The New Kel

@@Candygyrl, What a great post! Your hubby sounds very sweet. Seems that he loves you unconditionally. I can completely relate to how you used to want too stay home before weight loss. I have lived in a shell for years now. I haven't wanted to be social or be seen. I am just begining my journey- close to 6 weeks post op and now weigh about 203. I'm already more social, and truly can't wait till I feel confidant enough to be seen out with him again. I have, in the recent past before surgery, literally felt the judgement and confusion in people when they would meet me, and realize I was his wife. He is naturally young looking, athletic, and fit. I was morbidly obese, and that weight put years on my face. We would go places and strangers would look at him and then me and I saw the questioning all over their faces. Like yours, my hubby also has called me beautiful and talks so enthusiastically to coworkers, friends, and family. When I'd meet them I felt just like you said- they must have thought he was nuts. I guess we are both very lucky to have great husbands who never cared about judgment, they just saw us as beautiful in any shape. Now it's time to give back in my opinion, and allow him to have a wife he is proud of next to him. Thanks for your post, I really related to it.

@@QueenOfTheTamazons Yep, they are right..you are stunning even before you lose all the weight! You're blessed with such a pretty face. How cool that you and he are both doing surgery. You will both have understanding and support of each other! @@theantichick , I agree completely! Cracks in the foundation pre-surgery are certain to crack wide open after major weight loss. In particular if the one not losing weight is controlling or insecure. Your situation is somewhat like my own. My third time in a long relationship is also the charm...we are lucky! I was married to my first husband 20 years ago. He would have been supportive of WLS for me. Then I was in a 5 year relationship with a man who was controlling and insecure. If I would have had this surgery while with him I know for certain it would have broke us. We broke up anyway, my doing, even being heavy. He would have been a horrible partner during my transition post WLS. Enter my husband now. When we met, I was somewhat overweight but not obese. He is a very fit, thin, active man and still is. He didn't care in the least about my weight. But as I ballooned into morbid obesity, our intimacy suffered a bit, not due to him losing interest, but because I was withdrawing due to my own demons and insecurity. He always wanted me, but I was backing off, disgusted with myself. Although I chose WLS mainly for health, another really big part is because I want to feel sexy for him, and have him feel proud of me. I adore him, inside and out, and I want to do all the things he does along side him- hike, run, play with the kids in basketball, etc. A very vain part of me wants to look really good so that when his friends see me they will think, wow, what a lucky guy. . I know....so vain! Its not that I want their attention, but I want my husband to feel proud of his wife! I was really mortified a year ago when I met some of his east coast friends for the first time. I could sense their judgment and even though my husband didn't care, I did. I know that my weight loss will only enhance what we already have. I'm lucky to have such a great man, best friend, lover.

Farmers markets are the best! Nothing better than farm fresh veggies and fruit! I love that there are more and more farmers markets nation wide. Healthier and benefits the locals who sell and shop. @@Dairymary , I am in awe of you! I have always respected those who rely on their own labor and those in their community and neighbors. I bet your meats, dairy and veggies are sooo good! I can imagine there is a lot of hard work put in! I miss good seafood, too. In the southwest it is not nearly as prevalent as it was in California.

@@PorkChopExpress , Thanks fro your thoughts. I will definitely consult with my NUT and see what she says. I have always struggled with maintaining a very low fat diet. However, I'll do whatever works best. And I am changing things up a bit, to see what happens! I suspect your nutritionist will also tell you that fats should be the smallest percentage of your diet, right now. Protein > carbs > fat. If, however, you wanted to be in ketosis...then you'd want protein and fat with almost no carbs at all. But it's not all that healthy to stay in ketosis for long periods of time. Some people do that to jump-start their metabolism too, though. In the end, nobody is going to be able to give you a magic solution to breaking a plateau, though - not your nutritionist, and nobody here. Everybody's body reacts differently to calorie restriction and even the breakdown of your macros. To some extent, you'll have to try different things. But I would first try restricting fats and boosting carbs a little bit, personally...because what you know for sure is that your current breakdown isn't doing the trick.

@@Babbs, As far as diets go, I am much better at eliminating carbs than fat. I feel satisfied all day with little to no carbs and an average fat content- fats from cheese and leaner meats mainly. Its nice to hear that you lost all your weight and are maintaining without going super low on fats. Thanks for your input!

I'm sooo close. I'm 203 and waiting for that magic 100 and something to come!

