FluffyChix

Hey y'all, this is a super cool opportunity for us to contribute to science! One of our very successful long term vets is working on her masters/phd and is need research help with a questionnaire. Super convenient, privacy protection--why not chime in and tell your story!! Will you please drop by and read about it and participate if you feel it's right for you? TIA!!!

This is so cool! I'm excited for you and for us! I'd love to help you with your research and answer your questions!!! Hopefully others will jump on board and you will stay very busy!!! Looking forward to your email! Or we can chat on FB if you prefer?

Thank you! LOL. My dad and I used to eat sardines together when I was growing up. It's a sorta stand at the kitchen counter, leaning over the can or over the sink, in your bare feet, and eating the meal or having the full "experience!" LOL, to this day, that particular lunch is eaten that way. Caveman style. In the dark, barefoot, leaning over the can--the way God intended! hehe. So congrats big time on the asthma being better!!! Mine is too! For the first time in 18 years I am off all asthma meds including ALL inhaled steroids and the only pill I take for symptoms right now is a nightly Zyrtek. Hallelujah and thank you Lord!!!

One last thought for today. Not that I have to explain myself or apologize for holding this position since it's my own thread, but here's a glimpse into my terrifying brain. The REASON I am so focused and "driven" and "balls to the wall" with this surgery and with 100% compliance, and with hitting normal weight is specifically because the stakes ARE life and death for me. That's not to say they aren't equally life and death to others' here. But I do not have the latitude or luxury to take this as a casual "lifestyle change," living a life that isn't too strenuous or restrictive from a dietary standpoint. My life is literally at stake. I have 2 deadly diseases and if one doesn't get me, the other one will. Because of Stage IIIC fat driven, hormone positive breast cancer, I am only ever gonna be in remission. So my primary reason for this surgery is to immediately (within 3 weeks of surgery date) reduce my recurrence risk about 38%, irrespective of any fat loss. The metabolic shift resulting from the surgery itself confers that reduction of risk. BUT, losing to normal weight and reducing the load of androgens on my body helps to keep my anti-hormone cancer drug from becoming ineffective which will theoretically lower that recurrence risk even further. My cancer drug blocks the conversion of androgens into estrogen and hormones--in a post meno woman that happens from androgens released by the fat cells. My second deadly degenerative disease is PCOS aka metabolic syndrome--a collection of symptoms characterized by heart disease (which my radiation and chemo added to), high bp, hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance, infertility, hirsutism, and more. If the cancer doesn't kill me, the CHD and fluid around my heart will. And the family genetics don't help--almost every woman on my dad's side has died from a massive heart attack and CHD. My mom's women die from strokes, or breast cancer or lung cancer. So this isn't a game. This is life or death. This is mandatory, life-long lifestyle change that may sometimes hurt. May sometimes feel inconvenient. May sometimes feel restrictive and harsh. But I've now made a commitment to myself to try like a mother fuc*er to lose and then maintain a healthy lifestyle at a normal weight. I will not be 100% perfect. I'm hoping that by losing my extra fat as quickly as possible, it will let me have a tiny bit of slack so that I'm able to enjoy a 90/10 lifestyle. But if the choice is death or 100% compliance, then it sucks to be me, but that's life and how the low carb cookie crumbles. Looking at my menu above, it's hard for me to see penury and a sad monkey diet. It looks pretty forkin' delicious to me. Boo fuc*ing hoo that I can't have a bag of Lays and eighteen chocolate bomb pops! Poor me! Right? NOT! If that makes me a hard ass. So be it. Heap that petard on me, why doncha? DISCLAIMER: This post is about MY journey and only MY journey. I in no way believe that this way will work for everyone. It is only designed to convey my primary motives for my journey and should not influence your personal journey in any way. And I value EVERYONE'S individual path. You do you. I will do me. I will cheer you on and commiserate with you during the hard times we will all face. Variety is the spice of life. And your journey is NO less important than mine!

