I'm a food addict....HELP

Hello All, I love this board because it helps with so many of my questions but I have to be honest. I love food, the first month was the worst because I couldn't eat what I wanted. I'm now able to eat solids and it was a major step for me. I haven't dumped (so far) but I haven't tried things with lots of sugar (candy bars, ice cream, cake, snack items) which I think is good for me. I was never a big sweets eater, I'm a meat eater. I'm able to eat every meat I've tried. I usually can't eat that much meat but now I'm able to get more down (over a period of time). I'm 9wks post-op and I've lost 44lbs. Originally I lost 53lbs but my monthly came and I gained weight. I thought it was water and would leave after it was gone but it hasn't. I'm gonna be honest, I haven't been drinking my water like I should but I only drink sugar-free drinks because I'm diabetic. I have been craving fruit juices and have indulged a few times but I don't think that would prevent me from losing weight. I read everyones meals and mine has meat in every meal. For example: Breakfast -- 1/2 to 3/4 small breakfast burrito w/ eggs, cheese and saugage Lunch -- brisket (1/4 cup, maybe less), 1 to 2 small bites of potato salad Dinner -- 1 1/2 chicken leg (skin removed) Snack -- 3 crackers w/ crab salad on them Now this is not even close to what I use to eat but is it too much? As soon as I started solids my weight has stalled. Am I just making the wrong eating choices? Maybe too many carbs? I love fruit but can't go overboard because I am diabetic, so I usually don't snack. I think I'm taking in too many calories but I don't want to eat vegetables all day. I like vegetables and some times I crave a veggie meal (like cooked brocilli, yellow and green squash w/ a little butter, salt and pepper--yummy) but I don't go a day without meat. I haven't talked to my nutritionist so I don't know if I'm totally off track. I had complications with my surgery so I haven't started exercising because I wanted to feel well enough to start. I sighned up with the gym through my job and my membership starts at the beginning of next month (I'm excited about that). It looks like I've lost the same as most May people so maybe its all in my head but if you have any good advice for me PLEASE give it to me. Thanks alot. Leona -44

Looks like you are doing OK. Your quantities and choices look like they are where they should be. I have to watch the breads and crackers because they are a HUGE trigger for me. 44lbs in 2 months! That's terrifi****ep the protein coming and boost your water. Once you start exercising, you will start to see and feel some big changes. Take care, J

Leona, I think you're doing great also. 1 important thing to remember is that meat = protein! And thats awesome. If your meals included, cakes and fast foods then we would have a problem. Congrats on your 44 pounds, and the pounds will come off again when you begin exercising!

Looks like you're doing ok. I'm a May Baby also and I'm averaging slightly less than 4.5 lbs a week and you're averaging 4.89 lbs. I agree with the others, exercise will help. Also, remember that when you start your weight training, you'll be building muscle which weighs more than fat. So if you see a small gain, remember that you are still losing inches. Be sure to measure yourself before you start exercising so you can measure again a 1 month intervals. You'll be pleasantly surprised!

Sounds like you are doing great! I too have been craving veggies. I have already picked a few squash from my garden. I am going ccok them, then sprinkle some flavorless protien on them - I'll let you know how that goes.

Leona!!!! Congrats on the 44 lbs! Forever gone little one! I am a type 2/Insulin dependant diabetic also, so I feel your pain! and I totally empathize with you. Also know that because we are diabetic, foods will stay with us longer. Something to do with our insulin, etc. Diabetics tend to be slower losers (sometimes I will take ANYTHING as a reason for my slow weight loss). I was taking 500 units (100 five times a day) of insulin pre surgery. I am down to 10 units twice a day. Next week, after my lab results come back in, I am hoping to be off ALL of my insulin forever! How are you doing? Your food choices are excellent! I dont think anyone on this board or even Obesity Health.com for that matter, are poster children for WLS. What we need to do is to think about what we are putting in our mouths, and do it consciously. In 9 -12 months we should be able to eat nearly 2 cups of food at one meal. That seems like a HUGE amt after wls but our pouches do expand naturally and we cant be expected to live off of 3 oz of food or 600 calories for the rest of our lives. If we look at the big picture of where we want to be in a year its probably to be NORMAL. Remember: The only way you will gain weight is by eating 3500 calories. 3500 calories equals one pound. The only way to lose weight is to burn 3500 calories. see above. The only way you can stretch your pouch is by eating so much that it brings you to being nausea...and you have to do this consistently for months on end. That will stretch it. You will not stretch your pouch by eating 6 oz of yogurt in one sitting. Remember that some of the liquids we put in our bodies only stay there briefly, which makes us hungry again sooner. Keep drinking, moving and keep your chin up! I swear it does get better. Love ya! Carrie

Looks good to me. Looks like your getting your protein in via foods which is the best way...although drinks are awesome for extra protein. When I started on solids I remember my weight stalling too...body was so used to liquids going through for weeks. Good for you that you signed up with the gym. I hope you get to see your nutrionist soon. I'm sure s/he will answer those questions you have. Do they check their email? I email a few questions to my nut and she gets back to me quickly. Mmmm, I've been craving crab! Now I'll have to go find some. Keep up the good work Leona!

I want to thank everyone who has responded thus far. I'm truly greatful that there are people who care and who are going through the same things I'm going thru. Its a relief when you get a response because you feel normal (for a wls post-op person). Carrie to answer your question, I was on oral meds and insulin but just yesterday was taken off of ALL my meds by my endocrinologist. I haven't gone to get my lab work yet but I'm sure it will come back fine. I've finally start to get some energy so I'm even more excited about starting the gym. Thank you guys for making me feel like I'm not doing anything wrong. Post-op reality is that you will suffer mentally more than physically. Thanks for the support.

Leona, I had my surgery May 11th and I have lost 47 so far, I too was concerned that I was not losing enough but at my visit with the doc he said I am doing fine and 10 percent a month is a good normal rate. Your meals looked fine to me, I have meat issues so I cant eat them as easily which sucks. On a side note, I have noticed that some and certainly not the majority of people count weight they lost pre-surgery in their total which can be misleading and make us feel like we are not on track because it appears they have lost so much more, sounds like you are doing great and the excercise should help too, I myself have been a slacker in that area but I have had 3 strictures so far and it seems like every time I started to feel good I had to start over good news is he thinks this last one will do the trick, yahoo. Keep up the good work! Cary