I went to my last support group meeting before surgery &

It was one of the best.  They had different speakers at different stages of their weightloss journey.  They talked about different things like keeping water on your night stand for the dry mouth you get in the middle of the night, constipation, dumping, and the "different" kind of vomitting you have after weightloss surgery.  How you don't actually vomit, but rather the food just works its way back up.  How you can get really frustrated with organizing your routine.  This is one of my things I am already starting to panic about. There was also this gentleman who I found to be really funny.  He was I believe 3 months out, and he was telling us how wonderful this stay was at St. Vincent's.  He said everyone was really helpful and supportive.  And (in his words...Now this is probably a guy thing)  it is the only place I know of where you are given a YEAH! and thumbs up  for farting and belching. Doesn't sound as funny when I read it back, but I guess it was his professionalism during his speech, and then to end with this...It was pretty funny. 3 questions..How many of you 12 mo and beyond still count your grams of protein? and if so how much in a normal day? Will you tell me your normal routine in order to get the require pills and grams of protein? Best wishes, Kim

Hi Kim,  I'm 2 1/2 yrs. out and do count my protien, fat, and carbs every day. It is easy for me to slip up if I don't,and get too much of one thing and not enough of another. My "norm" is 60 grams protein daily, 3 vitamen tabs in the am.- and calcium- one at 2 and one at 8pm.Make sure you do seperate your vitamens and calcium, so they have time to absorbe. Pills, 1 hr. before breakfast- thyroid especially.I drink between 64-75 oz. of fluids daily- in the form of water, decaf tea, and decaf coffee.I don't count my liquid protein as a fluid either.  I wish you well on getting you date soon!You have done all of the leg work, now comes the good part! (((((((((hugs)))))))))) Ellen

Hi Kim, I'm like you, not sure how I'm going to get this routine down!  I'm sure later it will come without even thinking.  At least I hope so.  I can't believe we only have four days left!!  I have a friend at work that was having her surgery today, but it got delayed due to a heart problem.  She find this out from her post op tests.  Now I keep waiting on the phone to ring, to tell me that they can't do mine.  That would be awfull.  I wonder how often that happens?  They told her that they would try to get her in, later in the week after seeing the heart doctor.  She is seeing him tomorrow.  Who knows, maybe she will be in there with us? Well I see you soon! Sherry

I am 3 years out and I quit counting but I STILL eat my protien first and if I have room I eat something else. I am still very regular about my vitamins.. Yep a good fart never hurt anyone... ( unless someone else is in the room with you) OMG Bariatric Farts..snicker...I usually hickup instead of belch and that is when I have eatten to much or to fast.. You will get in your routine and stick with it because it works for you.. I started out eatting 4 cheese sticks a day and drinking 5 glasses of mil****il I could get in the solid protien... Best wishes Linda Kay

I typed in MILK I have no idea why it put all the *** in it... it wasnt a brand name...Linda kay

Linda...It was taking the 'k' from Milk and putting it with the 'unt' in Until. Crazy, huh? I always have to look at my post and think ok..what naughty word did I write THIS time???? I know that if I write 'That' and follow it with the word 'Water', it doesn't like that either! LOL!

Thanks Ellen and Linda.  I know it's a little early for me, but I have a lady that is 8 months out.  She hasn't been counting her protein at all.  I thought maybe that was the reason for her slow weightloss. Sherry, I can't believe how quick the days are going by.  I have been trying to get caught up at work, and it is going okay.  The doctor I work for is in the process of getting me a laptop, and securing our system at work.  This will enable me to work from home should I feel like it.  So, this is taking the edge off of the worry.  My husband and I share responsibilities at home, so I am not so worried about that.  He is pretty great.  I hate doing dishes and laundry (the putting away part), and he hates dusting and cleaning the bathroom.  So he takes care of the kitchen and laundry, and I take care of the rest.  Well, I am off to work.  Thanks again ladies. Best wishes, Kim

Kim, I'm +3.5 years out. I start my morning with my synthroid as soon as I get up. I drink a water (or decaf coffee). +1 hour or more later, I have breakfast. At least 4 hours after I take my synthroid (~lunchtime), I do my vitamins. I save my calcium for before bedtime. I do it this way on the advise of my endocrinologist so that nothing interacts with anything else. I do eat 3 meals a day, every day. I'm up to ~8 oz or so. Depends on what it is really. I'm a bad girl and don't always put my protein first. I do enjoy a good salad! I'm not big on carbs though...well.unless it's popcorn for a snack. I still drink my protein drinks. I have 2 per day at 20 g protein each. If I'm having a really bad eating meat day, I'll have 3. I usually average ~10-15 g protein per meal so I guess my target would be in the neighborhood of 80 g protein/day. Right now, I'm not tracking my nutrients. Once my issues are taken care of, especially if my hypoglycemia returns or I start adding some weight back, I will be. I prefer SparkPeople.com for this since I can track it all at home or at work, including my water intake. Oh...I do consider the '64 oz' a MINIMUM. I typically get in ~100 oz of WATER a day. WATER, NOT counting protein drinks, skim milk, or any other calorie containing liquids. You will be amazed at how the further out you are, you just get into a routine..and it all becomes a habit.            Oh..and the 'vomiting' ...it's something that once you learn how it feels, you 'know'.  It's no big deal anymore. If I don't chew up something just right, I know to get up and go to the little girls room because it's not going to get better until it isn't in there anymore.  I'll go one further on the water...I keep a water bottle with me 24/7. I don't jump in the truck to run to Kroger without one! Every sip you take helps! Oh...and Smooth Move herbal decaf tea helped me with the constipation..that oh, I WISH I had   again! LOL!                            Sherri