Today is 12 weeks since surgery (almost "3 months" which happens on May 20), and I am gonna post my food today so I can look back and remember the quantities I was eating at 3 months. For the most part, I "think" this is going to pretty much be the quantity I will be eating for the next 9 months (hopefully)--and maybe even for the rest of my life (super hopeful that this will be true). As per my usual angst about not wrecking Iron Will (my pouch), I'm very tentative about eating "too much." And as my post surg history goes, the healing went so well with very little inflammation--it's hard to know whether I'm just advanced or if I'm over eating and damaging my new tool. I'm eating according to my rules: No drinking with meals 30/30. Weighing or measuring (but not both). Recording every bite or morsel that goes in my mouth. Protein first. Veggies second. A smidge of healthy fats each meal. And fruit if there's any room leftover (never is). Protein goal is 75g protein per day (40% of cals) (presently averaging 77, close enough good). Carb goal is 38g whole carbs per day (20% of cals) (presently averaging 33g, so I have a tiny bit of wiggle). Fat goal is 33g fat per day (40% of cals) (presently averaging 33g, so perfect). Calorie goal is 750 per day (and I'm swinging broadly between 600-850 cals per day, averaging about 728cals/day. Think I'm going to leave it where it is for a while. Some days I'm hungrier than others.) Walking 1 hour/day=about 2.25 miles; Conditioning Training (PT) 3 days/week ******************** 3 Month Menu (12 weeks Post RNY 2.20.18)--by weight rather than volume B1- 3 protein lattes (Prem Protein + decaff + sf Torani syrup) B2- 1oz steamed crimini and spinach, 3oz egg puff w/turkey sausage crumbles, 19g light cheddar wedge, 1oz salsa L- 3oz sardines packed in water, 2tsp yellow mustard, 2oz cucumber and carrots w/1.75oz grk yogurt ranch dressing (see recipe above) AS- 1 GG bran crisp, 19g lt cheddar wedge, 6g PB slim peanut butter powder (Vitacost) D- 3oz blackened salmon, 1oz asparagus, 1oz avocado tomato salad with 2 small lime wedges BS-none Nutritional Totals: 655 cals; 77g protein; 21g fat; 32g carbs; 11g fiber; 21g net carbs; 10g nat sugar ************************* Here's breakfast. Will try to remember to take photos of the other meals for posterity and to give a visual reminder of approx volume. Plates are saucer size = about 5in diam.

Ok PT done for today. But had to rush here and tell y'all...you might think I'm crazy cuz these products--people either love or hate. But I have an issue with spending 140cals of my 700 cal day on 2tbsp of salad dressing. LOL. BUT I heart Ranch Dip with salad and veggies, especially carrots and cucumbers. And the bonafide Ranch Dressing Mix has a buttload of carbs/sugar in it and preservatives. So what's a girl to do for veggie dip you ask? Well, funny, but I just figured this out today and it tastes great with the sesame ginger flavor and I know it will taste great with the Asian flavor too AND the Italian flavor (aka Ranch). So here's the deal, you mix Walden Farms vinaigrette-style dressings and mix it with an ounce of Greek yogurt! You get about 1 1/2 to 2 oz of veggie dip for about 16cals. (I'm not a fan of the premade Walden Farms creamy dressings--but really like the vinaigrette style dressings!) Here are my fave WF vinaigrettes (warning they DO take some getting used to and negotiating with yourself!): Asian Sesame Ginger Italian Balsamic Raspberry Vinaigrette Veggie Dip Serves 1 (about 1 3/4oz volume) 1oz Greek Yogurt, FF (HEB) 3/4-1oz WF Vinaigrette-style Dressing (any flavor) granulated garlic to taste Jane's Crazy Mixed Up Pepper to taste (optional) Mix it all together and enjoy with many different raw veggies or salad. I bet it would be great with coleslaw! Nutrition: 16cals; 3g protein; 0g fat; 1g carbs; 0g fiber; 1g net carbs; 0g sugar

Brilliant! No jackwagon psychs allowed! Seriously, do the cruze. Have a plan though before boarding. Find out about the restaurants and dining experiences especially the buffets. And choose your day!!! You can do this and make it more than about food and alcohol. Or is that the definition of a cruise? I've never been on one!

