kimbernada

I'm six months out (today) and I can only eat about 1/2 cup total at a meal. I can order a 9 ounce grilled walleye fillet with a side of green Beans - and have enough left over for two more meals. Have I eaten more? Yes, and felt horrible. I'm still learning to only put what I can eat on my plate. At home, I only use a bread plate. It makes it look like I have a full plate. I'm eating about 900 calories a day with a focus on getting in at least 80 grams of Protein.

Amazing!! I'm six months out today too. Absolutely NO regrets at all, other than "Why didn't I do this sooner?!"

I didn't have this problem but the nutritionist I saw did tell that she's had to tell some patients that they CANNOT lose any weight during the three month dietary visits.

Jeepers... what about wearing some extra clothes for the weigh-in? (Rolls of quarters in your pants?) I suppose that is "weight fraud" -- if that even exists. That's just insane!

I am still not able to eat steak. Well, I do TRY but it just doesn't seem to digest very well. Thank goodness there are other options. When I cook chicken breast, I always use a digital thermometer to let me know when the internal temp is 160. (The temp will still rise a little after that.) This is the easiest way to cook a breast so that it is super moist. I've done the crockpot method, but it seems to get "stringy" to me.

You have done an incredible job! Keep up the good work!! You'll have to post your "crossing the finish line" photo from the 5K.

It wasn't hard immediately after surgery (for the first 4 months). Although now it seems like I am sometimes putting too much on my plate - which makes me irritated because I don't like wasting food at ALL. The good news is that Veronica, my sleeve, still lets me know when I am done eating.

Also, I wouldn't say that someone who is experiencing dumping has cheated. I know a gal on another board who dumps quite easily (she's had the gastric bypass surgery). She has to eat Protein before anything else (like crackers) to avoid this. Her body just can't tolerate sugars very well. Anyhow, ugh, how frustrating to have to have the fear of not being near a bathroom when you may need it. Was there anything common that you ate for this to happen or is it just random? Although you aren't quite a month out, so it could be that not eating solid foods completely could cause this. liquid in = liquid out. (Ewwww.) I've found that if I haven't had a bowel movement in a few days, my body seems to say "Oh yeah? Take THAT!" Egad, totally cleaned out.

Whoops! I was posting to a different thread with this post... (Removing it from this thread and putting it where it belongs.)

Don't forget to track how much and what you are eating. I like using My Fitness Pal. It really helped me in the beginning because it made me more aware of what nutrients I was getting in. My focus has always been to try to hit at least 80 grams of Protein. And, I had a three week stall that started week 3. They happen. I know it can be discouraging to NOT see the weight come off, but it will. I also learned early on to not weigh myself daily. Our bodies will fluctuate in weight day to day, even morning compared to night. Why? The food and fluids we eat/drink that is still in the system will increase our weight temporarily (and don't forget the other bodily functions). Pick a day and time to weigh yourself once a week. I swear it will help keep your sanity intact.

Ha! Yep, that sounds familiar. I think it is so strange how we sometimes just "forget"... And I'm still learning or "remembering".. LOL Case in point... I'll be SIX months post-op on Jan. 24. I just made a protein shake with water, greek yogurt, protein powder and a little sugar free hazel nut syrup. Easy... tastes good. For whatever reason, I didn't drink it slowly. Oh... the pain! I had some major air bubbles going on. I wasn't sure if I'd be able to actually burp or what was going to happen. I didn't drink it ALL at once, but it was still too fast. I did end up with some odd burps... but all is good now. 9

I don't think that we (sleevers) have the issue of water or other beverages causing food to "slide through". We still have our pyloric valve that holds items in our smaller stomach - compared to someone who has had gastric bypass and they have a man-made hole at the end of their stomach leading to their re-routed intestines. (Scary thought, isn't that?!!) Although I do have to agree that drinking will fill me up if I do this while eating. I do still take little sips if I absolutely need to. Now that I'm a little over 5 months into this, it's mostly a habit to not order a beverage at a restaurant. (Mostly, sometimes I really AM thirsty so I get a large glass FULL of ice with a little water added.)

Within a couple of days after surgery for me. What I did was find a fluffy pillow that I could use as a tummy support. I always sleep on my right side.

Ah... I use the Syntrax nectar sweet flavors - chocolate truffle, etc. I was wondering what the difference was in the Nectar and Matrix versions! I'll have to get some of the Matrix variety. Thanks!

Who makes the extended release Protein Shake? (I suppose I could Google this!) I've learned that I really need to put the appropriate portion on my plate. I also don't like the "full" feeling anymore. Before surgery, I wasn't "done" eating until I was stuffed. I also don't like to waste food. I bring my own container to restaurants as I don't like using styrofoam for reheating AND my containers are leakproof.

You are doing great!! I hit a three week stall that started week 3. It's a very normal feeling to be anxious regarding the surgery and weight loss. ("Am I a failure?" "What if this is it?") The weight will come off!

I took two weeks using the FMLA - Family Medical Leave Act. No PTO was used. One week was a necessity, the second week was needed (although I have mostly a desk job, so I could have gone back sooner if I had to).

Check out some of the thrift stores in your area! I've had pretty good success getting NICE clothes for way cheap. I lucked out one day and almost all of the clothes I was buying were 50% off -- at a THRIFT STORE! ($2-$3 for jeans?) One thing that I've made a point of doing is wearing clothes that FIT.

That recipe sounds yummy!

Some surgeons (or facilities) leave a drain in for the first couple of weeks after surgery. (I didn't have one.)

Beautiful! I love the picture of you and your husband!

My signal is a hiccup. However there are some times when I just get a tight feeling in my esophagus.

AND... there seem to always be coupon codes for 50% off, etc., if you just Google Woman Within.

I really like the tank top style spandex.... that scoops below the bra. Have the Secret Solutions ones from Woman Within. I see they have another style there too that is $10 less by Comfort Choice. Anyhow, it works great for the muffin top AND it makes the girls stand out a little more. The Secret Solutions one goes down to where the leg joins the hip, so pretty far - and it doesn't leave a line either.