Beni

@@Jyoyonomore I think it's only natural that you feel like you are missing out on the fun. For so many years food was such a central part of our lives. Now it's not. I eat because I have to but I'm not really hungry. I do feel like I need to eat because my blood sugar gets low and it's a signal. But funny enough I don't seem to mind watching someone eat too much. Mostly I feel sorry for them. It's a bit like watching someone smoke and when I see someone very overweight I wish I could tell them "life doesn't have to be this way." I think once you figure out a replacement for food in your life that "missing out" feeling will go away. My only experience with that is with smoking. I used to smoke in college but gave it up cold turkey during senior year and never looked back. For several months I looked at people smoking and felt jealous but after a while even the smell of smoke was such a turn off. I can't even stand it now. I am hoping it will be the same with WLS. I am giving myself 6 months to find something I like even better then food. Right now it's feeling great but that will become the new normal soon enough.

I'm sorry for your flu girls. No fair, and being sick after eating is not fun either. I know. My whole day yesterday was ruined by my lunch choice. I think I ate too fast and then spent the next 2 hours trying to throw up. Yuck. One day all goes well and I think "I got this", but then next day, HELL. I couldn't even drink without feeling nausea. Hopefully today will be a better day.

Now we're talking Luna. That's a shirt that does you justice. Too hot to trot! You look fantastic.

My understanding is the re-routing of the intestinal track with gastric bypass gives you the best scenario for pre or diabetes reversal. In fact, the duodenum switch is done for just that reason in patients with severe diabetes (metabolic syndrome) but without a weight loss requirement. With the sleeve, you are dependent on weight loss alone. Of course, weight loss plays a huge role on diabetes but for reasons not yet understood by the medical community the duodenum when bypassed in RNY seems to offer a better result. There is a good chance the situation will improve for you but there are no guaranties not even for RNY patients. Also, don't forget that a healthier weight will have an affect on the progression of diabetes. You may never get to the full blown phase or it will slow it down. Either way you are way better off. i too have lost 50 lbs as you know with the weight gone we feel so much better. That alone is reason for celebration.

@ joankrie I will try the fish oil and the flaxseed powder. I am so glad you said Colace and Miralax were a joke because that was my experience as well. I was beginning to think I had the worst GI track and not even the prescribed meds worked. I do think getting ahead of it is key. A preventive approach is where I'm at. I feel like I was in such trouble because it wasn't taken seriously early on. Oh, constipation is very common, kind of jazz. Well, yes but should I go to the emergency room or should I perform my own surgery? At one point, I drank 2 bottles of Magnesium Citrate (horrid stuff) and still nothing happened for 24 hours.

@@dc0520 Isn't hilarious, I'm not eating enough. Dang, that never happened to me before. Turns out I listen to my Nut's protocol. I ate what was on her list. But I must say, I am still amazed at my pizza meal last night. I was so worried was was going to get sick as a dog with the pizza. But nope. In fact I was fine and this morning I had my first normal BM.

I just saw these and what a great idea it would be to make any sort of "meatloaf" or "meatball" recipe this way and freeze them for when we need something to eat in a hurry. They would travel well to work or shopping too because they would be frozen and defrost just in lime for lunch. Any flavor possible, with veggies included and a perfect portion. I wonder if they would work with paper muffin liners for an even more convenient meal. http://www.ambitiouskitchen.com/2014/03/cheesy-chicken-quinoa-enchilada-meatloaf-muffins/#more-8491

To annoy you to death I'm sure! Lol. It was explained to me at the doc's that to get the full feeling that will train your head to not feel hunger for the 4 - 5 hours until the next meal you have to take that 25 to 30 minutes to eat your meal. Apparently it takes time for your stomach to talk to your head. A snail mail issue, I believe. Another way of putting it a 10 minute meal will keep hunger at bay for 2 hours, a 15 minute, 3 hours and so forth. Obviously the small bites and chewing everything to death is to allow proper digestion given our new stomachs. It is a known fact that obesity and eating fast go hand and hand. Given what I know now, I wish I had taken to heart what nutritionists had told me in the past before WLS. You have to eat slowly.

Call your doctor right away. No, I didn't have any black stool from left over blood in there. If you have black stool it's serious.

50 pounds, gone! HURRAY! Now, wasn't that easy, lol. On my attempt to eat more because I was told by my NUT that I needed to bump up my calorie intake, I have decided to add milk (2% Lactaid for me but I am going to start regular milk) to my herbal tea. Part of the reason I don't eat more is because I start burping when I eat or drink. Who wants that! I still don't know why I burp like crazy but I think it is my body's version of nausea, sort of. But to make a long story short my Nut was thinking perhaps fat was my trigger food. I kind of doubt it because I eat super low fat. To test and see if she was correct, I decided to try pizza last night. I ate the tops (not crust) of three slices of a medium pizza. It was a "The works" and what do you know, my tummy has never been so happy in it's entire new life. I didn't burp once. Turns out eating healthy is bad for me. I need more grease and junk in my life. Isn't that the weirdest thing?

