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Quest Bar- Apple Pie is the bomb! 20mg protein

First post-op nutritionist meeting. She wants me closer to 80 grams of protein. This is the point where I stomp my feet like a kid and pout, "But it's HARD!", lol

Going back to work tomorrow...got to make sure I put me first: work must slot around the meds/protein/fluid regime...

Can anybody tell me how to change my status on my page from pre op to post op? There is no option. Its weird! Thx!

The vacation was great and lovely and I stayed very active while still getting to sample foods I hadn't yet tried since surgery.  After getting back, I decided to stay off of social media for a little while, which also included these forums.  I had a lot of work in the office to catch up on and needed to focus on that.  Of course, the past week or so I have been struggling a lot mentally and emotionally.  I've desperately wanted comfort food and have done well not giving into that temptation.  This week doesn't feel like it'll go much better, but October always seems to be the worst month for me. 

Had an anxiety dream last night involving a substantial weight gain in the past week.  Absolutely no basis in reality since I've stayed on plan.  I think it stems from Saturday when I ate some extra calories due to a 2 hour hike earlier in the day that burned 900 calories.  The extra calories brought my total intake up for 1025, as opposed to 700-800.  And my extra calories were from curry egg salad, so it was a protein packed choice.  And yet, my brain some how decided that would lead me to gain 10 pounds in one week and threw that are me while I slept.  Brains can be jerks.

Hi!  I am just at the end of my 6-month supervised diet requirement and waiting for the last couple of consultation reports to get filed so my surgeon's office can submit everything for insurance approval.  And I'm terrified that I'm making the biggest mistake of my life... one that can't be undone.  Am I just crazy?

For starters, I do NOT like or trust the nutritionist this surgical group requires their patients to work with.  I don't feel like I get a straight answer to my questions, only to do exactly what she says because she's "smarter than anyone else in the whole world on bariatric nutrition and has more experience than other nutritionists because all the hospitals want to do is cut costs and hire someone right out of college who doesn't have a clue what they're talking about."  Paraphrased into my words, somewhat, but that's the attitude.  They have a Facebook group for support with other patients and you can't ask anything there about why something is not approved or they all turn into butthurt primadonnas at the idea you might stray from what she's stamped as "approved."  I can't even tell you what her eating plan is because she's made it proprietary and wrapped it in a non-disclosure agreement.  I've tried following it and all that's happened is I feel sick, bloated, and constipated.  And I actually gained weight on it.  There are so many rules and demands to drink at this moment and eat at this moment and take vitamins at other specific times in the day, that I can't figure out how I'll do my job or live the life I'm trying to capture.  I also find it exceptionally disagreeable that she requires you to buy only vitamins that she receives a commission on.  If you object to their price, which is substantial, she gives you a saccharine smirk and says "You'll be spending so much less on food that you can afford it."

Sorry for the dump.  I am so frustrated with this piece.

And I'm frustrated that he's bullying me into taking my gallbladder out at the same time.  I'm freaked out about the hair loss because I don't have a heck of a lot to begin with.  And that having VSG causes GERD which then makes you take even more pills... I hate pills.  And being cold all the time and constipated all the time and having your tastebuds change.  While there's no real guarantee that the pain and deprivation will yield results.  I've also learned to utterly despise protein shakes in this 6 months.

So again, am I being crazy?  Anyone willing to talk me off the ledge?

My last appointment in 2019 the dietitian basically told me if she had been the one to talk to me and give a yes or no as a candidate she would of said no to me. Why? Because I am fussy and I don't like fish. My blood work was good. I was around 170 pounds to which I was told I am losing too much and I should of tapered off by then and been in maintenance. When I left there I felt very frustrated as I was a slow loser and maybe that was the goal they had set for me, but mine was lower. Anyway, she put me on an emergency list to go back in January to talk to her again so they could check on me. It's an hour drive and $20 to park. When I left there I tried more suggestions of what else to add to my diet and found that I was eating when I wasn't hungry, I was pushing myself to eat more than I wanted and more often than not I suffered for hours after eating. I did this for about 2 weeks and then went back to how I was doing it before.

Now they've been calling since January trying to book an appointment and I keep giving excuses as to why I can't go. They called each month and now because of covid-19 they are willing to do phone appointments so I agreed. I told the dietitian about my previous experience and how it wasn't helpful. When I told her I was down to 145 on my scale she told me that once again I would be put on the emergency list as it more than a year later and I shouldn't be losing anymore weight and if I continued to do so I would likely be a failure and gain it all back. Hopefully the next one is over the phone also and I will just tell them what they want to hear. I will tell them I gained 10 pounds and I eat fish every other day and all the other stuff they say I need to eat.

