Ashlegal

@@glitter eyes Have you tried Krave Jerky? If you haven't, you must. It is by far the most tender, tasty, soft and delicious jerky I have ever had! And I used to make my own!

@@Indieflickers I too dislike the use of artificial ingredients and try really hard adapt recipes that call for them in other ways. I do use Splenda more than I care to but I don't use it a ton. I am getting more on board with Stevia and Monk Fruit; though I still find both to leave something to be desired. I bought this: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LMJ26YG/ref=ox_sc_act_title_4?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER And it keeps my yogurt, my hummus, my chicken/egg salad and whatever other "cold" foods cold. It also keeps everything really fresh, it is super attractive and I get compliments on it daily. I had one lady ask me "why do you keep your lunch in that pretty purse?" She was amazed when I showed her it was my lunch bag!

Hope you are healing nicely with relative ease and speed. I'm not too far out in front of you and yet I have a hard to remembering that first week. I think I have selected to forget it and is was not the easiest time. Congrats!

Stay positive, be patient with the journey, be easy on yourself, reflect why it is you have made this life altering decision, ask, ask, ask lots and lots of questions. Post-op is a little different for everyone and when you get to that side, you'll have new issues to overcome but don't worry about that today. Focus on the task at hand and what is required of you pre-op.

thanks for ruining chocolate for me.

Yesterday as I walked down the stairs from work; wait let me talk about that for a minute. There are twelve sets of steps to my building. A set leading to the front door and eleven leading to my floor. I never, ever took the stairs and doing the first set to get to the building always left me huffing and puffing. A week post op, I started with doing the first flight, then two weeks post-op did two flights and now nine weeks post-op I can do six with relative ease. I'm hoping by the end of the year I can do all eleven. Getting back to my original story. Yesterday as I scampered down the steps from the building in a rush to get to court, I about lost my pants. I could feel them inching down and pretty soon I had to make a mad dash to recover them from falling off past my hips. It was a Catch 22 feeling. On one hand I was embarrassed that my pants were falling down (thank goodness I was wearing pretty panties) and on the other I was stoked that my clothes are getting big enough I can't wear anymore.

http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/2015/08/post-weight-loss-surgery-menus-day-in_25.html https://www.pinterest.com/eggface/ The above links have provided me with great ideas for all meals, especially ones I need to eat on the go. Check 'em out and maybe you'll be inspired!

Too many variables affect weight loss and or gain. Too many. You could have done everything as expected, kept a thorough journal, followed your program and gained due to Fluid retention or muscle gain or your period or lost despite not following your program, not staying on your work-out regime and having an unnecessary treat. It would be a serious personal mind f*ck if I weighed myself weekly and didn't produce a number given by my doctor or program. It is strictly a personal opinion, one that does not in anyway take away from yours. When such a number is given, it's not a pass/fail test. I'd take it to mean I need to check food diaries and other records to see where I may have strayed. If nothing is amiss, I'd accept and be very happy to see the weight decreasing at any rate. I like to think, that is.

@@NJS36 Roux en Y was first introduced in the late 60's and then done laprascopically in the early 90's. Your sister needs therapy. Just saying it like I see it.

I was told several times that everyone's weight loss is different and even mine will fluctuate. There is no "average" and instead of worrying about that number, I should just be concerned with following my post-op plan, getting enough fluids and achieving my Protein goals. I'd go mad if I had been told an average number per week or month to be losing.

@@BLERDgirl Excellent suggestions! I was going to comment the same.

I know how you feel. I was part of a social circle that included men that enjoyed big girls. I never went without male attention, even at my heaviest but I always felt it was attention based on a fetish. Most men I have met who like big girls did so behind closed doors. They wanted to have sex with big girls but would never be with one out in public. As I become lighter, I received a different kind of attention than I had known before.

I have not had Velveeta in years. I don't even remember why I had it in the first place.

I wish I could be of more help as I know that different post-op phases can be confusing, overwhelming and a little nerve wrecking. I didn't have a puree'd stage.

I had issues with when and how much I consumed. I'd wake up at 4:45 every morning and from there I'd go, go, go. School, work, sometimes back to school, sometimes back to work, errands, favors and all through my day only consume large amounts of caffeine. I'd come home and splurge on whatever food I wanted. It was never "junk" or "unhealthy" but eating 2-3 servings of anything is over consumption. I'd snack until bed and do it all over again. I never exercised. Sure I was constantly moving but never engaging in physical activity. I am still learning how to break the "don't eat all day" habit. It is hard because I am still as busy if not busier than I was prior to surgery. I have 12-14 hour days that keep me away from some "alone time" and even sitting at my desk to eat can be a chore I ignore.

I was not obese because of what I ate but when and how much. I would go all day without so much as eating a bite of anything. Nothing. Then I'd get home and raid the fridge. I'd make chicken tacos and have 3-4 with a large side of black Beans. Then I'd snack on chips, salsa, guacamole and then I'd have a few graham crackers with Nutella. I'd never exercise, never drink enough Water and drank entirely too much caffeine. 4-5 cups of coffee, then 2-3 sugar free red bulls, 2-30 ounce black (unsweetened) ice tea and throw in a 24 ounce Coke Zero. Ridiculous. I never had potato chips or the like in the house or convenience foods or even Pasta (I don't like noodles too much) and fast food was a maybe once a month. I don't have a "trigger" food and bing(ing) on a favorite wasn't my MO. I just had horrible eating habits, paired with PCOS and no exercise routine.

