Heidi Anderson

Made doughless pizza boy was it GOOOOOOD!!!!!
Even my daughter who at first turned up her nose ate all I would share with her.
I am calling this 2 servings as I ate half and was very satisfied.
Items Needed:
12" pan
2 Tablespoons of jar Ragu snack sauce (where the spaghetti sauce is)
3/4 cup of Italian shredded cheese mix
15 slices of turkey pepperoni
dash of oregano
dash of garlic powder
pinch of chili flakes (optional)
1. Spray pan with non stick spray
2. Spread 2 Tablespoons of rage sauce in bottom of pan
3. Arrange 15 slices of turkey pepperoni on sauce (start heating over medium high heat)
4. Spread 3/4 cup of cheese over pepperoni and sauce
5. Spinkle dash of garlic powder, chili flakes, and oregano to taste
6. Once cheese is thoroughly melted slide out of pan and slice and enjoy
Approximate nutrition information per serving:
Calories 160
Fat 12g
Sat Fat 2.75g
Cholest 40
Sodium 690
Carb 3
Protein 15g

coffee is one of the few vices I have left .... Don't smoke. Rarely drink. (Especially since going out to dinner is rare ) I guess I'm gonna be non compliant in this one area. 8 year bandiversary in 2 weeks! So glad.. I would do it again in a minute!

Guess I'll watch for adverse signs, but in the meantime, coffee is the one thing I don't think I'll give up.

I think the very best thing you can do is print out your post and give it to your psych. I'm worried about you. As a therapist that has counseled multiple anorexics, I'm proud of you that you can admit that there's a problem, but I've seen time and time again that the addiction to the problem is in and of itself the greater problem. Please be honest with those that love you.

I was sleeved 9/23 ,I've had mashed.potatoes a couple of times, couple of bites, try to get in Protein first, but still allow for couple bites of starch once a week maybe. I have found at 8 weeks out I can eat most anything but not a lot of any thing

A quick Google search came up with this:
http://diabeteshealth.com/read/2008/10/20/5946/need-gastric-bypass-put-a-sock-in-it-the-endobarrier-gastrointestinal-liner/
Not exactly what you were describing, but interesting! This is also 6 years old, so I wonder what happened with the whole idea?

Just a sidebar that has me confused (I'm pre-op) when you say 40 oz are you calculating the Water and Protein combined?

I had surgery in July,and spent the day after surgery miserable,bad headache and vomiting ,I definitely had second thoughts! I've also been through the stalls and still have a difficult time hydrating, I get about 48 ounces a day. Now I am 70 pounds down and exersizing more and feeling better and looking better. Just keep plugging,it gets better.

It gets so so so much better, I promise! You new sleevers are in the toughest part right now.... making the most sacrifices and not seeing much results yet. It will pass! Months from now you will be able to eat with your family (hopefully ALL of you will be eating healthy meals together), and this will all be an unpleasant memory.
Don't stress too much over the Protein and Fluid numbers. Your body has Protein stores to last you for several weeks, and as long as you're urinating every 4 hours or so you've got adequate fluids. It's very hard to get all those "requirements" in at first when your stomach is so tiny and swollen. It does get much easier!
As to not losing much in the first week post-op, keep in mind that they overloaded you with IV fluids during surgery to help with the nausea. It takes time for your kidneys to kick in and get rid of all that extra Fluid, which weighs a lot by the way! If you follow doctor's orders, the weight will come off easily, I promise you! When you are buying clothes off the rack and everyone is telling you how great you look and you realize you have no more pain and haven't felt this good in years, you will have no regrets.
Hang in there folks, remember the first 2 months are the hardest, and it gets way easier!

I only hope it gets better for you very soon. I take strength in hearing how effective it is for most and I hope you will get results soon. My sugar levels are now normal 4 days post op, so I am encouraged ( I am diabetic and off of meds.)
I feel now that if I could have done anything else I would have, I struggled a lifetime with food, even during my 20 plus thin years, years ago. But the last 29 years I have had no long term success so this was my last attempt, mostly for health reasons I am 62.)
Don't give up, I have read that sometimes it takes the body longer to adjust, and while I really feel what you are saying I am keeping my fingers crossed that things turn around for you soon. Keep me posted.

I am 13 days out and have felt the same way off and on since I got home from the hospital. During my hospital stay I was so focused on my pain and getting well enough to go home I didn't have time to have buyer's remorse. The reality of it really didn't sink in until a few days ago. I just keep telling myself it will be better in two days, then I can go onto the pureed - mashed phase of the diet.

I just posted this in another thread but it mostly applies.
PLAN. FOR. IT.

Most of us are food addicts. We have no self control when it comes to food. We will under estimate what we ate and then be surprised when the weight gain happens. I strongly advocate keeping a food diary. It's not to obsess over calories and how low we can keep then and stay healthy. It's to keep ourselves accountable. I use myfitnesspal. I have it set to also include carbs, sodium, fat and sugar. There is a maximun level of carbs, fat and sugar that works for me, so I monitor that. I used to have a problem with my feet and legs swelling so I monitor my sodium levels.
I fill out my diary in the morning and add or subtract in the evenings according to what I actually ate. They also have an app for on the go changes.
I do not allow anything in my house that I cannot eat without bingeing. I don't care is it's Suzie's favorite thing. It's not allowed because I am an addict and have no self control. If you have family members who miss their favorite food, tell them to buy a single serving portion and eat it. Sabotaging foods are not allowed in the cabinets.If you were an alcoholic would they insist on keeping that 6 pack in the house?
EXERCISE - I don't care if it's taking a 30 minute walk each day or Leslie walk away the pounds DVDs. Commit to something on a regular basis.

