Mkmb2006

Wow, 1000 calories a day? I'm one month out and getting around 300...add in exercise and I sometimes end up with a deficit. In another two weeks, my main focus will be on getting 60-70 grams of protein a day. One day at a time...

Oh you are SO not alone!! I could eat 3 tacos, a bean burrito and a burrito supreme and be just dandy with it! Or a whopper, a chicken sandwich and fries!! I too worry about "indulging" and sometimes feel I'm eating too much...but then I input my foods in My Fitness Pal and realize I'm still only consuming about 250 calories...weird, so weird.

Me too! I was totally a volume eater, even if it was salad! But, huge portions was partly why I was huge. I'm one month post op and can only eat one egg (last night it was half an egg). I'm past the blended stage and can now eat 1 oz of chicken, fish, cheese or egg. So far so good. I know I need to re-learn what portions are enough for my body, so my mantra is "even though I can, doesn't mean I should."

That sounds delicious. I had half an egg. Bleh.

Oh, good to know it gets better!

I'm a long-time migraine sufferer too, but am thrilled that they've been controlled. Like someone else said, part of the relief has to be because of my healthier eating and exercise. I did have to change my migraine meds though since my old (and go-to reliable) one had an NSAID in it, which I can no longer have. But definitely call your doc and let him/her know...it could be hormonal, chemical, etc, and we've all altered our bodies and changed our chemistries, so your doc should know what's happening with you. I know when i quit caffeine and sugar before surgery, i also went thru withdrawals and got migraines. The other thing it could be is bounce-back migraines, which sometimes happens when you stop migraine meds (I'm sure you know this). In any case, there's no reason you should be in pain, so call your doc.

I think stinky breath is common. Our eating practice and focus on protein results in ketosis, which has a side effect of bad breath. My doc said I can have sugar free mints, but absolutely no gum. Good to know about listerine strips. I wonder if they still make Binaca?

Love love love spaghetti squash! Just exactly how you do it...yum!

Yay, I just bought a mandolin, which has a julienne cutting blade. If you don't want to spend $50 (I cook a lot, so I'll use it), Oxo makes a "julienne peeler" for $10, available at Bed, Bath and Beyond. Perfect for zoodles, or sweet potatoes, or carrots, or....

My doc said I can go back to decaf after three months! Oy! Decaf!

Wow, you sound like one strong, amazing woman!! Good for you for taking care of yourself! I know that's hard, especially when you are old school and sound like you take care of everyone else. You know what they say about being in a hole? The only way you can go is UP! Sounds like you've been thru a lot, so one, cut yourself a little slack, but two, you have the right attitude with the "buck up"! Sounds like you're on your way. I hope it didn't sound like I was saying you don't take care of your familyl; clearly you do. I was trying to express how weird I felt for liking to cook even more now that I can't have it.

Hey Jessie, my post-op instructions say, "sexual activity can be resumed as tolerated." lol, so clinical! But basically, just watch the pressure you put on your abdominal areas. Make sure to ask your doc! I had to go off the pill one month pre and post, and it's important to not get pregnant for a while, so you may want to ask about that too. (and good luck on Thursday!!).

Hey Stacey, glad you're back. Sounds like you are building that emotional strength! The cooking thing is interesting. I've been cooking and baking up a storm since I'm off work these few weeks. It's funny - I think I enjoy it more now because I'm not tasting along the way or eating the final product. This means no more guilt from eating 3 cookies' worth of dough before eating 3 baked ones...or consuming a pasta meal enough for two (I would make a whole box for the two of us). I enjoy cooking for my husband - providing him a good meal and keeping him nourished and happy. That may sound old school, but for once I have the time to cook, and I don't have to worry about stuffing my own face or what is Weight Watchers friendly, what am I going to eat, etc? It's kind of like school uniforms - it may be the same every day, but it takes the daily worry out of what to wear!

You can totally see a difference!! We are all so hard on ourselves, and we see ourselves every day, so it's hard to recognize change, but you have a great idea here - take a pic of your face every month!

Hi, I had surgery the 19th too. Remember that was only 24 days ago, so down 16 is good! I think you may be like me...impatient!! But I have to remind myself it took 40 years to put it on, so it's not going to be gone overnight, right? I've lost 23, BUT that includes the 8 I put on from surgery, which was water/gas weight and doesn't really count. The main thing is whether your doc thinks all is going to plan. Although I'm a bit frustrated, my doc is extremely pleased. Keep the faith and follow your doc's instructions! It will work!!

Hi JoJo, try to start some non-food habits now. I think many of us find we're surprised at how much food is the center of our lives, so if you can start some non-food interests, that will help. Maybe take up knitting, puzzles, writing a blog or diary about your journey. There's only so much tv I can watch, so I really have to force myself to do other things until those become more of a habit. And, when you feel like eating, just come on these forums and read, post and poke around. Everyone here is really supportive!

I've been having dreams that I eat something and then yell, "wait, I can't eat that!!" lol

Well, you're not alone. I'm calling my doc tomorrow because I feel the exact same way!

Be careful with the gummies; I know I'm not allowed them. Apparently, milk of magnesia provides the magnesium you need to go, but the stuff is like licking a gym sock - so nasty (but the one time i tried it, it worked like a charm). My doc reminded me that because I'm eating so little, that theres a difference between feeling constipated (bloating, gas, pain) and "little input, little output". In any case, he said that if constipation is an issue, try Senekot laxative, which are small and vegetable-based tablets. Hope that helps.

Omg, I'm the same...I love popcorn! What about something like Pirate's Booty or vegetable crisps (trader joes)? Atkins also has a protein bar that's like a Snickers...delicious!

You're welcome. I'm now post surgery and of course still off all meds, including iron, and I've noticed that my restless legs are coming back. Boo. At my one month appointment, I need to ask about starting that back up.

I recently saw a tv commercial for a shampoo called Keratasse that is specifically for thinning hair. Has anyone heard of it? I don't typically buy things from tv, so I'll check my local beauty supply store.

You're awesome, thanks for the info! I'm about two weeks post op and still have a lot to learn. Still on blended diet, but looking forward to diet advancement in a couple weeks.

Mine was coffee. I am a Starbucks junkie and, right after my information session, I quit coffee cold turkey. Doc said I can reintroduce decaf after 3 months...I can live with that. It's often just the social end of getting a coffee and shopping, pedi, work, etc. but sometimes when it's cold (like today, -15), I could go for a decaf skinny mocha!

I just cut plain corn tortillas into 6 triangles, spread them on a cookie sheet, sprinkle with kosher salt and bake at 350 for maybe 10 minutes. I don't use any spray or oil, and they come out great (ha, when I make them for hubby - I don't eat them).