JeanZ_RN

Congratulations on taking a very important step toward success - coming back to this site, where you can get answers and support. There are 2 things you must do to start feeling the restriction again: (1) Focus on eating dense Protein, and eating it FIRST at every meal. Carbs and sweets, and other slider foods, are guaranteed to leave you feeling less restriction than dense protein. (2) If you have gotten away from the rule about no drinking from 30 min before to at least 30 min after each meal, you have to get back on track with that in order to feel the restriction. The best way to get rid of the craving for carbs and sweets is to stop eating them. I realize that is much easier said than done, but keep in mind that the cravings will be totally gone after 3 days. You can do it!! Best wishes!

You said "...just diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, with climbing blood pressure..." I was diagnosed with the same years ago, and now I'm off insulin and all BP meds. I was able to cut way back on the insulin immediately after surgery, and took the last dose of it 6 weeks after surgery. For several months I did not take any oral meds for my diabetes, but my blood sugars were just a little higher than my PCP wanted (like 140, fasting, consistently) so now I'm taking metformin extended release 500 mg, 1 tab per day. The thing I found weird is that my need for insulin went WAY down as of the FIRST post-op day! Before I'd had time to lose any weight. But I'll take it! Best wishes!

I was self-pay, and like McButterpants, I had no complications. Like she said, the likelihood of complications is very low. I knew it is still possible I could have some... but I went ahead without even a hesitation. Best decision I ever made!

I disagree with WorkInProgress01, who said she wishes she'd known she wouldn't enjoy food. The only time I didn't enjoy food was during the liquid-only and pureed-only stages. Ever since I've been allowed solid foods again I've been enjoying food - just in smaller amounts.

Wow, you look fanTAStic! Congratulations!

I've had more than one stall / plateau since surgery - see my signature area. One thing I think helped me break the most recent stall was to "change it up." I've been following the Atkins diet ever since I resumed solid food a few weeks post-op so I started eating some carbs and increased my calorie intake for a couple of weeks. I eat 4 times a day - 8a, noon, 4p and 8p. I love Quest bars, and I was eating one of those for 2-3 of the 4 meals each day. Someone on this site said she had to cut back on Quest bars to get the wt loss going again, so for the past week I've limited myself to just one bar per day - I eat real food the other 3 times each day now -- but just Protein and fat, keeping the carbs as low as humanly possible. Also I was eating several sugar free hard candies each day, and someone on here said she had to stop eating sugar alcohols for Atkins to work for her, so for the past week I've cut out the hard candies too. I had not been exercising at all since surgery, so now I've started wearing a pedometer to count my steps each day, with a goal of 10,000 steps a day eventually, and I've started taking my dogs for walks several times a week. And sure enough, the pounds have started to come off again, albeit v-e-r-y slowly. I'll TAKE it! The important thing is ... SLEEVE ON!! Best wishes!

I agree about the cheddar biscuits! But here's a NSV... when I allow myself to have any of them, I am now able to eat just one. Not sayin' it's easy, but I've done it several times.

I just looked up Caltrate chewables on the Walmart web site, and found that they are Calcium carbonate, not citrate. Rats!

CowGirlJane: I would love to hear details of your "whip off" technique. I'm not down to the last few pounds yet, but I would like to get a head start....

There are MANY of us on BP who say "My only regret is that I didn't do it sooner."

The time spacing rule applies to meals of solid food. Waiting is intended to keep the dense Protein in your stomach longer, so you will feel satisfied longer.

Gamer Girl, it's so good to see you post again! I have missed you! And you look WONderful! Congratulations on your progress - I know how hard it is. So sorry to hear your RA is back.

Where are you located? I'll go with you if you're within driving distance of Dallas, TX.

YES, absolutely! The risk of complications is there, but the probability is very low. Best wishes!

