Crap...I have stopped losing weight...

So, 4 weeks out of surgery I had lost 42.5 lbs...now I am six weeks out and have gained a pound...I know I am not doing everything 100% and I am scared...the protein shakes are too much and have so little protien in them...does anyone know of a small shake that has all the protein I need in it? If this is a plateau, it is taking forever...I am not overeating or anything, in fact, it is quite the opposite...and it is hard to get enough water in...I mean, yeah, I might not eat fat free cheese and I might eat 1 chicken nugget every now and then, but it still seems like I would be losing considering my intake...argh...I knew 42.5 in 4 weeks was too good to be true... Oh, and Laura, if you read this, they are starting a tap class at work and I am going to try to take it...wanna join in? lol

Hi Tiffany, Ok, let's look at what you're doing. First of all, I'm a patient of Dr Gibbs and I have my Guidebook in front of me for reference since I'm a year post op and can't remember everything.  I'll apologize for anything I say that might come across as flaming, but I'll be honest with you and try to help. You're six weeks out and your body has gone through LOTS!!  Did you take your measurements before you started, or maybe soon after? This is a great way to track your weight loss when the scale stops moving. I found that every time I didn't lose pounds, I'd be losing inches. If you didn't measure, do it now, 'cause you'll be glad the next time this happens that you did. Your body needs time to catch up with itself, not only from the surgery, but dang, 10 lbs a week !!!!  What kind of protein are you using? What is it that bothers you.....the serving size is too big, the taste? If the serving size is too big, try splitting it between two servings, spread out over the day. Maybe one half in the morning, the other in the evening. Drug Emporium on Rodney Parham has lots of different protein drinks, even the "bullets" (can't remember the brand) that are only 3 oz and have more protein per serving than we can metabolize at once. That would be easy to split, 1 1/2 oz twice a day.  Also, you can go to Vitalady.com and order samples of different protein drinks. Might take a few to find ones that you like, but give them a try. I don't care for the ones that are like shakes, they're just too thick for me. I've used Fuzzy Navel from Syntrax (also found at Drug Emporium) . It's more of a fruity drink, kind of like Tang. I have only used that for the entire year. Sometimes you can add some crystal lite to them to improve the flavor. You said you're not doing everything 100% and your scared. Now is the time to keep to the rules and do EVERYTHING by the book. You will be so much more successful and happier if you do.  Your diet at six weeks should be the "Advanced Soft Diet" described on page 9 of our Guidebook. It says ground meats free of any visible fat......darling, that's not a chicken nugget! If you don't like fat free cheese, yogurt or cottage cheese, try the 2%. Still has more fat than what Dr Gibbs and JoBeth want us to have, but they are good sources of protein. You can always call Carrie at Gibbs office or JoBeth, or Lauren. They are always there to help and happy to do it. Good luck, if there's anything else I can help with, let me know.  

Hi there  , Everything Susan said is dead on.  I, too, am a patient of Dr. Gibbs and I have done everything by the book as best as I can.  I'm so thankful that I did that early on because now, at over 8 months out, I have established proper nutrition and good eating habits.  That is the whole point of having this surgery and following the rules.  Are you physically able to eat chicken nuggets at 6wks. out?  Probably, but what good is it doing you?  My rule of thumb is if the food has no nutritional value for me, then I don't eat it.  Chicken nuggets may have some protein in them, but I can get more protein out of lean turkey without the fat along with it.  See what I mean?  I am NOT flaming you for eating a chicken nugget....crap, we're human...I eat a couple of Doritos every now and then when I fix my daughters lunch.   You need to establish the proper eating habits with the right foods now because six months from now your weight loss will slow down and it will be up to you to keep your tool working for you.  You've not stopped losing weight.  You lost an incredible amount the first month, your body is simply playing catch up right now.  I lost 13lbs. my first week, then not an ounce for 5 weeks after that.  But during those 5 weeks I lost over 10 inches off my body.  If you're not measuring yourself, start now...you'll be pleasantly surprised.  Also, if you're not exercising, start now.  I know people who had surgery the same month I did and are just now starting any type of exercise routine and they are having a really difficult time with it.  Get moving now, you'll be thankful that you did later on. I saw on another post of yours that you're still struggling with nausea and vomiting.  That could be from not eating properly.  I encourage you to look through our manual and really try sticking to the rules, you'll feel so much better.  As for the fat free cheese, I only use the shredded kind.  In fact, JoBeth told me that she was ok with the 2% cheese because fat free just doesn't really taste good. Remember to always eat your protein first.  I encourage you to try the protein bullets that Susan mentioned, this is what I use along with a protein powder, I switch back and forth between them.  I take a 6oz. bottle of Dannon Light & Fit Smoothie and blend it with one scoop of vanilla protein powder (from Wal-Mart) and some ice.  The bullets you'll need to split in half...1.5 oz each time (we can only absorb 25-30g. of protein in one sitting).  Also, at 6wks. you should be able to get most if not all of your fluids in.  Remember, it doesn't have to be plain water.  Any non carbonated drink counts as fluid...stay away from caffeine.  I drink Crystal Light, sugar free kool-aid sweetened with Splenda, decaf tea sweetened with Splenda, milk (try the calorie countdown).  In fact, early on when I couldn't handle the protein drinks, milk helped me get my protein in.  I drank chocolate Calorie Countdown milk, add a serving of dry milk to it and you've got 18g of protein and 8 oz. of fluids.  Or take 8oz. of chocolate milk and mix with 8oz. of fat free white milk, 16g of protein and 16oz. of fluids.  There are lots of options out there, you just have to find what works best for you.  One more thing...make sure you are eating enough calories.  You might call or e-mail JoBeth and see what your calorie count should be.  At 3 months she had me at 1000 calories.  I've learned the hard way that if you don't eat enough, you won't lose anything because your body thinks it is starving and will hold on to every ounce.  For now, I would suggest you increase your protein, fluids, and exercise and see if that will kick start your loss again...if not, you'll just have to wait it out. Hope this helps some.  We're here to help and get you through these rough times...we can honestly say we've been there done that.  Good luck to you!

i'm just saying hi.  I'm a tap dancer!  I had my second class for the semester last night and it wore me out!  We are learning the choreography for 42nd street, and it is FAST!  But OH so much fun!   pssst.  don't tell anybody, but it's actually exercise too!  shhhh!!!!