Sunshine

Thanks for all the suggestions. I REALLY like mixing the unflavored mix (I have a bag already) to my sugar free pudding. I never thought of that. I do mix it with Jello when I make it, and that's decent. I can't do the greek yogurt, cottage cheese thing. I didn't do it beforehand either. My Nut doesn't want me to snack AT ALL...but, to get my Protein in...I'm gonna have to.

As some of you know, I'll write when I have a good day, or a bad day. Well, the past 3 days have been good,...BUT, my nutritionist is saying I'm not doing good, and it's bumming me out. I am almost 4 weeks post-op. Lost 20 pounds so far. Already plateaued somewhat, but from what I read...this happens to many people at the 3 week mark. Everyone stated to get more Protein in and exercise more (can't do that yet because an internet stitch in this fascia popped....so I'm SORE still). I am eating 3 meals a day (which before surgery I only had 2 - lunch and dinner). I'm drinking more than I did pre-op (about 50 ounces now which is a little hard for me). I focus on protein constantly. But....she says IT'S STILL NOT ENOUGH. I am getting about 40 (average) protein a day. Apparently, I need to get 80 (DOUBLE). The ONLY way I can do this is if I drink supplements because my dinners consist of almost all protein.......and I know that the body can only handle 20g at a time. I'm not cheating, I thought I was doing well....but she is saying that if I don't get these protein supplement drinks in....my hair will fall out MAJORLY. I'm freaking! First, because I don't want my hair to fall out THAT much! Second, because I HAAAAAAATE the shakes, Protein Drinks.

......scratch that....lost 22 pounds!!!!!

First of all, I'm so glad you are okay. That must have been pretty scary. Did you have anyone there to help you? Second of all...HAVE NO FEAR...WEIGHT LOSS IS NEAR. I am guessing you are like me. You want it off NOW. I'm a little disappointed too...but trying to be positive. You have us to lean on. In 6 months, we'll read the post that will say, "WOW...I've lost so much".

I'm not the original poster...but THANK YOU for all that information. I'm just scared........I PRAY this surgery works. ...and no, you're post was NOT a lecture. I loved it.

Donna......you've replied to a thread of mine that sort of asks about this. I am sooooooooo relating to what you are going through (and everyone else that has replied). Yes, I am FREAKING OUT that ....somehow.....'I' will be the ONLY one that this darn surgery does NOT work for. I'm scared to death. Surgery was on July 19th and I've lost ONLY a total of 15 pounds and that was within the first two weeks. After that.....NADA, nuthin', zero, zip. I don't see how I canNOT be losing. I only eat a smidge of what I used to eat. I don't eat badly,....I try to do all the right stuff (admittedly though, I'm not perfect), and I wonder WHAT has happened and WHY. EIGHT days and no weight loss. WHAT THE CRAP IS GOING ON?? So, please, PLEASE tell me that I WILL lose weight. That 15 pounds isn't 'the end'. And to everyone who has written: Thank you for responding/writing to Donna. I thought I was the only one. Seriously.....thank you.

- I'm about 3 weeks post-op. I'm going on vacation in the middle of December. What will my portions/eating be like then? - Has anyone ever plateaued in the first month? If so, what happened? - In the long run (long term)....if you don't get enough Protein, what happens?

Once the stall was over, did you lose quickly? I wonder why Week 3 is a troublesome week?

It is?....Promise? .....so, the weight WILL start coming off? I'm not sure why I'm freaked out by this.

Donna.....THANK YOU for responding. I am on Week 3 and I have lost only 3-4 pounds since last Thursday (8 days). Wwwwhhhyyyyyyyy???????? I'm getting extremely frustrated. I keep thinking that I am the only one in the world that the surgery won't work for.

All I brought from my Dr was a Prescription sheet that said: "Cleared for surgery" and then gave my BMI. Done...... :-)

Congratulations, and good luck!

It's your group that's the problem. Some of BC/BS groups DO pay for this. My group did NOT pay. So, I had to pay out of pocket. You have two choice (from what I can tell). You can have your Dr appeal it, or you can go to whatever company you have your insurance through, and ask them to accept it.

I've read things about 'sliming'. What is this?

Just had my first 'you ate too much and/or too fast' vomit session. I now know what it feels like to be 'stopped up'. NASTY......Horrible feeling. :tongue_smilie:

Mark #2 session of vomiting down! And it happened at my son's school of all places! Went and had lunch w/him. I think it was because I ate too fast.