I have been wearing a 7.5 EE for years. I had to shop at specialty shoe stores to find nice work shoes, comfortable vacation shoes and a decent pair of boots. Last week while out with a friend we stopped into a Famous Footwear and against my better judgement I decided to try on some flats, regular width. The first few pairs were a big fat nope but then I found a couple of Sketchers that have some stretch that fit nicely. I was shocked! Yesterday I put on my trusty ol' Propet Mary Jane's that were never "tight" but fit snug. I noticed they were rubbing my heel and needed to be tightened with the straps. I also noticed that my foot appears smaller in them than before surgery.

I have not had the issue of "dumping" but I also don't have issues with sugar. Bypass as you have stated is only a tool it can't cure your addiction to sugar or carbs or fast food or (insert fav. bad food here). You have to learn why you turn to sugar, how to cope without sugar and where the attention will be placed when sugar is not a viable option. Working with a nutritionist, possibly a therapist or working with a support group will be your biggest allies in staying away from sugar. It is a two part solution that many people struggle to understand. They have surgery and during the "honeymoon" phase they assume their issues with unhealthy food choices are forever gone. Not only are they not gone but they can come back with a vengeance. The tool is only powerful if used properly. With the right dedication, education and support you can kick your sugar habit and learn to make healthy "sugar" choices!

My NUT and Surgeon have told me on separate occasions "deprivation is the catalyst for failure." Why have all other diets failed? For me personally it was because they all felt as if I was being punished, that I wasn't allowed something delicious. After WLS the definition of delicious has to change but it shouldn't be eliminated. When I was given my post-op diet plan for the first six months, my NUT had wrote little hand written notes on the side. One of them was "make the little bites taste amazing by experimenting with spices, textures and cooking methods." Basically make the food you want to eat and not the food you HAVE to eat. I am just past two months post-op and I have (with the approval of my surgeon/NUT) made some of my favorite meals pre-op more suitable for post-op. I never feel like I am cheating, I never feel like I am on a diet and I feel great about being empowered with my food choices. Creating/cooking/eating/serving is fun where as before eating was the only fun part. If you ever want some recipes, cooking tips, menu ideas, snack ideas or just general ideas, I am always around!

@@Daisee68 I was approved for soft Proteins at day 10 post-op. I was never required a pureed stage and was told to start filling my meals with soft, dense proteins by day 11. Obviously every plan is different but I have had no issues with the phases of my diet. In fact many of the issues that plague a lot of people post-op, I never experienced. I wasn't lethargic after week one, I have been "regular" since four days post-op and I have lost at least five-six pounds a week, with one minor stall in week six. I also have had no issues getting in all my fluids, required proteins, Vitamins and feel great! I hate telling people what my phases were as I don't want them thinking, "well if her doctor said she could, then I should be allowed to eat that too!" I want everyone to be successful at their weight loss after given their new tool.

It. Gets. Better. Fluid will not stretch your pouch but being dehydrated will complicate the situation. Not getting enough Protein will keep you from getting stronger, making it harder for you to heal and get back to normal. The pain will go away a little each day but you are probably feeling gas pain from the air pumped into you during surgery. Something they didn't do during your other surgeries and the only way to expel that gas is to be up walking, walking, walking. Your anxiety will add to the stress of you what your body is already going through. You need to relax, follow the instructions you were sent home with, stay hydrated, small sips, sips, sips and be up walking. Don't worry it gets better and better and better!

I did a basic Google search for "bariatric surgeons" in my area and many results turned up. Too many. It took me a few weeks to get through all the results, doing research, looking at each of their websites, visiting the hospitals they performed in, reviewing the hospitals and their staff. I did extensive research on every aspect, I had been to one too many hospitals where the surgeon was excellent but the staff at the hospital was horrible. I found Dr. Sprunger's page and instantly felt a connection between what I was experiencing and the way he explained his passion for helping people in my position. He felt genuine, passionate, compassionate, empathetic, warm and above all dedicated to my success. He was very much what I thought he would be once we met in person. He made me feel listened to, understood, cared for and above all else, not alone in my journey. I did more research on him thus discovering he had done a fellowship and trained underneath the doctor often referred to as the "father of obesity surgery" Dr. Edward Mason at University of Iowa Medical Center. He is also a designated a Center of Excellence bariatric surgeon by the ASMBS; That secured my decision to start my journey with Dr. Sprunger and his staff. https://asmbs.org/mason-library There were some bumps along the way and some major hurdles to jump over, none of which derailed Dr. Sprunger or his staff. They are a group of very dedicated, knowledgeable, compassionate people who made everything feel better. Dr. Sprunger's bedside manner was superb and he came to see me three times in my 1.5 day hospital stay. All three times he soothed my fears, held my hand, helped wipe away my tears, made sure I was being treated well, that my pain was under control that I was comfortable. I would drive a thousand miles to be seen, treated and have surgery performed my Dr. Sprunger, he is just that amazing.

@@Veronica_mm I have random "episodes" all the time. Last week I had a small turkey burger, with Swiss, avocado and some saute'd shrooms and had no problem eating all 3.5 ounces. Two days later, I made a little bowl of chili, with some plain Greek yogurt and shredded cheese on top, then two bites in I felt ill and ended up forcing everything back up. I have had that same "meal" a bunch of times since surgery. Last night I had some cottage cheese with a slice of soft peach, 2-3 bites in wasn't feeling it, it too came back up. This morning I had scrambled eggs, shredded cheese, salsa and a quarter of WW toast, no problems, none at all. Really weird and random. If you were unable to keep down fluids, I would be more concerned. And that is why I have never worried about having some issues with keeping food down. I have always been able to get in my Water, my milk and my Protein shakes. I guess it is just par for the course.