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IT WORKS! SLOW LOSERS REJOICE!



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I'm so happy! The sleeve works! I know, I know, why did I have the surgery in the first place if I doubted it? Well, I never did doubt it, just thought I was a slow loser. Then, I read a little on here about counting calories. Now, at first, I didn't think it was important because that wasn't emphasized at my surgeon's office - just the Protein part. Then I realized that I was eating way too much! So, I contacted the nutritionist and she said I needed about 1000 calories a day for the first year. After that, about 1200 calories a day to maintain. Anything less (or more) and I wouldn't lose weight. Uh, duh, I had already proven that theory! After a week of looking at my caloric intake AND my Protein intake, I'm down 5 pounds!

Now, does this mean I won't plateau? Nope, it sure doesn't. I'm certain I'll do that again. But seeing that scale go down has made me so happy and so motivated!

For those of you who think you're slow losers, calm down. Look at what you're eating and your caloric intake. if you're not eating enough, your body is going to hold on to every single piece of fat you have and store it away. If you're eating too much, then you need to cut back. Make sure you're getting your protein and taking your Vitamins as well.

I'm certainly not an expert, but wanted to share my experience and my glee with everyone!

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Thank you for this post! It is very encouraging. I'm one month out and frustrated. Would you mind posting a typical days menu for yourself? Thanks so much & congrats!!

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Thank you for posting, I need to reevaluate my caloric intake as I'm still on soft mushy foods and I don't really know my typical calories for the day.

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Thank you for this post! It is very encouraging. I'm one month out and frustrated. Would you mind posting a typical days menu for yourself? Thanks so much & congrats!!

You're welcome! My key is eating a little bit about 4 times a day. For example, I'll have a Protein bar when I first wake up to get my metabolism going. About 10am I'll eat something with eggs and turkey sausage in it. Around 2 or 3, I'll have a "lunch" like chicken breasts with a side of green Beans, etc. For my 6-7 pm meal, I'll eat something smaller and lighter like deli shaved meat with low fat cheese. Sometimes I'll add a reduced fat cracker to that but I try not to.

If I go out to eat, and I do, I look on line first to see if I can get the menu with the nutritional values on it. That way I can plan what I want to have before I leave. No gravy. No fries. I'll get a side salad instead. I have realized that things I "thought" were good for me are really not. KFC, for example, has a grilled chicken that is amazing. The chicken breast is 220 calories with 40 grams of Protein. YUM! I get a side of green Beans with that which are only 25 calories and 1 gram of protein. If I eat the chicken first I rarely even get to the green beans because I'm so full. But, I know I have them for later if I want them. Jimmy John's has a nutritional calculator on the web site and you can remove things and add things just to see what it does to the caloric intake and protein intake as well as the fat intake. I love JJ subs with no bread (I get a lettuce unwich), no mayo, and lots of protein from the meats.

READ THE LABELS. Take a lot of time at the grocery store and read labels. Make sure you're making good choices. It really helps.

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Thank you for posting, I need to reevaluate my caloric intake as I'm still on soft mushy foods and I don't really know my typical calories for the day.

Millergirl314, at this time, just get your Protein in. You're still really early in the process. I'm about 4.5 months out. Wait until you're on solids and can tolerate them.

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Maybe that's my problem. People can really tell I'm losing, however the scale is barely moving. I use my fitness pal and my calories average 550-750 calories a day. I do get plenty of Protein. I will try upping my calories a few days and see how it goes! Thank you for sharing!! : )

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You're welcome! My key is eating a little bit about 4 times a day. For example, I'll have a Protein Bar when I first wake up to get my metabolism going. About 10am I'll eat something with eggs and turkey sausage in it. Around 2 or 3, I'll have a "lunch" like chicken breasts with a side of green Beans, etc. For my 6-7 pm meal, I'll eat something smaller and lighter like deli shaved meat with low fat cheese. Sometimes I'll add a reduced fat cracker to that but I try not to. If I go out to eat, and I do, I look on line first to see if I can get the menu with the nutritional values on it. That way I can plan what I want to have before I leave. No gravy. No fries. I'll get a side salad instead. I have realized that things I "thought" were good for me are really not. KFC, for example, has a grilled chicken that is amazing. The chicken breast is 220 calories with 40 grams of Protein. YUM! I get a side of green beans with that which are only 25 calories and 1 gram of protein. If I eat the chicken first I rarely even get to the green beans because I'm so full. But, I know I have them for later if I want them. Jimmy John's has a nutritional calculator on the web site and you can remove things and add things just to see what it does to the caloric intake and protein intake as well as the fat intake. I love JJ subs with no bread (I get a lettuce unwich), no mayo, and lots of protein from the meats. READ THE LABELS. Take a lot of time at the grocery store and read labels. Make sure you're making good choices. It really helps.

