alc1071

Today, something happened to me that I thought would never happen. I was called a gym rat, because I chose to go 6 days a week instead of 5. I love it! It's better than being called fat.

Your new tummy is still numb. You will start to have a full sensation soon. That is why it is important to follow the portions and only eat for 20 minutes
with small bites. I used and still do baby spoons to slow me down. I put Protein in everything and track it all on myfitnesspal.com Add a broth with Protein in it if you are short, the protein in this stage is for healing so it is important!! Good Luck!
Lenni

I haven't tried them yet...I've got a box full of Quest in the cupboard that I need to finish before I try more bars I will likely try them at some point though. I like having Protein Bars on hand just so I can slip one in my purse before I head out. Saves me making unwise choices if I get stuck out somewhere.

I have heard of them but have never tried them. I would ask your nutritionist what they think of them and if they have the right kind of Protein in them.
I personally use Quest Protein Bars that are excellent in taste. They come in many, many flavors and are okay with my nutritionist to use.
Good luck in finding one you like and is okay with your nutritionist.

I am so pleased and excited about this journey I am on. I get tickled every time I eat because for the first time I can remember I leave lots of food on my tiny little plate and after a few bites I am completely satisfied!!! I went to a cookout at my sisters home today and everyone who knows me was amazed. Normally I'd be sitting at the table without moving unless I needed to use the facilities. Today I had so much energy I danced, raced with the kids and won, and when I left I did not take a doggy bag for later. Is this really me? Yes, it is the new and improved me. The me that loves life and have taken control of the lifelong bad habits and turned them into healthier ones. My hubby looked at me with a big od smile on his face as everyone congratulated me on my weight loss. When I weighed myself this morning I have lost another 5.2 lbs. I wish I had this done as soon as my bmi got over 40, ten years ago, but now I am just glad to be feeling good and having so much energy. I Love My new Life!!! I'll post some pictures tomorrow so everyone can see my progress thus far.

My nose starts to run when I am getting full. I thought this was strange and asked my dr's office about it at one of my post op appointments and was told that it's a common sign of fullness.

My nose starts to run when I am getting full. I thought this was strange and asked my dr's office about it at one of my post op appointments and was told that it's a common sign of fullness.

I'm in the exact same boat as you! Two months out on Monday, down 50 and stuck. I've actually been fluctuating upwards a pound or three. It's very frustrating! Some people say to increase Protein. Or increase exercise. Some say cut back some calories, some say increase them (LOL). Everyone says drink more Water, and to not weigh yourself so much.
How has your eating/exercise been? Water and Protein intake? All on point? If so, just keep pushing forward, it's going to be OK. Trust the process.
Apparently these things happen. What I'm doing is just trying my best to stay focused and not let the stall derail me. I know I'm doing the right thing. I know I need to drink more water. The stall has made me take a long, hard look at my diet the past few weeks, and I've found areas that could use tweaking, afterall. Do you log your foods? If so, this is a great time to really look it over.
Good luck, and be well…

What you're feeling is VERY normal. Just take one step / phase at a time & one day at a time. I also use MyfitnessPal.com to keep me accountable & keep track of my food. It's very helpful.
Stay focused & follow your plan. Nutrition is crutial & so are the fluids we need.
You can do it!

Don't be afraid.
I'm six months out and I eat regular food, Quest Protein bar and a Protein shake everyday and I'm still loosing.
I keep to the right portions and works.
I can tell if you don't start the next phase your body will go haywire. It needs the nutrition.
Most important is Protein and Water to help you heal properly.
Following each stage that the nutritionist and the surgeon have mapped out for you it's important.
I wish you continued success and relax it will be fine.

I started biking last spring after my surgery. My old bike was a 20 year old mountain bike and I replaced it with a Trek hybrid that I absolutely love! My husband bought one too and rides with me on the bike trails. You may find that some of the local bike shops have organized biking groups/clubs that ride weekly if you are looking to find other people in your area that like to ride too. Good luck with your bike search!

I agree with everything Chelly stated above, your body needs the nutrition and you need to focus on getting your Protein and Water. Follow your plan that your surgeon recommends. You may want to try tracking your foods to help you stay on track. I use My Fitness Pal and find it really helpful to stay on course. In the beginning I was getting around 500-600 calories a day. Now a year out I'm getting 1,200 - 1,300 calories a day. Good luck, you got this!!

I started biking last spring after my surgery. My old bike was a 20 year old mountain bike and I replaced it with a Trek hybrid that I absolutely love! My husband bought one too and rides with me on the bike trails. You may find that some of the local bike shops have organized biking groups/clubs that ride weekly if you are looking to find other people in your area that like to ride too. Good luck with your bike search!

Have you tried mixing Protein powders with your fluids to meet both requirements at one time? I was using Unjury Protein Powder and mixing it with crystal light (strawberry protein with lemonade, or chicken Soup flavor with warm water). That really helped me meet both the Fluid and protein gtargets early on. There are many brands out there, just find one you like.

Also, early on I would set the timer on my phone to go off every 10-15 minutes to remind me to take a sip. Eventually it will become routine and you'll be able to take bigger sips but it helped me to keep sipping with the timer reminding me in the beginning.

