FluffyChix

Yes. It is super dangerous. And if your doc can't do surgery, you could wake up without it.

Ha! Ok, so will we ever get over our love/hate with the scale? I'm sicker than a dog. Am not eating cuz I feel like total poop. Didn't get my protein in yesterday. Basically drank hot tea and decaff coffee black all day, had some popcorn at the game last night (very salty). Choked down about 3oz of protein drink and that's all I could handle. Had sf cough drops and about 5g of coconut oil in my coffee as an antiviral. And exercised VERY well. Today I'm up a couple of pounds to 160.8lbs. GAH!!!! No fair, no fair, NO FAIR!!!! LOL. I had a stellar fasting day yesterday despite being sick. Only minor hunger at 3pm. We were supposed to go to dinner after the game but it went 13 innings. We didn't get home until midnight and by then I sure as hell wasn't gonna eat. So I fell into bed and slept. Then woke this morning feeling pretty bad. Will not fast beyond the 14/10 or 16/8, then will eat soup and greens all day. But I just think, I still do this. Daily. Stress about my weight and the scale and non-compliance of my weight in conjunction with pure heart and actions. LOL! Makes me want to run out and pound down some contraband food! So silly!

Also, it could be stomach acid making it feel like hunger. Are you taking omeprazole or something?

Also ask for a scopolamine patch for the nausea. Stops it dead in its tracks.

Nuts are tough on me. I think cuz of the fat. I have to eat them in very small amounts at a time. Like 1/2oz appears to be my max. I won't get foamies, but I get terribly nauseated and have to go lay down.

I saw this on The Facebook this morning. But I've listened to Les Brown for many many years and he just never fails to lift me up and inspire with his messages of hope. So glad you like it!! Thought it was a beautiful metaphor!

Avocados, full fat eggs, full fat cheese, pork sausage rather than turkey, 80/20 ground beef, butter. You do have to be careful with adding TOO much fat at one time, but you should be able to eat enough with a mixed meal in order to get enough fats to up your calories. Then there's the whole grain and starch thing. And IF you're trying to gain weight the fastest way to do that is to add fat to carbs, BUT it goes to the wrong place. Honestly if it was me, I'd go search out not only what foods you can eat as an RNY, but look at programs designed for males who are trying to add lean muscle. Cuz honestly that's really what you need--even in the absence of being able to weight train right now. I'd eat saucy gooey casseroles that are very calorie dense (think lasagna, chicken pot pie, stews, chicken and noodles, chicken and rice). You can blend those things and then thin them out with Fairlife milk or broth in order to make them appropriate for Stage 2/3. Mashed potatoes fully loaded with sour cream or full fat Greek yogurt and cheese and green onions. That sort of thing. But, quite frankly, you really don't need to "gain" just for the sake of gaining. You really just need to not LOSE any more. Here's the "ideal" weight chart that insurance and the med prof uses. It's pretty beyond most of us, cuz it's so low...but look where you are. You're not that far off. If it was me, I'd just chillax about the scale. Eat to your stage, work with your RD to set up a healthy diet that keeps you from losing...then when you can begin a strategic strength training program working out in about 6-10 weeks, then you see an exercise physiologist who is also an RD to put you on a program to gain muscle. Hope you heal well and get better soon!!!

Again. You are the voice of wisdom. It totally matters not one hill o'beans about our opinions. But as you say, there are self-truths that hopefully we all figure out for our own bodies. And me? I'm super jelly about those bi*ches (Male and Female) who get to pound down carbs and still lose or maintain weight! (Yes, you know me...I secretly would like to explode their heads from jealousy and spite.) I'm so sorry you are going through your stressful time right now. ((hugs)) I hear ya about motivation to exercise. For me, I know I have to add it or I flat don't lose anymore. Sucks once again to be me. But don't laugh, I walk around my house on weekdays and in the parks on weekends with Mr. F (MF for short from here on out. bahahahahaha). And I'm trying to go very fast in 6- 1 minute intervals. I'm also beginning to do my core exercises again as soon as I wake up. So that I get them done for the day. And I swear after only a couple of weeks with the core stuff, I feel a difference in my waist/abdomen. It's pretty amazing really and for the first time that is motivating. What's pretty cool even though we don't know the reason why, I've talked to enough successful long term vets out there and they absolutely swear that they can eat more cals now in maintenance than they could for losing and that their metabolisms do not appear tanked (other than that they are now weight-appropriate metabolisms--not the mets of 300+ lb person.) So that does give me hope that I just need to keep swimming.

Highly agree! They look so beautiful and crunchtacular!!!!! Hold me!

