Inner Surfer Girl

I get it (I have many engineers in my life, and I am about half-engineer myself) but the fallacy in your reasoning (and that of many, many people) is that you are viewing the human body as a simple machine (inputs+work=outputs, or whatever the equation is, I don't remember off the top of my head) and not the marvelously complex system that it really is.

Sounds like you may need to redefine failure. A stall is not a failure, it's a necessary part of the process. Failure is not trying something new and not doing it perfectly. (For me, it's only failure if I don't try something at all.) I spent a great deal of time paralyzed by the fear of failure. For me, I was the kid who hated to do anything badly, so I hated practicing (music, sports, etc.). Guess what? It turns out you have to be able to do things badly and imperfectly to actually reach excellence. We have to be willing to fail in order to succeed, otherwise we stay paralyzed. A great book about this is OUTLIERS. The stories about how many hours it takes to truly master something was truly enlightening to me. I encourage you to explore your dealings about failure and perfectionism. You might be surprised what could happen if you learned to look at it differently.

One of the biggest things I have learned in this process is how important it is to not give up when confronted with a stall. Stalls are a normal, natural and necessary part of the weight loss process. Giving up and returning to old bad habits is the worst thing we can do when we encounter a stall. Focus on getting in all of your Protein and fluids, take all of the Vitamins and supplements, and exercise when you are able. None of us lose weight at a constant rate. It's what we do when the scale isn't cooperating that determines our success. If the numbers on the scale control how you feel, then the best thing to do is to stay off of the scale. Embrace the Stall! http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

Yes, it's the "blow thingy". I had one device to blow into every hour and one to vibrate my lungs every hour (so basically using one or the other every 30 minutes).

Congratulations! You look super, Dave! (I couldn't resist.)

@@ZombieQueen, you have received lots of encouragement through these posts. I hope you are already starting to feel better. As other's have suggested, take one day at a time and focus on getting in your Protein and fluids (sip, sip, sip), and walk when you can. The first few weeks are particularly difficult emotionally since our hormones are all out of whack. It does get much, much better.

Were you given an incentive spirometer to use after surgery? I was instructed to use mine for quite a while post-op. It's important to make sure our lungs are fully re inflated after surgery.

Yes, it is very hard to get it all in soon after surgery but it is very important to do so. Immediately after surgery it is a full time job to get in all of the Protein and fluids, but it gets easier. Skipping meals is what got many of us in the shape to need surgery in the first place and is horrible for the metabolism.

I don't know what my surgeon suggests because I was sleeved in April. I get a flu shot every year.

The main reason is that we only can digest about 25 grams of protein at a time. If you do double the protein you would probably need to drink 1/2 at a later time.

As your NUT's advice sounds much more in line with mine, I would vote for your NUT.

Congratulations! I have been getting a lot of pleasure from being able to work out longer, harder, and more frequently in the pool.

Initially, when I was on liquids, I relied on protein shakes and supplements for a lot of my protein. As I was able to add foods and transition through the stages, most comes from food but I occasionally supplement with a shake. The most important thing for me is that I get in my 100 grams of protein a day.

Happy Birthday! Congratulations on forgoing the birthday treats. Hope you find time to treat yourself to some relaxation time for your birthday.

@@colleenrocks, glad to hear you are back on track. Be careful with that knitting! I got mine out last month and I think O've given myself carpal tunnel syndrome already. A PPI is an acid blocker like Omeprazol (Prilosec, etc.). A lot of people have acid which feels like hunger.

Good luck with your surgery!

Why not, indeed? That is the usual way to use Protein powders. I always count all fluids toward my Fluid total. Were you advised differently?

If you haven't been tracking your food and fluids now is a great time to start!

None of us lose at a constant rate, and stalls are a normal, natural, and necessary part of the process. I mean this in the best way possible, but if you are concerned about ounces on the scale, it might be a very good idea to put your scale away and weigh no more than once a week (or even less frequently). It's not worth it if you are going to let it dictate how you feel. Just focus on getting in all of your Protein and fluids, and taking all of your Vitamins and supplements as directed. Now that you are starting to exercise, you may also want to check in with your NUT to see if you need to adjust anything. It's possible as you increase your physical activity that you MAY need to eat more. Embrace the Stall! http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

Congratulations! If you follow your program it will work!

oh! No, def not on one. Talk to your surgeon. I was given a prescription for one right after surgery.

I don't recall being particularly hungry when I was in clear liquids, but, I was sipping my something all the time in order to get in all of my protein and fluids, so really didn't have the chance to feel hungry. Are you taking a PPI?

Cute!

It sounds like you are doing great. What you are experiencing is very normal. Just focus on getting in all of your Protein and fluids. And taking your Vitamins and supplements as directed and you will be fine. If the numbers in the scale Erie you crazy, then consider weighing infrequently, or not at all (you will be weighed at your follow-up appointments). Here is the post that was referenced above. Embrace the Stall! http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall