Dee_1111

HI girls, Im Dee, I live in Vergas, MN and work in Detroit Lakes. Im 4 years out..Because you were talking about vitamins, I decided to chime is, is that ok?

Oh sorry you did ask a question. You and I are only 5 months apart. So basically were at the same stage. Go back to the beginning where you started in MAINTANANCE. cuz that's when the "Honeymoon' phase ended. One awesome thing about this pouch is..it has the ability to make you lose weight quickly if you start behaving properly again...love thattt!!!.., Go back and follow your maintenance rules, That's why food logging is so important...I've give my self a 10 lb leeway, 10 lbs up Im still ok, but need to BACK IT UP...10 down ( happens when I going going going, busy busy busy, and not eating enough food for weeks). The 10 lbs either way gives me a instant alarm to PAY ATTENENTION DEE, your body's in distress!!!! I always jump back to my shakes & Snacks and up my exercise time in the gym or whatever, I like to walk, ALOT to the beat of my music..and I like Katy Perry!!!...lolol

Hi Im Dee, Im 4 years out, my lowest weight was 113, Im stable at 115. Welcome. Your right it takes work. And when we (for whatever reason) don't or cant work it, it catches up really fast (damnit all to heck). So So So happy your reaching out, before your OUT of control and just say THE HELL WITH IT. yay hang out, have a glass of tomato juice, pull up an ottoman..lol

Sweeettt!!!..feels great, doesn't it!!!

In the first to 3rd weeks after surgery you will get a HUNGER feeling. As explained to me by my surgeon and dietitian: To the woman: You've heard of 'Braxton" contraction??? I'm sure you have. Well its equivalent. Think of your new pouch as a newborn baby, because in a way it is. It's crying, it needs something. Because of the trauma it has just sustain, its a bit confused, so it tells the brain what it's feeling, which is hunger, because at this stage, that's all it knows. The signal isn't mature enough get, like a newborn, to tell the brain, NO, Im THIRSTY not hungry. Just because you can't see the inner stitches, and all the cuts, like you would if you had a skin trauma, like a very deep knife wound on the skin, we tend to think just because we feel great its ok to do house work, and go back to work. Remember what this surgery entails, YOUR INTESTINE have been surgically re routed!. .If you had a heart transplant or a shunt put in, you would NEVER consider over doing it, Same thing ladies and gents. This is MAJOR surgery, your body's signals have been disrupted and need a moment to reconnect. Your stomach is still alive, its just a bit confused because its been chop away and hasn't had time to readjust. DRINK Water FIRST!!!!.. if that doesn't do it, follow your food PHASE stage foods your allowed to be eating. Don't eat a steak!!! or watered down mash potatoes (in less ok by your nutritionist) . This post is just to let you know that this is a very normal sensation. Hunger is what the tummy does, But REMEMBER its the BRAIN that tells the body it need Fluid to make you salivate. So when the 'Newborn' tummy cries, the brain thinks it hunger. They will reconnect when your stomach realizes its a pouch now. It will begin to tell the brain when it needs water or food. So its imperative that let the healing do it's job, and get to know your body and its signals. My mouth only get thirsty now when I have gone for to long without water, that's how I know I've gone to long. you see, listen to your body. So try water first, then try eating from you 'food phase' choices. DONT veer off into normal food. That will come soon enough. Thanx for listening. Hope this helps.

And it keeps getting better and better..lol..I can actually walk by a Reeses peanut better cup (the 4 pack)..I actually whisper at it and say "YOU WISH'!!!!..sweettttt!!!

Ground Flax seed will help that, add a scoopful to you smoothies, salads, cooked vegetables.

Now that is the attitude that will make you successful!!! And it wasn't even hard to put down that chip was it?...just remember that! super good luck sounds like YOUR GETTIN' IT!!!!

HI Domnika..Im Dee, 4 years out: 3/1/2010...remember your body just a MAJOR thing happen it. It's adjusting, what happens to the intestine when its been touched or cut, fall dead like a possium...lol..like one of the fainting goats...lol..it needs time to realize its undamaged and being left alone. Give it time. Your stomach doesn't realize its a pouch yet. Its a newborn baby trying to seen immature signals to the brain. So the brain automatically thinks its hungry, drink hot broth or water. You are NOT hungry, your intestine are still sleep and not ready for solids, that's why we cant eat them. Give your system time to understand whats happen to it. Remember, your innards have no air, so it can not form a scab. It takes a while to heal. It's rest that heals it quickly. Your bowel will wake up on their own time..NO LAXATIVES. who wakes up a sleeping baby?..

