Need help finding good meal plan to follow ...

Hi everyone! I had gastric bypass roux en y January 24 2003. I was extremely heavy when I did have surgery. That for me it was life or death. My highest before surgery was 750lbs. I got down to 465lbs, In February I was hopitalized with pneumonia & got weighed. The last time I was weighed I was 538lbs in June 2005. In February I was 560lbs & yesterday at the hospital I was 571.8lbs. Going back to the hospital and being hospitalized for pneumonia & getting weighed was one of those wake up calls to me again. I guess I'd like to think ignorance is bliss but in my case it's not. With the pneumonia I was put back on oxygen 24/7.  On March 4th with all that I started going to my local YMCA.. I'm eager to go because I want to be healthy & I want to be able to do for myself without depending on people to help me out. I'm also anemic. I had blood labs drawn on the 20th at my primary care doc's clinic Iron 1.0 Blood Pressure 122/ 78 Cholesterol HDL 28 LDL 154 I've been trying to eat more green leafy vegetables. Take my iron supplements. And I've been trying to push myself at the YMCA. 

Workout Notebook Cardio By Date    The Cardio exercise by date summary page ... Can I change my workout data? Cardio Summary By Date Breakdown Detail Log Calories CV Time By Date By Exercise Select Time Period: This Month    Last Month    Year to Date    Lifetime    Custom      from: "/>   to: "/>    NuStep TRS 4000 Stepper Visit Date Time Distance Ave Speed Calories 3/24/2008 0:04:17 208.0 Steps 2,915.9 Steps/hour 109 3/24/2008 1:00:00 10,000.0 Steps 10,000.0 Steps/hour 1,633 3/22/2008 0:21:22 3,611.0 Steps 10,143.3 Steps/hour 570 3/22/2008 0:49:15 10,000.0 Steps 12,182.7 Steps/hour 1,315 3/20/2008 0:32:56 6,406.0 Steps 11,672.0 Steps/hour 879 3/20/2008 0:44:10 10,000.0 Steps 13,587.0 Steps/hour 1,179 3/18/2008 0:02:00 100.0 Steps 3,000.0 Steps/hour 36 3/18/2008 1:13:00 10,000.0 Steps 8,219.2 Steps/hour 1,299 3/17/2008 0:15:59 1,679.0 Steps 6,304.1 Steps/hour 284 3/17/2008 0:31:08 4,316.0 Steps 8,318.7 Steps/hour 554 3/16/2008 0:10:38 1,649.0 Steps 9,307.6 Steps/hour 284 3/16/2008 0:51:09 7,553.0 Steps 8,859.8 Steps/hour 910 3/12/2008 0:50:28 9,003.0 Steps 10,705.1 Steps/hour 898 3/11/2008 1:00:25 8,738.0 Steps 8,678.7 Steps/hour 1,075 3/9/2008 0:15:58 2,029.0 Steps 7,627.8 Steps/hour 284 3/9/2008 0:20:23 2,493.0 Steps 7,335.9 Steps/hour 363 3/8/2008 0:31:08 3,680.0 Steps 7,092.8 Steps/hour 554 3/4/2008 0:20:00 1,375.0 Steps 4,125.0 Steps/hour 356 TOTALS 9:54:13 92,840.0 Steps 8,337.5 Steps /hour 12,582

What I like about this program is I have proof that I am working out. So that means my problem must lie with my intake. I have packs of extra gum around so if i get hungry i can chew on that. I drink mostly water. I also have the crystal light singles if i get bored with that. Yesterday the dietician gave me measuring cups so I can measure finally. Today I started to keep a journal of what I eat. The dietician suggested I eat no more than 1.5 cups per meal. I don't drink during meals. I really welcome any suggestions. 9:30 am 1 cup of coffee with powder non dairy creamer & 2 packs of splenda 11:00am 1.75 cups of oatmeal includes little bit of milk & i tsp of brown sugar                   2 pieces of whole wheat toast with margarine                   1 cup of coffee with powder non dairy creamer & 2 packs of splenda 1:15pm 2 sticks of  cool watermelon Extra gum I have an appointment to go back to see my surgeon Sept 22nd for a 6 month follow up and he wants me to keep in touch with the dietician once a month by email. He said he's very proud of my workouts. Said I was doing well. I'm just disappointed with my weight gain:( He said if I'm still on oxygen in September we may have to consider another surgery. He said he's not too keen on the other surgery because of the nutrition side effects. He said they bypassed 5 feet of my stomache but there's still 10 feet left. Man I couldn't believe I had all of that inside of me ... He said this other surgery would have something to do with my intestines. Would cause me diaarrhea.  Thanks for any help.

