A Typical DS Diet in Pictures

Post by Bronwen, DS Sister -

So, it's the new year, and a lot of people have made resolutions to do something, anything, about their weight.  There are Weight-Loss boards flooded right now with people looking for solutions.  Many people are coming to the end of their collective rope and are contemplating surgery.  It's important to choose your surgery before you choose your surgeon, and also to choose a surgery that will allow you to eat in a way that you are going to be able to maintain.  Be real, people - I knew I could never maintain a low-fat, low-sugar, low-calorie diet in the long run.  Been there, done that, outgrew every size T-shirt on the way up to a 4x.  Melting Mama has chronicled for years what she's been eating.  I figure I'll do the same today, just to show you the differences.

Ok, so I was thinking about trying to explain what it is I can eat, being a 3.5 year DS (Duodenal Switch) post-op, and I thought pictures would be helpful, too.  I took these photos about two weeks ago, so they aren't exactly typical in that I don't eat out every day.  Most of the time, I pack my lunch.  Since I was Christmas shopping, I got to have lunch at an actual restaurant!

So for breakfast:

I hit the Dunkin Donuts and had a large Iced Coffee with cream and sugar, hash browns, and a sausage, egg, and cheese on a croissant.  I threw away the bottom of the croissant because I got the hash browns.  The coffee lasted me most of the morning, as I sipped it as I shopped.

Then, there was a snack that I had when I stopped home to drop off the first round of packages:

It's a piece of homemade peanut butter candy dipped in chocolate that one of my husband's coworkers made.  It was pretty good!

I went back out for more shopping, stashed my purchases in the trunk, and went to Panera for lunch (mmmmmmm!!!!!!).

It was pretty sunny in my window seat.  I got the BBQ Chopped Chicken Salad, a piece of whole-grain baguette (and 7 pats of butter), a diet pepsi, and a shortbread cookie.  It was heavenly!

I got home late in the afternoon and was starving, so I had a snack.  I made iced coffee at home and heated up some party-sized meatballs that I'd had left over in the fridge.

Later, I made a salad for dinner, too.  This isn't really typical of me, either, since I'd normally nom a pot roast waaaaaay before I'd crunch up a salad, but they just tasted good to me.  So here was my Asian Chicken Salad:

I threw a bag of salad in the bowl, chopped up some cilantro and onions, and threw on some chow mein noodles and salted cashews.  Had I had a red pepper in the drawer, I'd have julienned some of it and mixed it in there too, but alas, I was pepper-free.

There was dessert, too.

More homemade candy - a caramel and a piece of toffee, and a Yodel!

About 9:30, my stomach started growling again, so I had my last snack.

Extra sharp cheddar cheese and some whole wheat crackers with the rest of my iced coffee.

It looks like a lot, now that I see it all laid out in pictures.  You certainly would never suspect that I'd had eighty-five percent of my stomach removed.  I take my time eating, but it's not abnormally slow.  I don't have any food intolerances, although I've heard of people that do - lactose intolerance is fairly common after RNY and DS.  I had a cast-iron stomach before my DS.  I suspect that my surgeon had to use a laparoscopic blowtorch to cut through it.

I know a few of you are thinking "Regain?"  The answer is no.  I maintain between 152-157 naturally by eating this way.  If I go above 157, I throttle back on the sweets and my weight drops back into range.  It's also important to note that I didn't start eating cookies and candy until I'd lost the majority of my weight - I lost 145 pounds total, and have maintained that loss.  I weigh every day.  That doesn't work for everyone, but it's what works for me.

I didn't show my vitamins in there - I took 'em, though!  Breakfast, lunch, and bedtime.

So that's my DS Diet in pictures.  Any questions?

/Bronwen's post

MM adds - You know, that intake quantity is about the same as I can eat at five years however many months out now with a RNY.  HOWEVER, we know that eating like that with an RNY = My Ass.

Regarding the glass and it's fullness.

 

An optimist stays up until midnight to see the new year in. A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves. 

And here I am, pushing 2009 out on his cold, bony, ass.  2009 has been cruel to a lot of you out there. And, I can only hope that 2010 brings change.  

We have had good and bad here.  Number one -- my family has been HEALTHY.  My kids NEVER GET SICK.  *knocking on the desk*  Mr. has a JOB.  Although he had a loss in pay this year, took on a new job and went back to his original job, he's GOT ONE.  

