Dx E’s Posts
A little club soda was my doc's recommendation. I would also run a syringe of water through mine between each bag. I was on mine for over 4 months, and found "milking it" (By which I mean massaging it on the outside, not contaminating your site with fingers) To be a quick way to unblock it. Once you get it open and running freely again, Call the doc in the morning and ask about recommendations for keeping it from clogging. Best Wishes- Dx
Capricious; Impulsive, Semi-Predictable 
Jess,
Huge Congratulations!
Lifestyle change rather than “a Diet” is right on target!
Great to hear you are continuing with success!
I just wanted to drop by an Invitation.
It’s great to see other men out here.
We make up such a small percentage (12%)
Of the people either having Weight Loss Surgery,
Or tackling Obesity through supervised “Life-Style” programs.
And either way, we tend to reach our goal weights quicker and with less
Or at least Different hassles than the Gals
Due to Male physiology.
Drop by the Men’s Message Board
And check out what other men like you are going through.
It’s a diverse make up of Dads, Singles, Older, younger, etc…
Pre-Ops, Post-Ops, Non-Ops, new and some Old (at Goalies)
Lap-Banders, RNY’ers, DS, etc…
Great bunch of guys with the mutual understanding
That WLS for Men can be a totally different Journey.
Stop by to add your questions, advice, opinions, and info at-
http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/men/
It’s Great to know we’re not so alone,
And that there are others pulling for you.
Hope to see you ‘Round the Boards!
Keep up the Great Work!
Best Wishes-
Dx
Capricious; Impulsive, Semi-Predictable
Frank,
Proud Dad!
Congratulations on your beautiful baby.
And Congratulations on your Loss
--that’ll have you dancing at her wedding,
And racing your grandkids in the park!
I just wanted to drop by an Invitation.
It’s great to see other men out here.
We make up such a small percentage (12%)
Of the people having Weight Loss Surgery,
But tend to reach our goal weights quicker and with less
Or at least Different hassles than the Gals
Due to Male physiology.
Drop by the Men’s Message Board
And check out what other men like you are going through.
It’s a diverse make up of Dads, Singles, Older, younger, etc…
Pre-Ops, Post-Ops new and some Old (at Goal) Post-Ops.
Lap-Banders, RNY’ers DS, etc…
Great bunch of guys with the mutual understanding
That WLS for Men can be a totally different Journey.
Stop by to add your questions, advice, opinions, and info at-
http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/men/
It’s Great to know we’re not so alone,
And that there are others pulling for you.
Hope to see you ‘Round the Boards!
Best Wishes-
Dx
Capricious; Impulsive, Semi-Predictable
At One week?
Hang in there. Those first weeks are Super Tough.
Your “long-term” goal of “Normal Sensible Meals?”
Yep!
When at a restaurant,
I eat the same as any other Normal Range BMI person in the place.
Had a visit with some other RNY friends last week.
We ate at a Bar-B-Que place in Capricious; Impulsive, Semi-Predictable
I don’t know, Sounds pretty great to me. At that rate? You’ll be 92 lbs. in the first year. How small were you planning on going In first 18 months of the "Honeymoon phase?" Step back from the scales and think "long range." As soon as able, do get some exercise, Even the littlest each week makes a Huge difference each month. I was in Portland Day before yesterday. Quite a few WLS’ers in your area. Get in your protein and water, And make sure you vitamin intake is as recommended. Hang in there. It does get easier. Best Wishes- Dx
Capricious; Impulsive, Semi-Predictable
Capricious; Impulsive, Semi-Predictable
Glad to hear all is going well for you two!
------153?!
Keep it Up!!
For Linda? My only advice….
ICE PACKS WORK!
