Creekimp13

You might be smarter to run while you can. The chocolate tart cherry one...OMG...

Hey, Ash....I know someone you could send them to... LOLOLOLOL If you do try them? Remember to add a little splenda...they're kinda bland without it. And when you zap them, make sure to watch...they'll puff up over the cup and make a hell of a mess. If they get too big, just stop the microwave for half a minute and finish after they go down a little.

I'm leaving at the end of the month (not news, and has nothing to do with anyone here)...so there's really no issue. I hope Fluff stays. She's entertaining and fits in very well here! Myself...not so much. And it's cool:) It was a fun ride, but at some point we all get what we need out of Bariatricpal (particularly the Mighty Muffins...God, they were good!..LOL).....and it's time to move on:) Ash, you're a peacekeeper...and I love that about you. Tealeal, you're a justice and truth seeker, and I love that, too. Fluff, you just want to get to your damned goal once and for all...and I respect that. Good luck to everyone.

Ultimately, this is one of those judgement calls people will each make on their own...hopefully with a little input from their doctor and nutritionist. I think it's important to remember that bariatric surgery and post bariatric surgical diet...in the grand spectrum of medicine...are in their infancy. The first laparoscopic gastric bypass, for instance, was performed in 1994! First sleeve gastrectomy, as part of a duodenal switch surgery...was done in 1988...it wasn't done laparoscopically until 1999! Diets and fads in dieting come and go. Doctors and nutritionists are all over the map with diet recommendations both before and after surgery. We're in a very grey zone here, folks. What one doctor will tell one patient will utterly contradiction what another doctor tells another patient. If you really want to make it interesting, look at the advice given to different populations around the world after bariatric surgery! You pay your money and take your chances. You do the best, healthiest diet you can, and try to protect your health. Hopefully, you get lots of exercise and keep moving, too. The most important thing your diet should be (in my opinion)....is sustainable. Something you can eat forever. Something with enough flexibility, you can live with it and not feel deprived. Something that doesn't damage your health over time, that leaves you with good energy, good labs, good quality of life, and a good outlook. Fluffy, I meant no offense, I know you're a passionate ketovangelist...and good luck with that. Sincerely. On a happy note, I'm one pound from goal, and inches from walking off into the bariatricpal sunset here pretty quick...so no one has to worry about my "all this protein will ruin your kidneys" rants before too long. LOL. I wish each and every one of you success...however you can find it. And long healthy lives free of illness as much as possible.

My liver and kidney numbers have been picture perfect since weight loss surgery. The only time they ever spiked was when I was on keto. To each their own, Fluff....but for having been eating high protein low carbs for the past 18 years as you've stated....you have a hell of a lot of health problems. Cancer, had to be put back on diuretics after surgery, heart issues. Sorry girl...but no thanks. Not saying there's a conclusive link there, and I know you've gotta do what works for you..........but I'm just as happy to be eating Carb Rich Mayo Clinic Diet...off all my meds (save thyroid) and have perfect labs every time.

Keto is a great way to lose weight in the short term. Long term, there are strong concerns in the medical community that it could damage your kidneys. Long term research still needs to be done on this. Regain after keto is also an issue. High blood pressure, diabetes and other comorbidities of obesity also damage your kidneys, so keto is sometimes felt to be the lesser of two evils in trying to help people to lose weight....because it does work. Unfortunately, it might work at a price you'll pay later as you age. Have tried keto in the past. Made my BUN go up (kidney function test) and I regained 50 pounds faster than I lost it. Might work well for some people, but keto is definitely not for me. To each, their own. The highest rates of longevity in the world are correlated to people who eat diets high in complex carbs, vegetables, fruits, plant based proteins and fats, and a small amount of lean animal protein. Ultimately, you pay your money and take your chances. Talking to your doctor is a terrific idea.

The cricket powder isn't so bad, I swear all the little legs and antenna are ground up fine! LOL Still tastes a bit like lawn clippings with some almond thrown in....not bad, really, kinda gritty. Not for everyone:)

I'll admit it outright. I miss Pepsi Cola. I love it, and I miss it...desperately. Real Pepsi. Not diet...diet is gross. LOL. But here's the deal. I've tried drinking it....about a dozen times....with very little success. I take about three tiny sips and feel like I'm gonna pop. It's crazy bloating and really uncomfortable. On my birthday, I was hell bent to let myself drink a glass of Pepsi as a super rare treat. I sipped it down about a half an inch and couldn't do it. it made me incredibly sad. I passed it to my hubby and he swallowed the glass down in two gulps. The taste was still really really good....but there is no way in hell I could drink more than an ounce or two and not feel like Violet in Willy Wonka. The Oompa Loompas would have to roll me to the juicing room. I LOVE cola. Cola no longer loves me. It kinda...downright hates me. And I honestly feel a little sad about that. I know it's terrible stuff and that I'm better off that I can't drink it....but man, I really thought I'd be able to have it once in a blue moon. Not in the cards for me. Weirdly...I honestly am kinda grieving it a little bit. I know it's all for the best....but I'm still a little sad about it. Like corn on the cob. LOL. On the other hand...I've discovered I love iced constant comments tea.

