4ALongerLife

7 months out... 105-106 lbs! And am in my dream size of an 8!!!!! Boo yeah! I started at 254 and am 150 (ish) now. Ok first, let's not compare. Everyone's journey is so different than the next person's. But kudos to y'all - keep it up guys! WE CAN DO IT! I have worked my butt off (almost literally lol). Wanna see how? Come join my fitness pal and add me as a friend - I share my eating diary and workout journals and if you will do the same, I'm open with trying to make suggestions (I am not a medical professional nor an expert, but would only help if I could to encourage you, change it up, challenge you to be better). Or you can just see what I'm doing. I pray I continue to find the strength/be able to be successful.... just know one thing, if I can do this.... YOU certainly CAN DO IT TOO! Best of luck always to y'all! xx

I'm reading your blog now and I sent you a message on MFP. Are you still going to your therapist? Are there any support groups in your area? You are not alone in your feelings. Sweetie, this leak that I'm nursing since f'n March... well, it makes me angry. I certainly miss food and going out to meet people, or trying to (having a leak holds me back more from even trying to get out and meet people). But how to get over the anger is the thing... don't let it destroy the success that you can have if you remain positive and accept change. It's a lot to deal with! Especially whenever there are other things in life going on ... but it's learning how to cope w/o food. We, well ahem, me.. as a food addict, I struggle daily to replace the solace that I found in food. Starting a new job, man, I realized then how much I used food to deal with stress. Then to be on a freaking liquid diet too? Grrrr... I won't lie, it's hard...... BUT it's not insurmountable. I am praying for you JFab.... I am praying you find perspective over the anger.... but more than anything, I believe you can overcome the anger and be a success story, inspiring others to do the same. Best wishes, always. xx

Ok not sure but you sounded a bit paniced and worried if maybe it's a leak or complication? Here's what I know..... Usually a complication is felt on the left side of the body, from what I know. The reason? From my understanding is the phrenic nerves that run down from your brain, it splits on either side of the body - one nerve runs down the left and one on the right. Your liver insulates the nerve on the right but the nerve on the left has more 'open' space around it. Whenever you have a leak, the body tries to take those contents and encapsulate them, protecting itself (isn't that amazing?). So generally speaking, as I would assume you are concerned with 'is this a leak' - generally pain on the left side of the body is a sign of a leak. How do I know? Because I've had a leak since my surgery in March. We tried to fix it through surgery but even afterwards, I still had a bit of leakage. A week of TPN and months later, pain on my left side and two bouts of what we thought was pneumonia and a two view laying down CAT scan finally showed I still am nursing this freak'n leak. Yes, grrr. But the good news is that I am doing better and going to remain positive. No more surgery expected (I pray for that outlook to only continue) but I am on a liquid diet/soft foods and still nursing this thing until it closes. Double, triple grrrr... but hey I have lost 105-106 lbs. And I hope I'm learning more "mindful" eating practices. (yes, I am still positive and stronger than anything that will be thrown at me!) I would highly suggest that you call your dr's office and ask what is up. If you are concerned that it's a leak, I don't think it is but I am not a medical professional so I cannot tell you that with certainty. I just can tell you what I've learned from my own journey thusfar and hope that helps offer you some comfort, to which is why I am posting. Are you having any drainage from the site where your drain was? Call the dr's office and ask them please... if you are in pain, don't delay ok? I can only HIGHLY encourage you to call. They have the experience on these matters. I wish you only the best of luck in your WLS journey. xx

The baked ricotta is good (from eggface's site)! And don't forget - if you are craving tomato sauce - that la madeleine has reduced fat tomato basil soup. (I've been on a liquid diet since 9/3 as I am nursing a leak ... it was a leak from my original surgery in March that in the 7 months out that I am STILL hasn't closed, whimpers.) So yeah I'm here looking for new ideas and if you need help or anything, always feel free to ping me! Wishing you all the best of luck in your WLS journies! xx

pumpkin cheesecake (filling only) 1 box instant sugar free Jello cheesecake 1 scoop procel unflavored Protein Powder (optional) 1/2 can Libby pumpkin purée 1/2 container free cool whip 2 c. Fat free milk (I use braums milk as it is higher in protein) Pumpkin pie spice, to taste Mix cheesecake packet with 2 c of milk as package indicates. If you use Protein powder, add it in with the cheesecake powder prior to adding your milk. Fold in 1/2 of the can of pumpkin purée and 1/2 of the container of free cool whip. Add pumpkin pie spice to taste (I add about 1 tsp i guess). Stir into the pudding and refrigerate. Serve cold, makes about 6 - 1/2 c servings (& I THINK it is about 75-100 calories per serving, dependent on brands used for ingredients but input it into my fitness pal or something like that to know for sure ok? i can't remember if I did it for 1/2 c or 1/4 c servings now grrr). Other ideas: egg salad, cottage cheese, light and fit greek yogurts, my favorite cream Soup is cream of chicken with mushrooms (walmart), RTD oh yeah shakes (vanilla cream and strawberries and cream are my current favs). GOOD LUCK!

