I am sorry that I have not replied sooner. I have been down for over a week with the flu. I lost ten lbs. without doing anything! Oh, yeah...I forgot to eat.....but I was drinking plenty of tea, apple juice, and water. Whoops!....forgot to put the protein in my water. Doctor is very upset with me. Bad girl, bad, bad girl! I see by the calendar that you have had your surgery by now, so as to your questions: 1. I have never given birth(2 adoptions) so I wouldn't know about that, but the best thing for me to clean my butt was a box of baby wipes! Soft and gentle. 2. I ate NO starches for 3 months. NONE! Then, I tried bananas and oatmeal. I also liked corncakes before surgery. Afterwards, instead of eating 2 huge porkchops, 3 or four corncakes, sweet potatos, bread, pie, etc., I fixed a small plate(dessert size) with a drizzle of sugar-free maple syrup, then a small piece of pork chop 2 oz., and a corn cake on top. It looked like a hoighty-toighty appetizer! Usually I couldn't fini**** (But this was a year after surgery and my pouch had stretched...couldn't have eaten that the first year.) My first restaurant meal post op was 1 month after surgery. I went to Taco Bell and got the beans and cheese(frijoles con queso). Couldn't finish the silly little cup, but I remember how great it was to eat out again! I was always pushing the limits. I threw up multiple times the first year. Mostly because I ate too fast and too much. I gave up reading or watching tv while eating; too distracting. My husband is a chef and created a bunch of new recipes for me and my fellow BSV's (bariatric surgery vets). He made a chocolate mousse that was sooo good that the surgeon was eating it up at the bariatric meeting (his nurse told us he had a thing for chocolate). I was lucky to have a husband that took such good care of me. He had his turn 8 months after my surgery.

Wow we are surgery sisters 1 year apart sounds like you are doing great! Don't push yourself! You will be tired tonighty from your shopping trip. sip sip - rest rest -- walk walk hugs, Britt

Thank you for your post. Our surgeries are exactly one year apart. My lap RNY has gone incredibly smooth. I am actually going shopping for a little bit with my husband today. Sipping, sipping, consuming protein and keeping track of everything. I love this website and folks like you who support those of us who are in are early stages of the process. Deb

Thanks!! I will be on again when I get home from the hospital. My angel will let everyone know when I am out of surgery and how things went. Tracey

Hi All, I just wanted to stop by and say hello I was in your shoes a year ago. (I cannot believe that a year has passed by) ! I just wanted to wish you all an amazing journey and huge SUCCESS!!! Be d*e*t*e*r*m*i*n*e*d and you will succeed :0) I am here if you have any questions hugs, Britt