A few Questions...

Hi, I had my surgery on May 17 (RNY) and I'm down 27 lbs. I just don't feel like I've lost that much, nor do I feel like I look like I've lost that much. Anybody else feel this way? My diet seems to be a little different from some of you guys. After 2 days post-op I went from liquid to pureed. Then two weeks later went to most foods, but have to chew them really well. I can't have steak, pork chops or ham yet. No raw fruit or veggies. No fruit or fruit juices at all. (Those restrictions are because my surgeon says it takes 2 months for your GI system to heal from the surgery and those things are hard to digest.) Also, my surgeon doesn't recommend protein shakes. He says that if you can eat enough protein without the shakes. I guess I'm a little down today because I haven't lost any weight in 5 days. I haven't eaten anything that I'm not supposed to, I'm getting in my water and I started riding a stationary bike for 20-30 mins a day for the last week. Do we reach plateaus this early? Also, are you thirsty all of the time? I am, and I drink 70-80 ounces a day! I have hypothyroidism. My surgeon told me to have my thyroid levels checked to make sure I'm absorbing enough of my medicine. He said that if it's low that it could hinder my weight loss. I'm having that done next week. I'm sorry for lamenting...I just had illusions of grandeur...you know...standing in front of the mirror and watching the pounds fall off.... Thanks for listening!! I really am proud of my 27lbs. I guess some days are hard and some are great. Yours, Candace

Hi Candace I'm only 2 weeks out after RNY so can't help with your questions re weight loss, but I do feel thirsty all the time. I really miss gulping down an ice cold drink...or an ice cold diet pepsi. Hope your weight loss starts up again, keep up the good work Ruth

As for weight loss you're doing great! At the beginning I felt the same way you are now, thinking I'm just losing enough, but we have to remember that we didn't put this weight on over night and were not going to take it off over night either. Try not to get down because you're doing awsome! Yes, you can get your protein from other things besides the protein shakes but if you like them I dont see anything wrong with drinking one a day. I have one protein shake a day for breakfast and then I get the rest from meat through-out the day. I drink the carnation instant breakfast, I mix bannana and ice with the choclate, and strawberries and ice with the vanilla, it tastes pretty good! As for not thinking you look like you've lost the weight, have you tried taking pictures? I took one at my 2 weeks, then again at my month and so forth, I didnt think I looked that different but when I was looked at the pictures I was like WOW. So if your not taking pictures, take some and compare them to next months, you'll see a big difference!!! You also said you haven't lost weight in 5 days, that's normal. Trust me when I stopped losing weight i was freaking out, I actully hit a plateaue for 10 days and then it started droping off again so dont worry! It will start getting easier I promise, let me know if this helped! *hugs*

candace, I've lost 38lbs and get frustrated because I can't see it on myself! In week three I lost no weight at all! then in week four, I lost 5.5 lbs so don't worry, you're not alone. The other day my husband had me try on clothes in my closet. You know what? Quite a few fit me better than before the surgery! Maybe you should try on your "tight" clothes and see if they fit better! Heather

Hi Candace - I had my surgery the same day as you (May 17) and I've lost 17 pounds since then. Like you I thought I'd be losing faster, but it seems like I lose 3 pounds, then the next day gain 2 back, then lose 1, then maintain for 3 days, and then lose 3 pounds, and the cycle starts all over again. I had a 5-day plateu the first week after surgery, and seem to get mini-plauteus each week (few days). Like you, I'm thirsty a lot as well, even though I'm getting in 70-80 ounces a day. I think that our bodies are just going through so many changes that they want more water! I'm on soft foods/pureed foods. I can't get enough protein in with food so I have to supplement with a protein shake a day (I use Unjury; bought online). There is simply no way I can get in enough protein with the amount of food I can take in. Its a good idea to have your labs checked. I'm going to my PCP today to do the exact same thing, to make sure I have enough of all my nutrients. I hope it helps to know you are not alone! I'm glad I lost 17 pounds, but it seems smaller than others and what I expected. Take care, Heather

I applaud your 27 lbs in 27 days, you are exactly where I am, a pound a day, to me, that is better than a big burst at first and then a dead crawl in the end. I am not allowed protein suppliments either, just get what you get from meat and dont throw a fit. now I do recommend instead of just weighing, to measure your points: neck, chest, waist, biceps, wrist, hips, thighs, knees, calves and ankles, that is where I am seeing a significant lose. about 23 inches a month.

OK - JUST CURIOUS - wHAT ARE YOU EATING THAT HAS PROTEIN? aRE YOU REALLY EATING MEAT? iF SO, WHAT?

for breakfast this morning, I had 1 oz of turkey breast, for lunch, I had 1 oz of roast beef, and for dinner I had 1 oz of halibut fish. I also eat grilled chicken, baked salmon, and grilled pork loins and have since 7 days post op. I am on a strict lean meat, leafy green vegetable diet, absolutely no carbohydrates or artificial sweeteners what so ever.