Jaguilar

Blondiee,
I was probably straining the top end of a 22 at my heaviest. They weren't button popping, but they were pretty tight and I'm sure that being at the top of one size is partially the reason why it seems to be taking longer to go down a size. And things are finally loos enough that I think I am at least within 5-10 pounds of a new size so it's not like there's no end in sight. I think I just got down a little bit down seeing so many people talking about how drastic their body transformations have been when they have lost fewer pounds than I have. I'll get there though, I'm sure, and I'm grateful to everyone who replied with encouragement and support!

It will happen. Then you can be like me! RIght now my 14's are getting too baggy, but my gut tends to hang out of the 12's. I just donated 4 bags of clothes that are too big and make me look frumpy, but now I've got NOTHING TO WEAR!!!!!

When looking at sizing charts, plus size clothes are made for a larger range in measurement- meaning the bust measurement difference in a 22 vs. a 20 can be 2-4 inches. Whereas the bust measurement in missy clothes range from 1-2 inches. Essentially, it takes less change/ weight loss to go down a size the smaller you get. Initially it took me 30 lbs to lose a size, now 5-10 lbs equals a dress size for me.

I dont have this problem, well not yet anyway. I just wanted to say you have done amazing so far and I hope it turns around for you soon. I know that I was in a TIGHT 22 and am now comfortably in a 22 and that too 20 pounds but I am a shorty.
Good luck on your journey.

Luckily I have tested negative for diabetes and my blood sugar has been absolutely normal in the two rounds of blood tests I took pre-op.

At about a month out I decided to really limit my carbs - like down to 20. That was a mistake for me - low energy, lightheadedness, etc. I then talked to my NUT who said, 80 grams of Protein minimum and 50 grams of carbs would be OK, just watch what kinds of carbs.
All carbs are not created equal Good carbs = Good. Bad carbs = Bad
I stay away from processed foods - limited bread and sugars. These are your bad carbs. I also stay away from "carby" fruits and veggies - the ones that have a high glycemic value (potatoes, ripe bananas, carrots).
The way I added more carbs in was - fat free refried Beans, 1/4 cup of berries in my shake, carb balance tortilla, etc. When I'm at 50 carbs, I feel good.
YOu may have to play with the numbers a little to find your "sweet spot"...no pun intended! :-)

Hi guys,
Do any of you find that you do better with a more equal balance of Protein and carbs? Our diets seem to stress getting protein so much but does anyone find they actually feel better when they eat more carbs? I am 4 weeks post op and in the pureed/soft foods stage. For the first 3 weeks or so I followed my instructions religiously - I tried to get 64oz of Fluid and tried to get 60 grams of protein daily. I didn't usually make the entire goal but I would consistently get 3/4 to within a few grams/ounces of the goal. I was also walking 45 minutes a day. It worked fine for the first few weeks but then I noticed that I was starting to get light-headed and it was hard for me to complete my exercise because I felt weak or fatigued. Of course I was getting almost no carbs because I was trying to so hard to get my protein goals.
Then I transitioned to pureed/soft foods and there were so many new options out there (many of them carb-heavy like fruit, mashed potatoes, spring peas, etc.) I started blowing off some of the protein requirement just to be able to eat some of the new options (and I was getting sick of the old options). Around the same time I starting incorporating more higher calorie drinks, nothing outrageous but more in the 50-80 cal/8 oz versus 10 cal/8 oz, obviously drinks that include more sugar/carbs (I was also getting sick of the watered down diet drinks). I still try to get 30-40g protein but I don't bother trying to make the full 60 grams anymore. The funny thing is that once I started blowing off getting all my protein and started eating more carbs the light-headedness went away, my energy went up and I feel strong again. And the weight loss has continued at a brisk pace.

Small clarification - I'm not going nuts on carb-laden food or going overboard on calories. Even with 1 small "carb" meal (1/2 mashed potatoes, 1/2 cup peas or something) and one "higher" calorie 8 oz beverage a day, I am still not breaking 500 calories.

My last straw was in November when my bf and I were taking a plane ride and a desk agent comes over and tells us we can have priority boarding with the frequent travelers and families with kids because we're so big we might need more time to board. Apparently, according to him, we are considered disabled so we qualify for more boarding time. That was a real wake up call. I had a rough patch over the last 7 years or so and gained a TON of weight but most of my adult life I've never really been obese. Sure, I've been overweight, maybe 15-20 lbs but never anything like I am now. And it was just so shocking and humiliating to me that there are people/institutions out there thinking I'm disabled. Now, I might have gained a lot of weight but I am strong and mobile, I can still work out, run, all that stuff - I am not some friggin' invalid, barely able to heave my ponderous mass down a plane aisle. But yeah, that's what got me thinking that I don't want people looking at me like some pity case or like I'm somehow less capable than other people.

Hey all,
I just had my surgery let week and this is my first post. It sounds awful, but I'm a little disconcerted by how well eating and drinking are going. I use a shot glass to measure my fluids and I can pretty much drink one of those continuously, or at least every 30 seconds/minute or so, seemingly indefinitely. The "food" part for Protein is also going the same way. Being full liquid, I drink most of my food right now, but I generally have 1 cup of skim milk at a time, later maybe a Protein shake (8-11 oz) for a second meal, which I can drink at one sitting using the same shot glass every 30 seconds/minute or so method I do with the drinks (although sometimes I break it into two sittings), and then a 5 oz greek yogurt, which I nurse for about 25-40 minutes. Nausea is non-existent and I never feel hungry. I push for the recommended 64 oz of Fluid and 60 grams Protein a day and generally come close, though never over (no hunger means I don't see the need to exceed the recommended).
Part of the problem is that I never feel full either. All my information from the Dr. says eat until you feel full or satisfied, but I don't ever really feel "fullness", I just eat and drink the recommended and stop. My concern is that I'm actually eating too much or maybe splitting my staples or stretching my stomach without knowing it. All the stuff I read says you should be able to "eat" 2oz of food or a 1/2 cup at a time but I can do the 5oz yogurt or a cup of milk with no problems at all and no fullness. It's like the restriction isn't there at all doing what I'm doing now and considering the risks and possible complications with such a new sleeve I'm not about to go beyond my current regimen to see how far I could go. I guess I'm just new and nervous, but I really would like to hear from anybody about their experiences, whether it happens that people can eat so easily and so "much" (in comparison to what I've read) this early in.