Sullie06

My hubby made a low fat Buffalo Chicken Dip with shredded chicken breast and it was so good. I just ate it with a spoon and it was great. Crackers were allowed on my plan early out so the second time I ate it I had a few crackers for a little crunch. Another delish meal was a tuna melt, warmed up the tuna a little with some melted cheese, lettuce for crunch, tomato and used a Mission Carb Balance wrap which I browned up a little. BLT's on a lettuce wrap instead of bread. Lettuce boats, low fat mayo, tomato and turkey bacon, or pork if that's what you prefer. Also homemade chili was another good meal. You could make it with turkey or beef and add to it what you want. By the time I started solids (10wks) I was allowed to eat anything as tolerated but I know some plans do not allow fresh veggies so you will have to follow what your plan allows of course/

Thank you for the encouragement and kind words. It's been a journey for sure. My NUT had predicted I would lose 86 pounds total at my initial appointment so I've surpassed that but I really want to hit my surgeons goal because I'm stubborn. Your doing a great job yourself, 109lbs in 5 months is amazing. I've heard that when your weight loss slows it gives your body time to redistribute fat and allows your skin to rebound some. I think that's what's happening because I feel like my legs and arms have gotten noticeably smaller during the last months while stalled. Now if the scale would just move before I see my surgeon for my 1 year post op follow up.

I've been in a stall for almost two months and it's the most frustrating thing ever so I know how you are feeling (though I see your weight loss has been better this month). I've been bouncing between 188-190 since October 2. Which is a 111-113 pound weight loss total and 81-83 since surgery. I hit 185 back in September for 1 day but I think it was my scale dying since it literally died the next time I stepped on it (I weight once a week). I've been trying to do my usual stall breakers which consist of changing my diet around, changing my exercise and increasing protein and water but I'm still bouncing right here. A typical day for me is 1000-1200 calories (per my NUT), 50-70 grams of protein (trying to get that back up to 100 like when I was supplementing), 50-100 carbs depending on the day (my nut wants me eating more veggies which ups my carbs) and cardio 3-4 days a week. I am still losing inches though as I just went down another pant size.

I would try mashed potatoes or cooked yams/sweet potatoes, stuffing depending on consistency (if it's really dry I would avoid) cranberry sauce should be okay, if there are any cooked veggies that are soft consistency (they can be mashed with a fork) a little pumpkin pie should be okay. I would pass on Turkey, anything with nuts/seeds, veggies that are uncooked or not soft in consistency, rolls/breads (just because they will fill you up much faster) and any other pies that has fresh fruit, seeds or nuts in it. As for approaching the family I think using your child is a good plan but also I would just play if off that you aren't feeling the best and you don't want to eat to much.

Stalls happen, you have to just stay the course. Fluids and Protein should be your major focus, especially as early out as you are. Try upping your calories a little, I found most stalls for me broke when I increased my calorie intake as opposed to decreasing it. Also change up your exercise a little to shock your body into burning fat again. I've been stalled for 2 months almost currently, it's frustrating but you just have to stick with it.

Protein, fluids and change in diet are big points for me. I try to keep my body shocked by changing my diet and exercise around a lot plus just keep hitting those protein and fluid goals. This journey can be so frustrating. I've lost 113 pounds (83) since surgery but I'm still frustrated as I've been stalled for 2 months now. I hit 100 pounds down total around the 7 month mark but I've struggled since hitting that milestone. There will be ups and there will be downs but you have to just keep moving forward, try not to allow old habits to creep back in and know that every pound lost leaves your body a pound healthier.

My surgeon did warn of the bounce-back, he said it's normal to bounce back 5-10 pounds when you settle into maintenance so he set my goal 10 pounds less than where he wants me to be long term. That being said I also say maintain your body where it feels most comfortable for you. My surgeons goal is 175 with 185 long term so that's slightly above normal BMI for me but at almost 5'11" I feel pretty comfortable where I am right now (185-188) If I lose more great, but if I don't at least I'm at a place where Im much healthier.

I say go for it. There is always going to be stressors in life and putting it off now may lead to more issues later. I was just starting a new job when I had my surgery and my kids were only 1 and 3 so talk about stress but I dealt with it as it came and have no regrets.

I did not have any alcohol until 6 months post op per my surgeons suggestions. I am not a big drinker at all but I've had a few cocktails or wine here an there over the past 5 months (I would say maybe 5 times) and it hasn't bothered me but I would follow your doctors recommendation!

I drink carbonated beverages now, no issues but I do so in moderation. Occasionally some seltzer or diet soda depending on my situation. Also I've had Mimosa's twice at brunch. I say do what feels best for you, within your doctors guidelines. For some carbonation might be a big trigger or cause discomfort and for others it might not.

