FatCat•2•SkinnyKitty

Between 500-700 calls. Minimum of 60 G protein (on a bad day). I could eat many more calories, but don't, as it defeats the purpose of surgery. I'm on stage 3B which is moist processed meats cottage cheese Greek yogurt and eggs, turkey chili. I weigh or measure all food.

Thank you for this post. I've never been in a darker place than I am now. Wednesday will be 4 weeks since my surgery. I've only lost 10 pounds. I've cried so much I have nothing left to cry. I can drink a quart in one sitting I can eat 2-3x the portion I'm "supposed" to. Depressed is an understatement.

Idk but I'm on day 15 post op and I can pretty much drink 16 oz in a sitting. I can also "eat" 1/2 c cottage cheese or almost all of a 14 oz shake. Feeling discouraged.

Roasted Brussel sprouts are DIVINE!!!

If you're not going to wear the gown bring something with pockets for the halter monitor you'll be hooked up to all kinds of electrodes for a few days and you'll need a place for its brain. Also they didn't forbid me, but they wanted me drinking their high protein ensure so I brought my own shakes for nothing. I did have a super soft airplane sized blanket and my own pillow from home (used a second way on the way home to hold over my stomach going over the bumpy New England roads).

Didn't realize I needed to be "cleared" for sex..... oops.

Unjury makes an AMAZING chicken soup flavor and I just ordered a 3 lb container of plain protein powder to add to the cream of soups, etc. I'm also craving anything but sweet/shakes.

I work in a gastroenterology unit and we do not allow patients who are having endoscopies or anesthesia to chew gum prior to their test because it gets your GI juices flowing (acid). If you have no problem with heartburn or reflux, should be fine. If you do have issues, stay away from the gum.

I've attached my stage 3A which I'm beginning Saturday. Pinterest has also been great for ideas.

Last night i was fantasizing about hot and sour soup......

I think one interesting thing in your post is that you describe an almost out of body experience while eating the candy. I'm certainly not berating you, but I think it's important to take 100% responsibility for our actions. Statements/viewpoints such as these are dangerous for foodies like us. If we don't own it we don't control it. Please try a free kindle book I tried called Never Binge Again (even if you don't Binge) it helped me differentiate from me and the "mint monster" in a way it had never been explained to me before. I hope it helps you as well! Good luck and don't beat yourself up!

Wednesday will be one week since I've had my surgery. Two days ago I walked 2.4 miles (at a 30 min mile slllooow and easy) and yesterday I managed 2.56. I am only down 30 pounds or so (pre op diet included) and it's definitely easier now than before surgery. (I have debilitating plantar fasciitis in my right foot.) I think being off my feet (not working) is improving more than one of my weight issues! [emoji39]

One thing no one has mentioned is that the first ingredient for Crystal Light is citric acid. It's super duper acidic. I've been hesitant to have any with the thought that if caffeine will irritate my new stomach so will large amounts of citric acid. And if it's not "bad" for it the citric acid can't be "good" for it either.

The thirst is probably due to ketosis. If you consume less than 20 carbs for three days or so you'll go into ketosis. Increased thirst and decreased hunger are both side effects.

I've posted this elsewhere but I also identify with being a food addict. I just read a short but helpful book called Never Binge Again. Even if you're not a binge eater, it helps develop a way to cope with your inner food demon. Free ebook on Amazon and only 120 pages or so. Good luck!

I used to live in the Overlook apartment complex in the old quarry. We bought a house on the South Shore and moved a year ago.

Where in Maine? I grew up in the Waterville area and now I live on the South Shore.

Go to Amazon and download the FREE book Never Binge Again by Glenn Livingston. One of the better books I've read and only around 120 or so pages. I saw a psychologist for years for my BED and all the help in the world won't help til you're ready to make the change. It's more psychological that you're the boss of your body and in control of your choices and not the other way around. I also lost 175 pounds on my own before I gained it back (but that's me not you). Good luck!