twobluecats

I fully understand your plight! But, food has always been a big deal, and I have always loved to cook. But, six weeks in, I've become VERY organized with my meal planning, and I am constantly thinking of food. I think that DeeDee is totally right. Once we get our own routine going and feel comfortable with a variety of food choices, it won't be so bad. Or at least, I hope that's the case.

You are doing so WONDERFUL! What an amazing accomplishment in such a short period of time. And, think of the lives you will be positively impacting as an instructor! Keep up the great work! (and......for what it's worth, I think I'm running neck to neck in the weight loss department based on the stats that you've shared with others, so I can relate to the slow and steady pace that you have lost, and you have done a GREAT JOB!).....you have become my poster sleeve girl!

I'm down 24 pounds since surgery day and a total of 40 since my December 1 preop date. I think I'm gonna be a slower loser than some, but as long as I lose, I'll take it. It could be that I started mushies and regular food sooner (according to docs plans) than some others do. I am still averaging 750 calories daily, 30-40 carbs, and now about 70-90 grams of protein. I only include a protein drink about three days a week, but it does take quite a bit of planning, which I don't mind, to get in my protein via food. It's PMS week, and my followup appointment is Thursday. Bummer. I know I will be higher in weight that I would have been otherwise, but it's LIFE. I am getting in exercise of some sort every day. Generally, we are walking two miles in 30 minutes, and I'm also on the elliptical for 15-30 minutes daily. I decided on surgery for the long-term health benefits of a slimmer me, and if it takes longer term versus shorter term to shed the wait, then "thems the brakes."

Bless your heart! I can eat chili pretty well, but I have been sticking to the Wolf Brand lean canned, or I made ground turkey white chili and did okay with that. I haven't tried my own beef chili, and I have a feeling it wouldn't set well. Funny, my family just had a dish I made with ground beef, and I opted for a piece of tilapia. Fish and shellfish go down really well. I see the scale is moving! Woo hoo!:lol0:

I monitor how much I drink over the day. I can't see where drinking would stretch our tummies as the pyortal (sp?) valve is opened when fluid enters the stomach and empties to the intestine.

I don't start my cycle until another week and a few days as I'm on birth control pills, but I think the Water weight is already starting to creep up. I lost a few pounds last week, but nothing this week, and today the scale said a one pound GAIN! GRRRRRR........And, to make matters worse, I have my six week doctor visit next Thursday when I will most likely be at the peak of my water gain. I hate the vicious cycle. Do others typically see a slow down or gain a week or so before their cycle?

Well, it's Tuesday, not Monday, but Monday was my first day back at work and crazy as expected. I had a break from the scale during our four day Disney World trip, and that was good for me. I am down four pounds this week for a total of 22 pounds since my December 14 surgery date and 38 since December 1. I'm happy with my results five weeks out!

Precious! I need to start scouring fashion magazines. I have no sense of fashion anymore since I spent so many years avoiding snug-fitting clothing.

...and I've decided that there is too much drama on OH, so I'm gonna have to bail from that forum for a while. Why all the venom when folks are just looking for a place to garner support for a healthier life? Crazy! Anyway......I'm down 38.5 pounds since December 1, including my 16 pounds from preop. I think I'll stop dividing the two weigh losses and just claim it all! I have my six week followup next week, and I just realized it is at the same time as I will generally have major PMS and weight gain...delightful! Things are going well, and I'm averaging about 650-800 calories daily, 25-45 carbs, and 65-100 grams of protein. I feel good about tracking and making healthy food choices. And, I'm getting in a two mile walk and a little on the elliptical each day. I hope to add some light weights next week to help with the flabby arms! I'm a little annoyed with my clothing right now. As always, I'm losing all upstairs, so seven people could live in the top half of my shirts, but the bottoms are still fitting. I have a closet of either too big and sloppy or still too snug around the ol' hips and booty. Sigh.....

