Hi Renee' I found myself doing the same thing in the last few weeks. I decided to get back to using my Fitday program to track what I eat. I also found a Bariatric food guide pyramid to use as a guide. I think it's okay to have a snack or two, but I think we really need to watch what we are snacking on. I found using Fitday that one of my "mindless" snacks was Eatsmart Soy crisps. Okay..good protein, but more fat and calories than I really want to add with a mindless snack. I think when we are this far out keeping track of what we are eating becomes more important than even in the beginning. At one year out our malabsorption is not as much. Research has shown that by a year out our malabsorption goes down to about 20% versus the 50% in the beginning. So, we need to really watch what we are doing as we are absorbing nearly all of what we are eating. We will ALWAYS have some malabsorption so taking our vits and calcium are lifelong, but the calorie absorption is much more than in the beginning. We are also able to eat more food at this point. Gernerally up to 1 cup at a sitting (although I think there are people who can eat more). Our stomas also may get a little bigger so our food passes through faster than it did in the beginning, so it's important to have foods that are dense, and remember not to drink at all with our meals, and wait that 30-60 minutes to drink after we eat, so the food stays in our pouch longer. For snacks perhaps we should try to get in our veggies and fruits during this time. Also remember to try to get in at least 80 grams of protein a day (I feel best at about 100 grams). Drink lots of liquids between our meals and if you tolerate sugar, pretend you don't and avoid it like the plague. Believe me, I have had to remind myself of these rules lately because I was really snacking on the wrong foods. I'm trying to do better, and believe it or not, since I've tracked my protein, I've lost 2 lbs in the past 3 days. I would still like to lose at least another 20 lbs (30 would be ideal), but I know at this point it will have nothing to do with the surgery, and everything to do with me. I just need to use this tool to its fullest. I hope I've given you some encouragement, and know that you are not alone. We were not obese by accident, and it is going to continue to take hard work to stay healthy. Love, Debra

Good morning all. In reading "Bariatric Surgery for Dummies" there is a great food pyramid guide for all of us. Here's what it says..different from the regular food pyramid. At the bottom: Protein: Minimum 8-10 servings: can include-1/2 C cooked beans, 6 oz yogurt, 1/4 C cottage cheese, 1 egg or 1/4 c egg substitute, 1 oz lean meat, poultry, fish, cheese; 8 oz non fat milk Vegetables: 2 Servings a day - 1 Cup Raw, 1/2 Cup cooked Fruits: 2 Servings a day - 1 cup berries; 1 small banana; 1 peeled apple (samples) Grains/Beans/and Starchy vegetables: 3/4 C cereal (less than 6gr sugar); 1 small sweet potato; 1 slice 40 cal wheat bread; 1/3 c brown rice or wheat pasta Fats: 4 servings a day: 2 tbsp avocado, 1 tsp olive oil/butter/margarine Your surgeon and nutritionist may provide some helpful menus, but the bariatric food guide pyramid will help you design your own daily menus. The base of the pyramid is protein, the sources of protein are meat, fish, eggs, dairy, and legumes. Half of your daily diet (calories) should come from these sources. I don't know about you guys, but I really didn't know exactly how to balance out my daily food. This is a good guideline for a balanced diet. Hope it's helpful to all of you. Debra NOTE: INFORMAION PROVIDED FROM "WEIGHTLOSS SURGERY FOR DUMMIES" BY Marina Kurian, MD, FACS, Barbara Thompson, and Brian K. Davidson.

Lisa, So nice to hear from you. I think of you often. Yes, all my exercise does help me in daycare. I really feel so much better then before. I am really happy, still struggling with the food demons. But at least the exercise helps keep the weight down. How is it going with you? I hope all is well. Are you still losing? I am but really sloooooow maybe 1 or 2 lbs a month. Hugs, Lynn

Lucy, I repeat, I think you are doing awesome and deserve a ... Know what you mean about being afraid to start sliding on a few pounds here and there and then pow, I'll be back to 250 in a wink...Getting on the scale and seeing an increase can be really unnerving...Since I made it to goal and beyond its gotten a little better...I think I was becoming addicted to seeing the same or lower everyday for the many months it took to get to goal, then I surpassed goal and my Dr. was saying "you need to level off", I lost 13 more lbs past goal trying to get settled on a maintenance eating plan, then had a hernia repair and panni removal and lost 4 more, it was during this 3 month time period I finally realized that I could and would be okay if I just keep it in a 5 lb range up/down from my lowest post panni weight to my lowest pre panni weight...Now I'm doing okay and don't panic if I'm up 1 1/2 lb today, because the next day I'm down again...Eating all kinds of food definately contributes to the day to day fluctuation, if you look at my accountability, my food is all over the board, but do try to keep on track with 3 meals and 2-3 snacks a day...I too still go for real salad dressing and real butter, do try to watch the carbs and still have problems dumping on too much real sugar so don't do much of that... Keep me posted on how you think the food adjustment does on re-shrinking/brainwashing your pouchie...You have a strong will, I can see it in your post...You've come such a long way, much further than me ...Congratulations and good luck with you're upcoming plastics Alesia

Welcome back Maria, Glad to hear you still out there and working your tool... Alesia