[Sam]

Hi all
I had my surgery on 14 oct 2011... i dont understand whats happening to me and if im following the rules properly... its been around 6 weeks after my op and i have started on soft foods is this correct??? also it feels like can have quite a bit of food is there something wrong with what im doing... it also seems like i have stalled already is this normal? ive only lost 28lbs which i find dissapointing....I would really appreciate it if someone can advise me on what to eat and how much of it...I feel so alone with no support and the Panicking is driving me crazy...

thanks
Sam

[MotoCO]

No one has replied yet so I will give it a go. Just so you know I had my surgery at the end of August. I have lost right at 55 lbs now. I do know how you feel. Because this lifestyle is so new and different everything seems rather scary and after everything you have gone through to get to this point you don't want to mess it up by doing the wrong thing.

First off, your doctor should have given you an eating plan that told you how much to eat and when. But ultimately you need to listen to your body. If you are supposed to eat 2 oz of food and before you get it all down your body says "full" then stop eating. The way you want to eat is...protein first, veggies second and carbs last. That is the priority list.

As for stalls, get used to them. It happens. As I understand it...it is your body's way of readjusting. Sometimes a stall happens because you haven't been sticking to what you are supposed to be eating. And then other's you have been doing exactly what you are supposed to be doing and your body has to recalibrate itself. Just kick up the excercise a bit. I had this happen to me a couple of times already. It was frustrating but I can say...it will start moving again.

And ONLY 28 pounds? What would you have given for that amount of weight loss a year ago??? Every pound puts you one step closer to health and one step closer to your goal. Each of us has a different body type, metabolism, excercise routine and eating pattern. We aren't all going to have a set amount of pounds to lose each week or month. I have found it hard to stay off the scale myself. But I feel better about it when I do because I see more significant loss rather than none, none, half a pound, none, a pound. I, for example, am a vegetarian and I have to find my protein sources in other places rather than meat and typically they are a bit less fatty and lower in calories too. However, I do have the love of carbs and that is hard for me because my life has revolved around other sources of food and to concentrate on protein is harder for me and a bigger ordeal at every meal. Plus, I fear hair loss so I try very hard to keep my protein up.

This is a wonderful place to find answers and have people help you. I am sure there will be some very seasoned bypass'ers get on and give you a few tips as well. But I am about a month and a half in front of you and I still have things to learn.

PS If you take what I have lost and what you have lost there is only 25 lbs between them and a month and a half time frame. You and I are very close to the same path. I am not discouraged. I figure if I lose it a bit slower then my body might have the ability to recover and not have so much saggy skin.

Well, that is my two cents. Good luck and best wishes.

[Sam]

Thanks a million for your advise youve given me such an big eye opener i would have done anything just to lose 28lbs before the op....i guess i just need to throw out the scales and follow the rules more carefully
wish you luck in your weight loss

Sam xxx

[kiddiecakes]

Don't worry, it is all new to you. I am six months out and it is a totally different ball game. First, eat as you were directed by your doc. Don't compare anybody else to you. Our bodies are all different and it adjusts differently. When I first started out, I had a surgery buddy that lost weight very rapidly and by six weeks she was eating coconut bars and and nuts. I was really freaking out, I could barely keep an ounce of protein and ounce of a veggie or fruit. Now, I am still losing weight and she has started gaining! Just stick with the rules, get your protein in and your vitamins. Take it day by day and pretty soon, it will be six months for you too! Stalls are part of the deal and are so very frustrating. It will end and you will see! I still vent when I can't even lose a half a pound! Just don't weigh yourself all the time,keep moving,drink your water and it will happen!

[msmonica]

First off.... great job so far!
Each Dr. has their own plan. Mine had me on soft foods weeks 3 thru 6. Then regular foods at 6 to 8 weeks. Measure or weigh your food, that way you won't be as worried about over eating. Eat slow!!!! It takes a few minutes to tell if you are full, sometimes you have eat to much before you can actual tell. I usally burp thats my que I'm done!!! It does take a little bit for your brain and tummy to connect! Be patient....it will all come together.

[Sam]

Thanks for all your posts feeling much better and more focused on doing the right thing... i love this website it proves that there are wonderful people out there willing to help without anything in return
God bless you all

Sam xxx

[nursesrock]

Everyone here has great advice, so I'll just add.....MOVE!! Not to Hawaii , but move yourself!! Don't drink with meals!! Give yourself a break, and get out of your own way. I will admit to myself and everyone here that I occasionally fall into old traps like sugar free ice cream, and hot cocoa. I have forever been my own worst enemy in this fight, and that doesn't change with a smaller, sleeker model of stomach. That's all for now.

[MyTurn2009]

Don't worry. You are doing fine. Like the others have said, stalls are a part of it, and everybody loses at different rates. (28 lbs in less than 2 months is pretty impressive by the way). Follow the rules your doctor has set out (there is not "one" set of rules), and you will do fine. I can't tell you how many times I thought I "broke" it in the beginning or I had screwed things up. Find some form of exercise that you like (keep trying different ones until you find something that motivates you), and before you know it, you will be moving on. Keep up the good work!
Nancy

[DocSanae]

Welcome to the board, thank you for joining us.
Congratulations on joining the Losers' Bench and on your wonderful weight loss.
(((((HUGS))))) May your journey go well.

[ditamonti]

Congratulations on the weight loss. I too was paniky and thinking I was doing something wrong cuz the weight wasn't coming off fast enough for me. Now I am almost 3 months out and 45 lbs from my goal weight. I am very strict when it comes to my eating and when I do go off the diet plan, my body lets me know it right away. My favorite foods are sugar free popcicles and plain greek yogurt(sweetend with splenda and imitation cherry/raspberry flavoring).
Stay focused and good luck on your journey.