I use the calcium citrate gummies from walmart for I think 10$ a bottle. They taste like candy to me and I don't mind them... although chocolate (at certain times of the month) sounds much better! lol

Do you track what you eat? If not, I suggest it. You'd be surprised when you don't track/log your food, what sneaks in and what little nibbles here and there add up. Also, it helps to "see" what you are working off. I use my fitness pal and it helps me see what I'm eating vs. exercising off. It's a bit of a tweaking game as you get further out from your surgery. I suggest possibly more Water, but not knowing what you are drinking oz wise, I am just guessing. I'd like to see how much Protein you are getting in, how much water, how many calories and how much exercise. It's been a game for me and if you need some help, I am on my fitness pal. I'm no expert, but could offer better advice/suggestions if I see what you are eating and what exercise you are getting in. One thing I have learned through my psychologist/support group... he says you have to have 60-90 mins of CARDIO a day to lose/maintain. I about flipped out whenever I was told that. I was doing 30-45 mins a day of what I thought was hard working out in the cardio section with some weight lifting in between. Since he told us that, I upped my workouts to cardio cardio cardio and the weight's dropped off. Feel free to add me on mfp if you'd like. Or if I can help you further, pls inbox me and I'll try to offer better suggestions if I can. Remember not an expert here, but just trying to help if possible. Best of luck to you all .. always. xx

What you are feeling is totally normal. But you will be FINE! Do yourself a favor now... take loads of pictures of yourself NOW. Write lists of why you want to lose weight, what you can't do now because of your weight, take your measurements and weigh yourself and write it down. Then have the surgery and have that to compare. It's amazing what this tool does for you. I've lost 105 lbs. in 7 months. Clothes shopping is amazing now. I've never been a size 8 before in my life and I wanted that, I wanted better health and to beat the odds that plays in my genetic pool. It's worth the surgery to me. Keep that in mind. It's not the easiest journey, I won't lie (at least mine hasn't been) but it's been totally worth it. And I know God is watching out for me. Best of luck to you - always. YOU CAN DO THIS!

I dream of having fish again! lol So totally understand you! Best of luck!

I had a leak a few weeks after my surgery. We found it, operated to fix it, but even after that I still had small one there. A week of TPN, it still didn't go away. Reason for all of this? My body had rejected a staple so I'm a "weird" case. Anyways, the tummy never healed. IDK if it's food or what that weighed the lining of the tummy down and reopened the portion or if the titanium staple next to where the leak is was keeping it open, not allowing it to heal. However, we know now it's closed 2 mm in a month and it's got about 5 mm in diameter to go. Good news is that your body forms a mucus plug once the diameter gets small enough. Bad news is that you have to watch the weight of what you eat (i.e. I'm on soft & full liquids, but remaining on full liquids as I'm scared) to not pull the mucus plug back apart. So yeah, I worry. I work out a LOT (like 7 miles tonight, 6 miles on tuesday night, wed was an off night). So my body craves something - like my tummy is grumbling if I don't eat. So I'm doing RTD Protein shakes alot right now. I have to remain on lots of "good nutrition" to get my body to heal. That and time. That's all there is to do. My dr. said no more surgery. Thank god. And sorry for my delayed response. I come here infrequently but do try to come back!

I've been on a liquid diet since 9/3 as I'm 7 months out and have a leak that's never healed from my surgery in 3/2012. Anywho... I love love love the dannon greek light and fit yogurts. 80 calories in 5.3 oz and 12 g of Protein. Also, my love for Protein drinks is currently for Oh Yeah vanilla cream and strawberries and cream. There also is a protein pudding called power pak and I like chocolate (and don't usually prefer chocolate). Also, clear Proteins... cytosport whey isolate drinks in tropical and tangerine were good. I also make pumpkin cheesecake with some Protein powder in it. And I blenderize cottage cheese and add sf torani syrup to it. Then there is my love for cream of chicken and mushroom soup. It's by campbells and I can only find it at walmart and IDK why but I still am not sick of it yet! Also Jello SF ready made dulche de leche pudding and boston cream pie pudding. 60-70 calories a pop, but a sweet goodie. Yep, purty much what I'm living off of since 9/3. Another month of this to go. Good luck to you! And just remember, if I can do this for 2 months, you can do it for a few days-a few weeks. Of course, it's much easier AFTER surgery. Before WAS a bear. But feel free to hit me up if you need anything!