Uncomfortable as all Getout! But they speed the healing… That, and the swelling will last about twice as long as seems sane… No matter how soon it goes away, it’s never soon enough. Hang in there! Best Wishes- Dx
Capricious; Impulsive, Semi-Predictable
Sarah, Do keep in mind…. Before having WLS, if you “screwed up” And ate what you shouldn’t and didn’t get your nutrition, etc.. The result was becoming obese or maintaining obesity. But now? Not just tight fitting clothes to worry about, But Neuropathy, tissue damage, cardiac damage, Osteoporosis, Etc, Etc, etc…. The stakes in this game are Much Higher. Call and reschedule the appt with your doctor- First. Then, clear your house of stuff That triggers your snacking on Carbs and sugar. Get in Protein. Get in your Vitamins, Calcium, etc…. Once you’ve made that step, Then, Look for a counselor to work on coping mechanisms to prevent self-sabotage. Just because you are “Screwing Up,” Right Now, Doesn’t make you a “Screw-up.” That old saying- “You can fall a hundred times and not be a failure, if you get up 100 times?” It’s true. But that sure makes the trip a lot Longer! Get back with the program, and focus on it. The repercussions are far worse Than they ever could have been prior to WLS. Yes? Go for it! You Can do it. You kinda have to. Get busy living because the alternative is not an option. Hope to here a string of success stories coming from you in the future! Best Wishes- Dx
I did want to also drop an Invitation.
It’s great to see other men out here.
We make up such a small percentage (12%)
Of the people having Weight Loss Surgery,
But tend to reach our goal weights quicker and with less
Or at least Different hassles than the Gals
Due to Male physiology.
Drop by the Men’s Message Board
And check out what other men like you are going through.
It’s a diverse make up of Dads, Singles, Older, younger, etc…
Pre-Ops, Post-Ops new and some Old (at Goal) Post-Ops.
Lap-Banders, RNY’ers DS, etc…
Great bunch of guys with the mutual understanding
That WLS for Men can be a totally different Journey.
Stop by to add your questions, advice, opinions, and info at-
http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/men/
It’s Great to know we’re not so alone, And that there are others pulling for you. Hope to see you ‘Round the Boards! Best Wishes- Dx
I do still get that “full-feeling.” Mostly when I eat denser, less watery foods. I tend to eat a good bit of seafood and meat, But I can get full on eggs as well. One of my “Go To Foods” Is last nights leftover whatever, Chopped up and put into a thin omelet the next day. Often re-heated leftovers seem a little dry But this gets them to that “Goldee-Locks-Just-Right” consistency For Me. I have heard from folks that they started never really feeling full And they went back to a few days of liquids only, then full liquids, Then mushy, etc… Back through their original advances of a “staged diet” And they claim to have gotten back Their old level of restricted eating capacity. I have no first hand experience, but have met some who swear by it. Best Wishes- Dx
Ha!
OK, Fine! Rub it in that you’re in Beautiful France!!!
I do eat fruit, mostly apples-(nearly every day)
And lots of berries. (Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, etc…
A little citrus, and the occasional mango, pineapple, etc…
I also pick up dried fruit every now and then.
Apricots mostly.
Not a big fan of bananas, peaches, plums, the “Soft/succulent Fruits.”
Dunno why.
Rare for me to enjoy sardines,
But I do pick up the odd can of salmon or mackerel
That come with the bones cooked in.
Sssshhhh…
Those I use for fried Crochets!
Send Photos!!!
I did a project in
People mostly post who are asking for ideas with their own problems,
So rarely are there a run of posts that read-
“Everything going Perfect as Planned! Just thought I’d Share!”
Off the Board though, I am floored by all of the people in my local support group.
No complications what-so-ever.
One couldn’t tolerate chicken for a while,
Till she started cooking it differently.
And just look at these beautiful folks in this thread alone!!!
I’m So Jealous!!
Know that these Boards represent only a slight handful of the people
Who get Bariatric procedures each year.
There are many other WLS Community sites-
WLS Forum, QuixoticWLS, Susan Maria’s Site,
Yahoo Groups, Bariatric-forums.com,
Duodenal Switch Support Forum, Lapbandbuddies, etc, etc, etc….
Many sites similar in focus to OH.
Still, mostly used to swap ideas,
So even though some are more focused on specific procedures,
or further out Post-Op folks, they can often seem "all about the problems."