SIS-COOM-BA...SIS COOM-BA....BYPASS BYPASS...RAH RAH RAH!!!!....no only kidding, which one fits your life style the best. Which one is do-able for you. Which one is most likely to make you succeed. Gotta chose what right for you, not pickin' a hairstyle here...lol..good luck let us know what cha picked

Ok OB..whats done is done. I am the biggest sugar addict I know, Literally!. I had to have LONG LONG hours of therapy to get my sugar addiction under control. Hi my name is Dee, and I am a forever recovering sugar addict. Welcome to my world. sickening isn't it? During my therapy sessions, and before surgery, I was made to look at my FAT self. I couldn't. whats in her future, look at it. deal with, and move on. I saw nothing in her future, no good health, no happiness. Bleak. Over and Over again I was made to see my THINNER self, what was she doing? what was she wearing? what beach was she sitting in a bathing suit? She must be in good health? she's traveling etc. All those scenerios were so I could see what was in my future. She look happy. Listen mishaps are gonna happen, alas were human. ITS AND OLD CLICHE but get up out of the pity pantry. Be pissed at yourself, and move forward. Defeat should NOT BE IN your vocabulary. Its a bump in your road, so what!!! stand up woman..its what women do, we wallow, we cry, we get mad as hell, and we power forward. God gave is that gift for free. Move forward darling, move forward..oh dust yourself off, clean your face, and kick this bump in A$$. There's pounds to SHED!!!!!!!

DL: OMG!!!!...Yay!!! again NOT ALONE!!!!...sorry peeps, these are funny!!!..Im still giggling over here!!! Seriously?? I'd still be blaming the dog. My husband would be like "Is our dog getting FAT?...lolol..guilt treats...lololol...thank you DL..good idea, good laughs, Hey if you can't laugh at yourself...lolo..I miss ole Morgie to...lolol Dorian: RIGHT!!!?? one minute partying like a rock star..might have even danced a round or 2..next thing BAM!!!! spitting on the kitchen floor. God Gastric is a glamorous life, ain't it!!!...lolol

(((hugs to you)))) I know ist hard when you can't see the inner workings of healing. Problem is the inner body had no air to create a scab..so it must rely on the resourses you provide it to heal faster, and that is REST!!! and unfortunately in this FAST PACED world we live in, we want INSTANT healing, instant photos, instant web pages, instant reply's. The body is NOT instant.

P.S. I wasn't and still am not a Water person, but when that feeling came over me, and my stomach cried, I drank hot broth, I liked the salt taste, made me feel like I was eating a 'flavor". I like beef broth, or I'd have a hot cup of green tea, and just a sip of water, I do that today to, not a water fan, but I drink other fluids to compensate.

I didn't drink during my Losing Phase..NOOOO!!!!! ...NOTHING was going to get in the way of that..I was a year out, a secure 115 lbs and holding stable...I'm a rule follower (first born child,,lol)..but apparently not in this situation. Only time I ever called my pouch a bad name..lol..It ignors me, brat!!! But to curb my embarrassment, I DONT NOT exceed 2 glasses of whatever Im drinking and always have a Water back with it...not worth it anymore..Im getting past this stage, thank goodness, now I'm on to something new..its the 'creator' spirit in me..short attention span

damn Im a crappy typer..but you get the jist...sheeezzz

This all sounds very civilized..lol..Me, not so much. I was a power drinker. I don't drink at home, to much to do, and get down. Im a crafter/creator, so drinking at home is out the question. But get me social-mod AND ITS ON!!!!..WHOOOO HOOOOO!!!..UNTIL!!! my pouch said "I DONT THINK SOOOoooo LITTLE LADY!!!! back it up, or I'll DO IT FOR YOU!!!..sometimes and my pouch fight, I call it names, it ignors me!!!

Yes, I did...lol..I know, a lot of info to absorb..hey! nothing blocks info absorption!!!

Congratulations!!! for putting your foot on the first rung of a magnificent ladder and life. I love it here...lol..its wonderful..getting here isn't all wonderful..but once your here, MAGNIFICENT!!!... CLIMB with all the focus you can muster, let NOTHING get in you way. Especially your HEAD!!! Please remember, This is YOUR TIME..focus on that! Super good luck, no ones perfect, don't try to be.

