Teachamy

Are you supposed to be having only 9 oz. of protein throughout the course of the day? Most post-op plans would expect you to drink 3-- 9 oz. shakes so you can get the necessary protein. (Around 60 g.) How many grams of protein are you drinking? Also, ALL juices have sugar in them, even 100% juice. Sugar is sugar, and it has calories. If you are looking to drink something sweet, drink a zero calorie drink. If you are hungry at night, try another protein shake.

Nice! Good for you, and thanks on behalf of the rest of us!

I have had sashimi, but I think I want the real deal for a change. (Gotta look up the calories/carbs in MFP)

LipstickLady, love the new profile pic! I too buy a lot of food from my local "gourmet grocery", especially enjoy their vegan soups. I should add that part of my boredom is due to the restrictions I have due to Celiac disease. Gluten is not my friend. (But don't worry--I know where they sell gluten free donuts!) I am dying for a brown rice salmon roll from Whole Foods. I think I gotta go for it! That's reasonable, right?

I don't have a whole heck of a lot to say, but felt my diet boredom deserved a good 'ole fashioned RANT! I am a good "kid". I follow the rules, I eat healthy foods, lots of Protein, good carbs (although very few). I read the posts here, offer advice, feel confident in my knowledge and control of this WLS business. I enjoy laughing at folks who claim to LOVE their daily diet of nuts, berries, and a side of protein-laden slime. (their time is coming...) I am even at the goal set for me by my NUT. But man am I ever BORED with my diet choices. I know what many of you will advise--branch out! Try new foods! Explore the culinary horizon! Learn to cook new recipes! Yes, that's all well and good, but I am a busy woman with 2 little kiddos. And cooking is not interesting to me--it's a chore, not a hobby. (Although I must admit, I make a hell of a meatloaf...) There are times when I just want a donut. But being a good kid means I walk away. Oh! The burden of being a goody-two shoes. Amy

Wow! What a story! Your determination despite all these terrible setbacks is inspirational. When your surgery finally gets here, I can tell you will be a success! Best of luck.

Good luck!

Great responses! I agree with every single one! First, weigh and measure your food. If you can't finish your portion, it is OK to throw food away. I typically measure out 3 oz. of meat, but inevitably I can't finish the whole 3 oz. portion. If I eat those last 2 bites, I throw it up.It is always hard for me to stop before my plate is empty. Eat at a table, not in front of the TV. (So many of us got stuck in that nighttime stuffing of our bellies while mindlessly watching the tube.) Be conscious and present while you eat, and focus on eating slowly. Do not try to drink and eat at the same time--the food will come right back up. Lastly, think about why you are hungry. Your husband is terminally ill. You must be under a tremendous amount of stress, pain, and grief. Of course you turn to food for solace. I am so sorry for you. What a tragedy. Are you able to see a therapist to deal with this? It would really help, I think. Also, I find I eat at night because I am exhausted. Are you able to sleep instead? Given the strain you must be under, sleep is so important. Please do what you can to be kind to yourself. You deserve love and support! I hope you can find some comfort here. Best, Amy

I have not done this personally, but if you feel the need for follow-up and you have questions that haven't been answered by your current surgeon, then by all means, find someone who can help/support you!

Agree with the 2 posters above! So awesome to see a collarbone, and appreciating being "checked out". I am enjoying being the size I am now. Here's my naughty NSV--making that b*@#*y woman down the hall at work "pea green with envy"!

I couldn't live without it!

I'd really like to post this in the veteran forum, but as I am only 8 months out, I'll post it here. I am finding that at 8 mos. out, it is increasingly harder to eat. I am not dumping, there is no discomfort, but the thought of most foods, especially meat is turning my stomach. I am eating Beans and nuts and hummus and am adding in Protein shakes as much as possible to compensate for this new, weird place in my journey. That being said, pre-op I was always a starch addict--loved carbs. I am afraid to indulge in this area, as I am worried it might open the flood gates again. Some days I think--maybe a cookie? Maybe a donut? But I don't go there. I'll get a Protein Bar instead. I don't know. I guess I'm just bored with food, and since I am not hungry very often, I am frustrated with eating. Ho hum. Any veterans out there who were in the same boat? Does it pass? I was sailing along well until recently, now I am fighting to get in 600 calories a day. Many thanks. Amy

I am 40, 5'4", Surgery Dec. 18, 2013. SW 210, CW, 150. 5 pounds to my personal goal, but my body seems to be enjoying this current plateau. Size 8-12, depending on the brand name. I didn't keep track month to month, so I can't tell you what I lost each month, but I will say I never weighed more than once every 2 weeks or so, so I didn't drive myself nuts. Definitely helps matters.

Here! Here! Your arms look fabu and so do you!

I was never in any physical pain aside from a little ache in my left shoulder, and I found a heating pad helped that. The first 2-3 days I was very nauseous when I tried to drink anything. I dry heaved continually and regretted what I had done to myself. It felt like I gave myself the flu. But by day 3 I was able to eat sugar free popsicles and drinking started to become easier. I had no desire to eat at all, I felt stuffed like I had just eaten Thanksgiving dinner. For the next 3 weeks I rested and tried to recoup. Aside from fatigue, I was fine--able to take care of myself and my 6 & 8 year old kiddos. By 1 month I was so happy I had made the decision for surgery. Best decision of my life!

I never had a drain. Hope you get some relief soon!

I love the Viactive caramel chews.

Cutie Pie! Good for you! Enjoy your success!

Last night I had a very low blood sugar (insulin reaction--I am diabetic) I didn't have any glucose on hand, so I drank 8 oz. of apple juice. WHOA! I barely made it to the bathroom. It zoomed through the sleeve and came out without hesitation. Won't do that again!

Wowza! What a difference! Rock on with your bad self!

At my pre-op meetings I was literally shocked that everyone in the room was a diet soda addict. All of us. Most of us, myself included were Diet Pepsi addicts. There is something sinister in that beverage. I stopped drinking it about a year before surgery, except for an occasional restaurant outing and switched to plain seltzer. I loved the fizz. It's been hard for me to go without, but the one sip of seltzer I had since surgery did not feel good going down, so I moved on.

I just looked. You are considered normal weight according to BMI charts...

What is your BMI? Does it say you are underweight? How do you feel? Sometimes drastic weight loss can change the way our facial features appear to others. If your BMI is not underweight, maybe a new haircut/makeup could show off your weight loss in a positive light. I should add that people have yet to tell me I look "too thin" until I tell them I'd like to lose 5-10 more pounds. Then they say, "Oh! You don't need to lose any more! You'll be too thin!" I am still 5 pounds over a "normal weight" BMI. Pretty comfortable here, but if I continue to lose, I'm fine with it. Sometimes I think people's comments are more about their own insecurities than my appearance.

Hi Jessiquol, Yes, I have a CBG sensor, and I HATE IT! (Medtronic minimed.) The alarm doesn't wake me up, but does drive DH nuts. When it alarms, my interstitial bg is at least 100 points different than what my bg is. The only time I ever found it helpful was when I looked at the flow chart and could see if it was climbing or dropping drastically. My CDE wants me to use it more, but she knows I hate it. I miss my lab. He would always wake me up when it was low. (And was never trained as a Diabetic Alert dog, isn't that amazing?) Dear, boy. Such a good dog. Anyway, weight loss is slowing, so the lows are slowing as well.

Jessiquol, In terms of healing, I imagine it depends a great deal on you blood sugar range. You will need to see your endo./CDE, whoever helps you with your control. Healing was perfectly normal for me, no issues.