Paula Bee

I would like to throw out a word of caution to those of you who are eating a gluten free diet. Unless you have Celiac's disease, it is NOT recommended that you go gluten free. People will swear that it makes their complexions glow or cause them to lose weight, but there is no empirical data to support that. There IS empirical data to support the fact that a gluten free diet is missing a number of key nutrients and fiber. If you have Celiac's disease, you have no choice. If you don't have Celiac's disease, then another choice than gluten free is probably better. From the Ultrawellness Center - "Unless you have celiac's disease, there is no benefit to a gluten free diet and possibly some harm caused by it due to "frankenfoods" made to replace gluten free products." There are dozens of medical references to these facts, so if you are thinking of doing gluten free, please talk to a gastroentronologist first.

Lori, one thing that I have enjoyed using is the Unjury unflavored protein mix. It has both whey and soy in it, so I am not sure how it would work for you, but I like putting it in my tomato soup, for example. It works in just about anything except plain.

Yay! I fly to San Diego on Sunday morning and go from there to the Marriott. Monday is surgery day... one of my fears is that they will get the band off and not be able to do the sleeve for several months. Not only would that be an emotional crash-and-burn, but all these days of protein shakes only would be wasted, and I would have to buy another round trip ticket from Florida.... mmm.. just remembered that if I don't have surgery I will have to change my flight plans and that will be even more expensive! The money tree in our backyard is bare... I just hope that they can do everything on Monday.

having revision surgery.. thank heavens that thing will go!

Lori had her surgery today! Thinking of you and praying for you!

One thing I have really hated about my lapband is the huge port. When I would get gas or some other issue, it would really hurt when it pressed against my muscle/skin. I hate seeing it as a bump in my tummy. Someone PLEASE tell me they remove the port when they do the revision surgery. I mean, I know they remove the band, but what about the port?

I stumbled across this blog today, and the writer is inspiring and funny. She is down-to-earth and honest. I bookmarked her site, because I think it is worth following.

www.300poundsdown.com

I have been doing the two shakes and 1 lean cuisine for a week now, and have 3 weeks to go until my gastric sleeve surgery. I haven't been too hungry before, but for the last two days I have been starving. I noticed some good ideas... I forgot to get the metamucil tablets, but will get those along with sugar free popsicles, jello, and some minestrone. I hope it helps... I mean, I am going to hang in there, but I am hungry. Also, I have just been kind of lazy and gone with SlimFast. Maybe one of the other, higher protein shakes will help.

Also, I noticed that my mouth tastes awful... could that be the ketone release from dieting? Does anyone know what I can to to help it other than to brush or gargle multiple times a day?

Thank you all so much for your encouragement and kind words. It means worlds when one is lonely and depressed. I will make it.... I get by with a little help from my friends... all of you.

Love and gratitude,

Paula

Hugs Paula. > I've missed you too!

I'm so glad you are seeking treatment. It's so hard to take that step because as I'm sure you know, it's not easy to get things worked out once you do start. I've got bi-polar disorder and while the meds are working it's great. I feel normal, or as close to it as possible! ha! But just when you think you've got the right combination, they stop working and you have to start over again and find the next combination that works. It's a never ending battle, but one worth fighting.

One thing to think about is that as you lose weight, your meds might need changing! Not necessarily a bad thing.

EXACTLY!! My bi-polar is the problem.. meds have kept me stable w/o much change for about 2.5 years, and now, I am fast cycling to the point that I just feel totally out of control most of the time.. angry... anxious.. laughing.. spending.. weeping.. giggling.. wringing my hands.. weeping.. oh yeah, did I say reasonless weeping? The part that has me SO upset about it is that I recognize when these are happening and I just cannot pull in the reins... it is like watching from the outside. Anyway.. I think we are to the starting over phase.

Hugs and thank you so much

Paula

Hi, Ya'll,

I haven't felt well for a while, both mentally and physically, and I just have been too tired to come on, but I think about you all often, especially my special friends. I am in intensive outpatient therapy for my depression 2 full days a week for 8 sessions, and I am hoping this helps me get a grip on my depression. They are also re-evaluating all my medications and side effects. I had gained a little weight..not sure why.. but now am back to my shown weight. Hope to start dropping again soon.

My family in Baton Rouge got severely hit by Gustav and will be without power for 3-5 weeks... something else to add to my anxiety issues. I will cope.. got to - there is no alternate choice.

Having my wisdom teeth out Monday.. they are all in and two are crowned, one is filled.. the one with the filling actually broke. Continuing with water aerobics on MWF.. really enjoying it and feel less lonely.

Hugs to everyone

Awh, Girlfriend... I am so proud of you.. you are an inspiration.

YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY

Hooray for you.. I think the nsv's are the most emotionally satisfying ones.

Thank you everyone. I only wish I could make him understand that everything is ok. What a terrible thing for a child to have to deal with. I wish autism would go away!! I hate it

I know you are upset because he was unhappy.. good mommy..

