FluffyChix

Give us an average day menu with macros, maybe we can throw out some tips that might help? Include if something is low fat/low carb or diet versions! Congrats on being at goal (or below)! I think from what I've read, that you may stay "low" in year two but then for no reason in year 3, begin to gain again. For me, if I am not losing, then I am not gonna worry about exceeding my goal. I might instead look at totally maximizing my food/vitamins/minerals, so I feel more energy? ((hugs))

Saw this on "The Facebook" and wanted to share. For those who find themselves hungrier than normal and or craving at 6+ months out...Don't dispair. I swear this is true (at least for me). I find if I can bring my carbs back into balance then my cravings go almost completely away as my blood sugars/insulin stabilize!

Great article @Alex Brecher!! Thanks!

Awwww!!! @MIZ60 I'm so sorry to hear about this. Saying prayers! Love the pics and her family is beautiful. I know you are all hurting!!! ((hugs))

I'm sorry you are struggling and happy you've had an "Aha moment" and posted about it. I've been saying this from the beginning of my personal WLS journey. If we don't get right in the head, the surgery--which face it, it's not magic bean surgery--is not gonna do all the heavy lifting. We are such crafty, smart, surviving specie(s) haha, that we WILL figure out a way to outsmart our surgery. What I still hear however is more magical thinking coming out of your mouth. Tomorrow, nothing will be different. You will wake up, resolve to mystically "do better"/"be better" etc, but guaranteed by 3-5pm, you will break and go for the fix. There is NO magic in this process. No WISHFUL thinking. Unless/until you accept that your success depends on being accountable for your actions, and decide that will make concrete changes that are actionable, you will continue to despair and the beatings will continue until morale improves. Honestly, the ONLY way to confront this issue we ALL face is to have a great plan. In your case (and in many of our cases, the key to the plan needs to include strategic partners: surgical team (who needs to know you're struggling and doing things you aren't supposed to do, bariatric counselor/therapist, RD), reading books on ending these self-defeating behaviors whatever they may be, making a concrete check list you USE and follow faithfully each day, decide on zero tolerance of going off-your checklisted plan, and being content that it takes time to correct behavior and weight. It also takes a physical plan for exercise. Then you have to DO YOUR PART. You must log. You must weight foods. You must PLAN. You should maybe think about weighing daily, measuring monthly. Check things off your list. I doubt seriously that you've stretched your pouch. Most likely, what has happened is that your pouch has matured which carries with it a natural "opening" or relaxing of your tum, which means you "CAN" eat more. It doesn't mean you "SHOULD" eat more. If you go back to your rules and follow them, you should begin to feel your restriction again. Set your rules! 1. No more than 1 cup of food at a meal by volume. 2. Eat dense, dry, lean protein first (60-80g per day). 3. Eat al dente or raw veggies. 4. No meat lube, sauce, compound meals that are highly caloric. Keep your food separate! It will hang in your pouch better and provide nutrition without a bunch of added calories you don't need. 5. Cut your carbs to 20-30net carbs (carbs - fiber) per day. 6. Aim for almost zero sugar. 7. Drink your water (100+ ounces per day. 8. Don't drink your food! No liquid calories. 9. No eating/drinking 15 mins before and 1 hour after 10. Exercise daily. Try for 10K steps each day. 11. Take your supplements. 12. Get a real life support group and attend regularly. 13. Come here and get involved and on the BP facebook group. 14. Above all--see your doc, RD to get a plan for success. AND get a referral to a bariatric counselor. 15. Consider joining OA. I wish you success, health, and a good life. I don't mean to beat you while you're down. I'm trying to make sure you don't waste any more of your honeymoon period spinning your wheels and participating in a giant fantasy.

Ahhhh The Poo Chronicles... Good times!

((awwww hugs my sick, sweet friend!))

Only my hairdresser knows for sure... And Mr. F, my family, all the bazillions of people they've told despite me telling them not to, and the entire world now--since I told my family. But who's counting? I'm STILL not the poster child for bariatric surgery awareness. )

Good morning! @GreenTealael Look what you are making me do! Next it will be kale! ? I give you breakfast: Matcha, Greek yogurt, protein drink, blueberries, almonds, poppy seeds (no chias), lemon fresh squeezed, vanilla liquid stevia.

