DevilBlueDress

Today I made a Memorial Day cookout for my family with a few twists to make it more WLS post-op friendly. It was my first time making a rhubarb crisp with Splenda instead of sugar. It was so yummy and no one noticed the switch. :-) Molly

You look so cute!

(((Autumn Pumpkin)))- I'm do sorry to hear that you are having so many health issues post-op! Are you getting the support you need? Molly

Raw-vegan/paleo is a great description! I've had to attend a couple of work/conference meetings lately. One I just brought my own lunch, the other the meeting planner insisted that she would order for me. I tried gluten-free and just didn't eat the gf bread. I think it would have been better if I brought my own lunch.

I wonder how everyone is handling the "how did you lose weight" question? Yesterday, I posted my side by side photo to my FB friends and family. Lots of great, positive feedback. I've just started to post more pictures of myself on my regular FB feed and many of the people who commented haven't seen me in person in a long while. One person (who happens to be a nutritionist I used to work with -not WLS) asked me for my strategies. I thought about how to answer to show that WLS is not the easy way. Here's what I wrote: "Here's what I've done so far: 16 months of meeting with a dietitians, psychologists and other medical professionals. Changing eating patterns and habits. Measuring and tracking EVERYTHING I put in my mouth (I use MyFitnessPal.) exercising more. And, finally, having bariatric surgery last October, enduring weeks of a liquid diet, progressing from liquids to puréed food to soft food to solid food that I chew 30 times a bite. No more caffeine, soda, deep fried foods. Probably no more ice cream, custard, fois gras, big slices of cake or pie, etc. for the rest of my life. I don't really miss the food that much. I'm still able to eat out occasionally and I have a lot more leftovers than before. Most of all, I'm super happy because I'm able to do a lot more since the weight has come off. Shopping at Goodwill and other thrift stores has become almost an obsession. There are a lot more cute clothes in smaller sizes!" -Molly

Happy Onederland day! I just hit it today, too. I've been losing 1-2 lbs a week pretty steadily since surgery. Now that I'm finally solidly in regular sizes (14/16 US), I'm happy. Since the weight has come off so slowly, I have to remind myself to look at my before pics to see that I've already come a long way. My clinic doesn't give a particular goal and I used to think I should have one and made one up for myself. Now that I'm further along, I get the whole no weight goal attitude. I've got my own personal goals along the way (more comparisons from my weight history like how much I weighed when pregnant, how much I weighed when I moved to Wisconsin, etc.). I've also been really enjoying NSVs. My latest one is being able to get in and out of the hammock in our backyard. Anyway, I'm just trying to enjoy the journey and not worry too much about how long it will take and where I'll end up weight- wise. Molly

Glad to hear that you are doing better after your surgery!

I wondered if losing a lot quickly was a possibility, too. I personally have not experienced that. Everyone's body is so different. Mine is a turtle - slow but steady loss. Molly

Barbara, Don't beat yourself up! You have reached out because you know in your heart of hearts that you need to make a change. This is really great! Rather than a 5 day pouch test (or in addition to the 5dpt) start tracking everything you eat and drink. I find that some foods I can eat more of than others. If I make sure to eat Protein first, I feel more full usually. I also have a sweet tooth like you. I try to satisfy it each day so I don't feel deprived. Here is a typical day's menu for me: Breakfast - decaf tea, 1 cup of blueberry maple refrigerator oatmeal (theyummylife.com) Snack- 3 calcium chews, 3 Fiber gummies, tea Lunch- 3 oz smoked salmon, 1 cup salad greens, 1 tbsp vinaigrette, SF Jello pudding Snack - Isopure Protein Drink, Quest protein bar dinner - 3 oz Indian spiced hamburger, 2 tbsp yogurt sauce, 1/2 c sliced cucumbers, 2 slices small tomato. After dinner snack - tea or protein hot chocolate if I need more protein. I hope this helps! No one is perfect. I could exercise a lot more. Recently, a local WLS friend and I determined that he and I together would make the perfect WLS patient. He exercises almost every day but doesn't track his food and I track my food but don't regularly exercise. We're both losing, but not as much as we might do if we followed the nutritionist's guidelines for food and exercise. Molly

Do you measure your food and keep a food log? I use a food scale and measuring cups along with MyFitnessPal for logging my food, water and exercise -almost obsessively. Are you eating Protein first and eating at least 60g of protein each day? Molly

Woo-hoo on losing so many sizes! I'll bet that you are getting a lot of positive feedback and questions! My protein was low at my 6 month appt. I've added a Quest Protein Bar as my afternoon snack since the timing makes a bar in the car necessary. Andy the NUT said the 60-80g is a starting target. I always met at least 60g since surgery, so I now try to hit 80-100g per day. Molly

There are at least a few of us in Wisconsin. I live in Madison. Molly

59% excess weight lost since highest weight (March 2013) 47% excess weight lost since surgery (10/2/13) I consider myself a slow loser - only 51 lbs lost post surgery but I'm glad you prompted me to check excess weight %. Looks better that way. :-) Molly

While I'm still in the losing phase, I've bought inexpensive bras at Amazon. I'll do the formal fitting at the lingerie store on my surgiversary in October. Molly

I've done this in the past: get fitted and buy one expensive bra and then buy more via Amazon. Molly

Aw, man! Hopefully, I'll see you in May! How are you doing? Molly

I take 60mg daily. Are you going to Support Group on Monday night?

Have you tried different forms of Iron? I eat a Bariatric Advantage lemon-lime chewable each day. Molly

Loving the updates, everyone! Glad to see that we are all doing pretty well at 6 months post-op. Molly

Yes, I ate as normal. Make sure you are hydrated!

Has anyone else experienced dumping yet? I dumped yesterday for the first time. Wow, not something I want to experience again! At least I now know that it can/will happen if I eat too much sugar/fat. Until yesterday I thought that I might be someone who doesn't dump. Molly

Here's the professional photo I tried to include in the post above. I should also add that I met the store owner through a weight loss support group and online, so I never in a million years would have been on State St, nor would I have even watched a portion of the basketball game pre-op. Molly

I'm still slowly losing about 1-2 lbs a week. Down 80 from highest weight, 50 post-op. My six month labs were good, except my protein levels which were low. I've added in a protein snack and I'm trying for 80-90g a day rather than the 60-80 clinic recommended which I had been following. I've added 1-2 strength training sessions per week and 2-3 aerobic workouts. I know I should add more exercise and am looking for classes to add to my routine. Since adding the protein snack, I've been eating around 1100-1200 calories per day. Last night I had my first sip of alcohol post-op at a party at a friend's store on State St. here in Madison, WI. One sip of a strong mixed drink hit me like a Mack truck for about 10 minutes, then it was sober again. But the most wild part of the night was right after the Badgers won against Arizona. Thousands of people (mostly college students) came running down to State St. And congregated in front of the store where the private party I was at -chanting, singing, climbing trees and bus shelters. It was a fantastic celebration. Pics below ( mine are a little blurry.). I added a professional photo, too. The store where the party was has the orange awning.

Stalls happen to everyone. The first one is usually around 2-4 weeks post-op. You'll get past it as long as you're following your clinic's plan. Molly

I take 1 Flintstones complete, D3, B-50 and B12 at Breakfast 3-calcium 500 chews mid morning 1-Flintstones complete and chewable Iron at bedtime Molly