There is absolutely no way in the world I could be a military wife. I'm the biggest worrier in the world, and I can totally see why you are a ball of nerves. God bless John for his valiant service to our country, and God bless you for being a strong and supportive wife and mother. You have a tough job, and I am sending prayers your way and in the way of our brave men and women. We owe everything we hold dear in our world to those who protect our freedoms and act as advocates when the rest of the world is in need. It's a shame the US doesn't get the respect and appreciation that should come with the sacrifice of our military folks, but that's another chapter. Hang in there! Hugs! Theresa

I was really surprised by my energy level--we even rented bicycles one day and road for hours. I am taking an Iron supplement daily and try to remember my b-12 weekly. I still have not mastered the stupid Calcium as I can't remember to take it so many times a day!! It was all familiar foods--meatball (1 and 1/2) one meal and snow crab the next. I've had both of those here at home with no problem, and I had the snow crab on the first day of the trip without any trouble too. Thankfully, I felt like new just after throwing up and did not carry those icky "sick" feelings that come with throwing up normally. It was like major relief!

Glad the meeting went well, and I definitely plan to be at the next one. Back to work tomorrow, and I think the trip to Disney World was really good for my endurance. We walked a TON, and we rode bikes all day one day. I'm ready for the "real world" once again, I suppose!

So, we decided on a last minute, and I mean last minute trip to Disney World this week. We just got home, but not until I threw up twice yesterday! I will be five weeks out on Monday, and this is the first I've hurled. I lost my lunch and my dinner. I did not try new foods, and I did not overeat. Looking back on each experience, the only thing I can figure is that I ate too fast. I ended up with a VERY TIGHT and uncomfortable feeling....I felt so full that it was difficult to breath heavy or even talk. It was after about 30 minutes each time that I finally threw up. It just stayed uncomfortable until my mouth started watering profusely and then here it all came. I instantly felt better. Fortunately, today was much better, and I did fine at lunch and now dinner. I really think I just ate way to fast and did not recognize what I was doing! I don't want that to happen EVER AGAIN!!!!!

Oh boy, I'm so glad I saw this thread. Going back to work next week is likely to create stress for me as things are a zoo there right now. We are in a period of turnover, and I am responsible for training our newbies. And, with responding to Customer complaints in writing (often insane ones!) for last 20+ years, I think I'm getting a bit worn out with it. I was thinking of getting a therapist to help with the head side of weight loss, and this sounds like even more of a reason to get on that right away. I sure wish you tons of luck with the stress, and I hope the restriction returns to a more comfortable level soon!

Another vote for A. VERY CUTE! I say prayers every night that I keep enough hair when (and if...hoping) it starts shedding to not need a wig. My hair is already extremely thin, and you can already see my scalp. I cannot afford to lose too much or I will definitely have to do something drastic.

Yes, the temptations at work will definitely be different--mainly going out for lunch. We always want to get away, and I'm only in the office every other day, so I have to "catch up" with all my buddies. I've already thought out some choices for our standby lunch options. And, thankfully, I'm not a sweet tooth at all. Now, if pizza or nachos are within sniffing range......different story...

I have been journaling on OH, but I think I will start blogging here to and more frequently. Today marks four weeks since surgery. I am down 18 pounds and a total of 34 since the beginning of my preop diet on December 1. I'm happy, and I'll be thrilled as long as the loss continues. I started walking outside again yesterday, and I logged two miles and 15 minutes on the elliptical. My plan is to increase to 3.2 miles daily and 30 minutes on the elliptical. I'm going to add strength training in a couple of weeks. My calories average between 650-800. I've been getting all my protein from food, but I'm trying to up my protein from 65-75 to more like 90-100. So, I may add back a Premier drink daily. It's 160 calories and 30 grams of protein. I'll need to modify some of my eating to keep calories in check. I think going back to work next week will help a lot with the aforementioned as I won't be so focused on my daily "menu." HA! I will still track religiously on myfitnesspal.com as it helps me keep everything in check to actually see what I'm ingesting.