What do you get all on the subs? How far out are you? I was told not to eat lettuce??

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You're welcome! My key is eating a little bit about 4 times a day. For example, I'll have a Protein bar when I first wake up to get my metabolism going. About 10am I'll eat something with eggs and turkey sausage in it. Around 2 or 3, I'll have a "lunch" like chicken breasts with a side of green Beans, etc. For my 6-7 pm meal, I'll eat something smaller and lighter like deli shaved meat with low fat cheese. Sometimes I'll add a reduced fat cracker to that but I try not to. If I go out to eat, and I do, I look on line first to see if I can get the menu with the nutritional values on it. That way I can plan what I want to have before I leave. No gravy. No fries. I'll get a side salad instead. I have realized that things I "thought" were good for me are really not. KFC, for example, has a grilled chicken that is amazing. The chicken breast is 220 calories with 40 grams of Protein. YUM! I get a side of green Beans with that which are only 25 calories and 1 gram of protein. If I eat the chicken first I rarely even get to the green beans because I'm so full. But, I know I have them for later if I want them. Jimmy John's has a nutritional calculator on the web site and you can remove things and add things just to see what it does to the caloric intake and protein intake as well as the fat intake. I love JJ subs with no bread (I get a lettuce unwich), no mayo, and lots of protein from the meats. READ THE LABELS. Take a lot of time at the grocery store and read labels. Make sure you're making good choices. It really helps.

What do you get all on the subs? How far out are you? I was told not to eat lettuce??

My surgeon told me that I could eat raw veggies as long as I could tolerate them. I have an unwich which is a lettuce wrap. Then I get shredded lettuce in it and Tomato. I can't tolerate the skin on the cucumbers so I stay away from those for now. Same for pickles. Then I have them put on salt and pepper. NO MAYO! They're really tasty!

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Maybe that's my problem. People can really tell I'm losing, however the scale is barely moving. I use my fitness pal and my calories average 550-750 calories a day. I do get plenty of Protein. I will try upping my calories a few days and see how it goes! Thank you for sharing!! : )

My NUT said per studies with the AMBS (American society of Bariatric Surgeons) successful bariatric patients consume about 1000 calories at approximately 1 year post-op. After 1 year post-op average calorie intake is around 1200 calories to maintain weight loss. Calories needs may vary some based on the age, sex and amount of activity for each individual. If your calories are too low, your m etabolism will slow and your body will go into starvation mode holding onto fat stores. A calorie intake of 500-600/day is simply too low for successful weight loss.

WOW!

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No ranch. No no no no no. No ranch. LOL!!! Dressing is just awful for you. If you want some flavor, add a little hummus (I love black bean hummus, but not too much) or salt & pepper. A good trick for salads is to dip your fork in the dressing vs. pouring it on. Or, add salsa instead of dressing. I haven't tried that but heard it's a good solution. Dressing (like mayo and other condiments) has so many calories in such a small amount. And who only uses a little ranch? It's like alcohol - just not worth the calories. I'll indugle every now and then but it's very rare.

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This was really helpful. I am a slow loser as well. However, I am only 2wks post op. I was concerned because other sleevers seem to have lost between 15-20lbs by now. I have only lost 8 since my surgery. I know I am having a hard time getting my Protein in so I will be working on that. I'm still on softees/purees so I will have to amp up my shake intake.

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Maybe that's my problem. People can really tell I'm losing, however the scale is barely moving. I use my fitness pal and my calories average 550-750 calories a day. I do get plenty of Protein. I will try upping my calories a few days and see how it goes! Thank you for sharing!! : )

Let us know how it works!

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    • Prdgrdma

      So I guess after gastric bypass surgery, I cant eat flock chips because they are fried???  They sell them on here so I thought I could have them. So high in protein and no carbs.  They don't bother me at all.  Help. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        It's possible for a very high fat meal to cause dumping in some (30% or so) gastric bypass patients, although it's more likely to be triggered by high sugar, or by the high fat/high sugar combo (think ice cream, donuts). Dietitians will tell you to never do anything that isn't 100% healthy ever again. Realistically, you should aim for a good balance of protein, carbs, and fat each day. Should you eat fried foods every day? No. Is it possible they will make you sick? Maybe. Is it okay to eat some to see what happens and have them for a treat every now and again? Yes.