Do your research,
But don’t be jaded by the majority of posts being about difficulties.
Those with zero issues to discuss,
Are often off the boards somewhere living their lives without checking in.
Best Wishes-
Dx
Capricious; Impulsive, Semi-Predictable
----------------------------------------------------------
The Grocery List! 
I see questions about "What to Eat?"
And people talking about not being able to resist
Certain items at home.
Here’s a "WFM" – (worked for me?)
Take it or forget it.
It’s mainly "Food Choices."
**(and these are for the 4 to 6 month-plus "SOLID" choices)
A Way to get veggies and Fiber back in your life along with protein-
Very important-
Its Hard to resist eating something at home-
When no one is around or if you are just in the mood for a snack.
But it’s Easy to resist items in the middle of a Crowded Grocery Store.
So, I’ve kept the "Food Choice" activity
IN the grocery store, and Out of my home.
(example- It’s easier to Not Pull into a Shop and Buy Cigarettes
Than it is to Not Pull one from the pack sitting in your pocket.)
Yes?
When I shop for groceries, here are some of the items
That I buy Nearly Every Time. My "staples."
*PROTEIN/MEATS-
Chicken breasts,
(Skinned and de-boned. Pricier but worth it in time.)
Fish, -
(Tilapia, Catfish, Salmon, Shrimp, Tuna, etc…
Usually fresh or frozen)
Tofu,
(Extra-Firm)
Textured Vegetable Protein,
("Health-food" section)
Deli Sliced Roast Turkey,
*The MAYBES- depending on sale prices-
Maybe a little Sausage-
(Sweet or Hot Italian every other grocery trip)
Maybe Center Cut Pork Chops,
Maybe Laura Lean Ground Sirloin,
Maybe some Deli Meat for antipasto,
Frozen or Fresh Turkey Breast (when on sale)
*VEGGIES/PRODUCE AREA-
Peppers, (a lot!) (I eat these nearly Every Day)
(Red, Green, Yellow, Jalepenos, Banana peppers, etc..)
Onions, (Green Onions/Scallions, Red, Yellow)
Celery, Turnips!!
Fresh Bean Sprouts,
Little "prepped" Carrots,
Radishes (when available)
Spaghetti Squash,
Fresh Mushrooms,
(Portobello, Chanterelle, Enoki, Shiitake, Cremini, etc…)
Pre-Washed-Prepped Salad,
Roma Tomatoes, (a lot)
Broccoli,
Fresh Green Beans,
Zucchini and Squash,
Cabbage, (Red, Green, or Napa/Chinese)
Berries of some sort,
(Strawberries, Blueberries, Raspberries)
Apples, (I eat an Apple a Day or close)
Lemons, Limes,
Un-Salted Produce Packed Nuts,
(Raw Almonds, Walnuts)
I’ll also pick up one Produce "special" item each trip such as
Fennel, Eggplant, Bok Choy, Asparagus, etc…
Hummmmm? No Potatoes?
*CANNED AISLES-
Diced Tomatoes, (With Italian Spices, Mexican Spices, or Rotel with Peppers)
No Sugar Added Tomato Sauce,
Tomato Paste,
Beans,
(Pinto, No-Fat Re-fried, Butter Beans, Red Beans, Black, etc…)
Albacore White Tuna in Water,
No Sugar Added Peanut Butter,
*FROZEN FOODS-
Little Nibblet corn on the cob
Zucchini and Squash, (if not available fresh)
*DAIRY-
Eggs (a lot. Like "Cool-Hand-Luke" Bet - A lot!)
Carb Countdown Dairy Beverage, (Low Fat)
Carb Control Yogurt,
Cottage Cheese, (Reduced Fat)
Skim milk,
Cheese, (Lower-fat and normal- All Kinds)
Low-Fat Sour Cream
*MISC-
Olive Oil,
Maybe – Kalamata Olives
(from the deli section, my true guilty pleasure)
Total Protein Cereal, (or some low-carb-high-protein cereal)
Spices, (at least one new or fresh herb each week)
Sugar-Free Popsicycles (still love them from my start of Post-Op)
Mission "No Carb" Tortillas,
FlatOutBread-the Best! - http://www.flatoutbread.com/movie.html
Diet V8 Splash, (Love It!)
