Musings from 3 months out.......

[texaschick 0]

Today is my 3 month surgiversary and I am down 48 pounds (including 7.5 lost pre-op). This is not exactly where I wanted to be at this point, but I will take it. I know most of the issues are mine, and not my sleeves. I catch myself grazing on some days and eating things that I shouldn't. I think the reason for that is that I feel so good. I don't have the restriction most seem to have (I need to talk to my doc about that at my appt. next week!) I can eat a lot more than what most people post; whole small wendy's chili, entire order of pintos and cheese from taco bell, 8 piece nuggets from chick-fil-a (I know - not the best choice), and I just had an entire jimmy dean light Breakfast bowl for breakfast.

I am working on the grazing by eating 4 times a day, and that is it. 150-250 calories each meal with a minimum of 15g of Protein. I am watching my carbs, but not obsessive about it. I don't do refined carbs (occasionally I will have a couple of whole grain crackers with my tuna or chicken salad or a carb balance tortilla). I have started to add back in more fruit and veggies.

A big issue is I have not been exercising regularly yet. I did a trial membership at a local gym, but don't think it is for me. I have bad knees, and plantar facisitis in my foot, so every time a start a progam, within a week I am in pain. Since my doc said no NSAIDs, I tough it out with ice and tylenol (I am also going to check with him on this next week). My darling hubby just ordered me a Cybex Arc Trainer, which I have had luck with before not hurting my knees. So next week, my home office will become my home gym! I can't wait!

Truthfully, some days I wonder why I did this, but, then I realize even on my worst eating days, it is no where near what I used to do. I also have learned a few things - I CANNOT have certain trigger foods in the house. I am just not strong enough at this point to steer clear of them - any kind of chip has got to go, as well as salty crackers (other than the whole grain saw-dusty kind).

So, if there is anyone else out there struggling with this, know that you are not alone. Sometimes I feel like an outcast because I am not "working my sleeve" like everyone else. I am just now realizing that this is MY journey and it will take me where I steer it!

Hugs to all!

[DougNichols 124]

Wow your 2 month pics look amazing. Post some three month ones! :001_huh:

[mumwithnobum 0]

wow 48lbs!!!!!

Don't beat yourself up just make decisions that work for you.

[Eureka-C 20]

I haven't had the surgery yet, but if my mistakes in 3 months out are like yours, I will be jumping for joy. I don't know how you used to be, but if I can stop myself at 8 chicken nuggets or a small wendy's chilis.. I think that I am doing well. Maybe you are not losing as fast as others, but you are losing. I haven't been able to keep on a diet for 3 months, or lose more than 20 pounds at a time in the last 10 years. Even then I usually gain back 25-30. I think you are doing wonderful.

[sharold7 2]

I also think you are doing wonderful in such a short time. Keep up the good work!

[texaschick 0]

All, thanks for the support. I am just having my own little pity party. I guess I just thought I would feel more restriction. I feel so good, it is almost too good. I read about all these people that can only choke down a couple of tablespoons of food, and I can eat a lot more than that and I don't get a "full" feeling. I stop when my tummy gurgles, but that is long after a couple of tablespoons!

[nurse_ally 0]

I'm in the same boat as you are. I'm almost 2 1/2 mos. out and can eat pretty much whatever I want. I do feel restriction and get a horrible feeling if I eat too fast, but there hasn't been anything that I CAN'T eat. I've lost 42 pounds since July 1 when I had my surgery, which is just over 20 pounds a month, which isn't bad. I think we should be counting our blessings that we CAN eat, and are not struggling with the problems that some have as far as not being able to get Protein and Water in. Like someone said earlier, you're able to eat a small wendy's chili. Before surgery, I could have eaten a small chili, a large fries, a baked potato, and washed it all down with a large coke. A small chili or 8 nuggets isn't gonna hurt us :thumbup: Keep you chin up and be proud that you've lost 48 pounds in only 3 mos! When have you ever done that before? :thumbup:

[pattimomof3nj 21]

Hi girls, i just wanted to point something out to you. 48 pounds in 3 months is 16 pounds a month or 4 pounds a week. that is freaking awesome. I had a lapband for over 2 years and didn't lose nearly that much (and worked it) before it slipped and i gained some back! You are doing GREAT! you have to remember that you are HUMAN. you are not a machine and your body is taking in what it needs at times, sometimes it needs a little more salt than others. Give yourself a break, you had your pity party, now get back on the wagon and start fresh! I am gearing up to get a sleeve now that my band has been out for 3 months and my tummy is all healed up nice, just have to find me a good Dr in Mexico since my insurance will not cover more than 1 surgery in the US and the $ is 25K. I am so hoping to be where you are after 3 months, that would put me back to where I was after having my band for 2 years! If you feel like you are eating too much, take a step back and go to the basics, measure your meals, no drinking for 30 minutes, take in all of your Water, and Protein. Sometimes it is the simple things that we forget that matter most! I think that is most important!

Hope this helps a little!

Patti

[Ihave6kids 29]

I also think you are doing wonderful in such a short time. Keep up the good work!:thumbup:

sharold7 - what are you doing on here?:thumbup:

[vanishingvixen 40]

Be kind to yourself. This is a new experience and you are still feeling your way around. Almost 50# in 3 months is ALOT. You didn't gain it all in a few months, it's not all gonna come off ina few months.

I will say - food choices are everything. Sure - splurge here and there...but make sure you are getting the nutrients you need and not continuing the bad habits that got you to the surgical point in the first place. That is my personal fear - I'll do all of this, and still not have kicked the habits that got me "here"...

Best of luck. YOU. CAN. DO. THIS!

[Papillon 7]

Hang in there!! 48lbs is amazing!! I am the same way with trigger foods... I cleaned out my house... and it all went to work or friends hehe. No more sabotage at home! I am also lucky because my husband is doing the same surgery on the same date so we can support eachother. When I hear of people ordering wings and pizza the day someone comes home from surgery I get sooo mad, that is just criminal. Have a heart and eat before you visit if that is the case.

[educationrulz 18]

This is the nutritional info for an 8 piece nuggets from chickfila.

(?) Nutrition Facts Calories 267(1117 kJ)% Daily Value 1

Total Fat 11.4g 17%

Sat. Fat 2.3g 12%

Trans Fat 0g

Cholesterol 70mg 23%

Sodium 989mg 41%

Total Carbs. 12g 4%

Dietary Fiber 0.7g 3%

Sugars 2g

Protein 28.1g

Calcium 26.7mg

If this is one of 3 or four meals per day, you can balance it out by watching the sodium and cholesterol in the rest of your meals for the day. But, it's not like eating a whopper or big mac. I don't think we should beat ourselves up about our food choices if we are aware of what we are doing and take steps to create balance.

BTW, I used CalorieKing to get these stats. It gives info on regular grocery store items and lots of fast food/restaurant options. It was a lifesaver during my low carb preop diet. I still use it every now and then and will probably need it more when my weight loss slows down.

Keep up the good work and keep your head up! :001_smile: