jhclikesshopping@gmail.com

I agree with many of the posts/ replies so far. Try to forget the shame - I know its hard but try. Secondly, kudos for you to acknowledge it. You did it - you thought about it - now plan how not to do it again. You have got this....

So first of all - let me apologize. I normally do not complain - like never. But I am so mad right now that I need to do something or I am going to write an Open Table/ Yelp review from hell and the company does not need this. So I live in the SF Bay area. I am 3 months post op. My job makes me travel 25% of the month. Therefore, I eat out often. I have gotten really good as asking for exactly what I want - and people are usually wonderful. Today, we go out to lunch for a team member leaving for another job so we went to a goodbye lunch. I checked out the menu ahead of time and decided on an item on the kids menu ( or a modified entry in case I could not eat on the kids menu). So we get there and I ask for an item on the kids menu that is not on the main menu. I am told no - fine (even though I showed my card). I get it - it's annoying, but I get it. Then the manager comes over and says sorry - we do not allow adults on the kid's menu. Ok fine - did not need the attention. So then, I order the closest item to the kids item on the menu but its chicken and ribs platter. So I ask for just the chicken and a replacement for the potatoes (instead of just chicken/mash potatoes on the kids menu). I am told no substitutions. I said - what? That is never the case. What about food allergies - she said we have a food allergy menu for those people; she says, "we do not customize our entrees". Have you ever heard of something so crazy..... So basically I now have a to go box of ribs, mash potatoes and butter covered veggies that I will never eat. On my way out I decide to pull the manager aside. I told her I have never been so disappointed in my life - I can understand that not eating the kids menu but really, now I have wasted so much food and there was no need. I would have paid the regular price - in fact, I would of paid more for something I really wanted. Thanks for letting me bitch. I will continue to ask for what I want and remind people I do not need the food on the kids menu because I am cheap - I want it for portion control.

you all are WONDERFUL!!! Thanks. @ready2droppound - the place is called Town (in San Carlos). Here is the kicker - their sister restaurant Nola in Palo Alto I go to all the time and they great. Such a weird experience for me. Oh well - off to the next adventure

I target 70-80 grams of Protein and also keep calories to less than 800. I am usually around 600 with food and then 1 Protein shake for 150 (Pure protein banana flavored is my favorite)

One other thing to consider... I usually gain 1-1.5 pounds when starting my period. Then I lose it again after the cycle is done.

Hi tried the GNC unflavored whey - it's ok. I also tried nectar unflavored - do not like it. It changes the texture of my food. As for Protein shakes - like the pure protein (Trader Joes and Amazon) has them. So far - favorite flavors are banana, Cookies and cream and chocolate. Good luck.

Water bottle with a small opening so I can take small sips of water small bowls for meals small spoon and fork - so I remember to eat slow. another good reminder - I only eat at the dinner table. No more eating at the coffee table or at my desk (or in my car when driving).

hi hi!!! So my period after surgery has been something out of a terror movie. I have had 3 since surgery and all are bad..... Cramps = bad. Amount = bad... My surgeon said this is normal (to have an abnormal cycle). He said - they are not sure why but after surgery our periods go out of wack - probably due to hormones in flux. I have taken to the following routine. 1) when cramps are really bad - I got for a walk. The exercise helps. 2) if I cannot walk - take lots of Motrin. 3) take Iron during the periods And each period - I pray this will get better soon. Good luck....

Yep - I had it too!!! Mine was from the Protein shakes. Once I got to regular food - it started to disappear. Also - I used a tongue scraper (used for halitosis). Helped a lot!!!

Great topic. I work in the corporate world and this is a big struggle for me. Right now - on non-casual days, I have been using yoga pants with my sweaters and nice shirts. Only recently have my shirts been getting too baggy - but a belt is doing wonders around the waist for my shirts. I imagine I will have to shop soon but so far, the yoga black pants are a god send..... Jenn

First time I went out to eat - I cried. I really wanted to eat sushi and I could not. I was so sad - we had to leave before finished eating. You are NOT ALONE!!! I way I am rationalizing it.... I think of it like a loss. I lost the ability to eat like I used to. I went through a grieving process and it has helped. But at 10 weeks post op - I still miss the joys I got from eating. Now I have a totally different feeling around food and it taking a while to get used to it.