Starbuck’s De-Caf Sumatran Coffee,
Slimfast Low-Carb Chocolate Royale or Vanilla Cream Shakes
(I put a splash in my coffee, Yum and high protein)
AND THAT’S MOSTLY IT!
And now and then some "staples" such as-
Ezekial Sprouted Grain Bread, (For the Family, I have it maybe once a week)
Corn Meal, Flax Seeds, Canola Oil,
Textured Vegetable Protein, Steel-cut Oats,
Low-Fat Canola Mayo, etc…
I’ll pick those up.
Yes, on occasion, I’ll pick up something "special"
For when guests are coming,
Like the makings for a SF Banana Pudding,
or SF Low Carb Baking stuff,
But those are for "Special ‘Planned’ Events" not just ‘the usual.’
But Notice the general lack
Of Processed Starch in this grocery list.
I get my Carbs, sure, but mostly through Veggies, and Fruit
Rather than Potatoes, Breads, Noodles, Rice, etc…
No Pretzels, Chips, sweets, etc…
Not a bunch of "Faux-Sweets."
No "SF-Ice-Cream, SF Cookies, ‘Baked’ Chips,
No Thin-Crust Low-Carb Pizza,
(not a lot of "Less Healthy Choices" dressed up in –
"Lite-or Re-duced Calorie" versions.)
Also a low incidence of Butter, Margarine, Crisco, etc…
Canola and Olive Oil rule in the kitchen.
Also Notice the high concentration of
Non-Processed Produce.
Very Good for you!
Not only the fiber to keep "Regular,"
But, I try to eat one "color"
From Each Phyto-Nutrient Group every day.
Red Peppers or tomatoes, (Lycopene)
Purple cabbage or Blueberries, (anthocyanin has anti-cancer properties)
Deep greens of salad greens,( Isothiocyanates/thiocyanates, Strong Antioxidants)
Yellow/orange from Carrots, Squash, etc (lutein, beta carotene, etc…)
I Try to get in all
Of the possible Phytochemicals each day.
Push the nutrients- "Food is Fuel, not a reward or treat"
So go for the highest Quality Fuel!
Yes?
I also buy in very small quantities.
Just a bit of each fre****em
So that nothing "goes bad" before I can use it.
By taking one Meat/Protein, and preparing it
With at least 2 veggies,
Limit to one canned or dairy item,
Recipes are a breeze and depending on the spices used
You can have an endless variety of meals.
(I Love Bob’s passed on quote-
"Spices are proof God loves us and wants us to be happy.")
I cook a lot, but when out of town for my work,
I follow the "protein first rule" when eating out.
By the time I finish the piece of fish or chicken,
I’m usually full before I can get in much or anything else.
At home, it’s far easier. I Just eat what’s in the house!
I tend to keep some sort of
Cucumber/tomato/onion/pepper salad combo
ready in the fridge, along with some Ostrim,
or Poached chicken breast.
If there is stuff all ready and waiting,
it's easier to just grab it, than to linger over
"what will I make to eat?"
All of that standing and staring into the fridge is short-circuited by a fridge full of "Good Stuff" to eat already prepped.
This is a lot of babble, but for those out there having difficulty Avoiding High-Carb/Calorie, Low Nutrition Foods, --This has helped me,
And become ROUTINE enough so I’m not constantly
Facing "Food Choice Issues."
I don’t have to Think about it, I just follow my habits.
That’s what got me Obese to start with, Habitual Eating,
rather than Consciously Choosing each Item I put in my mouth, So I figured it was a fairly effective Course of Action
For Habitually eating Healthy Choices as well.
