Problems, problems, problems

I really do like the nectar but I also mix Any Whey with crystal light for a change. I can't handle milk since the surgery so most of the others are out. I tend to use soy milk to replace it but even that is beginning to taste nasty. I have added any whey to the granola bars. I am jsut trying to add enough to make it count with out screwing with the taste and texture. I have been leary about holding the shakes for any length of time. I was wondering if I could make one batch a day to sip on. It would work so much better for me. While my calorie count may look good, please take into consideration that I eat some of the pastries while at work. Wasteful calories that offer nothing but taste. I am working on this as we "speak". Thank you so much for your support and encouragement.

Jane, The main thing I was cautioned about from the manufacturers of the protein I use was to NOT drink directly from the container if it's going back in the frig. I mix up 24 ounces of water with 5 scoops of protein (100 grams), then pour 4 six ounce servings through out the day and evening. One reason I do this is to get the drinks very cold...even I can't gag down these drinks that I truly love if they're not really cold. You could get several smaller tupperware or rubbermaid drink containers pour them up from the larger mix and have single serving containers waiting for you. Just a thought...... Have you ever dumped? I know it's horrible, as I do it quite regularly, but it is a great food aversion "trainer". I found out after my TT (Feb 8th) that it is possible to reset that dump meter and basically have to start all over introducing new foods just like a new post-op. Stay in touch!! Va

Sugar has never really caused much a problem. I did dump on olive oil once back at 4 months out. And "all that was" was extremely loose bowels. I get light headed but not really weak. The times I feel that I usually chalk it up to a blood sugar crash, just like I did when I was having problems with diabetes. I truely wish I had the dumping problem. I am hoping that if I can reregulate my diet it will kicking and and begin causing me problems. This aversion therapy would really help, I am sure. Thanks for the support. Jane

I feel for you, Jane. I worked in a bakery as a teenager, and I put on more than 20 lbs in that time. I have another post-op friend who owns an ice cream shoppe with her husband - that's gotta be torture. Being a small business owner is a large amount of stress, and so is being a WLS post-op. The success of your business and ultimately your livelihood depends on your health, so the business is going to have to give a little so that you can take care of what you need to take care of. You are busy, but you even said that you know you need to go to your psychologist - you've got to make it a priority. Please excercise. It helps drain mental stress, helps to stabilize your appetite, and it will help you sleep better so that you'll have better mental clarity. And, if your microwave is your only means to cook right now (and I hope your oven is getting installed ASAP) then you'd better dig it out. If you had a child living with you, you would never feed that child the way you are feeding yourself. Well, the fact is, you are your own child, you have got to take good care of yourself and provide for yourself. Yogurt has more carbs than protein, and cheese has more fat than protein, which makes neither of them an ideal protein source. The problem with carb-dominant meals is that you will get hungry again much faster after a carb meal than a protein meal, and the sugar that is produced when you break down carbs is addictive, so that when you get hungry faster, what you get hungry FOR is more carbs. It's a viscious cycle. I am MUCH more even-keel and less tempted by carbs when I eat protein-dominant meals. In addition, I find that SOLID protein keeps me feeling fuller much, much longer than soft protein. Life might be a lot easier for you if you can prevent the cravings ahead of time by doing high protein from solid sources. I can eat steak as long as it's not overcooked, but my favorite non-beef proteins are: grilled or baked chicken, broiled white fish (especially scrod!), grilled shrimp, steamed crab legs and lobster, broiled pork chops (with a little water and onion to keep them tender), grilled ham steak, and tuna fish (I use real mayo but the least possible amount). You may be able to find a deli near your bakery where you can get grilled chicken salad or sandwich and just get rid of the bread. How long until you get your kitchen together? I'm sure that as a CIA graduate, you need a higher quality and variety of food and preparation methods to keep you feeling properly fed.. I hope that it comes together soon so you can upgrade your protein - it will really really help. Good luck, Jen

Thanks for your input. I am hoping that my kitchen at home will be semi-functioning in another week or so. Today the ply wood went down for the floor. It is getting there but the place is a mess. I really don't have any other means except to come back to my shop to eat which is a real pain after you have been ther for 12 hours. I will stick mainly with solid proteins but it doesn't look good until I get a fridge and stove back. I also have a great dislike for most meats. I went for a time as a vegetarian because butchering classes messed with my head when it came to meat. I tend to buy pre-cooked meats because I can't stand the smell of raw meat. I knew this would be a challenge even before WLS. Now I am trying to deal with it. I see my pdoc today. I never skip a session unless he is sick or weather closes the roads. This time I had a big catering job and weather that canceled 2 sessions back to back. Not good but he could not reschedule my appt. I have a feeling today will be a doosy. We are constantly workig to reduce my stress level. Who knows - maybe today will be the charm. Thanks.

Jane, Wow that has to be soo hard being able to control yourself doing the work that you do! Hang in there! Its so hard when we loose control...sometimes it takes a long time to get back on track...other times its quick. I recently got back on track myself and boy was it hard! I was caving into the sweets myself. Allowing the doughnuts and candybars and pastries. I decided to do a liquid diet for 3 days (allowing soup once or twice a day) and the rest liquids. I lost 7 pounds in 5 days! I am now back on track, its still hard though. Maybe you could try to go strict then at the end of the week allow yourself one reward ... say anything from the bakery (as long as its a normal size ) I did that this weekend. I allowed myself a chocolate covered doughnut on sunday. That was my reward and now monday its strict again. I am working on training my brain to really love and appreciate tea and warm drinks. I allow myself the half and half so I dont feel too deprived since I am doing liquids and soups. I'll do this for aprox 3 days then incorporate, say a salad, and then the weekend I will ease up and eat normally again. Then sunday I will have my reward treat. Hmm... I think a cannoli this sunday (tee hee) I'm planning ahead of time!!! Ill be ready by sunday! Everyone is sooooo different its hard to say what would be right for you. We can offer our experiences and prayers and well wishes. Hang in there I wish you all the best! We are here for you! (((HUGS))) Elizabeth M