blizair09

Your protein is really low. I've never heard any plan that calls for less than 60 grams per day. (Although there was a poster yesterday who said her doctor gave her a goal of 30 grams per day. I find that suspect, but that's what she said.) I'd recommend that you begin tracking your food and drink. Without doing that, you really have no idea what you are taking in each day. I'd also recommend making an appointment with your nutritionist so that you can work together to determine how many calories and carbs you should be taking in based upon your current body state. (You didn't give any specifics here, so it is hard to give any advice around calories, etc.) I'd also up your water by 0.5 L or so. Hopefully, these suggestions will be helpful. Good luck!

Since I lost 100 pounds during my six month pre-op diet program, my surgeon didn't require me to do a pre-op liquid diet. I did it for 3 days pre-op of my own accord to help me get in the liquid mindset as I knew I was going to have to do it for 3 weeks post-op.

I eat 7-8 times per day, about 2 hours apart. I even did that at 6-7 weeks post-op. I was able to leave protein shakes behind after 4 weeks (once I was allowed to bring some meat back in the post-op diet progression). At 6-7 weeks post-op, I was getting about 900 calories per day, now I eat around 1200 calories. I was getting 80-90 grams of protein at 6-7 weeks post-op; I now get 100-120 grams now. Now and then I keep/kept my carbs at 20 grams or less per day. If it helps, here is what I eat in a day. Meal #1: 1 scrambled egg with 1/2 piece of American cheese and 2 oz of chicken breast Meal #2: 4 oz cottage cheese with 1 T of sugar-free strawberry preserves Meal #3: 3 oz chicken breast and 1 string cheese Meal #4: 3 oz salmon with 1 oz green beans Meal #5: 3 oz chicken breast and 1 oz green beans Meal #6: 2 oz hamburger steak (90% lean) and 1 oz green beans Meal #7: 3 oz chicken breast and 1 string cheese Meal #8: 4 oz cottage cheese with 1 T of sugar-free strawberry preserves

I would just say exactly what you have written here. This is why I was transparent about all aspects of my journey (including the surgery) with anyone and everyone from the beginning. You need to do whatever you have to do to be successful, and if that means missing out on a few social engagements -- especially in the beginning -- then, so be it! And, by the way, the liquid parts of the journey are among the hardest parts, in my opinion. But they are in place for a reason. Hang in there; it will soon pass. Good luck!

I have to ask -- why do you keep doing all of this to yourself? Your posts are really memorable. Pretty quick after your surgery, you were asking about eating chicken wings while you were watching the Super Bowl. When you were on vacation in New Orleans, you asked about alcohol. A week or so ago, you ate onion rings and they made you sick, and now you are eating too fast and eating bread. I mean absolutely no judgment -- for instance, I'll have a drink or two occasionally now that I am this far along -- but it seems like you go into things knowing that they will produce an undesirable result or discomfort, but you do them anyway. And then you regret it later. Just an observation. Definitely stay away from the bread, though. Nothing good can come from it. Good luck!

Welcome to the other side! Now, walk, walk, walk and sip, sip,sip! Good luck!

How many calories are you consuming each day? Carbs? Protein? How much water are you drinking each day? What are you doing for exercise? Are you tracking your food and drink each day?

I'm not sure how much help this will be to you, for at 7 months post-op, I consume about 1200 calories per day, 20 grams of carbs, and 100-120 grams of protein. But keep in mind that I am a 41yo male, 6'0" 207 pounds. My advice is to reach out to your nutritionist and work together to set up parameters for your daily intake that is tailored to your specific body and place in your journey. Good luck!

I would wonder if it is more about the contents of the soup than it is just quantity. When we eat out, I try to stick to straight protein and maybe a small salad. Even at 7 months out, restaurant soup has too me carbs and unknowns for me.

You're just experiencing the "three week stall" that almost everyone experiences. This will be the first of many stalls you will go through in your journey. During my six month pre-op diet program, my weight loss was linear (3 pounds a week like clockwork for six months). During my seven months post-op, it has been more like a step function. I lose 10 pounds in 10 days or so, and then I stall for a week to 10 days. Then the cycle repeats. My advice is to stay off of the scale for the first month, and then to only get on the scale with a frequency that won't cause you mental anguish. Some people can weigh every day and contextualize what it is saying without causing distress. Others can't do that. You'll do yourself a big favor to figure out which camp you are in and weigh accordingly. Good luck!

I go through the same thing. During my pre-op diet program, my weight loss was linear -- 3 pounds per week like clockwork. Post-op, my weight loss is more of a step function. I lose 10 pounds in 10 days and then I stall for 10 days. It has been like this most of the last 7 months. It can be frustrating, but I have learned that it just works that way, so the further out I get, the less mentally-taxing it is...

Congratulations. That's awesome! Keep up your amazing work.

The psychologist faxed the report to my surgeon's office within a week, if I remember correctly. I never actually saw the report, but they told me that they received it at my next diet visit after my appointment with the psychologist.

Surgery day was my first experience with anesthesia. I was so freaked out about it, but it ended up being super easy! I worried myself to death over nothing. Good luck tomorrow!

For me, the first visit counted as #1 of the 6 monthly visits that I had to meet with the surgeon's NP. My first appointment was in March; my last was in August, and my surgery was in September. I'd just ask them flat out. They'll know exactly what your insurance requirements are.

I weigh everything that goes in my body and I keep a detailed, accurate food journal every day (and I have been doing this for over a year now). It is a key to my success; it keeps me accountable, and I cannot imagine not doing it at this point. It is an integral part of my life now.

I don't aim for "full." I aim for specific calories/carb/protein counts within each of my 7 daily meals that will add up to my set limits for the day (1200 calories/20 grams of carbs/100-120 grams of protein). I took this approach this even back in the early days post-op. The most I will eat at one time now is about 3 ounces of chicken with 1 ounce of green beans. I would suppose that my capacity is something like 6 ounces maybe, but I don't know, and I don't really need to know since I won't each that much at once anyway.

I do hydrotherapy at my spa (essentially a steam and water coffin), and they told me to wait 2 weeks post-op to resume that. That being said, just give your team a quick call. Given that you live in Florida, I'm sure it's a question they get asked a lot.

I was on liquids for 3 weeks post-op. You just need to find the inner strength and will to do what you have to do. Long-term success during this entire journey is really anchored with making good decisions regarding food and drink, and the liquid components of the experience (pre- and post-op) are just the beginning. (And the all liquid components won't last forever...) Good luck!

My incision scars have faded to the point that they are almost invisible...

I have a huge carb addiction. I cut carbs (and sugar) out of my life completely. I have kept my carbs to 20 or less for over a year now. Purging my life from carbs and sugar was/is the only way I am going to be successful long-term. Good luck!

I traveled to Asia in international first class at about 3 months post-op. I brought ParmCrisps, almonds, and protein powder in my carry-on, and I also brought along zip-loc bags of various sizes to keep some of the food to eat at a later time. The flight attendants looked at me like I was crazy, but it worked for me. Good luck and enjoy your trip!

I eat 7 times per day, about 2 hours apart. That has helped me with hunger issues because I know that it won't be long before I eat again. I consider that structure a key to my success!

I'm glad that you noticed! You know, I do believe that sometimes we are our own worst critic. Keep up the awesome work!