Went to a bariatric support meeting this week and met a girl who had lost 190 pounds in 18 mos and looked fantastic. She came to see if anyone had had plastics because she said that she was really in need and was having lost of skin problem and yeast and fungus. The NUT recommended that we all take probotics and acidophilus tabs. Another lady was there to see if there was any ideas for her busy lifestyle to keep herself on track. She said she was either 2 or 4 years out and was very, very, busy. She drinks diet pop and ate crackers, because she had two very busy kids, worked forty hours, and went to school. I remember those days so well. She was maintaining her weight loss, but I wonder what her labs were like! Another lady was four years out, never made goal, ate everything, and is recovering from surgery on her legs. She has lymphona and was really heavy. The NUT from the Barix Clinic came and brought samples of the Lower Sugar Detour Bar and the Rock 'N' Roll Labrada bar. I had them before, but the Rock 'N' Roll is like a big payday large and 290 cal. These are the ones I have to fight my DH for. We usually split one of the big boys. They gave a couple of recipes: Sugar Free Dirt Pudding and Protein Bars. The advise for the busy lady was to pack her meals with things like peanut butter and crackers, protein bars, protein ready made shakes. She didn't like the protein bars or shakes. She was very, very thin. They talked about transferring your addiction for food to booze, sex and shopping. I'm pretty sure that the first two aren't a problem, but the shopping.......I've put myself on a budget, especially about buying clothes. I used to buy the next size down, but have given so many things away that I haven't gotten to wear because I skipped that size. The leader had a double whammy with kidney stones and bleeding and gained 12 lbs and had to have an iron infusion. She just completed the 5-day pouch test and lost 6 lbs. She told us she reached goal for one day, is 5'3" and regained back to 180 pounds and stayed there until this last kidney stone ordeal. She is now dealing with osteoporosis, kidney stones, and low iron. All have been attributed to WLS. She is five years out and just turned fifty. They are recommending osteo scans for WLS patients every 2 years. NUT recommended that you stay with the protein shakes for the first year if you are not getting your protein in. At the two year mark, she said that you can reduce the gms of protein to about 50 gms. daily. Now go with what you plan calls for!! If you all are getting any good info from the meetings, please share. Especially about problems the long-termers are having and maybe things we all can avoid.

Let me be the first to say Thanks for all those clothes you gave away because you keep skipping sizes! They have filled my needs very very nicely! Wish I was in town more often to go to one of those meetings with you. Sounds like you are getting alot of good information from them. As for the woman who is very very busy, yes the protein bars are the Bomb for someone on the go.

I love my support group...found a walking group, made a good friend and the clothing exchange has been fabulous!

The info about the eating and drinking at the same time was eye opening though I think I read it hear too...It could stretch the exit (stoma?) by pushing the food through. It was the suspected reason why a few patients were hungery all the time, never having that feeling of full.

The encouragement to stay on track is very helpful too, suggestions for mixing up the exercise routine (I know I heard that here too! ) and the info from the PT about core exercises I still use (I'm developing a butt! Never had one of those...even as a large person! )


Angela