I'm always thinking of relevant subjects for Pre and Post op topics that might pertain regardless if you had surgery or thinking about it. So this morning I'm staring at my Husband across the table, were having coffee, and I'm thinkin'..."this is a great guy..I should tell my new friends on the BPal website about him, he deserves some recognition. I'll try to make this is short as I can... My Husbands name is Terry. The day the word 'GASTRIC BYPASS/RouNY' entered our lives. And changed it. He has been a somewhat apprehensive trooper. During my 4 years of research, and my paper literature all over the house, who knew, that even unbeknownst to him, he was learning right along with me. I'd say something, negative, and he'd say, "Well I was reading one of your papers on the table about that and..."lol..wow . ok skip to: I GOT MY SURGERY DATE!!! YAY (for me anyhow). I'm jumping for joy, doing my happy dance, I look over and he's NOT jumping for joy, no happy dance. What the hell!!??.."what's the matter Babe?..I thought we settled all this?"..Honest to Goodness, its him who was having second thoughts..lol..Here's a synopsis of our conversation. Terry: I know we discussed all of this, but do I have to eat everything you eat, all the time? Me: No babe, its my Journey, how many times have we discussed this. I told you, I refuse to be a 'food Nazi"..But if you could try not to bring to many treats/sweets into the house and leave them hanging around, I'd appreciate that. Just bring in what your going to eat. Terry: Am I expected to be involved in your exercise routines? Me: ok what's happening here sweetie, I thought we cover all this. Here's what was happening with him. When I got my actual surgery date. it became real for him, and all his insecurities started to overwhelm him, it was all good, till then. Totally understandable. He'd heard a lot of stories about spouse's leaving once they got skinny..blah blah blah. I had before and again at this moment, reassure him that our marriage/relationship was totally in tact and strong enough to survive almost anything. I believe its the relationships that were in jeopardy BEFORE RouNY was intro'd into their lives, and was inevitable to fail whether Gastric happen or not. WLS is not a marriage destroyer, it can used as an excuse for divorce, but definitely not the cause. My family and I have dubbed Terry as the "Honarary Gastric" glossary man. He knows more about this lifestyle than me it think. Always asking me if I checked the sugar content of this and that, how many cals are in that one container?..so I let him think its my journey, but really its OURS!! and I'm not even sure he's aware of it ..lolololol..thanx for listening.

Need away That's why were all here..to lean on eachother, were our own best advisors & cheerleaders, I have learned that. Even our surgeons can't help us once were out on our own. When I do call and ask him, and he does get back to me, finally, most of his answers are generic.. so thank goodness for sites like this, where support is in abundance, and we are all like minded, some better than others...lol

It takes a while after surgery to get to this point, because early on, every food is questionable. But as you settle back into eating real again, is when the hunt is on for things that are Protein based, nutritious, etc. Im not going to use Labels here just the item. We all in different states and countries with different product names. 3 months post-op, or whenever my 'Food Phases" were over. I was so gung-ho, anal, paranoid. I bought the Surgeon recommended Protein powder, chewable vits, Water bottles, listened to all the YouTube video bloggers. Bought the latest and best workout clothes my bank account would allow. Cuz, you know, I wanted to do all the recommended THINGS. Be a good WLS'er. This is not a bubble bursting thread. It a REAL thread. I was anxious to get started on a normal eating pattern. And one my dietitian & nutrition agree would be good for me. I trust them, their professionals. In short, I was testing lots of foods (not dead foods) and either loving it or throwing it away. But after all this time, I have I finally have 'staple' foods I will never be without. I even make sure when I'm at a restaurant I have a good portion of them in a meal somewhere: vegetables: Spinach, Bell peppers: all colors, Mixed greens, any kind of Beans, olives, cucumbers, Kale, celery, broccoli, mushrooms and onions. Non-negotiable. Any other veg I buy is to go along with these staples, I'm always trying new veggies, like okra, turnips, cauliflower, I even try foreign vegs if available, most I don't like. But at least I tried them. All vegetables are welcome except lima beans, not so fond of those. Fruit: All fruit, except kiwi & pineapple, not so much for me. So the fruit category is huge. Meat: All meat, except cow or anything that comes from a cow (personal choice) Dairy: none, (personal choice, not really the surgery caused lactose intolerance, I'm that 1%) Grains: oatmeal, flax seed, wheat germ, millet, Quinoa. Whatever grain I do buy, thess guys are still in the cart first. Vitamins: Here is a category that has hundreds of variations, according to our doctor orders. But in the beginning I did buy all the designer Vits, WOW.. was that some expensive pee, it glowed for Christ sake!!..sorry TMI..but the dollar amount was to high every time I needed a refill on a vit. It was my dietitian who told me to research vit stores near my house, with a price tag I could manage. Good call on her part, more practical advice than my surgeon pushing their product. This thread would be to long with the other things I eat, and try, but these are a few my staple foods, I'm sure there are more, you get the idea, everything else is just filler. Thanx for listening. Another thread about what I drink, including cocktails.

Hi... see that attitude you have towards your family? Don't mess with or there'll be a price to pay? that's the same attitude you need to have towards your pouch! Before you eat food, drink Water. I remember this early stage. Your brain/head isn't connected yet to your pouch yet. It will be. Listen to your body, your habit and first reaction is to eat, but listen very closely to your body, now its a whisper, as your get further out it will YELL at you. I know, old habits, damn them. Our heads are the problem, our pouch is the solution. Listen. I know this is hard to fathom right now, but believe me when I tell you, 'This body feels better, than food tastes"!

lol..Olives are a part of my staple foods. Green to be exact. Their my way of getting salt. I use the juice to sprinkle on my salads, I pour a small amount into a very hot pan and add garlic, I use olives on everything that need salt, I even puree then if I have to.. and its juice when ever liquid is allowed.