2Bsmaller18

I hit around 1300 calories a day. I strive for 80-90 g Protein but usually fall short around 70. Try to limit carbs to 120g, fat 40g. That's about 30% each protein and fat and 40% carbs. It works and I am stable with a 3-4 lb. bounce over the past year. Rarely I will be at 1100 calories and occasionally I will hit 1600 which is usually due to more carbs.
I still have a Protein Shake daily to hit that protein amount.

Thanks for all the well thought out responses! I will use this going forward [emoji2]

Sent from my moto g power using BariatricPal mobile app

The original post is thought-provoking to me. I was brought up that it was impolite to not accept or taste something if someone offered food to me, to eat something if we were all out to dinner at a party or event, to feel guilty for not finishing my food... Etc. As an overweight adult, I remember many times I sat across co-workers who were thin who would order for example, a rack of ribs and eat one or two and then say throw it away or pack it up, they didn't want it anymore. Many times, a thin friend would say let's go out to eat and then not even order anything but a cup of coffee lol. It was baffling since my world literally revolved around food.

It isn't so much I care about what others think but am aware at how ingrained these teachings are in my mind due to family and upbringing. Up to now, I am still working with these issues. For example, my husband loves to cook, he will cook something, and it has taken me a long time in life to get to the simple statement of "Thanks, but I am not hungry but save me some for later". A statement so simple that most people would reply sure and not take it as a rejection and not give it any thought.

Sent from my SM-N986U using BariatricPal mobile app

I agree most do not notice. But all said shrug and say eating out for all these days does not agree with me so I n staying ahead of stomach ache. I time in conferences and only a few people have ever commented.

I’m at the 3 year mark as well (just a little over).
I order whatever I feel for (always more that I can actually eat every time, btw) and eat whatever I feel like I can eat. Those that knew me before the weight loss long ago stopped commenting on my eating habits (it’s old news now). People that don’t know me very well, or not at all (of whom are rare meal companions, especially since COVID) have yet to comment, so I don’t really have a go-to response. But I suppose if they did, I’d likely respond with something along the lines of “I’m good, thanks”.

Who cares what they think and really its a bit rude if they do comment on the amount you eat I mean we don't say to normal/big eaters "oh gee you eat a lot" do we ? if they do comment just say you have a small tummy and you dont over eat to stretch it like they have done with theirs lol. 🤣.

I don't generally care what people say but if they say, "You didn't eat much" or something, I'll make a joke out of it and say, "Well, I don't eat much, but I eat often!" 😀

I'll usually order an appetizer or else order a (safe) entree and eat half of it - and have them box up the rest to take home. Honestly, that's what a lot of my never-been-obese women friends do, too, so no one ever says anything. On the rare occasion that someone does, I just say I'm not very hungry.
it's pretty obvious the first couple of months after surgery that something is "up", but at three years out (or even one year out), it's just not obvious. People will just assume you're a light eater - if they even notice at all.

The thing is you’re actually eating what is a recommended portion size now. Those massive meals that are served at some eating places are two, three or more times what you should eat in a serving. A steak should only be a maximum of 4ozs not those half a cow size steaks that hang off your plate.
Look to the appetisers, Soups or salads & as @ChubRub said most likely won’t notice. Someone my want to share a meal or ask if venue will do a half serve. (I’ve had cafes scramble a single egg without an issue.) If someone does comment (pretty rude if they do) simply say I’ve had plenty thank you. Or I’m not a big eater (remember hearing people say that in the past & not understanding how could they eat so ‘little’ - we’re through the looking glass Alice).
It used to be the polite thing to do to leave a little of your meal on your plate. It let the chef know the food was tasty & the serve was enough to eat.

My guess is that nobody will really notice what you eat or don't eat. I think we tend to be more self-conscious about it, thinking people are watching or judging us, when they are just focused on their own meal. I had lunch with a friend today, and I have no idea whether or not she finished her meal. I had an ahi tuna appetizer, ate all the tuna, and left the greens and slaw on the plate. No biggie if I hadn't been able to finish the tuna.
In the beginning, I would order salads, b/c it's easy to eat the Protein, leave a bunch of lettuce behind, and if anyone noticed, I would just joke that they gave me way too much lettuce. Nobody ever noticed though! So now, I just get what I want, and don't worry about it! Good luck, and please report back on how you made out!

If they say anything.. you should just say: "You are eating ALL OF THAT?! Wow, good for you! that lot's of unhealthy calories!"

I am close to the 3 year mark post bypass. At times I am able to eat 1.5-2 cups of soft food like a smoothie or Soup in 15-20 minutes. However a typical meal of 2 oz meat and half cup of veggies so 1 cup of solid food is all I can eat. I can eat either 2 eggs or 1 egg and 1 piece of toast or a pouch of high Protein oatmeal.
Only my spouse knows about surgery and others have made comments about not eating much but I say I just had a meal or snack etc and I guess it looks ok.
I am planning on attending meals with unknown coworkers. It will probably be lunches and dinners for multiple days in a row.
So what tips do you have so I can explain why I eat so little? I don't want people to think I have an eating disorder. Do you have tips like moving the food around to make it look like you ate more? If you order a meal at a restaurant the portions are huge and it looks like I took 2 bites (when I may have only taken 8 anyway).
How do I handle it?

