Hi everyone who is having surgery in October 2014. We can start a new topic for those of us who have had surgery already.

This is the spot were we will all end up, were we'll share our stories and recovery. It will be a new dawn for so many of us. Let's stay close as united we will conquer anything that comes our way!

BEST WISHES GLADIATORS

Have any of you October people tried sugar and dumped? I haven't even tempted it but I will be making fudge for family next week, just wondering about one liiiitttlee piece.

I had two or thee small bites of chocolate pecan pie, with no problem, but I had some dumping with sugar free chocolate pudding with added chocolate truffle protein powder added. I think it was the bigger serving, as it was all plan approved but very rich, and I had one to many bites. I got hot, sweaty, heart racing and nauseous.

@@smiley922 I had dumping with sugar free chocolate pudding too, it was my first episode and it was horrible.

I seem to be fine with regular sugar, I had a cupcake last week no problem. If I crave chocolate, I have 1 or 2 Andes mints here and there...it's weird that the sugar free stuff makes me dump and not regular lol

My 8yr old told me I looked nice today and my honey said I looked HOT (haha! I don't know about that!!) But I thought I'd have her snap a picture of me quick. I took a normal picture and she says, "Mom! Give me a sassy pose!" So then I got as sassy as I'm able to be...heehee.Then I made her strike a sassy pose too. :-) So here's our sassy pics!

@@amylynns you look Good & Sassy!

Doesn't the saying for your guy go something like, "HEY! I'M UP HERE!!!"

Haha! Yes!!! :-)

Hey Group, as far as sugar.. I have tried a spoonful if frosting, and felt i was turning green! Obviously, I ate too many sugar grams. I would think, if you ate a small quantity.. you should be ok. However,we are all made differently.

I was at a stall last week, so I increased protein and my activity level, and I lost 3 lbs this week.

Interestingly enough, I visited with 2 friends on 2 different occasions, and they did not notice my weight loss. Ugh! Im down 69lbs from the beginning of this process! I guess when one has 160lbs to lose, 69 isnt a big difference! I felt disappointed, but not deflated! It just inspires me to carry on with my journey!

Ok ladies NSV time! My family and I went to Christmas Town last night at Busch gardens - I was actually able to comfortable ride the roller coaster and other rides with my oldest! I was elated to not be embarrassed by the barely closed seatbelt! Also we took a family photo with Santa and it was the first time in 8 years I didn't cringe. I am proud if it! Keep pushing through all! This is so worth it!

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.

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.

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.

@Beni--I try and eat about 4 meals a day too. I'm still right around 600 calories a day.

I'd say 95% of the time I eat, I get nauseated afterwards. I've tried to pin point down possible reasons. Didn't chew enough...ate too fast, ate the wrong thing. But I try to be SO mindful of my chewing, etc. and have not eaten any junk or empty calorie foods, I think my pouch is just pissy!! LOL!

I have come to the conclusion that I now eat to survive. Period. There is NO pleasure in eating anymore. I dread it in fact. I haven't decided if that's a good thing or a bad thing yet.

My 21 yr old daughter and 14 yr old son went shopping today. It was a fun day!! Until we decided to eat. They chose Culvers, so I had 1/2 chicken strip and had about 4 bites of tomato Soup. Sick. Luckily now it only last about 1/2hour rather than the 4-5 hours it used to. So I guess that's improvement, right?!

My daughter Leah and I. This was right after I attempted to eat....SO nauseated!!

Oh my goodness @@amylynns ! You don't look old enough to have a 21 yr old! You look awesome even with the nausea!

I totally afree with amylynns. I feel like we eat to survive now too. Don't get me wrong, there are some things I do enjoy eating, but most of the time it is a chore. I don't feel like eating, but I know I have to. I went to the mall today and it was crazy busy. I only had a baNana in the morning and I felt like I was going to pass out. But I wasn't hungry at all. I stopped into Vitamin World and bought a Quest Bar to hold me over and give me some protein. It's such a pain

Tonight with my bf, he kept asking me what I wanted to eat. I'm like I don't know. He gets all pissy cuz he says I never know. I tried to explain to him that I really have to "desire" for anything, I don't have a nagging hunger like I used to, so he really can't get mad at me for that. Ayyy yi yi!

Hersey kisses are great for a one bite fix.

About the sugar thing.... I am not quite 8 weeks out from my surgery. I have not tried sugar; nor have I experience dumping. I think about trying sugar, but I think I am more afraid that I will not have a reaction to sugar than I am afraid that I will DUMP.

I could really do a number on myself with thoughts about food I am not eating. I am good with Protein and a few veggies. I have had a half piece of toast (whole wheat) twice. I would rather have protein nourishment than bread. I was using bread for almond butter. To the person who suggested using a spoon, when someone asked about what to eat with their cheese, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

As things progress, I can see how easy it would be to fall back into old habits. I want this to wok, and I get it that I have to be the one who makes it work. Making the right choices is my responsibility.

I am having a really hard time with constipation. I'm going to start a thread.