Inner Surfer Girl

What do your NUT's instructions day? When I was on clear liquids I liked ProtiDiet liquid beverage concentrates. I was also allowed Premier Protein even though it's not clear. Bone broth has more protein than some broths so my NUT recommended that. I know a lot of folks like Isopure.

Yes. I carry almost all of my extra weight below my waist and have lymph edema in my legs. Although my legs are still large and misshapen, especially my left leg, they have changed tremendously. Immediately post-op I lost weight very rapidly. A lot of that was from the Fluid in my legs according to my PA. I may never have normal shaped legs but who knows. I have seen so many physical changes since surgery I am starting to believe anything is possible.

Drink lots of Water and stay hydrated. Eat delicious, nutritious food. Find something else to do. (Take a walk. Exercise. Clean your house. Call a friend. Write in your journal. Make something. Practice a craft or hobby. Volunteer. Etc. Etc.) See a counselor or therapist. Attend a support group. Read a book. There are lots of books related to weight loss surgery, emotional eating, eating disorders, etc. Post in BariatricPal. Learning how to deal with head hunger is challenging but you can do it!

It's not baloney. It is an important part of the process.

Did your NUT give you a list of foods/shakes that are approved? Are you still on Clear liquids? Full liquids? I am not familiar with Herballife shakes specifically so you will need to read the labels and check with your NUT to make sure they have the right Protein to carb ratio. Many Protein Shakes aren't bariatric friendly because they have too many carbs.

The reason your clothes are fitting differently is because your body is losing weight. The numbers on the scale are not the only measure of weight loss. None of us lose at a constant rate and stalls (periods of time when the numbers on the scale don't change) are a normal, natural, and necessary part of the process. Just follow your program and stay off the scale. Embrace the Stall! http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

Give her time. Some people just don't deal with change very well. Either she will come around and figure out how much she values your friendship or she won't. It's not up to us to change someone else.

I agree. If you are hungry after 2-3 hours then eat something. Just make sure it's on your plan. Also, make sure you stay hydrated.

What does your doctor say? Do you check your blood pressure? Are you on meds? I agree with @Kindle. Make sure you are getting in all of your Protein and fluids, and make sure you are taking your Vitamins and supplements. But, we aren't medical doctors. If something doesn't feel right and you are experiencing something out of the ordinary, see your doctor.

It takes as long as it takes. Embrace the Stall! http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

Just a quick response since I am not pescatarian or vegetarian. There are vegetarians on this site who can help you. You might get more responses if you post in the food and Nutrition Forum. I THINK there is a vegetarians subforum. As to how much fish is safe to eat I think it varies depending on the fish and where it comes from. The Environmental Defense Fund has some good information on their website. Also, I live in Kentucky and our Department of Fish and Wildlife has info on their website about locally caught fish. If you eat local fish you might want to see if your state has something similar. Best of luck.

I don't know about you, but I don't have any number of carbs I "should" be having a day. I HAVE to have at least 100 grams of Protein and at least 64 oz. of Fluid. My program does minimize carbs by avoiding: starches (like rice, bread, Pasta, potatoes, etc.), added sugar/high sugar foods, and especially high fructose corn syrup. By doing this, eating protein first, and tracking my food, my carbs, calories and fats fall into place without a specific target. I think this is the reason NUTs don't give explicit calorie or carb targets. If you eat cleanly, especially by adding healthy vegetables and fats to your protein you should be getting all of your macros covered.

This perfectly describes how I feel about what led me to WLS.

Forgive yourself and get back on track. If you need help, make an appointment with your NUT, attend a support group, and/or see a therapist. Follow your program. Track your food. Focus on getting in all of your Protein and fluids, take your Vitamins and supplements as directed, and exercise. Focus on how far you have come. Do you journal? Try shaking up your routine: try a new exercise class, a new healthy, high-protein recipe, a new hobby. Recommit to your program and new lifestyle. It's never too late to get back on track. Stalls are a normal, necessary, and natural part of the process of losing weight. So are mistakes. You know what works. Embrace the Stall! http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

Meehan are you taking your iron? I take mine with my C at a meal when I am not eating anything with calcium or near when I take my calcium supplements. Calcium is supposed to interfere with iron absorption.

Being on a pre-op diet over Christmas will be tough but you can do it! I don't know where you live or what is available and what your physical capabilities are, but here are some ideas: Take a walk. Take a drive to look at Christmas lights. Our family will be celebrating over several days time. One of the things we have planned is a family talent show. We also usually go to at least one movie around the holiday, not necessarily on the day. You could watch Christmas movies at home. Sing carols/go caroling. Volunteer. Visit someone who doesn't have family. Maybe visit a retirement home, assisted living facility, or nursing home. Christmas Eve we usually go to a Candlelight Service at our Church. I've never been, but someday I would like to go to midnight mass Christmas Eve. I'm not Catholic but would like the experience. You could make a craft! One year we got snowed in at my aunts. Fortunately, we were able to get to the store ahead of the blizzard and bought bisque Santa figurines and paint. We all painted Santas and had a blast. As for Christmas treats, get a nice Christmas flavored decaf tea or herb tea. Mint is nice. I like Harney & Sons hot cinnamon spice (and it comes in decaf!). You could also try adding cinnamon and/or nutmeg to a vanilla Protein shake. Syntrax nectar fuzzy navel is festive and reminds me of a mock mimosa. Ask your NUT for some suggestions, I am sure others are in the same boat. Best of luck. Focus on the experiences with family and friends and it well help with the food.

My understanding is that nicotine will inhibit healing and can cause leaks. For more specific and accurate info, please talk with your surgeon though.

Gorgeous!

Don't do that.Inner Surfer Girl, when does the weight loss kick back in? My crystal ball isn't working so I really couldn't say. This isn't something you can predict. Just follow your program and you will lose weight.

Best of luck everyone!

Best of luck! Keep us posted on how you are doing.

I will see if I can sort through your questions/issues. This may seem random. If you are 7 weeks post-op, what food phase are you on? If you are eating ground beef patties you should be able to eat a small Wendy's Chili which would have been my choice in your situation. I would think a Wendy's cheeseburger without a bun or a grilled chicken sandwich without a bun would also be a better choice than a baked potato which had no Protein. If you eat fast food then it is perfectly acceptable to order sandwiches without bread. I haven't found anywhere that doesn't have something I can eat now that I am cleared for all foods. For my program, my protein target is 100 grams a day, too. I avoid starches (rice, potatoes, bread, Pasta, etc.). I get most of my carbs from vegetables and some fruit. Read labels carefully. I don't think an Adkin's snack would be the best choice, especially since your NUT wants you to cut back on the sweets. Neither would a mug brownie (even if it is a protein brownie). I eat a lot of tuna, cottage cheese, yogurt, cheese sticks, refried Beans, turkey burgers, deli turkey, etc. It sounds like you may want to get comfortable in choosing protein first. What I gather from what you posted is that you still want to build your meals around carbs instead of protein. It takes some thought and practice, but you can do it. The good thing is that if you stop eating starches, you will stop craving starches. I hope this helps.

Welcome and best of luck with your surgery. You are in the right place!

My Inner Surfer Girl is looking forward to buying real surf gear and bathing suits. I just ordered an O'Neil rashguard to swim in and it was an XL. Its a tad tight but that is ok for a rashguard to wear over my bathing suit to keep my arms and shoulders warm. I haven't been able to wear "real" clothes in decades so this is a big deal for me. I also ordered another rashguard in L for future wear because I thought the pattern was cool.

Maybe you can talk your friend into guest posting on this topic for us!