Even though I have no idea what it is that I "do," I have apparently created a job for myself, and earned more income this year than I ever have from actually working, which means... I did it.  I didn't realize it till now, but that was a goal (of many, most of which are nowhere NEAR being reached) for 2009.  

Yeah, so I didn't lose weight or find a cure for whatever the hell is wrong with me, but damn it, I got paid.  I guess the goals for 2010 will be the same.  Lose weight, find out what's wrong with me, keep paying the bills, and...everything else I completely failed to complete... then, what?  

Goals?  I haz 'em.  Some are easy.  Some are likely ridiculous.  And, some, I can't remember, so pretend I shared them.  And some, I won't share, because that usually bites me in the ass.  ;)

• I still want to go to school.  
• I still want to Get A Real Job.
• Fix my brain.
• Lose the damn weight.  Again.
• Get more active.  Like exercise.  For real.  With Sweat.  Or at least panting.
• Buy a big ass mofo car that fits my family.
• Take time away - get the kids away - somewhere - anywhere.  Repeat.
• Eat more vegetables.
• Eat less butter.  ;)

That's enough for now.  I'm tired.  There's no way I'll be up to watch balls drop.  

From the "DUH!" Files: Low blood sugar may impair diabetics' driving

Oh, really? Hypoglycemia can mess with your driving? HA. I swear I didn't hit another car before and not really remember it until I tested my blood sugars in the 30-40 range. Nope.  The PCP told me it was impossible.  In fact, told me I was crazy, go see a psych!  

Click to increase -

 

That said, if I were to wait for a 90 blood glucose, I may never drive.  Or never eat.  Whichever came first.  the roads might be safer that way.

 
 

COOKIES. ME LOVE COOKIES. OM NOM NOM NOM. Freebies.

<p>
 

Me want.  Me get.  You want?  I have. 

10 mixed cases of the 1.0 ounce Cookie Bites - 6 Honey Cookies, 6 Cinnamon Cookies per case.  

Want to win a case?

• RSS SUBSCRIBE
  
• Share.
• Comment.

If you're impatient and wannabuysomerightnow, you can do that HERE.  Mention code "mama" for a coupon.

Sued By 'Cookie Diet' Company

What?  What if her statement was an opinion, even uneducated, but simply just an opinion?

Source -

Mr. Siegal’s Cookie Diet filed a defamation lawsuit against the reality starlet in Miami on Tuesday for unspecified damages after Kardashian reportedly Tweeted on October 29 that the popular diet was “unhealthy.” 

According to the lawsuit filed by the Cookie Diet, Kardashian wrote:

“Dr. Siegal’s cookie diet is falsely promoting that I’m on this diet. NOT TRUE! I would never do this unhealthy diet! I do QuickTrim!”

“If this Dr. Siegal is lying about me being on this diet, what else are they lying about?"

The company has refused to take the Tweets sitting down.

“Kim Kardashian failed to say she is a paid endorser of QuickTrim. She is in the public eye and when she makes a comment people hear it,” Matthew Siegal, the President & CEO of the company told Pop Tarts. “She made a derogatory statement about our brand, and that negative impact could cost us tens of millions of dollars.” 

Home Diagnostics Sidekick Blood Glucose Testing System

Ah-ha! Thank you Joni for this idea! An all-in-one tester just to have around. I could have used this today, seeing as I was too dumb headed to find new strips, and fumbling to get it done anyway. 

...is inhaling a bowl of Kashi and soy milk because she crashed! hard on chicken nuggets? At least, that's the last thing I remember eating. Five. Perdue. Chicken. Nuggets. I found myself crashing, literally, into the couch and turning the DVR on to the fucking Disney Christmas Parade. That meant trouble. My glucose strip container was empty, so I just guessed that I was very low -- treated it with Kashi. I'm back. But, that was unexpected!

2009. Or something like it.

Any local bank tellers?

Any local SE MA peeps with banking experience looking for work?  Mr. needs staff.  He's got two (or three?) openings at his branch.  This is a PSA from the woman who'd prefer he didn't work open to close more than necessary.  ;)

107.

Where can I find bariatric foods and supplements in Massachusetts?

  

I get a lot of "where can I find ____ in _______, MA?" queries here.  Thing is, it can be difficult to find specific WLS-friendly products out there in the stores, impossible at big-box stores, and don't get me started about getting help at a G N C.

Someone today wanted "chewable calcium for WLS in Wareham, MA."  Well, there's Wal Mart, Target and GNC.  Whoop dee doo.