I don't cook (because I don't enjoy it and all that buying, storing and cleaning up is a hassle), so if I'm not eating a Quest bar I'm eating out or eating leftovers. I eat 4 times a day, and earlier this week I cut back from 2-3 bars a day to just 1, in hopes that will get my weight loss going again. So now I'm eating real food* 3 times a day, and I'm staying with as few carbs as humanly possible (Atkins). So obviously, I have no problem eating out. I can find Protein at just about any establishment that serves food. Sometimes I have a veggie on the side or a salad, but mostly I just eat protein - beef, chicken, salmon, tuna, or eggs. And when I want extra flavor I order bacon in addition. I'm not at all adventurous about trying new foods or flavorings, and I don't like spicy food at all, so I stick to a few restaurants where I know the menu. * Eating real food is a hassle too. I would be very happy going back to 3 bars a day and one real food meal - but my slow weight loss is frustrating! Someone on this site said when they cut back on the bars it helped them lose again, so I'm giving this plan 2 weeks to see if it helps me.

As I understand it, everything we eat that has any calories at all is either used immediately by the body for energy or is stored as glycogen for later use. And if there's enough glycogen already stored, the body stores the excess as fat. The body burns simple carbohydrates first because they are the most easily converted for immediate use. If there aren't any of those available then the body burns stored glycogen, and once that is depleted the body burns stored fat. So the short answer is Yes, when you're working out you are burning carbs if you have eaten any. Personally I'm keeping my carb intake as low as humanly possible so that I will burn FAT for my day-to-day energy needs. All: If I've stated anything incorrectly please tell me. Gently.

For the heartburn, try a preventive medication like Pepcid or Prilosec if your physician says it's ok. Those work a LOT better than just putting out the fire with Tums.

You might want to search for "always cold" on this site - you'll find you have a LOT of company.

I totally agree with MissME. Tell at least 1-2 people, and be firm that you have made your decision. That said, be aware that it may take some time for them to accept your decision. Allow -- no, encourage them to ask you questions, read up on the procedure, etc. It's ok if they are scared for you, and they should understand you may be scared too -- but that doesn't mean you're going to change your mind. Go for it! You will find that this site is WONderful for finding information, opinions and support. Best wishes.

NMJG: Well said! A very concise and thorough answer!

Wow, you DO look fantastic. The surgeon worked magic! Congratulations on your weight loss - such a great success story!

Thanks! I did not know that, and I'm one who has been using the wrong term.

I just read an excellent short article on Fiber, in the current Readers Digest. It explains which foods have soluble fiber, which have insoluble fiber and what each of those types of fiber does in the body. Readers Digest is my go-to for short periods of killing time away from home. When I receive each issue I immediately put it in my car, so it's handy when I go out to eat alone, or have to wait for someone or something for a few minutes. The articles are short, so it's easy to put the magazine down and come back to it another time.

Quest bars are a staple in my diet - I eat them for at least 2 of my 4 meals each day, and sometimes 3 meals. I've tried most of the flavors, and my faves are vanilla Almond (that's Breakfast each day) and Cookies and Cream (4 PM each day). Others that I eat sometimes are Choc Chip Cookie Dough, White chocolate Raspberry and Coconut Cashew. There are several that I found just so-so, as in not bad but not good enough to buy again. Then there were a few that I really did not like. The consistency is not like most protien bars - Quest bars are more like a cookie dough consistency, and they're not dipped in anything so they are just a bit sticky to the touch. Not a problem to me at all, but it is different than other bars. For me 1 bar is a full and satisfying meal, and I think $2.75 for a meal is not pricey. Where else can you get a nutritious, yummy, satisfying meal for that price? And they're convenient to carry, too. I'm with gomekast about the carbs in them - there are only 3gms NET carbs per bar. As for fast food... There are some good choices at fast food places, but fighting the temptation of the not-so-good choices may not be worth it.

I tried several powders, and hated them all. I only tried one brand of pre-made: Premier Protein. I love the chocolate flavor, but did not care for the vanilla. They might be available other places too, but I only found them at Sams and costco. Best wishes!