Sunshine_Gal

Hi Heather I'm in the Battle Ground area, two years out, looking for a local support group. Do you know of any in the area? Patti

I haven't been on here in ages but I'm beginning to panic and thought this is where I needed to come for help. I'm not yet at two years and I'm losing control. It seems like I've lost my way and not sure how to get back. We just made a huge move and I attributed (blamed) getting so off track to that. It's just excuses. So here I am reading and getting the vibes from you all to get back where I belong! Brenda it sounds like you are in control once again. Good for you!

@goodnuff Wow amazing results, you've lost 50 pounds already, WTG!!!

@@leanora27801 Wow what a transformation, you're doing fantastic!

@VSGAnn2014 I think everyone is wanting life to be normal quickly and life has changed forever. It will never be as it was before, thank goodness because that's what got me where I was. I also am curious when I read a comment from someone sleeved vs bypass how much different their reactions, tolerance to foods, etc is. I have a friend who was sleeved and within the WLS things we discuss there seem to be quite a difference between us, but that could just be us and not the norm.

I had Gastric Bypass surgery on Januray 16th, 2015. I'm now over 4 months out and am noticing as each pound drops away (I've lost 75#) that my taste buds seem to be dropping away too. Are you noticing that too? How far out are you and what are you expericening? I was always a heavy spice and heat person and now I barely taste anything, nothing seems to have that intense flavor that it used to. From meats, to dressings, to hot and spicey etc etc etc, most everyting has a slight taste but nothing to write home about. I've tried all sorts of foods (no starches, very low carbs things) but usually food is hitting flat because for me the taste just isn't there anymore. So I'm curious am I the odd duck out or am I the norm. And does it return or is this my life going forward. Thanks in advance for your comments!

@VSGAnn2014 That's probably a blessing that fast foods don't taste as well, lol. Good to know the taste buds have begun to come back. It's just such a strange sensation to each something you know should taste a certain way and you don't really taste anything.

@jenn1 Yes, I use Tabasco, Shirachi and a host of other things, it's not that I don't taste it entirely and still get some heat but not like before at all. For example the Humas with the extra hot chilies used to really get to me and I just had it a just a twinge. So interesting.

@katesuccess Do you count your fat grams? If so what are they averaging a day if they are up 50%? This is really an interesting thread I'll have to follow and see what happens.

@HYCIERRA You look wonderful and yes you should feel beautiful! Congratulations you've done a marvelous job this past year.

@@wascott I used Costco's Egg Whites (like Eggbeaters) and it worked fine.

@@Smye My two cents worth, I like the photo with the link. It's only a click to your blog and then you don't have to be doing everything twice, and it brings people to your blog as well. Many kudos to you for doing this for all of us.

@@Smye Hey I love that blog name lol. I've added a link to your blog from mine and I'll pass the word around. I have support group this Thursday so will let everyone know about your new blog. Thanks for doing this it's so much appreciated! I tried the Cauliflower pizza but before you guys posted your recipes. I used too much seasoning (or so I thought in the crust) but the next day it was so good and the herbs had mellowed. The longer it was in the fridge the more you couldn't tell it wasn't just a breadier crust and you'd certainly never guess it was cauliflower. Can't wait to check out all your recipes. I know it's a lot of work but you'll be helping so many people out by doing this.

@@Smye Just took the Bari-Bread out of the oven, I only had Fat Free Cream cheese but can't see that it would make much of a difference. Not too keen on meringue but trying to keep an open mind until I try them. Can you use them with something hot for the filling?

@@Smye Love the 'Smye Body 'Smye Life but it won't reflect what your blog is about, if that matters. Hopefully our 'word of mouth' will have it growing by leaps and bounds. I want to thank you for sharing all your tried and true recipes. I can't wait to try the bread and several of the others out. Making it as soon as I post this! I scour the Internet and Pinterest all the time for recipes that will taste good and not upset my altered stomach! This was a great thread, thanks for starting it. I hope even when you get the blog up and running you'll post the new recipe names here with a link to your blog, is that acceptable here? Hope so. Here are some name ideas ---- Bari-Good food - Bari-Delicious Recipes Food to Live By

@@downsizingdiva You should have asked her to follow you around for a few days to see how 'not easy' it is and a total change of lifestyle. So few really get it and think it's just a magic bullet. I'm surprised that a nurse would have this reaction though you'd think she'd be more educated. Wow you've done marvelous at 50 pounds off!

Oh I must apologize that was a poor choice of words. I did not mean to imply any of you that have embarked on this journey is ashamed. I should have reread what I'd written more carefully before posting. I so agree with all of you that this is such a personal choice and one I'm sure we've all made after many hours of thought. It's not an easy step and we all know within ourselves those who are around us who will be supportive and those whom it is best to not say anything to. There's certainly no rights and wrongs about sharing or not sharing our WLS with others. We've made the choice to get healthier and that's the most important thing of all! Good luck everyone.

