Daisee68

I am sort of scared of them. My NUT keeps telling me to keep it under my Protein grams and choose "healthy" carbs but I don't love most "healthy" carbs. Luckily I was never a Pasta or rice person to begin with. I try to get my carbs through fruit or veggies and then occasionally some whole wheat bread or crackers. I am generally around 25-50g carbs and 80-100g protein. Still in loss mode though, so not sure how that will shake out when I move to maintenance.

I'm only 7 months out, so I don't have input on whether it is WLS related or not, but I can tell you that 2 years ago before I had a hysterectomy (and dr had done hormone test which showed I was almost through menopause) that I had a lot of joint pain. It was only in one joint at a time mostly and moved around from week to week. All to say could very well be hormonal. You might ask your ob/gyn to do a blood test. Believe it is called FSH test?

I drank them (Diet Dr. Pepper) right up until the last month before surgery. Then I stopped for 3 weeks and then caved and had several the week of my pre-op liquid diet. I still crave them 7 months post-op, but I think I crave the habit and the feeling of carbonation more than anything. I have given in and tried them on 2 occasions post-op. Both times, the carbonation was exactly what I remembered and craved on the first sip but didn't taste good really. Then the 2nd and 3rd sips definitely didn't taste good and I was able throw it away. I still miss it and dream about it though but as you can see from everyone above, many people do not. But even though I crave it, I am able to avoid it because I know it is not something I should indulge in. Once you avoid it for so long, the avoiding it does become easier. For now, just try cutting back slowly and finding a replacement but don't beat yourself up. Can you switch to the caffeine free version? That at least helps on that front.... Good luck! You will do it! It is one of the things that kept me from doing the surgery for so many years and now I realize that was a silly reason.

I'm watching it now. I have watched in the past and it frustrates me. 1) I just don't like Dr. Now. I think he is very cold and matter-of-fact without really understanding. And I HOPE that they actually see a NUT and a therapist, but they don't show that part. 2) Some of the people frustrate me to no end. So far (only small way through), I like Nikki. That episode with Penny made me want to throw things at the TV Sometimes I feel guilty watching it. I just feel like it really exploits instead of uplifts. I do want to see the Skin Tight show...

My NUT told me I could eat an extra 200 calories on workout days if needed. She said that was assuming it was a real workout. So if I just go for a leisurely walk, then no go on extra calories.

I am in the same boat. I don't like to exercise and I find any excuse not to. Once I get started, I do tend to enjoy it (for a while.) Tomorrow morning I am going with my sister to a boxing class. I keep being told I can go at my own pass. We will see how that goes! I hope I love it and want to join the gym BUT doesn't seem likely.

Thanks to you all again! Nice office @@OKCPirate! I will definitely have to work on my space. I got the offer from them today - sort of. They are offering a much higher commission than I can get elsewhere BUT they can't afford the salary I have been making in the first year. My guarantee would be 60-70% of what I have been making, so I would have to make some big adjustments in my budget. What I can't decide is if the other perks are worth the risk. I am starting to lean towards it being and taking the risk. It could pay off huge in the long run (within 5 years), but I am not a typically risky person so it is a big leap of faith. I would have to rely on savings, 401K and credit cards (last resort) to get through this year and possibly next. Just don't want to make a bad decision! Thank you seriously for all of you talking this out with me!