That is so smart, especially since you've hit your max out of pocket for the year! If they will pay, I'd sure do the RD too! Mine wouldn't pay for the RD, so I'm going to her very small group support meeting instead and getting free advice each month for 2 hours! It's awesome!!!

WARNING!!! Will Robinson--Danger! Danger! Run away! Rant ahead! Ok guys, can we have a discussion--er, I mean a rant please? I just read an interesting article in BP Magazine: "The 5 Mindset Shifts You NEED To Make To Be Truly Happy After WLS". (click on link to read full article) I will post the basic 5 tenets below, but the first one stands out to me. And I just really have a BIG issue with this philosophy. Because, WE (MO and formerly MO people) are NOT like the rest of the world...I'll explain more later. What am I missing? I'll post the tenets first, then post my comments below. 1. My weight does not determine my success nor worth. “If you accept your personal best at everything else in life, why not weight?” – Yoni Freedhoff QUOTE-not mine: "Isn’t that SUCH a good quote? Is your WLS team happy with your progress, but you aren’t? Why are you still pushing for and obsessing over those next 10 lbs? Reflect on why you feel that you must lose those extra pounds and what will happen if you don’t?" 2. I acknowledge that a healthy lifestyle (i.e. eating healthy most of the time and moving my body often) is a part-time job. Some weeks it doesn’t feel like work, but often it does. 3. I see meal planning, grocery shopping, and cooking as acts of self-care. 4. I move my body because it feels good and helps me to re-charge. I don’t exercise to control my weight. 5. I am not on a diet. I eat foods that I enjoy. I practice moderation and flexible eating to the best of my ability. My thought: Ok, so my biggest issue with this is the quote after the first point. No, your weight shouldn't determine your self-worth, but it DOES and SHOULD influence it somewhat. And the quote is just like saying...you've just rearranged your body. It's ok if you don't win at weight loss. You'll still get this lovely participation trophy. Well that's just nuckin' futs! I'm serious WHACKamole nuts!!! I'm sorry, there are no contradictions in life. If you find one, check the premise. That is what will be wrong. ~ Ayn Rand. I did not alter my anatomy in such a drastic non-reversible manner to stop short of my goal by 10lbs. Or worse, to rationalize that it's OK to still be in the obese or overweight category after my honeymoon period ends. Fu*k no I didn't! I'm going balls to the wall, KISS stupid until I make goal. Then an only then will I modify my "diet" to a maintenance level diet. Right now, I'm in a take-no-prisoners-leave-no-man-behind weight loss mode and nobody better get in my way. (Oh I'm talking to you Little Debbie you pusher ho.) LOL. So yeah, I don't get it. Fu*k my personal best. I'm a fatty. I have a FAT brain. I am addicted to food and LOVE it. I am a food seeker. That isn't magically gonna change after 55 years of programming. It's not gonna change even if I lose all my weight. I will still have a fat brain with billions of starvin' marvin' empty fat cells still secreting hormones urging me to feed greedy little empty Seymours. I will still have a hypothalamus that is programmed to jones for food hits. I will still have pleasure centers in my brain jonesing for that dopamine and serotonin fix it gets from food. And If I do change, it certainly won't happen within a short term period. I have to be de-programmed and re-programmed and that takes time, so much time, and repetition, and not quitting. And have you EVER tried to out match you lymbic system where the urge to eat lives? Some doc said, if you think you can beat it...try holding your breath and see how far that gets you. The hypothalamus beats all in the rock-scissors game of life. So what I have to do in order to achieve success here is to realize that because of my MO and the reality that has set up biochemically in my body and my big FAT brain, I have to modify my thinking and behaviors for life in a way that no skinny person can even HOPE to understand. I have to work harder, try longer, be more determined, be more cunning. Of course it will ALWAYS be a diet. LOL. To believe that suddenly, because of a magic surgery whose effect "dim" a little after 2 years, you will SUDDENLY be able to tolerate life in moderation is like wishing on the tooth fairy. LOL. Just my opinion. Ok, so sorry about the rant. Do y'all have any thoughts on this???