@wildGoose. I am having a hard time with constipation. If something works for you, please share. I am taking Peri- Colace once per day in the evening but it's not enough. I was told to do a Miralax every morning too. What did your doctor advise? I find they don't give it the proper attention. I finally told them I was going to require surgery to a different part of my body if this didn't get resolved. I have used Fleet enemas for the first time in my life out of desperation. Not fun! I have been going once per week which is not enough.

Nope, hate every single one I have tried. Trust me, I think I have tried every brand on earth, pretty much. The only one I am okay with is GENEPRO unflavored because it tastes more like nothing and because it is concentrated you use a very small amount and when added to anything else you can't tell.

I saw my NUT yesterday and it turns out I should eat more. I have lost 50 pounds and I am on the higher scale of weight loss. But still within the expected range of 2 to 5 pounds per week. Well, I told her I can only eat 1/4 cup. I have been cleared to have 4 meals per day rather then 3 and I should spend a full 30 minutes eating to stretch my pouch. I asked about a bunch questions about food choices. Her answer, within reason and being mindful that empty calories are not our friend, I was told, it's okay to have coffee and alcohol. She did mention absorption rates are faster with WLS. If I drink either too fast I'll have a jolt. Take it slowly at first to see how it goes. I was warned about alcohol being a danger for WLS patients as far as substituting one addition for another. Instead of food, alcohol. Her point was, we should have a happy relationship with food.

On the sugar issue. I have a cup of tea with a teaspoon of sugar every morning. It's 16 calories and since I am lucky to get 400 calories a day, I am not breaking the bank. I feel fine. I have also tried a single bite of any dessert and did fine. I had 1/2 a Lindt chocolate ball at costco yesterday and had the other 1/2 an hour later. I was fine. My policy is one bite only. Surprising just being able to have one single bite is so satisfying. I savor it slowly and I don't ever feel like I need another.

Me 4th. I am going to have to install some shelving to keep my boobs up. With a sports bra, I have a unaboob. One single one in the middle. I so am going to need a boob job. I am yet to purchase a bra because I am 38 1/2 inches around under the breasts and I want to be a 38. Things are sagging everywhere, oh well, but I feel great.

Flu season is around big time. A friend of mine is an elementary school teacher. Yesterday 172 kids were called in sick at her school. In my house both my husband and youngest have are feverish and miserable. I wish there was a bubble I could hide in. For now I am washing my hands like an OCD crazed woman. I am in a stall again. But I have been so enthusiastic about gearing up for Christmas I haven't given it much thought. This too shall pass.

Hello, yes indeed. Running is much easier everyday. Before just walking was a chore.

@@AuriP 210, hurray. Yes a large is very impressive. I couldn't help but notice your waist. It's fabulous! Working those curves, for sure!

@smiley922. Now we are talking. Smoking hot for sure! How have you been otherwise? Besides power shopping fabulous dressy wear.

Wonderful, congrats. I am 7 weeks out and 48 lbs gone (including pre-surgery diet). It goes very quickly. Imagine how good it feels with 48lbs gone, you'll feel like a new person. I can do things I couldn't do before. Like put on socks, run and go upstairs 20 times per day without problem. Not to mention no more high blood pressure or pre-diabetes medicine. In addition, my CPAP breathing machine for sleep apnea was reduced to half of the pressure it was before. In another 30 lbs my doctor thinks there's 80% chance I won't need it anymore. This is the best think ever, right? Not easy at first but you will be feeling really wonderful very soon, I am.

Fascinating. This explains how I am going to the bathroom often and more liquid is going out then what I drink.

I am so glad you are all behind me on the not looking frumpy. Hello, we put our lives on the line to get healthy, we can't go around looking like potato bags. Looking great will be the boost we need to feel even better. Before we were in a downward spiral caught in a Water funnel of despair. Now let's build our tornado up to the skies and scream it from the mountain tops. Yes, we are all that! Time to shop, lol!

@@dc0520 That ring is gorgeous, lucky girl. You deserve it, oh so much! Now you sparkle even more.

So, I have spent some time looking at before and after pictures on Obesity Help. I would like to raise the flag on an issue. Most people are wearing potato sacks. I know our body image is going to take a bit to catch up with us. Also, buying new clothes when we know a couple months later they'll be big is not an incentive but we have to stop looking like potato sacks. Let's do something about this. Alterations, thrift stores, sales. We need the incentive because looking good is feeling good too. Just feeling it needs to be said. It's going to take a year to get to where we need to be. We can't look frumpy for a whole year.

My low point was around 4 - 5 weeks I had the same problem. I actually decided I was going to make a U-turn and I placed what I was going to eat in a food processor. I did that for 1 week and all was well. After the week, I resumed normal food but I make sure everything is moist and chewed to death. I also have to be very careful I don't overfill, even by a single bite or I'll throw up. Yes, the food gets cold before you are finished. I sometimes will zap it in the microwave halfway because it's stone cold. I no longer can eat egg by itself. I had one per day for like 2 weeks. Now, it makes me nauseous. I can mix a bit with something else but not egg alone. Not sure why. At 7 weeks, life is good. Hang in there