Question:
Is there anyone out there who is almost a yr. post-op like myself who is struggling?
I had the lap RNY on 2/14/03 and as of my last checkup I am only down 76 lbs. That was this past Nov. I know I can do alot of things to change and get back on track but I am struggling. If you are like me and are almost a yr post-op and are struggling, and or having alot of success, any advice and or tips would help. I am either craving Crackers and carbs lately, or chocolate. Over the summer for about 2 mths.- I cut out the carbs almost completely out of my diet- and it did nothing. I still didn't lose anymore. I know that the stomach stretches over time. I am amazed that sometimes I can eat more things than others. I can down several crackers and cookies in a sitting, while other times get full very easily. What about you? I hope someone can help me who is in the "same boat" as me. — Bonnie R. (posted on January 14, 2004)
January 14, 2004
Bonnie, I'm there with you and understand exactly what you are going
through. Rest assured, YOU are NOT ALONE in your struggles. Hang in there,
sweetheart, it gets better with time (trust me on that) Hadiyah, a.k.a.~~~
— yourdivaness
January 14, 2004
Might be worth getting your labs done to see if you've developed some kind
of deficiency. Try tracking every bit you eat in a food journal and find
out the content of what you're eating calorie wise. I put mine in
FITDAY.COM and it tells me the breakdown of protein, carbs, fat, etc.
Sometimes very eye opening. Carbs stimulate my hunger and if I get a
better balance of protein to good carbs (fruits and veggies) I don't stay
so hungry.
— Cathy S.
January 14, 2004
Hi Bonnie,
I read your post. You said that you are getting most of your protein from
food and mainly cheese. Is the cheese Lowfat or Nonfat? When you are
consuming large amounts of protein that is high in fat it does sabotage
your efforts.
I also read where you don't buy protein drinks. You may actually consider
it. The protein drinks are generally lower in calories and are easier to
digest. If you increase your protein levels to at least 90+ grams per day
within a few days you WILL lose your carb cravings. I guarantee it. But you
have to minimize your carbs.
I went to Turkey during the summer and the diet is very carb based. I was
craving carbs the moment I got back. I couldn't stop. I went on a protein
binge, and the cravings went away.
You and I are almost the same time post op. Walking will make you lose
inches. But it won't help you lose if you are eating a lot of calories.
Check your calorie count. Some people think calories are not important. But
they are. We have to stay in a calorie deficit to lose weight.
Ps. There are days we can eat more and days we don't. On those days you
have to be careful not to over do it.
Keisha
— keishax
January 14, 2004
I had my surgery close to the same time as you with the same start weight
(2/12/03 352lbs). I was a lap RNY with 95cm bypassed. I have lost 150lbs
but I am doing some things that are very different from you. I exercise
doing cardio and weight training at least 5 days a week for 1 - 1.5 hours a
day. I follow a low carb eating plan although I don't count them. I love
carbs too much so I stay away from them for the most part. I have not
eaten any sugar since the surgery. I drink 2-6 protein drinks a day at 30g
of protein each and don't count any of the protein in my food. When I am
on a plateau or to break the carb cravings, I switch to a higher protein
diet where I only drink shakes and have protein and maybe a salad to eat if
I need to chew. I try to drink about 120 oz of water a day. Some days I
eat more food than others and when it begins to become a binge-like thing,
I drink a protein shake before my meals to curb the eating and the
carb-monster.
Connie Lap RNY 2/12/03 352/202/1??
— cfpowers
January 14, 2004
HI Bonnie- I had my surgery on March 28, 2003 and have lost approx. 140
lbs. I started exercising around 3 months post op and that has helped me a
great deal. I, too, crave carbs in a major way and have discovered that I
do not dump- which is a bad thing to discover!!!! I haven't been exactly
behaving over the holidays and still managed to lose 1/2 a lb. I think it
is because of the exercise. The more you move and burn calories- the more
you can eat. I have noticed that I can eat a lot of cookies, crackers,
popcorn etc. because once they are chewed down with added moisture- they
kind of shrink down and pass through the pouch much faster- causing hunger
much sooner- When I eat things with a more solid density- like cheese, meat
, beans I end up getting full very quickly and if I behave and not sip on
any liquid for 30 minutes afterward- that full feeling lasts for an hour or
so. I am bad about sipping liquids too soon after meals. I know exactly
what you are going through- I go through several bouts of guilt in a day
for eating too much of the wrong things and I know that in time it will
catch up to me when my body stabilizes and starts to absorb more of the
calories. I struggle with getting myself back under control- the only
thing that has kept me from failing this far is the exercise and water- I
also try to make sure I get my protein in every day. Other than that- I
know I have much room for improvement in my habits and I need to start now
cuz the honeymoon is almost over! lol. I wish you the very best and don't
get discouraged over this- we need to find a happy balance in our eating
habits that are both healthy and easy to live with- Don't worry- we'll find
that balance! Hang in there and be easy on yourself- you are still headed
in the right direction and have already had a succussful weight loss.