Wouldn't you love a local bariatric-themed shop?  (Yes. Please.)  But, if that doesn't exist, and you cannot find what you need in your area -- my suggestion is to shop online.  There are a billionty places to do so. Many of which are linked Right Here.  I know, there are folks out there who plain refuse to do so.  

Or -- you need to get personal with the product before you purchase?  Well, as much as you can with a bottle of vitamins. 

There are a few locations that I am aware of that have some WLS-friendly goods.

First, you know about GastricBypassSupplements.com, right?  They are a super-cool sponsor of MM.net, but they are also sortakindabutnotreally local to me.  You can visit their actual store, Faunce Corner Nutrition in North Dartmouth, MA.

Marc, the store's owner, and his staff are very helpful and personable, and totally worth the visit.

Find them at:

Faunce Corner Nutrition 
350 Faunce Corner Road 
North Dartmouth, MA 02747 
(508) 998-2155

Next, Cape Cod Nutrition, in Hyannis and Plymouth, MA.  I haven't been in to the Hyannis location, but they do carry a host of things we can use.  The Plymouth store has a limited selection of protein items, and some vites and supplements, but they do not carry bariatric-specific items.  (Though I have asked.) I've met two of the employees, one seemed awfully new and didn't know what I was talking about when I asked for a certain protein product, but they were both pleasant.

Find them at:

Cape Cod Nutrition Corner 
75 Iyannough Rd. Hyannis, MA 02601
221 Colony Place Plymouth, MA 02360
1-888-666-3058

Up north?  You can visit Nashua Nutrition -- which may be the only bariatric-only shop that I am aware of in our area.  I've been there, they've got a nice spread of WLS foods and supplements, I left with a big bag of goodies when we visited.

Find them at:

Nashua Nutrition 522 Amherst Street Suite 1 Nashua, NH 03063

Happy Shiny Unicorns And Sparkly Fun Love Time!

Happy Shiny Unicorns And Sparkly Fun Love Time?

"You hate me."

"You never let me do anything."

Top 50 Mommy Bloggers.

I blog about this, because I have a "mama" in my blog title.  I get a lot of "mommy, mama, mom, lactating mama" traffic, so I saw this in my backlinks. I don't know what "Babble" is, but I guess they made a list of the 50 Top Mommy Bloggers.  Duh, hello?  PW wins!  She also likely wins: The Most Expensive Blog To Run category, if they have that.  Anyway - a list of blogs you probably already know about, here.  (If you saw the first publish of this post, sorry - I tried to copy and paste the links.  Fail.)

Q. Is it bad to down my vitamins with a cup of coffee?

Fitness Magazine 

Q. Is it bad to down my vitamins with a cup of coffee?

A. Yes. "Coffee is a stimulant, so it revs up the gastrointestinal tract and makes things move more quickly through your body," says FITNESS advisory board member Mark Moyad, MD, MPH, author of Dr. Moyad's No BS Health Advice. Translation: You won't absorb all of the nutrients from a capsule that is cruising through your system. The good news is you don't have to skip your morning mug. Just drink your coffee and eat breakfast first thing when you wake up and then wait 10 to 15 minutes to pop your vitamins with a glass of water.

Disclaimer -- I have no idea if the same applies to WLS'ers  -- however -- I can't imagine that many of you are tossing your vites back with coffee, anyway.

Fast Fixin' Southwest Omelet

 
 I have egg issues.  I haven't been able to eat them with any sort of love since gastric bypass.  If at the wrong consistency --- they get all urgly-gurgly in my pouch and slip up my throat.  Early out, it would happen in just a few bites.  Now, not so much, but, ick.

But.  I have found that Frozen Egg Products -- don't have the same crawling back issue.  Why?  They are drier - spongier (if that's the right word) and I can eat them without the "Oh no!"

I had been eyeing a frozen omelet in the Natural Food section of the grocery store, but it's price tag keeps me from buying it, $4.49 for ONE SERVING.  I can't bring myself to buy it.  I know I will, but, for now, I'm put off merely because it's $4.49 for ONE.  

So imagine my delight when I saw this: "Fast Fixin' Omelet."  I had only heard about it in folk-tales on the message boards.

I bought a box of the Southwestern style, because it's my preference to have veggies and taste in my eggs.

