Hello all! I am at the 5 week post-op mark,and I have gained back 4 lbs:o I'm on solid foods and find that I 'm constipated "alot" even with the benefiber and 64oz water required(well almost I drink about 3-4 16.5 bottles per day)I am starting to grow tired of the shakes(I'm one of the few people who dislikes chocolate which leaves me out for alot of good tasting protein shakes) I tried Isopure drinks umm not so good to me. I don't eat beef at all so chicken,some fish,shellfish,and egg whites are the proteins I eat.I eat low carb bread and I try to watch the other carbs.I have to be honest I am not on target with my exercise program.I work rotating shifts as a dispatcher, and I seem to tire quickly.I'm seeing Dr. on May 4th any ideas on how to lose atleast this 4 lb gain before than?I was so excited about finally having a tool to help me become healthier (and less of me):biggrin1: Now I feel like I am failing before I get out the gate :think

Sombody will give you the real speech but here's my 2 cents. Get some green veggies in your diet. Refried beans, salsa, sour cream, 2% cheese is a great protein filled meal. Movement is exercise, so keep moving your body in any and everyway. YOU CAN DO IT YOU CAN DO IT

:brick: WHAT 16 POUNDS GONE :cheer2:YEAHHHHHHHH:cheer2: YOU ARE DOING A GREATTTTTT JOB SO KEEP IT UP .......AND OUT

Oh yeah Unjury is delicious but you have to order it on line. Slimfast optima is good also.

You are doing great! 16 pounds :clap2:

The first 6 weeks are about healing not about losing. I know we all want to lose anyway, myself included. Bottom line is your body just went through a major ordeal! You can't expect it to know which way is up or down. Just keep forllowing the Rules, get your fill if you need it. This is a long road we are on. Chin up you are doing awesome

Valentine, the only thing that I might suggest....and I know it is a killer, because my wife was the same way.....give up the bread, period. Yes I know, it's low carb, but I think you'll be better off without....just MTCW.

I found myself being constipated quite a bit. I have added Romaine lettuce into my diet at least 5x per week and I am now regular. Try it slowly though, because I know tha lettuce does not agree with some bandsters!! Keep up the good work- you are doing great.

Thank you all so much for the encouragement.I'm not giving up. I want to be healthy.

The only thing that I would add to what the others have offered is to HONESTLY journal your food intake... everything you put into your mouth and measure the food. It's amazing how I can "eye-ball" a 4 oz portion of frozen yogurt only to MEASURE it and find it's 8 oz. Good luck to you!

Valentine, First I want to remind you that when we transition back on sold foods it is common for us to gain some weight. Besides, by being constipated you are literally holding in some extra weight. Bear with it, this too shall pass (and hopefully soon). I know you don't want to hear about the "this is a healing phase, not a losing phase" so I won't repeat it or bore you with it.

I'm not going to tell you not to eat bread. I say, if you can.....do it. I do, but in moderation and I feel normal. I don't feel like I'm on some terribly restricted diet which usually leads me to some binge and subsequently, failure. If you're short on protein and you don't like chocolate you're going to have to be kind of creative, but it can be done. Some of my favorite protein shakes have absolutely nothing to do with chocolate. I LOVE SF CIB French Vanilla with Unjury, milk, 1Tbsp of peanut butter and about a half of a banana. It's MARVELOUS. I like strawberry, too (with real strawberries and strawberry SF CIB). I also like banana with pineapple chunks. Strawberry with pineapple chunks. Get creative and you'll be glad for it. I saw one that had coffee in it. Yummy if you like coffee. I think I saw one with banana and maple extract. Although I haven't tried it, it sounds O.K.

Another thing I do, when I get tired of shakes is yogurt. Not any yogurt, a jazzed up yogurt. Get one of those quarts of low fat vanilla yogurt, put in a can of mandarin oranges, a can of pineapple tid bits and about a cup of quick oats. Let it sit over night and it's a great treat. When I'm ready to eat it, I put Unjury in the single serving (or any protein powder will do). Also optional for this recipe is to add slivered almonds which add protein and crunch. Even my kids love this one.

Good luck,

Val, two words: Problem Solving

E-Exercise

W-Water

HP-Huge Portions

PS-Protein Shakes

B-Bread

WG-Weight Gain

C-Other non complex carbs

WL-weight Loss

If... B+C+HP+W-E=WG

then.. B-B+C-HP+PS+W+E=WL

God I hope I did that right, anyway I made this example for you

Problem solving and troubleshooting. Show your work!

Thank you for the problem solving equation. I agree that I have to increase W+E+PS to=WL.As for portions well when I eat it's small portions.I have already decided to give up B even low carb kind after suggestion from a fellow bander and to be more careful of the other carbs as well.

You got it Val! That's my girl! I hope to see you repost some great news on Monday, May 1st.....

Weekend Warrior

I have gained back 4 lbs:o

(well almost I drink about 3-4 16.5 bottles per day)

good tasting Protein shakes??

I tried Isopure drinks umm not so good to

shellfish

I eat low carb bread

try to watch the other carbs.

I am not on target with my exercise program

To seek your answers simply look

above for your solutions.

They were in your head the whole time;0)

I say this with love & all the support possible.

* Not drinking all your Water is just that- not doing it.

* No Protein Drink taste great, but you can add a few drops of vanilla extract to add to the flavor to the powdered ones or some fruit.

* Watch out for shellfish - double check the fat content. Plain white fish is best or salmon.

* Low carb bread- no - no bread is what you should do.

* Any other carbs besides the fruit & vegs you should avoid

* Not doing your exercises, try & work them in - wake up earlier go to bed later or ask to change up your schedual if possible at work.

All this is easier said than done but the cool think is once you do it you will see results!

YOU CAN DO IT!!