I am close to the 3 year mark post bypass. At times I am able to eat 1.5-2 cups of soft food like a smoothie or Soup in 15-20 minutes. However a typical meal of 2 oz meat and half cup of veggies so 1 cup of solid food is all I can eat. I can eat either 2 eggs or 1 egg and 1 piece of toast or a pouch of high Protein oatmeal.
Only my spouse knows about surgery and others have made comments about not eating much but I say I just had a meal or snack etc and I guess it looks ok.
I am planning on attending meals with unknown coworkers. It will probably be lunches and dinners for multiple days in a row.
So what tips do you have so I can explain why I eat so little? I don't want people to think I have an eating disorder. Do you have tips like moving the food around to make it look like you ate more? If you order a meal at a restaurant the portions are huge and it looks like I took 2 bites (when I may have only taken 8 anyway).
How do I handle it?

I would think they did the test that morning prior to surgery. I wonder if it was skipped, not read, or if it was a false negative since maybe the hormones were not detected since it was still early. I am sure you are concerned but do remember there are women that don't know they are pregnant for months and drink, others use drugs, don't take Vitamins etc and the baby turns out fine. I would ask your OBGYN about an additional vitamins you need to take above what they would normally recommend. Maybe ask about the vitamin patches and if those absorb better wit less stress on the stomach etc.

Did you start a new Vitamin? Even if it's the same brand but a new bottle it could be a reaction to a filler in it. New medicine like an allergy pill?

The first time I noticed mine I actually made an appointment with my doctor because I felt a “lump” that hadn’t been there before. 🤦‍♀️ I hadn’t ever had a protruding collarbone so I had NO clue.

Ok, playing some catch-up...here goes:
@GreenTealael maybe you could hold some video tutorials to those of us who own sewing machines and don't really know how to use it??? I've always had fantasies of sewing my own clothes but honestly just suck at it. and i dunno about you and @ChubRub, but I STILL wear scrunchies. And I dunno how it always happens but I swear I had my eye on a pair of braided sandals too!!! check out the ones in my shopping bag below...still trying to convince myself I need to buy them despite living in PJ's and having nowhere to wear them.

@kristieshannon: the tucked-in jeans look fab on you! they fit like a glove. Also, you are looking super confident in recent pics you have been posting...you are giving off a vibe. I like it.
@BayougirlMrsS: um, I want that denim vest. and I didn't even know I needed one in my wardrobe until just now. And yeah, that black printed dress wrap dress is too big at the bottom...any chance you will get it altered to fit? I think you would be curves supreme with a side order of fries if you get it taken in a bit at the bottom a little bit...or maybe shorten it so its like a flippy-mini?
@Arabesque: smokes! did you actually wear all the shoes you brought for the weekend wedding?? That coat looks super warm...though i still CANNOT relate to how "cold" Brisbanians (Brisbanites?) get in "winter". I was the standout wearing capris and sandals while the locals wore fur-lined hooded parkas and boots. BTW, double thumbs for those art-deco-ish shoes you wore. I need those.
@Jnfinney: congrats on the achivement and looking Hot AND Smart...an awesome combination.
@Sophie7713: that's a twirling dress alright. its time to bust out the whites!!! been missing you on here.
@Kris77: whoa. you int that black dress with your hair down. you look tall skinny and....posh. (ok, i never use the word "posh" in my vocabulary, but i couldn't think of a better word to use at the moment, lol) We gots a new supermodel in the ranks!
@WishMeSmaller: hows the leg healing? And that last pic you posted in those amazing flared jeans just reminded me again that you are the OG supermodel round here*. BTW, another reason I am jealous of the height-blessed (do i really need yet another reason?!) is your ability to find and wear flared pants....i look like a hobbit wearing them. If I ever find a pair that is properly proportioned on me, maybe I'll change my mind. But jeez your legs length. Love em. And super excited for you and your plastics!!! You are going to be unbearable for me to look at (that's a compliment, btw, lol)
*Edited to add: another OG supermodel who deserves a shout out but has been MIA for a while is @shanza ...
--------------
I haven't been wearing anything worth posting so I'm empty handed today. HOWEVER, for funsies, here is one of the least unflattering of the many truly unflattering pics that I found on my phone this morning. I've been hanging out by BFFs pool alot given the fabulous weather we have been having, and yesterday it seems she took to taking a bunch of pics of me with my phone as I was asleep on the lounger. Why? To point and laugh at me later apparently.
Multiple choice question:
This is a pic of me after having too much:
a) sun
b) liquor
c) sugar
d) all of the above.

I opened one of my unboxed sewing machine (I had several but recently gave them away) to alter and hem my daughter’s prom dress 😳

IMG_2737.MOV

Trust me, you will struggle to get a full 500 calories for a while. I had no appetite at all for a few months after surgery and had to force myself to eat enough Protein.

Mine loss was all over. If I had short hair it wouldn't have shown any Patches just thin everywhere.

Certain body parts like my neck looked really bad at first. Then even with losing more weight things firmed up. You can try doing hip abduction and adduction exercises (google that) but once you hit your goal weight and give it a few months to settle you get a better idea of how things will be long term.

Certain body parts like my neck looked really bad at first. Then even with losing more weight things firmed up. You can try doing hip abduction and adduction exercises (google that) but once you hit your goal weight and give it a few months to settle you get a better idea of how things will be long term.

Went out to lunch with my sister for the first time eating at a restaurant since my VSG in Dec 2019 (had revision in Aug 2020 and a bowel resection in Dec 2020), so I was over ambitious to say the least.

This is an after picture. I stole 3 small French fries from her and ate a bite of bacon off the salad. I think the melted cheese is what did me in. Next time I’ll order without the cheese. 😂🙃

I made a version of zuppa toscana for dinner last night. I skipped the bacon and added mushrooms, celery, and red bell peppers. It was so good! I ate all of what I packed for lunch and I’m having leftovers for dinner tonight.