wannalise

AMAZING!!!! That is so exciting you both look great.

Okay so I am frustrated! I have been super careful about following all the rules and my weight loss has been good, I feel great, I am proud of what I have accomplished so far. But...the past three days I have had "fat kid hunger." That desire to eat awful things, even when you aren't hungry. I still try to impliment enjoyable foods and I know that is a vital part of a healthy lifestyle, but I feel compulsive. On both ends. I spend tons of time planning what I am going to eat, how I'm gonna exercise. But then I also am on my favorite restaurant web sites and looking at foods I used to love (my fave Mexican salad that I used to eat a few times per week is almost 2000 calories on its own!) I need some help becoming focused, but not compulsive. I am trying to develop a HEALTHY relationship with food so this can work long term, but I am so overly obsessed with healthy eating that I am going to burn out. I think about it constantly. HELP????

My surgeon and post op doctor both recommend an iron supplement especially if you are of mensutrating (I can't spell) age. I actually think the chewable from BA is yummy (just the iron the other ones are gross.) Good luck!

I think this is pretty similar to the Ricotta bake that eggface does that I've seen in several forums, but I made it my way and loved it. 1 c ricotta cheese (I used part skim) 1 c spinach 1 c cherry tomatoes 1 egg I used my food processor and blended the veggies then stirred them in with the ricotta and then stirred in the egg. I then cooked 3 jennie o extra lean italian sausage turkey links (they are fatties like a brat, and as a side note are yummy on the grill) in a small amount of olive oil and 1 Tbs of minced garlic. I spread the ricotta mix on the bottom a small square baking dish and then sliced the sausage and placed on top of the ricotta. I chose to put 1 c of spaghetti sauce over the whole mixture but if it is too acidic or carby you can omit it. Then I baked @ 350 for 45 minutes. Yummy and reheats very well.

Oh and you can't take your iron and calcium together. I take my multi and calcium at the same time then wait a minimum of two hours and take my iron. Iron makes it so your body is less able to absorb the calcium and if you are on a PPI you really need the calcium because over time it can deplete the mineral supply in your bones.

This may disappoint you, but I had that reaction w/every multi I tried. I realized that with the BA if I eat something first and then instead of chewing them I suck on them like a lozenge less of it hits my tummy all at once and I'm generally okay. Good luck!

Ali, That sounds really close to the norm. Your protein may be a titch low both my surgeon and NUT like between 60 and 70. But your weight loss is terrific so who can say!

Don't forget that unless there is 14 consecutive days before you are not considered to have a stall. I will sometimes lose very little one week and then there is always one day where it just happens quickly. Hang in there!!!!

I never had any type of reflux preop, and what I experience now is rarely classic reflux. I have false hunger, and occasional heart burn. On a few occasions I have tried to ween myself off of it and the symptoms were horrible and not worth it to me. I am dilligent in taking extra calcium as that is one of the side effects and I've done really well. Double check with your surgeon and maybe they will have the answer you seek.

I don't know how I missed this one!!!! How amazing are you??? I am so grateful that I've gotten to share your journey with you and getting to learn from you. Thank you thank you for your strength and support!!! I am so bedazzled with your success. Anna

Tiffany posted this as a comparison of Vitamins. You also want to keep in mind that you need to space your Iron and calcium citrate at least two hours apart. I've been very pleased with Bariatric Advantage Multivitamin, BA iron, and BA chewy calcium citrate. Hope this helps! http://verticalsleevetalk.com/vitamins-supplements/3739-all-vitamins-not-created-equally-excellent-comparison-chart.html

I missed the chance to wish you well preop, but it is good to see your first day of recovery is going so well! Best of luck!!!

The reverse is true with Muscle Milk RTD, I froze it and then drank it the next day and it was the texture of curdled milk NASTY!!!!

I am so sorry. Your story is terrifying. I can't imagine being able to see/hear what is happening around you and not be able to ask for help. It sounds like a huge blessing that your Mom was there. I am so glad to know that you will be okay. Best of luck in your decision making process. Anna

I am so sorry that you left feeling unsupported, I didn't read your post but will head there now. Please know that the intent of everyone on this board is to support and be supported. Hopefully we can give you what you need next time. Anna

Love this one! I made it for my non WLS friends and it was a hit. I misread the recipe and put 2 lbs of extra lean ground beef in it but it was still yummy and packed with protein. Thanks for sharing it!!!

Woot woot!!!! Good for you in having the mentality of enjoying the things you love in small doses and realizing it isn't a "cheat." How exciting to be trying on new clothes, you are rocking this lady!!!!

I am three months out. Part of me feels like this has been my life forever, and part of me still feels like it is brand new. Having seriously unhealthy habits has been a process of learning, but things I never thought I could do mentally and physically are becoming easier day by day. In three months I have reclaimed parts of my life and that is thrilling to me. Two weeks ago I had a last minute chance to head to California w/my boyfriend and his family. My time there was not food focused, I enjoyed what I ate and even more so enjoyed walking (what?) I enjoyed a day of walking around Universal Studios and mid way realized I wasn't sweaty and feeling icky, and my feet didn't hurt. And not once did I feel like I might go flying off of a ride because I was just too big to actually safely fit on it. I am energetic. I took my dog up by the river and walked for a long time and enjoyed it. I took pride in knowing that I was doing something that benefitted both of us. That I kept my body moving, that I had that time alone to have a clear mind and I wasn't focused on how hard I was breathing or about the whopper and diet coke I would be buying on my way home. I have realized that to be successful I have to plan. This has never been my strong suit, but for this to work for ME I must do it. I spend time each night before I go to bed entering my game plan for the following day. Maybe I have refocused my obsession in another direction, but having that plan is empowering. A few years ago a friend and I spent a weekend planning what our diet would look like when we started it on Monday. We made charts, planned an elaborate rewards system and vowed to check in with each other every day. As we planned it, I knew I would fail. I knew this would be pointless. And it was. I have countless stories like these, and each time this would happen it was a blow to my self esteem. Not because I couldn't lose the weight, but I couldn't trust myself to do what I vowed to do. I now understand that it required more then what I could do on my own. I wake up every day knowing that I am in control. I am in control. This is really still just the beginning of my journey, and I expect this will be a lifelong struggle for me. I still want a diet coke EVERYDAY, and that is something that for me is taboo. Not just because I have fears about it altering my new expensive stomach, but because for me it is the start of a slippery slope and it isn't worth it. I have occasional, very small, treats. I try to plan ahead for these, mostly because if I plan then there isn't that emotional panic of, "Oh my what have I done????" But there are days when I would just like a big ol burger instead of three bites of someone else's. But all I have to do is compare the passport photo I had taken just prior to surgery, to the photos from now, I have a much smaller face and a much bigger smile and that makes everything worth it.

Thanks all of you for your positive responses. And to those of you who are preop I have no doubt this is something you can do! Anna

Hey I just wanted to throw another thing out. Vita D is a super common deficiency and my friend who had thyroid cancer has experienced SEVERE amounts of it. I hope you find an explanation, but until then....some summer reading Vitamin D Deficiency: Symptoms, Causes, and Health Risks Best of luck, Anna

The section where you mentioned that its like turning a switch on...Have you had bloodwork done yet to ensure that you aren't deficient in any areas. Deficiency can do a wide variety of things to you hormonally. You really are doing great! Good luck!!!!