I'm going to Southern Cali in a ten days to spend some time w/my son (in the USMC at Camp Pendleton) and meet his girl. I looked for a hotel near the beach, that serves a free hot Breakfast (loves eggs) and has a microwave and a fridge in the room. My first stop after I check in will be to find a Walmart (already looked - just a few miles from my hotel) where I plan to buy a weeks worth of Greek yogurt, a small bag of chopped pecans to mix in, Atkins choc shakes, canned turkey chili, some Lunchables, and a case of bottled Water. I'll be bringing my own Quest bars. We'll probably eat out a few times but for the most part that's all I'll need. I'm pretty cheap to feed nowadays! :-)

I had surgery on Feb 26, 2014. As of yesterday "Weigh Day" I have lost 43 lbs and over 23 inches. I have also lost diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. I have lost my walking cane that I have had to use for over a year because of knee and back pain. I have lost the size clothing I was wearing when I had surgery and the size smaller fits loosely.
I have GAINED the ability to use my exercise bicycle, being able to cross my legs again, wear my wedding ring again, better health and fitness, more confidence and self worth, the ability to go for short walks with my husband and dog Pearl...and so much more.....
Life is good........

Quest bars are the best I've tried. Very high Protein and Fiber and only 1 gram of sugar. The cookie dough and Cookies and cream are the best!!

Yes, completely normal! I stalled around week 3-4 as well. Your body is just adjusting to the changes you've put it through and rebelling. Don't let it discourage you, the weight will come off. Just keep following your dr's plan and you'll be losing again in no time! And sorry to say, this is probably the first of several stalls you will go through on this journey. But don't worry, you got this!!

At that stage I was using the Unjury chicken Soup Protein Powder to get my Protein in. You could also use the unflavored and add it to your Clear Liquids to get your protein. I remember my surgeon telling me that it was more important to get my liquids in immediately after surgery than my protein to avoid getting dehydrated. By mixing the protein powders into my liquids I was getting both of them at the same time.

At that stage I was using the Unjury chicken Soup Protein Powder to get my Protein in. You could also use the unflavored and add it to your Clear Liquids to get your protein. I remember my surgeon telling me that it was more important to get my liquids in immediately after surgery than my protein to avoid getting dehydrated. By mixing the protein powders into my liquids I was getting both of them at the same time.

I am type 2 diabetic and my surgeon recommended the bypass over the other options. In addition I had bad acid reflux which the other surgeries could cause it to get worse. What is your surgeon recommending for you?

This weekend I tackled a job that I had been avoiding for a while. I decided to clean out my clothes closet. To be honest it was loooong overdue. I actually have two others that need cleaned too, and will be done in the next few weeks. ( Spring cleaning even if it doesn't feel like spring!) I had so much in my closet (hanging clothes) that I had been resorting to throwing my clothes over a chair in my room. Well I finally got sick of seeing that pile so I busted out the big green garbage bags and got busy. I honestly believe I had a mini emotional breakdown during the process because I suddenly got VERY sleepy and took a two - three hour nap. ( I wasn't tired but I was overwhelmed) I woke up and decided to "git er done" and finished the task. I had to try on a lot of items that I had stored in there, not knowing what would or would not fit. Everything is sized so differently, so the only way to know was to put it on. I ended up with FOUR 1/2 of those green leaf bags FULL of clothes to donate, as well as a full bag of ones I threw out because of stains or holes. I also have my double closet bar about 2/3rds full again of hanging clothes, although they are not crammed together. There is a lot of room to let them hang and not get wrinkled. Anyway, I found that I have a lot of capri length pants I can wear for spring that fit me nicely right now. Hopefully by summer they too will go to the donation pile, but for now I have a decent amount of clothes to chose from. And they really FIT nice! Two pair of denim capris fit well around the waist ( so don't feel like they are falling off) but are actually baggy everywhere else. Last time I remember wearing them they cut into my stomach at the waist and were tight around my gut and hips. Now there was a small let down in a couple pair of pants I just knew would be too big, but they weren't. I think I have a warped sense of memory as to how they really used to fit. I weigh less now than I have since I owned anything in there. ( except for maybe a couple sweaters) I did have a hard time letting some things go. I am not someone who buys clothes a lot. I find good pieces and will wear them for years. I had a few tops/sweaters that I strongly considered holding on to, only to end up putting them in the bag. I never have been one to wear tight clothes so if the were sort of baggy on me at 316lbs, then they would be ridiculous on me at 238lbs! ( and even worse by next fall /winter when I would wear again) I think this whole thing was a little hard for me because I still have a hard time seeing the me I am now, not who I was 78lbs ago. I still have major "fat" days. I still struggle with eating the right things. And heck, I still have PMS so that compounds ALL the negative!!! LOL I am trying, I really am. I think getting rid of the old clothes is a step in the right direction for me. I am finally saying "never again". Even if I never drop further than I am now, ( God willing that does NOT happen and I get down to goal) at least I won't be where I was.

Good luck to all of you for a speedy recovery! I was in the same place you are a year ago and I remember feeling excited, anxious and a bundle of nerves all at the same time. You will be amazed how much your life is going to change for the better!

I'm almost a year post op and still have a Protein Shake a day to keep the Protein levels up. I was also told the shakes could be counted toward meeting the Fluid intake as well. Now that you're moving onto more foods, have you checked out My Fitnesss Pal? It's great for tracking all your food, calories, fluids and even exercise to see where you stand each day. Good luck!