GradyCat

The Week 3 stall hits everyone, so welcome to the club. ? My surgeon and nutritionist don't have us count calories. They won't even talk calories. They just say to get in the 60-70 g of protein each day and eat whole food, 1/4 cup portions at first, then 1/2 cup portions down the road and that's it. That's their full suggestion. I was 600-800 calories in the first few weeks but quickly grew to 1,000. Now this past week I'm trying to reset my pouch after gaining 10-12 COVID and Christmas pounds, so I have been averaging 650 calories per day. I skip breakfast. I eat ham and cheese (no bread) for lunch. I snack on peanuts. I drink a protein shake for dinner. And I have a protein snack (Optimum Nutrition Protein Cake bites).

Close, I had it at age 55 and I highly recommend it.

Oh good for you. How exciting!

Your body is still healing from having had major surgery and your stomach has gone through major changes. It's a process that takes a little adjustment time. Hang in there, it gets better.

When did you have your surgery? Is this new?

I found myself taking cookies to bed with me and grabbing a few throughout the night. BAD IDEA! ? So now each evening after I've eaten all my meals for the day, I drink a hot cup of coffee with sugar-free flavored syrup and it fills me up and holds me through the night. If I wake up in the night, I drink flavored water and go back to sleep. Most times you think you're hungry, you're really only thirsty.

I just found this link to multiple articles that are very rich with content really explaining Intermittent Fasting, how to do it, the different methods, benefits, etc. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/what-is-intermittent-fasting#TOC_TITLE_HDR_4

Great job. Way to go!

Apparently I've been doing IF and not even knowing it/not doing it on purpose. I've restricted myself from eating when I first wake up to not eating until lunchtime between 11 am or 11:30 am then I stop eating between 6 - 7 pm. So I guess I'm doing the 16/8 thing. I can't tell if it's making a difference or not. It's only been a week. I'm hungry a little in the morning, but it's "habit" hungry and not real hunger. I drink water and/or decaf coffee now in the morning instead to tide me through until lunch. I've just gotten back to eating 600-800 calories/day to shed these awful COVID 10-12 pounds I gained in 2020.

Our loved ones sometimes just don't understand and say things like "If you just tried harder, you could do it on your own." I have depression and I've had people tell me, "Just snap out of it!" They just don't understand. It doesn't work that way. Having the surgery doesn't mean you are weak or not trying. The surgery isn't the solution . . it's a TOOL! You still have to work your ass off following the diet program afterward. I would encourage you to have the surgery now if that's what you want to do. We're all here to support and encourage you.

What about protein shakes? Protein water? In the pureed stage you can have scrambled eggs and cottage cheese. I still, two years post-op, drink a protein shake every day.

Mine faded within one year. I'm two years post-sleeve WLS now and you would never know I ever had anything done. You can't see them at all. If you really look hard because you know they're there you might think you see a freckle.

Congrats on your scheduled surgery date and good luck on your WLS journey. Keep us updated on your progress.

Congrats on your scheduled surgery date and good luck on your WLS journey. Keep us updated on your progress.

Congrats on your scheduled surgery date and good luck on your WLS journey. Keep us updated on your progress.

It's never too late. You can do chair exercises for cardio that don't involve ambulation/walking. Congrats on your scheduled surgery date and good luck on your WLS journey.

Congrats on your scheduled surgery date and good luck on your WLS journey.

So sorry to hear that you have COVID. Praying for a swift recovery for you. Hopefully it won't affect your WLS scheduled for Feb. 24th.

Happy Surgeversary to you! You've done an OUTSTANDING job!

I used to eat and still like Pure Protein bars alright, the plain chocolate ones, not the peanut butter ones. I really, really like Optimum Nutrition Protein Cake Bites in the chocolate frosted donut flavor. I thought I liked "moon cheese" snacks, but not so much anymore. I don't like pork rinds. I still do the occasional sugar-free popsicle. Oh, and peanuts.

Yes, at 4-5 months post-op.

Yeah, I agree that it's well-intentioned but not helpful while you're still in weight-loss mode.

I'm two years post-op and I still drink one protein shake every day for breakfast. It's just too early for me to eat real food like eggs or something and I like the chocolate taste. I use GNC Lean Shakes, premade.

Easy peasy. Medicare paid for mine. It took about 2 weeks for approval. I had BMI 40 + 2 comorbidities.

Yeah, sip, sip, sip is the most important thing. A few sips here, a few sips there. No gulping. No straws. No drinking 1/2 hour before or after or during meals. Otherwise, staying hydrated is a good thing.