Mary Cade

I too tried Quest Protein chips ,tasted nasty. I don't like quest Protein Bars either they make me sick

I Know we are supposed to eat slow, chew our food well and never drink while eating our meals. But I struggle with all of this daily! I wonder if I ned to sit down to the dinner table with my newspaper and read an article between each bite. Ha. Anyone with helpful suggestions would be appreciated!

Im a slow loser too but you need to look at it different. I look at it like hey Im not gaining weight! Plus I figure in 6 months it will all average out. They may lose faster at first but it will slow down. Plus because we are losing slower our skin has the time to shrink back so we wont have all that saggy skin. SLOW AND STEADY WINS THE RACE EVERYTIME! Plus stressing out makes your body hold onto the weight. Dont know why but it does. Relax and enjoy the ride!!

You can count me in the slow weight loss. I just hit 51 lbs in 6 days short of five months. I suppose I have had many stalls.
I did stress it, then I took a step back and looked at the whole picture. It could be several factors. Thyroid problem, age and I think you need to get to a point where you don't care about food anymore. It's not an all consuming factor anymore. I don't want to cook, when I do, I want it over quickly. It feels like an obligation to cook and I dread it. LOL
Besides, you cannot compare yourself to others. This is YOUR journey. Your path will differ from others. This whole experience is about learning about yourself and moving beyond where you were. Seeing what you hid from yourself. Enjoy the journey.

HMJ,
I feel your pain of not dropping the weight. I'm just about 2 months post op and have only dropped 16 pounds, very frustrating when others in my support group who have had the same surgery as me just 2 weeks before have lost over 70 pounds.
I called the nutritionist and I'm tracking everything I put in my mouth to send to her & see what she has to say. I have been drinking my Water, eating Protein at every meal and exercising. All my clothes are bigger so my friends have lucked out, I even had to buy new bras. I guess you can say I'm a slave to the scale.< /p>
I also made an appointment to see a counselor. The other day I cried all night because of this and I don't know what to do. The nutritionist says in an email "you can do this", it doesn't help, it's actually irritating since she is a stick and weighs just over 100 pounds.
If you figure it out, please let me know and I will do the same.
Connie

First, it seems to me that you are doing really well, you've lost over 6% of your body weight! That's great!!
I haven't discussed this with my current nutritionist, but in the past with other nutritionists on other programs. There is a basic math to weight loss.
Since I'm in the US we use pounds not kilograms, but I'm sure it could be converted.
The average woman uses 11 calories per pound per day to maintain body weight. Every time you consume less than you burn, you use some stored fat. When you get to 3500 of stored fat burned calories you lose a pound of fat.
Remember though that a calorie is NOT a calorie. You need to get the right mix of Proteins, carbs and fats to maintain health first. So most of us are told to get 60-80 grams of Protein per day first.
Now all that adds up to, yes, the less you weigh the harder it is to get that 3500 calories lost.
Example:
at 300 pounds x 11 calories = 3300 calories per day to maintain body weight
at 200 pounds x 11 calories = 2200 calories per day to maintain body weight
If both women consume 1200 calories per day, the 300 pound woman will lose a pound of fat in about 1.5 days, the 200 pound woman will lose a pound of fat in about 3.5 days.
Fat is only one component of weight loss, additionally, some people retain Water, others lose muscle or bone mass. So the nutrition thing is really important. Then you can burn additional calories with exercise, and build muscle mass that way.
Let me also state that I am NOT a nutritionist, but over my 49 years of dieting (joined weight watchers for the first time when I was 10), I have learned a few things. I just never learned how to apply them to me.
Good luck!

