***Friday's Rollcall***

Hey Guys and Gals! Happy Friday everyone. I hope everyone is doing well. I read a survey the othe day that said that something like 54% of women say that they would pick losing 10lbs for good over a $15000.00 per year pay raise. I guess in a sense I actually acted this scenario out since I self-payed to have this surgery. It was totally worth it by the way. Physically I feel great...better than I've felt in 10 years easily! Emotionally, I am a little stressed out. But I am trying to remember that God has everything under control. Well, lets see if I can think of some QOD: 1. What has surprised you about life after WLS? 2. Do you attend a WLS support group in your area? If so, does it help? 3. How strict are you about measuring your food? Do you weigh everything or just eyeball it?

My answers: 1. What has surprised you about life after WLS? The thing that has surprised me the most is that I don't miss food as much as I thought I would. Lack of head hunger would be another way to put it. I really thought head hunger would be a major issue for me. 2. Do you attend a WLS support group in your area? If so, does it help? You guys are the only support group I have and I don't feel the need for another. I think its because you are all Christians. 3. How strict are you about measuring your food? Do you weigh everything or just eyeball it? I never measure anything. I can just look at something and know about how much of it I can eat. It has been this way for me since day one. If I do get too much, I always seem to know when to stop eating. I rarely dump now and I have not thrown up since about 6 weeks out when I was sick in the hospital. (knock on wood) I love this surgery! It has changed my life for the better. PTL! Have a great day everyone! Love, Jacinda

Good Morning JJ and TGIF!..... I'm not sure I'd be in that 54% or notfor 10 pounds...if that's the case....we got more than our monies worth ~What Surprised you about life after WLS? After trying just about every "diet gimmick" and "diet plan" over the years I was simply amazed that WLS worked so fast. Now that I am 28 months post op and maintaining to nearly the pound for 18 months of that time, I most amazed that I have been successful in this weight loss. ~Do you attend WLS support group in your area? If so does it help? My surgical group has a great support team....very, very organized. I guess the people in "large group" are several hundred and then it is broken down in small group by where you are in the WLS journey and there is even a support group for family and friends of a WLS client. I haven't been able to attend for some time because of class conflict but as soon as this semester is over I'm back in group....I think support group is very important in our education and maintenance. ~How strict are you about measuring your food? Do you weigh everything or just eyeball it? It's habit now....I can just eyeball my food and know approximately the weight portion. Have a good day....it's been good sharing... luvitsunnyv

Goodmorning! It's been so long again since I have posted! It's good to be online again. Here are my answers. #1. After all the years(a lifetime) of failure in the diet area; I have to say I AM surprised that this is working!! It has pleased me that I am not pre-occupied with the food. I can take it or leave it, except for an occasional urge. These are easily taken care of with alternative post-op options. A couple of days ago, I really wanted something refreshing and ice-creamy after my swim workout. I went thru the tcby drive thru and got a baby size frozen sugar-free yogurt. My first experience with it, and it wasn't bad, but I decided that I could have been just as happy with my water!! Wow, what a moment. The other big surprise is that I have never vomited or had any complications. I have actually put more effort into this than I ever had with a conventional diet. It is NOT the easy way out, but it has accomplished what I wanted. I forced the compliance issue with the surgery, and am happy in this state of having precise boundaries, and defined nutritional needs that keep me more focused. And I am having a Ball getting rid of my now too-big clothes!! I am even planning to get back on my bike and ride around town in a few weeks!! I am so happy to be able to see that as a treat coming up!! #2. I try to get to my surgeon's group, but it is 75mi. away in Boise (yes, I live way out in a little town), and sometimes it is just impossible. There are more than a few of us RNY-ers in this little town, tho, so anytime I need an immediate chat, I can reach one of them, or go on-line here. #3 I don't measure my food, and often give the overage to the dogs. It always surprises me when I am done. I still think it takes more to fill me up when I dish up. But I know when to quit. I still have problems with the water tho. Can't seem to learn what a sip is, and often end up hurting from too much too quickly. I am trying to get into the habil of writing down my intake in a food journal to see how I am doing with the protein level, and carbs. I know as time goes on, (I am only post-op since Jan 16) it will be more and more important to have these habits established.

1) What has surprised me about life after WLS? Food is not the center of my universe. I can take it or leave it. It doesn't bother me if others are eating around me if I'm not hungry, I don't eat. Maybe hunger isn't the right word to use since I never really feel hungry. 2)Do you attend a WLS support group in your area? If so, does it help? The closest support group is over 90 miles away. My surgeons support group is over 100 miles away. The only support groups I attend are this site and another Christian WLS site. I am checking into starting a support group for my area. I am just trying to find a meeting place and get the word out. 3)How strict are you about measuring your food? Do you weigh everything or just eyeball it? I was very strict about measuring my food but now I just eyeball it. I still have a problem with putting too much on my plate sometimes. I like to try a little bit of several foods since I never know which vegetable or meat might come back on me. Kathy from MO 360/230/150 hopefully someday

1. The most suprising thing to me is how cruel and unkind the world is to obese people...who now make up a majority of the population! I don't know if I shut it out or just became numb, but it amazes me how people look me in the eye, provide good service, hold doors, etc...Discrimination against fat people is alive and fully accepted in this society and it is wrong!! 2. The WLS support group in my area is run by 2 surgeons who only do the RNY and have much misinformation and prejudice against my surgery, so I do not attend their meetings. 3. I've been in Weigh****cher's for so long I can accurately eyeball food, but I fid that I don't need to. I can eat anything I want, just get my proteins for the day, and I'm good.

Hi Jacinda~ I'm posting late, sorry. I had a long day today. And now it is 9:50pm and I find myself bored because for the first time all day I have had a minute to relax. QOD: 1. What has surprised you about life after WLS? How much I love working out. I go to the gym 2 hours a day 6 days a week. I love every second of it. Today I was doing situps with a medicine ball. I did 40 of them and I was laughing the whole time. 4 months ago, that would have never happened!! 2. Do you attend a WLS support group in your area? If so, does it help? No, the only one by my house is on the 3rd Wed of each month and my husband is working during that time so I have no one to watch the kids. I do love my OH family though. They have been awesome support. 3. How strict are you about measuring your food? Do you weigh everything or just eyeball it? I eyeball it. I try to use the same bowl or plate so it is easy to judge the amount. Dawn

Hi Jacinda! I am so glad you called Roll Call! I'm a day late, but I still want to answer it! 1. That I have been blessed to have lost this much so quickly! Thank You, Jesus! 2. I have only attended it once but am planning on it again in April. 3. I weigh everything, except when I eat out, then I am able to eyeball it and know when to stop. I want to always weigh my food and not get tired of doing it. I love you guys! Love, Cindy