crawling out from under my rock...

its nice to see so many new faces. i havent been on this board for probably over a year. but after suggesting it to a few friends that are in teh research phase of the surgery *journey* i thought id stop by and see how things are.  i did my rny in nov 06, at 5'2 i started at 230... just barely qualified for the surgery to begin with. i got to about 135 around jan 07 and now ive steadied at about 160. with summer coming up again id like to see 140 again (crossing fingers, toes and eyes). i've been off work for a little over a year due mostly to depression and a recent dx of borderline personality disorder. i spent some time in and out of the mental health hosp last year and finally, after a pretty rough May 07 i think im well on my way towards stable again. ive found that im snacking a lot more (again) and my skinny clothes are hanging in the back of my closet again, just waiting to come back out. my snacks are healthier then they used to be... but more calories = more calories no matter how you slice it.  so.... any suggestions/tips for "starting over"? i know i have more room in my tum then i did 2 years ago so portion control will be huge (lol no pun intended), but where is a good place to start? lots of water, always.... ive been super good about that.. but man..... heh it seems like everything else is a battle.  a few details on my post-sx life. ive never dumped, never had a problem with sugars, carbs, etc. the only thing that gives me problems is milk and ice cream, but cheese and yogurt and such are ok. i never was able to find a protein shake i could stomach, they all taste like vomit to me (yuk!) and i go through a gallon of crystal light about every 36 hours or so. im more active then i used to be, but i dont necessarilly have a "routine" work out or anything like that. i guess that should be another thing to add in again/finally. my depression is still on/off. i have my good days and my bad days...theres a lot more to that.. but my post is already like a mile long lol. so.. yea.. tips/advice/etc welcome but please.... no unkind words. thanks! <3 to all ~miranda 11/15/06 230/135/160/?

Hi Miranda, Welcome back! I am not as far out as you so I don't really have any advice to give you as far as getting back on track. I just wanted to say hi and send you some hugs your way this Wednesday.  Hope to see you around more! Hugs, Jaime  

MIRANDA WELCOME BACK. WELL SOMEONE BROGHT THIS TO OUR ATTENTION MONTHS BACK. A LOT OF US TRIED THIS TO MAKE SURE OUR POUCHES WERE STILL IN WORKING ORDER AND TO ALSO BREAK THE CARB CYCLE OR MONSTER WHICH EVER WAY YOU WOULD LIKE TO SAY IT.  MAYBE THIS WILL HELP YOU GET BACK ON TRACK. HERE IS THE LINK TO THE PAGE.................. http://livingafterwls.blogspot.com/2007/10/after-5-day-pouch -test.html YOU WON'T FIND ME THROWING OUT UNKIND WORDS OR FLAMING OR YELLING AT YOU, YOUR FAR FROM ALONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. WE NEEDED HELP IN THE BEGINNING AND WE WILL ALWAYS NEED HELP. IT'S GREAT THAT YOU HAVE DECIDED TO TAKE HOLD OF IT BEFORE IT BECAME A BIGGER PROBLEM THEN IT COULD GR. CHECK OUT THIS SITE THERE IS A LOT O INTERESTING THINGS THERE. TAKE CARE AND GOOD LUCK TO YOU HAVE A BEAUTIFUL EVENING AND AN EVEN BETTER TOMORROW. HOPE THIS BRINGS YOU THE SATISFACTION YOU NEED.

hi there jodi =) thanks for the kind words and the web site. days 1&2 look pretty brutal. did you decide one to just start the test or did you pick a day to do it.. working around your life schedule? heh im nervous but yes.. i can definately see that im a carb-o-holic.. always have been. BUT i want to see the last 30# leave forever and not  come back.. so i think ill take stock and make sure i have what i need for the next few days and just jump in. cross what you've got for me =D

MIRANDA WHEN I WAS MADE AWARE OF THE 5 DAY POUCH TEST IT WAS A WEEKEND SO i DECIDED TO START ON MONDAY AND TO MY SURPRISE I MADE IT THOURGH IT.  HECK GIVE IT A TRY IT MAYBE ALL YOU NEED TO JUMP START YOU BACK INTO THE WORLD OF WEIGHT LOSS. LIKE THEY HAVE TOLD ME, DON'T BE SO HARD ON YOUR SELF AS YOUR ONLY HUMAN. YOU WILL DO IT IF YOUR READY.  I'M CROSSING EVERYTHING FOR YOU AND SENDING YOU SOME HELPING HAND VIBES TO HELP YOU THROUGH IT. BTW, SOME PEOPLE HAVE LOST UP TO 10 TO 12 BLS ON THIS LITTLE [OUCH TEST, SO DON'T BE SURPRISED. GOOD LUCK TO YOU I KNOW YOU CAN DO IT.   

thanks jodi for the encouragement. tonight, for kicks i decided to try setting the water aside while i ate and wiating for a while to drink after.. and much to my surprise =) it helped quite a bit. i normally have an after dinner snack about 90 min after dinner.. and tonight i didnt even feel grumbly until a good 2.5 hours later.. then i made myself wait and had a cereal bar with my night meds. so monday sounds like a good plan to me. =) and until then ill do the little things i can to help, like not drinking while i eat and cutting out the carbs. thanks bunches!

WOW Miranda Sounds like you got it all undercontrol. I think I will have to take a page out of your book. I have a feeling you will be back on track in no time at all. Keep up all the new plans and I have a feeling you will concour the weight problem Continued Success on your journey

Hi Miranda, No advice just wanted to say welcome back! Brenda

How about a strenuous exercise. I'll be hitting my 2 year mark in April and yes, I can eat and snack a whole lot more than when I was months post op. So....My honeymoon should be ending soon and I am keeping up with my weight loss through lots of excercise.  That reminds me, I was not going tonight but as I type, I think I will.... Good luck and get out there to exercise till you sweat!