Haven't been on OH as often as I'd like to be, but I was so busy with work and family. Now I have more free time, as I got laid off from my job. I look at it as a good thing...lol.

I just turned 8 months postop! I'm down a total of 138lbs from my highest weight and down 119lbs since surgery. Losing weight slower and slower, but that's ok. I'm not obese anymore..lol. Just switched over to "overweight".

Looking forward to getting to know all the newbies I've noticed here! 

I always check here but it seems that no one is posting much anymore. i guess now that the weather is nice, everyone is out living life!

No, I'm still at Stage 3 - I'm really looking forward to the next step!  I hadn't thought of beans or adding tomato sauce to ricotta.  It wasn't on my list, so I didn't know if it was ok, where it's veg/bean and I'm not cleared for that yet.

Yesterday was torture.  Friends over, cooking out.  The guys are working on our new deck, so there was beer.  UGH! Everything a Memorial Day weekend should be.  Burgers, dogs, pasta salad, watermelon.  Fortunately, I was all out of energy at the end of the day and excused myself to sit out dinner.  Ended up napping for a couple of hours.  It was rough.  I was salivating pretty hard over the black bean chipotle veggie burger my hubby was enjoying.

I'm glad it's just a few more days.  I know I can do this!

Re: my incision.  It was fine the day after, and a nurse friend was over.  She's a visiting nurse with extra certification in wound care and I had her take a look at it.  She said it looked fine and if there was something draining, it was good (better out than in, being the theory).  I'm feeling good about it for now, keeping an eye on it, and will definitely mention it to the MD when I see him on Wednesday.

Thanks again for the advice and support!
Kelly

I use the fitbit food tracker... not as great as myfitness pal but it still helps.
Unfortunately I left my FitBit clipped to my bra and put it thru the laundry! LOL!  woops!  It works but I'm going to make use of my warranty and bring it back to BestBuy for a new one - some of the little copper connectors came off.

 Thank you!

I really have been struggling with the Stage 3 options!  I could NOT be more sick of cottage cheese, yogurt, etc.  I was never a big dairy person before, so it's making me nuts.  And I feel like my options are all on the sweet side? I just want FLAVOR.  Something that I can chew would be awesome.  

Here's what I have been eating: cottage cheese, greek yogurt, jello, protein shakes, scrambled egg, cream of chicken soup, CIB and I also tried a popsicle (Edys fruit, NSA).  Is there anything else?

I have my 2 wk follow up on Wed and see the dietician afterward.  I will beg her to advance me to Stage 4!!  

Also, randomly, I may have to call the MD over the weekend (I'm sure it will be impossible to reach anyone over the long weekend and I don't think this warrants and ER visit).  Last night I noticed that one of my incisions (belly button) is leaking/weeping/draining, something.  It doesn't hurt, it's not swollen, what's coming out isn't smelly or anything. I took my temp and I don't have a fever.  It's similar to what was happening with the other sites immediately post surgery.  But I'm 10 days out.  I don't know if this is normal or not?  I put a bandaid over it last night and this morning, it seems better.  But I don't know why it was doing it in the first place.  I haven't done anything strenuous, and again, nothing hurts. In fact I'm feeling pretty great.

Did you guys experience anything like this?  Am I overreacting?

Thanks ;)
Kelly