u/Ezada

Hello! A little background I have been slowly losing weight for years. I started at 340lbs and I'm down to 240. I did this by changing my eating habits, playing Beat Saber (it's good cardio!) and working a job where I walk for about 8 hours a shift. It's taken me 6 years to get here but it was well worth it!

Currently though I've been having issues with my gallbladder. I've already seen my doctor, gotten blood tests, and will likely have it removed in the future. But for now I've been told to cut down on fats (specifically saturated fats) and up my protein intake (that was super low in my blood tests) So those are being monitored by me and my doctor. I am not cutting out all fats, I'm just choosing healthier options like avocados, extra virgin olive oil etc.

Breakfast is a protein shake, some veggies, and egg whites. Lunch is tofu, chicken, or tuna, veggies, fruit, and some sort of carb (rice, crackers, potatoes) etc. Same with dinner.

My problem now is finding portable snacks I can eat while I'm working. They told me eating smaller portions throughout the day will help with my gallbladder, but while I'm at work it's harder to eat like that. We only get 15 minute breaks and running to the lunch room to grab something takes up almost all of my time. (The place I work is huge). I used to keep nuts, jerky, or protein bars in my pockets but most of those are super high in fats which I need to watch, but also make sure I'm getting more protein.

I have been looking for options online and I have a few things but I feel like I'm overlooking some potentially good options. Currently I have some low fat chicken jerky (which quite frankly I'm not a huge fan of), Nut-Thins Crackers, and dried fruit.

Does anyone have any suggestions or recipes?

When my son was about 4 years old our dog Harley Quinn died. It was the first death he had ever experienced. We gently explained that Harleys body didn't work anymore, but she's not in pain, and now she's going to go back into the earth (buried) where her body will turn into dirt to feed nature. He asked about her and we explained as best we could, which is why I was so caught off guard one day.

He was talking about Harley and how she was in the sky now because she was dead. I asked him where he heard that and he kept saying he didn't know. I didn't get upset with him (obviously, because why would I be, he once told me that zombies were invading the plane we were on) but I was insanely curious where he heard that.

My brother and his wife are Christian, we had already discussed our kids asking questions, and that we would explain how/why we believe but not say that the other parent was wrong. So I asked my SIL if he had brought up Harley and if they had explained heaven to him (which was fine but I wanted to be ready to field those questions.) They hadn't but they were also curious where he heard it.

Two days later we were riding in the car and "Spirit in the Sky by Norman Greenbaum started playing, and my son started singing it. Turns out that's where he got the idea that Harley was in the sky now. Because I was playing the Guardians of the Galaxy soundtrack on repeat.

I texted my SIL and told her it was 100% my doing. We had a good laugh about it 😂

My son just saw his pediatrician yesterday so I am well versed on what is going on with him. I'm not asking for any medical advice. His pediatricians Step Son also has Pectus Excavatum and when she explained it she was super awesome about calming not only my nerves but my sons as well.

A bit of background, the other day we went swimming when I noticed my son's chest looking like it was caving in. He is in the throws of puberty and grew a whole inch in less than 2 months. He's 12 and about 5' 6" now. With me being the shortest in my family at 5' 10" I'm not shocked that he's getting super tall.

I'm more interested in hearing from any other parents whose children were diagnosed with this and how it may affect them. Sure I'm worried about potential medical issues but I also worry about his body image, or do's and don't s as his parents. I'm not hiding anything from him with regards to his diagnosis. He asked a bunch of questions at his appointment, as did I. I want him to feel like he has some control over what's going on, at least as much as he can.

I just want to make sure I don't freak him out with it all. He's old enough that I don't want to treat him like he's a baby, but he's also not an adult so I know I need to help guide him etc.

Have any other parents had this with their kids? Do you have any recommendations on how to approach it without making your child worry too much? If he does start to have body image issues I will absolutely seek therapy or PT for him when that's needed. Should I look into that now before it's an issue?

I read the rules and I'm pretty sure this is within the guidelines of the sub, if it's not I'm sorry and I won't post about it again. Thank you!