terry1118

I noticed this week that my thighs don't touch anymore. It feels sort of strange to feel space between them. I'm not used to it. :-)

I'm very sorry for your loss. I lost both my sisters - I know how you're feeling. It's very, very hard. :-(

It was mentioned in my nurse education class. My program was VERY thorough. :-)

My psychologist is very slim. She used to be anorexic so she really understands eating disorders, which we all had to some extent or another. I felt like she genuinely understood what I was going through when I started my journey.

I forgot about Kashi cereals. I'll try them next. :-)

Hope everything goes well for your recheck. It's pretty cold out. -6° in Adamsville RI. I have to leave for work in an hour but my hubby gets to sleep late. He's all warm and cozy in bed w/our two dogs. :-p

Walden Farms used to have a salad dressing that had asiago cheese in it. I can't find it anymore but it was very good!

Still 132lbs for 1 1/2 weeks. My first real stall at 7 months. If I don't lose the extra 17 lbs it wouldn't bother me too much - I'd be happy enough at this weight! :-)

Sometimes surgeons have very good reasons to do it open - complications, discovery of additional problems that need attention, scar tissue from previous surgeries - I suppose there could be any number of reasons to start laprascopicly and switch to open. I never heard of anyone having an open surgery, if there was a safer alternative.

I read risk of infection is higher w/open. Longer hospital stay and longer recovery, too. I had laproscopic so I really don't know much except what I've read here and there when I was researching pre op.

You look awesome! Congrats on your hard work!

I waited six months before I tried coffee again. And you know what? I can take it or leave it now. Sometimes I drink most of it, sometimes not. A couple times I made a cup, took a sip, then dumped it down the drain. --I'm not hooked anymore. :-)

I've been getting a little bored with my yogurt so I've been looking for something to add to it. Pre op I used to like the Chobani Flips but the sugar content is too high. I saw Special K Protein cereal on sale in the store today and it has 10gr protein in a 3/4 cup serving so I figured I'd give it a try. I mixed 1/4 cup into my yogurt and it was really good. Gave it a tasty little 'crunch' and it brings protein up to 15gr. I think next time I'll add a tbsp of chopped pecans, too! :-)

I had to work today but we delayed opening till noon because of the snow storm. Only four people showed up for work and a fifth showed up two hours later because his street wasn't plowed. But EVERYONE brought some food and someone ordered lunch and had it delivered. We had pizzas, chicken ceasar salad, 5 layer dip and chips, cinnamon buns, and munchkins (donut holes). I don't usually try new foods at work (too many bad experiences) but I had a little of the chicken ceasar salad and a couple tbsp of the dip with my protein crackers. It all sat well and I was satisfied. It was a good day! :-)

Yes, definitely! Thank you! :-)

I need to vacuum my car - I run my fingers through my hair and quite a few hairs come out each time. They end up on the floor around the drivers seat. I try to get all the loose ones before I get to work so my sweaters aren't covered join hair when I'm working. For some reason loose hairs freak people out. :-p

I was on medication for high cholesterol. Shortly before my surgery my endocrinologist took me off them because they were affecting my liver. If my liver improved in a few months he was going to switch me to another medication. My first labs at 10 weeks post RNY showed my cholesterol was in normal range, so I didn't need meds at all, and my liver was normal, too. :-)

"Spinach with a balsamic and wine reduction" - sounds mouth-watering good! :-)

In the beginning I couldn't eat much either. My nut told me to try six smaller meals a day for a while and that helped a lot. I still like my protein shake for breakfast and sometimes in the evening if I still need a protein boost. Eventually I was able to eat a little more and I went to three meals and two snacks.

How far out are you?

Check out the website 'The World According To Egg face'. She's got lots of great recipes for delicious protein shakes and other things to eat. You should be able to find something you like. Experiment. :-)

It's actually pretty easy if you eat primarily protein rich foods. Chicken, seafood, beef, beans and legumes, cheese, whole grains, Greek yogurt, nuts, and cottage cheese. You can also supplement with protein drinks and/or bars. Some nutrition stores (like Faunce Corner Nutrition in Dartmouth MA) carry high protein foods and supplements, and vitamins especially for bariatric patients. I buy a SC&Onion flavored snack food called CrunchO's that have 12gr of protein. It's great when I want something salty/crunchy. If you have trouble getting all your protein you can add flavored or unflavored protein powder to things like yogurt, SF puddings, soups, and mushy or pureed foods. You just have to experiment to find things you like. I try to make everything I eat contain some protein. You can do it! :-)

I don't think there were any 'tools' to help you be successful that long ago. Support (psychological and nutrition education) is very important for our success and good health. They know so much more now. We are very fortunate to have the total package that is necessary for long term success today. IF we use it, that is. Failure is still possible if we don't do our part. :-)

My goals for 2014. To eat healthy and stay active and reinforce the lifestyle changes I've made so that they are a permanent change in my life. To take more day trips and at least one good vacation now that I'm healthy enough to enjoy myself. To get to know my husband again now that we are truly empty-nesters. To go back to my hobbies of drawing, painting, and gardening. I want to restore my neglected gardens to their former glory. To walk my dogs daily so they stay healthy, too! (But not till spring - my boys don't like cold and snow) When I started this process last February my only goal was to be healthy so I could LIVE my life instead of just enduring it. Essentially, that is still my overall goal. :-)

Our HR department told us that this year, for the first time, we're allowed to carry over up to $1000 of our unused FSA. (Calendar year 2014 can carry over to 2015). I don't know if that is just for my provider or for all of them. Check w/your plan administrator.