December 2012 Post Op Group

[Momof4boys 46]

School is quite a task plus when you work as well. I can see how hard it would be to have to worry about what to pack to eat or what to eat period. I've always flown (most of the time) by the seat of my pants when it came to what to have for dinner' date=' lunch. I still have a hard time planning that.

Congrats you two for school and work (whether you work inside or outside your home) and trying your best to maintain our new lifestyle. It's not easy.

Gen :-) 12/15/12[/quote']

Thanks for the support! I have sucked up the extra cost of buying prepackaged foods knowing I am eating what I should. Gotta keep that goal in sight! I feel like a zombie right now. Everything is coming to the due date and exams are weekly. Ugh!

[lmcgloon 127]

Thanks for the support! I have sucked up the extra cost of buying prepackaged foods knowing I am eating what I should. Gotta keep that goal in sight! I feel like a zombie right now. Everything is coming to the due date and exams are weekly. Ugh!

I feel better now, I think it was just a particularly stressful night. Either that or I still haven't shaken this crazy shift in hormones we go through (anyone know when that will stop? lol). I usually need one good vent session then I'm good. Keeping my eye on the prize, both personally and professionally. Thanks again for the support.

[thisshizzisbananas 97]

I know how you feel. I was really strict about exercising and meeting with my personal trainer and now in the past 2 weeks I've gone to the gym once. I'm 11 weeks and I'm ready to go back to normai life where I don't have to constantly think about what I'm putting in my mouth. And I don't mean back to eating like I was never going to get another meal' date=' I'm still really good about following the diet in terms of still no carbs, mostly Protein, some veggies, etc. but it's exhausting having to think about my diet all the damn time.

I'm in grad school and we're at the mid point of the semester where everything starts becoming due. Not to mention I have an hour long each way commute. Today I left my house before my husband woke up and got home after he went to bed. These 15 hour days are killer and I have such a busy and crazy life where the last thing I want to do is have to remember to take my Vitamins on time, did I eat enough protein today, is today going to be the day I drink more than 32oz of Water, am I going to be balding soon, blah blah blah.

I don't mean to sound negative, because I really truly have been so blessed with this surgery. I've had incredible success and zero complications. A lot more than others can say, and I'm thankful.

Sometimes it's just really hard to devote the time and attention that this surgery needs. I think it's more than I expected. I really want to be successful at this long term because I have seen people in my life fail, and I'm dedicated, but to be honest, I'm also kind of over it. I don't really miss food, but I miss feeling normal.

End rant. Sorry all, thanks for letting me vent [/quote']

No! I totally feel you on that! I feel the same way, like I have been soo blessed to even have been able to have this surgery, etc, but it does get tiring thinking about every little thing and devoting that much time to everything. It's definitely a part time job to make sure we're doing what we're supposed to be doing! On the other hand, I guess that's the price you pay when you wanna be healthy wether you have had the surgery or not. And what could be more important than our health? I wish I could remember that when I'm like " I'm not tracking today, I'm too damn busy for all that!" Lol.

[thisshizzisbananas 97]

I am not very regimented either. I just jot down what I eat on an index card and tally the Protein. I am trying for 60-80 a day of protein. I check off my Water and force myself to walk longer' date=' take the stairs and walk the dogs. I have been going to the Y but it's a long drive from my home so it's a 3 hour commitment. I now feel so much better. I don't want to step backwards and keep reminding myself with before photos. I have also bought myself milestone rewards. I have a new Alex and Anni Bracelet that I wear on my dominant wrist. Every time I reach for food/ drink I remind myself to look at it and choose wisely. I picked a butterfly charm- symbolizing rebirth/ new beginnings. I hope this helps.[/quote']

That is an excellent idea!! And yes, being reminded of how far we've come is a good motivator. Maybe I'll blow up a before and after pic and put them side by side for some inspiration!

[thisshizzisbananas 97]

I am in school now too. I feel like a pack horse with all my bags. I pack Greek yogurt' date=' tuna mixed with Greek yogurt, cheese sticks, a small can mandarin oranges/ peaches in own juice. I have found you can get hot Water on campus- so I try to sip herbal tea and usually drink 4 bottles of water through the day. My bags get lighter as I drink more of the water. I try to give myself incentives like- if I drink all my water I will treat myself to a Vitamin water from the vending machine. It is tough to plan food for the day. I carry a Protein Shake in a can and a bar for just in case. I hope this helps. I know the long days you are describing. Think of the end goals and you got this![/quote']

Haha!! Omg!! I take my pills, carafate, and a whole rash of foods I can eat with me everywhere! At work they call me the bag lady!

