Inner Surfer Girl

That looks good. The only thing I would worry about is the ketchup (a lot of commercial ketchups have high fructose corn syrup which my surgeon is adamant that we avoid).

It sounds like you have done great, You may need extra Protein to continue to lose since you are healing from surgery and are exercising more. Why not try it to see how it works? As far as my surgeon's recommendations go, 60-70 grams is on the low side. My protein goal is 100 grams.

Beautiful!

Welcome! I love cheese, too. Fortunately, it is a great source of Protein.

Glad to hear that you are adding protein supplements.

This is critical information to have.

Stalls are a normal, natural, and necessary part of the process of losing weight. None of us lose at a constant or steady rate. We all experience slowdowns and stall. Just about everyone experiences their first stall about three weeks after surgery. Just follow your program. Focus on getting in all of your Protein and fluids. Take your Vitamins and supplements as directed. Exercise when cleared. Stay off the scale. And, Embrace the Stall http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

I don't know why you couldn't play any sport once your incisions have healed.

We all need AT LEAST 64 oz of Fluid whether we have surgery or not. We do get some fluid from foods, so pre-op you will get some if you are eating a lot of fresh food. Post-op, you will get less from food so you definitely need to stay on top of the water.

I am so sorry to hear this. Did you find a good therapist? Have you found any local recovery meetings (like OA)? Sending hugs.

Why yes I have! (Taking another opportunity to post this...)

Yes, you can. 30 grams in an hour is the upper limit that I was given. Aim for no more than 20-30 grams in one hour. If you make a shake with more than 30 grams, then divide it into 1/2 or 1/3 and spread it out over several hours.

You are welcome. I sent you a PM.

Hey, @@BLERDgirl, great to see you. This is a great example. Plus, the water is a great place to do weight and resistance work, ab work, etc.

I just read this excellent essay and it brought to mind some of the posts I see on here, especially related to taking time off for surgery and when to return to work. I know for me, I didn't really get serious about exploring surgery until my obesity had an even more negative impact on my professional life than usual. One thing I am learning throughout this process is the importance of balance. Although addressed to academics, I find this relevant to just about everyone. https://www.insidehighered.com/advice/2016/05/11/how-avoid-overinvestment-your-job-essay?utm_source=Inside+Higher+Ed&utm_campaign=bc70753926-DNU20160511&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_1fcbc04421-bc70753926-198485901 What do you think?

Are you on a pre-op diet? I know when I first get "clean" from sugar, etc., my emotions are very raw. Also, as we rapidly lose weight, our hormones get wacky and we can experience a lot of emotional ups and downs (we store a lot of hormones in our fat). Be gentle with yourself and realize that it will pass and things will get better. Crying is ok. Journaling is a great way to "dump" all of your uncomfortable feelings and emotions. Take a walk. Take a bath. Just try really hard not to take it out on your loved ones. When we remove our usual coping mechanism (food), we need to learn healthier ways to cope with stress, and uncomfortable feelings and emotions. This is where a good therapist, support group, and even a 12-step recovery group like OA (OA.org), can be invaluable.

Allow me to disagree. You can't expect somebody who's just had surgery to have 80-100gr a Protein daily. That's just not possible. I am three days out and my new stomac can't handle more than 3 table spoons of yogurt at a time if not less. We all do it at our own pase, as are all different. Weight loss is not a race and we all do it differently. My surgeon in fact dos expect it. He said there was no physical reason someone couldn't drink 3 premier Protein drinks in one day (33 oz of fluid/90 grams of protein) and expected us to do it. It can be done. It may take all day, but it can be done.

I had crushed ice, jello, ProtiDiet liquid beverage concentrates, and water in the hospital.

I don't know why one day you are satisfied and another you aren't. It could have to do with what you are eating (especially if you are eating carbs/sugars), it could be head/emotional hunger, it could be stomach acid, or, you could actually be hungry. I recommend that you make an appointment with your NUT and talk about it. Share your food logs. Also, journal about when you are hungry and when you are not. Maybe your NUT can see a pattern.

I am glad you shared this. It is interesting to note the very first item is at least 50 grams of Protein. I know the last time we talked about it you were nowhere near that amount. How are you doing at getting at least 50 grams of protein and 64 oz of Water a day? Did you call and make an appointment with your NUT and therapist?

I haven't done it, nor have I reached goal, but I don't know any reason you couldn't do it as long as you are able to get in all of your protein and fluids.

You really have to read labels to make sure they are bariatric friendly. Some Protein shakes are marketed to body builders and have high carbs, some are marketed to the elderly (also high carb), and still others are marketed to the general public (high carb). Anything you see advertised on tv or through multilevel marketing probably has high carb.

We have a health food co-op in a nearby city that I have been meaning to find. There was a post on the Internet the other day that they were having a sale on fresh raspberries so it gave me an excuse to find it. Now, I have quite a few raspberries (most of which are in the freezer). They have been delicious added to my yogurt. Other than Protein shakes, what are some good, easy, healthy ways that you use fresh berries (especially raspberries)?

Welcome! Just going through the process will change you. But, from my experience, it is for the better. If you take this process seriously, keep an open mind, learn as much as you can, use all of your resources, and follow your program guidelines, you will experience a transformation. It is like an intense boot camp for personal growth. Wouldn't you rather become a better version of yourself than stay stuck? One book I recommend frequently is: Eat it Up! by Connie Stapleton. It is very helpful. So is journaling, meditation, spiritual practice, etc. One key to success is learning how to manage stress and emotions without using food. I also recommend that you use all of the resources available to you: your bariatric team, NUT, a counselor or therapist, support group meetings, and 12-step recover groups (like OA -- OA.org). I am considerably older than you and have been obese for many more years. Pre-op, losing weight was a near impossibility for me. It was a struggle just not to gain. Post-op, it is like a night and day difference. If I follow the program, I lose weight. I still experience periodic stalls. Anyone who wants to lose a large amount of weight will. None of us lose at a constant or steady rate, we all experience periodic stalls and slowdowns. The key is how you react to those stalls. To succeed in this process you will do well if you practice patience, polite persistence, perseverance, and positivity. Embrace the Stall http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall P.S., I am writing this with my legs in compression boots as I am doing my twice daily physical therapy for my lymphedema. Getting treatment for my lymphedema is another important thing that has resulted from my journey so far. Keep us posted on how you are doing!

Welcome! All I can suggest is that you just keep sipping. You probably will be sipping constantly until the swelling goes down and you can consume more liquids at once. Are you just drinking Water?