Inner Surfer Girl

Learning to treat ourselves with kindness is a very important skill. Self-talk is so important. Issues like self-blame, boundaries, and taking responsibility for our actions are things we all have to deal with as we mature and become functioning adults. I would suggest you consider talking with a counselor or therapist if you really want to explore these issues. A bariatric support group and/or a twelve-step recovery group like OA (OA.org) might also be helpful for you. In addition, there are lots of books you might want to read. Brene Brown's books come to mind off the top of my head. Good luck.

Focus on getting in all of your protein and fluids. At 6 days post-op I was still trying to get it all in to the point that I would take a protein shake and water to bed with me. I wouldn't turn out my lights to go to sleep until I had met my goal.

I am squarely in the camp of weighing less often. Early out I only weighed at Doctor's appointments (mostly because I was too large for my scale at home so it never gave an accurate reading). That was a great habit to get into. I have noticed that for many people, weighing frequently drives them crazy. For me, weighing daily would give me no actionable information so I don't do it.

If you are having trouble eating slowly, try using a toddler spoon or appetizer spoon. If you don't have one, use the very tip of a teaspoon. Put your spoon down between each bite and chew. Even if it's purée or soft, try to chew your food. The bonus to learning to eat slowly is that you get to taste your food longer. I was always a fast eater so learning to eat slowly and mindfully is a challenge.

If you like Yoohoos, you might be pleasantly surprised when you try premier protein. Just saying.

It has made me who I am today. I hope it has made me caring, compassionate, kind, slow to judgement, forgiving, and much more. It also has given me a highly developed BS meter!

What you are experiencing is very normal. We do not lose weight at a constant or steady rate. We will experience stalls. Most people have their first stall about three weeks after surgery. Follow your program. Focus on getting in all of your Protein and fluids, take your Vitamins and supplements as directed, and exercise. If the numbers in the scale are going to cause you distress and anxiety, then stay off the scale. Embrace the Stall! http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

You are doing great! The numbers on the scale are not my business. My business is Protein, Fluid, Vitamins, and exercise. You KNOW that you are doing great.

Please stay off the scale. This is a different process than what we were all taught pre-op. You are still recovering from major surgery and need time to heal. You are swollen and full of fluids. Your primary focus post-op is getting enough nutrition to heal and to keep your metabolism functioning. Follow your program. Focus on getting in all of your Protein and fluids. Take your Vitamins and supplements as directed. Exercise. Moderately until you can get enough nutrition and are cleared for more strenuous exercise. Weigh less often. We do not lose weight at a constant rate. We all experience periodic stalls and most of us have our first one about three weeks after surgery. If you are unclear about your program or what you should be eating at each stage, then give your NUT a call. Embrace the Stall! http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

Good luck with your appointment. I am praying for a successful resolution.

Keep working on the water. I think you will be able to see a change when you are able to get in more water.

This is a great conversation to have with your NUT. He or she may have some guidance as to good protein supplements for you. You will definitely need to read labels carefully.

In addition to Greek yogurt, look at some of the other high protein yogurts like Icelandic.

For those who suggested you "quit while you are ahead", do they think you are really ahead if you haven't had the surgery? It sounds like a blessing that they were able to find and remove the tumor, find that it is benign and keep you on track for surgery. Even insurance is cooperating. It sounds to me like everything is aligned to help you complete what you set out to do in the first place. Listen to your doctor's and surgeon as you make your final decision. Well-meaning but I'll-informed friends and family are probably not the best people for making health decisions for you. Your last paragraph sounds like you know what you want to do.

It didn't happen to me, but my surgeon stressed that it was a very real possibility and the reason for the pre-op diet.

My doctor told me to never eat celery because it is to hard for our small tummies to break down. It doesn't brother you? My flashbacks were to pre-op. I don't think I've had any raw celery since surgery.

Stalls are a normal, natural and necessary part of the process. My guess is that the closer you get to goal, the more likely you will stall more often and for longer periods as your body adjusts. Have you talked to your NUT about your concerns? Embrace the Stall! http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

I have a pool at home so can swim outside during the summer (I'm in Kentucky). Now, I swim at our local hospital's wellness center. I love the water. For now it's really the only way I can get some good exercise.

It sounds like you are doing fine. Just stick with your program and you will lose weight. Definitely check out the Sit and Be Fit videos. Pre-op, I was having mobility issues so I got a peddler and peddled with my hands while watching tv. It was a fairly easy way to get some exercise. You might want to look into something similar. Can you swim? You may want to see if you can do some Water exercise. It is much better on the joints than land exercise.

I'm having flashbacks to sitting at a bar and ordering "wings, hold the wings"! I've eaten an awful lot of celery and blue cheese dressing. Now, fried food doesn't sound at all appealing to me.

Many people don't show an initial loss on the scale because of IV fluids and swelling post-op. Have you talked to your NUT? Did your surgeon or NUT express any concern when you had your post-op follow-up? If not, I you are probably doing fine. Almost everyone hits a stall about three weeks post op. Just follow your program. Focus on getting in all of your Protein and fluids, take your Vitamins and supplements as directed, and exercise. Even though you are getting 70 grams of protein, your calories are very low. You should do better once you are able to get in more calories. Embrace the Stall! http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

You mention carbs and calories but not Protein. Your primary focus post-op is reaching your protein and Fluid targets Even though you haven't lost since surgery, you are probably experiencing your first stall. Stalls are a normal, natural, and necessary part of the weight loss process. What does your NUT and surgeon suggest? Are you following your program? Are you getting in all of your protein and fluids? Are you taking your Vitamins and supplements as instructed? Are you exercising? If you aren't happy with your progress them give your NUT a call. Embrace the Stall! http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

Wherever you are in your journey, if you aren't happy with your progress why not make an appointment with your NUT and go back to basics? Are you still following your program? Are you still getting in all of your Protein and Water every day? Are you still taking your Vitamins and supplements? Are you still avoiding starches (rice, Pasta, bread, etc.)? Are you exercising regularly? I am sure that after a while, most of us can get lax and return to some bad habits. Make an appointment with your NUT. He or she may have some insights and tips to help you get back on track and either continue to lose weight or transition to a healthy maintenance. Embrace the Stall! http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

Ask your NUT, but another way to get some fruit is to infuse it in water. For example, you can put some watermelon chunks in a pitcher of water. You can use fruit, fresh herbs, and even cucumbers to make flavored water.

I know some people make baked cheese crisps. I haven't done so but will probably try it someday. I like Mr. Cheese O's. A package is my post-swim snack. Once you are cleared for all foods, try some raw vegetables for crunch. If you eat them with Protein (cheese, cottage cheese, tuna, Peanut Butter, etc.), you can get in your protein. I recently got a bag of little sweet peppers and have been eating them with everything. Kay's Naturals and Quest both have protein chips that are pretty good.