Sullie06

Atkins has a pretty good protein water/drink that I was able to tolerate much better than then shakes during the early stages.

Try protein water. I drank the Atkins Lift personally and it was the only way I could get my protein in and it counts toward liquid count. I know there are a couple other brands that make a water as well and GNC has an iced tea protein drink.

I was allowed ground beef per my plan if it set well with me and it did. I made this twice with meat in my mushy/soft solid phase. One time I added ground beef and another time I added canned shredded chicken.

Stalls are not only completely normal but part of the process. It will pass, just keep with it. Stalling around 3 weeks happens to many many people. It happened to me and I had the same feelings you all are feeling. I'm now 9 months out and 80 pounds down from surgery (110 total). I really like the Atkins products. They have a protein water, called Lift Protein that comes in 3 flavors and they aren't overly sweet. They also have the best shakes in my opinion. The strawberry tastes like strawberry milk. Early on I went with chicken salad, tuna fish, cheese and eggs to get much of my protein. It gets easier as you progress so you just have to try and get as much as you possibly can.

I pop my own. Then I can control what I'm putting on it or in it. I get kernels and either air pop it or use a little coconut oil and pop it on the stove.

I love the products Atkins makes. I could not stomach shakes for a couple months after surgery so I drink the Atkins Lift Protein drinks. They were not bad tasting and the texture didn't make me gag. Now that I'm further out shakes are in my diet again and I really like the Atkins ones and I think I tried them all! They have two different versions, 11 ounce ones with 15grams of protein and now they carry 16oz meal replacement shakes with a higher protein count (I believe 25 grams). I actually like all of the Atkins products. They are low carb, mostly low sugar and have really good flavors. They have treats/snacks, shakes and bars.

Strained soups were considered full liquids for me which was technically phase 2. Clear (3 days), Full (1.5 weeks), Pureed(2-3 weeks), Soft Solids(4-5 weeks), Regular (8+ weeks on) is how my diet went.

It sounds to me like you need more Calories. My NUT said at this point, almost 10 months post op, I should be averaging right around1200 calories a day.

It feels great doesn't it. I'm current 15ish pounds from goal (I keep bouncing up and down 2 pounds). It's hard to believe that I was ever that big but hard to believe it's possible my weight starts with a 1 as well

My doctor assured me it was hormones. It was very similar to the mood swings I had when I was pregnant and at 9.5 months post op I still get weepy super easily.

I love hearing stories from posters who are years out and maintaining. It's nice to get a glimpse into the way life will look long-term though everyone is different. I'm currently almost 10 months post op, 79 pounds down from surgery (109 total) and have been in a weird pattern for about 2 months. I got the stomach bug back in mid August and it messed with my weight loss. I lost 10 pounds in one day, which was mostly fluids but then I put 8 back on slowly over about a week and then had to lost that 8 again over about 3-4 weeks. I've been maintaining the same weight now for 2 weeks. I know I will get there eventually but it's good to hear about other slow losers and that our 1 year isn't the end of possible loss.

You look amazing! I had my sleeve 12/30/16 so we are almost surgery buddies. I can't believe it's coming up on a year already.

Depending how far you are out you can eat popcorn. I pop my own, on the stove and just put a little salt on it.

I bounce between sizes now that I'm a straight size so I only keep the sizes I'm currently in. For example I'm currently a 12/14 depending on brands so I just packaged all of my 16s up and gave them away. Knowing I have nothing to wear if I gain weight allows me to be more diligent that I'm making good choices. I've gone from a tight 22 to a 12/14 in 9 months and I never want to go back.

I'm not sure if you weighed yourself before and after surgery but you might have gained some weight from all the fluids they give you during and directly after surgery. You are probably losing inches even if the scale isn't' moving yet and it will move trust me.

You are likely losing inches even if the scale isn't moving which was a big thing for me. There were periods when the scale didn't move for weeks but I went down a whole size or two. If you stick with it and follow your plan it will happen. Make sure you are getting as close to your protein goal as possible and really hit the fluids.

Congrats on your surgery. I hope your journey is a smooth one. This is by far the best decision I've ever made.

The problem with this is everyone really does lose at their own pace. I'm a slow loser and I lose in clumps, as in I will stall for weeks and then lose a whole lot at one time. My surgeon always gives me a hard time (I've lost 79 pounds in 9 months post op) asking "why are you not losing more" or reminding me I'm still obese or overweight according to my BMI. However my NUT and even the nurses at the surgeons office always comment how great I'm doing so I chose to keep moving and keep what my surgeon says at bay. I'm the lightest I've ever been in my adult lift, I have no co-morbidities now so in my eyes, this was success already.

I don't have help with the breastfeeding as my children were formula fed. I have a 2 and 4 year old so I know how tiring it can be taking care of kids post surgery. Mine were 1 and 3 when I had my surgery. The hardest part for sure was feeding my kids when I was on the liquid-pureed diet but it does get easier. We joke now that my kids eat larger portions than me but they love their new, more active mommy.

I was eating about 900-1000 at about 3 months out and now eat around 1100-1300 calories depending on the day.

I'm 9.5 months post op and about 15 pounds from my surgeons goal. I would say things begin to really go back to normal for me around 12 weeks. At that point I could eat all foods, I hand a handle on what and how much I should eat and I was starting to feel comfortable in my new body and mind. I know this is an old post but the issues with eating out really hit home because in the early days I thought I would never feel normal again. I was wrong. I go out all the time now. Some of my friends know I had surgery, some just think I did it with diet and exercise. I feel more normal than ever going out now. Like many of my girlfriends I actually have food to take home. I can eat about 4-6 ounces per meal depending on what I eat. I move my food around my plate a lot too so people just assume I'm eating more than I am I think. My friends hubby actually said the other day "You eat the normal portion, that's what I should be eating" when we were on a double date at a hibachi restaurant and I was the only one with leftovers.

My team said to wait until 6 months post op. I've had a couple glasses of wine since then and a cocktail or two at special events. I don't drink on a regular basis but have been to a couple weddings so I did have a glass of wine or cocktail in those instances.

I actually like the Wheat Thin Cracker Chips when I'm feeling a little crunch. The veggie one is really good. I usually eat about 6 or so with some cheese for a snack.

I use facebook yard sale sites. I've sold a lot of my dress clothing on the local plus sized clothing facebook page.

Thank you for the support. I have actually had 2 successful pregnancies in between my 2 loss' so I am blessed with a beautiful son and daughter. I've decided not to have anymore children though because the loss' were just to much and having to have surgery (D&Cs) after the miscarriages was hard on my body. That is me in the profile picture, that was actually back in June. Thank you for your kind words. I still see the old me (300+ pounds) so it's nice to get compliments for sure.