Inner Surfer Girl

I just ran across this recipe and it reminded me that I haven't eaten ricotta cheese in a while. I made Shelly's Ricotta Bake not long after surgery but that was it. I will have to try this. It also, looks like a great option for people who need something to take to a potluck. http://leitesculinaria.com/84915/recipes-baked-ricotta.html How do you like to use ricotta cheese?

Your correct, that was the answer to the question So, what is your protein target? How much protein are you eating every day? The answer I am looking for would have very specific numbers. My answer is: my protein target is 100 grams a day. I get at least 100 grams every day.

Sounds like you may be on to something. You have a great attitude. Just take care of yourself, be open and friendly, and do your thing. Their loss.

I swim: laps, Water aerobics, etc. As soon as I was cleared to get in the water I have been in the pool.

I would suggest you give your NUTs suggestion a try. Upping your calories doesn't automatically mean you up your carbs. You can eat more Protein and/or fats. Also, not all carbs are equal. Try upping your complex carbs (vegetables, whole grains). Starches are what I try to avoid. I know it sounds counterintuitive, but eating more may be exactly what your body needs. If following your NUTS advice or suggestion inspires so much fear, you may want to consider talking to a counselor or therapist about why that is so. Keep us posted on how you are doing.

Wether or not it is fried, 3-5 small shrimp are not that dense. Track it in your tracker and move on. For me, the thought of fried anything doesn't appeal to me at all, but I love grilled shrimp. It is helpful to look at your choices in context and not as black or white/good or bad.

How are you traveling (driving, flying, train, other)? Where are you staying (hotel, etc.)?

I am so sorry you aren't getting the results you want. Without more specifics and information about what you are doing it is hard to offer suggestions. How far out are you after surgery? What is your Protein target? Are you tracking, weighing, and measuring your food? Are you reaching your protein target every day? Are you getting at least 64 oz of Fluid? Are you avoiding starches and added sugar? Are you taking your Vitamins and supplements as instructed? Let us know what doing everything your doctor told you means and hopefully we can offer some ideas. Surgery done on Feb 8. And I do everything from portions to avoiding to all my Proteins and vitamins, I'm in the mushy stage an I can't eat because I'm not even hungry just thirsty I went back to reread your response. You HAVE to eat, even if you don't feel hungry. You HAVE to get in enough protein and fluid so you can heal. Losing weight will happen, but is a secondary goal right now to getting enough nutrition so you can heal from surgery and function.

You are only drinking one Protein shake and some Beans? Did I read that correctly? What is your protein target? I don't see where you responded to that question. Are you reaching your protein target every day?

Do I think someone who is 19 years old can be successful with this surgery? Absolutely. Do I think it will be easy? No. I am trying to look back at the person I was at 19. I think at that age there are different challenges than those I have at 51. For me, the years of therapy, grappling with eating issues, and general life lessons have helped me tremendously. Some of the keys to success for this process are things I have been working toward and learning over a lifetime such as: patience, polite persistence, perseverance, resourcefulness, and positivity. I do think that if you go into this experience with an open mind, an insatiable thirst to learn as much as you can, a willingness to ask for and accept help and guidance from your medical team, and the courage to try to do everything you are asked to do, even if you think you can't, you will do really well. Please know that the surgeon only operates on our digestive tract and not our brains, so you still need to do a lot of work unlearning old and relearning new habits, behaviors, and ways of thinking. There is a lot of inside work to be done. This site is a great resource for support, information, inspiration, and encouragement. In addition to participating on this site, I encourage you to look for other resources like: a counselor or therapist, a bariatric support, and/or a 12-step recovery group like OK. I also encourage you to read a lot (a good book to start with are: Eat it Up by Connie Stapleton). Keep us posted on your journey.

