zenandnow

I know, right? Jacka**.

Amazing! You've made fantastic progress! Thank you for sharing, it is inspirational!

Wow, 80 oz a day? That is awesome! I wish I could do that! I struggle to get my NUT's minimum of 64oz

You look great!

LipstickLady gets the prize! Junk-punching does get the point across quickly. Always a good move to hold in reserve

I'll pass on the colonics; too many risks & not enough benefits for me.

LipstickLady, you always crack me up!! I think the grass is always greener; my hubby not only isn't the food Nazi, he is an enabler of the highest order! If I asked him to go out and get me deep fried twinkies, the man would go in search of them even if he had to drive across three states! I love him for spoiling me, but in some cases it can actually be bad! I do wonder what it would be like if he were to say 'are you sure you want to eat that?'. I have NO accountability except my own, and that can be tough too.

Well, that DOES make things difficult. Please let us know if the kiwi fruit helps; I'd much rather have a natural solution than a chemical one (although the Aloe mentioned above may be more natural). SO true, it is a hellish experience. The stomach cramps were fierce, and I am totally going to be taking fiber every day from now on to try to avoid a repeat experience! It was very painful, and if it does happen again I think I will try something much sooner. I was worried about impaction, but the rectoceles don't sound like fun either. *Sigh* Who knew we'd have to spend so much energy on trying to GO?!?

Please excuse my typos - darn phone!!

There goods my surgeon has advised me not to eat, and those I choose not to. I do my best to follow 'lean & green' diet, focusing mostly on lean Protein followed by veggies & fruits. Some days I do we'll, others I struggle. But I try to stay away from the slider foods. Although I love buttered popcorn I haven't tried it. I don't need it, it doesn't have enough value for me to consider eating it, and I don't want to find out if I can! Haven't had any problems with grapes, but they fill me up quickly & I'd rather eat something else like hard cheese or a peach. There are a couple of foods that give me trouble: still can't eat red meat; chicken must be really moist; anything high in carbs or sugar makes me feel awful - sick, shaky, weak, etc. And today I accidentally had an Energy Crystal Light instead of a regular one and the caffeine made me SUPER sick. Guess I've lost my tolerance for caffeine after not having it for 4 months!

Hi Terry - I'm only 43, but wanted to answer your question. I'm 4 months out & have found that my cycle has changed a little. I've been having shorter periods with more time in between. Less cramping as well. Still pretty bad, but I'm hoping it will continue to get better. I track my cycle with an app called - what else - iPeriod. Yes, there really IS an app for everything! But it does let me know how long, how frequent, how regular, etc.

Wasn't able to find any AloeLax (may need to order it on the web), but did finally get relief tonight. (Your suggestion finally worked, Indigo) Incredibly painful, and NOT something I want to experience again! I'm going to up my fiber & start taking a daily 'helper'. Also going to keep that AloeLax on hand; although I feel much better after finally being able to go tonight, I don't think I'm 'empty' yet. Thanks for the advice, everyone.

I get all blushy and awkward. That usually kills whatever attraction the other person was feeling, LOL!!

I'm 4 months out & having this issue TODAY! I'm stuck at work, meetings all day, and the worst stomach cramps EVER. I just can't seem to GO. I've been drinking tons of Water, but don't want to take anything (don't have anything with me anyway) but LAWD, I'm dying!!! I feel like I'm going to pass out from the pain. I can't wait to go home & be miserable in my own bathroom!! Here's hoping I don't explode before then. I can certainly start taking Probiotics & fiber, etc., but how do I get relief TODAY?

Wow! Look at the bitty waist!!

Interesting. I sometimes feel this too, but not for as long as you've experienced. I do wonder if my food addiction will 'switch' to a food phobia or anorexic type of disorder. Sometimes I feel anxious about eating, and since I don't feel hunger (at least not yet) it's easy for me to forget to eat. Since I tend to lose in short bursts and then plateau for a few weeks it kind of reinforces my desire not to eat. I can usually get down a Protein shake during these times, as I know I cannot go down that path. But it can be a struggle. Other times I want to binge! But thankfully my sleeve won't let me. Food issues can really mess with your head! I'm a believer in therapy, so that's my safety net. That, and a great NUT. I hope you find an answer soon, and can get back to a healthy diet & feel better. Please keep us posted.

Totally agree, Butter!! And yes, my former NUT is a skinny Minnie who has no clue what it's like to be overweight (the last straw for me was when she made a comment on MFP about her weight, as if a 1 lb difference was a struggle. HELLO, I have 120 to lose!! I dropped her that day). My new NUT is fit, and I have no idea if she was ever overweight, but she GETS it. So either she has walked the walk or she's just a great NUT. Either way, she's never told me to be happy on one square of melted chocolate!!

When I told my NUT post-op that I crave chocolate & her suggestion was to melt 1 square of chocolate on a paper plate & scrape off a little at a time until I was 'satisfied'. WTF?!? Do you REALLY think I got to 240lbs being satisfied on ONE square of chocolate?!? Needless to say, I got a new NUT. One that isn't crazy!

I've lost an elephant's heart & a guinea pig. I am NOT looking for them!

I was prescribed prilosec for 30 days & often forgot to take it. I have only had 1 episode of heartburn, but I think it was because I laid down right after eating. Other than that - no issues. I'm almost 4 mos out. Will be interesting to see if a problem develops later on.

So I went shopping with my mom today, and she wanted to stop in Talbot's to return something. I browsed while she did her return. I was looking at some jewelry when this OBNOXIOUS sales lady comes up and says "Can I help you with anything?" Me: "No thanks, I'm just browsing." B*: "Ok, well, the Women's section is over there." Me: WTF did she just say??!?!? Ummm, where do you get off pointing me to the Women's section? I'm looking at jewelry, you have no idea WHY I'm in your store, AND you don't even know what size I wear!!! I happen to be a baggy 14, on my way to a 12, so STUFF your Women's section!!! Seriously, I was so pissed she said that! I didn't say anything, just turned around & walked out. Then I started thinking, 'you know what, that's the OLD me. I don't have to take this sh*t anymore, I'm going back in there.' So I did. But instead of telling HER what I thought, I told her manager. I told her "I've worked REALLY hard to lose weight, and I am finally in a size that regular stores have, and it's really exciting for me to come into a store that doesn't specialize in plus sizes and actually be able to buy things! Until today. Until YOUR sales lady made a split second judgment about me and assumed I would need to shop in the plus sizes. And you know what? I will NEVER come back. You lost a potential customer today because that women ASSUMED something about me without even bothering to ask. For all she knew, I could have been shopping for a gift. Or the jewelry I was looking at. OR I COULD WEAR A SIZE THAT ISN'T A PLUS!!!" She offered me a 25% discount. I told her to keep it, I would never come back. But she should tell that sales lady to change her approach and not do that to anyone else!