Dana in IN

Duh....I never think to do that. I just figure I'm getting in more Water if I crush the ice. :/ I did make one of these this morning. My stuff must have been watered down or settled or something. Next time I'm only using half the water when I make the orange and use that to make it. It was still good--both of my daughters liked it.

Hello, everyone! I had RNY in November of 2004. I started at 325 lbs and went down to 190. My goal was to weigh something that started with a "1"! Not long after I'd left the 200s behind, I had to have a hysterectomy. Since then, I've also had 4-5 kidney stones, a broken foot, my gall bladder removed, a hernia repair, 2 knee surgeries, and a root canal. :-) Ok, the root canal has nothing to do with it. Now I have kidney failure and was looking dialysis right in the face. My kidneys went from functioning at 18% to 32% when I stopped taking Advil. (Dialysis starts at 15%.) Since the hysterectomy, I've steadily gained weight. I'm now at 270 and NOTHING will make it go down. I can't stress my kidneys out by drinking large amounts of Water like I should. And kidney failure makes you feel like a slug because the toxins aren't being removed from your blood like they should. Slugs don't exercise well. :/ I also cannot take the Calcium because I keep getting calcium kidney stones. The lack of calcium may be what caused the broken foot. I've also had small fractures since and am having a bone scan/density test tomorrow. Honestly, I eat very little. (I'm also on Adderall for Adult Attention Deficit Disorder and it kills your appetite.) I have no idea why the weight will not come off unless it's the lack of exercise. We have 2 daughters (ages 7 and 9) whom we homeschool. Doesn't that count as some exercise some days? It should! So, does anyone have any encouraging words for me? Please? Pretty please? Pretty please with sugar on top? Wait...Pretty please with Stevia on top?

I'd wondered about adding ice. I'm going to make one as soon as everyone in the house is awake. If I put ice in the blender right now I'd regret it this afternoon because my girls would be CRABBY! :-)

Heather-- My nutritionist who is the gastric bypass specialist is also a nephrology specialist. She seems to know what she's talking about, it just doesn't seem to matter to my body! :-) Thanks for the suggestion! I need all the help I can get! Dana

Ok, so I went back to the beginning, so to speak, and did the 5 Day Pouch Test--so did my husband. He lost 11 pounds and I lost 2. :/ I know that weight loss isn't the really the goal of the test, so I'm ok with that. If I'd done any diet in my pre-surgery days, I'd have been thrilled with a loss of 2 pounds over 5 days. Weighing myself to begin with was probably a mistake. I'm juggling the nephrologist, my RNY, and all of my other issues right now and trying to figure out how it needs to work for me. Thanks for all the support! Encouraging words are always appreciated!

I recently discovered the orange Crystal Light. I may have to try that for breakfast this morning!

Wendy's chili was one thing I craved the first few months after surgery. I never had a problem with it. If anyone was going to be near a Wendy's, they knew to bring a chili home for me.

This is my favorite: 8-10oz Water or skim milk 6 ice cubes 2 scoops Protein powder 2T sugar free instant pudding powder 2T Splenda, optional Blend it all up! I use chocolate protein powder with chocolate pudding mix and it's really, really good. My girls will ask for it! I'll occasionally add a T of Peanut Butter. To change it up a little, use vanilla protein powder and pudding mix. It's great just like that, but it's also fabulous with some frozen strawberries in place of the ice cubes.

Jessica-- I watched your first 2 videos and will watch the other one later today when I can use my laptop. Maybe we can get together to walk sometime when the weather gets warmer!

Thanks, much. Yes, I do have a nutritionist who specializes in nephrology (kidney) patients. Blessings-- Dana

Well, slowtogo--that may be exactly what I needed to hear. I wasn't familiar with the 5-day pouch test, but I'm giving it a go! When it comes down to it, I guess the real question is "What am I willing to do?" Blessings-- Dana

Hey, Jessica! Yep, we're neighbors--I live in Hymera! Are you waiting to have surgery?

I am about 20 min south of Terre Haute.