WELL Happy Anniversary to me and My Handsome hubby!!! It has been 2 yrs of marriage and 5 yrs total!!! And it seems to be getting easier (with exception for the last two days, LOL) Does the stress of an empending anniversary cause issues in anyone eleses relationships?  Maybe it's just me.. I dont know...

Okay so I am down a total of 84 lbs since the start of my Baratric Process and since surgery I am down 68 lbs!!!  I am wearing a size 14 now and some of my 14's a kinda getting loose...  I LOVE my RNY!!!!

Hi Everyone!

Today is a good day! I am nearly 3 months out, I haven't had much problems aside from the clumps of my hair falling out of my head and my clothes all falling off of me (the rants of a skinny Bitch!!! J/K totally not skinny! LOL). 

When I began the process I weighed about 271 and at surgery I weighed 255 and today I weighed 195 so total loss of 65lbs since surgery!!! YEA!!!!

And my Clothes... I was a size 22 (a tight fitting 22) and had not seen the teens in years!!! Well this morning I am wearing a size 14 suit I got at Ross for $20.00. This is is a double accomplishment, you can't ever find FAT clothes for 20 buck unless it's a T-shirt!

I am still struggling with getting in all my protein and vitamins and water but I am now making a consious effort to work on these struggles... I will accomplish this goal in the next month or so.  I am playing with recipes, and alot of them I like and my family likes so this is a major sucsess for me!!!

For those of you are still contemplating surgery... this surgery is a "Tool" and only a "Tool" it is up to you to use it, if you choose to use it and maintane your tool (IE Protein, Vitamins, Meal Choices, and Water) it works and you will see a lot of success!!!  If you can not make the commiment to this "Tool" it is better for your health not to make this decision.  This decision was the best decision for me but don't get me wrong it definately was not an easy decision to make AND there are continued struggles for a long while even after surgery...

All fish including:

• Flounder
• Herring
• Salmon
• Sardines
• Sole
• Tuna
• Trout

All fowl including:

• Cornish Hen
• Chicken
• Duck
• Goose
• Pheasant
• Quail
• Turkey

All shellfish including:

• Clams
• Crabmeat
• Mussels*
• Oysters*
• Shrimp
• Squid

*Oysters and mussels are higher in carbs so limit to about 4 ounces per day.

All meat including:

• Bacon*
• Beef
• Ham*
• Lamb
• Pork
• Veal
• Venison

*Be aware of processed meat and that some may be cured with sugar, which will add to the carbohydrate count. Also steer clear of meats with added nitrates.

Eggs are one of nature's most nutritious creations. That’s why eggs are a staple breakfast in the Atkins Nutritional Approach.

Feel free to get creative with your eggs, add mushrooms and onions, or even green pepper. Top them off with feta cheese or add spices like basil and oregano.

All Eggs including:

• Deviled
• Fried
• Hard-boiled
• Omelets
• Poached
• Scrambled
• Soft-boiled

Keep in mind that cheese does contain carbs, about 1 gram per once. You may have about 3 to 4 ounces of cheese per day. An ounce is about the size of an individually wrapped slice of American cheese.

Cheese including:

Vegetables:

You should be eating approximately 12 to 15 net carbs a day from vegetables, which is equivalent to several cups depending on the Net Carb count of vegetable used.

1 cup is equal to approximately the size of a baseball

The following vegetables are slightly higher than the salad vegetables listed above; they also provide important nutrients and add variety to your daily foods. Make sure you stay within the 12-15 grams net carbs.

Fats and Oils – No net carbs here, but keep in mind the serving size is approximately 1 tablespoon.

• Butter
• Mayonnaise – make sure there is no added sugar
• Olive oil
• Vegetable oils – especially good if they are labeled “cold pressed” or “expeller pressed” One of the best oil to use is olive oil.
  • Canola
  • Walnut
  • Soybean*
  • Grape seed
  • Sesame
  • Sunflower*
  • Safflower

*Do not allow these oils to reach high temperatures when cooking. Use olive oil for sautéing.

Artificial Sweeteners

• Splenda – one packet equals 1 carb

Beverages

• Clear broth/ bouillon (make sure there are no sugars added)
• Club soda
• Cream – heavy or light, be sure to note the carb count
• Decaffeinated or regular coffee and tea*
• Diet soda - be sure to note the carbs
• Flavored Seltzer (must say no calories)
• Herb tea (no barley or fruit sugar added)
• Water – at least 8 eight ounce glasses per day including...
  • Filtered water
  • Mineral water
  • Spring water
  • Tap water

* One to two cups of caffeinated tea or coffee is allowed as desired and tolerated by each individual. If you experience symptoms of hypoglycemia or cravings as a result, do not use caffeine. If you have a true caffeine addiction, it is best to break that habit during the induction phase.