I'm such a copy cat. I just ordered this from Vitacost!

Agreed! I do love that he doesn't sugar coat the truth. You know?!

Man! Y'all have the BEST memes! I gotta go find some to use! TY guys! ((hugs)) You're the best!

Welcome to hell. You'll eventually get there. It may take some working out, may take some lipo and surgery...but you'll get there!

I'm gonna claim it. Yesterday I hit 144.8lbs and today I'm still at 144.8lbs. That means that technically, I've just crossed over into the very top end of my "Normal Weight Category" for my height of 5'4". Yippee!!!! I'm still 4.8lbs away from 2nd Goal, but I will just keep trudging along. These last 10 pounds have been brought you by Matcha and green tea, the teas that boost your metabolism. And by my gastro guy who insisted on me going back to my 1cup or less per meal portion control.

Dang! I remember that time. Hopefully she will have a great remission with it and will go on to live and lead a full fearless life again, with many visits to the Korean grocers between the 2 of you!!! Love that she makes her own kim chi. I want to do that so bad but am so afraid of killing us! @GreenTealael Even though I think Dr. V. has traveled down a rabbit hole and melted or is flat out stoned/baked/wired with drugs, I like his psych advice.

Wooohooo! Very cool!

I feel like I'm something of a shirataki savant. I've tried dang near every major brand both online and in the grocery. Nasoya is the most popular brand in regular markets. Most often it's the one mix with tofu. And that has the best texture, but since I don't eat soy, it's a no go for me. Of all, the Zeroodles have the least smell, and greatest texture! I do rinse like cray, dry fry in a pan, and then season them well with either sauce or my spices/or dish. I don't just add a pat of butter and eat them. I've no idea what they would taste like. I love that they are mixed with oat fiber to up the probiotic/prebiotic nutrition. So they are awesome for gut health and since it's soluble fiber (konjac + oat fiber = soluble fibers) they are really good for cholesterol too! I haven't tried your new Nutrinoodle-odorless shirataki yet, but plan on getting them soon!!! I'm super pumped to try them and am hoping the fettucini texture is great! https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/all/products/nutrinoodle-odorless-shirataki-fettuccine I'll be back later to update my review on them here!! @Myhorseisfattoo You should def buy from Alex and BP. Their customer service is amazing and I got my stuff the day after I ordered! (I think it was either 2 or 3 days. Can't exactly remember, but it was way faster than Netrition or Vitacost orders. I was floored it got here so quickly!)

You have to change your game. What are you eating at these meals. Give us an idea of what you are eating. Post a day or two of meals/food. Do you track your food? Weigh/measure/log it? Sorry you are struggling!

LOL, I Sunday morning necroposting.

My RD had a diff strategy. She said in the first few months, that it was fine to have 1 protein drink and get in 25-30g of protein, cuz it would free you up to have a couple of snacks that were nothing but veg. Or to have mixed meals of 2oz protein + 1-2oz of veg. No guilt involved girl!! The important thing is to satisfy your protein needs without over eating. Veggies are a good thing!

By 6 weeks, I was cleared for everything. But was told to add it one thing at a time. The main thing my doc warned of was the concrete that could result from mixing bread and protein at the same time, or eating a bunch of cheese. This included pork rinds and cheese.

Only testing will know. I was fine...just sayin.

Oh great idea! Haven't tried them yet, but love the Quest Chips!

Oh yum! How about looking into the fermented blue corn chips and using much less? Or, use the lentil kind? Still not perfect, but lower carb. I drink the broth like a tea. Then just kinda hang out. The broth really soothes and satisfies/fills me. Then when I eat the solids, they stick around. So I'm still not eating/drinking at the same time. The solids measure 3/4cup cooked by volume. The broth is about a full cup or 1 1/4 cups. But hey it's just liquid! I also use pickled pepper vinegar in it and garlic/onion/parsley/thyme, etc. Or Asian flavors if I'm hungry for that or Mex/Ital, etc flavors. You can add a spoon or two of marinara to it. Very good! And use turkey sausage crumbles and a little fennel pollen or fennel seed and it tastes like Italian wedding soup. It's disgustingly healthy!