I don't mind the Atkin's shakes. The flavor isn't overly protein tasting and they come in two sizes which is nice. The chocolate and strawberry are my favorite flavors but they are all okay.

Upstate New York

That will change over time. You are still fairly newly post op (I didn't even start solids until 10 wks postop) but over time the amount you can eat will change as the swelling continues to go down and your body settles into your new stomach. I'm 11 months out and I'm able to eat an entire slice of thin crust pizza and 3/4 a slice of Sicilian with no crust.

I was right around 600 calories and as much protein as I could get after 1 month, increased to 800 calories/70-90 protein at 3 months, 1000 calories/ 90-100 protein at 6 months and 1200 at 9 months. I'm now 11 months and average between 1100-1400 calories a day and right around 70 grams of protein since my NUT told me to start backing off and adding a more vegetable based meal plan.

Mine was 4 day pre-op diet consisting of shakes for breakfast and lunch and a sensible dinner and then 3 days clear liquids. 1-2 weeks full liquid. 2 weeks pureed and then 4 weeks soft solids and then back on regular diet.

When I'm on the run and need to grab something to eat (I try to plan ahead but with two small children life happens) I tend to gravitate to Wendy's. I will either get a small Chili (170 calories, 15 Protein, 16 Carbs) or a single burger with no bun (240 calories, 0g carbs, 18g protein). They will put it in a container with a lettuce wrap if you ask for no bun. I can eat about 3/4 of a patty and be satisfied and you can ask for whatever toppings on the side and dress it yourself you would have to add to the nutrition if you chose to add toppings like Mayo or cheese. I put a little ketchup and onion on mine personally.

I had one while I was in the hospital and then they removed it directly prior to discharge. It was literally the most painful part of the surgery for me because every movement I made caused severe discomfort. I wish they had just warned us prior to the surgery that we would for sure have one.

I'm almost 11 months out and my NUT says I should be eating at least 1200 calories a day. It seems like you need more actual food in your diet. Also just sip throughout the day. For me personally straws help. I trying and drink 32-40 ounces at work (by sipping all day) and then another 32 ounces when I'm home after work (which is a bit harder. If I'm not eating, I'm drinking all day. I drink usually 32 ounces of unsweetened tea and then 32 ounces of water. As for meals I do 3 meals and two snacks a day. Average about 1200-1300 calories, 80-100 grams of carbs, 90-110 grams of protein a day. I'm 5'10" currently 190ish pounds and have lost about 115 pounds.

I've been stalled for 6 weeks, its so frustrating. Trying to change my diet up to hopefully break this stall. I've actually bounced up 2 pounds in the past week.

I have no issues with seeds or fruit to be honest. I don't eat a lot of fruit but I do on occasion and it hasn't been an issue for me personally.

I really like the Atkins Protein Shakes. I drink the 15g, 11 oz ones once a day for a little extra protein. Early on I drink Premier because it has 30 grams but after surgery I began to develop an intolerance so for a while I drank Atkins Lift Protein water. Now that I'm 11 months out almost I don't need a supplement but if I'm low on protein for the day I will supplement.

I wish I knew that I would have a drain for 48 hours. My surgeon never mentioned it so I assumed they didn't use them, wrong. That was a surprise to wake up to and the most painful part for me. Also I wish I prepared myself better for mild regret directly after surgery and how slow moving through the stages would feel. Now I'm almost 11 months out, about 15-20 pounds from goal and I have zero regrets.

My kids were 1 and 3 when I had my surgery. In terms of cooking, freezer meals seems like a good option for you. Thankfully my husband has always done all the cooking because he's better at it then me and he doesn't mind doing it so he just cooked as usual. In terms of household chores/tasks I would say by 2 weeks post op I was pretty much back to normal, albeit moving slowly. I work full time so I was back to work by 2 weeks post op so driving, chores, etc. we dove right back into our daily routine. While I was in the hospital for the 2 nights my in-laws took my children that way my husband could spend time with me and get things prepared. When I came home, week 1, the kids went to daycare (my husband took them) and my mother stayed home with me and took care of me and did all the stuff around the house she could. Week 2 I was on my own but I was feeling much better by that time.

Amazing job.

My programs is a minimum 3 month programs that includes a set number of support groups, visits with a NUT and a Bariatric psychiatric nurse, an exercise component and an Upper GI. I was entered the program 7/19/16 and had surgery 12/30/16 but I pushed my surgery back a month from approval because I wanted to do it after the holidays when my time off at work resets.