I really need some advice and input. I am so depressed and distressed by my lack of weight loss and the fact that I can eat so much. I hardly feel restricted by my sleeve at all. I get hungry often (true hunger, comes on slowly about every 4 hours). I don't get sick when I eat like a lot of people do. I am able to eat pretty much anything as long as I chew it up enough. I am not eating sweets or junk food. I have only lost 16 pounds since I was sleeved on 1/30.

I am eating about 1200 calories a day, getting at least 60 to 80g of Protein. I am eating mostly solids, but I chew them really well, I stopped the Protein shakes because they taste horrible and I couldn't get them down. I am now eating Protein Bars about every 3 to 4 hours during the day. The bars have 20g of protein, and are 200 calories. They keep me full and provide the nutrition I need. For dinner I will have something small , like a few bites of a baked potato, or some Soup. I am honestly shocked and very upset that I am even able to eat this much. What was the point of surgery?? Is this why I'm not losing weight? Even at 1200 calories a day, I should still be losing weight.

I have read about stalls, and I thought maybe increasing my calorie intake would help break the stall. It hasn't. I have increased my physical activity as well, still no improvement My calorie need based on several online calculators is about 2500 calories. I clearly have a calorie deficit. Why am I still not losing. What can I do to break this stall?

Also, any advice about what I should be eating would be appreciated. Give me some idea of what to buy, menus etc...

Thanks in advance!

Well, the first culprit I would say are the Protein bars.. Eating every three to four hours is good but you should make it real protein..,

Example;

Breakfast; an egg and cheese or I do a premier Protein shake

Lunch; 2 oz of low sodium deli turkey and string cheese

Snack; hummus or cottage cheese with a bit of fruit.

dinner 2oz Turkey patty and some broccoli

I really need some advice and input. I am so depressed and distressed by my lack of weight loss and the fact that I can eat so much. I hardly feel restricted by my sleeve at all. I get hungry often (true hunger' date=' comes on slowly about every 4 hours). I don't get sick when I eat like a lot of people do. I am able to eat pretty much anything as long as I chew it up enough. I am not eating sweets or junk food. I have only lost 16 pounds since I was sleeved on 1/30.

I am eating about 1200 calories a day, getting at least 60 to 80g of Protein. I am eating mostly solids, but I chew them really well, I stopped the protein shakes because they taste horrible and I couldn't get them down. I am now eating protein bars about every 3 to 4 hours during the day. The bars have 20g of protein, and are 200 calories. They keep me full and provide the nutrition I need. For dinner I will have something small , like a few bites of a baked potato, or some soup. I am honestly shocked and very upset that I am even able to eat this much. What was the point of surgery?? Is this why I'm not losing weight? Even at 1200 calories a day, I should still be losing weight.

I have read about stalls, and I thought maybe increasing my calorie intake would help break the stall. It hasn't. I have increased my physical activity as well, still no improvement My calorie need based on several online calculators is about 2500 calories. I clearly have a calorie deficit. Why am I still not losing. What can I do to break this stall?

Also, any advice about what I should be eating would be appreciated. Give me some idea of what to buy, menus etc...

Thanks in advance![/quote']

You are only 23 days out. I remember my calorie intake was 300-600 daily at that time, was still mostly Proteins shakes and some softer proteins like salmon. Eat a small amount of protein (1-3 oz) every 3 hours.

You might try reducing your daily caloric consumption to 600 or less, carbs 30 or less. Your protein bars are high calorie for a meal. Try a lighter Protein Bar (120 calories) and make sure it is low carb. Try and make food choices that are high protein and low carb. A baked potato is full of starchy carbs and will not help you.

I agree with the other posters. You are not eating the right things. Limit the Protein bars to one a day and EAT LEAN PROTEIN like chicken, lean beef, pork, etc. Did your surgeon's office not explain this? You will find you will feel much more restriction. I am a little shocked by your post, as you can tell. I eat potatoes and other carbs, but in very limited quantities. PROTEIN FIRST.

-Kendra

I still don't understand how I am able to even eat that much? Everything I have read has said I shouldn't be able to eat more than 600 calories a day.