I hear this. And I want to believe we aren't typical. LOL. But how is it truly that we defy biochemistry just by virtue of an altered anatomy? I "think" I might have some clues--but how does that really figure in for us metabolically? In studies they found even in the absence of weight loss (ie newly post op), that metabolic status improved--less insulin resistance, lower bg's, etc. Some theories are: 1. Surgery alters the transit time from food entering the stomach, to food exiting the stomach is much faster--so it alters the gut hormones which in turn alters the metabolism. 2. We're eating less, so lower glycemic load/glycemic strain placed on the body--therefore less insulin resistance/lower bgs. 3. In the case of RNY or DS, we absorb less so less insulin resistance/lower bgs/altered gut hormones change metabolism. I don't get how these things actually BOOST or maintain our present metabolisms...I think the IF stuff and keto stuff holds some clues as long as we're eating tiny amounts at a time and/or keeping cals super low or carbs super/low. But there are plenty who still lose and manage to take in a metric crapton (by their own admission) of carbs and calories. What then? What are your thoughts on this? @Sosewsue61

Here's a powerful lesson for each one of my buddies here! You don't have to believe in God to "get" this message of faith and hope, but I hope you do. Meh. Sue me. Why not take out life insurance? Right?

I love Dr. Weiner and his philosophy. And I love your IF take. It gives me hope! Although I don't want to become a vegetarian, I do heart veggies (less so fruits), and I do try to get close to or a pound of them a day--especially leafy greens, cruciferous, or the brassicas! (When I'm not doing a 24 hour fast of course. LOL.)

Wait, whahhhhhhhh? I'm 56 and 1/3 years old...just sayin'...hahaha!

Careful learning stuff on the internet from schmoes like me! They can be all kinds of wrong!!! Fair warning!

I sooooo soooo so bet it's a stall. But that doesn't make it any easier and I think many of us share you current fear. I know I do!! Fu*k! What if we get stuck like this?!!! I don't wanna live on 820 cals per day the rest of my life. (Interestingly, I thought the same thing at 500cals when I was having probs stalling while trying to get my cals up into the 700-800s hehe! Me=chronic worrier) I do think it would be very interesting to hear from vets who are "moderation people" and hear whether or not it's hard or easy to maintain and at what calorie level? I'm kinda hoping that for me being low carb is natural. I like it. I don't stress about my food choices cuz I adore veggies and low glycemic fruit and the have kept my protein the same for years--so that's fine too. But, I DO like to go off the game plan with crap from time to time. I DO like to have a celebration meal without fearing that the 2lb water weight overnight will hang around forEVS and spiral out of control. You know? So that's why I'm hoping that figuring out the balance with IF will help me at least be able to have a tiny bit of maintenance room to be flexible. It may--it may not. One thing that I do know is I saw a special on naturally thin people. And not only do they naturally move more in a day than obese people. (ie. exercise, but literally fidgeting etc) But they also tend to balance and self limit. So if they are having a cheeseburgery or a thai feast even with rice etc or a Vietnamese cofffee, they naturally cut the cals in the remaining meals to counterbalace. It's a natural thing they end up doing this study showed. So I think for me--ain't nothin natural about it. If I eat one crap meal, I'm very tempted to have another and another and another. Cuz my pleasure center is getting it's dopamine fix. And so I have to learn these behaviors or create hacks to emulate/simulate what comes natural to thin people. And there may be pain involved. LOL. I might have to go without food for a bit in order to balance it. I may have to force myself to walk more cuz I don't want to...dunno yet what that will look like. But I do know, STALLS SUCK BIG GREEN ONES!!!!! And I'm sorry you're having a tough month!!! ((hugs))

It's so frustrating. I totally feel ya and get it. One thing to consider, we didn't start jacking with our programs until recently - now that we are nearing goal? And you are still very early on in your program. I probably wouldn't add IF until I'm at least 5-6 months out and you can routinely eat well and are still having trouble losing or are having symptoms of major inflammation. I just think add one thing at a time. You know? Not trying to dissuade you--just saying if it were me?

Yay!!!! That's impressive!! WTG! I think it's fluid from the hike too! Can't wait for you to bust the 220s!

@sillykitty BTW??? ((hugs)) Gosh I'm so sorry you're going through this--it IS ginormously frustrating and I sometimes just have to stop myself from thinking too far down the road or prognosticating on what I'll be able to do in the future or where my weight will bottom out...cuz otherwise it ties me in knots! So I completely get and understand your fears!!!! Wish I had a magic wand to make the scale behave!

