Its hard and at times you will feel like you cant do it. I am 2.5 weeks post op and Im still having a difficult time with not drinking right before and after you eat. as long as you move slowly and don't try to do to many things at once it should go fine.
Good luck

Hello everyone. Sorry I've been MIA but I've have been sick. The dr calls it a bacterial infection in my chest. I call it bronchitis, lol. The antibiotics are finally starting to work and I am starting to feel so much better.

Since I am feeling better, I will be able to do my Walk to End Alzheimer's. I haven't posted anything and if I'm breaking any rules Julie just let me know and I'll delete this paragraph. If you would be interested in helping raise money to fund research to put an end to this horrible disease, you can sponsor me at http://act.alz.org/site/TR/Walk2014/MO-StLouis?px=8210901&pg=personal&fr_id=5226. No amount is too small. It all helps and is very much appreciated. I walk for my Grandma Elliott who is in the beginning stages. I can think of nothing worse than losing my memories. If you are able to donate, thank you so very much.

Got some awesome news yesterday concerning Michael (my S.O.). He had viral load run the other day when he gave blood. This is the second time since he finished the treatments for the Hepatitis C. The results show "none detected"! This means that the doctors consider him cured!! Praise the good Lord above!!!!! My prayers have been answered. We have been dealing with this horrible monster since 2 weeks after we began dating. Of course he'll still have to have his viral load run every year or so as a precaution but we can deal with that.

I'm not sure if I told you all or not but a few weeks ago I analyzed my food intake levels and decided that I wasn't getting enough calories. I know for the first few years after my RNY I was at an abnormally low calorie intake. But after 18 months to 2 years, your body readjusts and I believe MFP had me at way too low of a calorie intake. So basically, I am eating about 600 more calories a day but the scale is finally moving downward again.

Almost a week ago my FitBit quit working on me so I haven't been able to use it and I have felt totally naked without it. I finally got to talk to someone in customer service yesterday and couldn't be happier. They are sending me a replacement FitBit and are even sending me a new band and it's violet (my favorite color) which is the color I originally wanted. Wonderful customer service.

Julie, they want you to not drink for 2 hours after? That seems a little excessive in my book. How are you going to get all your fluids in. I know for the longest time after surgery I had to eat like every 2-3 hours (6 small meals a day). If that's the case for you, you'll never be able to drink. We were told the 30-30-30 rule.......no drinking 30 mins before the meal, take 30 mins to eat the meal with no drinks and then no drinks for 30 mins after. But you do whatever your doctor recommends. It's good that you are trying to get your mind into the idea of what post-op will be like. Please don't try to survive on 1000 calories now though. Without the surgery that is way too low. Trust me after surgery you'll be fighting to get 1000 calories in, lol. The two biggest things I did pre-surgery was to get used to the 30-30-30 rule and giving up soda. I was a real bad soda drinker, grant it I only drank diet but after surgery even that was a no-no. I figured giving that up prior to surgery would be easier than trying to do it while I was learning to deal with all the other post-surgery changes. I was glad I did. I haven't had a soda since October of 2005.

Well, sorry about the novel, lol. Hope everyone has an absolutely beautiful day!!!

Dee in St. Louis

I've been trying hard to play catch up from the holiday weekend, as I hate that i can't see the groups on my phone app... And now here we are at another weekend. Anyway, had a lot going on with my financial struggles. Can see the light at the end of the tunnel but it isn't quite here yet. Might be more scarce here soon as my guy and I are both looking to get part time jobs temporarily to ease the burden... Hugs to all!

Carly in OK

Wennim, I park further too. Drives my kids crazy, but it's an easy way to sneak steps in throughout the day. I'm also finding myself getting up off my lazy butt to get my own drink/remote/book/whatever else I want instead of making my kids play fetch all day, lol. One of the perks of motherhood gone, but it's all for the good.

Dee, I am all in favor of supporting you. I'll send something in later this weekend. My grandfather (who shared my exact birthday) died of Alzheimer's related illness. It was a hard way to go. My grandfather had been a lawyer and I'd been a hairdresser. This one time I went in to cut his hair, he was unhappy with the amount I'd cut off, said there wasn't enough hair on the floor and he was going to sue me. It's an amusing story on the surface. He pulled out his notebook, took down my information, and I could see his wheels spinning as his old lawyering knowledge worked itself out by rote, confident in his knowledge and abilities. Buut the person standing in front of him (me) was someone he didn't recognize. What a sad way to go. It's strange how that disease takes away some parts of your memories completely, but leaves other things completely intact. Be sure to capture video if you can of your Grandma. I saw a video recently of a woman talking with her mother who had Alzheimer's. It was so touching seeing the moment of clarity peek through, and I know how precious those moments can be. It would be so nice to have that video during the fuzzier times.

Hope your finances work out Carly. You guys sound like you're really stretching yourselves thin. I hope you find some time to relax and enjoy each other.

Happy Weekend all!