lsereno

Stock the kitchen with things you like that are on plan. For me that includes costco roast chicken, frozen berries, Splenda, plain Greek yogurt, soy milk, low fat lunch meats, canned Soups, and calorie free drinks. Throw out or give away the bad for you foods. Don't bring more in the house. If you must have it for other family members, separate it from foods you eat. For example, my hubby loves Snacks. I keep them on a separate shelf and tell myself that is HIS shelf. My shelf has snack foods I can eat. Make a list of fun things besides food. Next time you want a between meal snack, refer to list. For me tat includes playing a computer game, putting on lotion and lipgloss (the smell and silky feel are very satisfying), calling a friend, or checking this board! If you are having trouble getting back in the groove, pre-plan what you will eat and write it down. Remember to drink enough fluids. After drinking that much, there is less room for other stuff! Remember, you can't hate yourself thin. So just learn from you past and move on. Lynda

Hi Amy, Welcome! You are probably one of the first to have the surgery of the people who participate in this board. I'm three years behind you (had my surgery in May 2011). I'm so glad you have joined us. I love having other vets to chat with. There is such a steep drop off as the years go by, but there are quite a few of us who are more than two years out here. I'm interested to hear how you do with the pouch test. I've heard several people say it's too harsh when you are further out. You will find other vets who have dropped their regain here. I originally had a bounce range of 5 lbs., but found that was too much and encouraged some junky eating on my part, so I cut my bounce range to 2 lbs. over goal. I still weigh and track my food on most days. Lynda

You might like the unjury chicken Protein powder. Pre-op, I liked chocolate protein powder but post-op, I preferred vanilla. I mixed it with Starbucks decaf instant coffee, and half Water, half soy milk. Many people like Isopure. I didn't, but you should try it. It's clear and comes in many fruit flavors. It's very important to find a protein you will drink. Protein is key for post-op healing,. Lynda

Only you know whether the surgery is right for you. For those that love you, if you do decide on surgery, try to help them overcome their fears by taking them to a support group and/or a Dr. appt, I did this with my mom. She was scared of the surgery, but felt better after going to a support group with me and to one of my pre-op appts. For those that weigh in with their opinion that you are not heavy enough to need the surgery, remember: it's their opinion. They are not in your body, dealing with your issues. I heard that a million times from friends, family, nurses, and more, but I knew that for me, the surgery was my only chance at taking the weight off and keeping it off. That doesn't mean that is true for you, just telling you my story. Lynda

Call your Dr. Many programs recommend a PPI (proton pump inhibitor), such as Prilosec or Prevacid, for the first three months. Tums does not work in the same way and won't be as effective. I highly recommend trying one and seeing if it helps. Your doc can provide a prescription and the correct dosage. Lynda

Thanks!

Jealous! I grew up in California, but my parents are from the south. I love southern foods but they are hard to impossible to find here. I really can't eat much of it post-op, but I love biscuits and gravy. You just can't get that once you leave the south and since I can only eat a few bites, it's not worth making it. We do have a few decent BBQ places, but can't get the sides available in the south.

Just got back from 8 days of vacation and I'm down three lbs! I don't know what to say, I was expecting to be up. I must be grazing more than I think at home, because dinner was rarely as healthy as I would eat at home and I had drinks almost every day. I think eating the fatty food earlier in the day keeps me from eating after dinner. Of course, at a little less than 2.5 years out, I'm still in the newlywed stage. I hear it gets tougher between years 3 and 4. Lynda

Thanks for the kind words FYE, Buplee, and MG2! MG2, I updated my profile pic.

I made a list: http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/blog/2552/entry-6495-hungry-for-answers-about-acronym-soup/

Acid reflux can cause cancer. It killed a friend of mine in her 50s. The continued irritation on the esophagus causes the cells to mutate. Here's a link: Acid Reflux and Esophageal Cancer - Prevention.com www.prevention.com/health/health.../acid-reflux-and-esophageal-cancer It might suprise you to learn that acid reflux, left unchecked over time, is the major cause of cancer of the esophagus. Learn how to prevent esophageal cancer ...

I've been in maintenance about 1 1/2 years. I slowly added calories to stop losing. Took a bit of tweaking to get stable, but I'm there. Can you post in the vet's forum? That's where most people who are in maintenance mode are. Lynda

Some of the worst: Less than a week after surgery: "I thought you had weight loss surgery?" While eying still fat me. Few months after: "how much have you lost. How much do you weigh now. You better stop before you weigh less than me." Eight months post-op: "you look terrible. All that extra skin just hangs. That's why I would never get weight loss surgery! " Some of the best: "I didn't recognize you!" "You look great!" "I'm so proud of you!" Lynda

Funny, but you know what they say about truth being stranger than fiction. Poop infusions are already done to treat "incur able" c diff infections with a very high success rate. I just finished reading Mary Roach's book, Gulp, which covers this and many other interesting factoids about our digestive system. Lynda

Man, that looks good! Are you in the south?

Google

Yeah? Well perfect me rocks a bikini, wears VS bras and looks like one of those angel ads while brilliantly investing money so I have more than I know what to do with and in my spare time I invent a software application that ends world hunger, war, and infighting. Oh yeah, and my turkey wattle is gone too. I may be old but Icahn still dream too. Lynda

I froze my homemade broth in ice cubes. Each cube is about two ounces. Lynda