This is my first post on this website, because I have felt odd all along that I am not following the same restrictions as others. I was sleeved on 6/26, so I am exactly 8 weeks out, and have lost about 30-35 lbs. I want to eat more than 500-900 cals daily...so I try to (and don't usually succeed!). I don't want my body to think it is starving and my metabolism to slow down. I also don't expect to become obsessed with exercise. And I love vegetables and fruits, and want to eat them. I could never sustain a low carb diet longer than 2 weeks (and that was torture!) prior to surgery, so I cannot expect myself to do that after surgery.
So far, I have been losing the weight with the carbs (only fruits,vegs, and some crackers...altho I did have 1 m+M the other day!)
I have not had an issue with stomach pains or weight loss stalls. Everyone should certainly follow their own surgeon's advice, but I marvel that the pre and post op diets are so diverse. Sometimes, it seems like the diets are randomly dispensed, since often it also seems like no one knows the real reason a dietary restriction is put into place. My NUT says no Water 30 mins before, with, or after meals, because it pushes the food down. But my MD friend (who is a nutrition/health expert) says Water is not good close to meals because it dilutes the stomach acid which is needed for good digestion. And then most of us are given acid blockers after surgery, to do away with stomach acids. So nothing really makes total sense to me. My long term goal is to eat healthy (including healthy carbs) and hope that this all works out for the best!

So glad we have a little group going! Its amazing how many are having to do the serious low carb thing. I've been there done that, got the shirt. I'm excited to just enjoy the fruits and whatever else may come along in life. I certainly pay attention to what I eat but right now I *may* have 3 things a day so I' not journaling because I can do the math in my head (from my WW days, I got used to adding as I went). So far so good!

I am now 17 months out and at goal. I lost 135 pounds and never stalled. At first weight loss was faster the first 6 months and then slowed a lot. I never restricted my carb intake. However I always strove for Protein first to maximize it. At first 60g per day to now at least 90g. Also after the first 3-4 months I got my calories up to 1300 so that is another reason I think I never stalled. My diet is usually 40-50% from fat, 30-40% from carb and 30% Protein. I have at least 100g carb a day.
I do pick good carbs though and I eat more now at goal than I did Before. In the beginning I ate hardly any fruit but yesterday I had 2 peaches in one day!
My focus has always been protein first and keep SUGAR not overall carbs low. I try to keep added sugar grams under 30 a day. That means I don't have to count peach sugar only sugar added to food which usually is in processed and bakery type foods. Sugar which is half fructose gets stored in the liver and eventually goes to fat. The other half is glucose and cells can use that more easily. I am also one of the rare sleevers who can't eat much of high sugar food like ice cream and too many Cookies or brownies or I get dumping syndrome.
I NEVER worry about fat grams either but I don't go out of my way to eat bacon and butter either!
I also made a pact with myself that I can eat anything I want as long as I track every bite. I have tracked my meals in myfitnesspal for 535 days straight so far. So I have never felt deprived.
Now the low carb diet works for a lot of people and they love it. But it's not for me. I am sure I ate less bread and fruit in the beginning but as I progress I add it in and track it. But the key is to find what works for you and treat your body as the individual it is. What works for some won't work for all!

Well you have to remember that everyone is different! Some docs let people eat puree food in the hospital! Mine had a strict 10 10 10 plany. I was on clear liquid 10 days, then liquids 10 days, then puree 10 days. then soft 10 days before having regular food. So I lost pretty quick at first. I don't work out a ton because I KNOW my body and if I work out all the time I actually stall easily unless I up my calories which I dont want to do right now. Eventually if I'm down to not losing anything, I'll kick up the working out a bit, try to get extra Protein in and lift some weights.
I'm not hungry - like ever. So its very easy for me not to eat much. I have to remind myself to eat a lot of the time! I wouldn't eat a cruissant by itself. I always always take a bite of whatever it is I want - exactly the way it was made - FIRST. So if its a burger I want I'll take a bite, bun and everything first. Then after that I'll pick at the meat and try to get the rest of the Protein out. That way I don't feel deprived, mostly getting meat in and can enjoy what I want but being concious about protein. It seems to be working great.
So don't be discouraged. I've gained and lost these 60 pounds or so just about every year for the last 3. So my body doesn't have a bad set point - which can be hard to get past.
I also drink as much Water as I can. Most days I'm only able to get in a liter, sometimes I can do 2.
Figure out a method that works for you! If you want a crouissant, get a turkey croissant sandwich. Take your first bite all nice and yummy. Then pick out the meat and eat that. I don't often have carbs by itself (though I did have a few cheese nips tonight - not gonna lie. lol but its a slider so I'm VERY careful about quantity).

