Inner Surfer Girl

I was full after a few sips (or even 1 sip!). I also had no appetite or desire to eat. Right after surgery we are swollen but it gets easier. It really is hard to describe the difference between pre-op and post-op.

Congratulations! You can gripe all you want, but YOU REACHED YOUR GOAL! How awesome is that?

Whether you are trying to decide whether or not to have surgery, or just need some motivation, this article has some great questions that you could use as journal prompts to help assess where you are and where you want to be: http://www.success.com/article/if-you-want-to-change-your-results-you-have-to-change-your-thinking-first

Warning: this is graphic, but I found it fascinating. It is a video of the removal of a pulmonary embolism. https://www.facebook.com/nursefitco/videos/842021302591488/

Thank you all for your tips! this pre-op is hard ..... I cheated today, I ate a cookie Good luck to all of you as well....!!! It isn't a cheat it's a choice. Next time, you feel the urge to "cheat" try to reach for something on plan (sugar-free Popsicle, a protein shake, even a piece of turkey). You can do this. It isn't forever and it is for your benefit.

I bought all kinds of things pre-op, too! Small food containers Good measuring tools (cups and spoons) Food scale Heating pad Shaker bottle Water bottle(s) Decaf and herb teas Mio drops, crystal light

I just came here to post this link in a new thread. You might find this article helpful: http://www.success.com/article/if-you-want-to-change-your-results-you-have-to-change-your-thinking-first

None of us lose at a constant or steady rate. We all experience stalls, slow downs and weight fluctuations. Stalls are a normal, natural and necessary part of the process of losing weight. Just follow your program and focus on getting in all of your Protein and fluids, and stay off the scale. Embrace the Stall http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

You need to get more protein. For me, I could count all fluids toward my Fluid totals so I tried to have protein in as much of my fluid as possible. Premier protein is great because you can get 11 oz of fluid per 30 grams of protein. I also like ProtiDiet liquid beverage concentrates and Syntrax nectar.

My sister and brother-in-law saw a couple of shows in NY this summer. They LOVED Kinky Boots. Now, that is what I call the compression boots I use for my physical therapy!

Just to add: Her life is not fabulous. It could be, but nothing she is doing right now is going to make it so. I think her life is very sad. She can't dance. She LIKES to dance (which is great), but she has no skill or technique. She "teaches" dance but doesn't have the skill or endurance to do so. I think she is wasting a HUGE opportunity to create the life she wants with this TV show. Rather than a showcase for her need for attention, she COULD use the resources and time filming this show doing so many more productive things (whether or not related to her weight).

I have had a squirt of real whipped cream on protein pudding. I would suggest that rather than have it alone, have it with protein.

What is your protein target? 60 grams is in the low side. (My target is 100 grams.) If you aren't even getting in 60 then you are really low. 2 premier protein shakes will give you 60 grams at least.

Personally, I don't use a blender very often. I don't make Protein shakes/smoothies with lots of ingredients, so a shaker bottle is just fine for my needs. I think I own 3 blenders and haven't used any of them in months. A food scale is much more important in my opinion.

He has got to eat, whether he feels like it or not. Protein is critical for healing. He won't have any energy until he gets enough nutrition. Has he met with his NUT? He may need to make an appointment to talk about some strategies for getting enough nutrition.

The way my surgeon explained it is that if protein is low, our body thinks there is a famine and food is scarce and will do everything it can to conserve/store energy. If it is getting enough protein it thinks everything is great and our metabolism keeps humming. Also, protein is used for a lot of things, including repair. As we lose weight our body had a lot of rearranging, restructuring, repairing to do. My analogy (you can't blame my surgeon for this one). Think of it this way: If you have a regular house, you may need to do occasional maintenance, but if you are renovating your house, you need more labor, supplies, and energy. The protein is the supplies, the metabolism is the labor, and the fat is energy. If you don't have enough supplies (nails, bricks, etc.), then everybody gets to take the day off until more supplies are delivered (so your metabolism slows and you aren't using the energy). If you are waiting for supplies (protein) and not using the energy, then any new energy that arrives (carbs/fats) is stored. We are efficient at storing energy but our bodies do not store protein. If we don't have enough supplies but the roof springs a leak, we may have to take supples from elsewhere (protein in our muscles, like the heart) to do an emergency repair. That is why chronically low protein can cause heart and other serious problems: our organs (heart, lungs, skin, etc.) are made of protein. If we don't have enough protein we can damage our muscles and organs. If we have just enough for that but not enough to keep up with the repairs needed as we lose weight then our weight loss slows down or stops. Also, if we aren't getting enough protein and our body consumes muscle then it slows our metabolism even more. We may see a change on the scale but it won't be fat loss, it will be muscle. We need muscle to burn fat (back to my analogy, muscle is the labor force). So, instead of a work crew of contractors, we may have a skeleton crew that can do even fewer repairs. The bottom line: don't skimp on protein. You don't get bonus points for starving your body of protein. You don't get bonus points for severely restricting protein.

I disagree. The longer I watched this show, the more I have come to believe that the issue isn't her weight. Weight is a symptom. She is in deep denial about a lot of things, including her food issues. She appears to me to be immature, narcissistic, manipulative, and hypocritical. She bullies as much as she claims to be bullied. She has no boundaries. She is literally and figuratively starved for attention. Her parents and friends are huge enablers, codependents, and clueless. As to the comedian, I think she could have been more tactful and I don't agree 100% with what she said and how she said it, but she was brought onto the show for a reason. I lost any shred of respect I had for anyone on that show with the way they treated her. I hope she was payed well for what she had to put up with.

I agree. You don't have to explain.

Crushed ice (Sonic is my favorite) with ProtiDiet liquid beverage concentrates eaten with a spoon was helpful early out. My surgeon allowed ProtiDiet tomato basil and creamy chicken Soups even during the clear phase and they were great because sweet Protein drinks were tiring. I also liked V8 for something more savory.

Are you getting in all of your Protein and fluids? Embrace the Stall http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

In addition to Syntrax nectar, I also liked ProtiDiet liquid beverage concentrates. They are good undiluted over crushed ice.

My full liquids included pudding, Greek yogurt, etc.

Congratulations, it sounds like you have been doing great. When you say you are reaching your protein target most days, that might be someplace where you can do some adjusting. Why not do what you can to reach it every day? For me, it is better to go over by a little bit than to not get in enough. Since you are exercising regularly, you may even need some extra carbs and fats. Have you talked to your NUT lately about your challenges and goals? Your NUT would be much better able to advise you based on your own specific needs. Embrace the Stall http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

If you need to do fast food, you can find something at places like Arby's, Wendy's, Subway, Chick-fil-a and even Taco Bell. Just avoid bread, breading, and fried foods. For instance get a turkey (or other lean meat sandwich) without the bun, grilled chicken nuggets, etc.

Have you looked online? Syntrax nectar fuzzy navel is also good.