I don't get it!!!!

I mean I understand a bit, but I REALLY don't get it... Why do we need so much protein???? I probably only ate about 20 grams of protein before my surgery, so why do I need so much now???? I am getting sick of the supplements... not the taste of them, just making the time to get them in, remembering to get them in and ONLY eating meats for meals... I need other stuff, but I have no room to eat anything else..... I think part of my problem is I am frustrated because I have been stalled at 228/230 for about 3 weeks now, I feel like I am not going to lose anymore, and I feel like if I just ate less times in the day (no supplements) that my weight would start coming down again... I know I have been snacking again (which is probably my reason for the stall), but I feel so deprived this past week... I have been crying over the foods I miss.... They are always in the house (hard not to with 6 kids), but I don't eat them.. I just pine over them and then go to the bathroom and cry.... I am so wondering if I did the right thing... will this be it for me, am I done losing weight???? I AM SO SICK OF PROTEIN!!!!!! Thanks for listening to me rant! Shawn M.

Shawn, Protein takes care the lean tissue mass in our body, eg. muscles, major organs, etc. When you are malabsorbing (the result of RNY) your body is burning off so many nutrients that our bodies need. At some point when it has taken water, and other things, it will dip into our lean tissue stores!!! You want to lose fat, NOT LEAN TISSUE!!!! At some point, when your body thinks that you are not going to feed it, it will hold to everything it can, thus, stalling your weight loss. This is a time that you need to rethink your old eating habits and change/modify them. You are not that far out from surgery yet, but be creative with how you get your protein. I NEVER drank protein shakes. I am almost 3 years out, and I still try to think extra protein, but I basically just eat a healthy diet as any other "thin" person would. I eat from all food groups, INCLUDING carbs. I have been the same weight for over a year now, without gaining or losing. I wear a size 6, and am very satisfied with my diet. Do not get discouraged, as it is early yet. Do the best you can with the protein, do not punish yourself if you are not able to do the 60-80 gms. Just do what you can, but do not substitute the protein with unhealthy snacking. You can use cheese, peanut butter, jerky as protein sources, just stay away from the unhealthy snacks. I hope this helps. Carol

I do snack on cheese, almonds, jerky and things like that, but I want a salad, some veggies and a baked potatoe... I have no room after eating the protien.... I guess I was not as mentally prepared for this as I thought I was..... Thanks for the kind words and the advice!!! Shawn M.

Oh no no no, you are not done. Don't give up. I totally understand how you feel. In time you will have room for the other stuff. It does get easier, I promise Julie

Thanks Julie! Shawn M.

Awwww shawn ! I know it kinda seems like a rough time right now but I really think you have been doing an excellent job ! Don't give up ! Stay strong. I know it's hard for me to say that since I haven't had the surgery yet but you have made it this far.... your loss will kick back in again and you'll be in wonderland before you know it ! Hugs to you ! ~~Rona

Thanks so much Rona!!! In my head I know things will get back to moving, but in my heart I am just feeling like such a failure right now.... I will be sure to post when things start moving again.... Shawn M.

Shawn, You're about three weeks behind me in surgery. It was just a month ago that I called a friend, crying because I was so tired of struggling to get the food in; that if I could quit, I would. I had a stricture taken care of a month ago. You did, too, right? I immediately stalled with weight loss. Granted, I could get more food down and keep it down, but I thought they made the opening too big, which meant I could get more food down, which maybe caused the stall. I know, not likely, but I was worried about it. Last week, I finally started losing again. I struggle to get the food in, can't get enough down. I'm not hungry, so it's really hard to remember to take the time to get the protein drink in. When I went for my 3-month appointment, Davora told I was losing too fast, that I would be losing muscle, not fat. I had noticed from one of your posts how much weight you had lost, and knowing we have the same dr., I was wondering if they were going to tell you you were losing too fast, too. I had to have a stricture taken care of again this week because the same problems were coming back. Are you getting the stricture symptoms again? I'll bet the scale moves again in the next week. Marie

Actually when I saw Devorah she told me that I was at 37% of excess loss and I should be at 30%, so I was losing a bit faster than expected... She also said it was probably due to the stricture and to expect it to slow down... Although it started slowing down before getting the stricture taken care of.... Soooooo.... to answer about my symptoms... yesterday my sticture symptoms started to return and they are back with a vengance today.... They did tell me the symptoms are the same with the ulcers though and I do have those as well (on meds for that), so I don't know this time if my stricture is returning or if it is just the ulcers acting up.... Well, I will update in a week or so if my weight loss starts again or not.... Thanks so much for all your tips and help... Shawn M.

protein will help you lose weight and it will keep your muscles from atrophying due to your accelerated weight loss. before surgery you weren't losing amazing amounts of weight and were probably not in ketosis. the doctor tells me all the time that if i eat MORE i'll lose more weight. MORE PROTEIN several times a day. and it's working.