BLERDgirl

I food log not only to look at Protein and calories, I look at the macros as well. Because of the severity of my food allergies I need to keep track of my food. Also monitor my carbs and sodium levels. Your program may want you to food log for at least the first 6 mnths. By then most people figure what works best for them.

First of all I talked to my nutritionist. I wanted to make sure she was aware that I was vegetarian and allergic to artificial sweeteners and stevia. I think did my homework. I spent 2 weeks reading and searching for Protein powders. I didn't eat jello or popsicles. The first 2 weeks I was on full liquids. I did a lot of FAGE 0% greek yogurt. I would mix it in the nutra bullet with Protein powder. I finally settled on Isopure unflavored. It's 100% whey isolate. No coloring's or sugars added. I also added cacao powder or ½ tbsp almond butter to my shakes. I also used vegetable broth. I pureed black Beans, strained the skins and thinned it out with veg broth. I drank organic Kefir. In the hospital I was given Pro-Source no carb. I mixed that with herbal tea first thing in the morning. I did use CVS whey protein powder for a bit. It has sucrolose in it. (Generic splenda) I didn't have too much of a reaction to it, but I switched to the Isopure since that mixes with hot or cold. I drank mostly water. Some very diluted apple juice. I found that I did better with lots of ice.

My advice is don't over think it. It's really not that big of a deal. Dinners are super easy. A soft scrambled egg with cheese, yogurt, or a Cereal like oatmeal or grits. Buffets/salad bars - again super easy. Just get what you can eat. Don't worry about what other people will think. That's a mind game that you really don't need. Sit down restaurant just order a Protein and get a doggy bag. I eat out just as much as I used to before surgery and have since around 4 -6 weeks post-op. I just have more doggy bags. Keep in mind you are going to hang with friends.

Did you husband attend the seminars with you? Honestly, would you be considering surgery of you could have done this on your own? You will keep it off because the surgical changes make it nearly impossible to over eat. You lose because you have to relearn how to eat an nourish your body. The jumpstart from this surgery is far different than any diet will ever be. I honestly did not care what anyone thought. I as doing this for me. It's a serious surgery and comes with the same risk most surgeries come with, but it's a fairly routine procedure. I had an easier time recovering from this than when I had my hysterectomy 10 years ago and when I had my meniscus repair. Take your husband to the appointments. If there are support groups in your area, encourage him to attend with you. Now there's a chance that your husband may never be okay with this. The question then becomes if you can do this knowing he's not comfortable with it. That's a decision you have to make for yourself.

It really depends on you. I am a food logger. I have been more or less using a food diary for the past 4 year. However I am not married to my food diary. After a while you have an ideal of what you can and cannot eat. I actually log in for the day first thing in the morning. If I am going out to eat and it's somewhere I'm unsure of, I just eat light for most of the day. If a surprise comes up or something unexpected, I just use common sense. Friend spontaneously decided to go for ice cream? I make a choice. I may go and get a kid's size, I may go and just get a drink of Water and not have any, I may have a kid's sized sorbet instead. I may split with someone, take one or two bites and be done. If I go over one day, it's not a big deal. I just don;t go over every day. Food logging just works for me. Moreso than weighing myself. My life isn't centered around food in that I am obsessed with every bit I put in my mouth, but I don't think we can afford to pretend we don't have to watch what we eat.

I don't eat them. It's a bit more challenging but you don't have to eat artificial foods. I am allergic to most artificial sweeteners and stevia. I also don't do well with processed foods. I don't eat them. I cook from scratch. I use Isopure unflavored Protein powder. I can be mixed in juice, coffee, tea, Soup, you name it. I do not eat diet foods of any kind. I try no to buy anything that has more than 10 ingredients or reads like a science project. I and 6mths and I have lost 75lbs since the day of surgery.

Why not meet for coffee/tea? You don't have to eat.

I'd have to disagree with this. I was never a big eater. I was a very disordered eater. I could literally go all day without eating, then eat dinner and be fine. Other days I could live off coffee. Things started to change for me when I seriously looked at my diet and living habits. I changed how I was eating and literally forced myself to eat 3 meals a day. I also cut out processed foods and artificial sweeteners. Even then I often struggled to eat 900 calories most days. Still I needed the sleeve to jumpstart my weight loss. The sleeve will work for anyone who works with it. I have nothing against bypass, but not everyone wants that. It does not matter if you are a high or low volume eater. It matter that you are willing to follow the program and make the necessary changes in order to be successful.