[Momof4boys 46]

Haha!! Omg!! I take my pills' date=' carafate, and a whole rash of foods I can eat with me everywhere! At work they call me the bag lady![/quote']

That is great! You have to bring it in order to take it/ eat it. How is the smoking cessation going? I hope you are successful. Today my 19 year old son and I compared weights and he is 15 pounds heavier than me. The look on his face was priceless!

[thisshizzisbananas 97]

That is great! You have to bring it in order to take it/ eat it. How is the smoking cessation going? I hope you are successful. Today my 19 year old son and I compared weights and he is 15 pounds heavier than me. The look on his face was priceless!

I was going to say I love the new pic! You look absolutely FANTASTIC!!! How much have you lost so far? And yes, I don't wanna be tempted to eat badly, so I always have string cheese or almonds or a Protein Bar, something. And then if I'm gone all day for meals, oh lord, I take everything and the kitchen sink cause I don't know what I might be hungry for at 7p when it's 8a in the morning! Lol. And I wish the quitting smoking thing was going better...I do well with the patch, but if I forget to wear it, I smoke. So, I'm still addicted to nicotine obviously, but I am working on it. I'm not gonna give up because I DO NOT wanna go back to being a full time smoker. My ulcers are pretty much healed now, but there is still that risk, as well as it just being a downright stupid habit that is so bad for me in so many other ways!!

[OleHippieGal 275]

Have any of you started using straws yet? Since most of youvarev3 months out now was wondering. I think it would help when we drink the Protein Shakes

[Nicole K 352]

Have any of you started using straws yet? Since most of youvarev3 months out now was wondering. I think it would help when we drink the Protein shakes

I do when I go out to a restaurant. No issues. I like straws better.

[Momof4boys 46]

Have any of you started using straws yet? Since most of youvarev3 months out now was wondering. I think it would help when we drink the Protein shakes

I use straws when I am out too. I just sip slow.

[Momof4boys 46]

I was going to say I love the new pic! You look absolutely FANTASTIC!!! <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> How much have you lost so far? And yes' date=' I don't wanna be tempted to eat badly, so I always have string cheese or almonds or a Protein Bar, something. And then if I'm gone all day for meals, oh lord, I take everything and the kitchen sink cause I don't know what I might be hungry for at 7p when it's 8a in the morning! Lol. And I wish the quitting smoking thing was going better...I do well with the patch, but if I forget to wear it, I smoke. So, I'm still addicted to nicotine obviously, but I am working on it. I'm not gonna give up because I DO NOT wanna go back to being a full time smoker. My ulcers are pretty much healed now, but there is still that risk, as well as it just being a downright stupid habit that is so bad for me in so many other ways!![/quote']

You can do it! Put all that butt money toward something new for yourself. I am happy your ulcers are healed. That was a scary thing to go through. Thanks for the compliment. My husband snapped that pic of me Sat. night. I don't recognize that lady...yet. I haven't been this weight in 20 years.

I tried almonds but got terribly sick. I have been looking for a good Protein rich snack that is not going to spoil. Maybe I will try them again next week.

[tstevens 0]

I am a little over 2 months out and I have been using straws for a few weeks now with no problems. Just don't sip too fast and you should be fine.

[OleHippieGal 275]

Great I haven't used one yet I was afraid to but I will now thanks for letting me know straws don't hurt lol Protein Shakes here I come

[thisshizzisbananas 97]

You can do it! Put all that butt money toward something new for yourself. I am happy your ulcers are healed. That was a scary thing to go through. Thanks for the compliment. My husband snapped that pic of me Sat. night. I don't recognize that lady...yet. I haven't been this weight in 20 years.

I tried almonds but got terribly sick. I have been looking for a good Protein rich snack that is not going to spoil. Maybe I will try them again next week.

Haha! I know what you mean about not recognizing yourself. I think that I still wear a 3-4x top. When I try it on and it's big I get kinda confused but I look at the 1-2x's and I think there's no way that will fit, but they do. It's so strange. I had to have my Mom go with me the first time I went shopping cause I literally could not do it on my own. And jean shopping....oh boy! It doesn't help that you are a different size in every store! And thank you, the ulcer thing did scare me and I have just been trying to really accept and embrace this change of lifestyle. It's difficult and I think we all deserve kudos for it!!

[shaunda 122]

Have any of you started using straws yet? Since most of youvarev3 months out now was wondering. I think it would help when we drink the Protein shakes

My doctor said no straws.