### 06/08 What Did Ya Eat Today?

Ok, want a BIG shock????????????????????? I drank a protein drink!!!! Ok, it was more of a protein fruit smoothie, but it's the first in 2 months!!! I made a shake this morning using FF milk, peach yogurt, frozen strawberries, raspberries, pineapple & mango. I blended it with a scoop of unflavored protein powder, and a little packet of splenda. It was pretty good! Too filling, and it started melting and getting warm so I only drank about half, but it's a start right? I couldn't taste the protein, which was the main issue with shakes.. One more sleep until CA!!! YAY Breakfast: 6oz or so of a protein fruit smoothie (See above) -- Prob abour 12-14g protein. Snack: 3oz Yogurt Lunch: About 3oz of chicken breast and about 1oz of rice. Snack: 2 string cheese Dinner: Unsure---- Im gonna get a pedicure after work, so probably something super quick when I get home cause I have to pack for my trip! Doing good with water, I have done about 40oz, and Im about to start on another bottle.

Hi Darlene, Thanks for posting your daily menu. I was wondering how much, those of us who had surgery in March, were eating at this stage. I still can't eat meat yet, especially chicken. I'm able, however, to eat small pieces in soups (my mainstay). As far as a real piece of meat...it just doesn't want to cooperate. Cooked vegetables and finally chopped lettuce go down really well. Tomatoes taste particulary good to me right now. Oh, yes...Tobasco sauce goes into almost everything! (I chuckle over this one, especially since I used to dislike spicy so much before my surgery!) I'm now lactose-intolerant, but managed to find a very low sugar yogurt that seems to be working. This is a new food I was able to add this week. Cottage cheese is something I've been able to reintroduce about a week ago. As for cheese, the only ones that go down without problems are cheddar, goat, and Munster (sp?). This is new, also. As for portions...I eat (drink) about 1 c (maybe more if it's mostly broth) at a sitting; 1 egg; 1 piece of cheese, etc. I'm having trouble losing weight this past month. I'm now wondering if I'm getting enough protien. Here's what I've had today... Diluted apple juice & water (8-10 oz) Breakfast: 1 egg (lightly fried) Snack: coffee (1/4 soy milk for protien) Lunch: 1 C vegetable soup Snack: watermelon pieces (1 C), raw nuts (9 gr. protien) Dinner: Vegetable Soup (1C)

Hey Lisa!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You had Dr Juarez, very cool! My Mother in law had him, Hubby and I went with Dr Fang. Sorry your having issues with meat--- chicken is sooo easy for me to eat. I just posted today on the main board about the fact I can eat anything with no issues--- nothing has disagreed with me yet. You need to becareful living off soup--- it doesnt keep you full, and you can eat a lot more than if you were eating a dense protein--- later on when your hunger comes back more, liquidy stuff like soups & yogurt etc aren't the best things to be eating. I need to up my protein too!!! Ive noticed the last week or so I can eat a little more, I think the swelling has finally gone down. Your in Tempe--- you should totally join us at the Chandler support group-- such a very cool bunch of people!!! Every 2nd & 4th Tuesday @ Chandler Regional Hospital on Dobson & Frye 6-7.30pm Darlene

Darlene, Thanks for answering so quickly! I would love to join the support group. I will plan on attending next meeting. The 13th would be the next meeting, correct? Also, I appreciate your advice about the soups. I've known that I can't live off those alone, but they do go down without any trouble. I'm inclined to agree with you about the swelling. Suddenly, I'm able to eat a little more. I was even beginning to wonder if I had stretched my stomach due to the change. I never thought about the swelling part of it. FYI - Dr. Fang was actually my surgeon. All of the paperwork was processed under Juarez, but Fang did the surgery. I am very happy with him. Hey...You have a great trip! Lisa

Yeah the next meeting is the 13th! Unfortunately I'll be in CA-- but everyone is awesome there, Joyce will take care of you if you decide to go. The statistic's show those who attend support groups have better success at keeping the weight off *wink* I dont know what I would do without that group!!! Hopefully I'll get to meet you sometime. PS: I love Dr Fang!!!!!!

Lisa,, You are more then welcome to go to the VA board and read my earlier post from this morning. I too am freaked out as of late. But I had some real helpful people respond back to me, especially Tinkerbell/Natalie. Read her post especially. In fact anyone who wants to should in concerns protein. I should copy and paste some literature on protein that she shared with me a while back. The woman is a great welath of knowledge, and is one of the WLS great successes. I'll gather what I have and post it all to share. Kirsten

Hi Everyone, I just know you're gonna LOVE California, Darlene. We like to think we have the best of everything here........ Here's my eating log for taday: Breakfast: my usual....protein drink Lunch: 1C chicken pozole I know...I had this yesterday too. I really don't like eating the same thing over and over, but whatcha gonna do with it after you've opened it up. I dislike throwing food away even more. Midafternoon: 1oz beef jerky Dinner: I made some really yummy lentil soup I'm going on the hunt for Crystal Light slurpees tonight!!! Laura A. 299/232/140

LOL Love CA and their crazy home prices... I don't think so hahaha... If I put my house in CA it would be worth millions... maybe I should move it.

Hi Laura - about your hunt for Crystal Light slurpees - I saw your post on my "do you like bacon?" and hope I didn't cause any confusion. I take Unjury Powder (either vanilla or chocolate and you have to order it online - unjury.com) and mix it with Simply Smart milk. I then shake it up really well and put it in a bowl in the freezer for about 3 hours and it is like a fudgy/icee/ice cream consistency and I really enjoy it. But I am guessing you could do the same thing with protein powder mixed in Crystal Light. Anyway for food: B - 1 slice 35 cal bread with 1 tbs. natural peanut butter and sugar free strawberry preserves and 3 slices (70 cal/5 gr protein) Oscar Mayer bacon S - protein slurpee! L - 3 oz tuna mixed with 1 hard boiled egg and light mayonnaise with 3 low fat triscuit crackers D - 1/3 of a small grilled chicken ceasar salad (got them to add some hard boiled eggs for more protein) from Applebees with FF Italian dressing rather than ceasar dressing got in 4 - 16.9 oz. of water and all my vitamins - and 30 minutes at Ladies Workout Express. Don't think I can ever walk my pugs again in New Hampshire - we have perpetual RAIN here! Working on my ark in the back yard! Barbara

Never mind me Laura - having senior moments...went back and saw the posts on the CL slurpees....forget all that dialog about protein shakes! I am having a goofy morning! Barbara