You started out at a lower weight as well. :-) I think you're doing great!

thanks for the encouraging words! i used to NEVER care about numbers, ie: calories, carbs, weight, pounds, sizes, etc. i was fat and unhappy and just ate and ate.
now it seems that i'm looking at weight, sizes, time frames, ounces (servings), etc. i just don't want to screw this up and very much need to stay motivated!

I use the Mio squirts and it does help. I was an avid Water drinker pre-op and now it's much harder to get it in. I just try to keep it cold and flavored and always have a full cup when I'm leaving the house.

I met with a nurse today (having surgery next week!). She said "average" for the first month is 5-10 lbs....BUT then she said most people she sees far exceed that the first month. So...it is JUST averages. Don't get discouraged.

Injury chicken broth 20 grams of Protein actually taste good get it at injury.com tuna packed in Water 17 grams

Really good responses, sleevers.
I went back to emotional eating yesterday when my emotionally immature ex-son-in-law was verbally abusing my sweet 10 year old granddaughter. The clash between my protective instincts which would like too....you know, and rational common sense is like continents colliding. I am an emotional man, more so as I age. After a 1 pound drop earlier in the day I gained 2 back today.
I recognize what I did. I am back to my senses. I think the trick is to stop it early before it becomes a trend.

You might not be eating much in terms of calories or carbs, but it sounds like you are drinking them. If you are going to quit or greatly reduce the drinking this should help. But, like others have said- go back to the basics to start out. You should start to see results just in doing that and then you might get motivated to start incorporating even some basic exercise a few times a week, even if its just taking brisk walks in the evening.
You can do this. I actually gained 12# when I was on my trip to Europe just recently. I went over there knowing this would be likely. It wasn't that I planned on it really, but I also was planning to experience all that I could including different types of foods because this was my first trip outside the states and I have no idea when I will get to go again. I have no regrets honestly. First, it's a great feeling knowing that even if I "fall off the wagon", that I can hop right back on and do what needs to be done. Since I'm so close to my final goal, this is comforting knowing that maintenance is just around the corner. I've already taken all but 3 of those # off now by getting back to the basics and pumping up the exercise. Just remember how motivating it felt when you saw progress in weight loss and inches lost.

Don't be too hard on yourself, you have realized your mistakes and plan on changing them. I have occasionally noticed small slips back in the wrong direction but as long as I catch them and stop them everything is fine. I know how frustrating stalls are, I had a pretty big one but even as my weight was not budging I was fitting smaller clothes. Try not to concentrate on the number, its hard I know, I have struggled bad with that. Just get yourself back on track and the pounds will come off. Just concentrate on getting your Protein and avoiding as many processed carbs as you can. Also if your eating everything right and still not losing, this may not be the advice most people would give but what has worked for me if I see my weight loss slow is up my Water but also my calories by about 200 calories for a few days, it seems to kick start my weight loss again... weird I know.

I never went into this journey blind. I knew this was just a tool to help me with this life long struggle of losing weight. but i have fallen back into the same old pattern. The only difference is i cant eat much. i dont eat alot of bread or those kind of carbs veggies make me extremely gassy even though i was blaming bread im nvr thirst so i have a hard time drinking Water. i still can drink alcohol like i used to which i plan to give up starting tomorrow so that i can get this back on track. what through me off is the stall i have been in for a long time. i cant shake it. but now i have even gained 4 pounds. what the heck. the once a week that i do have a beer or two or more you wouldnt think would stop my weightloss. the carbs i dont eat you think would help but it aint. the most i might consume for calories is 1000 cals. that if i am eating bread or candy or crap like that. im frustrated im disappointed. i dont know what to do with myself. and the slips with the food or the drinkin is all cause im disappointed. I think i am gonna try boot camp and see where i go from there because i cannot handle this. this feels worse than when i would diet before. except before i know i consumed to many calories. where now i aint even eating 1/4 of them and still no loss.grrrr. anyone else experience an almost 2 month stall? my weight has maybe changed by 2 lbs in the last month or 2. i still have 90lbs to lose before my goal and i am almost 5months out and still only down 42lbs. HELP

