McButterpants

I wouldn't focus on calories at this point - focus on your Protein and Fluid goals. When I was 6 weeks out I asked my NUT about calories - she said 800 was a good number at that point, but to focus on protein. At a little over 9 weeks, I'm getting between 800-950 cals per day. I know someone that is consistently getting in 1000-1200 calories and has lost more than me. We're all different!

You should (and you should have before surgery). Not only will it help keep you hydrated, it will help keep hunger at bay. I drink Propel Zero since surgery - I cannot stomach plain Water any more for some reason. I start my day drinking 17 ounces of water - I just sip until it's gone. That gets a good start to the day.

I'm at 54 miles to my 85 mile goal - I have a hole to dig out of being sick a few days last week and being lazy on Sunday! I have done no weights as was in my original goal - I don't know why, I just can't seem to get motivated. Gotta work on that.

My doc wanted a Protein isolate (I think because it's absorbed better, but don't hold me to that). With that in mind, I tried a few and ended up with

Happy for you! You deserve this. Keep us updated on the Love Connection!

Yep - try a lactose free shake.

I'm losing hair - it's horrifying! My doc said to take Biotin and Folate - some docs say there's nothing that will prevent the loss, but I'm throwing everything again the wall to see what sticks! I'm also using Nioxin. My doc also said whatever you lose due to the surgery will grow back...I'm patiently waiting! OK, I'm not patient!

Glad to hear from you! Keep walking - it's the best "medicine" for that gas! Be well.

Wow - what a transformation. Congrats on your great success.

I had the same thing. Walking helped me - even if it's just pacing around the house. As for Water - I was able to get in more when I switched to Propel Zero or Vitamin Water Zero (both zero calorie drinks). Plain water wouldn't go down. Best of luck to you!

The first few days sucked - really sucked. By about Day 5 I started to feel normal again. I drank a lot of green tea to help me thru the first few days. Just hang in there and stick to your plan - just think, in 14 more days, you're going to have surgery. Best of luck to you!

You'll do great. You got this! Update us when you're able.

Tracking my food, then analyzing it was an eye opener for me. I thought all fruits and veggies were good and would sit down to a bowl full of corn thinking I was doing well, then wondering why I wasn't losing weight. I have found the right mix of protein/carbs/fat for me right now - It will probably change as my body changes. Right now, I feel good eating what I'm eating now. I tried to go super low carb about a month after surgery and felt really deflated, I had no energy. Once I upped my carbs, I felt so much better. But the carbs I eat now are different - bread is a rare thing for me to eat (I really don't enjoy it any more, so I figure why eat it). I eat fruits and veggies that are low on the glycemic index. Best of luck to you! I love that you're working towards a 5K - that's one of my goals, too. :-) I'm just over 9 weeks out - I don't log everything every day, but most days, I track just to keep myself honest.

We went for our first walk outside in 6 weeks (it's been too icy and cold for outside walking) and took the dog. OMG she is out of shape. She was pretty tired by the time we got back from our 3 miles. She also gained because sometime I slip her my leftovers!

Wow - you are awesome! I haven't been snowmobiling in years - actually decades! My non-scale victories... Buying smaller clothes Giving away clothes I can no longer wear I can workout at the gym for 90 minutes and not want to take a nap I'm more confident when I walk into a room - still a little self-aware, but much better than before And today - I walked 3 miles on my lunch hour and wanted to more, but had to get back to work! Activity doesn't wear me down any longer and I actually enjoy it. Congrats to you on your success! You look great!

Bloodwork and EKG.

Support is important in this process - and if you're not going to get it from your family, get it from somewhere else. Not only on forums such as this, but maybe a local support group (our local hospital allows me to go even though I didn't have surgery there) or a friend that you can confide in. This journey has so many dimensions - it's physical, mental and emotional. In the beginning my parents were supportive, but vocal about their concerns. My dad didn't understand the need for the surgery or why I would do something this drastic. I think he was in denial about how heavy I really got. I know I was. Once I had the surgery, he has made a complete change. He asks me about my eating, how I feel, what food feels like in my stomach. He has seen me get healthier, not just losing weight - he belongs to the same gym as I do and he watches my workouts. What is your family doing that you believe you don't have their support?

Run Replace the family pictures taken last year when I was at my heaviest Go to the misses section and buy a really cute outfit

peck peck peck The other night my husband laughed at me...I ate 2 ounces of chicken and 4 tater tots and said I was full. He laughs at that while he's taking his 2nd helping or eating what's left on my plate. He and the dog are both gaining while I'm losing.

I was at a store on Saturday night and was looking at some clothes while my husband exchanged some stuff he got for Christmas. They had some really great quality stuff on clearance - like 50-60% off. I wondered thru looking at all these really nice light jackets that I could really use this spring and some workout clothes (I am allowing myself to buy one cute workout outfit now). I actually felt nervous and afraid to try anything on. I was looking at Large and 1X stuff thinking "I can't fit into that" and "What are you thinking, you haven't lost that much" And then, when I realized I could fit into and buy a couple of things, I didn't want to spend the money because I'm going to lose more. That was empowering for me - I don't want to buy a 1X!!!! A few months ago, 1X was a pipe dream!

I agree with RJ (she's wise!) - you might want to try the Nectar products.

We have been eating out a little more in the past couple of weeks, so I've been experimenting... I have told the waitress I will share what my husband is eating and asked for another plate - surprisingly, so issues and haven't been charged a plate charge yet. (I suspect at fancier places, I will be charged.) I've tried appetizers - that was good. Cheaper and I still end up bringing a lot of it home. I've tried ordering an entire entree and I just get discouraged - not only do I eat just a few bites, when I get the bill I'm irritated. $15 for a few bites gets to me...I rarely order a full entree. Funny story - we went to a BBQ place the other day and I literally ate what fell out of my husband's sandwich and was completely satisfied!

Don't panic...It sucks, but it's normal. Butterthebean has a great article tagged in his auto signature about stalls - it's worth the read... http://www.dsfacts.com/weight-loss-stall-or-plateau.html#.Ut1GtBYQFdg With that said, just keep following your plan. Keep exercising and getting your Protein in - you won't want to lose lean muscle mass. You want to keep burning fat. In order to do that, you need to exercise and eat/drink protein. I stalled for 10 days between Weeks 3 and 4 and even though I knew a stall would come, I wasn't mentally prepared for it. My husband hid the scale from me and he brings it out once per week. That's it - it saved my sanity. Hang in there - your stall will end soon. Don't let yourself get sidetracked.

I agree, call the NUT. You may be experiencing some lactose intolerance, which is fairly common after surgery, even if you didn't have it before. Hang in there - it will get better, but you need to figure out what's going on first.

According to my doc, walking is the best medicine for recovery. I wasn't cleared for anything but walking until my 6 week check up. In the beginning, about a week out, I was walking 20-30 minutes. Not a real fast pace, just moving my body. It felt good and when I got tired, I stopped. Do what you can within the guidelines your doc gave you.