Thanks so much to you all for the responses to my rambling. I actually like the work I do. It is so specialized that most others don't know how to do it, so I get to fulfill my people pleaser needs by helping others (clients) get their job done. (I don't like when I lose accounts but is what it is.) I will also have some traveling which I do enjoy. I like meeting new people or especially meeting people I have worked with for a while but never met. I do spend a lot of time with my sister and her family and like the idea of being closer to them during the day to be able to go to lunch, help with soccer practice, etc. instead of spending 2 hours a day driving to and from work. There is definite appeal in that. Either job should be pretty flexible (which I am used to) and (this is going to sound silly) but I keep thinking that if I can get any plastic surgery this year, I would be able to work from home while I recover with the one option. Maybe being at home so much would force me to get out and do other things (like volunteer) that would allow me to meet new people? I don't know. Again, rambling. My friend says it sounds like I am trying to talk myself in to the job. Maybe that's true. I guess I need to wait until I have the actual offers. (And since it is commission, it would eventually be the same amount of money - just not in the short term.) @@Inner Surfer Girl there is no outplacement assistance. (I wish there was.) I am in to this career years and make (or did make) very good money, so I am not really interested in changing careers if I can help it. (If I hated the work I do, it might be different, but I don't really. I hate the politics of it, but I think that will exist wherever I work.) Oh and points for the smaller pay job - I had never met these guys and the day after the terrible tornados that struck our town the day after Christmas (my house was spared), I got an email from them just checking to be sure I was ok. I didn't even get that from the people I was still working for and had worked with for 7 1/2 years! See I think there is some appeal in working for a small family owned establishment? I think that says something for their personalities. PLUS they told me that they would honor the non-compete I have and make sure that I complied (so they actually seem to be very honest people). When I went to work at this last job, even with the non-compete, my boss pushed and pushed for me to give up account names from my prior employment so he could go after the accounts. I should have known then I was working for a snake....

I know this is a strange question. As some of you know I got laid off last week and I am in the process of going through interviews. I work in commercial insurance in a very specialized division and as it turns out, quite a few companies interested who sought me out. (Not bragging here. Just trying to set the stage.) So I had a good interview yesterday that has some good perks such as working from home and a built in book of business and a pension plan (which is pretty well unheard of now), etc. BUT they don't have enough to pay me what I have been making in the past and it will be commission only. It has the potential to be more but in the short-run, it could be a little dicey. AND I wanted to be able to take my assistant with me and they definitely won't do that (again they won't pay - the problem is they are in a small town about 2 1/2 hours away where they can hire folks for much less than what is the going rate in Dallas.) I am waiting on another offer that would be local company, pay more guaranteed salary (at least for first 2 years while I build my book of business) and will let me hire my assistant but could be higher pressure and more difficult to build the business. OK, that was a long explanation to say that all I day, I have been trying to figure out what I want out of work - other than the obvious of money. I feel like work is actually a very social thing for me and I wonder if I will miss out by working at home. (I live alone...) I worry that leaving my assistant behind (who is also a great friend and has been my biggest support during this WLS journey) is letting her down. (She was offered another position in our company when my position was eliminated.) Anyway, I am rambling. I am just trying to sort out if there are enough benefits or if I will get enough out of the work from home job that makes up for the potential of less money in the first couple of years. I know I can do a pros and cons list but I am looking for more than that. You know, what is your purpose for working? What do you get out of it? Not sure if all that makes sense. Just thinking out loud I guess.

It does get better and is different on different days or even same day different meal. I find I get it with the first few bites and then if I wait about 5 minutes, the rest goes down easier.

@@retzlpa - I think I would question the pharmacy on that. I don't think that cost is correct. Did they give you brand name maybe instead of generic? GoodRX.com shows the cost of this med (generic form) ranges from $100 to $217 and that's without insurance! I might also call your insurance company and see what they show the cost is. I am so sorry you are in so much pain and going through all this. Like @@OKCPirate I truly hope the weight loss will eventually offer some relief.

Yep. I never stopped. I saw my therapist quite a lot pre-op (like every week for months) and then post-op also every week for a few months and have now switched to every 2 weeks. She suggests that before too long, we will switch to once per month and ideally continue to at least 2 years post-op. It will help keep me in check and get ahead of any slippery slopes. I have found that therapy has been the best tool I have (maybe even better than the pouch!)

I was on Metformin. They took it away in the hospital and haven't taken it since. Hopefully you will have the same experience. If not, I was told they may have to switch your med (possibly insulin) for a temporary time. Be sure to work with your endocrinologist or PCP (whoever prescribes that med to you).

