SeattleSue

Good for you, how exciting! "Happy Dance"

They carry the most AMAZING Roasted Red Pepper & Tomato Soup. Wow. I've had it a few times in the last days with a dollop of Ricotta...mmmm mmmm I picked up some Chile Lime Chicken Patties and some Scicillian Chicken Sausages that have 15 gr protein per link that I can't wait to try...I expect they will add a lot of flavor to my puree or mushy stages. I got some amazing tzitki sauce (I know I spelled that wrong). Their prices are very competetive with the average grocery store. Something that I usually pick up while I'm there is the Brown Jasmine Rice too. I won't be carbing a whole lot, but this rice is excellent. Oh, and on my last trip I picked up a beautiful basil plant for my kitchen window sill because I LOVE fresh basil and can't wait to add the flavor to "Cheese crisps" (recipe on this site) and basically any marinara type dish (i.e., ricotta bake! YUM re: eggface).

Thanks, I printed off the protein value cheat sheet! This will definately come in handy when I sort of plan my daily menu. I'll keep it on the fridge and try to switch things up!

The only 2 "forever" exclusions on my list is: Chewing Gum, Carbonated Beverages

oops posted too quick. Blue Cheese Laughing cow is very good with thin roast beef...

These are great with all the flavors of Laughing Cow and it makes it very portable.

Wow, 7 month stall and you perservered!! You are something else...quite an inspiration. I'm thrilled for you! Susan

Looks like the naked butt sit-in worked!!! Take it easy...can't wait to hear updates from you!!! Susan

Noel...I read that twice and said, "Did he say April??" Holy Toleedo Batman!! That's amazing!

wooohooo Good for you!! Congrats...future's so bright!

Tee23, I was there on the 7th. Trish is an Angel and Dr. Kelly is very good. Can't wait to hear how it went!! God bless, Susan

wooohooo Glad to hear from you lady!! Everyday will get better. I'm about to take a nap myself after my stinking treadmill worked me over this morning!

Well, thanks. I'm doing great...a little antsy to get some more food going on, but no complaints. Let's see...this is day 12 since I rebelliously stick to counting surgery day because I was done by 10 a.m. HAH, it's my story and I'm sticking to it. Dr. Kelly encouraged walking, so I've been walking...no more than a mile per day on "organized walks" but that doesn't include errands, etc. Nor does it include the stairs in my house which is when I really feel fatigued. Day 8 I added my first Protein shake in the a.m. Made the mistake of adding 1/2 tspn of instant coffee and practically got high. Then I crashed big time and needed a 90 minute nap in which I drooled all over myself and woke up on my tummy. hmmm After a better showing on Day 9 with the protein, I felt confident in adding some other thicker liquids on day 10. No problems. Of course, everything I added was B-L-A-N-D. Cream of Wheat original...meh, no flavor. On Day 11, I got crazy and had some broth from the Red Beans & Rice with Andouille sausage I cooked for my family. OMG it was a flavor explosion in my mouth and my taste-buds sat up and say the Hallelujah Chorus! It was fantastic. I thought I might suffer some consequences, but 6 hours, 8 hours, next morning...NOPE! So, for lunch today I had some Trader Joe's Roasted Red Pepper & Tomato Soup with a blob of ricotta. I just finished it and it was delish!!! I'm so happy. I estimate that I am able to eat 1/4 Cup of Cream of Wheat but about 1/2 Cup of runnier stuff (though my Wheat is runny). I'm very pleased with where I'm at. I am consistently able to drink 40 oz. of Water (and at least 2 cups of that is Smart Water) per day. I also have some light juice if I need a pick-up and usually one sugar free beverage. As of today, I am down 14.5 lbs since last Tuesday...tomorrow being a full week since I first weighed on my return home. So easily 15 pounds my first week. I'm sure it's a lot of fluids left over from my IV, but I can see the difference in that, one of my chins is almost gone. I'll take it! A little weirdness; I took a lot of time on my hair yesterday before church... That's NOT me. Not EVER. I realized I was camoflauging and sort of using a smoke and mirror tactic to ward off the 'Hey we missed you, where did you go?" questions as well as the, "Hey, have you lost weight questions." I guess I'm still not prepared to answer those questions...even though I worked out 2 or 3 responses that weren't lieing.. "Oh, I took a quick trip with my dad...we went to San Diego and did some shopping in Tijuana" or "Thanks, I did a cleanse and have started a fairly strict regimen". Guess I'll keep those in my back pocket 'cus everyone loved my hair. Thanks for asking Reb. I appreciate the interest! Susan

YAY GO HUSKIES!!! haha local-yocal. You've done amazing; I'm so glad to hear you're not hiding anymore!! WOOOHOOO Very inspiring, thank you! Susan

Brilliant. Congrats on your success...lol, I cannot wait to be obese! Susan

You are an inspiration, or in cycle-speak, you are riding shiny side up girl! Best wishes to you...cannot wait to hear back from you post-op. Congrats, Susan

Welcom to the forum Myst. So glad you are here and I'm sure you'll get a lot of unanswered questions answered. This board is FULL of amazing resources. Even though the surgery is irreversible, it never get's old hearing that someone who has gone before you would, "do it all again!" Thanks for the story. Love your tag, Susan

All the best to you! We'll be waiting to hear from you... Susan

If it's your left shoulder, the pain will significantly reduce once they take your drain out. At least, that was my experience. Good luck.

Hopefully the power is on and you are in surgery right now. I've prayed too. Talk to you when you can do that 'responsibly'. Susan

Well, I have noticed the rapid heartbeat, but I don't get queasy or ill...I figured that was just the 'boost' since I really haven't had many calories and no real hunger in 10 or 11 days. Maybe it's just that my body gets a "shot" and then crashes. I'm using VERY low carb Protein Shakes...so I know it's not the sugar. It seemed a little better today, as far as the tiredness thing went. I'll keep tabs on it...it's sort of weird to be so in tune (i.e., so clean as a whistle lol) that I can feel the metabolic changes from something I ingest. Now THERE'S a whole new experience!! Thanks for the input. I'll really pay attention.

WOW Words aren't enough sometimes. I'm so happy for you...(we need a teary emoticon)

Wooohoooo That's very cool...I can't really wrap my mind about not being obese, but there is hope!! Have fun with "normal" lol