Serving Size	85 g
Servings Per Container	6

Amount Per Serving		(+)
Calories	150
Calories from Fat	100

% Daily Value*
Total Fat 11g	16%	(-)
Saturated Fat 4.50g	22%	(-)
Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 225mg	75%	(-)
Sodium 480mg	20%	(-)
Potassium	(-)	(-)
Total Carbohydrate 3g	1%	(-)
Dietary Fiber	(-)	(-)
Sugars 1g	(-)	(-)
Protein 10g	(-)	(-)

Vitamin A	10%	(-)
Vitamin C	6%	(-)
Calcium	10%	(-)
Iron	4%	(-)

(-) Information is currently not available for this nutrient.

(+) 1 Omelet

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depeding on your calorie needs:**

** Percent Daily Values listed below are intended for adults and children over 4 years of age. Foods represented or purported to be for use by infants, children less than 4 years of age, pregnant women, or lactating women shall use the RDI's that are specified for the intended group provided by the FDA.

	Calories:	2,000	2,500
Total Fat	Less than	65g	80g
Sat. Fat	Less than	20g	25g
Cholesterol	Less than	300mg	300mg
Sodium	Less than	2400mg	2400mg
Potassium		3500mg	3500mg
Total Carbohydrate		300mg	375mg
Dietary Fiber		25mg	30mg

Calories per gram:

Fat 9·Carbohydrate 4·Protein 4

Whole Eggs, Pasteurized Process Cheddar Cheese (Cheddar Cheese (Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzymes), Water, Sodium Phosphate, Milkfat, Sodium Hexametaphosphate, Salt, Paprika and Annatto (Color), Powdered Cellulose (to Prevent Caking)), Water, Pre-Cooked Ham-Water Added (Ham, Water, Salt, Dextrose, Sodium Phosphates, Smoke Flavoring, Sodium Erythorbate, Sodium Nitrite), Onions, Green Peppers, Red Peppers, Soybean Oil, Whole Milk, Modified Corn Starch, Salt, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Paprika, Garlic Powder,. Contains: Eggs, Milk, Soy.

If you are not a weight loss surgery peep, these omelets will not impress you in terms of size.  They are small.  Petite?  They are definitely kid-friendly sized.  I would venture to guess 1-1.5 eggs each?  If you don't have a wee belly like us, you are going to want to add something to this for a meal, that said.

THEY ARE TOO STINKING CUTE FOR US WLS'ers!  Big enough for the early out to think "I'll never finish that," but small enough for the five and a half year post op to eat the whole thing and feel satiated enough, because, it's eggs.  And eggs, they have sticking power.  Power to the protein.

You take the wee folded omelet out of plastic --- and microwave it.  The resulting product is a slightly cheesy, slightly veggie, baby egg omelet.  The consistency if cooked just long enough is soft and a bit moist. Overcooked it's denser and spongier and gets harder.  For the person (like me) who hates scrambled eggs or soft cooked eggs, it's perfect.  I do want more diced veggies and cheese in it, but, that's just me looking to slather the eggs in CHEESE.  (Like if we go out to breakfast and I'm ordering a three cheese omelet with five cheeses, with cheese, please?)  

As a early post op meal, half would do.  Later, the whole thing.  Later still, I think I might cook one, with one slice of ready-cooked bacon and it's a feast.  150 calories, 11 grams of fat, 3 carbs and 10 protein.  That's pretty kick ass.  I guess I am so positive about this, for two reasons, #1 IT MADE ME "FULL" for at least a while!!  #2 It's 150 calories that made me full.  That's not common, it usually takes more!

Where can you get this?  My guess, The Wal-Marts, as that's where I found it, nestled on the bottom shelf under the Jimmy Dean 400-500 Calorie Breakfasts Prime Eyeball Real Estate.  

Get a coupon here.

• Product - Fast Fixin' Southwestern Omelet 
• Price - Oh no.  I can't remember!  It was four in a box, for less than $4, I know this much!
• Via - Wal*Mart  UPC: 0007590116600
• Pros - Too stinking cute, 150 calories, 10 grams protein.
• Cons - I want more veggies and a half pound of melted cheese in it.
• Rating - Pouchworthy, ^MM.

December 28, 2009

 
 
Weight - HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHA, you're kidding, right?  Kiss my fat ass.

