HELLO FRIENDS

Hi all. Wanted to say hi, our computer recently blew up in a very violent storm and so am only just now getting back on line. Am trying to respond individually to everyone's posts but am very tired so here goes...Mike, I take what you take (in vitamins) - no big surprise there given we share the same surgeon. I have to say my recent labs came back and are not good...more on that later, however, my PCP is quite concerned. Connie, although I agree with Dina that jealousy may be at the root of your sister's weird gift sizes to you, I think there might be something else going on here. Any number of things enter my mind...might she be trying to say that she loves you no matter your size? I would simply ask her - come right out and say, "Hey, thanks, but you know I'm in a size 10 now; what's with the 16s?" The arm comment was simply not kosher and rather meanspirited. If my sister said something like that to me and in front of other people no less, I'd cuff her one. Everyone -- I feel as if I am at a fork in the road and one way leads to weight gain, while the other leads to maintaining a normal sized body. I am being pulled equally in either direction and so I stand still, afraid to move. All we can do is keep going, the best that we can. I recently read something by a pyschotherapist who speacializes in weight and body image issues and she said something that resonated with me: "Nothing feels so good to me as keeping my word to myself." Nothing feels so good to me as keeping my word to myself. I try to make a contract with myself every day, first thing in the morning, to spend this day of my life doing good things, being kind and helpful to people, and making the right, healthy choices that will ensure that I maintain my weight loss. Keeping my word to myself at the end of the day -- not giving in to tempations to eat, getting through my workouts (although I am literally having to start from scratch because of my recent surgery) feels terrific. I advise you to give this strategy a try if you are struggling. Nothing will feel so good as keeping your word to yourself. Finally, blood work -- recent tests show my protein level is extremely low. I gained 18 lbs. in water weight after my TT and my PCP finally put me back on my water pill. It's coming off again, slowly. My doctor tells me that the weight gain is partly due to the very low protein levels, so that my cells are not able to move things along the way they are supposed to. Morale here -- GET YOUR PROTEIN IN. I am also anemic and my liver enzemes are all over the map, which he says he is quite concerned about. Does anyone have any insight about this? We will redraw in 2 weeks. Take care, all, I've missed you very much. Love, Reenie

Dear Reenie: I am so sorry for the struggles you are having. I think that having your wt. go up after surgery caused you to be discouraged. I too struggle with getting in the correct protein and nutrients. Try posting your food on fitday.com. It is a good tool for keeping track of everything and the act of posting it helped keep me motivated when I was losing. The other thing I do is not have any bad foods in the house. Except for sour gummy worms--I have no idea why I like them so much since surgery but I have a sweet tooth and am able to eat a few of them at a time. I can tell you that I have trouble eating meat so I get a lot of my protein with cottage cheese and yogurt. If I am super hungry and find myself grazing I usually eat some meat which makes my pouch grouchy but at least then I am not inclined to eat any more of anything. It's kind of like adverse conditioning. All the best. Pat

I do the cottage cheese and yogurt too...every since surgery and I never stopped. It's easy on the pouch and gets the protein in. I eat the low carb yogurt...less sugar and still high protein. Joan

Well, I am so sorry to hear you have problems with the protein! I know Unjury is a good heavy source of the protein. Try making SF pudding and adding a couple scoops to it. I did that with choc pudding and added the choc Unjury and it was fantastic! Do what you can to get it in. I know it is hard, but try try try! I have been bad about iron too but feel better when I have been keeping up on the 2 tabs a day. Don't know if that is enough but I hope so! Good to hear from you! I was just checking yesterday to see when you last posted because it seemed it had been awhile. I was going to give you another day before getting worried....and here your 'puter was down the whole time! I should have known! Take care of yourself - how are the incisions feeling? Are you doing okay post op? Is it getting any easier for you? Dina

HI Reenie, Good to hear from you, Sorry about the puter problems & your VIT levels. I wasn't drinking protein shakes for a long time, as my surgeon didn't believe in them. I have started drinking them. I think WE NEED THEM!! I drink at least 2 a day sometimes 3. Everyone that I know that is 3 & 4 years out drink them & maintain there weight loss better than the ones that don't drink them. I use Champion Whey (Chocolate) If you get it from Vitalady.com its cheaper than anywhere else. This is the best tasting stuf out there in my opinion the Vanilla is good to & can bee added 'to a lot more things. If you are not taking b-12 start taking it today make sure its sublingual b-12 & take 2000 to 5000 MG a day. This will help with your energy levels & help with your healing as well. I also take a B- complex as the other b vit's are important too!! Good luck & hope you are feeling better soon. We have missed you!! Marilyn, the Bearlady

Howdy Pardner; I'm really sorry to hear that you're having problems with the old body chemistry. It is a fine balance we must achieve. Although this surgery does solve a multitude of problems, it seems to bring on a few of its own. I don't seem to have any trouble getting in the protein, so I'm not sure what to advise you on that. I do find that I keep the low-fat cheese sticks around for snacking etc. If you can tolerate them, they seem to be an easy way to get some quick protein as well as dairy value. Mike