BigGirlPanties

It's hard to stay hydrated during the cold winter months. These tips will help you get your liquids in and stay warm!


It’s no secret that hydration for a WLS patient is key. We’re told from the very beginning to “sip sip sip” our Water, after all. But during the winter, it can be hard to get our liquids in. Let’s face it, it’s cold out there and we really don’t want to drink water all the time!
Although water is the very best way to stay hydrated, during the winter months there are other, warmer, ways to get our liquids in. Here are a few tips that will keep you cozy and hydrated at the same time!
1. Warm broth. Weather it be chicken, beef, or veggie, broth is delicious, warming, and comforting. If you make homemade Bone Broth, it can be very nourishing as well!
2. Hot Apple Cider. You can make your own or buy it pre-packaged. Watch the sugar content, however, especially if you have issues with dumping. To make your own, put some of your favorite no-sugar-added or sugar free (100% juice) apple juice in a saucepan or crock pot. Add some spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, orange peel or ginger. Allow it to warm slowly and enjoy!
3. Hot tea. Herbal or black, hot tea is a great way to get warm and to get our daily liquid requirements. Try a nice cup of earl gray with a twist of lemon and a little honey. Some wonderful herbal tea blends that we love are orange spice and peppermint.
Like we said, straight water is best for hydration, but during the winter months sometimes you just have something to warm you up from the inside out!

Wow.....It is so sad to see posts like this, I feel bad for you guys. There is no excuse for you leaving your docs office and feeling this way.
My surgeon is nice enough, but straight to the point. My husband keeps reminding me surgeons cut, that is their job. I am a type of patient that likes to be coddled. (yes I am a big baby LOL) So I love the job my surgeon did on me, but he is not the coddling type. Now Debbie the P.A. in the office who I will be seeing from now on I LOVE! I have had to call a few times with questions and I never feel rushed or brushed off. I saw my surgeon at my 2 1/2 week check up everything went fine he was happy with my progress but wanted to keep me on two shakes a day and one small meal. So that is what I have been doing. He didn't want me tracking calories (but I do) but did want me tracking Protein, Water and my sugars. He did write up a plan for me for where should be, but I am trying to look at that as goals and not written in stone. I was at 270.7 this morning and my "goal" to be at for my Dec 30th appt is 260. I am pretty sure I will get close (I have been losing pretty steadily) but if I don't I am overly THRILLED my progress so far!!!
Hang in there everyone. I know we are all doing the best we can and losing is losing no matter how much or how fast!!!

@@boosh10 Don't be scared of the information out there. The more armed you are with information overload on BOTH sides of the spectrum, the more empowered you will feel.

I just read your article- the author is a bit of a cry baby who is in the absolute minority of people. First, this surgery is no more risky than if you were the same size you are now getting your gallbladder removed. It's a very straightforward procedure using laparoscopic tools, so your risk for infection is minimal and if you have a good doctor, your risk for everything else is also pretty minimal. If you are obese, any surgery is a risk, but the number of people who die or have major complications during this surgery is not very high- you're more likely to die in a car accident on the way to the hospital.
As for dumping, I am a lucky person who gets portions of the dumping syndrome and I would still get the surgery all over again. I do not have the uncontrollable bowel movements that he notes, but sometimes if I eat the wrong food I start to get hot, my skin flushes, my heart beats fast, and I end up barfing. Sometimes I just barf for no apparent reason because my sleeve decided that today it was not going to like something that yesterday it had no problem with. The major symptoms of dumping for me are pretty much limited to when I eat something that has too much sugar or too much fat. Example, melty cheese and melty chocolate don't tend to go over very well. This is ok with me because the whole point of the surgery was so that I don't eat stuff that makes me fat anymore. I can have a few bites of everything without getting sick and in the end, that's all I really need.
So, keep reading your articles....and then when you get surgery you will, like most of us, laugh a little when you think about how freaked out you were and how happy you are that you went for the surgery anyway.

Thank you everyone for your words of encouragement. I appreciate your kindness in regards my place here. This was the straw that broke the camels back for me lately. Sent me into a whip.
This journey is struggle enough without all the outside influences that gather in our heads to try to send us off our path. Another day in the life of...anyone of us that have had one or any difficulties getting on with our trek in life. The goal of being healthy.

Thank you. This doctor, only said what he felt was true. He is not a bad person. He did not say this in meanness. It was just how he saw me. For me it was the combination and the two together. The second part hurt more because I love giving here and receiving help from you as well. I feel a huge place in my heart for anyone who has been going through this very difficult journey. Like everyone else. I want to be a help not a hindrance. I felt a little foolish because I have put so much of my self in here, especially if I was not helpful to others. I know I do not feel this way a lone. I know there are others out there that have been knocked around for their choices. but it is my choice to be here and yet a side of me believed her and thought OMG what am I doing......