Can I ask.... which restaurant? And yes - totally agree, that is BS!!!!

hi hi! I was also scared of reflux. I never had it until after surgery. and the first time - I thought I was going to DIE! Here is my advice - I do not eat any solid food after 6 pm (maybe 6:30). Since I made this my normal practice, I have not had any reflux. It does not really matter what food I am eating or if my bites were too big.... its all about time for me. I have my daily Protein shake after my final meal in the day and it seems to be better. Yes - I am 2 1/2 months post op and still need a Protein Shake to meet my daily requirements. Hope this helps.

Check the menu ahead of time... also look at the kids menu. Sometime they have applesauce. And yes - soup is usually pretty good. Or.... just get a latte and drink that during dinner.

Hi!! I have had this problem since surgery. I no longer wear my capri yoga pants - since I am constantly cold. At first I thought it was part of my loss of carbs - yes, I was a carb-whore. But now I wonder if salt has something to do with it. I am really low in my sodium intake and notice when I add salt to my morning egg, I am not "as cold" as when I have my Protein shake in the morning. My best girlfriend is a very thin and very cold person. She made a funny point - thin people are usually cold. Maybe this is just how the thin people do it (wink wink!).

Couple of reminders... 1) muscle weights more than FAT. If you are working out - maybe you are building your muscles and this is part of the stall. 2) remember the basics - Water, Protein, etc. 3) have you talked to you MD or NUT? Mine recommends that since I am working out more, I need to up my protein more. So maybe this is needed? I am sure you are doing GREAT and will past this hurdle!!! Hang in there.

hi! I am just past the 2 month mark and I still have not achieved the balance. I was just eating lunch and I have in my little bento box. In compartment one is my lunch and compartment two is my afternoon/ pre-workout snack. I did not think - just started eating my afternoon snack not realizing. Every day for me is a struggle. Yesterday was not the best weather - so I decided to watch a movie. And I really wanted to "snack". Anything really...popcorn, chips, carrots. This is no longer the norm.... and I had a hard time realizing this is just not the case anymore. I keep hearing it will better but the mind game is a hard one. I like the thought process "its a learning process". I hope it will become my instinct but I have been eating this way for 42 years; old habits are hard to change. ~Jenn

Hi hi @@anikka!!! I am in SF Bay Area and had surgery in San Jose 3/30. If you need a buddy in person - let me know. I am around

Here is how I think about it (cause it keeps happening to me too). They really do not know how to respond to our surgery. They are probably trying to be nice or appropriate - but lets be honest, they are not. I usually am giving my friends the benefit of the doubt. Here is what happened to me last week. I hope it give you perspective. I had my first business trip to NYC. I have not seen the folks in NY since January (surgery was March). I am down 60 + pounds. So Eric says, can we take a walk. And I am thinking - he wants to talk about work. He says (and I quote) "What the f*** happened to you?" I am totally taken back. Then he clarifies and says "you look amazing". So after the initial shock of his first comment comes down, I think he is really giving me a compliment in his way. Now - he did not know about the surgery so he was trying to compliment me. In the end I took it that way and we had a good talk - but some people do not know how to talk about weight. Think about why you are doing this - and if you want advise your friends, if not. Say thanks and come talk to us!!!

this happens to me when I take too big of a bite or I do not chew enough. What helps me - stand up and slowely... walk around. And take slow deep breathes. Jenn

In my first two weeks - I too jumped up and then down. Morning surgery 330, and two weeks out 310. Total loss in 2 weeks was 20 pounds.

Hi ~ Welcome to our world. I cannot talk about Zumba but with swimming, I had to wait till my incisions were healed. I just got back in the pool maybe a week ago. I think this was 45 days. I did start pilates mat after 30 days and now I am doing heavy cardio on elliptical (and I am 7 weeks out from surgery)

I am a lucky one too. I am at 6 weeks and the acid is killing me. Have to start omeprazole once the prescription is filled.

I have a suggestion too.... ask for a to go box right away (although I bring my own these days - better lids). The reason - I remove the majority of the food so I am left with a plate with the food so I do not overeat. Trust me on this - your old head gets int he way if you see a plate full of food. Remove it from sight so that you are not tempted to overeat. And.... I use a spoon to eat instead of a fork. And.... I put the spoon down after eat bite to make sure I get it down before taking another bite.

I agree - GREEK yogurt. Fage 0 (plain) with melon is my favorite. I usually can only eat 1/3 - 1/2 a container at a sitting and it fills me up for 4-5 hours. Now I am 6 weeks out and I can enjoy almost the entire container. I now have the Oikos Triple Zero to my menu. My favorite is the mixed berry is very tasty.