Yes, Now that I’m beyond 3 1/2 years out,
On OCCASION, I eat Noodles, Potatoes, etc…
But because I have set up New Habits in eating,
It always is a very conscience choice rather than just a constant.
When Not Thinking about it, I usually just eat Low-Carb/Cal foods that are packed with nutrition.
For those looking for the easy simple idea-?
Just shop the "Outer Aisles"
of the grocery store.
This way you’ll hit
FRESH PRODUCE, DAIRY, MEAT/FISH
But not the processed canned stuff.
Yes?
Try it and see.
Stick to the perimeter!!
It works.
This has made getting to and staying at a normal BMI
(with Normal Bowel Movements)
Easy for ME.
Hope this helps some-
I’m sure that others will have "Go To" Choices as well that work for them.
Best Wishes-
Dx Capricious; Impulsive, Semi-Predictable
Karen, I actually use it most in my meatloaf! I soak it in Beef Broth or chicken broth till it swells up And when it’s at the same consistency as the hamburger or Ground turkey, I mix it in with the meat. Adds protein without adding fat. I love the stuff. I’ve also ran it through my blender and added to Cornbread! My son jokes that I sneak protein into EVERYTHING. His house is the only one that has High-Protein Corn Bread with Pinto Beans for dinner. Kroger keeps it in stock, if you have one of those there. Best Wishes- Dx
Dx Capricious; Impulsive, Semi-Predictable
Capricious; Impulsive, Semi-Predictable
Kelly, Some folks get stuck on protein shakes and develop a touch of “Food Fear,” Early on. Something causes them to feel un-easy or gak, And they develop an aversion to that food. But, if they would wait a few weeks and try it again, Most find that they can in fact tolerate many more foods than they thought. Most, not all. For Me (your mileage may vary) the trick was making sure that everything I ate, had some protein in it. Yogurt, High protein cereal, Meats, Beans, eggs, etc… Many find that around the 6 month mark, Their pouches swelling has gone completely And they are able to get in a bit more food. As long as that extra food in high in protein, lower in calories, then Great! I also eat 5 to 6 “mini-meals” a day. Per-Doctors orders, I have Breakfast, a mid-morning snack, lunch, mid-afternoon snack, then dinner. Sometimes followed by A little something later that night like cottage cheese with a little fruit. My total calorie intact is for maintenance rather than losing So I get in around 2200 calories a day. (based on my height, weight, activity level, resting metabolic rate and sex. Men do tend to need more calories.) Use the supplements till you can swap in enough foods that will bring your Protein levels up to the requirements for your body’s needs. It does seem impossible early on. Eventually, little by little, as you re-build your new dietary intake You’ll be amazed at how easy it becomes. If you don’t start adding in High-Cal-Low-Protein Starches There will be plenty of room for the protein. Hang in there! It does get easier! Best Wishes- Dx
Capricious; Impulsive, Semi-Predictable
Yeah, that sounds very different from mine. I had no “ache or pain” that far away from the entrance of the tube. I actually had two of those things. I had to have mine replaced with a new one after damaging the balloon That holds it in place while turning around in my sleep. There’s a small little balloon down inside, that they inflate- (That other little ‘port’ on the thing? That seems to have no purpose? That’s the one.) They went ahead and pulled out my first one, And I had to make a quick trip through the OR to have them set the second one in place. No-anesthesia, just local, and it didn’t hurt. My second one lasted for another 3 months. The hole where it goes in, eventually gets less raw. Sort of like a pierced ear. I was worried that mine wouldn’t grow closed when the took the tube out. But it was completely closed up within 2 days. Keep on that Doc till you get some relief! Best Wishes- Dx
Rachelle, Thanks for the kind words. Sugar? Ain’t it somethin’? Ends up being responsible for more health issues than Cocaine, just as addictive, And just as sensible for Humans to be consuming. I get by without it just fine. Great start on your first 9 weeks! It gets better each month! Keep it Up! Best Wishes- Dx
Capricious; Impulsive, Semi-Predictable
Batwingsman · 1 replies · 1453 views