I am afraid to try meat this soon. I was going to wait another 3 weeks before I do that. The only thing that's made me sick since the surgery is the smell of eggs. It's weird because I liked eggs before the surgery.

The foods I have been eating are:

Cottage cheese

string cheese

Soups (getting so tired of soup)

really finely chopped up tuna salad

Protein bars

occasionally I will have a few bites of a potato when I'm craving something to sink my teeth into

All the foods I eat are on my list of foods my doctor gave me. They said protein bars are fine as long as they are low carb and low sugar (which they are).

200 calories is too much for a meal? How many should I be eating per meal? Also, I'm very scared of losing my hair. That's why I have been so diligent with the protein intake.

How did it go when you first tried to eat meat? My doc says I should be able to handle it, but I'm kind of scared. I guess I worry about the sleeve stretching or leaking. I'm just worried because I know meat is harder to digest than the other things I've been eating. I honestly can't wait to have some chicken again though...and salad! I never thought I would miss salad and raw veggies!

You will not feel much restriction until you start eating that dense protein (meat)

The protein bars are a last choice for most of us because of the carbs and...well everything in them!

Try some roasted chicken you can even buy a pre made one at the store.

How did it go when you first tried to eat meat? My doc says I should be able to handle it' date=' but I'm kind of scared. I guess I worry about the sleeve stretching or leaking. I'm just worried because I know meat is harder to digest than the other things I've been eating. I honestly can't wait to have some chicken again though...and salad! I never thought I would miss salad and raw veggies![/quote']

Girl if you can do the bar you can do the chicken

Just eat a little and chew chew chew

You can get all your Protein in with food and come in at a lower daily calorie intake...

But I still drink a protein shake in the morning to up my protein so I suppose I bar is ok....

First, I was sleeved on 01/31 and am down 12 lbs so I don't think your that far off the mark. I have been in a stall for 10 days now. I don't come anywhere near your total calories, I usually average 500-600 per day. I have one more week on pureed foods and then move on to soft foods. Protein bars are not even an option. Take a closer look at what you are eating, make some revisions and I'm sure the weight will start moving. At least that is what I am hoping for.

Maybe try cutting the Protein bars in half and eat half at a time. How about chicken salad? Poach a chicken breast, shred, and mix with a little mayonnaise. That will fill you up w/in a few bites. Also, your weight loss seems fine to me.

-Kendra

How did it go when you first tried to eat meat? My doc says I should be able to handle it, but I'm kind of scared. I guess I worry about the sleeve stretching or leaking. I'm just worried because I know meat is harder to digest than the other things I've been eating. I honestly can't wait to have some chicken again though...and salad! I never thought I would miss salad and raw veggies!

I had absolutely no problem with adding meat- just had my 1st steak last weekend and it went down fine. On the other hand, the only thing that has made me sick was eating too fast.

Any advice on what I can take with me on the road? I'm a home health nurse. I travel about 1000 miles per week. Work 10 to 12 hour days, 5 days a week, and sometimes on the weekend. What got me into this mess in the first place was the crappy food that's available on the road. That's why I am doing the protein bars. They are shelf stable and keep me from feeling like I'm going to pass out from hunger all the time. I thought I wasn't even supposed to get hungry? I feel like my surgeon lied to me.

OMG...steak! I can't wait to have a bite of steak.

How about salad? I am not supposed to have raw fruits and veggies yet. How soon were you able to eat lettuce? Before the surgery, my favorite dinner was a chicken breast with a salad. I know it sounds simple and weird, but that's my favorite dinner ever. Takes about 10 minutes to make, and it's delicious. I would love to eat salad again. It fills you up and has next to no calories...

Ok...your going to have to pack your food in an insulated lunch bag.

Keep it simple some lunch meat and cheese,

Bit of fruit or veg.

Also I know you said you can't stand protein drinks..

But have you tried the "premier" pre made shake

From Costco or Sams club they taste really good and are shelf stable I drink them at room temp all the time when I'm traveling about.

I haven't tried that brand yet. My mom (who had r&y in 2004) loves their protein bars though. I guess they have about 30g of protein? She eats one every day. I will try to find that brand next time I go to Costco.