Say Hello to the Newcomer!

Hello Everyone....My name is Diane and I just had my surgery one week ago today! I am doing very well so far! I had a poached egg and some mashed potatos today and am sipping my peach protein shake (made with milk and frozen peaches) as I type. I had gallbladder surgery in September and was in tremendous pain for about 7 days after I came home, so I was expecting the same thing with my bypass, but, I have had so little pain with this I am wondering if the surgeon really did anything in there!!?? Tee Hee! I am starting my walking program tomorrow and am looking forward to the new me! I know we have to stay away from sugar in this program, but I found a protein drink with 28 grams of all natural sugars from fruit..no added sugar...does anyone know if that is a "lot" of sugar or a "little" sugar? I am going to email my dietitian and ask also. Any advice for the new kid?! Nice to meet all of you....Didi

Hey Newcomer!! Sounds like you're really doing well for the first week. Poached eggs were my best friend at this stage for me too. I'm a little concerned about your protein powder though, even though the sugars come from fruit, they're still carbs and may be too much for you right now. I'd sure see what your nutritionist has to say first. Who did your surgery? Too bad we didn't know before since there are a few of us who like to come visit our newbies in the hospital, just to welcome them officially to the loser's bench. What part of the state do you live in? We have get togethers every now and then, so be sure to keep an eye on the forum to see when the next one is. We have great fun and make the servers at the restaurant crazy! Take care, keep up the good work susan

Hi Susan..Thanks for the reply. Yes, poached eggs are pretty much my best friend. I feel like I am eating a "real" meal and the salt/pepper gives it flavor. My protein powder is no sugar....what I was asking about was a protein drink I found at the grocery store, but you are right...that sounded like a lot of carbs for me too. Dr. Gibbs did my surgery. I wish I had known about the hospital visits...that would have been a thrill! I am in Conway and I see you are in Alexander. I don't know how to make a post for everyone in general to see, but I'm sure you can...I just wanted to let everyone know that Channel 11 is doing a "special" on Wednesday, at 5, 6 and 10 on bariatric surgery. Just heard it a bit earlier...in case you guys didn't know. It is so great to have this group to talk to and ask questions. Where are you in your weight loss journey? Diane

Good morning, Didi. As you can see, Dr Gibbs is a very popular surgeon. I think it's because his reputation for doing it lap. You can hardly see my scars now, and it's only been 5 months. As of this morning I've lost 58 lbs. On average I lose about 3lbs a week for two or three weeks, then nothing for a week, then it will pick up again. If you haven't taken you before picture and measurements yet, I encourage you to do it now, before you lose too much more. When the time comes and you hit a stall, you'll want to recheck your measurements because that's when you'll really see the inches change. I get to Conway two or three times a month, sometimes more. I'm an avid knitter and I take classes at a little shop on Oak st called Bella Lanna. I supposed to go this Thursday for a class, but if the weather isn't great I'll put it off. I'd love to meet you for coffee sometime! Take care and keep up the good work. Remember what Denise said...walk, sip, walk, sip Susan

Hello there! Do you go by Diane, or Didi? My login in says Barbara, but I go by Denise. I saw on your profile that Dr. Gibbs did your surgery. He did mine too! And Susan's too! I had mine on January 19th, so I'm just over 2wks. out and feeling great. I've had NO bruising, except where they gave the shots in the tummy. My scars are healing really well and I've had no pain except gas pains, and I haven't had those in several days now. I actually walked 2 miles today with a friend without realizing it I told my husband today that if I didn't know better, I'd wouldn't think I'd just had major surgery because I feel totally "normal". About the sugar, I really don't know, but 28g of sugar sounds like a lot even if it is natural. You have to watch for those hidden sugars too. Check with your dietician, whom I'm assuming is JoBeth? Isn't she great? Advice? Sip and walk, sip and walk...then sip and walk some more. You'll be surprised how good you feel once you start walking every day and it really helps the weight to come off. And hang around the boards, you'll get tons of advice and info from them. Welcome to board, hope you'll stick around and get to know everybody. Let us know how you're progressing! Take care, Denise

