6 week Update

Hi everyone, Thanks to all who posted a response to my message on Wednesday night. Sorry for freaking out before going to see Dr. King. I had my six week checkup with him Thursday. It went good. I confessed my "sins" to Dr. King, who was very nice. He said I was lucky that I didn't mess anything up. Otherwise, he said I was doing good. The Lord was gracious. I've lost 62 lbs. since my highest weight and 35 since surgery. I wore an outfit that I have had for 3 years and never worn (too little). It now fits! Dr. King moved me to the soft food stage. I can now add peanut butter, eggs, pinto beans, black eyed peas, LF saltines, LF cheese, etc. Yea! In two weeks I can add seafood. Just have to chew, chew, chew! The black eyed peas and peanut butter and crackers have been wonderful!! My samples of protein powder came in, so I'm trying to find something I like. What do you all use? How do you get enough protein? Also, I'm not supposed to drink 30 minutes before and after I eat. How do I get enough water in? I used to love water and drink it all the time. Now, it doesn't taste that good. Thanks in advance for your responses. I'm just trying to figure all this out. Deborah 284/222/135

Dear Deborah I'm happy that you got to see your surgeon and were able to fess up to him about the things you ate and that everything was fine with you. It's a tough, tough road to recovery with this surgery, the head hunger is the absolute worst thing , I know exactly how you felt, and I 've been very close to that point. A lot of us ( we can admit it !! ) have done the " take a bite, chew it , taste it and spit it out " thing.. TRUST ME! You 've got us here for support and we are here for u if you need to talk. The addition of soft foods will make the transition easier for you now, solids do wonders . I remember the first refried beans/ cheese meal. It was the world's absolute best refried beans I've ever had !! Well, not really but after liquid clear diet.. it sure felt like it . So just try really hard to stay on track, as for protein, I personally like Unjury and matrix 5.0 , both vanilla. I would add half a banana in them and using a handmixer to get a banana milkshake kind of drink. I loved it that way and still drink it when I dont have time to eat. Try many samples and hopefully you'll have no problems finding one that you can enjoy Good luck, have a great Sunday and God Bless!! ~Andie~

Deborah, I am so glad that you are doing fine!!!! Little by little is the way with Gastric surgery! Andie helped me a lot too when I had surgery! I like drinking with meals, and I still havent been able to stop drinking some with my meals although I know that I am not supposed to. I bought the Unjury Vanilla, and it is good, not strong smelling and not too sweet. NOTHING tastes good after surgery, it takes time to kind of get your taste buds back in whack. I felt the same way, Crystal lite was TOOOOO swee****er tasted funny and nothing seemed right, but it will pass. Keep things on hand that you know that you can have and do not buy the other!!!! Later on, you will not feel that hungry and it will be easier to not eat. I forget sometimes when I am busy...... Keep working on it, it is a long road and you are already over the hill and loosing weight along the way!!!! Smiles, Cheryl

Hey Deborah King's a Honey! He was in "Early Church" Service with me this Morning. Glad to hear you are doing so well! Take it easy as you add things back in to your diet. Byars Told me- "One Food Item per day." That way, if something does not settle well It will be easy to identify the Culprit. I had great success with Eggs, But some people don't. Here's a trick I picked up- Add 2 Tablespoons of water per Egg to be cooked When having scrambled or an omelet. It keeps the egg super soft and gentle on your pouch. Also, I had Great success with adding a little cheese To my eggs as they cooked. Great flavor And the melting Low Fat cheese kept the eggs Creamy. Looking Forward to a long string of Success Stories Coming From You!! Best Wishes- Dx

WOOHOO!!! Blackeyed peas!!!! That sounds good to me!!! I am so proud for you for 62 lbs gone away for good!!!!! To get your liquid in, keep a glass or bottle with you at all times and sip on it constantly. I have to keep changing what I am drinking fairly often because I get tired of the same thing.....Somedays I make it, and some days I don't. Just do the best you can and enjoy those peas! Smoochies Arlies

Hey good report from Dr. King...Soft food stage for me was wonderful, I tried lots of different cheeses and crackers and such as that I normally would not have bought (too expensive), but since I could only eat a little it was like little treats (my sister and I love "stinky" cheeses). Water at that stage was a little hard, but just keep sipping, it gets better or easier. I have one big bottle that I think is half the water I am supposed to have in a day. I try to drink that by around noonish, then fill it up again and finish by bedtime. I just have it with me all the time and sip continuously. This especially worked back then at the stage you are at. I honestly sometimes never finished the second one, but I do now. It is hard at first adding foods AND getting the water you need those first few months.