8 MONTHS POST BPD-DS WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY

I am just past the 8 month mark following my surgery.  I have lost 120 pounds.  I bought a size 12 Land's End dress last week.  I haven't worn a 12 in over 20 years!

I am fairly settled in to my routine.  I gave a good system for keeping track of my vitamins and supplements.  I get all of them in pretty much every day. 

I also have a good routine for my protein requirements.  I have a small breakfast before work, usually something added to Greek Yogurt (5-10 g).  Then on the drive to work I get a protein drink started and finish it at my desk (30g). I munch on a protein bar during the morning (20-30g).  I am especially happy I found Quest Bars because they have such a great variety of flavors. (I am so very sick of fake chocolate and peanut butter flavored stuff.)

Lunch can be a challenge because I am usually pretty full from the drink and bar; so I have something small like some almonds and cheese or leftovers (5-10g).  Then another snack at my desk later in the afternoon, like protein chips, sunflower seeds or more nuts (5-12g). 

Dinner varies a lot.  If my protein is on the high side I relax and don't worry about stuffing something down.  Today I needed another boost so I made my taco salad mostly  ground beef beans and avocado. I'll probably have another protein bar or drink this evening to get to my 90 grams of protein.

I do find that the evening is hard for me, my stomach is much more fussy at the end of the day so I find I graze a bit in order to find what feels right going down. Also I notice by evening, my stomach will not tolerate a lot of food.  We went out the other night and all I could eat was  3 shrimp.  Then I  waited a couple of hours and had 2 more from my "doggie bag."

My family is concerned that I am not eating veggies and fruits - I do eat a few bites of salad greens, broccoli, spinach or other veggies most days.  I indulge my love of fruit more often eating berries and grapefruit every day.  This week I have had some watermelon and peaches, too.

Sometimes I wonder if I will be able to keep up with the protein requirements in the long haul - I hope that my stomach capacity will grow so I can get more of my protein from food rather than supplemental drinks and bars.  For the time being I am very mindful and just do what it takes!

SOMETHING INTERESTING IS HAPPENING

I am at heart a nurturing person.  Becoming wife and mother of 3 made me hyper aware of the needs of those family members - not to the total loss of my own needs, but the awareness was/is always there.

Since I decided to start this dietary plan, I have been thinking about my meals first.  I have been searching recipes and meal plans and went shopping today for a few things, including something to make for my husband's dinner.  (I take my dinner to work with me 5 days a week and usually make something for him to eat at home.)

I cruised the aisles a bit looking for some new things to add to my pantry, I picked up his Diet Coke since it was on sale, got some veggies and thumped a few watermelons before I gave up and decided to pick one up elsewhere tomorrow, then I checked out.

It was while I was in line that I realized that I had picked up some ingredients for my meal - but nothing for him.  Wow.  I didn't even turn around and go back to find something for him - I figured he could make a sandwich or order in or eat some leftovers or something.

I went home, sauteed some mushrooms and garlic in a bit of olive oil, combined that with some brown rice from the frig and added a couple spoons of Tikka Masala sauce.  Packed that with a peach and a couple bottles of water and off to work I went.