Get your fluids in. Do it anyway you can. I personally don't like additives, but if that helps you need to do it ASAP. Are you taking any vitamins/ supplements? Not every doctor prescribes B12 but mine did and it helped. Lastly and this is going to sound off, exercise. Nothing strenuous but try taking a 15 -20 minute walk. I always feel more energized after working out. Some seem to feel it's the endorphins secreted.

Honey you need a good fart or two. Push yourself to walk. Also when in the bed do arm raises as if you were lifting dumb bells. If you can ease up on the amount of pain meds you take, it will make you more alert and less sleepy. You've got to move to get that gas out.

There really isn't any typical. Some folks are slow losers, some are fast. Some stop and start with big losses then small. Sounds like you are doing well. Don't compare yourself to others, it will drive you nuts.

You case is not unusual. In fact if you did a search on the forums for "stalls", "plateaus", "surgery fail", "no weigh loss" or any other variation you would find many posts citing similar experiences. You just had major surgery and you body is re-calibrating and adjusting to multiple changes. The weight will indeed come off. Be patient. Follow you program. Protein first, then veg. and get in all your fluids/water. Exercise or at least walk for 30 minutes a day. Pretty much everyone here has gone through a zillion and one fad diets, gaining an regaining. Welcome to the forums.

Talk to your nutritionist. Goals/nutrition needs will vary not only program to program, but also for men vs women. For the record you are eating what I probably couldn't eat until about 4 weeks out. Even at 6 mths my calories are probably lower than most. That is an odd requirement. I have always eaten yogurt. If my nutritionist told me that we would have to have a really long conversation. I agree, I prefer Fage as a dessert over a pudding with artificial ingredients and fake sugar any day of the week.

I went out as soon as I was allowed regular foods. I went to iHop and ordered an omelet cooked soft. Since then I have been out numerous times with various friends. Remember the purpose of a social dinner is to socialize. No one really cares what you eat unless you make a big deal about it. Don't act like you did something to be ashamed of by taking care of your health. Go out and enjoy life.

I think it will take normalizing the surgical process to do that. I didn't have anything remotely like what the OP has in her procure. Both at the seminar and during my meetings with nutritionist & psychologist they talked about emotional eating. Part of what they share in the support groups almost always deals with the external factors that play into weight gain.

My doctor was very proactive. I was started on stool softeners in the hospital. I had a BM on my 3 day home ( 5 days post -op). I was on stool softeners for 30 days post-op. Once I had that initial BM I went at least once a day. I have been regular since and don't need any supplements to assist.

@@lloyd408 Start drinking Water. Every time you think you are hungry, drink a glass of water first. Even though I didn't have a pre-op diet I was made aware of the dangers of a fatty liver. I just started cutting back. I focused on increasing my Protein.

The physical sensation may not come for a few months. Mine is a burp. In these early days just stick the eating the amounts recommended by your nutritionist. For some that's a ¼ cup, others a bit more.

@@Hertsukfem31 - Why would you be eating ice cream?

You may not at first. Liquids don't fill some people up. Drink/eat the recommended amount by your nutritionist and stop. Don't keep searching for that full feeling. Most people will feel some restriction once they move to purees and then to soft foods.

It will vary depending on your program. I've seen some people only recommended to take a multi Vitamin. Others have a several. I was instructed to take: multi AM/PM D3 AM calcium citrate AM/PM (separate from multi by at least 2 hours) B12 Every other day, now once a week. I also take Biotin and ZyrtecD I just timed it. I take my AM pills with my morning drink of Water. I keep the calcium in my bag and take them after my morning workout. I take B12 on Sundays. 2nd calcium before dinner. The PM pills before bed.

Pre-admission testing typically isn't a big deal. Most times it's just bloodwork and reviewing what will happen day of surgery, where to go etc... No need to be nervous.

No pre-op diet. Surgery was a breeze. No complications, zero pain. 6 mths later and I'm 75lbs down and counting.

They can be pretty high in fat. However 1 ounce as an occasional snack, won't hurt. PB (nut butters) were allowed on my program from day 1. I could add ½ to 1 tbsp to my Protein shakes during my all liquid phase.

I agree. There have been people who have decided not to have surgery on this forum before. I recall a gentleman from NJ on here a while back. The difference was he was able to articulate why he had decided no to go forward in a manner that lead to discussion. He wasn't defensive and rude to those who asked him why he was no longer going forward with it. It also helped that he didn't imply that everyone who does this is ridiculous. Anyway, like I said in my initial post, I wish the OP well. Fighting the battle of the bulge is not an easy process. We all have to find out own way.