— lyndaleigh
January 15, 2004
Bonnie, 76 pounds in less than a year is good, don;t beat yourself up just
because you haven't set the all time losing record. I think you know the
answer to your dilemma, though. The other posters have some good advise.
Be sure that you are eating dense proteins to fill you up(you say that
sometimes you can eat more things than others, so note when you can't and
what you are eating), eat frequently ( are you eating enough and often
enough?)but choose wisely, and get the junk out of the house if you can't
control it. I can eat several crackers and cookies in a setting too but is
that wise to do? If you can't limit yourself to one or two, then get it
out of the house. . What about exercise? Heart pumping cardio will burn
those calories. I'm sorry to say that after the first year, this surgery
becomes work if we want to continue to lose. The good part is that at a
lower weight, and eating healthier, its easier to do the work. The bottom
line is you have to have a plan that you can live with. Your not alone,
sweetie and you can do this.
— Cindy R.
January 15, 2004
To Cindy, Lynda, Connie, Keisha, Cathy, & Your Divaness--- Thanks SO
much to all of you!!!! :O) I read all of your posts and really want to say
thanks so much and really appreciate the helpful tips and advice, and I
surely need them. I am the first to admit it, believe me! ;o) You are all
sweethearts in all of the kind words that you have said for me. I also want
to say CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF YOU IN YOUR WEIGHT LOSS SUCCESSES THUS FAR
AND BEST OF LUCK IN CONTINUING! I am very happy to have recieved all of
your posts and to know that we all went through the surgery around abouts
the same time. I figured it would be easier to post 1 email for all of you!
LOL! Goodness knows-- I would have so much to type for all separate emails.
Keisha-- you had asked me about the cheese. I eat the lowfat cheese. I
don't eat too much of it, but I do eat alot of cheese. My surgeon said it's
fine to eat it as long as I'm getting my protein in. I appreciate your
tips. :O)
All of your tips-- really thanks! I really need to increase my cardio. All
my fiancee and I do now is walking alot-- power walking. We plan to join a
gym soon as I love aqua aerobics. We are getting married in exactly 4 mths.
from today on May 15, 2004. My mom is taking me wedding dress shopping this
Monday at a local David's Bridal's so I do look forward to it. I am
nervous, scared, happy, and anxious at the same time! I know I will be a
plus size- but what size is the question! :O) Anyways, I anxiously await
the trying on of the gowns. :O)
As I said-- I read all of your posts and I really thank you all a bunch for
your kind words, tips, advice and suggestions.
I think I need to go back to eating the protein bars. I found those to be
more satisfying and fulfilling then the shakes. I prefer the taste.
Here is a suggestion--- I don't know if you have a "Whole Foods
Market" or wherever there is a nutrition store near you-- GNC-- last I
checked don't have the brand-- but
"THINK THIN" is the brand of protein bars and they are
excellent!!! The chunky peanut butter is like my favorite. It's only like
2.5 net carb grams--- very low. I asked my surgeon and nutritionist.
Someone at the support group suggested them as well. They come in lots of
flavors, a little expensive like 2 bucks a bar-- but worth it. I have a
whole bag in the closet--- and I think I will go back to eating them as
snacks! I am not sure which one of you said to eat the protein bars and
dense protein-- but I will focus more on doing so.
BTW-- I love to meet and correspond with new pen-pals so any of you may
feel free to e-mail me at anytime. :O) I love inspirational forwards,
jokes, poetry, etc. (I love to write poetry.)
Happy New Year to all of you and stay in touch! :O)
[email protected]
— Bonnie R.
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