    • NovelTee

      I'm not at all hungry on this liquid pre-op diet, but I miss the sensation of chewing. It's been about two weeks––surgery is in two days––and I can't imagine how I'll feel a couple of weeks post-op. Tonight, I randomly stumbled upon a mukbang channel on YouTube, and it was strangely soothing... is it just me, or is this a thing? 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        I actually watched cooking shows during my pre-op, like Great British Baking Show. It was a little bizarre, but didn't make me hungry. I think it was also soothing in a way.

    • Clueless_girl

      How do you figure out what your ideal weight should be? I've had a figure in my head for years, but after 3 mths of recovery I'm already almost there. So maybe my goal should be lower?
      · 3 replies
      1. NickelChip

        Well, there is actually a formula for "Ideal Body Weight" and you can use a calculator to figure it out for you. This one also does an adjusted weight for a person who starts out overweight or obese. https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/68/ideal-body-weight-adjusted-body-weight

        I would use that as a starting point, and then just see how you feel as you lose. How you look and feel is more important than a number.

      2. Clueless_girl

        I did find different calculators but I couldn't find any that accounted for body frame. But you're right, it is just a number. It was just disheartening to see that although I lost 60% of my excess weight, it's still not in the "normal/healthy" range..

      3. NickelChip

        I think it's important to remember that the weight charts and BMI ranges were developed a very long time ago and only intended to be applied to people who have never been overweight or obese. Those numbers aren't for us. When you are larger, especially for a long time, your body develops extra bone to support the weight. Your organs get a little bigger to handle the extra mass. Your entire infrastructure increases so you can support and function with the extra weight. That doesn't all go away just because you burn off the excess fat. If you still had a pair of jeans from your skinniest point in life and then lost weight to get to the exact number on the scale you were when those jeans fit you, chances are they would be a little baggy now because you would actually be thinner than you were, even though the scale and the BMI chart disagree. When in doubt, listen to the jeans, not the scale!

    • Aunty Mamo

      Tomorrow marks two weeks since surgery day and while I'm feeling remarkably well and going about just about every normal activity, I did wind up with a surface abscess on on of my incision sights and was put on an antibiotic that made me so impacted that it took me more than two hours to eliminate yesterday and scared the hell out of me. Now there's Miralax in all my beverages that aren't Smooth Move tea. I cannot experience that again. I shouldn't have to take Ativan to go to the lady's. I really looking forward to my body getting with the program again. 
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      I timed this surgery so that I'd be recovering during my spring break. That was a good plan. Today is a state holiday and the final day of break. I feel really strong to return to school tomorrow. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Now that I'm in maintenance mode, I'm getting a into a routine for my meals. Every day, I start out with 8-16 ounces of water, and then a proffee, which I have come to look forward to even the night before. My proffees are simply a black coffee with a protein powder added. There are three products that I cycle through: Premier Vanilla, Orgain Vanilla, and Dymatize Vanilla.
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      For second breakfast on non-workdays, I will prepare two servings of plain, instant oatmeal with a tablespoon of an olive oil-based spread. This means I will have had 34 grams of protein, 365 calories, and 38 carbs. Non-workdays are when I am being very active with training sessions, so I allow myself more carbohydrate fuel.
      Snacks on any day are always mixed nuts, even when I am travelling. I will have 0.2 cups of a blend that I make myself. It consists of dry roasted peanuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pistachios, and Brazil nuts. This is 5 grams of protein, 163 calories, and 7 carbs.
      Breakfast and snacks have been the easiest to nail down. Lunch and dinner have more variables, and I prepare enough for leftovers. I concentrate on protein first, and then add vegetables. Typically tempeh, tofu, or Field Roast products with roasted or sautéed vegetables. Today, I will be eating leftovers from last night. Two ounces of tempeh with four ounces of roasted vegetables that consist of red and yellow sweet peppers, sweet potatoes, small purple potatoes, zucchini, and carrots. I will add a tablespoon of olive oil-based spread, break up 3 walnuts to sprinkle of top, and garnish with two tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese. This particular meal will be 19 grams of protein, 377 calories, and 28 grams of carbs. Bear in mind that I do eat more carbs when I am not working, and I focus on ingesting healthy carbs instead of breads/crackers/chips/crisps.
      It's a helluva journey and I'm thankful to be on it!
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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