Today marks four weeks since my surgery, and I'm down 18 pounds since then and 34 pounds total since December 1 preop diet. I know some lose more the first month, but I'm doing everything I'm supposed to do, so I'm very happy with the results so far! Five pounds since last Monday.....

Yah! I'm going to start drinking just until food time then. I am very compliant with during and after. It's just the before that seems sort of pointless and difficult to adhere to. This will make my goal of 80+ ounces of fluid much easier to accomplish before midnight!

Surprisingly, I have had no trouble not drinking while I eat, and I'm handling the no drinking for 30 minutes after eating. But, somehow I am forgetting to stop drinking 30 minutes before I eat.

Hi! I'm sorry for your frustration. I had just a few days without a loss recently, and I was bummed. I have to admit that I think Tiffykins is dead on with regard to the carb count. I am between three and four weeks out, and I track everything I put in my mouth. I average around 700-800 calories daily, 25-38 carbs, and 65-85 Protein. I feel like I eat all day, but I have not had any true carbs, like crackers, bread, etc (other than grits one morning). I'm getting all my protein from food now (greek yogurt, string cheese, deli meat, lean chili, refried Beans, ricotta, chicken salad, etc). That said, if I have a Protein Drink it's generally a very high protein content. I use the Premier Protein drinks from costco, and one drink is 11 ounces, 3 carbs, and 30 grams of protein! Another one that is high in protein is GNC's Amplify--20 grams per 4 ounces of liquid, 4 carbs. I think if you find a more balanced protein drink and keep your carbs a little lower you will break that dreaded stall! Some of us are just more carb-sensitive than others. Good luck!

I'm here in Dallas, and I'm happy to help out any way I can. I really like Dr. Nick and the whole staff. I think you will be happy with your decision!

That's exactly where I get the "full" feeling sometimes. It's sort of like where all the bubbly gas wells up before I burp.

Awesome news, Barb! :crying: I too did some shopping yesterday at Northpark. But my $$ went to Williams Sonoma for a super-deluxe Breville Smart Grill. It's a souped up panini/grill machine, and I purchased it with the intent of grilling fish in the house. We have an awesome Viking grill, and you'd think living in Texas I'd still go outside in the winter. Nope. I only enjoy the back patio and pool area in the non-winter months, so this indoor grill will be perfect for my new eating style. I can't wait to grill shrimp, scallops, and fish! And, Matt can't wait for me to grill him a sandwich! HA! The full feeling has been alive and well since I've added soft foods and mushy foods. I especially had a too full feeling last night. I made three frozen meatballs (smaller than golf ball) with marinara and fresh mozzarella. I could only eat one meatball before I was stuffed, so I put it way and hopped on the elliptical. Went back later, and still major fullness after just a bite or two. The meatballs are a big difference from the less binding crabmeat I suppose. What a fun and interesting ride this is!

Hello from the Queen of Worriers. Yes, I too had major fears, and I despise surgery and being put under. But, at three weeks out now, I can tell you that it was totally worth it. I'm not going to lie, the first four days or so were icky. I was fortunate not to have the body gas that others complain about, but my doctor equipped me with pills for that just in case. I used the heck out of the morphine pump in the hospital, so I'm not sure how bad the pain could have been because my medical team really managed the pain well. I used my liquid hydrocodone for about 48 hours after getting home. I was up walking the halls the same night as surgery,and I walked at home too. I don't have children, so I can't relate to that aspect, but I think if you have someone to help out for the first three or four days, you will give your body some time to heal and get ready for the rest of your life. Considering all the things that will be required of you as a parent as the children get older and how hard it is to have the energy and mobility in an obese and unhealthy body, the few days of chaos after surgery are a small price to pay. Just keep your eye on the prize and know that you can be an even better mom if you are in a healthier frame of mind and body. Good luck with everything! Theresa