@@JamieLogical This is my question exactly. I'd like to see long term stats at the comparison of the percentage of weight that remains off at five or ten years. I would bet a hole in a donut that WLS patients knock the socks off of the Biggest Loser contestants. We've all been there at one time or another and lost a large amount of weight only to have real life kick in --- and what happens --- we gained it all back and then some. Now tell me, how realistic is it to assume we will exercise four to six hours daily for the rest of our lives. Thanks Alex this is a great topic!

Are you tracking? Maybe you need to track and put your daily food journals in a visible place in the house, like the refrigerator door. Find a way to change up your habits during the evening so the cycle doesn't begin again. Make yourself eat only at the table while at home, that's a conscious decision that could help you choose not to snack in the evening. Find an evening substitute for food, you've got this!! Good luck you've done a marvelous job in 5 months!

I told my partner, after all he's in this journey 24/7 with me. I told my family and some friends and neighbors. We live 1500 miles from family so I could have gotten by with not saying anything. Those that have know me for years know I have yo-yo'd year after year. Anyone that cares about me should be supportive but I agree you open yourself up. Even those that are closest to me are often times not very tackful (I think they just don't hear what comes out of their mouth or speak without even thinking). I have Facebook but chose not to mention it there because, as was stated above, a lot on my FB are acquaintances were made through a hobby we share and not really friends and family that know me well. I did start a blog mymirrorsreflection.blogspot.com and share my struggles and accomplishments there. This is nothing you should be ashamed of, those that criticize are those that have no idea how difficult this process is. it's not just go have surgery and voila get skinny, it's a daily process of changing our lives. When someone starts talking about my surgery I'm happy to let them know what it entails, most often they had no idea whatsoever how life altering it Stand proud you've made the best decision for the rest of your life! Good luck and please keep of posted of your progress!

I don't think your body will absorb all the calcium at one time, that's why you are told to take them three times a day as your body sluffs it off as the day progresses. I'd check with your professional team and see what they think. Personally I don't think it's your Vitamins I think it's just your body's reaction that's stalling you. As esskay77 said make sure that you're following your plan and that's not what's messing you up. Good luck.

Congratulations, and there's nothing simple at all about reaching ONEderland! Those that have never fought their weight I don't think have any concept of the daily battle most of us fight. You should be so proud of yourself and rightfully so. I know it's hard to wrap our minds around the idea that this is really it and it really will happen. Keep us posted on your progress.

I turned 65 mid December and had bypass mid January. I've been down with a nasty upper respiratory infection for over 2 weeks and my energy level is nil and food isn't my friend right now. I'm down 67 pounds and have read all your posts. I still can't wrap my head around the thought that this will be the last time, that each pound off is off for good. I don't plan on backstepping, this is it for me. We'll all get there it's just when you've yo-yo'd your entire life it's hard to realize that this isn't a phase it's a whole new lifestyle. It's sure fun to see clothes go in the bag for the thrift store and new piles of sizes pulled off the shelves, I knew there was a reason I just couldn't bring myself to throw them away. Stay with your plan, this will be the best decision you've ever made!

I'm curious to know if any of you were on Blood Pressure & Water pills prior to surgery and had your surgeon take you off your water retention medicine the day of surgery. I was fine for the first month and then my feet and legs, up to my knees, started swelling to the point of lots of pain. I waited until I had my six week check up with my surgeon assuming he would put me back on the water retention medication or suggest something else. To my surprise he wasn't really concerned but he did tell me if I wanted more followup to check with my family physician or cardiologist. I saw my family physician on Thursday, 3 days ago, and have lost 10 pounds, I can't believe the difference in my legs and feet in 3 short days! My family doctor was so upset because I also take another medication, which I'm still on, for incontinence, which also causes water retention. To be on the safe side he's having me do an electrocardiogram and stress test to rule out heart complications. I wondered if this is a general practice with surgeons with bypass surgery to remove the water retention medications. I look forward to your input.

@@terrydumont46 I wasn't taken off my BP meds only the Water pills. I just saw my doctor again on the 8th. (I now have an upper respiratory virus which is rampant in our area right now, the hospital is completely full!). I had lost 16 pounds in six days! He told me he thought I had 30 pounds of water and I thought he was wacky and now I've lost 16. Maybe he was right. Anyway, the weight loss has slowed way down, and I actually have feet with veins I can see and toes again! And to my amazement my legs are much smaller. My skin still is sore and he says that's just because it was stretched so tightly and will take a while to heal. I'm now on antibiotics and trying to fight the virus. Geez I never get sick like this. I feel better but am so tired after doing almost nothing. I think it will take a while to bounce back! And again, I think this WLS process needs to be a combination of doctors working together to the same end. My surgeon was so against the water pills and yet I wonder what all that water was doing to my heart. What a strain. I still need to complete the cardiac stress test but that's put on hold until I'm completely over this virus.