to anyone that will listen

Hey everybody, I haven't been on lately, I sometimes just don't feel well with the back and the fibromyalgia and CFS and thats when me and my bed get to know each other real well. I surely do pray that after WLS these things won't get me down so much. We went to our friends where we had a big Bar-B-Q They had purchased over $600.00 worth of fireworks that they were going to set off at dusk, but DH did all the Bar-B-Qing and he was tired and I didn't want to set there that long and wait for fireworks. My DH and I don't have much family left to do get togethers, our son is career Air Force and he and his wife and my grandson are home based right now in Omaha Nebraska but currently he is in Irag we worry about his safety over there. Our daughter is a nurse and she had to work today. My husband only has 3 sisters left, 2 of them live in Dexter, Mo. and the other one lives in Florida so we don't see them to often. You know everyone of them has lost their husband starting since November up til a couple weeks ago. I only have 2 sisters left, 1 lives at Farmington and the other one I'm ashamed to say is in prison. So anyway the friend I spoke of earlier, grew up with 11 brothers and sisters, so they have adopted us to come to their get togethers. OK now that I have bored you enough, I have some questions maybe someone can help me with? This protein powder everyone is talking about, is there someplace ,other than that store up there, that I can get for a reasonable price? I looked at a couple web sites but I really don't what a good price would be. It all seems high to me, how many servings can you get out of a can? When would we be able to start using it, will it be the step after clear liquids? I know, questions, questions, & more questions. I have one more for Collette, You said you were able to eat a whole hamburger, do you not dump when it comes to the carbs in the bun? But also, and I do not mean this badly, but why would you eat a hamburger, isn't that the kind of junk we are suppose to stay away from after surgery? I only have like 47 days left til my surgery and I'm going to need all the help I can get because I love anything that's sweet like any type of dessert or ice cream, you get the picture, so I'm am praying that I will dump on any kind of sugar or bad carb. Please pray for me in like manor. Thanks to everyone that takes the time to read this. I hope everyone has a safe and great holliday weekend.

Brenda, You have to understand that I am 7 months post op and this was the first time I could eat a whole hamburger. You are not going to be on a diet all your life that you can not eat real food. Actually I could not eat hamburgers right after surgery, in fact I did not eve try meat for 8 weeks. I ate beans first and I did tolerated hamburger like in chili and spaghetti after 8 weeks. No I did not dump from the hamburger cause you can have some carbs. It took me an hour to eat the whole burger so I had to chew it really good. a hamburger is good protein, and this one was open flamed grilled and not fried. I made baked chicken last night. It was wonderful. Could I eat a lot - no but I had about 2 oz. I am at the point where I can eat just about anything, but I mostly eat protein, chicken, hamburger, cheese, peanut butter, cottage cheese, protein shake each morning and sometimes protein bars. For snack, I try to have yogurt with sliced strawberries or just yogurt. I also treat myself to a cup of popcorn one time a week.If you have anymore questions please feel free to ask. Colette

Collette, Thank you for such an informative response, and kind answer, I got a lot from your post to Brenda by just reading it! Brenda, I KNOW there are a lot more people on here that can help you with how THEY do their protein shakes, I only wanted to add my 2 cents to say, there are some out there that are soooooo yummy, they'd definitely help you when you crave something sweet....NOW POST WLSers, please tell us if this is a smart statement... Before I ever got ill, I drank protein drinks and went to the gym...I know..makes me laugh now too.... I drank them for energy, and usually looked for one low in sugar...but back then didn't count the carbs.... Sherr

Sherr, Thank you for the support. I think sometimes we need the encouragement of our peers.

Thanks again Colette for all the good advice. I do like grilled burgers and I can eat them without the bun, Thank you so much.

Brenda, I am scheduled for surgery on August 10. I ordered the ON 100% Whey Gold Standard protein from www.supplementwarehouse.com and drink it now. I start every morning off with 8 oz. of 1% milk and 1 scoop of protein powder--shaken. It has really helped my 'cravings' for something sweet. I drink this instead of eating anything else for breakfast. I ordered my protein powder from this website because I could get a smaller container to try instead of having a large container of something I might not have liked. The protein runs $15.09 plus shipping for a 2 pound container. Yes, this is expensive, but remember you only use 1 scoop per 8 oz. of milk. You'll get 30 scoops from the 2 pounds--that makes it about 50 cents a serving. The flavors are great--even my husband likes it. The notebook we got from Dr. Hornbostel's office, tells you when you start the protein drinks, but he'll tell you for sure when you go in to see him at the 1 week after surgery appointment. Sweetie, you also need to remember that your tummy is going to be a lot smaller and will take a lot longer to eat so you'll be full quicker. When you feel full--STOP eating. You don't want to overeat and make yourself sick. This surgery is going to be your greatest tool in the coming days, weeks, months, and years. Don't let yourself fear it, embrace it, learn it, and use it to help you for the rest of your life. When I had to borrow the money to have this surgery because my insurance wouldn't pay for it, I made up my mind that, no matter what, I would learn to use this tool to get me healthy again. I will not give into my 'mind' scaring me into doubting whether I'm doing the right thing or not. I've tried everything--I know this is the right thing for me and I bet deep down inside, you do too. I've got friends who have had this surgery, and they eat regular meals now and they are 2 years out. The difference is they eat small quantities and don't overeat. They've learned to use their tool the way it's supposed to be used and they're happy, thin ladies! Hang in there, darlin', we're here for ya--just give us a holler and we'll help you through those tough times. Have a great holiday and God's richest blessings to you. Linda

Linda, Thanks for all the advice on the protein drinks. I'm just trying to figure things out. I'm on a fixed income and have to watch every penny so I have to wait to order. I have been happy and all hiped up about surgery but it seems like the last week or so I have started to fear the fact that I'll be totally different after the surgery. I have always thought that I am addicted to food and it's a little scary . I know it's just satan trying to get next to me. I REBUKE YOU SATAN IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST!!!!!! Now I know it will be better.

Linda, just think about all the money you will be saving on the food you won't be eating. I bet you could buy a lot of protien drinks with it, I know I could when or IF my turn comes.

Linda, Thanks for your wonderful nsight and that is exactly right. I will be counting the days till your surgery. God bless you. Colette

Brenda everyone worries about protien shakes but I only used protien shakes for the first month. After that month I got all my protien from real food. In my opinion that is healthier for you. Lots of people have trouble eating enough protien so that is why so many do protien shakes. I did not like the shakes at all and now they dont satisfy me at all. After the first year you can eat just about anything you want to eat. I eat hamburger. Sometimes I can eat a whole small one sometimes not. Sometimes I eat all the bread sometimes I only eat half the bread. I always eat all the meat to get my protien in. Carbs are not evil we do need some carbs in our diets. Sweets are what is not so good for us. Pasta in small portions, potatoes in small portions are good for you so are veggies and fruit. The key to long term success is small portioins, moderation, and common sense. If you go back to eating oreo cookies, ice cream, and junk food all the time you can gain your weight back. I kind of eat like a 10 year old kid and that helps. I have an occasional treat like a cookie sometimes but it is not a habit and I only eat 1 or 2 cookies not one or two bags of cookies. I always get my protien in too, if you get your protien in you are just not that hungry and dont have a lot of room left in your pouch for the junky type foods. I eat Sara Lee low carb bread and sometimes just plain rye bread. I buy the whole wheat sara lee to get my fiber and whole grain in. This is what works for me but we are all different. I never had a problem with dumping now I dont dump at all but if I eat something with too much sugar or carbs I just get sleepy.