Absolutely 1000% say yes to the cruise! Our challenge will be to live and experience life and be stretched by it. We have to relearn to test the boundaries without living by our old selves with the old patterns of behavior. And I agree counseling is great! I'm thinking strongly about doing it again too! BB later to talk--after PT.

Oh the up and down and the maintaining! Holy crap--it's hard, so hard!! And yes, it totally screws with your head. It makes me very nervous to think about it lol. So I won't. Fiddle dee dee, I'll think about that tomorrah! LOL. Just call me Scarlett. Keep hangin in there girlie! The end of June sounds so far away!!! But it will get here quickly!

Today I hit 100+lb loss on the scale from my most recent high of 287.4lbs. It took 1 year and 9 days to get here and although I would say my tool makes my progress the "easiest" it has been in that I am now losing the amounts like a slightly overweight "normie" loses rather than my very typical Fluffy Rate of Loss of 2-4lbs per month; this has been one of the hardest years of my life second only to losing my dad, mom, and brother, and the year of cancer treatments. Anyone who say WLS is easy doesn't know Jack (Binyon). hehe. I still have quite a ways to go: 36lbs to my first goal of 150, then sub-goals after that of 140, 130, and 125. I don't know how far I will make it, but I'm going for the whole enchilada and I'm not planning on taking the scenic tour this time. All the other weight loss battles I've fought, I stopped short of my goal. And it's an excruciating defeat. Like Sisyphus, am I doomed to push the boulder up hill the rest of my life, over and over and over again--stopping short of my goal and establishing a livable maintenance at T-20lbs every time? When I get into dangerous territory (aka about 20lbs from goal), something weird happens to my resolve and mindset. I grow complacent with the goal. I get to the point where I like what I see in the mirror, I feel good in my clothes, feel normal size in public, and I let the food-longings back into mah head. So it always begins with the philosophy, "This one bite won't sink the Titanic," or "Ohhhh, this is a special night or special weekend, or celebration--I'll just let loose and take a vacation from dieting just this once." But see? Because of my Big Fat Brain, once is never enough and the treats won't stop until they become legendary and something I routinely do at each meal, every day. And in the blink of an eye--POOF! I'm a fluffy chix again and again and again and again...well, you get the picture. It's frightening to say, "But, but, THIS time it will be different! I had RNY surgery! I have a new tool that's gonna keep that from happening." And that terrifies me. I can feel that thought trying so determinedly to sneak back into my conscious mind. The truth is that there COULD be other times. This time is not so unique. My surgeon warned us at the very first meeting that statistically, over 85% of surgical pts will regain at least 10-15% of their weight and only 5% will maintain their lowest weight at 5 years. She told us that this wasn't magic bean surgery. That the effects of RNY wear off around 5-12 years and that the micro villi in the gut actually grow more numerous and become smarter about absorption. So the surgery came with a big caution--grow complacent and endulge at your peril. Ok, so fast forward to today. I can only control what happens tomorrow by living well today and taking the next best bite. Each meal, my resolve is only for that meal and each day is to resolve that day to take the next best bite--always. The only way I will get to goal is to focus and not lose sight of the advantages of what that number represents in health advantages. The only way to maintain those advantages is to take the next best bite every day for the rest of my living days. Here is my 3 month comp. It's hard to share this. (And yes, these are the last pants that will even stay up and they are so big now. LOL. I must manufacture some money and go try to find a new pair of pants that actually fit for a change. *snort*)

