I'm a month out and everything you said is true

The true parts are that the weight melts off without much work.  Eating can be difficult.  You will throw up.  Taking all of the vitamins each day takes work.  Friends from OH are mandatory for success.  Saturday coffee talks are really helpful.

Now that I've got a month under my belt, and a little less of me under my belt, I wanted to say hello, and tell you I'm doing fine.

I've had to go back to mushy food a couple times, just to get my stomach and my habits back on track.  This advice came from my OH friends, which was only part of the wisdom they've imparted.  They've been called early in the morning and late at night just to ask those questions that only WLS patients could answer. 

If I've had any recurring trouble, it's been from what I believe to be eating too quickly.  As best as I can tell, I've chewed, chewed and chewed.  Maybe volume of food was too great, but I don't think so. In the back of my mind I want to confirm that there isn't an internal issue with my pouch, so I'm being rigorous about measurement, time for eating, and consistancy of food. 

Anyhow, I'm down 49 pounds since I started, (33 lbs since surgery).  Woo Hoo!  I'm wearing jeans that are 4 inches smaller!  I'm able to wear some XL shirts I haven't worn for years.  YEA!

I've been working out at the gym daily, since having the surgeon's weight lifting limits expire.  So far, I'm doing toning and cardio work.  I'll be adding free weights in two weeks to start building muscle mass.  I've developed so many bad habits that I've got muscles that were underutilized and other muscles that were compensating for the unused ones.  That's the goal of the toning.

Well, that's it for now, or the Boards may get bored.

Warmly,

Dan

Congrats on all your successes to date Dan!  You're doing fantastic!  This post is a great education piece and reminder to all about using and respecting your tool!  Thanks for sharing!

Dan,

Yep, this isn't easy....But so worth it......Measuring your food is a great idea.....My NUT also told me it should take 25 minutes to eat my food......But it only takes me 15-20 minutes, so I need to slow down too.....

Sounds like things are going pretty good.....Whoohoo on the smaller sizes.....

Kelly

I'm 3 1/2 mons out and I can chew chew chew all I want.. if I eat too fast.. up it comes, thats for sure!  Thats the only trouble I've had too besides CHICKEN... buck buck buck... Can't eat it in any form other than canned or ground like taco meat. I had a chicken drummy off of a rotisserie chicken and did okay when it was still hot. No white meat!! eek! 

Congrats on the good job.. and I'm jealous.. you dang men lose so fast! I hate it! Lucky duckies!

See you in Eagan in a couple of weeks.. going to Rosevilel this week!


Stacy

 CONGRATS and WOO HOO to YOU!!!  It's a crazy ride - you'll figure out what's doing a number on you, it's all part of the learning curve.

And, I'm pretty sure that learning curve is a permanent place to be.  Oh, the lessons come fewer and further between, but it's never too late to learn something new with WLS!

YAY DAN!!!

Hey Dan - great post!

One thing that I'd suggest, not sure it will work for your RNY pouch though, so please seek the advice of those you trust, but this helped me immensely after my DS. Before I'd eat (about 10 minutes or so), I would take a chewable Pepto Bismol tablet. I have a pyloric valve unlike you, so my food doesn't sit in a pouch or anything, but the Pepto really seemed to help my stomach from getting queasy in the first few weeks after surgery. Or, maybe it's better to say it helped my stomach remain calm when I would have a small "meal". I know my stomach was still swollen in the first few weeks, and you've probably experienced that as well with your pouch. But I'm telling you, that Pepto helped and I only threw up a handful of times in the beginning weeks - nothing after week 3, thank God! And I could always relate it to eating too fast.

Not sure if you've tried it yet, but also try to make yourself some of the Ricotta Fluff I'm always raving about. It really is a pretty tolerable item for morning.

1 - 16oz. container ricotta (use a good brand, not a generic - generic is too lumpy)
1 - 3oz. pkg. SF pudding (most flavors work - my favorite is cheesecake flavor)
1 - 8 oz. Fage greek yogurt (you could use sour cream in lieu of, but the Fage has that added protein we all need)
*Mix all together and refrigerate overnight.*

Also, your friend LAFoster has a custard recipe that I know pouches handle well! Check with her on that one.

Take care and congrats on your amazing month!!! More to come - just stay the course. It's just beginning.

Hijack!

Amy, this sounds like a filling for cannolis?  I typically don't like Ricotta cheese, but this does sound good.  I just might have to try it sometime!

Is that 3 ounce SF pudding a powder pudding>  And where do you get Fage Greet Yogurt?  Is the Ricotta low fat or no fat or regular? Sounds good - am willing to try it!

Congrats, Dan!  That's great for being a month out.  It will all get easier with time.  This is the best group to come to for advice/ideas about what to do as things come up during your journey.  I've learned a lot and have made some wonderful friends!

Glad to hear you are doing well!