Thanks so much. The smoothies didn't come out the best. I tried an orange one and a strawberry one with yogurt. Did NOT like the yogurt in it. So, I'll be experimenting with the leftover strawberries this afternoon. I'll add the Protein in it as well. Hopefully, I can figure SOMETHING out. he he he Psst....I haven't weighed myself yet today. And I'm not going to!!! he he he

Well.....for the first time, I started weighing myself every day (yesterday and today). And I didn't lose a thing!!! he he. But that's okay. I'm trying to look at this in a larger scheme than a 'daily' scheme. I'm 16 days post op and have only lost 14-15 pounds. To me, that's not a lot. But again....I need to just 'chill out' and accept what comes off, WHEN it comes off. It's easier for me to get Protein in now (of course) because I can now eat. I went and bought a George Foreman Grill today (on sale at Walmart for $15.00) and bought thin sliced chicken breasts that were almost 20 grams of protein each. I poured some teriyaki sauce on it and grilled it. Ate almost 3/4 of it!!! I am beginning to know how much I can eat without overeating or getting sick. Bought some new kinds of sugar free Popsicles --- Orange, and Caribbean Fruit Punch, Pineapple! YUM. I also got stuff to make smoothies so I can put the unflavored Protein powder in it (I canNOT do the shakes, drinks, etc.....ewwww). I bought strawberries for that. I have been exercising 75% of the time now since I started to exercise (about 4-5 days ago)...but still can't do it a lot since I'm still a little sore from surgery. But, I also bought a low-impact exercise DVD today. Saw some Protein Bars. I know they aren't 'the best' for you. But...it's protein. Period. And guess what....you know those little LUNCHABLES. They have almost 18 grams of protein too! I know the sodium is a little high....but it's PROTEIN. Also got some new flavored Crystal Light (Walmart brand). Cherry Limeade and Grape. FINALLY....I can get my protein in...WHILE I enjoy the food. I am finally starting to come out of my dark cloud. You know...the one that is titled, "What the #$$^% have I done.....I'll NEVER be normal, nor will I EVER get to eat food again". I know there will be bad days and good days to come. But today....even though I didn't lose a pound from yesterday....ha ha.....it's a GOOD DAY.

Donna, I'm very impatient when it comes to actually LOOKING at the scale and SEEING a difference. But my husband reminds me every day that it WILL happen. "A watched pot never boils" is so very true. It'll happen....... Yes, one of the downfalls of eating certain foods is the sodium content. But I'm really trying hard to do what's right. I still eat a lot of SF Jello and SF popsicles and SF jello, even though I can eat 'normal' food. I'm taking it slow. When I ate the chicken, I chew it up bigtime. But it was delicious. The grills were on a display when I first entered Walmart (on the Home side). They had all sorts of different colors (red, green, blue, etc.). I loooove it. I'm gonna grill another thin sliced chicken breast tomorrow and put some kind of topping on it (maybe spaghetti sauce?) Everyone: Thanks for all the support!!!! For dinner, I had 2 small bites of meatloaf, 2 bites of peas and 2 bites of potatoes. YUMMY....and I was FULL.

That's awesome.

I think most people on here can relate to what you are going through. It seems like every sort of Protein makes me want to throw up. So far...for the clear liquid diet....I handled the unflavored Protein powder. I made it with Jello. It didn't distort the taste whatsoever. It saved my life. The shots....unbearable. I know people say to mix them in stuff, but I couldn't do it. Everyone is different. Everyone tolerates different things. Try the unflavored protein powder in with jello or Crystal Light. It was the best thing for me.

My worst day was yesterday. And let me tell you....the people on this board will help you tremendously. I'm a newbie too. July 19th was my date. All I can say is yesterday was my worst day, and today was one of the best days. You will go through every emotion possible. But please know that we are all going through the same thing. Stay strong....

Today was a bad day. It was the first time that I was questioning things. I could tell I was sad/depressed...whatever you want to call it. Perhaps some of it was 'acceptance'... I had my surgery on the 19th. Now, I KNOW I'm a newbie. So, I'm asking stupid questions. But.....Right now, I can only eat a few bites (like 5-6) and then I feel full (I'm learning my body daily). But, is it always going to be like this? I mean...am I always going to have the stomachaches, the extremely small portions..... I'm not sure what I'm asking. I know I will always eat considerably less than what I used to. But will there ever come a day where eating won't be an 'issue'? I won't have to feel bad after eating (pressure/swallowing issues, etc.)

I was sooooo hoping you would write me. This will sound crazy, but you calm me. It sounds as if you've been through it all, ....and you give fabulous advice. I want to thank you for always responding/replying to SO many posts. I seem to 'hunt' yours out since you have this sincere, and practical/logical way of looking at things. You hit the nail on the head: It is hard for me to see what life will be in the future. I just want to feel good. I want to eat every now and then without having to make it a project of calories/fat/protein/bites/swallowing...etc, etc. You know...like you said....I just want to be able to enjoy life. I do understand that I am a newbie, and that these are feelings I should be having in the 3 month period. But, it's MY reality. And MY reality is telling my heart and brain that I will constantly feel bad. I think the way I feel physically and the issues I'm having are common. There really isn't anything that is going on that I haven't read about. I think my biggest issues right now are: - not getting enough Protein in - feeling 'blah' after eating - feeling a tightening around my esophagus (not spasms) for about 30 minutes after I eat I feel as though I'm the only one that is being stupid about not liking Protein shakes. I have tried so many of them (and Isopure) and I dislike them all. Am I the only one??? Your last paragraph is basically lifting my heart right now. Thank You so much.

I am sorry for the disappointment. But on the other side, you can possibly use this as a kick-start for a 'new determined' diet. Good Luck hon. I'll be thinking of you....