Inner Surfer Girl

Embrace the Stall http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

One of my life goals is to live like a Parisian and be able to whip up something simple, delicious, nutritious, and elegant just because I am worth it. I am getting closer to that ideal!

Why in the world do you need to tell her anything other than you need some time off for medical reasons.

Congratulations on the weight loss. You have done very well. I am sorry for the job loss. Believe it or not, even though you are going through a rough patch right now, someday soon you will be able to look back on this time and see a blessing in disguise. Are you currently job hunting? Sometimes for me, taking baby steps in a positive direction is all it takes. Are you seeing a counselor or therapist? Are you attending a bariatric support group? Have you considered attending Overeaters anonymous or similar meetings? Do you belong to a gym or fitness center? Get out your calendar for this week and make plans to attend an exercise or other class (check your local library or other community center for free classes -- fitness, art, career, or something else that is interesting to you), make an appointment with your NUT, and plan to attend a support group meeting. In the meantime, go back to basics. Track your food, make sure you are getting in all of your Protein and fluids, avoid starches, added sugars, and fried foods, eat mindfully, and take your Vitamins and supplements as instructed. Have you talked to your PCP about your depression? Keep us posted on how you are doing.

Your surgeon's office should have given you a 24-hour phone number. I highly suggest you use it. It sounds like you need to have your surgeon (or PA) look at your incision and to have a serious talk with your NUT. If they have a psychologist on staff please make an appointment with him or her as soon as possible. If not, see if you can get a referral to someone who is experienced working with bariatric patients. You have got to get on your Protein and fluids. You need both for healing.

I am single, live alone, and have a very small kitchen. I do cook more now than I did pre-op but still live on a lot of easy things like yogurt, cottage cheese, turkey, tuna, etc. I have started grilling more vegetables in my toaster oven. Add a Protein to some grilled vegetables and it's a feast!

Have you tried swimming? If it weren't for the pool, I would get very little exercise. The water is so much easier on the joints, etc.

If you like orange cream, then try the GNC Lean 25 in orange cream. It has 25 grams of protein. Those numbers on Herbalife look lousy.

I have been following your difficulties and challenges with concern and certainly understand where you are coming from in this post. I truly hope that in a year's time I will be able to read a post from you where you have fully recovered from your complications and have been able to enjoy some success.

Hi Kyle, As to the issue of not wanting to eat. In my opinion, getting in enough nutrition (especially Protein, Fluid, vitamins) is going to be critical in combatting fatigue. Have you talked to your NUT about your challenges and goals? How much protein are you getting? What is your protein target? Are you eating enough protein right before and right after your workout? Are you staying hydrated? My exercise of choice is swimming. It can be a great full body exercise. I swim laps, take occasional Water aerobics classes, do water weights/calisthenics, and stretch in the water. Do you have a personal trainer at your gym? A personal trainer could help you design a good routine/circuit. We had a physical trainer come to a recent bariatric support group and he even offered to provide individual advice. Does your bariatric program have a trainer that they work?

Sending hugs your way. First, I am so sorry for the loss of your friend. That has got to be devastating for anyone. Second, congratulations on your weight loss. Even though you have recently gained, you are not where you started and have made a tremendous amount of progress, even with some setbacks. I started at a much higher weight than you and I was sleeved. I think the right surgery for you is what you and your surgeon decide is right for you at the time. Second guessing that decision after the fact doesn't seem very productive in my opinion. I am so glad you have an appointment with a therapist. I am a huge believer in using all of my resources. Therapy can be a significant resource, especially if you can find a good therapist who is right for you. Support groups can also be tremendously helpful, even if individuals in the support group may not be that helpful. Hopefully, the group process will help you sort through the advice to find what is helpful for you. You might also want to consider attending Overeater's Anonymous (or AA) meetings. You can find meeting lists, podcasts, and other resources online at OA.org. When it comes to learning to cope with life on life's terms, OA can be a great resource. Have you met with your NUT lately? If not, why not make an appointment to talk about your goals and challenges? Do you journal? Journaling can be a powerful tool, especially in conjunction with therapy and/or 12-step recovery. Have you considered grief counseling? My old church had an excellent grief counseling program. You may want to consider something similar in your community. Unfortunately, especially as we get older, grief is something we all experience at varying degrees and at varying times throughout out lives. In the meantime, try going back to basics. Track your food, focus on getting in your Protein and fluids, take your Vitamins and supplements as instructed, avoid starches, added sugars, and fried foods, practice eating mindfully, exercise (it is great you are getting back on the treadmill if that works for you, you may also want to look for ways to add extra movement to your day). Also, we are here for you! Keep us posted on how you are doing.

ISG, to us or to him? To us. Who cares about him!

I have dark reddish brown hair. My plan is to straighten it and then put some big curls in it and pin up the sides. I will be practicing this weekend. After all this I will post a picture from the wedding You better send a picture!

How are you doing at getting in all of your Protein and fluids? If you don't weigh and measure your food how do you know whether or not you are reaching your protein target? For me, tracking my food (I use MyFitnessPal) is critical to knowing that I am meeting my targets.

Try it. I was able to take pills the day after surgery without a problem.

My surgeon requires self payers to obtain BLIS insurance. It covers complications and is offered through the bariatric practice.

My surgeon says the opposite; most people don't eat enough protein. My protein target is 100 grams (all men and women who start out with a BMI of over 50). Women who start out under a BMI 50 have a target of 80 grams. Did/does your protein target change to 80 at below 50? Just curious. Nope. It never changes down. His reasoning is that with less protein, my body/brain reads reduced protein as a famine.

By the way, are you taking a PPI? Stomach acid can mimic hunger. Are you getting enough fluids? The feeling of hunger can really be dehydration/thirst. Are you getting in all of your Protein? If not, you may really be hungry.

My surgeon says the opposite; most people don't eat enough protein. My protein target is 100 grams (all men and women who start out with a BMI of over 50). Women who start out under a BMI 50 have a target of 80 grams.

The Hibiclens is for use pre-op.

What is normal is to have a bit of buyers remorse right after surgery. You are uncomfortable, still healing, probably dehydrated, and experiencing major adjustments. I highly recommend that you stay off the scale, focus on getting in all of your Protein and fluids, rest and give yourself time to heal, and be gentle with yourself. You just had major surgery. Whether or not you think you needed the surgery, you had it so making up your mind to make the most of your tool is really the only way forward (in my opinion). Keep us posted on how you are doing.

My second week was full liquids and my third week was soft foods.

What is the carb count on Herbalife? I have never seen one that is bariatric friendly.

I love it when people ask for medical advice on a chat board.

Have you considered attending Overeaters Anonymous? You can find meeting lists, podcasts, and other resources online at OA.org.