Feeling Full

In the old days, feeling full meant feeling like the button holding my pants together was very close to hitting the pavement. That of course is assuming that I was wearing pants with a button to begin with and not my signature elastic waisted pants - the pants that allowed you a few extra bites! Feeling full meant being stuffed to the gills, stuffed to capacity, supersatured, in a desperate need of a big ol' nap or worse of all feeling like the guy in The Life of Brian - one more bite and you literally explode! Goodness, how many days did I end up laying down feeling just horrible because I had eaten too too much. Too many to count, I fear. As an early pre-op, I was wondering "what would full feel like." I heard so many people say that they didn't recognize hunger for a long time post-op. I think I felt some hunger about a week post-op. Perhaps it wasn't hunger at all but salivation at the thought or smell of something from my life prior to surgery. Naw, it was a bit of old fashioned hunger. Now being two months post-op, I'm not sure I can really fully describe the sensation that I get when I know that I've have enough. That feeling that my pouch (Igor) is happy, satisfied, sated, or perhaps best of all...just simply fed and nourished. I've never risked going an extra bite over that yet. That isn't easy for me to do. In the past, I went far beyond those points even into pain and discomfort. But Igor, needs to be pampered and I don't want to end up the foamies or worst of all...being revisited by my meal. (I've been lucky this far and haven't had to experience either yet.) One thing that I think helps me not eat too much is that I'm eating so slow now. In the past, I ate so fast, I swear that I never tasted a bite so I had to go and try another and another and another. Now, I savor every bite. I try to make every one count by chosing really good tasting food. No junk here. I want it wonderful, moist, lucious, and best of all - protein rich. Just some ramblings for today! Kathy

Kathy, You write very well.... I enjoyed your ramblings and have, myself, made reference to "Life of Brian" when explaining my historic eating habits. As I tucked in my shirt and cinched my belt this morning, I wondered at the changes that WLS has brought into my life. Pre-thought, pre-planning, preparation, savouring each bite instead of falling on food like a ravenous hog. There are very few people that know that I had surgery. Most of my friends, acquaintences and co-workers believe that I'm dieting and doing very well. I lost close to 40lbs in the first month post-op and have a doctor's appointment tomorrow. I refuse to weigh myself more frequently than once-a-month. I feel great about this decision. I know that you had your husband as a guide on this journey. My husband has been very supportive and laughs all the time about how "cheap a date" I've become. We usually just order a meal for him and he shares. It's silly to order a meal for me, the dog is getting fat on leftovers. This venue has been a Godsend. I've read the answers to questions I didn't know I had. My heart goes out to the people who are struggling. We can only pray that things will get easier for them. I guess it's the day for ramblings... Live, Love, Laugh Kate Z 313/???/125

Happy Two Months to us!! Happy Two Months to us!!! Happy TWO MONTHS tooooo usssss!!! Happy Two Months to us!! We made it to two months. Congrats on your success!!! It sure is a neat thing to lose this much weight in only TWO MONTHS!!! What kinds of foods are you eating??????????? I'm really stuck on food right now. Partly because my pouch is full of "drainage" from this horrible cold. And partly because after I got sick on some chicken I'm AFFRAID to try different things now!!! Really, I am. My list of foods is very short. 1. Egg - scrambled, or like egg salad 2. Soup - I add bacon and cheese to potato soup for some protein 3. Nachos - I only use about 5 chips and the rest is beans, meat, and cheese 4. Chili - I make my own, so I know how "hot" it is That's about it. makes for some pretty boring eating after all this time. I can't do CIB anymore, used to LOVE it!! Now it is just gagging to me. I can't do ANY WHEY protein anymore. My taste seemed to have changed when I got dehydrated!!! Weird huh?! So, I'm up for some new ideas (but NOT chicken) !!!!! I need high in protein foods!!! I'm doing much better on the drinking. Now that I have this cold, it helps flush the gunk out of my pouch!! I can drink water, ice tea, hot tea, s.f. to go sticks from walmart. Last time I walked (before the cold) I went 2.8 miles!!! That's the most i've EVER walked in my life. I can't wait to get over this sickness and get moving again. I'm setting up my gazzelle in the livingroom today for me to use. This is an amazing (but challenging) journey!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Laurie 262/205/135

Happy Two Months to you! Happy Two Months to us! LOL! I'm doing well but on a plateau weight-wise. I've been in the 211-212 lb range for 14 days, I think. Being patient. There is nothing I could be doing differently so I just have to wait it out. I did see some big changes in "size" in the past week or two so that made the plateau that much more bearable. I get all my vitamins in without issue and at least 60 oz of water. Usually a fair amount more. I do my two protein supplements a day. I use Nectar Lemon Tea. It always goes down well and tastes fine to me. The only thing I'm questionable on is carb countdown milk. That didn't agree with me early on. Soy milk wasn't great either. I'd love one of the great chocolatey shakes my husband makes but they are too heavy for my pouch, too bubbly (blenderized) and that milk can upset my digestion so I steer clear for now. But boy his shakes taste great (I do take a sip). It's Isopure Zero Carb Dutch Chocolate. One thing that sits real well with me is shaved lunch meats. Shaved ham, shave turkey along with some cheese tastes great, chews easily and sits well. As for other things to eat, I do well with most things. Sometimes chicken or parts of it can be too chewy for me. Doesn't seem to break down enough to swallow. I do fine with turkey, ground beef, ground turkey, pork, fish, etc. Fried foods do not bother me. Shared some grouper fingers with hubby the other day. Yummy. Nice moist white fish encrusted. I do try to avoid carbs. I always feel I do better when I eat low carb. But right now, nothing seems to be getting me jump started again. I'll just wait it out. As for exercise I walk/jog and do about 1.5 mile at a pop. Then I do crunches and a weight workout of my upper body with 5 lb hand weights. Go see my surgeon (really a new doctor - my surgeon moved out of state) tomorrow afternoon for a checkup. Only issue is acid reflux. The doctor called in carafate liquid for that which I take 4 times a day. Kathy

Laurie, I found a new powder recently MLO Veg Protein its got 17g in just 2tbs , its low carb, low sugar, and it does not have any flavor, I have been adding it to tomato soup with carb milk which also has 12g in a 8oz serving I did it for my liquid stage but have found its an easy way for me to get my protein down. Not sure if you saw Lisa's post for noodless lasagna but that went down pretty easy too she used ricotta I substituted cottage cheese you then add pasta sauce and cheese (I bought a Italian blend) you bake it. It goes down pretty easy and is a high protein meal as well. You are doing great! Heres to your cold ending soon! Cary