One month out: update!

Hey fellow losers! It hasn't been easy but I made it through the first 5 or so weeks after surgery, and only now am I beginning to feel like I have a grip on this whole thing. I have struggled with being able to eat what has to be eaten to be properly nourished. In fact, I struggle daily with eating, period. I know from the first food I try to eat in a day whether or not I will be ok with food the whole day. Some days, it is just plain painful to eat, even the smallest amounts. I get full so fast, no matter how slow I eat. Other days, I can eat every couple of hours without a problem. It is very frustrating to sit down at the table with my little portion, feeling confident that I can handle this tiny amount; then have to stop after 2 bites. Needless to say, everything that goes into my mouth is either very high in protien already, or has protien powder added to it, just to make sure I get enough, and even then, I know I am not getting the 80g I need every day. I have never dumped on anything, and have never vomited from overfilling my pouch...wanted to a couple of times but sat it out and it got better. (I have eaten stuff with real sugar in small amounts but decided not to push my luck and stopped doing that.) My secret? I coordinate the way my stomach feels while eating, with what is going on in my mouth. I don't take another bite until the last bite has arrived at it's destination and I see how my tummy feels from it. If I swallow a bite and begin to feel full while chewing the next bite, I spit it out. If I don't, I get the pain up into my chest, and that incredibly full feeling. My food often ends up sitting there for over an hour, gets cold and unappetizing and I end up giving up and giving my portion to the dog. I haven't run into any foods that I can't keep down, like corn, or brocolli.(some WLS'ers have trouble with veggies at first.) As long as I chew, chew, chew, I feel safe trying new things. I do have some gas problems with milk and yogurt these days, so I have slowed down on the dairy products. An earlier post from me boasts of my infatuation with cottage cheese. I can't even look at the stuff right now, I got so sick of it. I am almost totally unable to eat breads, cereal, pasta, etc. It just fills me up too fast. My fave right now is Taco Bell's Burrito Supreme, without the tortilla wrapper. I just open it up and eat the filling with a spoon. Most of the time though, I make my own filling...it's cheaper than Taco Bell, and I can boost the protien grams by adding unflavored powder to the mix. I am loving my chili and meat loaf, and can do some damage to chicken and tuna. I can eat a couple of crackers at a time, with cheese spread(the squirty stuff in a can). All in all, I think I am doing ok. I will see Stephanie Zhang at PMRI on the 16th and will discuss my needs with her. I take my vitamins (Centrum Kids Complete: like chewing fruit flavored dirt balls!) twice a day, chew my Tums twice a day(Walmart's "Equate" brand, tropical fruit flavored is real good), and take my Iron. My weight fluctuates daily, but I am heavier in the evening by sometimes as much as 3 or 4 pounds. I guess it depends on what I ate that day, how much I ate, and whether or not I went potty. To date, I have lost 43 pounds. Here are my stats: Highest weight: September 15, 2006>> 300.9 lbs. Wt. on day of Surgery: October 4, 2006>> 282 lbs. Today's Weight: November 9, 2006>> 257 lbs. I have a long row to hoe, but have also come a long way. I am feeling better every day, am already more comfortable and sleep better than ever before. All my summer shorts are too big on me, and my bras hang loose around me.(so do the boobs ) Gimme a shout...I can use all the applause I can get! KathyG

Kathy, Congratulations on your success. It is a wonderful feeling. Try to only weigh yourself once a day, and as close to the same time everyday as possible. That is the most accurate way to see exactly how much you are losing. When I had my surgery I bought a mug warmer to sit my plate or bowl on, it kept the food warm and tasty for me while I got to take my time and get in the foods that my body needed. You can get them any where. I got mine at Shoprite. You are doing all the right things with the foods and the protein. You didn't mention exercise, that is extremely important in our journey. If you are not doing it, try walking around the block. I walk daily and love it. I feel wonderful after my walk. Keep up the good work. Deanna