• Espresso + unsweetened soy x's 2 80
• 1 Fast Fixin' Frozen Omelet (Which, is a review on the way!)  150/11/3/10 
• Three bites Mr's Death By Banana Bread, and subsequent death!  Est. 100
• 6 inch Subway Chicken Salad with veggies, peeled off the top half of bread, frankly because it was doughy and nasty!  (But the nutrition info for the chicken salad is not online. o-O)
• 4 dark chocolate covered espresso beans, 6 coconut jelly beans (in the movies)  Est. 50
• 1 ounce Winter Spiced Nuts 170
• Venti Iced Americano with soy milk 50
• 1/2 english muffin, about 3/4 of a sausage patty, one bite of egg which promptly went out the car window, a la Dunkin' Donuts Egg White + Sausage sandwich Est. 200-250

About 1,050 calories right now.

"RNY is primarily a restrictive procedure." Video about types of WLS.

"RNY is primarily a restrictive procedure."  I have never heard it described that way.  

I realize the majority of our malabsorption occurs in the very first part of our small intestine -- where vitamins like B12 are taken in, though.  Which is Super! O-o

But, it would be much cooler if we, you know, malabsorbed Donuts. 

xBox LIVE, Worst Present Ever.

My son has had an xBox for a year -- but no xBox live until Christmas morning.

  

We moved it up here next to the computers to get it online.  And.

KILL ME.  This is not okay.  I hate to say it, but "Oops, it might get broken."
 

The best part of waking up?

Is the sound of the police slamming your front door, trying to get in. 
We were awakened by the sound of six Massachusetts State Troopers at our door.  How pleasant!  Mr. thought we were being robbed, and snuck downstairs to trigger the alarm.  When realizing it was police, he yelled out to them, "Hold on, let me shut off the alarm."  Between THAT noise and the dog who likes to eat our company -- it would have been loud.  They asked "where's the dog?" who was crated at the time, who was scaring them.  (After watching an episode of "Lawman" last night, guess who is Getting Trained ASAP?)

They ask him immediately for ID -- in his underwear -- he's out in the driveway in undies and barefeet getting his license from the car. Mr. proves he's not the 20something former resident of this house, and comes back in the house.  

Turns out they were seeking a former resident of our property --- who took off on them apparently last night and they were following a lead.  This is not surprising, we have had several incidents here, between people coming to look for 'pharmaceuticals' or mistaking us for whoever owned the house previously.  (Remember last winter, the guy who drove down my driveway and got stuck in the ice and wouldn't leave?)

I have had enough of this drama -- between this house -- and previous -- we have had our share of bad houses, 'hoods, and neighbors.  I am ready to move to a farm.

The Relationship between Birth Order, Obesity, and Bariatric Surgery

 
 The Relationship between Birth Order, Obesity, and Bariatric Surgery: Preliminary Data Analysis 

by Sabrina Krum, MS; Cynthia Alexander, PsyD; and Craig Marker, PhD

Bariatric Times. 2009;6(12):8–10

Background: 

This study examines the effect of birth order in a family of four or more on obesity and how birth order may relate to those pursuing bariatric surgery. 

Methods: 

Preliminary data analysis was performed on patients who requested bariatric surgery from a hospital in South Florida. Patients who identified that they came from families with four or more children during routine interviews with the staff psychologist during presurgery evaluation were selected. Patients who came from blended families or who were adopted were not included in the study. A total of 82 patients were selected from a database of individuals requesting bariatric surgery for the study. 

Results: 

Sixty-three percent of the patients selected for the study were either the oldest or youngest in a family of four or more. A chi-square analysis was conducted, which indicated there was a significant relationship between birth order and the likelihood of opting for bariatric surgery. Conclusion: The results from this study suggest that the oldest or youngest individual in a family of four or more is more likely to pursue bariatric surgery to manage his or her weight. Parenting style, parental resources, and personality factors all may influence the prevalence of obesity and the likelihood of choosing bariatric surgery as a treatment option.

Conclusions

In summary, this study helps to expand the research concerning those that seek bariatric surgery for help managing their weight. Genetic and environmental characteristics are risk factors for obesity, but parental and sibling factors may also influence the prevalence of obesity and the choice to choose bariatric surgery to manage weight. The results from this study indicate that there may be a connection between birth order and individuals seeking bariatric surgery. The connection leads us to believe that the parenting style and parental resources may have an effect on establishing food preferences and availability of the food with children in the home. The different parenting styles may encourage or discourage a child from eating healthy versus nonhealthy foods and their engagement in physical activity. Additionally, personality factors based on one’s birth order may affect the desire to proactively ask for help with managing obesity by seeking surgery. With further inquiry into this topic, and identifying potential risk factors, it may be possible to design interventions to decrease the prevalence of obesity.