One year later...

[phil miller 3]

Here’s my story. On 4/25/22 I weighed 281.8. A few months later at a Dr appointment for reflux the topic of having endoscopic gastroplasty was mentioned and eventually the surgery was scheduled for September 2022.

I reported for the surgery and was going thru the pre-op process when our son called to let us know that he tested positive for COVID. The doctor advised us to reschedule.

The next opening was a couple of months off, so it was rescheduled. I reported for the rescheduled surgery but after at check-in we were greeted with the news that the ventilation system for the operating room was down and we would have to reschedule again. This pushed us into 2023 and required navigating a new health insurance provider.

Finally On 1/24/2023 I had my surgery and by 5/1/2023 my weight had dropped to 224 then “stabilizing” at around 235.

2023 had lots of ups and downs:

- 4/25/2022 – weight 281.8 – bmi 38.2

- 1/23/2023 my last coke have gone over 1 year without a coke. Was typically drinking 1 – 2 20 oz bottles per day of regular coke.

- 1/24/2023 - surgery.

- 3/31/23 got laid off from work.

- 4/6/2023 – robotic hernia surgery

- 4/26/2023 – kidney stones

- 5/1/2023 – weight 224 – bmi 30.3

- 7/11/2023 – procedure to evaluate hiatal herniaI

- 1/18/2024 - COVID.

- 1/25/2024 - big disagreement with boss and resigned.

- 1/29/2024 - received ontingent job offer but significant pay cut. Job won't start for a month so I have time to think abiut job or seek other opportunities.

- 1/30/2024 - weight 234.4 – bmi 31.7

Things to work on:

- Eat better and exercise long term. I’ll do ok eating and exercising for a week or two and then I start stress eating, not feeling like walking.

- Eating – there are times when I don’t feel hungry but want something to eat.

- Regularity – I’ve always been irregular and at times have IBS with uncontrollable BM and then other times go days ( 3 – 4 days) between BM.

- I have a goal of going on a couple of long bike rides 10 -15 miles but need to start getting in shape for them.

- Decide to retire or find new job.

- I rarely feel full. I think that I’m eating less but feel hungry or feel like eating even if I’m not hungry.

Looking for advice on healthy things to eat between meals and limiting appetite here is a list of things that I like to eat .

-

- I like Kind Dark chocolate Cherry Cashew bars (170 cal, 22 g carbs and 6 g protein) - addicting

- Inspire Square Protein wafers by Bariatric Eating (200 cal, 13 g Carbs 15 g protein) - addicting

- BariatricPal Protein Shake or pudding – Chocolate (6 gm carbs 15 gm protein)

- Lunches - Dole Sunflower salad Kit - 350 calaries (40 gm carbs and 9 gm protein)

[summerseeker 2,212]

Hello and congratulations, you are smack in the middle of what I would have called a crisis. Pre surgery, I would have turned to food for comfort. So big applause and back slapping for coping with life's ups and downs so well.

I have GERD in a big way so have to tailor my diet to the bland side or I know about it. I am also done with Protein products. Except the Protein Bars I forgot about. At times I don't want food and at times I am super hungry. If I was a lifelong thin person, I would eat when I was hungry and skip meals when I wasn't. Its just that I was so used to eating every meal that its a hard change now. So on average this is my daily menu. On a hungry day I might get in 1600 calories but level that out with a day of 800 calories

Breakfast - A latte, yoghurt and berries

lunch - Home made Soup or a picky plate of cucumber, celery, beets etc [ hell I don't know why this tastes so good ] cashew nuts or deli meat, apple, grapes or orange, cheese. This plate will often go back in the fridge and finished later. My restriction is fierce.

Dinner/supper - A homemade family meal. I adapt a portion for myself. Typically made from a meat, veg and potatoes/ rice. Pasta is off my menu and my fam are not fans. This may also go back in the fridge and I will eat it later.

Evening - A latte, A popsicle, watermelon etc

I always carry a Protein Bar because when I am out and about, if I am hungry its not always easy to find my foods in a café or restaurant. A small adult plate is only just becoming a thing here.