sillykitty

My stomach has developed wrinkles! WTH?!

Happy to hear everyone is doing well! I'm little over 60 #'s down, about 40 more to go. I feel great, and I love the way I look in clothes. Not in clothes is a different story! I'm starting to think about and plan for plastics!

So far, only smooth soups, like tomato or anything broth like, are sliders, oh, and yogurt too. I don't get that full sensation, I just feel satisfied after eating about a cup or so.

I really like some of the protein fortified soups available on here, Bariatric Pal. I still use them to supplement my protein, 4 months out.

I honestly think you are overthinking. You are losing 1 lb per day! Stalls are completely normal. They will happen over and over again, and do not mean you are doing something wrong.

I've had a few moments of weakness. Most recently it was a gross airplane meal, but it came with a delicious cookie, guess which I ate? But nothing has bothered my stomach. So that's pretty much a double edged sword.

Maybe try their Black Pepper Chicken. It's probably my fave.

I wouldn't go to the ER, you would be the lowest priority and you'd sit there for the next 30 yrs. I would though bug the crap out of my surgeon's office. I'd definitely want to be seen. In fact, if by midday if I didn't hear back I'd be tempted just to show up.

That's a bummer Ash! So independent Chinese places are so hard to calculate calories/macros on. Sometimes I splurge and get my favorite, Ma Po Tofu (generally spicy, but you can order it mild). Sometimes I play it safe and get one of their soups, or asparagus chicken, or green bean chicken. Those I can discern all the ingredients, I just won't know how much oil was used. Chains are easier because they publish their nutritional info. I tend to eat PF Changs, Panda Express and Pick Up Stix pretty often, as they are in airports I frequent. PF Changs, I get, Egg Drop Soup, Hot & Sour Soup, Steamed Shrimp Dumplings, Black Pepper Chicken, Ginger Chicken, Sea Bass. I also get their poke, and spicy tuna roll, but those aren't Chinese! Panda, I get, their tofu items (if they have them), Green Bean Chicken, Black Pepper Chicken, and Steak and Shrimp. You can get the entrees al a carte, which I never knew. Pick Up Stix, I get, Vinaigrette Salad with Chicken, Lettuce Wraps. You can order most of their chicken dishes "Steamed, white meat only", so that brings their calories down a lot, and let's me splurge on my favorite, House Special Chicken. But any of the chicken dishes that way are reasonable, and I think the Garlic Chicken is already prepared this way. All of their shrimp dishes are options, and are my fave after the HS Chicken.

Medifast Mint Crunch Bars 110 calories - 11 g protein - 13 g carbs

I agree with this. Liquid calories, calories that give you no satiety, should be avoided as much as possible.

Maybe the solution is upping the protein in what you consume? Protein puddings, fortifying your purees with protein, as you mentioned above. I'm in the same boat. I'm often eating or drinking to get protein when I'm not hungry. I actually just got some stuff this weekend so I can make higher protein shakes (greek yogurt, protein powder etc.), so I can knockout most of my protein requirements with one drink.

I know the feeling! Are you on to regular food? Egg Drop and Hot & Sour Soup are tasty and should be low cal. Chinese food doesn't have to be disastrous to your calories for the day. It's really hard to tell though at your local independent Chinese food places though, but they have the best food. Of course chain Chinese is convenient because their nutritional info is available. For instance Panda Express Broccoli Beef is only 150 cals/serving & Mushroom Chicken is only 170. I can only eat about 20% of the serving, so really not bad at all.

@Tealael Yes, I added L-lysine and zinc to my supplements a few weeks ago, thanks to your suggestions. Also in reading, B complex might help, so I just added that as well.

I think the question is ... are you grazing because you're hungry, or out of boredom / habit / head hunger? If you're eating because you're hungry, I think that's fine. You're tracking and making good choices. If you're eating out of boredom / habit / head hunger, that where the danger lies, IMO. Just for myself, boredom / habit / head hunger, is a struggle. I'm very fortunate I have very little physical hunger. So I'm trying to use that gift, to retrain myself to eat only when I'm hungry and for nutrition. I'm totally not perfect, which is why I arm myself by stocking the house with things like I mentioned above. I can totally afford the calories, I stay far below where most people are at the stage, most days. But I'm fearful for a time when I have more capacity and my hunger comes back. I feel like if I can stay strong now, I can succeed long term. Semi OT, but that's good you can eat cooked veggies. Two of my favorite things are miso glazed carrots, and green beans with whole grain mustard.

This makes me sad

Grazing is a big danger for me, especially since I work from home part of the time. I try to have no more than 3 meals and one snack. One of my meals is always a protein drink, because I can't get all my protein from food. But sometimes I just want to snack. For those time I make sure I have super low cal options. Like ff coleslaw, pickles & cucumbers around. Since you can't do solids, what about sf jello? SF jello w ff cottage cheese or yogurt added would be low cal and add protein. Protein pusddings?

