meggiep

Totally normal! I remember starting to was my hair in the shower and then leaning against the shower door unable to finish without my husband's help. Up your carbs a little- it will help with some short term energy. You, all of you who are weak, are recovering from major major surgery! I heard a doctor on the radio saying stomach surgery and open heart surgery are the two worst to recover from. Give yourself time~ It was almost three weeks before I started walking more than a few blocks and I am up to an hour a day now-PLUS Water aerobics as my body rejoices in losing some weight to carry . IT WILL GET BETTER! Meanwhile though I encourage you all to FIND SOME Protein YOU CAN TOLERATE! With your new tiny tummies you are not going to be able to get all your protein from food for quite some time and you really need it to help with your stamina and to keep your body from feeding on muscle instead of fat cells when your calories are so low. This is a proven thing! I too hated most of the first ones I tried but finally found one I can tolerate mixed with decaf coffee and blended with ice. I also rely totally on unjury chicken soup- it tastes like chicken Soup packets- just add at least 12 ounces of water or more, not 8, or it is way too salty. The web site Vitalady.com will sell you a single serving of any of the protein that they sell- that is how I found my favorite. Also get unflavored portein and add it to soup, pudding, etc. GET YOUR PROTEIN! Be good to yourselves- this is early on in a long journey!

OH NO! That is so sad! I think we should reschedule! Is it just you and me Irene? Honestly- I don't mind waiting then- I know you are all planning one for Sacto so maybe we could do Hayward in the middle or end of August instead? NOT that I am not DYING to meet you! I am! But no one else has said they are coming! What do you think?

I try to keep below 30-40 net carbs. Net carbs is carbs minus Fiber, so that fruits and veggies, for example, yield lower net carbs than crackers and bread (sorry!). Right now that is easy- eating Protein first and then a few fruits and vegetables as I can- I can only eat 1/4 cup so I just don't have the room I log everything on Fat Secret - it lets you customize your nitrition stats so I chose carbs, fiber, net carbs, fat, protein, and calories. I am 58 and I am thrilled with my average of almost 5 pounds a week. Before the sleeve I thought for sure I had slowed down to nothing and I worried. Someone who has had great results - reaching goal in less than six months, maintaining successfully, etc. mentioned to me that the weight loss period, low carbs and all, is a great opportunity to deal with your food demons. I am looking at it that way too- with no hunger and with Thumbelina , my tyrant sleeve , I can work on the things that have bedeviled me with food. Then as I move into maintaining I can perhaps have worked some of those things out so that I can finally be normal. I also know Thumbelina will still be on duty then too- a great thing to consider! I feel so blessed to have my sleeve!

Well I spent the weekend in a kind of angst about these issues (exacerbated by an overdose of HLN Casey Anthony coverage ) and had some great talks with my darling husband on our daily hour walks... Low cal doesn't work for me. I was at <1000 calories for three months earlier this year and I lost 9 pounds. They quickly came back- plus 3. Sorry, but at 277 (at the time) 9 pounds in 3 months is not a good outcome. For some reason (fibro fog?) I never remembered that many years ago I did the first Atkins diet and it worked really well for me....I was in my 20s at the time and tried all the fads- Stillman, Atkins, later my favorite the Beverly Hills Diet.... and I had forgotten that so all my attempts to lose weight in my later life have been calorie counting- with dismal results. For years I was able to control my weight to a point (SIze 16 and feeling good) with activity- I worked out every day and that has been the key. Having become near disabled I lost that ability and gained 120 pounds. The surgery, recommended by my PCP due to my disabilities, was a Godsend for me, a chance to get back to the living. Funnily, my two week pre-op liquid was the first low carb diet I had done in over 30 years! I lost 18 pounds. The lightbulb went on. I have now lost 47 pounds in 10 weeks total. I am never hungry and with Protein first my low carbs are a natural result of my small capacity. I feel great! I don't feel deprived, and I have more energy than I have had for a long long time. I am walking an hour a day and also doing Water aerobics five times a week. I have energy to spare! My husband says my spark is back- the Meggie before the injuries and falls. For me, adapting a more relaxed balanced approach, as appealing as that sounded, would have a double edge to it- carbs are a trigger for me, no two ways about it! I have some and I want more. I have only recognized that recently- especially on my birthday weekend. I found that spark only recently regained dulled by the carbs, and I didn't feel too good suddenly. Obviously I am carb sensitive- so it is really clear for me what I will do in this weight loss period! BTW, my doctor has done sleeves since 2001 and it is his plan I am following. He says that the "honeymoon period" for weightloss is 6-9 months, not two years. Afer that point the capacity of the sleeve increases , sometimes doubling. I will do everything I can to get to goal before then, taking as much advantage of this restriction as I can. And I DON'T think I will get there either way,no matter what I do, nope- in my case I will get there faster counting carbs. I think mainly I also got from this discourse and my reflection that we are all different and we all need to chart our own courses! Onward and downward to us all!