You look marvelous sweetie! I'm glad you have a sis to rely on if needed. Thanks always for sharing!

GIRL! My hubs loves me any which way as long as I'm his. I however don't like the skinny bony arse that I have now. I have to get in the tub to shave right? I just feel better to soak and let the hairs get as close as a shave as possible. Well as I do this, shifting from one cheek to the other, man I feel the difference! lol... More than anything my hubs wanted me healthy and happy. And that's all he cares about. But I can understand the fear. I believe your hubs will love you no matter what. Although that boob job is pretty darn appealing even more so now to me than before... hmmm.... (hey I like them full too! and they are mine!) lol

Sexayyyy hair and I love the saying on the shirt! You will get there girl, just remain dedicated as you can! I am praying for continual success for you! Hugs

I'm currently on a liquid diet, so I make pumpkin cheesecake (just the filling). Take 1 box of sf instant cheesecake and mix it with 2 c cold ff milk (I use Braums milk as it's higher in Protein, it's a local store here in Texas). Then mix in 1/2 of a can of pumpkin puree (Libby brand) and 1/2 a container of ff cool whip with about 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice. Chill and eat. So freak'n good. Makes about 6 servings at 1/2 c each I think. And you can add a scoop of unflavored protein to the first step if you wish. YUM!

I like OH YEAH protein drinks, they are RTD's (ready to drink) shakes. Vanilla cream is my latest fav. Clear protein fav used to be cytosport whey isolate drinks in tropical and tangerine (rtd's as well).

I would like to try OA but never got the guts to do it. I am a total food addict and I am only 7 months out. I worry too about this but I go to support groups whenever possible as well as a weekly group. I highly recommend counseling. Work on "mindful eating".. which I'm trying to do as well.... best of luck to you!

I loved that flavor too! But I ended up switching to the plain chobani's and buying sugar free brown cinammon vanilla torani syrup. It's less calories than the chobani flavored/mixed. (You could try to add a pumpkin SF syrup for a fall flavor as well!) Also try the greek light and fit yogurts by dannon. 80 calories and 12 grams of protein! 4 delish flavors: blueberry, cherry, strawberry and cherry. Nothing "fall" but cannot be beaten on calories and Protein in a 5.3 oz size.

And you know what? It is harder pre-op to be on that diet that after your surgery. You can do it though. Don't give up! Moments of questionable can I do this sort of thing is normal tho! Just say'n. YOU CAN DO IT! Good luck!

Get on a PPI definitely hon. I was hungry like that and someone told me to do this and it worked, definitely. Otherwise, are you getting your water in? That's another mimic of hunger ... when you are thirsty. Make SURE you get your water in (I hate water so I do crystal lite like add ins). Minimally 64 oz a day. Only other question is ... is it really physical hunger or mind hunger? Mindfully eat - and that's the hard part on your WLS journey to learn. Best protein shake on the market (IMO) is "Oh yeah vanilla creme". Little bottles are 130 calories/18 g of protein, big bottles are 32 g protein and 220 calories so it's a meal.

Mary, feel free to add me on MFP and you can see what I eat. I'm currently on a full liquid diet as I have a leak and I can get in almost 1200 calories a day - yes even on liquids - 7 months out. And slowly you will be able to eat more, as you get into maintenance mode. I work out a LOT (like 6-7 miles a day most days a week) but I never eat back my calories. Maybe a few, but no way all. I also had the same question you did ... but you do slowly up your calories. At some point, you stall if you don't and ppl get so frustrated and are becoming hungrier. Hello... try changing it up and up your calories. Bam, I did and major loss. I still try to keep it at 1200 or so. But my metabolic test that my dr. did said I burn calories at a faster rate than most (who knew that mess when I was fat?) but I could eat up to 1650 a day and be able to maintain. And with the wrong foods, I can easily do that (hello olive garden anyone? lol.. heck even a package or two of almonds, bam that's 200 calories in 2 ounces!). Keep tracking and if you do on MFP, feel free to add me, I share my journals.

I have a leak and have been on full liquids since 9/3. I envy you pureed peops lol...

Sweetie, how can you be named determined girl and already giving up? It took you a long time to gain that weight, and a lot of bad habits. Every day that you try to undo one of those habits is a day of victory. Think small and keep trying. The WLS journey, even after surgery, is a long and somewhat laborious one. But you can do it. I am 7 months out and have a leak. I have made goal. It's been a LONG and hard road in those 7 months, but if I can do it, you better believe you can too. Hang in there. This sad moment of doubt shall pass. Keep working to what you want - do it thru logging, watching what you eat, exercising and Water. You can do it! (how bad do you really want it? you'd be surprised what you can do once you have to... i know i was and am still). Hang in there!