Hi guys, here's a super quick recipe that doesn't make a ton! You can even half it if you want. I just made it, ate a cup and froze the remaining in 1/4c servings for later. Quick Broccoli Cheese Protein Soup (Phase 2+) Serving size: 1/4cup (for Phase 2) Number of servings: 5 (total recipe = 2 1/4c) Ingredients: 2 1/2 cups low sodium chicken broth (Central Market Reduced Sodium Chicken Broth-box) 7oz frozen broccoli florets (Sam's, Daily Chef) 1/4 tsp granulated garlic (Tone's) 1/2 tsp dehydrated onion flakes (Tone's) 1/4 tsp ground black pepper 1 tsp Better Than Bouillon Reduced Sodium Chicken 5 g whole psyllium husks (Now) or 3g Benefiber (either is optional) 48g unflavored protein powder (Isopure WPI) 56g On the Border Salsa con Queso 14g grated Parmesan (Frigo grated) Instructions: Throw broth, broccoli, gran garlic, onions, and black pepper into a small sauce pan. Bring to a boil, reduce to simmer. Simmer 5-10 minutes until broccoli florets are fork-tender. Remove from heat. Add remaining ingredients. Use a stick blender or your favorite blender. Blend to as smooth a texture as you can get. If it's too thick, add hot water to desired consistency. Makes between 5-6 servings (1/4c each). Serve immediately. Freezes well and reheats in microwave. Nutritional Information Per 1/4 Cup: 66cals; 11g protein; 1g fat; 4g carbs; 1g fiber; 3g net carbs

YOU did nothing wrong. You did nothing I haven't done a billion times. You shared your POV. I ALWAYS welcome that! You did not set up the us v. them. Creek did that basically with her very first post on this thread...and I politely did not call her out on it then, nor any of the other times she has personally slammed me using her p/a thinly veiled insults cloaked within pseudo-affirmations that she gives in her so - supercilious tone. This will be my last post on this thread and will be what I intend to be FAR FEWER posts in future to the main boards.

Oh. No. She. 'idn't! Oh, yes I did! I found an inspiration poster that is just PERFECT for my loud, aggressive, over-achieving, obsessed, ass!!!! To the moon and back, Alice! And may I wish for all of us to shoot for the moon, and while we're at it swing for the stars too, so that we can all claim this summit as part of our prize! Have a blessed Sunday!

Ok, so I'm very proud of myself. I got up this morning and was out at the nature reserve by 8am. And I walked all the way around the 2 lakes by myself--1.7miles in 40 minutes. I'm have no earthly idea how to do the math on that to determine how "fast" I was walking. LOL. I say that, cuz I was sweatin like a horse and was pushing myself to limit. And people were just amblin by me, passing me left and right--talking and looking at the view! *snort* But hey, I showed up and did it. And for that I'm proud regardless of how slow I am and how fast I "think" I am in my head. ROFLMFAO! Now I'm home and about to start Sunday chores: laundry, cleaning, prepping for next week. Yeeeehawwwww! And Happy Mother's Days to all the mommies out there!!!! ((hugs)) And hope your families treat you preciously - with a worth more than pearls! Hope y'all have a blessed day. This week I have my 6 month oncology appointment, my 6 month echo cardiogram to check on the fluid around my heart, and my 3 month f/u with my bariatric surgeon. I should be going to her support group Thursday night, but instead we're going to the ball game with friends! Baseball beats bariatric support groups any day of the week in my world. I'm trying to put my head down and just work my program, but for the last 7 days, I've been up and down the same 2 lbs a la GHDWL. This morning I am still sitting at 187.8lbs despite no cheats or food indiscretions, and in the face of daily exercise. I have firmly raised my protein and calories be more of a 750-800 level. I'm sure that has something to do with it. But I'm also trying to raise my cals slowly so I don't give my system a jolt. I suspect it may be the "3 month stall" some WLS peeps talk about on other boards. There's supposed to be one at 3, 6, and 9 months as well as the famous 3 week stall. My doc would neither confirm nor deny, LOL, she just said that WL isn't linear and that there will be plateaus and times when the scale won't be reflective of the dedication we put into it. LOL. Thought that was a particularly lovely way to describe a hound-from-hell-stall. Ok, well time to go work. I've got mountains of clothes to wash! More later.

