TheRealMeIsHere!

Congratulations Lissa!! That is so awesome, have fun!

I am 6 months out and still not able to reach my protein goals. NUT said until I reach my protein goals, I can have no other foods. I have a shake for breakfast (not a breakfast person, so it's that or nothing) 1-2 oz. of lean protein for lunch and dinner. Maybe a snack, if I can, of some fat free plain Greek yogurt. Sometimes I mix 1 C. ff ricotta and 1T of ff/sf pudding powder, with some soy milk, in a blender, tastes like cannoli cream, makes about 4 meals for me.

I have been making this for a few days, I get 3-4 meals out of it. 1 Cup fat free ricotta 1 TBSP fat free/sugar free instant vanilla pudding mix 1 TBSP fat free half & half blend in a blender till smooth. I am going to try adding some almond extract or lemon juice or maybe some cinnamon. Another that is good: 6 oz. fat free plain Greek yogurt 1 TBSP fat free/sugar free instant cheesecake pudding mix Splenda to taste stir together, tastes like a fluffy, creamy cheesecake

LMAO! gotta have humor!

How do I add my surgeon and hospital to the list?

Just some things I've tried: Isopure zero carb RTD tastes like grape drink. EAS AdvatEdge RTD Is my fav. Egg white Protein powder, barely has any taste Plain fat free Greek yogurt with Splenda and...berries, lemon juice, lime juice, vanilla or unsweetened cocoa powder (tastes like mousse) unjury chicken Soup flavor-tastes a little like Lipton cup-a-soup. Just keep trying things till you find what you like. What, specifically is it about the taste that you don't like?

I'm doing everything right. Thought the carbs (like watermelon, broccoli and lettuce) were causing slow weight loss. Eliminated them (on the advice of NUT), lost 5 lbs in a week, then...STALL. All my life, I have had a hard time losing weight. Even at 17, when my Dr. put me on a 1,000 calorie diabetic diet (I don't and never had diabetes) the weight would not come off till I eliminated most food groups, and ate less than 500 calories per day. I also walked at least 2 hours per day. Now I have a Protein shake in the morning-17 gms protein, 100 cals lots of Water and Crystal Light Lunch-1/4-1/3 cup of some kind of lean protein food more water and Crystal Light dinner 1/4-1/3 cup of lean protein food. More water and Crystal Light How am I not dropping massive poundage?? Or at least a steady weight loss. I physically can't eat more or more often. I rarely sit still, for long, either. Walking, household chores, hiking, Zumba, etc... BTW, I feel awesome!! Amazing energy. This was also the case, during my phases, in the past, of eating less than 500 cals/day. What happened to if you burn more calories than you take in, then you lose weight? Any advice, things that my doc should check, etc...?

Good luck in your journey! You are VERY lucky that this is an option at your age. When I was 17, I was 250lbs, I'm only 5'2". I ended up losing the weight in a seriously unhealthy manner, at 17, then repeatedly through my life, would become 250, then go down to 113. My skin is getting so empty and loose. I think now. that I wish I could have done this earlier, before I had a chance to 'ruin' my body. I also wasted a lot of time depressed and having a low self esteem, because I was so fat. The fact that you are also physically active will be a HUGE plus for you. Again, good luck. Sounds like you are acquiring as much knowledge as you can. Just watch the source you are getting it from. If they are trying to sell you something, they have their own interests at heart. I'm sure you already know that, as you sound well informed and intelligent, so please don't be offended.

What am I doing wrong? I started losing weigh one year ago, on Weight Watchers. Had surgery on 1/23/2012. I lost 45lbs before surgery and 57lbs after. I eat 600-800 calories per day Plenty of liquid, mostly Water. Exercise 1-2 hours/day-walking, hiking, Zumba, recumbant stationary bike, etc (and...rarely sit still for long) Only getting 40-50- gms of Protein most days Eating some fruits and veggies between meals Most months I lose only 6-10lbs 275lbs May 2011 230lbs day of surgery 173.8 today 58.8lbs to go What am I doing wrong? Should I eat fewer calories? My body ALWAYS needed less than most people. As a teen, my doc put me on a 1000 calorie/day diet. I could not lose weight till I eliminated all foods except for veggies and lean protein AND walked at least 2 hours a day, PLUS rode a stationary bike another 1-2 hrs/day. Should I eliminate the fruits and veggies and eat more protein instead? I just get bored eating only ONE food group. I know that the less one needs to lose, the slower it will happen, but...COME ON!!! EVERYONE is losing weight faster, even people in my support group that had less to lose. I am open to any and all suggestions on what I am doing wrong. Also waiting for a response from my NUT, surgeon and surgeon's nurse. (Sent an email to all) I feel like such a disappointment!