Marilyn,  You need to increase your protein would be my guess. 3 meals a day would be good to follow.  Maybe cutting the bread intake, oatmeal etc. could help.    How about trying this: 

Plateau Buster Diet How to break a plateau #1 - Do this for 10 days to break a plateau #2 - Drink 2 quarts of water a day #3 - You must have 45 grams of protein supplement and all your vitamins/minerals supplements each day #4 - You may consume up to 3 oz of the following high protein foods, 5x a day beef pork chicken turkey lamb fish eggs low fat cheese cottage cheese plain s/f yogurt peanut butter beans/legumes You may also have: sugar free popsicles tea or coffee  sugar free jello broths/bullion (sp?) crystal light drinks #5 - If it's not on the list, you can't have it for 10 days!!!! #6 - Keep a food diary and try to get up to 30 mins of exercise daily

If you PM me your email address, I have some recipies i could send.

Best wishes

MaryLyn

I was wondering on that plateau buster: the 45 grams of protein. Is that protein from the list only or can we up it with our shakes. I drink 2-3 shakes a day & there is 23 grams per shake.

You can up it with your shakes from what i understand.

Hi Marilyn, I would strongly encourage you to contact your surgeon and attend the pre-op educations classes again.  Along with that, you need a referral to a dietician/nutritionist to develop an eating plan that will work for you.  After that, maybe email contact will be sufficient.  Protein is utmost in all post ops.  I did not see protein listed in your intake.  Your surgeon is probably referring to the Duodenal Switch as the other operation.  It may indeed be what you need to lose the weight that you need.  Again, close follow up with a dietician will be your key to success. Good luck to you and keep us posted. Cindy

I would like to commend you on your weight loss first and foremost. And think it is great that you are heading in the right direction. I'm wanting a good meal plan as well as I'm dealing with regain so the only suggestion that I can give is to stay in touch with your Dr.s & dietician & the others advice here. Maybe it would be good to research the surgery he recommended just to check it out (if you haven't already) and/or someone here can help that is a "second time arounder" ? I had RNY 8/02 & although I've been told it's normal for a lot of us to regain it does suck. It can be a bummer. We just have to keep striving day by day & from what I have read you're doing what needs to be done. Keep in touch & take care !

Marilyn, First, congrats on losing over 200 lbs!  That is a terrific accomplishment! Second, you've come to the right place for support and encouragement.  We will all be happy to give you what help we can as you continue your journey. Follow the advice of your nutritionist and continue to log what you're eating.  If you haven't tried one of the online sites, they're really helpful.  www.thedailyplate.com  www.sparkpeople.com  www.fitday.com  I suggest that you get your protein level up.  You might want to start protein drinks again.  I have a least one a day. Remember not to take your iron with any other supplements, no calcium or caffeine.  Take it at least an hour before and after anything else.   Don't hesitate to ask any questions you may have!  Good luck! Michele

Hi, Marilyn!  You've gotten some great advice from other posters, so I won't repeat what's already been said.  I would like to invite you to visit the BMI Over 50 board though; it's for those of us that started out with a body mass index over 50, as we face somewhat different issues that folks who start out smaller.  It's a super supportive forum, and you may find some folks that have faced similar issues who may be able to offer some guidance and insight about where you can go from here.   I would like to encourage you to stay in touch with what's going on; you'd had a wake up call with your regain and you've got an opportunity to make changes before you have any further regain.  You've come to the right place for emotional support, but you'll also need the support of a dietician and your surgeon for long-term success.   Good luck on your continuing journey, and I hope to see you over on the BMI Over 50 board!   Kellie

The other surgery that your doctor is probably referring to is the duodenal switch.  It does have more malabsorption issues but people have it every day and by taking the vitamins live very healthy lives with no problems.  It is a very good operation for those who need to lose a great deal of weight and keep it off long term.  I had Rny so my knowledge is very limited.  I have been educated somewhat by the people on the duodenal switch forum.  They are very knowledgable about their surgery and very willing to share information with those who are interested in learning. I would suggest you go to that forum and ask some questions as you may want to consider a revision to the DS.   You sound very determined to get this weight off, and you are definitely on the right track by coming here for support.  Good luck to you. Melissa

Honey, please PM me.  You don't need to be on a diet for the rest of your life, you need a revision to the DS.  Look at my profile, read the revision boards and come to the DS board.