I just got these in the mail today! I got the mixed fruit on the multivitamins and the assorted flavors on the calcium citrate. Yes, I do love the chewy texture and the taste! I hate taking pills and love to chew on foods... so this was the right fit for me! It also makes me feel more confident knowing I'm getting what I really need. Can't wait to take my vitamins now! LOL It's the small things that make me happy! :)

Thank you!!! Good to know! :)

WOW!! Way to go, Lynnc99!! You have motivated me!! You make it so simple!

Got a quick question? You mentioned you only take in 700-750 calories a day. Is this normal for someone who is say, 5 years post op? Maybe, I'm taking in too many calories. ?? Thanks again for your post! You are doing great!!!

Thought I would add more to my post after reading the helpful suggestions and encouraging comments. I looked online at my patient portal to see my last lab results. The only things I could see was my vitamin D was low... so I'm taking the vitamin D suggested. My cholesterol was 240 and my HDL (bad cholesterol) was 144. I know this is coming from eating bad carbs such as sweets, grits, crackers and chips. Some of these also have too much sodium. So, I have cut out all of this in my diet. I also have been eating the yolk with my eggs.... hey I feel like I'm in confession here... lol... So, I am cutting the yolks out as well. The only dairy I am taking in is greek yogurt, Chobani brand which has 0% fat and some cheddar cheese. I am focussing on chicken, fish, and green vegetables, eggs without the yolk and turkey sausage and bacon occasionally. It has taken me a month to get my eating habits back on track. Hoping to get more weight off before my knee surgery. My lab results also said my carbon dioxide was low at 30. Now, I have no idea how to fix that!! :) Thanks again for all the comments and suggestions. They have been so helpful. :)

Oh my,,,, I didn't know sea salt was just as bad! I thought it was a substitute to salt. Good to know! Thanks!!

Love my eggs but must have salt on them. Doctor says I need to cut back on the salt after looking at my blood work. Any ideas out there on what to use? Thinking of sea salt but there are so many kinds out there. Any suggestions or favorites? Is there a Mrs. Dash Salt out there? Thanks!!

Thank you so much for sharing your story with me.... so encouraging!! I wish I could do water exercise,, but my knee is so bad... can't get into the water plus I'm legally blind and my balance is not good. I will definitely call my surgeon in the morning about exercises. I have started today on some knee exercises, doing leg lifts and side lifts while lying on the bed since I can't get on the floor. I am nervous about the surgery, the pain afterwards.... wondering if I can handle it. Since I can't take nsaids, I hope they will give me something strong that I "can" take. Will talk to surgeon at pre op about this. As far as my eating, I have been focusing on low carbs, and more proteins and staying away from starchy carbs, and sweets. The weight is beginning to come off. Wish I could have all the 30 pounds off before surgery! But, I know that is NOT going to happen and that is OK.... slow and steady and I'm happy! Yes, all the exercising I can do now is to strengthen my muscles around my knee and maybe do some chair exercises with weights. ?? Thank you again for your encouraging words!! Need your prayers. :)

Background: VSG in 2014 Highest weight 235 Lowest 145 Current 177

Present:Regained 32 pounds! Suffered from arthritis for many years in knees, ankle, back.

Scheduled for total knee replacement in March. (bone on bone now) Difficulty walking or standing very long.

Problem: I am having difficulty getting back on track since Jan. 1st. I can't seem to make it past 2 days without falling off the wagon. I'm trying once again today. I also know I need to exercise. What type of exercise should I do? Or do I forget exercise until I recover from surgery? I am also planning on getting the other knee done as well after the first one. Then it's an ankle replacement. I know.... this is alot of surgeries but the arthritis is so bad. Maybe if I get the weight off I wont need the ankle one. ??? My question is... what type of exercise can I do knowing I can't wait until all the surgeries are recovered. It is SO HARD to focus on eating right and surgery at the same time BUT I know if I don't I will continue to gain. Help please from anyone who has been down this road. Thanks in advance. :)

How do you make your zucchini noodles with the spiralizer? Got a recipe? What else do you do with your attachment? Thank you for your ideas! :)

I'm still debating between getting the KA spiralizer or the KA sheet slicer.

I did a search on the recipe thread, could not find the recipe I was looking for. But, thanks for the heads up on "Eggface" recipes. What do you like to do with your "spiralizer"? That sounds like a great tool too! :)

Gwen, I got that same message yesterday. It looked ok to me. I did answer the questions. After sending in the answers, I got a form from the teenager to sign. It also looked fine to me. The form had a school letterhead on top of the form. I think, as least I hope all is well. ??

I first started having trouble with my ankle after spraining it by walking on cobble stone sidewalk. Being overweight added to the arthritis that built up in the ankle. I went to the Bone & Joint walk in clinic yesterday and had x-rays of my knee and ankle. I have moderate arthritis in both but the pain is almost unbearable in my ankle. I was given a shot in my knee and my ankle. I was told I was a candidate for an ankle replacement and knee replacement. I was told at my age the ankle replacement was a better choice than a fusion. The ankle replacement would last around 25 years. I am almost 62 now. I have decided to keep taking the shots and do physical therapy exercise and get the extra 35 lbs off my joints. I will talk to the surgeon when the shots no longer work for me. I hate the thought of having an ankle replacement. It will be my "last" resort. Hoping getting the extra weight off will make the difference but in the mean time I will take shots every 3 months and take tylenol for arthritis pills. I have a tough journey but I am determined and hopeful. :)

Since he is turning 5,,,,, Candyland is another great game! You don't want a game that last too long since their attention span is only around 20 minutes. (I taught 6 year olds) Card games are fun at that age too.... Old Maid, Fish, UNO, Skipbo. Good luck! We "Nanas" have to pull together to stay 'cool'. LOL