Glad to know I am not alone, thank you.

Had another exceptional eating out experience. My server, was VERY helpful. I explained that I had bariatric surgery and could only eat about 4 ounces of food. She said that it was possible to order a Protein (I chose broiled flounder) as a side, with nothing with it as I can only eat protein. It was the perfect size and delicious. At other places I have asked for a 1/2 portion of the protein (if it is a large serving), with no sides. I have a card, from my doctor, that explains the situation with having surgery and only being able to eat tiny portions, but I've never had to show it!

BTW, this was at Red Lobster

BTW, this was at Red Lobster

Spoke with my NUT, she said to focus on Protein first, then vegetables, not fruit. I began eating ONLY low fat protein sources and IMMEDIATELY, was down 2 lbs, the next AM. then 1/2-1 lb a day. One day I had 1/4 cup of butternut squash and 5 small pretzels, was up 2 lbs the next day!!! Even though I had no more than 700 calories for the day! Back to only protein, no carbs, after 3 days I am back to where I was before squash & pretzels. Apparently I can have NO carbs, always knew my body had high protein requirements, and could only lose weight by eliminating most food groups. That is when my energy would soar, also. Maybe I wasn't on/off anorexic/bulimic most of my life, just listening to my body? Has anyone heard of someone who gains weight, immediately after eating carbs?

All the time!! Far better to think those things instead of "wonder if this will be too small?" Will it hide the jiggly parts (though we all know, clothes don't hide it, they just make it more obvious we are trying to hide a HUGE body)? will this still fit next month, week, year? or will I have to go up ANOTHER size? I love going through old clothes and fitting. Some clothes I bought, not because I liked them, but because they fit. I now, too, only wear what I truly love. I think of all the things that I can do, hike ( I actually hiked to the top of a mountain! a small mountain, but still a mountain!!) long walks, Zumba, fun days with my nephews and everything that I wanted to do but was too fat, ugly, self conscious and exhausted to do. I am so much more active, confident and happy!!

Thank you, you are so positive and supportive, just reading your post made me feel somewhat better. It is hard to increase calories and protein, unless I cut down or eliminate fruits and veggies. I don't even eat the fruits/veggies with my protein, because then I would get even less. My stomach only holds 1/4-1/3 cup at one time, plus I was told to not drink 1/2 hour before to 1/2 hour after eating, so it would cut into my liquids if I ate more often like some do. I'm just so frustrated when the scale doesn't move for weeks on end, then maybe down 1-2 lbs, then up/down 1/2lb and plateau for a while again. This group is great, though. Where I turn first (after my doc) with good news, questions and problems.

Even my surgeon gives the impression that he thinks I am eating too much. At my appt. last month, I was talking about my slow losing. He asked how long I eat, I told him 20-30 minutes, because I was told to eat VERY slowly. He told me that is too long and to only eat for 10-15 minutes, after that it is too much food. Hopefully my NUT, surgeon or nurse gets back to me soon. I didn't even lose very fast at the beginning.

Thank you so much for your insight. I can't increase my calories, as I am just not able to consume much food, before I feel full. I can only eat 1/4 -1/3 cup at one time. I know some people eat 6 times a day, not sure how to do that, as I am supposed to not drink 1/2 hour before and after eating, so would have trouble getting enough liquids. I could cut down on fruits and, replace with veggies or protein, though. As far as 'back to basics' I've never really gotten beyond, anyway. I don't eat any other food groups, besides protein, fruit and veggies (and 6 little twist pretzels, about 2x/wk, sometimes just need some crunchy salty)

There are other shakes out there, just keep trying till you find one that you like. I found EAS AdvantEdge to be my favorite, unjury chicken broth is also very good. Egg white Protein, can be mixed with anything and barely has any taste (use a blender for liquids or it will be lumpy) You could try it with your favorite Crystal Light flavor. Ispure Zero carb isn't too bad either.Nectar is very popular and has MANY flavors. Hopefully you find what works for you, and the journey goes smoothly.

Awesome!!