Nowadays I can eat pretty much what I want (what I want has changed a lot though), but in the beginning EVERYTHING made me sick. I brought up food multiple times a day. Two bites made me full. Everything got stuck and I found out a few months in that not only am I dumper...I'm a three day dumper!!! (Yes, it does actually take three days for me to feel normal after a dumping episode). I hated my protein shakes, there were only seven foods I could eat successfully and I wondered what I was thinking having this surgery. I mean, I was happier fat, right?

But it got better.

I found a recipe for a shake I could tolerate (btw it was chocolate whey with milk and a bit of decaf instant coffee for anyone interested) and I began to be able to drink them...slowly.

I learned to chew my food more thoroughly.

Eventually my energy came back and I began loving the gym.

I began to experiment with combinations of my seven foods to make even more dishes.

I discovered OH.

I discovered Shari (Jupiter6) and Pam and Melting Mama and Andrea U. and Eggface (God bless you Eggface) and protein ice cream and protein 5 minute cake...

And things got better.

Before you knew it I'd lost 50, 60, 75, 100 pounds. And I was so busy out there living that I didn't have time to notice the buffalo wings I wasn't eating or the Snickers bars that I wasn't tucking away in a drawer. I was discovering amazing things at the farmers market, at Zumba class, in my diary, in my head!

And things got better.

And one day, all of a sudden, I didn't fit Lane Bryant clothes anymore and I had to cancel that credit card (a sad yet comical day...) and I bought a digital camera and took a few pics and started a Facebook page.

And things got better.

And one day I went to support group and suggested to some others who were struggling that we get together to learn to cook better food. A party. A "Pouch" party.

And things got better.

A few months after that, on this very board, we started playing "Iron Chef" and I decided that instead of filling up my OH album with my food pics (at the time we were only allowed 50 pics per member) I'd start a blog. But what to call it? Hmmmm...what about "Bariatric Foodie?"

And things got better.

And even when things got worse they got better. Like last summer when my brother got my house destroyed by a police raid and I posted about it here and about how they dumped out all my protein and no less than 10 of you sent me full canisters to replace them.

And how I did not respond to that experience by eating. And how I then went to OH conference with not a dime in my pocket and still managed to eat and be housed. Because I LET PEOPLE CARE ABOUT ME.

And things got better.

I know some folks may think I'm over the top sometimes. But I have a LOT of reasons to be happy. My life has changed in such amazing ways. But if you'd told me that at two weeks post op I'd have called you a damn liar.

But it's true. Things got better for me. And they will for you too.

kudos chica....
indeed they do... soo glad Im able to eat regular foods... not much of it but can nonetheless..

ABSOLUTELY WONDERFULL Thank you!!! I am set to have surgery on Tues and I have been getting scared and emotional over so many bad/scary/negative/complication threads popping up on here!  You just revived me and reminded me tht everything will be ok and that there are people who have had this surgery and do wonderful!! So thanks again for such an inspiring account of a part of your journey!! Best wishes to you!!!


Joey
RNY set for 4-5-11

thank you for your post

Hey Ladies-who've already posted!! I am so glad to read this. It is SO true! It gets better! I was blessed with a fairly good beginning in this process. So far, it HAS only gotten better! I need to work out more and drink more water and protein, but overall it has truly only gotten better! You can do it.

Nik you are a life saver. AND OH SO INSIRATIONAL. I really appriciate this website and all the VERY HELPFUL and CARING ppl on here. It makes my life better.

You are so AWESOME!! Thank you for all your wonderful posts and recipes and blog! I have been very lucky and have had really no problems.. Except eggs.. Me and eggs are NOT friends...

I love this post.  I hope I meet you at one of the conferences one day.  You are truly inspiring.  JOJO

What a great post, thank you. Looking forward to the day I can eat some of the foods on your site!

   I love this post Nikki!   It can be so overwhelming in the beginning and yet once you get further out, it's hard to remember how hard it seemed.  I know I had rough days, but now I can eat pretty much anything I want in small quantities but like you said, my "wants" have changed.