@sideeye Thanks for commiserating! I have thought of going short. But I've never had short hair in my life. I'm so afraid it won't be flattering to my face. I have gone shorter than usual, just below my shoulders, and made my long layers a little choppier than usual. I've just added a few scarf style headbands to my Amazon cart. I think I might be able to pull those off. I hate the way I look in baseball caps! As for travel, we have an unfortunate policy of having to travel in professional clothes. Not that I always follow it, especially for early morning flights. But I think I can still make the scarf thing work. (And not getting upgraded isn't nearly as bad now that I'm smaller and fit into the seats better, plus I just pass on the drinks and the meals now) I've read a lot on hair loss, telogen effluvium. One theory that made the most sense to me, and honestly, I hope is true. At the time of surgery and the huge drop in calorie consumption your body goes into shock and a large percentage your hair goes into the resting phase. Then 3 or so months later your body comes out of shock, the growth phase begins, and that triggers your body to shed the hair that was resting. I really hope that is true, because that will mean growth is just around the corner. Glad you found the silicone tape tip. I don't think it is too late at all. Some people use it on years old scars. I'm going to need a miles worth once I have my plasics! @AshAsh1 Yep, same situation here, only different color hair @Briswife15 I hadn't really considered Rogaine, but it can't hurt. I just added it to my Amazon cart. It's surprisingly affordable.

I still love fast food. Not only is it craveable and tasty, but it is invaluable for a quick meal. I’m just learning to make better choices. @Frustr8 close In-n-Out??? That is sacrilege! Hamburger, protein style with grilled onions, yum, and only 150 cals (I can only eat half)!

I eat out multiple times a week. I honestly don’t have any tricks or tips. I just stop eating when full and then have my plate taken away. i get it on the motivation. I am at a weight now that I could be comfortable with. I feel good and look pretty good in clothes. But when I undress and look in the mirror, I know I have a long way to go still.

1) Will I ever be able to eat normal things like everyone else down the road at some point? With restriction of course? For some reason this is worrying me as my surgery date approaches. I can eat everything, nothing bothers my stomach. 2) Will I be starving or feel starving after the surgery? I'm very fortunate that I have had almost no physical hunger. When I have had hunger, a couple of ounces and I'm full and satisfied. Head hunger is absolutely real, and more of a struggle for me. I've had to learn to differentiate between the two. 3) Will I be able to take all of my medications still? Prozac, bp, uric acid pills? As @Creekimp13 said, this very unlikely to be a problem, but talk to your Dr 4) Is it unsafe to live on such low calories? There has been quite a bit of research on very low calorie diets. Basically as long as you are under a Dr.'s care, get your protein and vitamin/minerals in, it is considered safe. On an average day I consume 500 calories as less, at 4+ months out. I feel great, and have no real issue with my low calories. The instance it has been a problems was when I was helping to move furniture. But normal stuff like walking, biking, light weights, are no issue.

I'm trying to figure that out myself. When I had surgery I was exclusively dating someone. So I told him only when surgery was scheduled. I really didn't want to open up any conversations about my weight, so I never brought up I was wanting surgery.. But since I was seeing him regularly and communicating daily, I didn't feel like it would be right to keep something major a secret. Now I'm back to dating again. I feel like I'm going to have to say something pretty early on in the dating process. Most dates revolve around eating or drinking. I'm not currently drinking, so that's out. And eating is awkward because my stomach capacity is so small. It won't take too many nearly untouched meals until something is asked. I figure at that point I'll just be honest, assuming this is someone I want to keep seeing. I don't want to lie, and withholding info is counterproductive during the dating process. I mean if roles were reversed, I'd appreciate the truth.

I agree with this. Feeling anxious and unhappy is no way to live. I'd see if talking to a therapist would help.

It's funny, I'm in a bit of the opposite situation. My friends and immediate family know about my surgery, so those compliments I'm happy to get. But in business situations, the lack of comments are weird. I have known many of these people for years. I have gone from size 20 to size 14 in the same brand slacks. And like 5% of people have even mentioned it. I don't work in an office, so I see these people quarterly or yearly. I mean. I get that they don't want to embarrass or offend me, but it still seems odd that I've lost 60 lbs since these people had last seen me, and nothing is said. My extended family is another surprise. We are close and supportive, but don't get in each other's business. I expected someone, to say something, but nope! I was at a baby shower a couple of weeks ago, and no one again said anything. On my ride home my aunt text me "I did notice! I just didn't want to embarrass you!" I guess she had called my mom and asked what was up lol!

If you only think you're hungry when you smell food (or see a commercial or watch a cooking show, etc.) then it is more than likely head hunger. I have found that head hunger is real, and is not at all effected by removal of my stomach. But even so I have been successful thus far. As has been said over and over again, VSG is only a tool. It is up to of us to use it effectively. We just need to learn to make good choices and only eat when we are physically hungry.