Baker_gurl

I eat 2 servings of egg whites with a serving of cheese most mornings for breakfast. I also make taco soup which has both beans and ground beef/venison in it for a double dose of protein. I just discovered a new protein bar, it is called Quest protein bar. It is yummy! Some reviewers recommended warming it in the microwave. I tried the chocolate pb flavor, and when it was warmed up, I felt like I was eating a cookie. It has great nutrition too!

The first few weeks after surgery, I noticed that I would break out in sweat easily. This thankfully diminished after about the third week. I also have been having very vivid dreams since I had surgery.

I bought a few quest bars after reading this. I really enjoyed the one I had. I tried the chocolate peanut butter flavor. I read online that it's even better when warmed up in the microwave. I felt like I was eating a cookie. It tasted really good. So much better than any of the other protein bars I had tried before! The one that I tried had 20 grams of protein. Armywife, where do you order your's from? I found mine at GNC, but they're $2.99 there.

WOW! You're awesome!!! My husband just asked me to make one for him. I was going to make the regular version of it for him, until I saw this post. Here's the link: http://bariatricfoodie.blogspot.com/2009/12/cotton-candy-baby-go-lemme-see-your.html I'm going to try this one on him. :ph34r:

Congratulations!! You will feel better and better with time! Just make sure to walk and get lots of rest so your body can repair.

I can't wait until I start to notice big changes in my clothes! Some clothes that were too tight fit better, but I'm excited to start giving clothes away because they are too big! It's been a while since that has happened!

I agree with Kerrie-Ann! The recliner was the most comfortable place for me too! I was able to sleep on the my side in bed with the help of a body pillow.

When I was recovering, I watched a lot of the Food Network. I started to notice that I was craving food around week three. I'm about 5 weeks post op now and I have finally come to the realization that I no longer live to eat! I am not in eat to live mode! Food just doesn't have the same hold on me that it once did. My attitude towards food has changed so much. It just amazes me every day! This surgery has been an incredible blessing!

Do your stores carry the plus size? The stores here carry the misses sizes up to XXL, but not the actual women's plus sizes. I used to love old navy sales! I can't wait to shop there again!

Congratulations Jenn!!! It's those kind of moments that keep us motivated! I had a similar moment this weekend. After my surgery, mom mom had bought me some clothes to "shrink in to". Pre-op, I was a size 28-30 also. My mom had bought me this really pretty pink frilly dress in size 26. I was trying on some of the clothes she bought me just for fun. The dress fit!! I wore it to church yesterday and she called me before church. I told her that I was wearing it and she started crying! Weight has just been such a struggle my entire life! It's such a relief to know that if I follow the Dr's orders, I can finally have victory over this issue!

Mine is from Vitamin shop. I have seen them at Walmart by the protein shakes/pharmacy for around $7-$8 dollars. Also, target has them. They are wonderful! I used the tupperware shaker bottle (without the ball) and was not impressed. The wire ball really helps break up the clumps.

I found a blog that focuses on bariatric recipes! Have you heard of it? Here's the link: http://bariatricfoodie.blogspot.com

A day after I got out of the hospital, I felt much better. It all started to come together probably about 2 weeks after surgery. I had the drain tube out and I was able to eat soft foods. I had more energy by that time. I was able to get out and walk around stores, go back to work, and ease back into most of my activities.

