they start selling to kids..Lucky Charms, or silly Rabbit, Trix are just for kids..*Happy Meals* w/a toy surprise and a play area to enjoy it at. There is a reason why the place is painted red/yellow and has a big clown in front.

Yes, I know exactly what you mean. It did happened about day 5. The RD suggested that because I am not eating all that junk (sugar, flour) and feeding it what it needs for a change, that is what is giving me all that energy. A *happy* body! Regarding the insomnia, I can't sleep at all if I take my Vitamins or drink a shake b4 going to bed. They have high levels of vit B12, and you know what that does. But, if it not due to that, maybe your RD or MD have any suggestions.

Woo hoo!! 3 lbs is awesome! I am thinking of doing circuit training too. You get cardio & strength training all in one. I have heard that is the best.

I read that LapSF had a patient die WAITING for approval, after she appealed her initial denial. The day after she died, her family got a letter in the mail, approving her WLS. That is tragic.

Oh Tiffy, that did motivate me! Just the thought of going back to 22/24wp got my beehind out the door.

How do you motivate yourself when you don't want to exercise? I think my stall is starting to affect me mentally. :thumbup: