FluffyChix

Hi y'all from the big ol' state of Texas. I'm a long-time reader, first time poster seeking long walks down the meat isle and gentle laughter in the produce department. I'm new to the whole WLS gig and am trying to wrap my head around new possibilities for living a successful, healthy, cancer-free life. I'm a 6 year breast cancer survivor who battles with stage II lymphedema in my left arm, a lovely parting gift of cancer treatment/surgery/reconstruction, so I no longer do much on my old blog. I was a very active writer | blogger specializing in low carb keto living. Now I'm just a noob, grateful for the information, knowledge, and wisdom of fellow WLS losers (veteran and newbie alike). I look forward to participating here and getting to know each of you. TIA by the way! (BTW, I'm not really seeking a date with ya --so don't be "skeered" I might be a letch or anything. I'm in a very happy 17 year relationship with my SO, Mr. Fluffy .)

Thanks James. Will take a look at it.

I'm pre-op as well, but I would ask, why does it have to be breakfast food? Just make breakfast your insignificant meal. Something you eat, only to refuel your body. Right? Eat leftovers. Eat turkey roll-ups. Eat meat salads like chicken/tuna/salmon salad. Eat sardines and mustard! (hehe--caveman style: nekkid, standing over the sink, dressed only in your undies, with the lights out and the refrigerator door open) Just eat 2-3oz of protein, 5 grape tomatoes and be done with it. From everything I read, if you put solid protein in your tum-tum, you will stay satisfied longer anyway--longer than protein drinks/bars. I love having taco meat in the fridge, cuz it's so easy to portion out. I throw in an ounce of spinach, nuke to rewarm. Stir it up. Add some salsa, a dollop of Greek yogurt (sub for sour cream), and meal done! BAM!

Congrats on your success and on changing your life! Also huge congrats on listening to your tool again! Wahooooo! Would you mind if I barrage you with questions? Were you on any hormone therapy drugs following your treatment? Did they affect the decision on VSG v. RNY? Have you ever had issues with GERD? TIA (I'm 6 years out from BC and am on Femara--trying to decide between VSG/RNY.)

Congrats on your decision. Now you know how to plan and prepare mentally and emotionally for success!!!

Congrats on your date. How exciting!

Whoops, forgot to attach the link https://search.proquest.com/docview/1638052696 to the abstract.

James-I so agree with you! Sugar is just death--especially if you have or have had cancer! Congrats on your success and on being able to arrest your disease progression! Woot! I know you had to be thrilled to be able to stop your meds so soon after the surgery?! I read your story your sometimes link to (that has the recipes) and you have been one of my inspirations to begin this journey. And I hope to be able to pick your brain a bit more about your use of chili and "stewps" as an easy means of meal planning! Here is an abstract that talks about bariatric surgery and breast cancer reduction. I can't get hold of the complete thesis, nor am I succeeding finding the 2 studies it references in PubMed. But it appears encouraging. In my first 5 years, I had a greater than 50% probability of recurrence and did not have good odds for 5 year survival. Now, I'm down to 25%, which is awesome to cut the risk in about half, but it's still pretty high risk from my POV--so if WLS can further cut that risk...WOW! Sadly Femara will be a drug that won't get to be discontinued after surgery--although I have hope my other meds will go bye-bye! Sherrie, so sorry to hear about your mama! ((Sherrie)) I also lost my mom to complications of lung cancer. Cancer sucks! Congrats on your weight loss and control of the insulin resistance!! But boo on the new blood sugar! Glad you're back on course! Thank you for sharing your inspiration. I really pray that the surgery will help me get a handle on the IR. Even with fasting, reducing cals, and 35lbs weight loss my insulin is still on the high end of normal.

Thank you for these tips! It's such an interesting study on the human psyche, but I deferred making a decision and moving forward with surgery plans for a couple of years. My oncologist has been gently encouraging me (moving me) toward this surgical intervention for years because my recurrence risk has been crazy high. I resisted (I'm 6 years out from an aggressive, late-stage breast cancer.) And now that I've made up my mind to do WLS, I am impatient to get "the party started." LOL. Like I want it yesterday. I hear ya about the GERD. I also feel like with breast cancer, pre-diabetes, PCOS/metabolic syndrome, HBP and a few other delightful co-morbidities I'm a walking time-bomb and need to really have more malabsorption in the equation. The only huge thing that complicates it is if I would still be able to absorb my Femara (aromatase inhibitor) after RNY or DS. And the secondary question would be what happens to my chance of long-term survival in the event of recurrence? Would the surgery complicate treatment/survival?

Ha! Yes. The order is: 1. Wake up (first weigh of the day). 2. Pee. 3. Strip. 4. Pray, shake Ouija board, consult voodoo doll, and sacrifice a live chicken. 5. Weigh. 6. Rinse/repeat wherever and whenever there is a scale present in close proximity to a potty...ad nauseum. I actually count and track this as a form of exercise (aerobic) on MFP.

Eggggggcellent! How'd it sit? (I see you're a pepper monkey like me! )

Congrats to you on your major milestone(s)! Woot gotta love numbers beginning with "1." Let us know when you figure out how to stop obsessively weighing! I know I have to fight my incredible compulsion to rip my clothes off and step on the damn thing whenever I pass it (a scale). Whereas that's not such an issue at home, it's increasingly tricky at friends' houses or while in department stores...don't even ask about Bed, Bath and Beyonce stores!

Hi Berry78! I'm in the Houston area. I only have a tentative time-frame (still doing all the pre-reqs for qualification). I don't want to have it right between Thanksgiving and Christmas, so I'm thinking mid-January 2018 I will start the whole "new year-new you" thing with a bang! We don't know yet which way I will go. I do have a history of GERD, and with the cancer/pre-diabetes/PCOS, I personally lean towards the RNY, but I've got to speak with my oncologist to make sure there won't be any issues with absorption and with maintaining a steady serum level of my anti-cancer/hormone therapy pill--so I might not know for sure whether it would be an RNY or VSG. I lived in Austin and loved it and spent a lot of time in and around San Antonio--very cool town and area. The Texas Hill Country (which kinda starts in San Antonio) is God's country! I've always wanted to visit Maryland and eat ALL the crab cakes!

Hi there, I'm just a noob and pre-op, but have experimented pretty extensively with protein isolates (flavored and unflavored). My current unflavored protein isolate crushes are: IsoPure Unflavored Protein Powder and Synthrax Unflavored Protein Powder. I use it for drink concoctions as well as mixing it in different foods to enhance the protein profile of a dish. I figure if I practice using them now, I will have more go-to choices post-surgery and avoid the likelihood of crises. I mix the unflavored powders in broths/soups/V-8 and gently warm them (so the protein doesn't clump). That way I satisfy my need for savory rather than sweet.