My aunt refers to some places in the US (or any country for that matter), as food deserts. These are places that have primarily older Walmarts, fast food, gas stations, diners with lots of fried foods, etc. I grew up in California where healthy (but expensive) grocery stores are abundant. Whole Foods, Trader Joes, Gelsons, and other markets that supply fresh, "clean" foods. I live in El Paso now, and not nearly the amount of high quality healthy grocers. However, they did just open up a Whole Foods here and I'm thrilled. I can get fresher fish, and better produce there. My bank account, however, isn't so thrilled. If you live in a food desert (rural or just not near any specialty grocers), how do you find the best foods? I have a friend in central Wyoming who says sometimes it's not easy to find quality and variety.

I used to love eggs. Now I can't tolerate them very well. They taste weird post surgery.

I can't wait for that day! My husband is 155. He knows my starting weight because he wanted to join me for my surgeons consult. It was embarrassing but he never flinched. He knows my current weight because I am happy to report to him all my little victories!

Cute Lunch! Mine was Half a cup of Yogurt and 1/4 cup Tuna mixed with a tablespoon of greek. It honestly wasn't very photogenic. I'll have to take a picture of dinner. Dinner always looks better!

Wow, I never thought about that! I hope this is the issue! How do you feel now that you're on anti-spasm meds? Sent from my SM-G903W using the BariatricPal App I feel great now. I haven't had pain since I started taking (unless I eat too much). It's called Levsin and you take it 15 minutes prior to eating, up to three times a day. So I take it before Breakfast, lunch and dinner. It's worth asking your surgeon's team about. Hopefully that's all it is! Good luck!

I was kinda bummed when I was allowed soft foods and then realized I wasn't getting enough protein. I have to supplement my daily intake with at least one protein shake. I drink mine in the morning to get it over with!

I thought I had a stricture due to the same things you are feeling. Mine turned out to be stomach spasm upon swallowing food. The nurse gave me anti-spasm meds, which cleared it up.

About 3 weeks post op. But I don't crave it as much, so I have made one small cup a day.

I will! thanks!!

@@PorkChopExpress, Thanks for the help! When you mean my carbs and fat intake are flip flopped, you're saying that I should get closer to 25 carbs and lower the fat? My highest percentage of intake now is in Protein, then fat, then carbs last. Could I be shooting myself in the foot by restricting even good carbs? And I totally agree too with trial and error! @@Aggiemae, My protein has been ranging between 60-90 a day. I thought that was good...I might need to to up that? I know you are right about not calling it a stall. It's hard around the second week of no weight loss not to get a little stir crazy but I know, embrace it! :-) Actually for the first time in two weeks, I'm down one whole pound today, lol!

Hello all, I am 5 weeks out, and following a high Protein, very low carb, no sugar diet of soft foods. I log everything into MyFitnessPal. I am wondering about your thoughts on the amount of fat in my diet. From the pie graphs on my app I see my fat consumption is about 25-45 percent of the days calories. My Protein is about 40-45 percent. Could fat intake be a reason for slower weight loss? I'm on day 14 of a stall. What are your thoughts on this? Thanks for the help! diet macros.pdf

I'm 5 weeks out and I don't miss eating food like I did pre-surg at all. I don't even really like eating any foods at this stage, because I'm still healing and its usually uncomfortable. Looking forward to when I can eat 3 oz and not feel bad.

Good question! I'm only 5 weeks out. My husband said he sees (and feels ) the difference already. I've lost 35 lbs since beginning prep op diet and 15 since surgery.

Dumping syndrome reactions vary from person to person, but generally the symptoms are nausea, diarrhea, rapid heart rate, weakness, and sweats. Basically, you feel awful. Just diarrhea alone probably isn't dumping syndrome but a reaction to the pure fluids or Fluid Proteins not sitting well in your system.

Congratulations!! You and I have the same height/weight/goal stats. And like you, I'm looking forward to losing the 'obese' title. It's inspirational to see your success. Way to go!

That sounds good! It sounds better than the original Mojito! I'll definitely try that over the holidays I come from a family who loves, loves loves wine. Central Coast California winos, we are! So, scaling back or not participating will be interesting.

I'm 5 weeks out. A big pleasure in my adult life has been spending time in the kitchen creating meals that are unique, visually pleasing. Like chicken piccata with wine garlic sauce, etc. I would take pleasure creating it then enjoying a long dinner with my husband and a glass of wine. These days, I am back to creating these meals (but substituting healthier ingredients). The thing that bothers me is to have this lovely meal with all the aromas, sit down and only be able to eat literally two bites. I am happy to read that it gets better with time. Eventually I hope to be able to eat at least 4 oz or a cup.

Hi @@sk101 ! Welcome to the boards! I have found this to be a place with great resources, answers and support. What part of the country are you from?

I'm 5 weeks post op and can now fit into my favorite top, which I had put away in a box for the past two years. Also, despite my distaste for them, I'm drinking a shake every day, because I know it is best for me, allowing me to reach my Protein goals daily.