David Stamps has a variety of DVD's with exercises that can be done sitting in a chair. In addition to Exercises for the Bedridden and Physically Challenged, he has Chair Aerobics, Chair Boxing, Chair Salsa, Chair Belly dance, Chair Circuit training, Chair Thai Chi and Chair Yoga. I have most of those and would give them an A+. I have a Zumba series but don't use it much because there is a lot of knee and ankle twisting involved.

[sharedmedia=trackers:tickers:16849] Happy Wednesday!!
O.k., anyone have any suggestions for beginner Zumba DVD workouts? Not only am I obese, but I have a bad ankle. Oh, and I have almost no rhythm in me, but I do need a cardio workout.
While I was searching for recipes on the internet, I found this great blog -- "The World According to Eggface". Shelly was heavy most of her life, and had her RNY surgery in 2006 after her father passed away. Her blog is very touching, funny, educational, and she has a great collection of post surgery recipes and food ideas. I love reading her updates.

All meals should include Protein first. That is number 1. Two you need at least 1000-1200 calories a day. Your body will stop losing if it feels threatened at all. ( she's starving me so I will store food ) Water 64 oz.
The fact that you are losing is a positive right. Comparing yourself to others is only going to discourage you and sabotage yourself.
Take 2 lbs. of butter and put it on the table. Pick it up with one hand and feel how much it actually weighs. you will be surprised you carried that extra weight.
Take 26 lbs of butter and put them on the table and try to lift that. You need to step back and think am I like everyone else. Does my body react like everyone else's. The answer is no! We are all different in makeup and back ground and genes and circumstances.
Keep up the exercises and keep your goals ahead of you. This is not a race..This is a lifetime battle and although we can encourage and help each other. Your journey is different then mine! okay

Hey Lovely People!

I was doing a little research last night (the Lawyer in me ) And, I came across this AMAZING offer where you can get a FREE 3 Month Supply of Post OP Vitamins!

For All the DEETS Click on Groups and Check out the New Group I just started: Free Stuff for Anyone Pre OP/Post OP

The scheduling coordinator at my surgeons office just faxed over my form! *Fingers Crossed*

Please post feedback about how this worked out for you!

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I will continue to post free offers daily so please join my group so you can stay informed!

xoxo

~BeenGym'N

Getting sleeved is not a magical solution to weight loss -- it's a tool -- a great tool to get you to change your eating habits, from huge portions to smaller portions, from bad foods that are not good for you to healthy foods and make a lifestyle change. It's a "forever" lifestyle people! When you get sleeved and lose all this weight so soon it's a huge incentive to want to stay this way, lighter and healthier so you use that "tool" which was your WLS to stay eating right for life. Your mind will still want the huge portions and the food that's not healthy for you but it's up to you to say to your mind, nope, I went through surgery, I lost all this weight, I will keep being good and keep the weight off and stay healthy and happy and fit!
I'll tell you from my own experience, I've lost 50 lbs, I still have about 35 more to go and I will never gain the weight back. I love how I feel, how I look, how others praise me all the time, and yes it's not easy and yes the wanting all the bad foods is still there but I will fight it endlessly and continue to enjoy the new me!
Good luck to us all... let's fight this and stay healthy!

Personally, I don't get dumping syndrome. I still have my appetite and cravings for sugar. I also don't seem to have any problems eating bread, rice or potatoes. If I let myself, I could definitely gain the weight back. I have to work hard not to eat that stuff and exercise to stay healthy.