I'm a member of a group on Facebook where you can sell your *gently* used clothing. Items normally range from 10 to 20 dollars plus shipping. It's exclusively for plus-sized ladies. I've been selling my largest stuff and using the money to purchase the next size down. Then, when I hit that size, list those and buy the next one. There's even a group where you can specifically request things in a certain size. I can link you if you'd like :-)
Other options: belt worked for a bit, goodwill, ebay (search for "clothing lot YOUR SIZE"), if you're good with a needle you can seam some pants/skirts, and some bariatic support groups offer clothing exchanges.
Anyway, CONGRATS :-) and welcome to the losers bench.

After losing 25 lbs, my clothes are loose. I know I dropped down to the next size but I'm not ready to spend money on a new wardrobe especially knowing I'm still planning on loosing a considerable amount of weight. Any advice on how to adjust my current wardrobe or obtain a new wardrobe without spending a lot of money? Or any clothing I can purchase that I could use for a longer period of time during the weight lose process, but not sweats since I work in an office environment.

Small burps are my "indicator" that I am getting close to my limit. I need to stop eating pretty soon.

Someone posted this recipe for a Pizza Crust made out of ground chicken breast. I tried it today and it was really good. I was able to make 4 crusts and with toppings was only able to eat 1/2 of a pizza. Very filling and lots of Protein. I froze a few for future use.
I definitely recommend trying this, it was very easy to make.
http://sassysouthernyankee.com/2014/02/chicken-pizza-crust/

I'm 5 months post op and have lost 75lbs. My expectations of the rate of losing the weight was certainly much more at this point. As many people will tell you everyone's rate will vary. Take it one day at a time and remember as long as your weight is going down your a step further in the right direction. Congratulations on your journey.

Stock up the fridge and send mommy home. You may not be cleared to drive but you can go out for a walk and you should be able to get around your house by yourself. I am single and live alone. I was bored silly after 1 week. Taking a daily walk outside was the highlight of my day. It was easy. If you aren't experiencing any pain or complications you'll be fine.

I think the first year of being sleeved wakes your brain up! I know it did for me and I read posts on Bariatric Pal about how after surgery people start realizing everything they have missed! Sometimes you need an intermission in your life to find your mission! And going through a physical change can really reset your drive for life!
Now at three years post op I am living the life of a normal person! Yes, I have to watch things a bit, but now if I gain a few lbs, wow, I can really feel it and I immediately take action!!!
How or how did I carry 80 extra lbs! I can hardly remember that fat person....I have moved on! I wrote every Sunday for the first year of my surgery on my blog, and now I feel I have more to say! So I have started writing again....Just posted a new story today!
I will always be grateful to this surgery and all the people on Bariatric Pal for all the support! LIfe is GOOD!!!
Are there others out there who are 3 years out still coming on to BP??? Let's hear how you are doing!

So thankful to have this post! I am two days out and the psychological stuff has beat me up badly. Of course that is what I dwell on instead of the positive things. Thanks to all who have posted here. It has helped!

IT IS COMPLETELY NORMAL TO FEEL THIS WAY!
It really hit me at about 2 weeks out. I made an appt with the psych in my surgeon's office. He told me to remind myself WHY I did the surgery in the first place, and to focus on my goals and the future. It helped a little, not a lot. BUT....it does pass on its own!
Now I love, love, LOVE my sleeve and I'm so grateful I did it! At 6 months out I've lost 60 lb, only 15-20 more to go! I wear a size 14/large, which is getting loose on me already. I'm off my BP meds and my lipid panel and all other labs look fabulous, I'm healthier than I've been since I was a teenager (I'm 49 now). I constantly get compliments about how great I look and several people call me "skinny" (wow!). So it's definitely WORTH IT.
The first 2 months post-op were really hard (mentally). I wasn't prepared for how hard it would be. I recall now how miserable it was not being able to eat solid food, but now that's nothing but a distant memory. I eat normal food now (always protein-focused, very low-carb), I collect bariatric recipes constantly and feel like I eat healthy AND eat well (meaning, sleeve space is at a premium, so whatever goes into my mouth has to taste fantastic!).
Don't stress over the Fluid and Protein intake in the beginning. Mine was very low in the beginning. My sugeon told me that our bodies have enough Protein stores to get us through a couple of months. I don't know what my protein intake is now as I don't count grams. I just make sure every meal and snack is protein-focused and don't worry about it. My Fluid intake at 6 months out is about 40 oz/day which is absolutely fine. It took me awhile to get to 40! But I'm very healthy and my doc and I are both very happy.
Hang in there, trust me it gets WAY better!

YES!!! What you are feeling is completely normal. Hang in there before you know it you will start feeling so much better. Cheering for you.

Out of curiosity, why did you have this surgery if you were never obese?

Heck, they even make the pet food commercials look appetizing.

I never noticed until this surgery how inundated we are with constant food advertisements and how food-centered we are as a society. In Houston, it seems there is a restaurant every three feet. At work Friday, platters of cupcakes for a birthday followed by lunch at an Italian restaurant. (Didn't go.) On tv, ad after ad for bowls of Kentucky fried chicken chunks with mashed potatoes and gigantic hamburgers. Good grief! I am physically revolted when I see these images! I'm so thrilled to not feel those cravings anymore but it sure makes me realize how indoctrinated we've been all our lives...No wonder obesity is such an epidemic! I thank the Lord for my surgeon and the opportunity I have now to leave that behind.