Here ya go! http://www.dsfacts.com/weight-loss-stall-or-plateau.html Awesome progress!We're all rocking our sleeves!

Oh I so miss Uno's there used to be three within 40 minutes drive in one direction or another from us but they all closed- I think there was a problem with the franchise or something. So I have to get my Uno's fix on the East Coast..... sigh... MIni-Me - did you do this from the start? I ask only ecause I am wrestling with how to approach this journey- right now with extreme restriction I have been totally company line for the entire time since my two week pre-op- low carbs, low calories, max Protein and Water, exercise, etc. Yet I also want that balance you mention and I am uncertain how I will proceed. Were you more strict before you got to goal or have you had this approach the whole time? Thanks!

I was also allowed canned peaches and pears as well as bananas on mushies. I preferred to soak unsulfered organic apricots and puree them in the hopes they would help me keep regular ( not so unfortunately!) I do count carbs but I now drink two Protein drinks a day in order to be able to have a bit more variety in my 1/4 cup that my sleeve will hold. Our apricot tree is in full production right now and I am determined to have some of them while they are ripe and sweet (sans peels). Tonight I had four green eans with my 1 1/2 ounce of pot roast! WIth such a small amount you have to stay mindful of getting some fruits and veggies. I basically never get to the straight carbs. Good luck!

I don't think it is quite as important as you adjust but it can keep you craving carbs! Have you actually tried the Edy's sugar free? I normally do not like sugar free anything but the Edy's are delish! I would cut back on those if you can't deal with sugar free- you wont start the true losing process while you are stoking the fires with carbs. Good on getting the Protein though!

As fat cells are burned hormones pour out- so we are all in for up and down mood swings for months to come! My doctor warned us at our seminar- even people who have never been depressed are likely to experience it. I agree that walking and exercising is a great help It is hot here today too but we will walk by the bay where it is cooler . I agree it is tough with all the barbecues and stuff but next year you will be able to eat a little bit of everything- and you will be thin!

2 is good for us! xoxo

I can't believe it- after posting that....tonight I had my version of a dumping episode! I ate half a small ripe peach and a rip apricot....and within 10 minutes had terrible stomach pains and a bathroom experience that was not pleasant. I will absolutely hate it if this is going to happen every time I eat that- especially the apricot- our tree is just ripening and they are FABULOUS. Actually now I remember I had one yesterday with no issue! In any case my body needed to get rid of it, and fast. I did not eat the skin of either.

Aha! This makes sense! And I am actually happy to know I will eat more as I feel I am eating an unhealthily low amount. We have ripe apricots now on our tree- I would so love to eat more than 1 and 1/2!

I just thought of another question- do you get hungry? I do not- so I never "feel like lunch" or think crackers sound good...I have to make time to eat and make a point of it or I would go hours without eating. I will say cheese and crackers are a favorite so as soon as I am cleared for cheese (Monday) that will be on the menu- but this lack of hunger also keeps me on the low side with calories and carbs. I guess what I really mean is that in a way I am doing the same as you but my tiny sleeve Thumbelina and my lack of hunger have me eating very little. It worries me that this will bite me in the butt later. I know one time I will truly be testing what it means to eat by restriction only- I will be in Hawaii at the end of the month for 2 weeks and I do not plan to have any rules because I will be eating with my family. It will be interesting to see what happens!

I really do agree with you- mostly. I certainly don't want to get caught up in to that huge denial thing that gets paid back with interest, bigtime. I want to live life in a natural way, without the food devils. The thing I was trying to say though is that I do want to get my 60-80 grams of Protein and the probem is in trying to do that, plus some veggies and fruit- I just can't fit anything in! Today, for example, I started with my morning protein/coffee drink for 30 grams- then an hour later had a 1/4 cup of cottage cheese because I am crazy about it right now with a little dusting of hidden valley ranch powder- yumm...and I was stuffed after that... a couple of hours later after coming home from a long walk I had some chicken salad- again- couldn't even finish my 1/4 cup- when do I add the calories and carbs? Tonight I really wanted some cream of chicken Soup from our local Hofbrau- they have it on Saturdays- I stirred in half a scoop of Protein powder to help with that...and now it is 10pm and I have only had 490 calories and 17 carbs. It's really wacky having this tiny sleeve. When you look at a 1/4 cup measuring cup- well that is my world and there is just so much you can fit of anything! I don't deny myself- the main thing I strive for is my protein grams and my Water. I am thinking my sleeve will get more capacity eventually- that maybe judging by the state of affairs at 7 weeks out is not forever. Maybe? Edited to add- how do you manage to get 1000-1200 calories in? I can't do it!