I was a little anxious right before surgery. I'm really difficult to draw blood from and not being able to drink anything made it worse. They had to try multiple times to get an IV in and also to draw blood. After the surgery, I felt like I couldn't breathe and was very nauseous. I was put on oxygen afterwards and given zofran for the nausea. I was told that the Dr. wanted me to sit up the first day for at least 30 minutes. The pain was manageable. Mostly, I was just very uncomfortable. The IV was in an awkward place and there were people in my room frequently. I had surgery on a Monday and was released on Wednesday afternoon. I had to go home with a drainage tube that would be removed in a week. My biggest problem was that I couldn't get comfortable anywhere. My mom had bought me a recliner and that seemed to be the most comfortable place to rest. I was put on Hydromorphine as a pain reliever. I figured out within a few days that I couldn't take it close to bed time because it caused insomnia in me. I switched to Tylenol for night time pain. Thursday morning was a 100% improvement over my hospital stay. I went out for walks and everything just got better from there. I don't have kids and my mom was there to help me and my husband. This helped tremendously! Mike is visually impaired and I was not able to drive for a week or as long as I was on pain medication. I was able to get back into my normal routine in about 2 weeks. I took the 2 weeks off from work for after the surgery. I'm almost a month out from surgery and I feel I can do most things. I do get tired quickly singing at church and lifting anything that's slightly heavy. The first few days after surgery I was having slight regrets. I just felt so uncomfortable and due to the medicine, I wasn't getting any sleep. I've had a pretty smooth path so far. Thank you Jesus! I have been getting really positive responses from people! They are very excited that I got the surgery and are supportive. The one weird thing is my best friend and I are about the same size and I have heard multiple people say "I wish she would have the surgery. She is in such bad shape" , etc.I know that they mean well, but it just kinda rude. My aforementioned best friend has been a little distant lately. I don't know if it's because we're both really busy or if it has something to do with this surgery. She's asked me a few times if when I get thinner if I'm still going to like her/ hang out with her. I've tried to reassure her over and over that this is not going to change our friendship, at least not negatively.

My office was such a temptation! They were always bringing in donuts, ice cream, baked goods, etc. to share. This is very sweet, no pun intended, but It was hard to resist! I guess I need to be a healthy influence and find a delectable healthy recipe to bring in to share so we all can enjoy.

I had surgery on 8/27 as well! I have been experiencing a stall this last week and a half, grr! I need to bump up the exercise. The first 1.5 weeks, the weight came off quickly. This is frustrating, but I need to remember that this stall will not last forever.

I think this change in my life has inspired me to be a healthier cook. Both my husband and I need to lose weight, so I am determined to stop buying junk and start researching healthy recipes that will work for both of us. I want to be a healthy family!

Hey, I discovered a new recipe in my rush to work this AM. Raspberry Cheesecake Protein Shake: 1 scoop vanilla Protein powder (I used creamy vanilla by pure protein) 1 tsp sugar free raspberry Jello powder 1 cap full almond extract (about 1/2 tsp.) 8 oz. skim milk Mix it together thoroughly. I think this would be great with other flavors such as peach jello too!

I just picked up some SF Torani Hazelnut syrup last week, but Kroger didn't have raspberry. I bet that would be even better!

That is incredible girl!! Congratulations!!! That is inspiring to hear as I have quite a bit of weight to lose. Go girl!!!

The syrup and decaf sounds great! I didn't think I'd get tired of taste of the shakes, but I have. Now it's time to get creative! I'm going to try some of the eggface recipes. Maybe make a pumpkin spice shake for fall? That was one of my favorite coffee flavors. I also really like mixing PB2 powder into my chocolate shakes.

My boss is a few sizes smaller than me and she had her surgery in July. She gives me a lot of her clothes for when I lose the weight. We work at a university so I get to inherit all of her school branded gear to wear. Much cheaper than ordering it from the bookstore!! That's a great idea about taking your bigger clothes to a support group and the resale shop!

I had my surgery Monday and I've been home for a few days. The time in the hospital was rough. When I first came out of surgery, I felt as if I couldn't breathe and was very nauseous! I had to be placed on oxygen and received zofran. Once I got home and got my medicine, everything fell into place Wednesday evening. Thursday was a 100% improvement. I was able to go to a few stores Friday. Everything is going down ok with little to no nausea. I'm thankful for All the information this board has given me. I actually printed out dstrollery's (sp?) be informed post to take to the hospital. I'm feeling really good about my recovery so far. Also thankful that God has allowed the surgery and recovery to go so well.