Wow, I'm in Iowa too!!!

Hello everyone, I have been on the main message board for about a month and just realized that there is an Iowa one too!! It is so good to know that support is close by. I had open RNY on 10/18/04. I went back to work last Monday and was so tired I spent all of yesterday in bed. The support at work has been overwhelming. Most people are so great, but there are a few who are being a little weird. Did anyone get the question "So, are you glad you did it?" from people you don't even know that well? What do they expect me to say? Actually, somedays I am glad then somedays, like yesterday when I was so tired I wasn't so sure. Does anyone live in Cedar Rapids? It would be so good to have someone locally to talk to. Just a thought. I don't have any familly here and I think my friends are getting kind of tired of hearing about what I eat all the time. My biggest concern right now is getting in the protein and water. Boy, it is so hard to get tha****er in. Thanks for listening! Vanessa

Hello Vanessa, welcome to the board I live in Clinton I had my surgey back in April of 2003 and lost over 160 pounds I dont regret doing it I would do it all over i'm so much more healthier and more enigetic . but you came to the right place on here everyone is great and will answer all your questions I cant live without this board ,lol. take care Laurie

Welcome.....the Iowa boards are SLOW on the weekdns but pretty good on the weekdays! It will take awhile to fully get your energy back.....I am 11 months out, it seems like it took me forever!!! You will get a lot of crazy questions about the surgery, just try to grin and bear it!!! I am in Dubuque, only a hop skip and jump from Cedar Rapids!!! It takes awhile to be able to get all the protein in, what kind of proteins are you doing??? I cannot no matter how hard I try get my protein from food alone......I supplement! And for the water, I am lucky and do really well with the fluids.....hopefully the further out you get the easier it gets for you! What are you drinking?? Soemtimes water is boring and I won't drink as much as I should......I rely a lot on Decaf iced tea, wylers S/F rasberry drink.......koolaid made with splenda.......find something you really like and it becomes a lot easier......plus get like a 32oz rubbermaid thingy and chug out of it.....makes it easier when you know you have to drink two of them! Good Luck!!! Take Care and feel free to email me anytime to talk about the foods you can or can't eat Jesi

Hello Vennessa!!! Welcome! I too just discovered the Iowa forum, and I was so excited!!! I live in Blue Grass, Iowa, it is about 1/2 way between Davenport and Muscatine. Do you have a local support group? We meet at Genesis East on Rusholme St. in Davenport, every third Wednesday of the month, at 6:30. It would be about an hour drive for you, but maybe you could car pool with someone!? I'm still pre-op. I'm having lap RNY on the 29th of November!!! WOOHOOO I hope I bounce back like a lot of the profiles that I have read. Good luck on getting better at your water in-take. Heres to lighter days....Debi

Morning Vanessa Welcome "aboard" the Iowa Board It is really slow over the weekends like Jesi says. I only read in the early morning hours! Your surgery took place on my b'day! You are still pretty early out to worry about getting in all your protein & fluids for the day. It will take some time to build that up. I don't drink out of a glass any more, I have 3 20 oz bottles that I keep filled with cold water. I keep jugs of cold water in the fridge. Being tired goes along with the program, remember reading all those posts about the energy everyone had found & was wondering if it was ever going to happen. It does, but again takes time. My surgery was April 20th of 2004 & I still have tired days also. In fact spent the weekend laying around, just no energy. Welcome again, please post anytime, we are here to give a lending hand. Carolyn -75 lbs

Hi Vanessa and welcome to a wonderful place!!! The Iowa boards are sooooooo supportive! As for your energy level - give it time, like everyone says. It will come back. The fluid intake will also get easier. I had to "teach" myself to drink faster and take a little bit bigger drinks than sips only. I don't do as well as Jesi at supplementing my protein, but am going to work on it. Well, welcome again and be sure to post with any questions or concerns you may have. You can also e-mail any of us for some wonderful wls buddy support. God bless, Andrea