One question dear Crosswind- do you count your Protein and Water? No reason for the question- just wondering... do you start with protein first? Or just kinda do what feels right at the moment? I guess I am more on the counting everything team because low carb WORKS for me- and is not a hardship. I haven't been hungry since my surgery and my sleeve is so tiny that if I start with protein I simply don't have room for much else! 1/4 cup is it for me, max. Though if you saw the account of my recent Lost Weekend you know that I do know how to do slider foods too! I know my sleeve will have more capacity and I guess I want to take advantage of that honeymoon period we hear about. That said I am not losing really fast- my body is doing its thing as it always has.

Kelly my friend Kim in New Zealand on You Tube does what she calls a Flappy Dance SHe is at 208 and when she gets to Onederland she promised to do a video FLappydance for me. Susan- we can do it! It is great to have a goal like your cruise. I think I need to set a short term goal as we are going to Kauai on 7/27 to photograph a family wedding and two family birthday parties- hmmm.... Maybe I will try for 220! Red Velvets together! We can support each other.

Ok so I feel a bit better about my 32 ;-P When I first started solid foods, pureed, I was a big whner- I can fit 1/4 cup max of food- never a bite more, and often less. I wasn't whining because I was left hungry , because I am never hungry. I just find it hard to get a lot of Protein in without a couple of Protein drinks a day...and it is hard to get a variet- protein, veggies, fruit, with so little in each meal. When advised to get more calories- it is TOUGH! However, I am pleased to think it will serve me well in the future!

I am almost jealous of you who do dump! When I had popcorn on my birthday- no problem- slid right down...ditto the ice cream I had, and the english toffee in one of the ice cream flavors. Also the 1/4 biscotti I ate. Maybe the fear is a good thing Kelly! At the same I need to know I can have anything- I don;t want to get too freaked out about this as it will remind me of too many diets I have been on.

Since I count my 18 i the two week pre-op diet you and I are at exactly the same 27 pounds! I am very happy with it- I have had two different week long no loss periods. When have I ever lost 27 pounds in seven weeks? Uh- that would be NEVER! I hope all my Red Velvet girls have seen the article about the chemistry of weight loss that I am always posting here- it really explains the way your body does things and reassures you that even when you show no loss on the scale you are losing. I know we all want to be the ones who lose 100 pounds in five months etc. but each of us will do what we do, our unique bodes do their unique thing.I just have to remind myself that I followed a low calorie diet in January for two months and lost SIX pounds- which I promptly gained back. I remember going briefly down to 272 when I had diarrhea and then bounced right back up and just could not get down there again. Now I am at 235- in nine weeks! I feel so blessed. I honestly feel that I have reurned to myself- my joy, my spark, my energy, my life. It is the best thing I ever did! I am in a challenge right now to get to Onederland by the end of summer and though that seems like it may be unlikely I like to have a REAL challenge! September 20th is the last day of summer so that gives me 80 days to lose 35 pounds ;-P Welll....maybe not but this I know- I WILL be at onederland because I am rocking my sleeve- getting my Protein, getting my Water, keeping my carbs low, working out- I will get there. Believe it! For yourselves- don't compare yourself to anyone else- you are the only wonderful you!

One thing have done is fall into a rut eating the same things a lot. Today at Costco I bought some new things to add- some turkey meatballs, some turkey burgers, some shrimp, and a chuck roast to crock pot! I have been having cottage cheese, chicken salad, and refried beans so much and I don't want to burn out on them. I LOVE making the Eggface ricotta bake with a layer of ground beef- I have some servings of that frozen to use as needed. I am planning to make her crustless quiches this week as I think that would be great to have on hand too.

Are we on for next Saturday? I have it in my plans so we should do it! I am really wanting some hug action with my No CA sleeve sistahs and brothas. I'm in!

Don't forget that when fat cells burn hormones pour out so even people who have never dealt with depression may need medication for a short while, while folks like me who have battled depression most of their lives may flare up anew. SIgh. On top of everything else!

Are we on? I have it on my calendar and am planning to hug you guys in person! What time, what place! I know Kelly needs a Mapquest to make sure she finds us so we need to finish planning. I thought maybe we could all bring Protein powder we don't want or need and exchange it. I also have two pound cans of Chike chocolate and strawberry I could sell for $30 each (huge deal!) as I ended up with a double order. Chike is tasty.

My husband was with me and waited on me hand and foot! To this day he brings me my first protein shake in the morning and a cooler with bottles of various things to drink to meet my fluid requirements. I think part of the reason I have been able to get all my protein and fluids since day five has been his support and help. Take help if you can get it!

I totally get what you are saying- I have had to get so good at reading what my body is saying! I have had a tough time figuring out when I am full - wish I had a hiccup like some do, or even a sneeze! I too have no hunger but I try to eat every 3 hours or so to keep my metabolism humming. It is so weird not being hungry! I can't decide if I have head hunger but I have those times of a kind of restlessness where I want to reach for something carb loaded just out of restlessness or boredom- but I love tat there is not real hunger- that saves me.