Cat B

Hello all! My name is Catherine nickname Cat and I currently reside in the metropolitan Kansas City, Missouri area. I found out about bariatric pal through my surgeon's office. Some of you have heard me on here before, however I am currently in school and have been mia during the semester. I am very close to my weight goal of 120 lbs and may even go for 115 lbs. I am truly amazed at how far I have come and proud of myself for sticking it through. I have had some challenges with food during these 5 months and I am still trying to get in tune with this new pouch of mine. We do not always agree on some things you know! 
I think that my greatest challenge so far has been trying to cope with the fact that I am now lactose intolerant and I love dairy! It took some time for me to figure it out what was going on. I would get stomach cramps, nauseous, and diarrhea. I had no clue what the heck was going on. I literally had to go through a long process of elimination. At first I thought it was coffee! I definitely was not a happy camper about that. Needless to say, I figured it out! Now the challenge has been to find creamers and certain dairy products that have a low lactose level acceptable to my new tummy. Anyone else out there that has gone through this similar experience?
I have been staying active. I keep it moving constantly. I am so happy that I can go up flights of stairs without huffing and puffing anymore. I can keep up with my grandkids, even wear them out sometimes! So full of energy always! I can do things that I pretty much had given up on prior to my surgery. Returning back to school to finish getting my degree is one of them.
I am a writer, love talking to and meeting new people, engaging in interesting topics, reading, singing, and dancing. I have decided to try out a plant based diet. I still eat meat, but I choose lean meats, no processed food, limit my carb intake, etc. I try to have fun with food and try new stuff. I am still working with tummy in this area. I can no longer eat leftovers or eat the same foods within a time frame. I have to space my food out. It has been very frustrating, yet a learning process. I am getting to know the ins and outs of my  new tummy. My appetite is up and down and I sometimes find myself forgetting to eat. Eventually, I do get weak and that is a sign. I am so burned out on all kinds of protein shakes, soups, broths, My tummy abhors them! LOL! I get my protein in little by little through the day with nuts, and fixing protein snacks. So if anyone can help me out with any suggestions, please do so! I need help in this area!