Ok, so I've been reading for close to 18months. I closely follow successful vets both here and elsewhere on the internet and they all have a few things in common: 1. As they neared goal, weight loss became very tough and hard-fought. They weren't just eating abstemiously (and near gold-star perfect), they were also exercising (cardio and strength). 2. They all were eating between 600-800 cals during the losing phase. 3. Most were keeping high glycemic carbs, treats, and alcohol out of the equation. 4. They all did better than the national averages for their weight loss surgery--MUCH MUCH better--like some are below goal and maintain that weight. 5. They all talk about the rules of weight loss/maintenance/starvation mode being different for WLS pts than the rest of the world--don't know about that one--can only surmise it "may" be true judging by their n=1 anecdotal evidence. They all say that despite keeping things low carb, low fat, super low cal during weight loss, they all have been able to move up to at least 1000-1400 cals/day. 6. But they are STILL low carb (the ones who are maintaining) most of the time with occasional time off for bad behavior. And when the scale starts up, they nab it at 2-3lbs (or a 5lb window) and resume the 600-800 cal per day jag until they are back to the bottom of their weight range for maintenance). (That sure sounds like some strategic IF to me. hehe) **** Here's my graph over the past year. It's slow going and not nearly as steep as yours!! In general I'm averaging about 820 cals/day and right at 60g protein. I do walk daily, but have only started strength training. I think that is going to be important to us to maintain lean body mass--especially as we get close to goal. BTW, my cals are up the past 2 months from my previous months where I averaged 600-700cals per day. Since IF, I still have about the same average cals/macros! Weird huh? But I've been able to have much more "free" days where I am not pre-occupied with doing the numbers and am having a LOT of um shall we say "poor behavior"? LOL--something that I'm gonna cut down on dramatically now that birthday month is over lol. But the diff is, that I've lost more weight so far this month! I am pretty on target to lose about 10lbs this month. Last month I only lost 2.8lbs with the same cals and macros! Holy *kitten* right? So something is working. I bet if you go back and look at the numbers you'll see month to month, you've done better this month? And I'm hopeful we will both be able to have clean increases of cals/macros as we hit maintenance without having to go crazy every day. And when we do splurge, we have the assurance that IF will get us back to the bottom of our weight range fairly quickly.

Yeah, it truly sucks at times. And as ever it's our choice to eat it or not. OR pick something more innocent from the menu!! Win-win! You may not want to do it, but your body will thank you. And although you are the mom and might has some say over the car and kids(when you're driving), if you have someone (an adult) determined to fork their life up who is currently driving, we sometimes have to suck it up and deal. It IS frustrating. Truly. But you can't arbitrate or guilt people into change. It only ruins your life/relationships and fosters resentment toward you. And ultimately, you are the only one signing on to change in this family. That's where the big girl panties come in handy. It does suck though.

^^^great advice!!! Listen to this vet!!!

I'll be back to answer you with my opinion. Sorry it's just an opinion. I've no facts to back this up!

I so agree with you hon! Mr. F. did make dietary changes but it's because he wanted to make them for his T2 and to feel better. But I would have done this regardless, and the "hopefully" life-long changes I've made and am making will insure more success. I have seen you make these changes and it's dramatic!!! Congrats girlie!!!

How did everyone do this weekend and where the heck are ya!? I can't remember if I fasted this weekend or not. LOL. I think I did--without reading up above at my previous post. LOL. Oh wait, I def did IF, without worrying about food comp. I did fine. I'm actually down a few ounces, but I am still up a couple from my recent low. Today I'm gonna do about 15 hours with caloric restriction (DD = 500 cals). I'm gonna have brothy green soup all day. Have a terrible cold--think I caught it at the ballpark where people are hocking up lungs all around me. We thought the game started yesterday at 5pm so that we would be out in time to eat afterward, but we misread the start time and ended up not getting home until 11pm. Oy! So I scrambled a couple of eggs with greens for Mr. F. and I just had a cup of black coffee. Not proud of this, but ended up only having a couple cups of popcorn and tons of water at the ballpark, and about freshly shelled peanuts for the day. So ALMOST a total fast. (Oh and my eukanuba for my cold which does have naturally occurring sugars. ) I am proud of myself though. Despite not eating, I wasn't ravenous. I also didn't wake up ravenous. But I won't lie. I am ready for my green soup and I'll maybe drop a beaten egg into it and add a splash of sesame oil and five spice and turmeric. I'm also proud because despite feeling crappy and coughing, I still walked over an hour each day this weekend and finished my walking this morning. So I'm sure that will help boost my immune system. That's all I've got. Nothin much to report except we won last night in the 10th with a grand slam. It was totally amazing! So we're in the championship that begins tomorrow night and Wednesday, then they finish it on the Atlantic coast.

Yep. This. ^^^ He sees you making these changes. And he's "not ready" to give up his love affair with the foods he craves and loves and that pushes him towards an unstable area. The reality is, you just simply must work the program FOR and BY yourself with the "approved" support systems (both in RL and online here with us). We're the people who understand and have chosen to live this recovery. Not any of our family friends or loved ones. Right? And the biggest plus will be, that not by words, but by actions, that will or can encourage him to consider making his own personal journey with weight loss--one tiny baby step and backslide at a time. That way no resentment can fester between you -- either direction. NO one can blame the other. Right? It's leading by example. Through my choice to get healthy and do WLS, I've influenced my entire family to confront their food addictions and weight/health issues. And I've not said a word. They've just witnessed that I've come back to life and it makes them consider their own lives. Good luck. You can do this. Congrats on choosing life!