Disappointing

I'm in a downer mood now....I lost 14 lbs the first week though I actually think it was only 11....I really honestly think the hospital scales weighed heavier (but who knows). Today was the first day I weighed since I was 1 week post op....weighed at my PCP's office.....I only lost 2 lbs. in 12 days.....wow, what a disappointment, esp. since the first 11 or 14 (whichever it was) was mainly water weight.....now a measley 2 lbs. Quite frustrating, but everyone says that can happen and that eventually it comes off. I honestely, really, truly NEVER thought I'd be one of the ones wondering if it is working for me....I ALWAYS assumed it would... but I thought surely I was safe weighing 12 days later....that surely there would be a 5-6 lb. loss in that time. I know it isn't anything to whine about....I've walking 50-60 minutes a day too... it has to come off at some point, right??????? Please tell me that's right!!!!!!! Jenni

Jenni, I had the same thing happen, cut out the milk and you will lose. Mix protein powders with water not milk..milk just has too many sugar carbs and our "new" bodies don't like the stuff. I know....those who LOVE milk are going to criticize me...but...I speak from experience and working with LOTS of people at the KC wls Support group. Trust me, the weight will come off..but I know how scary it feels when you stall. ((hugs)) and smiles =))

Hey there Jenni Now listen here gal.. every single pound you lose is gone FOREVER.. that is great news and you are doing really fine.. one day you will weigh in and find out you have dropped a full five pounds.. can say this from experience.. do agree tho.. drop off the milk for a bit.. Take care now and keep that chin up.. all is well in weight loss land.. Have a great day hon. Hugs to ya, Fran

Thank you for the encouragement.....I'm trying so hard to remain positive and I think I'm succeeding at pulling myself back up. I was drinking a lot of milk .....mainly cuz I was on liquids and I didn't mind drinking warm milk (made from non-fat dry) for my protein. I can't tell you all how much I hate protein shakes. I've only gagged one full one down....made several others and only got half-way through them.....so I was using the non-fat milk to get more protien. Now that I can eat string cheese, salmon, re-fried beans etc., I'm working to get my protein in with FOOD and to drink more just plain water. I may still have to choke down 1/2 a shake some days too. Do any of you consistently succeed at getting enough protein without shakes? Thanks!! Jenni

Hey Jenni...Don't let that darn scale get you down sweetie!!!! Everything will come in due time. I agree about the milk too...I felt better once I cut it out and now I really can't drink it at all in any real quantity(it hits my tummy hard!!!) I really don't miss it and that's coming from someone who drank almost a whole gallon of it the day before surgery!!! as far as not needing to supplement with a shake....I can get in my full amount of protein with just food most of the time. I do have a protein drink that I do enjoy...it's already mixed and ready to go so no gritty powder stuff Never could get one of those down. Sharon has one she likes too...I can't remember which one it is off hand but I'm sure she'll chime in before long. You really are doing GREAT on your exercise and try not to worry about that scale so much...put it away and only weigh at your Doc's office...take your measurements and check them once a month. I've never not lost an inch or a pound that way... BIG HUGS SWEETIE!!! Deanna K

Jenni, I don't know what types of protien drinks you are trying and I really wouldn't know what they were if you told them to me! HOWEVER.... As you recall, I am working towards my 3rd surgery date and I have some sample protien powders in the cubbord. I heard that you should get a few samples of different ones, try them before surgery and see what ones you may like. I know that tastes change after surgery, but since I never had a protien shake before, I figued why not give it a try. I ordered NECTAR protien based on someone's recomendation. It has ZERO carbs and mixes with water. I also got samples for a friend who had surgery and put them in the 'care basket' I made for her. I didnt' think they were bad at all. Even she said they weren't bad. She liked the apple one, I tried the strawberry. Warning though... don't mix these with ice in the blender. BAD things happen! LOL With these its more like drinking juice than a shake. You might want to order their samples off the net. Hang in there. You're doing a great job exercising and the rest will fall in line! Debbi

Debbie, I did order a bunch of samples.....I opted not to try them until after surgery cuz everyone talked about tastes changing anyway...and that has definately been the case with regard to food. I've tried the nectar and the others....I just can't stand any of them. The only kind I haven't tried are the ones that are pre-mixed...those are too heavy to order off the internet (too much postage) so I'll have to try to find them somewhere.....but that will have to wait till I go out of town....no place in my little burg carries them. I also ordered some of the protein cyrstals....couldn't tolerate them either.....I literally heaved after trying them mixed with a little cottage cheese. My kids said they'd never seen such an ugly face as the one I made when I put that bite in my mouth!! I've about decided that I'm just going to have to get my protein in through food and I've figured that if I'm really careful, I can do that and not "overdo" it calorie/ fat- wise. I did also try a few protein bars prior to surgery and to me, it was about the same as eating chalk! I don't know, I must just be really sensitive to the stuff but it is definately not working for me. I am happy with my exercise though and really, my eating is going OK as long as I work at it getting the protein in....string cheese, refried beans are my best friends right now. Thanks, Jenni

