Just my random thoughts.

These are just my random thoughts and I thought I would share- your input would be great on the foods though! My surgery was Nov. 7th. I have noticed that I still can only eat about a handful or less and only about one time a day. I think it's great. Yes, I do eat my other meals just in tiny amounts. My bloodwork is all normal with the exception of not getting enough protein. I am amazed that people at this stage can eat so much more, I wonder am I normal? I noticed that I cannot tolerate the following foods and am curious if anyone else has the same problem. They cause me to get a headache or worse DUMP. I avoid them at all costs but I am having such a difficult time deciding what to eat. Red Meat Lunch Meats Cheese Eggs basically anything processed with a high sodium content. I find myself craving: lettuce baked chicken So I eat only baked chicken and lettuce. That's it. Now I eat to live instead of living to eat. It's amazing. I am still battling my head hunger, although it's not really hunger but I think about the pizza and burgers I once enjoyed. (not to mention the apple martini's) Now they aren't appealing and I wonder how I never was able to give them up before. This tool is the greatest thing I have ever done for myself. In the beginning I had my regrets, but as of now I wouldn't change a thing. I purchased new clothing and have gone from a size 20 (pushing higher) down to a size 14 in only 4 months. Amazing I tell myself. I have to return some pants I purchased because they are now to big- I never even had an opportunity to take the tags off and wear them. I had a shopping addiction before, now I am in more trouble. I have so much clothes that I never got to wear in all the large sizes, now I don't know what do with them. Some of the suits I purchased were so expensive and I maybe wore them once. I sort of regret losing them in my closet. (ok maybe not that much regret!) I have had fun organizing my closet from my smallest size to my largest size. My Mother has even given me some of her clothes for inspiration! I may have been a big girl but I love fashion! Now I enjoy it even more since I can shop in just about any store my heart desires. I have even taken to buying every clothing magazine there is and marking exactly what I want. I think it's important to think positive! Even my feet have shrunk- I wore a size 7 and now I am a size 6! I hope they don't get any smaller because I will be in a world of trouble since shoes are rarely made smaller than a 6. It's all amazing to me, and I thank God every day a thousand times a day for all the blessings he's given me in life. Without him I would not have made it this far and without him I won't make it any further. He's with me each step of the way, and for that I am truly thankful! Lucky

Hi Lucky. Well done on your weight loss. I usually get in about 80-95 grams of protein per day in about 800-900 calories (low fat, less than 100 g carbs). My protein level taken at my 3 months check up was way above normal for a 3 mo. post-op. I am a protein obsessive. I try not to eat much of anything that has too little protein for the weight or for the calorie count (at least 10g protein for 150 calories is a minimum) In fact, the only thing I do eat that has little protein is a banana most days for breakfast. I drink non-fat milk (usually in a latte, mmmm): it not only has protein but lots of potassium and calcium. And it makes me feel happy. It has about 20g of protein for 210 calories & no fat in a 20oz serving. Lots of people will warn you off milk, but I've had absolutely no problems with it (I've lost 82 pounds in 16 weeks drinking milk a lot of that time, so I can't imagine it's slowed my loss much). I also will often have a 4 oz Danone Light and Fit with Fiber yogurt. 4g protein for 70 calories, plus calcium, potassium, fiber and sweetness. goes down nice and easy. I often have half of a high-protein lean cuisine (3 cheese chicken, florentine chicken) or Smart Ones (parmesan chicken). Each of these has about 10 g protein for 100 calories. They are very palatable because they have sauce and are moist Tuna is great for protein: 15g for about 3 oz (90 calories). I'll either have it with salad or with a little reduced fat mayo on saltines. I have recently discovered that I am able to stomach about 2 oz of jerky at a time. Turkey jerky has about 20g protein for 100 calories (2oz); beef is only a little worse at 24g protein for 140-60 calories (2oz). Even if you can only stomach an ounce, that would go some way to helping your protein intake. I also eat a Pure Protein bar most evenings. They have one of the best "protein to calorie" ratios I've found (170 calories for 20g protein in a 2 oz bar) in a bar. Some people hate the taste, but I've got used to them and I even quite like the Chocolate Chip one. I don't use powders or drinks as I couldn't find any that I didn't find utterly revolting. Other people have had luck though with some drinks, especially after trying the samples from vitalady.com Anyway, good luck and if you need more info, feel free to ask, Helen 285/202/150

Lucky, I'm right there with ya on the clothes, although I've managed to wear everything at least once before it got too big. I'm starting to send out my clothes to our surgery sisters who are now "slimming down" to my old size. Have you considered doing that yourself?? I know I for one started in a 22/24 blouse and a TIGHT 28 pants. I'm down to a 16/18/XL top and 22/24 pants. Thing is, I keep telling myself NOT to buy clothes except for a few things, and I did get a few hand-me-downs, but it's so much FUN to find clothes that fit, feel and look much better! Keep up the GREAT work. Your food sounds fine to me; actually, I haven't found much that DOESN'T agree with me, which means I have to be extra careful. Hugs, Tammy

Just a quick note on the clothing issue! I Called a local battered womens shelter and met them at a neutral location and gave them all the clothes that no longer fit. I am about to call them to give them some more. These are women who for the most part are plus sized and had to leave where they lived in a very big hurry. They are very grateful for anything especially the nicer clothes that would give them pride and confidence to look for a job and start a new life. If that is not an option donating at your local surgery support group or online here at oh.com Also ebay or craigslist to earn extra money. HTH. Way to go on the hard work!!!!! keep it up