And like the last time for a couple weeks I tried to incorporate more food and more calories, and once again I suffer, I am so full I feel sick. I need to spend sometimes hours after laying down. Sometimes I pace in the bathroom because I am so close to throwing up. I haven't had to take gravol much over the course of my journey but after those two appointments they were becoming vital in my survival. Plus I was gaining weight, quickly. So here I am again, back to the way I was doing that feels right for me.

I just don't understand why they are pushing for me to eat when I am not hungry... that's what got me to the weight I was once was, that's a bad habit. If I feel hungry I eat. I eat 3 meals a day and 2 to 3 snacks. I hit my protein goals. I drink more than enough water. I take my vitamins and supplements. My weight goes up and and down within 5 pounds. I don't understand their concern to keep me as an emergency patient that needs to be so closely monitored. I am not underweight, I am not malnourished, in fact I am still overweight. 

Am wondering if anyone else has had this issue with the dietitians afterward? It's very frustrating and I am close to saying good bye to them because they make me doubt myself and I think I am doing well. I want to go as low as I can go, not unhealthy low, but low enough that when I hit the stage where I ultimately gain some back, the lower I am the lower I will after that happens. If I end up at 140-150 I would be content with that. I will not be content with with 180.

I had my gastric sleeve done September 10, 2020... I started out 330# before surgery.... I'm down to 260# now... I've been stalled out for over two months now.... I exercise when I can (Bad back/knees)... I follow my diet , get my protein and drink my water... But still not losing any weight... I've done everything I can think of to break the stall.... Even went back to liquid diet....  Sometimes I think this was a mistake having the surgery...

Found a wonderful cafe in downtown Stockholm that served wonderful smoothie "bowls". Got a greek yoghurt bowl with granola, all sorts of berries, and some honey. Was sooo delish. I hate sitting in cafes that only have sweet options cuz I really feel bad after eating a cinnamon bun.

If anyone is thinking about coming to Stockholm, I definitely have some bariatric tips.

https://www.cell.com/cell-reports/fulltext/S2211-1247(19)30834-4

this one is interesting but a tough slog to get thru

this review is easier to understand

https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2019/07/weight-loss-rage-proteins/594073/

• So... I have a haital hernia and they're suspecting some stomach ulcers (explains the anemia/getting endoscopy soon to confirm)
  • According to my doctor, hernia can re-develop after 2-3 years if it is repaired but nothing is done to my sleeve.
• I have been going to Support Group and the CBT sessions and both have been very helpful.
  • Had the chance to share my story and that has been relieving and empowering...
  • According to the program leader (for more than 20 years), only 5% of WLS patients stay at goal 10 years after surgery.
    • One study showed the most contributing factor is a patient's support network.
    • Met a lady who is 12 years out and 7 lbs. away from her goal — She only missed 4 support group meetings in the 12 years!
• I really want to prove to myself before revision that I can change.
  • The surgery is just the building blocks, I have to do the hard work to build the beautiful house/temple...
    • On prenatal vitamins, protein shakes instead of meals and clean eating
      • No grazing, set meal schedule, no distractions (eating mindfully)
    • Trying to get into the Bio Oil regimen (thank you for the recommendation) so I can stay consistent after revision
• Iron infusions scheduled weekly for 8 weeks (7/11/19 - 8/29/19) so will probably be attending half those sessions after surgery?
  • Depends on where my iron is when I get labs and surgery date that will be set on August 1st

Whew what an up and down 24 hours it's been...

Yesterday I was pretty confident that I was finally through my first stall (after 3 full weeks!) and I was feeling good about getting 5km of walking in using my Nordic walking poles. 

I also have mastered some of my pills... ursodiol and calcium citrate have become my nemesis, because they are both large-ish pills and they get stuck on the way down and trigger vomiting... three times a day each! Turns out I can split my ursodiol in half, and take two smaller pills to get it down, and I can crush my calcium citrate and take it with a bit of apple sauce. Victory!

But then I did something pretty stupid and tried to eat half a smokie at dinner. I thought it would work because I have had kielbasa successfully, and I was using mustard as a bit of meat lube, as Fluffy calls it. Yeah... not smart. I spent more than three hours dealing with slimies, foamies, and general vomiting. Ugh! It was awful. The only highlight of the evening was that my Roughriders won their game. 

This morning, I was up and out for my walk by 6am, got in my 5km (although I'm feeling it a bit... sore legs), and managed my morning Rxs without issue. Even had a great poop! (who knew I could get so excited about that?) and I was down 1.2lb from yesterday! Woohoo! 

My plan for the day is to take it easy food-wise. Had some greek yoghurt with protein powder for breakfast and am planning on some egg salad for lunch. Giving my poor pouch a break from all the heaving yesterday. Here's hoping to have my first vomit free day in over 3 weeks. 

