Okay Oregonians, WAKE UP!!!!

Where is everyone? Did you all lose so much weight you can't stand to sit in front of the 'puter anymore? Dina open rny 3/10/04 -15 lbs

I'm here!!! I'm awake!!! I check this board everyday....it is kind of slow lately. Maybe everyone is out planting their gladiola bulbs, like I should be doing! How are you feeling Dina! I'm in week two of eating solid foods....and it's HEAVEN!!!! (not to rub it in or anything) It's hard to make good choices right now, after coming off of six weeks of serious restriction....but I'm getting better at it. I just cleaned my closet our last night....I swear, I have about 5 big boxes of darn cute clothes to say goodbye to. Actually....I'll say..."Good Riddence"! hehehe Anyway.....hope your feeling well...and optimistic! -Mary P

Mary - Hate to burst your bubble, but my surgeon had me on soft foods from the 4th day out of the hospital. I'm already eating pureed meats and other soft foods. I find I get a better result from things such as the crackers and chicken spread than yogurt because I get hungry soon after and can eat a WHOLE 8 oz container of yogurt since it just drips right through my stoma so quickly. (I discovered this last night. Thankfully it was a non-fat low-sugar yogurt with only 100 calories!) I have had a few times where things obviously didn't agree with me in one way or another. Too many carbs on some things makes me very tired to the point of having to hurry to bed for a nap. I don't dump per se, but I liken this to dumping in a different way. It's a reaction for sure. I have also gotten nauseous a couple times from different foods but I think it was that I didn't realize I was full until it was too late more than anything. Right now the things I can eat easily are hot cereal such as cream of wheat (I make it with the low-carb high protein milk!) w/banana, crackers and cheese (have to go slow with it though), crackers w/something like the Underwood chicken spread, peanut butter banana, etc. I also had chicken curry that DH made the other night and did great with using the hand blender on that and putting it over a little rice. That set REALLY well with me! I'm losing roughly 1 lb a day....slightly more. Have lost 16 lbs as of today. I'm really happy with the results, especially considering my pouch is larger than some other folks. I have discovered that many doctors have different sizes they use. Dr. Aguirre uses a 4 oz pouch. I hear others gasp at that since it's so much, but I have to say I feel it's adequate for me right now as I can eat enough to not keep that mouth hunger going. I feel satisfied in all ways which is really nice. And I am watching the calories as well so I don't overdo it. I think I can do this!!! From what I understand after the pouch heals it should hold about a cup which sounds the same as everyone else who has a tiny tablespoon size pouch, so hopefully it will all work fine for me. I also love that I can drink water quicker than others can. Sorry for the long post! Guess I got carried away! LOL! Dina -16

Honestly...I've been having trouble staying awake. I can't tell which medication is doing it to me I think it's the reglan...but I'm waking up and greatful to have found the Oregon message board! I'm 3 weeks out and had my surgery at KAiser with Dr. Kosta on the same day as you. Do you find that your emotions are all over the board? then then IT's been a wild ride! You having any trouble with vomiting? Joanna

Joanna - no vomiting here yet, but I've felt really close. What are you on meds for? Are they the acid reducers? I'm not on anything myself, but I have not felt all over the place. Saw your post on the March board and answered there, but wanted to answer here also. I think with the problems you've had (read your profile - you poor thing!) would GREATLY contribute to your moods. Although I do have one more idea that I just came across! Heck yeah - it's probably hormonal to a degree! WLS and dieting in general can cause hormonal changes, and I'm wondering if you aren't experiencing some weird pms? I know most women end up with a period about a week after the surgery, and for me - one who RARELY gets periods, I started retaining water and getting sore breasts already and I only STARTED my first period 2 weeks ago. So yes - I think some hormones might be at play here. Have you had any cycle changes at all? Dina