Confession

So I guess its time to come clean, I have written asking why I havent lost weight and moaning about other things, and you all have given me great advise and Im so grateful, I had my surgery on July 25th 2005 in Harvey Il about 3-4 hours away well since my surgery I have never been back to Cori or seen my surgeon, I have just kinda dealt with every thing by phone and I havent even talked by phone with cori for about 4 months, I had my staples taken out in town here in matton by a surgeon who did my moms mastectomy, then 'I had my drain taken out by my MD All the testing that I have had done and the stomach dialation has all been done via the phone and my complaints, So I feel like I have lost out on alot of things I should know I really dont even know what kind of diet I should be having I just eat what ever will stay down and thats not alot of options, this is probabally the reason I have only lost around 61 pounds, does any one have certain diets that we should be following? thanks for listening Lisa M

HI lisa, I understand the problem with distance, I live about 2 hrs away from my Dr. I have kept up with follow ups, and a suport meeting here and there, but it's hard for me. I don't really have a diet, my nutritionist says..1st and half of my meal should be protein, then a little of something else. I try to eat a little vegetables along the way, and occasionally a peanut butter and cracker. I can eat 4-5 oz at a time. For protien I use powder in sugar free hot choc., and sugar free pudding. I have lost 63 lbs and have about 30 to go....and don't forget vitamins, calcium and b-12 every day. GoodLuck Billie

Lisa, your doing great...I had surgery on 7-25 also and I have only lost 65lbs ...just keep doing whatever it is your doing...my surgeon said eat protein 1st and make sure I have vitamins & fluids daily... Linda RNY 7-25-05 255/191/??

Hi Lisa, I'm going to tell you what my diet is right now - or what it SHOULD be anyway at this stage. PERHAPS it should be the same for you - I don't know... in any case, seeing a doctor is the best advice - even a family doctor who can guide you or a nutritionist from a local hospital. Protein should be 68 - 100 grams a day. you can get this from protein drinks, meat, etc. Carbs should be REAL low. Try for under 30 total (not real likely) but AT LEAST under 80 or 90 a day. Don't pig out on crap. Eat healthy. Fruits and veggies.... low carb foods, fiber etc. Don't drink soft drinks - not because they're particularly bad if they're caffeine free - but because it's one of those high fat things that probably put ya in a bad place before. The thing is, BREAK old habits, replace them with good ones - Shape magazine says it takes 21 days to replace habits. I believe this. A lot of us are compulsive about what we eat and what we do. I know for example, I have replaced a habit of fatty foods at night every night with something healthy every night (and every morning.) Make sure understand the pouch *rules*. Read em here: http://www.digitalhorsewoman.com/pouchrules.htm Good luck, darlin - its a hard journey but we get US back! Nan

Lisa, I'm glad that you posted this. It sounds like you do need help, but are a reluctant to see your Dr. about it. I imagine that you don't want to see him because you feel that your weight loss is low and that he will chastize you for it. It also sounds like you have fallen off of their radar. Shame on them. My Dr. is the same way! He never shows up to our appointments (it's always an Physician's assistant) and when I lost my insurance coverage about two months ago, they seemed to forget that I still existed. I'm disgusted with them!! The problem with us telling you what our daily requirements/minimums are, is that they are all different for each of us. Keep this is mind. Mine: 70 g. protein minimum 120 g. carbs max (I know this seems high. I never even get close to this) 64 oz. of water minimum 800 - 1000 calories max (I shoot for 800 so I don't go over 1000) Give yourself a minimum for exercise every day! Try 20-30 minutes to start. Keep it that simple. If you have too many things to keep track of, then you just wont do it. I slacked off in the first two months and my weight loss was slow. I finally kicked myself and decided to comply!! I realized that I had risked my life to have this surgery and I'll be damned if I wasn't going to take advantage of this precious time. We are all working against the clock here. We only have a few months of easy weight loss left. Please, please make sure that you take advantage of every precious moment that you have left. We are a support group and are here to offer you help and encouragement, but we cannot replace the advice that you will get from your Dr. so you need to make an appointment with him. GO! Do it! Now! Why are you still sitting there!! Go call them! I'm glad that you were brave enough to post this. It took courage to admit this. Good luck to you darlin' C Leigh

Not sure if this will help but, here is a link to a handbook that my surgeon's office has everyone follow. It is very helpful. Those of us in the program call it the Baker bible. Hope this is helpful. http://www.allina.com/ahsimages5/mercyunity/bariatrichandbook.pdf