Well, long time no see. 

It's been a rough couple of weeks. I should have been expecting the other shoe to drop after having it so easy for the first three weeks post op. I was getting my water and protein easily, had no pain, nausea, or vomiting.

But as soon as the soft foods really started in earnest I started having problems. Pain, foamies, slimeys, vomiting galore. There doesn't seem to be a rhyme or reason to it. Something that I ate easily yesterday causes pain and vomiting after the first bite today. Sometimes it's my pills, other times they go down easy. I just don't get it. 

I'm trying to stay positive. I know this is a season in my life, and things will eventually even out. I'm just so tired of being afraid to eat, not knowing what kind of response my body will have. I'm mostly hitting my protein target, thanks in large part to protein shakes (which I hate, but look at as medicine). I missed my water targets by a lot over the weekend, due mostly to feeling awful, which I know is a terrible cycle... throw up, don't feel like drinking anything, get dehydrated, get constipated, feel like crap, repeat. 

The three-week stall is also still here. I thought I had busted through it, but I've been bouncing between 216-219 for the last two and a half weeks, which is a contributing factor to my mood and frustration level. And add in wee-lings who are going crazy with end of the school year insanity, friends with busy schedules who I haven't been able to see in weeks, and I'm an unhappy girl. 

Things will turn around. I know they will. Just not feeling it at this moment. 

Today I had my first post surgery update. I haven't eaten anything other than the occasional popsicle and my daily protein shakes in 2 weeks. I have lost 30lbs in those 2 weeks. The doctor is happy. I am starting to see changes I have no more swelling in my legs after sitting at my work desk all day. I don't get to eat an egg till next week. I have my total carb and protein counts so when I can start eating I know how much I can have. My surgeon / doctor has been great thru this whole process. He listens and gives good information about what to expect and what I should be doing. He has an amazing team here in Boise. I am glad I went with him to do this life changing process.

Surgery went well, I was up and walking the next day, drinking my protein, and wasn't nauseous not even once.  So I got to go home the next day

This is day 3 post-op. I am doing well, although I slept most of yesterday away, I believe I needed to catch up on sleep, since sleep in the hospital is in 2 hour intervals, someones always waking you up for something lol

Today I've been up all day, walking around, playing on the computer. I've had some pain but not anything that cant be controlled. The drinking thing has been hard. Making sure i get my protein in. So mainly right now I'm on 2x protein shakes a day, i split them up so that I'm only handling 4oz at a time. Drinking water and power-aid zero all day. And today I measured out 2oz sf jello and 2oz beef broth for lunch. I think i'm going to do ok with my new stomach. I worry about stretching it, but from what I've read 4 oz. on the liquid diet is not the same as solid food. I usually take my time and get full from 4oz of liquid.

So far so good, I am so happy with my decision to do this.

I feel more tired now that im intaking protein again... and im kinda going on and off hot and cold whereas Ive been 100% cold. I wish my body would decide what it wants.

I went to my 4th NUT appointment this week and I was absolutely surprised that I had actually lost 9 pounds from my last appointment.  I can get a bit obsessive when it comes to scale use so I've decided to only do pre-op weigh-ins at my monthly appointments.  It saves me a lot of anxiety, I think. 

I actually was prepared to go to the appointment with excuses on why i gained, so this was a big win.  I didn't actually add much activity to my routine, the only thing I changed was having protein shakes every morning instead of just weekdays.  I really thought my extracuricular snacking activities were going to cause an issue, but I'm not going to let that make feel like it's ok to snack late or keep eating cheese non-stop.   Also probably helps that I had the stomach bug a couple days last week.  I think my organs liquified and came out....yuck...

One Week Post Op today! I feel great and almost walking back to normal. I have learned in this short week to not drink your dinner protein shake at a constant sipping. I spent 30 min the last two nights trying to release the pressure in my chest. Lesson Learned! I am back down to Surgery Date Weight as of this morning, actually half a pound less. Now to look forward to actual losses LOL. I guess i had a lot of gas and liquids that are taking time to leave my body. Its all good, it will be gone eventually! I have no regrets, and take each day as it comes and look forward to the next stage next Thursday, and getting my stitches out on Tuesday.

What's your favorite protein coffee recipe?

Going camping this weekend. A little stressed about the food situation, but I am bringing lots of protein bars!

Feeling low energy the past couple days. Getting all my vitamins, water and protein...just feel a little sluggish and need more sleep, so I have been sleeping in. Still going strong at the gym though.

They should have in the type of surgery option "Revision" because it looks weird to say you lost over 100 lbs. and you just had surgery a month ago.

Have definitely stalled. Not worried about the weight, but I know I need to get my protein and calories up a bit from what I've been managing.