Honestly the biggest issue I have with the floppy bits is on my bike, where stuff rubs and squishes and folds in on itself and is generally unhappy... a nice pair of bike shorts helps, but it's not a cure.

As for looking more appealing to me, I hate how it looks. But luckily I don't have to look at it much, he does. I envision him having to sift through yards of skin to find anything, and meanwhile he says with a grin that's a way over-exaggeration of the facts.

But FYI I have heard of people who have had their labia "tightened up" with plastic surgery after losing weight, so I suppose that's an option if you are really not happy with it (I don't think I'd go that far personally, but I am me, not you).

Hope that wasn't too much TMI in return lol!

Audrey

Same thing happens to me more than six YEARS out. Some days Pouchy is happy. Other days he is not. I just go with the flow and always listen to him. Unless you have a medical or nutritional concern, I would suggest you do the same :)

Audrey

I have to be careful due to reactive hypoglycemia but in general, I average 50 g carbs a day in the winter, and 100 g in the summer. We routinely do the Apple Cider Century and other local weekend long-distance rides during the summer, so it works for me better than just eating more on ride days. As you are still early out, that may not work for you, but I think I started doing that maybe 2 years in and it has worked ever since.

When I do bonk, it is often due to hydration issues, not just food. G2 seems to keep that under control as it has a tiny amount of sugar in it compared to full-sugar Gatorade. I fill my camelbak with water (which I hate, but I drink when forced), pop a few bottles of G2 in the bike, and I am ready to go. During the ride I don't eat much unless it's more than 40 miles or so, then maybe a banana or nuts or a protein bar (or all three) depending on distance left.

Audrey

Peanut butter straight off a spoon is my go-to. I can get it from my work cafeteria if I am not at home... but I have been really careful lately and haven't had an episode of RH in probably almost 2 years now.

Audrey

That is how I feel after reactive hypoglycemia, which some people refer to as "late dumping syndrome". Whatever you call it, carbs cause it. I almost never get it any more, because I stay away from carbs...

The only other possibility I can think off, without being your doctor, is you have a bad gall bladder, which can react various weird ways to high fat. As healthy fats are good for post-RNY, you don't want to avoid them... but get your gall bladder checked out if you truly think you are eating eggs, mayo, etc without any added carbs and still suffering those symptoms. But I would add that I believe, reading your initial post, that you are eating a lot more carbs and sugar than you think you are.

FYI mayo has no lactose to speak of. It is oil and egg and some additives.

Audrey

Chewable orange centrum are good multi-vitamins to start with... cheap, nearly complete, and not too awful. I also add iron, magnesium citrate, potassium, B-12 sublingual, B1 and a weekly D-3 50,000 iu.

That's based on watching my blood levels over several years (I have major issues with anemia and magnesium especially)... your mileage may vary.

Edited to add: some people also need to add calcium, vitamin C, etc. I have never had an issue with those so I never added them.

Audrey

I drink sugar-free soda every day, as I hate coffee and I require caffeine to survive and not kill people.

In the beginning I would shake it up to make it flat as Pouchy didn't like the bubbles. After about a year, I got used to the bubbles too.

I feel that some doctors assume that because we are fat, we are stupid, and they place blanket bans on things like caffeine or soda pop (sugar or not) because they don't want us drinking the sugared stuff after RNY and they feel we are too dumb to listen. So they make up stories about how it will blow up your pouch, etc. It is anatomically impossible to do that. And the ASMBS says caffeine is fine.

Long story short, when you are ready and comfortable, try some flat soda (sugar-free, that is).

Audrey

I had a bunch of my stomach and small intestine hacked out of my body six years ago today to do what I couldn't do alone... lose weight and become (relatively) healthy. What I have learned:

1. It's a tool, not a cure
2. IBS and lactose intolerance sux. But it is what it is.
3. I miss ice cream. Banana splits especially. Anything with chocolate really.
4. Dry chicken and dry ground beef make Pouchy unhappy STILL
5. Anemia sucks, and so do nocturnal leg/foot craps so take your f*cking vitamins!
6. Dr. Atkins had the right idea. Any doctor who tells you it's OK to eat potatoes and oatmeal right after surgery is an idiot. I have stayed at the weight I am due to low carb and high fat... .
7. Booze and wine are OK, but ONLY if in moderation. A problem is a problem.
8. Ditto caffeine/coffee/sugar-free pop or soda. I live for my daily Diet Mountain Dew and occasional Rockstar Recovery (no fizz).
9. Don't ignore abdominal pain and assume it's just an RNY thing. I ignored it two years ago, and then almost died from a ruptured appendix.
10. Chasing my 3 year old grandson around and biking/sex/fun with my husband trumps all of the above issues
11. I would do it all again in a minute.

Six year ago:

\

Now (around 163 in this pic):

Audrey

Yes I lucked out in the husband department twice... first one was a restaurant owner, and second one is a foodie. I can't eat much, but when I do, it's fab!!

Audrey

The last time I sat Shiva, my overriding memory is blintzes and bagels. I can only imagine your stress level right now.

I can only say that the deli tray is not totally evil... cold cuts, cheese, mustard, lox, pickles, etc are pretty high protein, high fat and/or low-carb.

And I am so sorry for your loss... may G-d comfort you among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem....

Audrey

Take it slow. I developed IBS and lactose issues after surgery, never had them before. If 4 oz causes an issue, try 2 oz... and so on.

Audrey

Hellman's mayonnaise - 0 carbs (https://smartlabel.labelinsight.com/product/2676443/nutritio n?locale=en_us

Hellman's low fat mayonnaise dressing - 2 carbs

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Hellmann-s-Low-Fat-Mayonnaise-Dre ssing-30-oz/10291732

Daisy sour cream - 1 carb

Daisy lite sour cream - 2 carbs

https://www.daisybrand.com/sour-cream

Hidden Valley Ranch original - 2 carbs

Hidden Valley Ranch light ranch - 3 carbs

https://www.hiddenvalley.com/products/bottled-dressings/orig inal-ranch/original-ranch/

Regular cool whip - 2 carbs

Lite/Free (and even "sugar free") - 3 carbs

http://www.kraftrecipes.com/coolwhip/products.aspx

As in many parts of life, I suspect the true secret is to read the label and choose your brands accordingly... with the knowledge that some manufacturers add carbs/sugar, and some don't.

Audrey