I am a bit lost without my Diet DP but still love Sonic, so I order a large unsweet tea but half Water and half tea. (Their tea is too strong and it cuts down on the caffeine.) Many times I have ended up with half sweet tea and half unsweet tea. Not what I wanted. That is frustrating - especially when I have already driven off. Otherwise, I try to order the best I can and take off what I don't want. I still do Taco Bell Pintos n cheese on occasion. I get the grilled nuggets at Chick-Fil-A with the Buffalo sauce. I have had a Subway turkey and cheese sandwich with lots of veggies on flatbread and then just ate it open face without the bread. Chili's and Fuddruckers (and lots of places) will do burger or chicken without the bun and served on lettuce. We have lots of Mexican food here and there I order either the chicken fajitas with no oil and no tortillas or tortilla Soup with no tortillas or chicken fajita salad with dressing on the side or a chicken fajita soft taco and just eat the insides. I have been on a few interviews lately over lunch and didn't get to pick the place or see the menu first, but I was able to order roasted chicken at those places and just ate small amounts. It wasn't suspicious that I ate so little because I was talking a lot anyway. I have only had McDonalds once since surgery and ordered my favorite sausage biscuit with cheese in an act of rebellion. It wasn't good. The sausage got cold before I could eat too much of it and I was kind of scared to eat the biscuit. I desperately want a Chick-Fil-A chicken biscuit but have avoided thus far as I am not sure I can do the fried food. Or more correctly, I am quite scared it will be a "gateway drug" for me and I will start going down that road again. I miss my fast food Breakfast most of all the things I miss (including my Diet DP).

Hitting goal, arm lift (hopefully) and a new job (God willing since I got laid off last week). I agree with @@Cervidae that it is interesting going in to this new year without the constant old promises of weight loss that I would break.

Umm yea I lost a lot of it.... Not gone completely but then I still have a little way to go. Hope I don't lose too much more of it

Just invest in some tighter workout/yoga pants. The brand called Livi at Lane Bryant is really good and helped with that.

Ditto. Finally really started feeling more normal at 6 months. Hang in there. I can assure you that at 113 pounds down, I do not regret it at all now!

Hang in there! The 5th day was my worst day. Try a heating pad and/or ice pack on your stomach. It helped me. And don't be afraid to take your pain med! That's what it is for!

Can also be protein deficiency. Are you getting enough protein ? For what it's worth, I am taking iron and eating enough protein. And am still losing hair. ????

Could be the Protein you are consuming or Protein Bars with high Fiber or Lactose intolerant maybe? Otherwise, yeah it is just part of the process. I'm 7 months post-op next week and still an issue.

Check out Poshmark.com. used clothes in all sizes. Also a great way to get rid of your clothes that don't fit and make a little money.

My fix is usually sugar free chocolate pudding snack mixed with 1/2 scoop of chocolate Protein powder. And actually the Premier Protein ready made shakes kind of cure that sweet tooth for me too. (Of course I crave more salty anyway, so I may not be the best person to ask...)

Not sure which surgery you had. I had bypass. I struggled with nausea for a LONG time. (Still do on occasion.) You can get a prescription for it (I take Zofran) or it could be from acid reflux so if you aren't taking a PPI, you might ask your dr about that. I also find when I haven't had enough fluids, that I have more nausea. If you are worried at all about it, don't hesitate to call your dr and ask.

Thanks so much to you all! I woke up feeling better today so your good thoughts, prayers and vibes worked! I went to work and managed ok most of the day until I walked out the final time and then man, I let loose a big UGLY cry! It was awful. My poor friend that was with me! It didn't last long and I'm ok now (mostly). Tomorrow begins a new year - literally. @@Babbs, I am sorry to say I have not been a consistent exerciser. I know it will help and I'm going to really start making it part of my day - now that I have so much time on my hands . Maybe it will become my new habit but likely I will be more like @@Elode and not so much! You will all be glad to know that I crushed up that bag of chips last night and after I ate a few more (oops), I threw them in the trash so nothing to come home and binge on again. I did have few bites of cheesecake at lunch today but didn't feel like a binge and I had room in my food budget for the day, so no guilt. Besides it is the crunchy salty chips that are my drug of choice and @@Margie122, you are probably right that it is a gateway drug for me. I have to keep those out of my house. Thanks for the love everyone. On to bigger and better! (Or maybe smaller and better in our cases!)