CraftyChristie

heygale - I feel your pain, I have been complaining about the same thing in several threads tonight. Frustrated with how slow things have been. The first month was great and now nothing is happening. Hopefully Tiffykins can help She is like the Sleeve Guru!!!

tiffy, when I was on mushies I was at about 30g carbs a day but now it's usually 40-50. How can I cut more out? I only get them from flatbread and crackers which I have about 1 cracker a day usually, and a flatbread maybe every other day. The rest come from the other foods that are also high protein. What suggestions do you have to cut out more carbs but not feel like I am ONLY eating MEAT all day every day? I try to eat shrimp once per day because it is so high protein, low cal, low fat and has pretty much no carbs either. Also tuna usually every other day. I am just getting bored though with all the meats I feel like I can only eat chicken/beef so many ways. Help! You are so good at this stuff.

That is so great!! 150 is below my goal weight lol so that is just amazing. So happy for you. Being a lower starting weight, I don't think 30 lbs in 9 weeks is slow!!! I think it's awesome! I'm at 7 weeks and 41 lbs and I started weighing 310!! Lost a bunch fast in the first month and now just sitting here hoping it gets going again. Your mom will probably cry when she sees you In a good way :001_tt1:

I am really interested to read your post because I am at 7 weeks and in a similar situation. I lost 37 lbs the first month, and now I'm 3 weeks into my 2nd month and have only lost 4 more. I too am eating 600-800 cals a day and exercising usually 5 days a week. Perhaps it's just not enough calories. I already feel like I'm eating more than I "should" not that there is really a should but just how I feel. Maybe I'm so used to depriving myself with dieting I think I will try to up my protein intake and calories and see if it helps to get things going. I appreciate this insight. Also congrats on how well everything is going for you!

Tiffy, what a GREAT idea as a way to reuse your old shirt. I have one I love that I really don't want to get rid of so maybe I will save it and do the same thing. So smart. You look great.... so wonderful for you!! I appreciate your sentiments at the end. I'm at 7 weeks and I have felt discouraged lately. The first month went so well (-37 lbs) and the 2nd month I've only lost 4 more (in 3 weeks) despite lots of exercise and good food choices. I am feeling that old familiar struggle that I have always felt. I hoped I wouldn't feel that way with surgery, but it feels the same... I work so hard and don't get anything. I know i may just be stalling but it has really gotten me down a little. I'm ready for things to get moving again. I'll try to take your words to heart and not give up hope.

I am 7 weeks out tomorrow. When I eat a dense food like meat, I am at 2 ounces to 2 1/2 ounces. But if I eat something softer I can eat more. For example mac and cheese - this is a treat, grandma's recipe from a BBQ, don't hardly ever have it - but I just ate 1/2 cup of it (4 ounces.) I feel full but not overly full, just right. That just really surprised me, I haven't eaten 4 ounces of ANYTHING. I don't think I'll be eating that anymore... I know I should have a Protein and then like a bite of that... like I said it's not a common thing. But it scared me a little to eat 1/2 cup. Please share how much you were/are able to eat and at how long post op. Thank you!

Tiffykins that is good to know because you have definitely been successful. I keep worrying that I'm eating too much. I am usually at 700-800 cals a day.

Ok, I know our stomachs hold food by volume and not weight. But when you look at a package, how do you know which way they have measured it? For example, in a can of chili I know they used fluid ounces. What about a jar of peanuts? When it says 1 oz does it mean by weight or by volume? I use that label to write down if I eat 1 oz of peanuts... so what if I am calculating the wrong kind of ounce?

At your weight I can NOT imagine that it wouldn't be noticeable! That makes no sense! I am so sorry, I would be upset too. However I am super super proud of you for your loss!

It depends a lot on where you live. Nearer to a bigger city will cost more. I'm in Denver and my total cost was $19,000. I researched it in Chicago and it was $22,000. People in other states that aren't as city-centered (if that makes sense) seem to be able to get down to $14-15,000.

Same here, my dr and his office were a little more conservative while the head of the bariatric program told me to advance sooner.... which I did because I was STARVING on mushies. Everything has been fine for me but you will just have to decide what you feel comfortable with.

Hi Pete. Our doc didn't do catheters but my husband and I both had a drain for an entire week after surgery... so don't worry, it's not unheard of. Your fear of it making you more sore is unfounded - well the drain, anyway... can't speak for the catheter or your delicate parts! When the drain was pulled it didn't necessarily hurt but it felt very strange. The tube is longer than you think and what surprised me is even though the hole was in the lower right of my stomach, I felt it come from high up in the left side of my chest by my heart! So weird. But half an hour later I realized how much better i was feeling and that night I could actually sleep on my side. I didn't realize how much of my pain and discomfort was actually caused by that stupid thing. It is such a relief to get it removed!!! You will be happy

I totally agree with LAN2K. Having some of these treats is okay. I have already eaten pizza a bunch actually - but mostly I've made little flatbread pizzas at home piled with chicken or beef and using 2% cheese.... super high protein and around 200 cals. I did have pizza out at one place when I was away... very thin crust and had 1/2 a slice (big slices though.) And I just keep right on losing I haven't had a ton of bad things but I give myself little treats like 2 M&M's here and there and I feel satisfied pretty much all the time! Just stick to high protein, hit your goal each day, drink all your water. If you deprive yourself of things you love you will just end up pigging out on them in the end. Plan for them, plan the rest of your day around them. It's the ones that "just happen" that can get you into trouble

To me there are only 3 things that truly matter. 1. You are healthy. 2. You are happy. 3. You feel comfortable with yourself. At whatever weight these things are true for you, that is where you should stay

Welcome and I'm so glad to hear your insurance is on board and that you will be able to move so quickly. I thought I would have a few months to wait - waited 6 weeks just for my consult - but then it was like, would you like surgery next week? uhhh let me think.. yeah!!! Congrats and you are in for a great ride.

Hi Judy ~ try not to be discouraged!! I think honestly the huge amount you lost right away has a lot to do with it. I am May 20th so we are right on track with each other and I've lost 41 lbs, just in a different way. 18 first week, then 10 over the next 2 weeks, then 5, then I stalled for a bit, then 4, then 3. Every time you lose 20-30 lbs your body takes a while to adjust before moving on. If you really think you may need changes, examine your calories (should be 600-800 a day the first year) that's net calories meaning if you exercise and burn 200, then you should eat 800-1000 so that you net 600-800. You can always try upping your exercise also. I have been doing 30-60 mins 4-5 days a week. Just hang in there - it will work! Also congrats on getting off all the meds!!

Definitely frustrating!! I'm glad you are starting to feel like you know you can do this It sucks that it will take a while to happen for you but at least you are finally close to being able to change your life. And we will all be here for you.