I was furious and close to tears myself as I read your post, RJ.
To echo the above...WE NEED YOU! You have been a rock to me... I look to your experience and expertise all the time. I love your posts and insights, PLEASE you know better than to let someone effect you in that way (telling you that you don't belong HERE)...
as for the doctor...all I can say is *SMH*

Woman! If there is one thing we know about YOU...is you DO NOT "Coddle" LOL... love you to pieces... you have been thru so much and are still our shining star
"Don't let someone dim your light because you shine in their face" ... I read that early today on this site and I think it applies here! <3

I was furious and close to tears myself as I read your post, RJ.
To echo the above...WE NEED YOU! You have been a rock to me... I look to your experience and expertise all the time. I love your posts and insights, PLEASE you know better than to let someone effect you in that way (telling you that you don't belong HERE)...
as for the doctor...all I can say is *SMH*

that's my fear...that one bite will start an avalanche of NEEDING chocolate regularly... but, agreed...if you can handle "just a bit" that's great for you...
I do believe we have to find what works for us on a day to day basis or we will not succeed...having an occasional piece of chocolate will not disrupt most of us

@@Miss Mac... I will have to look that up... I know if I had silver hair...I would wear as a badge of honor! I think it is beautiful!

One of the things I got was a corset for my Renaissance outfit... I used to wear a BIG ol' dress...now I wear a fitted corset with leggings and boots!!! I feel kind of sexy wearing it
I want to get another pair of boots and try with leggings and a long top too... I used to love that look "back in the day" when you used slouch socks (age teller???)
My friends and DH are constantly telling me to get rid of stuff that's too baggy, but it's still hard to let go...
I'm not a big clothes shopper/hoarder so we shall see what the future brings...
I am going to start going to yoga...so let's see if I get a real outfit or just wear sweats!

Yep, each doctor is different...like each weight loss is different...like we are all different...yet the same!
Wow, having your doctor (any doctor) sit with you that long is amazing!
Follow his plan and I'm sure you will do well...
Good luck

Woman! If there is one thing we know about YOU...is you DO NOT "Coddle" LOL... love you to pieces... you have been thru so much and are still our shining star
"Don't let someone dim your light because you shine in their face" ... I read that early today on this site and I think it applies here! <3

I was furious and close to tears myself as I read your post, RJ.
To echo the above...WE NEED YOU! You have been a rock to me... I look to your experience and expertise all the time. I love your posts and insights, PLEASE you know better than to let someone effect you in that way (telling you that you don't belong HERE)...
as for the doctor...all I can say is *SMH*

Woman! If there is one thing we know about YOU...is you DO NOT "Coddle" LOL... love you to pieces... you have been thru so much and are still our shining star
"Don't let someone dim your light because you shine in their face" ... I read that early today on this site and I think it applies here! <3

It may be gas, which you need to walk to help relieve that...
or it could be more serious, like your gallbladder...
Please call your doctor asap to check on this...severe pain is NOT normal

it's part of ketosis(sp?) you can use biotene, which is suppose to help with the dry mouth that is part of the problem... it goes away in time, but so annoying during its process...

RJ, you have helped me so much in the year that I have been involved in the forum. You examplify strength and courage and have shown us that any day that we wake up on this side of the dirt, it's a good day.
Yeah, that coddle thing.....I don't know where that is coming from. I have always said that opinions and tact vary on the forum. What some people call coddling, others call diplomacy. Those of us who inject a sense of humor once in a while can come off as not being serious about the journey. Those of us who follow the plans our teams have given us have even been called "Goody Two Shoes".
RJ, you belong here. That doctor is an a**, and you are a gift from God. For those who will be offended by a religious reference, then you are still a gift to those who follow behind you. When you don't show up for a few days because of another procedure, I worry about you.

You deserve to be here just as much as anyone else. There will always be people in this world who will say really ignorant stuff due to their lack of proper upbringing, lack of education, lack of empathy, or just down right STUPID!
Don't EVER let anyone steal your joy! You are a SUCCESS! Don't take others' negative affirmations into your spirit. Don't let ludicrous comments take any of your power. Haters are gonna hate, and stupid people are just gonna be stupid!
Consider the source and keep it movin'. You do not have to defend your life decisions to anyone, so don't give them your power. People do and say ignorant things to and about me all the time. I just look at them, laugh and say to myself... "Thank God that I'm not like them!"

I think you are a very positive influence on this site. I know you care for people and have been cared for by people here. You have every rite to be here so stay.
I'm sorry that you feel hurt.

You are a success. You know it on your heart or you would have just agreed with mcmeany. You are a survivor as well. A survivor of obesity. You fought it. You didn't let it kill you. Nor will this. You have survived everything ever thrown at you in order to make it to this very moment in time. Your success was do to hard work. If you have a hypoglycemic disorder you will deal with that and be successful. Survival vs successful. Isn't it one in the same. You fought and defeated one of the most prolific killers: obesity. You can do anything and win.

It's crazy how hard some of the easy LOOKING stuff is! Good for you for getting out there and trying it - that's awesome . I know when I tried bellydancing I was all, "oh, how hard can shaking your hips be?". Thought I'd die, lol.

chocolate makes everything better lol

I googled some sugar free hot chocolate recipes but do to lack of some ingr. I had to make due with what I had. I don't know the calories, fat, carbs or Protein, I just want it sf.
I used the dried milk I had on hand
1 1/2 pkgs
1 cup sf non dairy chocolate Creamer dry
1/2 cup Splenda
A heaping 1/4 cup of Hersheys special dark cocoa
I tossed it together in a gallon ziplock bag.
2-3 tbsps to a mug of boiling Water
You may want to add more Splenda because it's not nearly as sweet as Swiss Miss sf.
Enjoying a cup now!