=:^o

You guys - I'm pretty scared right now. I was hungry and hadn't eaten yet today so I got a 6 inch sub from Subway. Roasted turkey, veggies and cheese on Italian Cheese bread. I ate the whole thing. And I don't feel sick! What in the world? I am 13 months out now and I did NOT expect to be able to eat the whole thing. I figured maybe half. Anyone with stories to relate, advice or anything? I'm pretty bummed right now. My weight loss has slowed to 3 lbs a month and I'm feeling like the rug is getting pulled out from under me!!! Dina 325/206/150

Hi Dina; I'm not going to try to advise you on eating because I'm having quite a struggle myself with what goes into my mouth. I also have no problem eating what seems like a large serving. I would like to point out, however that 3 lbs. a month is a substantial weight loss. That's almost a pound a week and to look at it another way, it's 36 pounds in a year!!! You must remember that you are not morbidly obese anymore where a good trip to the bathroom can drop 5 pounds!! (Don't mean to be crude, but you get my point??!!) You are now in the size of "Normal Folks" and 3 pounds a month is great. Not only do we need to adjust our way of thinking about food, we also need to adjust our thinking about dieting. I just wish that someone would come up with an appropriate "Brain Adjustment" to go with WLS.....an "Obesity Lobotomy" if you will!! I'd say that you're doing great.... Keep it up!! Mike

Hi Dina!!! Oh I can relate for sure. Its weird though... sometimes I can eat a whole sandwhich and other days just a few bites.. (about 5 good bites). The other day I ate half of a large cheese steak. So yep! I can relate! 'sigh' I know cheese steak!!! and I wonder why I cant loose the rest... well I dont wonder I know. anyways... It sucks its almost like I havent had surgery. I figure to myself the 1st 115 pounds was a gift now the rest is all up to me. Literally. I can't rely on my surgery to help me anymore. I have realized that now. Its just a little hard to take that all in. BUT there are still some perks. Some days I do feel full faster and some days my tolerance for certain foods is lower. So I cant say the effects are completely gone but its tremendously easy to eat my way around the surgery so I have to be super super super careful. I started yesterday on my "healthier eating" and I really struggled yesterday. I didnt do great but I didnt do too bad either. Today I am going to do much better because I got on the scale and I am almost down a pound. Any bit helps with the motivation! Hang in there sweetie! ((dina)) I know how you feel about being able to eat that sanwhich! Its definitely scary! I honestly was in tears pretty much yesterday because I was struggling SO incredibly bad with head hunger and urges and the hold food has over me. Its like real drug withdrawl for me. Its so hard! BUT I am determined to never give up! You hang in there we are here for you!!! You are still doing great! Dont let it discourage you or get you down! You have the power not the food. Thats what I keep telling myself. Every urge that I resist I offer it up to God and give him the glory and let him take over. I just prayed yesterday to help me get through each urge. You can do it! OH by the way... I sent you an email the other day... not sure if you got it though... I havent been able to get my email messages... My computer is down at home and the work computer her has now banned web based email accounts Im gunna send you another email address that I know I will get in case you email me Elizabeth M

Dina, I find that I am able to eat less and get a more full feeling when I go for solid protein (example: a piece of chicken breast instead of slices of deli meat), eat the protein first, then veggies, and then "fill in" whatever gap might be left with a small amount of bread. I eat "normal" food for lunch and dinner all the time - when I say "normal" I mean, not prepared in any special way or using any kind of diet considerations - I buy whatever's available. But I always do the same thing: protein first, then vegetables (nutritional carbs), and then non-nutritional carbs if I'm having any. I pick vegetables with value, like spinach leaves, carrots, tomatoes (careful w/ skins), raw broccoli, raw cauliflower, mushroom for fiber. I consider lettuce a waste of my time and I never eat it anymore. No need to get upset - just keep it in perspective if you choose to eat sandwiches. The sub was probably only 15 or 20% protein by volume, and the rest was carbs, which liquefy and go right through the pouch. If you want to get a longer lasting full feeling with less volume, sandwiches aren't the best plan. When I'm stuck on the road and have to do fast food, I still to this day do Wendy's chili. It works better for me. PS- 3 pounds a month is also great! Good luck babe, Jen

Dina, I've been there. Scared the heck out of myself by eating almost 6 inches of sub. I thought that I'd eat until I was full and that would be about 1/2. I ate until I was full and that was darn near the whole thing. I still get subs, but I either get the kid's 3" size or throw away the bread. I'm down to losing about 3 or 4 pounds a month also. Like Elizabeth, I've come to accept that I am now on the same playing field as "normal" people. Any weight that I lose from this point out is sheer determination and hard work. I've been struggling mightily the last couple of months to get weight off and it hasn't budged. I finally dropped 4 pounds over the last week. I really think it was due to going on vacation and shaking up my diet and exercise routine. Who would have thought I could have lost weight in New Orleans? Like I said, I think it was a routine change. We're with you on this one. Hang in there and stay in touch. Hugs, Connie

I have the same probs...some days i can eat a frightening amount...more and more often actually. But also, as was said above, if i eat 'solid' meat, can eat much less. When I get a sub, i immediately give the other 3" away...that way I can't eat it.

Dina, I too have done the subway thing and from that I realized that I have to be just as aware of how much I am eating as well as what I am eating. We are at that point where we are able to eat more now than we have in the past and it freaks us out. We just have to be very careful. If you are not doing this on a daily basis I would think that an occasional slip is okay and normal. Don't beat yourself up about it, just be aware the next time that even if you don't feel full you should only eat half at a time for your pouches sake. Take care of yourself. Shannon The Irish Lassie 266/145/140

Dina, I just had a support group meeting where our Doc was there, he said our pouch does not stretch what happens as we can tolerate more than in the beginning. So now is more important than any to measure your food intake & stop when you get to 4 or 5 ounces of food at one sitting. We can no longer take this tool for granted we have to make the right choices to keep the weight off. Good luck, We all need it right now. Marilyn, the Bearlady

Um...... I have subway once in a while and I'm able to eat a whole 6 inch italian without the bottom bread. I don't see anything wrong with that and neither does my surgeon. Its not like your eating that everyday and its a lot better than eating a large, with a large soda and bag of chips.... Kelley

Hi Dina, you are not alone in this. This journey has really shifted and it is clear that we are left with the same old familiar battle of how to manage food in our lives in a manner that will allow us to continue losing weight. I try to adhere to the pouch rules and sometimes it works, more often not. I am able to eat anything and although I have not tested the limits, I feel as if I can eat in any quantity. I feel your pain, darlin, and I hope just knowing that you are not alone helps a little bit. You are one of the wisest people on this board so I can't offer you advice that you don't already know inside and out. Take a deep breath and get up in the morning with a new commitment and resolve to keep on keeping on...I know that's rather lame but it's the best I can do because I don't have any answers to this -- I don't feel I was adequately prepared for this stage, however...never talked about it, never heard anyone else talk about it. I am so happy to see you so close to getting under 200 lbs.! That monumental moment is just around the corner for you! Take care, sweetie. I'm here for you as you have always, always been there for me. Love, Maureen