Jenni, I know it's hard to stay positive when the scale isn't moving. This is the exact reason why I chose to not own a scale until my 6th month anniversary. We can become addicted to it so soon and then the worrying starts in and well that just sucks for us! I too had a time early out when I wasn't losing like I thought I should and it freaked me out. I think what was really helpful for me was that early out, I was only seeing my doc once a month and I'm so far from him, I wasn't going to make the trip to weigh in. So, by waiting a month between visits, I got some reinforcement even if it was only a little it was something. Big hugs to you as I do understand being disappointed in the scales not moving, especially so early out. For protein I use a liquid one from www.vitalady.com called Sci-Fit Amino Fusion 5000. There are 3 flavors, grape (my favorite), fruit punch and raspberry. It's a liquid already and you mix it with your water and taste just like kool-aid to me. I buy bottled water in the 24 oz. bottles, so I drink some of it and mix 6 Tbs. of protein and take it with me, wrapped in a cooler holder. The 6 Tbs. pack a whopping 30 g of protein plus I was getting in 24 oz. of water with it, so I was super happy about it. Since I make it pretty diluted it's actually more like watered down grape kool-aid. It also does not have ANY carbs or fat. I too tried several samples and I couldn't stand the smell of them when they were just in the bag and couldn't bring myself to mix them up. Pre-op I loved EAS Carb Control Chocolate Fudge and their Rich Dark Chocolate drinks. 15 g of protein and 2 and 5 g of carbs. Right after surgery the smell of the chocolate gagged me and I gave them away. I tasted them again a few months ago and love them again. There are other flavors, but I'm fulfilling my chocolate fix with the drinks. I now drink one of these one per day, but if I'm short on protein in the day I'll have a 2nd one in the evening, but that's pretty rare (on those days, I forget to eat because I get busy). Up until 2 months ago, I continued to use both the Sci-Fit and EAS protein drinks each day, bringing in 45 g of protein just in the drinks alone each day. I am currently drinking just the EAS drink once a day and get the rest through my food intake. So, yes I do believe that many people can get their protein in without the protein drinks (and many surgeons highly encourage this), they are meant to be used as a SUPPLEMENT to your protein intake, certainly not to be the focus. Of all the powdered protein drinks I've ever tried, I admit that I only like the EAS Myoplex Deluxe and Carb Sense. The Carb Sense packs 25 g of protein and 5 g carbs. As you can see, I've gotten hooked on the EAS products and you can buy them at Wal-Mart or GNC rather than having to buy them online. I still think the Ready To Drink (RTD))protein drinks are much better than the powdered ones. They just get so thick and gritty by the time you can drink it all. With the RTD one they are 11 oz. servings and served cold (really cold) I can drink one in about 15-30 minutes, and enjoy every bit of it. The convenience of them is a huge issue with me too, since I travel between districts so much. Wherever I go I just pop it in the fridge when I get there. If I will be traveling someplace in between I bring a lunch cooler and keep it in there to stay cold. So, each day you can plan on me walking out the door with my 20 oz. travel mug full of decaf tea, a 24 oz. bottle of water and an 11 oz. protein drink. Most days I will get another bottled water during the day, but at least I'm drinking those during the work day. Hope that helps with ideas of protein. You are doing great! Keep up the great work as this WILL work for you!!! Hugs, Sharon

Sharon, Thank you so much for taking the time to tell me about both your journey and the protein drink. I went to that site and ordered some of the RTD grape....it is definately different sounding than the protein powders I've tried so it is worth trying. It helps so much to hear from people who have "been there." If I could do a 30 gram drink a day, I would not have to worry about my protein at all as I've found that I can get close to 60 grams with food....and still be well under 1000 calories. Regarding the scales....someone on the main site describe them as the devil...and I definately see the connection!!! I have not owned a scale for years but did buy one on the internet recently...and lo and behold, it arrived today. I'm going to try very hard to just weigh once a week but I did get on it today....and it shows me 5 lbs. lighter than I was the other day at the drs. office. I hate to let a silly little digital machine get to me that much but I guess I have done just that. But now I'm re-encouraged and happy. I know I will have plateaus like everyone else...but I just needed some early evidence that all I went through was worth it. Now I will stay away for at least a week, maybe longer....keeping up with my exercise. I've made myself a promise that if I become a slave to the silly scale, I'm sending it over to a friend's house. Thanks again for all your encouragement and time in answering me. Take care!! Jenni

Jenni, I hope you enjoy the protein drink. It really is enjoyable, but remember to mix it with water. I read someplace about someone trying to drink it straight and got an upset tummy, hmm wonder why? I agree with the person referring to the scale as the devil, it IS evil. Sad that our lives have to even know what a freakin scale is in the first place! I do hope that you will take it to your friends if you become a slave to it. Heck, as cold as it is, I'd put it outside in the back so you would have to actively walk out in the cold to get it to weigh. No way I would be walking out in the mornings in 12 degree weather, so that would have kept me from weighing early out. So glad that you saw a difference though and that helped you feel better. I find that my scale is about 5-7 lbs. off from my docs, but not too sure as I've never been able to weigh in the morning before seeing my doc. It's a 6 hour drive so I usually drive up the night before or am someplace else before my appointment. I don't weigh in the evenings, so don't feel the need compare morning and evening weights of everything I ate all day. Anyway, I'm happy to see you doing so well and let us know if you like the protein drink or not. When it comes to the protein drinks all opinions help us in finding the right one for us. Hugs, Sharon