Ok, so of course Creek will deny this. But, this thread began in the "RANTS" section because the original article struck a nerve for me, PERSONALLY. It never began nor was it intended to be an US against THEM. It was only EVER a ME against MY INNER LITTLE DEBBIE LOVIN' FAT BRAIN. The. End. I invited discussion about it, because I respect quite a good many of you and learn so much from hearing other peoples' viewpoints. They do OFTEN stretch and challenge my own viewpoints. But instead, what has happened, is that Creek chose very early in the thread to make this an us v. them discussion. And she has continued to cast aspersions and make personal attacks. And although she's a very clever p/a debator--some might even call her a master at this, the thinly veiled insults ARE recognized by me. So yes, I am the one she is insulting as being loud, aggressive, elitist, failing to have empathy for my fellow WL bros and sis's, obsessive perfectionism, balls to the wall, etc. I could go on and on cuz she seems to delight on following into my threads to discredit and demean my own personal nutritional position with her far superior "balance" approach and has insulted me in those threads as well. So it's something of a pattern I fully recognize and expect. I'm ok with that cuz luckily I do not define my sense of self by her lack of regard of my personality. But I have always made it very clear, that my views and my plan are just that. MY plan and views. I do not expect others to follow me. I don't believe mine is the only path. But I am so tired of her BS. So she will limit and still my voice here, cuz I have other fish to fry. And I can be quite happy in my own little progress thread. Cuz God and baby Jesus know, I do not want to cause anyone not to participate here with my loud obnoxious over-achieving self. (her description--not mine).

Hang in there sweetie. You are a STRONG person. Don't listen the lies of your mind telling you that you can't handle this. What you are going through is SO hard and ligit scary! But you can and will do this, no matter what comes on Monday. Do you have any friends or family you can call who will take your mind off things and cheer you on and up? Also watch a ton of comedies on Netflix! Watch romcoms that make you laugh! Open your window blinds and let the sunshine in doll. We're here for you. Talk here a LOT!!!

Dang! So sorry to hear this. How awful! Thank you for warning us, and hope that they got all the stones and you're able to heal quickly. ((hugs))

Oh sweetie! From your lips to God's ears! LOL. It's been a tiny bit over a year to get to almost 100lbs. From surgery day I'm down 34.2lbs today. (Scale is up a bit this morning.) But gosh, in 12 months you will be down about 72lbs!!! When was the last time that happened? But I do get where you're coming from. I'm just so thankful and blessed to have been approved!!! And that angst is over. I just try not to compare my losses post surg to others cuz it can be a buzzkill fo' shizzle! And yes, laughing helps keep me sane, cuz as we all know, I'm one spring shy of a meltdown, I'm a little tightly wound and as someone just told me today, "aggressively focused" (aka possessed to reach goal). haha. I would just have to say with "friends" like that, who needs enemies. KWM? *snort* Oh, and I SOOOO want to talk extensions with you girlie!!!!!

Sending continued good intentions your way hon.

Happy Mother's Day! The lunch looks beautiful!!! Congrats on a job well done! Did everyone enjoy?

Good luck this week y'all!

Awwww honey! You will find the strength! And find someone tonight and cut up together! Your lunch sounds yumbo!!!! And you are so sweet for cooking for your friend. Sad about the tragedy! Hey, make smashed cauliflower soup. It's so dang good and you can use your potato soup recipe to make it. It's just as satisfying to me. You can also add either Fairlife ff milk or protein powder to up the protein!

I had that too and also shared your fear. That's why I'm super conscious of only eating adquate protein and pre-op, my doc and RD knew about the situation. So I kinda "worked my way up" from having 60g protein per day to my RD optimum of 74g per day. I don't consciously lean away from iron rich heavy protein. I just somehow crave fish, shrimp, and chicken, turkey and am eating more of that lately. I don't know if that makes the protein/ammonia thing easier or not? But I would DEF voice your concerns with both doc and RD. ((hugs))