LisaLouBop

About the stall...
Congratulations! You have reached The Dreaded Week-3 Stall. It's perfectly normal, and just about all of us have suffered through it. You're not crazy, and your doctor didn't screw up. In fact, you might not lose any weight for two weeks or even longer. But don't worry – after that, the weight will start falling off if you stick to your program. And, the inches will continue to come off even while the scale isn't budging. Here's a good article that explains why it happens and why we all have to go through it. Hang in there. Pretty soon it'll be in the rear-view mirror and you'll be dropping weight again!
(Apologies to BP regulars who have seen this repeatedly, but it's a big deal to those who are going through it!)

My doctor told me NO exercise for 2 weeks, just walking arounf the house and light housework. Then weeks 2-4 aerobics only then 1 month check up prior to strength training. He wants me healed and fully adjusted to hydrating myself sufficiently and intaking no less than 60g Protein per day. If I don't learn those key milestones, my weight is not the issue. I am. Be kind to yourself. I haven't weighed myself since the day of the surgery because my doctor taught me my first month is for healing, resting, learning, adjustment and LOVING myself.

Awe! The good: you made it!! The bad: you had to deal with BS. The moral: never walk in public with an a** because there's no good place to hide the body ! Ha!

Type in "Recipe Frenzy" in the search bar to get to a post from bobbyswife. She put a list together of some of the best bariatric online recipes and cookbooks. The two Bariatric Buddies cookbooks are free downloads. Since there is no copyright, you can print them out on your own printer or do it at Kinkos's where you can also get it binded. There is a pureed recipe section in these cookbooks, as well as a recipe section for each stage of the Bariatric Eating plan. Good luck!

A few things:
1) If you are unclear on what the doctor or nurse has said, you need to tell them that. It is their job to make sure you understand. Ask them for specific examples.
2.) The folks here have posted some suggestions but you have to try. I did some things in the nutra bullet, but mostly I made things up according to my taste buds. My handbook sites examples such as a soft scrambled egg for breakfast., a Protein shake mid morning, 4 tbsp. of tuna fish for lunch, 4 tbsp of chicken for dinner and a shake in the evening.
Here's how I make my soft scrambled egg:
I take 1 egg, tsp of plain greek yogurt (I use Fage 0%), I whip that together and top it with a bit of shredded cheddar. I either cook it on the stove in no stick pan stirring constantly or I pop i in the microwave for 1 minute. If microwaving it will be a bit under done when you take it out. Stir it together and pop it back in for another 10 seconds then chec to bring out and stir again.
You want all of your food at this stage to be fairly moist. You might add some broth to any meats you puree. If they are too dry they may be difficult to swallow and digest.

@@katmaar Keep it simple, do you like refried Beans? Go to the store buy a can of refried beans, some sour cream, cheese, hummus (or whatever toppings you like) heat up the refried beans in the microwave and add some cheese and whatever topping, that's soft/purée and it's good, and cheap for your college budget! Do you like lasagna? Buy some ricotta cheese (at Walmart it's usually where the sour cream is, at our store anyway) use A tub (doesn't really matter what size you get) add 1 egg , some shredded cheese of your choice, salt, pepper, (Italian seasoning if you want) Mix it all together . Add a thin layer of marinara sauce on top and bake it in the oven at 350 for appox 25-30 mins. Your basically just heating it up and cooking The egg. If you are in a dorm you can cook it in the microwave in a small dish probably 3-5 min if your making a single bowl. This is cheap and it's delicious. Blend some Soup or if it's soft just mush it up with a fork. Just find soft foods that you like, take small bits and chew really well. Take your time and listen to your body. Just try stuff, if something isn't agreeing with you stop eating it. Avocado is soft and good if you like that. Eat some grits for Breakfast. (You can buy instant grits in individual package to make in the microwave) If you need to thin them out a bit do it. There's so many things you can have you just have to look. enjoy being off of the liquids!

I have been doing it the big benefit for me is. The increased feeling of restriction I get the day after fast day. U don't actually fast u simply cut your normal calories down. Theory there cutting you calories twice a week and your overall calories are down and u should lose weight. I also like the fast days because those are the days I work on my self control I drcree those no snacking days I hve learned to control the night time snack monster by doing 5:2. Gotta also remember to stay on track the days your. Not "fasting". Reading the book or going to the 5:2 site will tell u about the science of it

@bobbyswife
I was sleeved on Dec 9 and i had the same issues. I was HUNGRY a lot of the time. Everyone suggested that it was stomach acid, which may have been correct but part of what my dr's instructions was 20 mg of omeprazole (sp) which is the active ingredient in Prilosec, Nexium etc.
Once i started eating more foods than the soups/shakes i found that started to go away little by little. Today i was not hungry really at all except for now as I'm writing this. I find that it comes back mostly later at night now when i do have it. i try not to eat late but maybe i need a snack or even a Protein shake later after dinner.

You can do all liquids/protein shakes for 2 weeks and lose those pounds, my question is are you really ready for surgery? This is not about crash dieting. This is about a lifestyle change. You admittedly over indulged over the holidays knowing your insurance requirements. 10 lbs isn't from the occasional cookie. So say you drop the weight and have surgery. Are you going to be able to handle the post op diet or will you be one of those who eat the wrong thing and get sick?

So when you are hungry at 10:30, why not eat a little Protein? I remember those first couple months I was eating like 5 or 6 times a day. Here's what my routine looked like:
7 or 8:00am: Breakfast
10:00am: snack
Noon: lunch
2:00-3:00: Snack
5:00-6:00: dinner
Tea in the evening and throughout the day for more liquids. I pretty much ate every 2-3 hours. I felt that staved off the hunger. And yes, I, like you, felt hunger. I don't care what anyone says, darn it! It was HUNGER! So just know, you are not alone. My hunger subsided a little, but never really went away. I just learned to read it better now. I only eat when I'm hungry. Not bored. Not mad. Not tired....you get the idea

I'm excited and nervous! My sleeve is scheduled for 12/17! This liquid diet really sucks but I'm making it and taking things one day at a time. I'm praying we all have an awesome outcome post-op and long term. For me chicken broth tastes better and different flavored sugar-free Jello. I was really weak, dizzy and head-achy today. I want to eat but I am focusing on a wonderful outcome for my future. I'm thankful for being able to talk to others going through the same process.

My date is the same, December 17. I'm so excited. I also have all my shakes, Vitamins and logs ready to go.