He will be MORE unhappy if you die earlier because of weight related health issues.

With regards to being embarassed? Who gives a flip! You are never going to see any of those people again, so who cares?

Hugs!

SOOOOOOO glad to see you back!

I LOVE Paul Newman's peach and pineapple salsas. They are not too hot, but soooooo delicious. If I find I am trying to eat some meat that is too dry, I just put some of this salsa on it. It is perfect, and very very good!

YAY Paula, Doing thed happy dance for you. And loosing calories while i'm doing it Ha ha ha.

Laffing and doing the happy dance with you.. much more fun when there are two. Gotta love that happy dance! Woot!!

Paula I am so happy you have the beloved, sought after "restriction" you deserve. I sure know and can relate to everything you have written about the chewing and eating less and then perhaps not getting enough nutrition (perhaps is wrong it's true). I was not taking this seriously enough and have felt the same way you have expressed, no energy, tired, and depressed. For the last maybe 6 days now I have focused on planning my entire days meals in the AM carefully calculating how much protein I get especially. And yes I use the shakes for my breakfast always, and then sometimes just as one of my small meals throughout the day to get the added protein. I am shooting for about 80 grams a day give or take to get me out of this slump. I never though about the carb though. Some of the last few days I would go almost all day with maybe 10-15 gms of carb and then when I got home from work at 10pm be ravenous for "carbs". I have gotten some of those little 100 calorie snack packs with assorted things and they are a nice treat. Anyway I also want to give you a great big hug for keeping up on the water aerobics even when you don't want/feel like going. =D> =D> This is crucial to your health as you know and as an old dear friend who had been a football coach used to tell me about going to something I wouldn't want to...."Just suit up and show up and the rest will happen". I often will use this phrase to this day to motivate myself.

You are my inspiration Paula. I have got to get on my WII fit today. Hang in ther honey and focus on getting good nutrition with such small amounts of food we eat every little pencil eraser size bit counts!!

:kiss3: :kiss3: :kiss3: :kiss3: :kiss3: :kiss3: :kiss3: :kiss3:

You are special to me, too, and keep me inspired when I am too tired to be inspired by myself. I thank God every day for your support.

Alas... I, too, am an addict to the site. Even when I don't feel well enough to post, I lurk and read everything. This is a MAJOR lifeline for me, and I greatly appreciate the support and information I find here.

Thanks, everyone!!

I am really feeling it for those of you in the Pacific NW.... I know the 100 degree temps have got to be killing you...

Hugs....

I had better luck with my pills this morning. I broke them all up until they were small as a pencil eraser, and took them with my second cup of coffee. All but the one that cannot be broken went down my "warmed up" throat. After a few sips of coffee, the other one went down.

When Kathie Gonzales did my fill on Monday, my blood pressure was low. She told me to go to my gp to talk about getting off at least one of my bp pills. I was VERY excited. That would be one less pill!

I am using the EAS whey powder.. I have loved it from the pre-surgery days. I put a full scoop in my morning coffee for breakfast...mmmm... mocha! Maybe the low carbs are an issue with the exhaustion. I may try having beans for lunch to get the protein and the carbs in one swoop.

Water aerobics is calling to me. I never want to go, (a depression and exhaustion thing,) but I always have fun after I get there. So, I shall head out.

Have a good day, everyone!

Dang, Kim... it would be cheaper for you to fly back and forth than to drive! I wish you were coming while I will be in Baton Rouge visiting my mom around the 10th. My brother's divorce court date is the 12th. Any day after that I could meet up with you.

Here's another site that might help.

http://www.freedieting.com/tools/calorie_calculator.htm

The calorie calculators depend on the formula that they use to ESTIMATE how many calories you need to maintain. Notice that the article states that 1000 calories or more below maintence puts your body into starvation mode which usually results in yo-yo dieting. And of course, we are all different, have different metabolisms and everything, this is just a guide for all of us that are nearly 300 pounds and don't understand why we aren't losing on only 1200 calories a day. And as we lose weight we have to come back and check the calculator because as we keep getting smaller and older we will need fewer calories.

Hope this helps make sense! I posted the calorie calculator after so many people were posting they were at a plateau and other people told them they experienced the same thing until they added in more calories.

Also it's important to point out where the calories are coming from. 300 calories of chicken breast doesn't react the same as 300 calories of mint milano cookies.

Again, disclaimer, just for estimating purposes to help us all try to understand our bodies better.

OMG... this site says that I need even MORE calories per day. It also says that I should be eating hearly 1900 calories per day for extreme weight loss! Dang!

I have noticed that many forum posters went on a liquid diet pre op. I have not been asked to do anything - just turn up the day before the surgery. Just wondering why some people were required to do this.

Thanks

It depends on who your surgeon is. Most of us went to OCC. Dr. Miranda, the dietician there, decides what kind of pre-op diet that she wants each of us on, depending on how much weight we need to lose before surgery. One of the choices is 3 liquid meals a day.