Hi my name is Danielle, I am over a year out from the bypass surgery which was done by the amazing Dr. Eagon at Washington University/Barnes in St. Louis Mo and I could not have asked for a better doctor. I am currently looking for a good healthy place to talk to people about my journey and get advice and make friends. people who have not had weight loss surgery do not understand the challenges and that it is not the easy way out. I am looking into becoming a nutrition coach in the hopes I keep myself more accountable and can help people who are struggling with losing or maintaining since surgery. I have friends who are considering a third surgery the last option and I don't want that to be me and I don't want that for anyone else. I am married, I love my pitbull and cats, and I am a huge walking dead fan and I identify with being a spiritual person who follows Jesus.
Welcome to the group, Danielle. You're definitely in the right place. Isn't it incredible how much people don't understand about this journey? I knew no one in my family and most of my friends would just be nags about it and do everything they could to undermine me, so I made the choice up front only to tell my best friend (who is also my ex-husband) and my son. And I let them know the topic was never up for public discussion. This has been a real blessing for me.
I also had some real bonuses throughout the years, since my doctor recommended me to the university medical school as a test subject. This went on for years and I was constantly monitored and tested. My case study even became a lengthy article in the JAMA. My weight-loss story also led to a YMCA membership and a challenge to start hiking in the wilderness, in the beautiful North Cascades Wilderness. As wonderful as the weight loss was, its new focus on diet and exercise opened up a whole new realm of delicious and nutritious food and cooking. I think if you go to my profile you can find photos and recipes of stuff I cooked and ate. Focusing on protein really opened up my life.
Speaking of recipes, one of the things I figured out how to make back when I was a vegetarian 45 years ago turned out to be a major favorite after WLS. It's egg foo yung, and it's ridiculously easy to make. Beat two eggs in a bowl and add a little water, some raw bean sprouts and a couple green onions, diced up. Season with a little soy sauce, and make a gravy out of chicken broth, soy sauce, a teaspoon of corn starch and water, Fry the egg batter in a nonstick pan in little patties, flipping once. Put them on a plate, cover with gravy and top with sesame seeds.
It's honestly one of my favorite things, and it tastes exactly like the stuff you pay a lot of money for in a Chinese restaurant. I also make a mean soyburger out of soybeans, shredded carrot, a little garlic and minced onion.
Learning how to cook high-protein, nonfat, low- to no-sugar entrees made all the difference for me. I'm 74 but feel like I'm in my 30s, and I wear my Levi's and t-shirts without bulges or embarrassment.
Anyway, Welcome again!!! I hope you'll get a lot out of our group. Search through the messages for tips and recipes and the extra support they'll bring you. I hope you reach all your goals. You sound like you'd be a great ambassador for this healthy choice of life!
diane