Hi Denise...I go by both....but since I am a new me in the making, I think I am going to use Didi. I had awful bruising from those stomach shots too! But they were unbelievable in that they did not hurt! My husband just can't believe that shots in the stomach did not hurt! Congrats on your walking. I'm hoping to do 1 mile tomorrow...will let you know! And yes, Jo Beth is my dietitian too. I haven't emailed since my appointment with her but I am sure I will have many questions. One of my favorite things is chocolate milk!!! If I could just find "skim chocolate milk."!!! Also, I've tried typing what it says for the emoticons but it it jusst does the typing...am I doing something incorrectly? I also have to share that when I was called back for my surgery, they called another lady with me about my age I think...55. She was so scared...she said she had never had surgery before and Dr. Baker was going to do hers. I wish I had gotten her name, but anyway, as we were going to our rooms she said that when we got finished, we were going to be "two hot mamas!!" I am so pleased to meet all of you. Didi

Hi Didi, Here's some good news for you. IF you're able to tolerate lactose (some can't) Calorie Countdown Milk comes in CHOCOLATE!!! You can get it at Wal-mart. For one cup it's 90 calories, 5 gr carbs, 3 gr sugar and 8 grams of protein. You can add a scoop of chocolate protein powder to it and wowie!!! You'll be a really happy girl. Susan p.s. I use the calorie countdown milk (fat free) to make my vanilla lattes every morning.

Hi Susan...I am going to get some of the chocolate milk today...This reply is going to be brief because I "overdid" yesterday. I walked really well with a friend, but I came home and cleaned house until I could barely move...Today I just don't have much energy and am still moving pretty slow. Please tell me about your vanilla lattes and also, what is a good source for the protein powder, brand, etc.??? Would appreciate our advice. I am not up to coffee tomorrow if you are still going to come, but please let me know on your next trip. I would enjoy meeting you very much! Thanks..Didi

HI Didi I know how you feel. I've been going a mile a minute for two weeks and I just decided I'm not going to Conway for that class. I just need to stay at home and do some stuff around here. I'll probably get to Conway next week. I've paid for the class so I need to get there and learn the stuff. I make the lattes here at home with a cup and a half of the calorie countdown milk, an ounce of sugar free DaVinci vanilla syrup. Heat that up in the micro for a minute and a half or two, then add a shot of espresso. Of course you have to have an espresso machine. I suppose you could use triple strength coffee instead, but I'm not sure how it would be. For protein, I use Fuzzy Navel by Syntax. I get it from Vitacoast.com or Vitalady.com It kind of tastes like Tang, but I like to add a bit of crystal lite orange sunrise to it to make it a little more orange flavored. I also use Isopure Ready to Drink protein. You get them at GNC, and they are 20 oz and 40 grams of protein. I can only drink them though if they are REALLY cold. I make up a pitcher of crystal lite, and use say 4 oz of that, a bunch of ice, and then the Isopure. I have a 32 oz sports bottle that works great for this. You can get samples of protein from vitalady.com. I think they're about 1.50-1.75 each. I like the ones that aren't thick, so the ones from Syntax are great for me. Try the samples before you commit to buying a big canister of protein. A lot of times you buy one and then decide you can't stand it. Then you're stuck with all this protein that you cant use. Anything else you need, just let me know. Susan

Hi Susan...I just wanted to let you guys know that I am still around, but have been suffering with a TERRIBLE cold since last Wednesday so haven't felt up to anything..even emails. I haven't been able to eat like I should because nothing tastes good....just chocolate milk, crystal light and a few crackers. My husband just went to the store to get me some alka seltzer cold medicine. All the others, Tylenol cold, cough suppressants, etc., have so much sugar they have made me sick, so am taking immodium for that. I keep thinking I will feel better tomorrow!!! I am supposed to go to my two week checkup with Dr. Gibbs Thursday, but won't go if I feel bad as this is VERY contagious. My husband had it for two days, then I came down with it. By the way, Dr. Gibbs never really "talks" that much to me. Is it me or is that just the way he is???? Didi (Still looking forward to a coffee get together!)