vlp1968

You have gotten a lot of good advice. The 2 things I would emphasize is to continue with the protein shakes, maybe even 2 a day. I do think you need to up your calories a bit, I understand it's hard for you, but I think shakes will help. Another idea I liked is adding some fat- olive oil would be a better choice than butter- since it doesn't contain near as much saturated fat. I have come to love roasted veggies. Asperagus, broccoli brussel sprouts, squash ( zuchinni and yellow) are delicious. Just cut, add olive oil and salt and pepper. Bake in the oven at 400. They take different times, You'll know they are done when they shrink and turn a little brown. Full fat cheese is also a great idea. You want to get in at least 2 servings of calcium per day. That is what my nut says anyway. I stick to that carefully since there is ostioperosis in my family. Hope this helps.

That's great you started zumba. Give the excersise a chance to work it's "magic". Working out is a huge piece of the puzzle. I wonder if uping your calories may help. It seems counterintuitive but if you don't eat enough you slow down your metabolism. I eat between 1200 and 1400 a day. Make sure you are only eating "healthy carbs", that is, whole grains, fruit, starchy veggies. Good luck!

Hope the fill works! If your too tight don't hesitiate to get some out. I waited it out several times and suffered needlessly- not being able to keep anything but water down. The theory I went by is that their is swelling after a fill. Every time it turned out I needed an unfill, but when that happened I had good restriction for a bit.

Walking for now is great! I know it's hard, but try to be patient. I didn't loose that much the first couple weeks either, at least not what I expected. They put saline in your IV at the hospital so that could be part of it. Keep up the good work!

It does seem to be common for surgeons to put you on a liquid diet for a couple weeks preop. I admit to not following it at all. Infact I binged up until the night before surgery- yes I am sick lol. Anyway, you are right, the diet is to shrink the liver. They need to lift the liver to work on the stomach, if it's too big, they don't have enough room to work. It certainly won't hurt to put yourself on liquids for a week, make sure the shakes are high in protien. Good luck!

Thanks Jean, your posts are always so well written. My dad and I have had issues regarding my weight and food choices. It's been an issue all my life. Unfortunately he has never been helpfull in this regard, as much as I know he wants to be. He just comes off as judgemental/critical and embarresses me. We've talked recently and it's been a lot better. I think he understands I need him to be neutral on the subject. Anyway, he has battled weight, drinking, gambling and it's true, people that quit a bad habit can be difficult to deal with. I know his comments are out of love and concern but that doesn't change the way they come accross and make me feel. It's funny, my mom talks with me about it and it's so different. I think maybe she talked to my dad. Thanks for the post!

Hi, I am wondering about carb cycing. Have people had success with it? I know the basics are that it increases your metabolism by alternating low, medium and higher carb days. All healthy carbs. What are the carb counts in each phase? What about calories and fat grams? How do you know when to shift from one phase to another? Any information you have would be great! Thanks!

I agree chewing and spitting out is maladaptive behavior, if done on a regular basis. I guess once in a while, when you feel you really need to taste something it's not a big deal. However, just not something I've ever had a desire to do. I go all the way and swallow lol. Keep up the great work on the weight loss. You are doing awsome!

Back to your stuck episode- I have never been able to tolerate scrambled eggs- but poached, fried, hard boiled are fine. Go figure

I too fell off the wagon over the holidays, well it happened before the holidays actually. I have had a rough year in terms of a healthy eating and excersise program. But as of 1/1 I am back on track. Eating lowcarb/relative low fat and excersising. Did Cardio yesterday and today. It actually felt really good. I am hungry though. I know a fill may be in order but I hesitate. The last few fills I had left me overfilled and I had to go back in for an unfill. I went from being very hungry most of the time to not being able to keep down a protien shake. I am anxiously awaiting the book I ordered on carb cycling. It is written by the trainer on extreme makeover- weight loss edition. I don't have the details yet, but basically you alternate high carb days (healthy ones) and low carb days. It's suppossed to really rev up your metabolism. I will keep you posted. Hopefully I'll be saying carb cycling rocks!

Seems like you are not taking in enough calories for sure. You will probably get hungrier once swelling from surgery goes down. Try to get in more protein shakes for now would be my suggesstion.

I hear ya. It is a relief for me to have the temptations of the holidays behind me. Last few days have been great, new year, new me. Good luck!

Give it away or throw it away for sure! I have found, I just can't have the stuff in the house. I live alone, so what others want isn't an issue. I too endulged over the holidays but as of 1/1 I am back on track. Did cardio yesterday for the first time in a while. A new year, a new me. Good luck!

That is wonderful- you are shrinking! Clothes sometimes tell more than the scale I think. Congrats!

Sounds likej you have a good plan- you can do it!

well.... 40 pounds really must have made a significant change. I think you just aren't seeing it. It is a lot for the mind to catch up to the body. The psyc that was part of my surgery team had me take a picture of myself once a month and flip through it periodically- in a non-judgemental way. I went all out and had my friend take a picture each month in the same bathing suite and made a scrapbook.

Good for you! Keep up the hard work and you will be in onederland before you know it. Awsome job.

Isn't it great seeing clothes get loose? It means your shrinking! The scale going down is nice, but I think clothes getting big or fitting into smaller clothes is even better. After all, the idea is to be smaller, not lighter. Noone sees that number on the scale (besides you lol).

Awsome! Keep up the good work. A new year, and a new you!

Good for you getting to the gym! Just take it easy and follow your surgeons instruction.

I agree with those you said you need to get some help. Try the doctor again, explain the situation as best you can and emphasize you feel this is serious and you need to be seen. I am sorry your regular doctor isn't available- figures. If you don't get anywhere with the partner, go to the er. vomiting and dehydration are not good to say the least. Good luck and feel better soon!

It was 3 years ago- think it was percecet. Did great for the pain without making me loopy. Don't know the dose. I only needed it for few days. I found the most uncomfortable thing was riding in the car.

I agree with what was already said- have a small piece of the pie since you really want it. If that's your only splurge over the holidays, you did great!

I don't think there is any right or wrong way to feel during this journey. Your feelings are your feelings. As I lost weight I had so many sizes, I didn't buy a thing through 100 pounds of weight loss. Now I am having the opposite problem of you, I gained some weight back and none of my clothes fit. I have bought a few things but am trying really hard to make do because I have every intention of loosing at least some of the weight. I gave away all my clothes as I lost, which is highly reccomended. Keep up the good work!

yeah- pictures really put things in perspective. I see how big- or small I am more clearly then any other way. Always been like that.