Pea protein + brown rice protein= a complete amino acid You can add this to all sorts of foods...I put it on veggie soup to give it some protein. Tofu Mycoprotein = Protein from fungus Quorn products There's a lot of proein in whole grain foods, beans, insects (if you're brave..lol), nuts, seeds, etc.. If you don't know how to make Chia pudding....google it...it's wonderful.

My diet isn't entirely meat free, but I do eat a lot of fruit, nuts, seeds, beans, tofu, etc. My advice: Work with a dietitian who has done bariatric diet follow up for people eating a vegan or vegetarian diet. it's a bit of a special niche...but if you look, you'll find someone good. Make some calls. Avoid regular pastas....but give the protein pastas a try. They're excellent!

Since she's the one making the error and inconveniencing you....perhaps you should tell the doctor on her instead? Not maliciously, of course, but doctors do appreciate polite feedback on how their staff is doing.

I don't have huge mirrors at my house, and was a little shocked by something new I saw in a dressing room yesterday... Dressing rooms are really the only time I get that full view, you know? With the extra mirrors that show you your body all the way around. So yesterday I was changing clothes and went...holy crap....MY BACK FAT! LOL! My back fat...all the weird little extra ripples, the bra bulge...the icky little segements that made my back resemble a roly poly insect....are GONE! My back is looking all sleek and shite:) Like, with a nice dip in the middle and shoulder bones and everything. It is a damned fine looking back! I've been looking at my lumpy front....which, don't get me wrong...has improved significantly...but I've got a little extra skin (looks better than expected!)...but still, it never occurred to me to check out the back. So yeah...that made my day. Still makes me smile. When I go to the fat lady prom this fall (they don't call it that...it's a formal wear celebration event put on by my surgeon's group...where we walk a cat walk and get to celebrate our skinnier hotness..LOL), I might have to consider something backless:) Looking forward to the extravaganza!

Smooth Move tea. I was a skeptic....but am now a true believer.

I have a vet surgeon...who is actually a member of the board that certifies bariatric surgeons here. My liver was pretty good before surgery because I'd lost 35 pounds. I still had to do a two week ketogenic diet "for extra safety." My surgeon is a very type A perfectionist. (great trait for a surgeon...wouldn't want to marry him...lol)

Many (but not all) doctors use a VERY low carb diet just before surgery to shrink the liver and make surgery safer.

Given that doctors have absolutely no consensus on post surgical diet... you pay your money and take your chances. Watch your butt and don't go crazy. The best answer is....stick to your program flawlessly. The realistic answer? Do your best not to be stupid.

Worrying about what other people think....ultimately...is on you. Don't give it your energy. Your energy is needed elsewhere:)

Doing great:) Almost at goal.

My kiddo is college age and was my biggest cheerleader. I feel a little bad I had surgery over her finals....but she stayed at school and phoned her Dad and it worked out great.

Ok, today I had to stop my husband from walking out of the house....in a pair of my skinny jeans. Bahahahahaha! This would NEVER have happened in my size 22 days. He's like....Ok, I thought they fit weird, but I couldn't figure out why. D'Oh!

Ode to Loose Skin My body droops now Like melted string cheese, or Tommy Wiseau Flacid fat, deflated flesh balloon Crepey like wadded tissue, gross as a handful of chicken fat Ugly and endearing as a manatee (the pancake of the sea) I love every inch of my loose hide Every sagging absence of fat Where my angular clavicles slant Propelled by calves that could have been Sculpted by Michelangelo Makes me smile at its absurdity We laugh to survive

That seems reasonable. Lot of changes going on....having a little time to get his head around them seems fair. In the mean time, try to reconnect with what brought you close in the past. Maybe a weekend trip to an old haunt, time for just the two of you, take the focus off the awkward, and put it on something that is easy for both of you. Maybe indulge one of his interests and see if he loosens up. If I take my husband to anyplace with airplanes or NASA crap...he's like a kid and it scratches that particular "she cares about me" itch. We used to go out on a boat fishing and take a picnic and read to each other. Reconnect to less stressful days....might help. And if thing are still in the crapper in 2019...hold him to his word and go talk to someone. Best wishes!

Soak it in broth.

i love my Charge 2 Fitbit. Bestie got it for me for my birthday last year and I've worn it daily. HUGE help for activity accountability.

I really liked our "healthy recipes" fourth of July. Everyone said the food was awesome and the fun the kids had didn't seem to be decreased in the slightest by an absence of endless cookies, cupcakes, pop and chips. I learned to make an amazing low call salad dressing from a guest. Loved my sis in law's black bean brownies. Rather than buying the kids so many treats, I bought more bubbles and water balloons and fun things to play with. More pool toys, less frosting. More nets and bug jars, got the canoes and fishing gear out.... the video games downstairs were never turned on. I made punch with diet 20 calorie juice with frozen raspberries floating in it. Had iced bottled water and sugar free lemonade....no one complained about the lack of soda. We had a scavenger hunt and the prize was launching a lantern. I think there's room for creativity with our celebrations that can provide needed balance.