None of us lose at a constant or steady rate. Most of us experience our first stall about three weeks after surgery. It's a normal, natural, and necessary part of the process. Just follow your program and make sure you get in all of your Protein and fluids. Embrace the Stall! http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

I am so sorry you aren't getting the results you want. Without more specifics and information about what you are doing it is hard to offer suggestions. How far out are you after surgery? What is your Protein target? Are you tracking, weighing, and measuring your food? Are you reaching your protein target every day? Are you getting at least 64 oz of Fluid? Are you avoiding starches and added sugar? Are you taking your Vitamins and supplements as instructed? Let us know what doing everything your doctor told you means and hopefully we can offer some ideas.

According to my surgeon, my protein target is for life. It is not reduced when I lose weight.

Stalls are a normal, natural, and necessary part of the process of losing weight. None of us lose at a constant or steady rate and most people experience their first stall about three weeks post-op. That said, it doesn't sound like you are eating enough. Your primary focus should be teaching your Protein and Fluid targets EVERY DAY. Don't listen to your old pre-op diet tape that says when you hit a stall you need to starve yourself. It may seem counterintuitive, but that is the worst thing you can do, You have to get in your protein and fluid in order to heal and to lose weight. Embrace the Stall! http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

Bless her heart.

I would suggest you use MyFitnessPal or another tracker (or just a pen and paper) to track your food every day and not just for a week. Without tracking how would you know whether or not you are reaching your Protein targets? I can't accurately remember what I did 10 minutes ago let alone what ate 3 hours ago. Tracking my food is one of my biggest critical success factors. Without tracking, I wouldn't have accurate information to help me make any decisions or adjustments. I would just be guessing. I would suggest you use MyFitnessPal or another tracker (or just a pen and paper) to track your food every day and not just for a week. Without tracking how would you know whether or not you are reaching your protein targets? I can't accurately remember what I did 10 minutes ago let alone what ate 3 hours ago. Tracking my food is one of my biggest critical success factors. Without tracking, I wouldn't have accurate information to help me make any decisions or adjustments. I would just be guessing.

Congratulations! It is so awesome to hear the confidence, excitement, and enthusiasm in your post. You have accomplished a tremendous amount in the last year and that isn't even counting the weight loss. Thank you for sharing your story. You are an inspiration.

Congratulation! You look marvelous!

What is your protein target? 70-75 grams seems low. In addition to your blood pressure and labs, you might want to talk to your NUT about your protein target. You may not be getting enough, especially if you are working out a lot,

Congratulations and welcome to the forum! It's so great that you have your daughter to support you in your journey. Keep us posted on how you are doing.

Decades ago, when I last wore jeans, I had the best luck with Lee Jeans. I used to always have the issue of larger hips vs. narrower waist. I am sure a lot has changed but you might want to give them a try.

Only you can decide if this is for you. One thing you can do is make a list of all the risks/drawbacks to having surgery, and all of the risks/drawbacks to not having surgery. Then make a list of all the benefits of having surgery and a list of all the benefits to not having surgery. What do you see your life looking like in 5-10 years if you don't have surgery and what could your life look like if you do? Keep asking questions, reading, and researching until you are at peace with your decision. You don't have to decide everything right now. By the way, I was sleeved April 20, 2015 and have vomited once and I don't think it had anything to do with my sleeve.

Do they live near you? If so, one thing you can do is to invite one or both of them to attend some of your appointments or nutrition classes with you.

Listen to your NUT. You most likely didn't do any damage but you did get to experience first-hand what can happen when you go off plan. Most of the guidelines are provided based on other people's experience. They give us pretty detailed guidelines so we don't have to repeat the same mistakes.

No, I haven't but would be curious to know how you like it. Some of the things I did to prepare for surgery: Weaned myself off of carbonation. Weaned myself off of caffeine. Worked up to exercising 60 minutes a day. Increased my Water consumption, aiming for at least 64 oz of water a day. Practiced mindful eating/eating slowly. Tried to eat more fresh whole fruits and vegetables, especially vegetables. Started paying more attention to Protein. Tried some different protein supplements. Started collecting post-op supplies. Read and learned as much as I could. Journaled. Updated my will and prepared a living will. I didn't really have major food funerals, but if I had something I tried to make sure it was quality. Best of luck with your surgery,