Talked to the NUT

I've heard this more than once in my lifetime:  "I've never met anyone before quite like you."  lol  That is what my NUT said today.  If we can't get this figured out on our own, she's got bigger fish to turn to for answers.  So...

Journaling is going to be the key (bingo, Andrea).  For a good rule-of-thumb, I am to eat every 3 hours, 6 times per day, with a focus on eggs and cheese (also peanut butter).  I need to stick with no more than 125-150g carbs and at least 60g protein daily.  She also wants me to rely as little on the protein shakes as possible and to get my protein from food sources. 

I bottomed out earlier at around noon, but an egg with a *tiny bit of smoked salmon* and cream cheese got me back on track. It was the oatmeal I had this morning that was the culprit.  It's good to actually see the cause and effect so I can make adjustments. 

I had another good, hard cry this afternoon after I walked up the stairs and felt like my legs were Jell-O.  I hate feeling this weak and shaky!  I also really didn't want to be stuck with tracking macronutrients, but whatever it takes to fix this. 

Shelia made a good point about the hormones probably wreaking havoc as well, so add that to a couple of personal life-changes that are happening right now and all this blood sugar stuff...pass the tissues, please!    I sincerely hope I don't wear out my welcome between now and the day that this is all fixed and behind me!  Thanks so much for being a listening ear. 

Shauna!
You could never wear out your welcome! It sounds like you have a good nut so go with her as far as she can take you and you will do well. I don't want to have to journal foods and count nutrients either but i do eat meat so it helps alot for me. I don't want to rely on the protein sups either but I do anyway at least onec a day. Usually in the morning first thing is a protein hot cocoa so my oatmeal after doesn't make me feel funny. It knocks out about 25 grams of protein right off and lets the carbs from the oatmeal made with a lttle smart balance and splenda give me the fiber I need and not make my blood sugars go wonky. You will find what works for you. My best rule for me is any treat has to have protein incorporated. Hot cocoa is made with warmed milk, 1 scoop unflavored protein, 1 tblspn cocoa, and two packets of Truvia or Splenda. If I have it I will add a sugar free whipped topping to it. I still avoid real sugar because I don't want to test if it will make me dump yet. Sorry for the long answer that rambled way too much.

Ann,  As I'm drinking my morning's protein shake...    Yes, it gives a good shot of 26g of protein.  I followed mine yesterday with oatmeal and learned I can't do that.  Within a few hours I almost couldn't function to get an egg cooked to pull me out of it! 

Otherwise, my blood sugars stayed stable the rest of the day.  I ended up with 800 calories, 48g carbs (about 1/3 less than I was allowed) and 65g protein (only had 1 shake...the rest was from food).  This journal thing is going to help. 

Don't blame you one bit about avoiding real sugar.  I have been erring on the side of caution regarding that, the amount I eat, taking my time, chewing thoroughly.  The last thing I want to do is to dump or get the foamies!  Eegads!  lol

Shauna
All the things you're saying is the same thing I felt after my surgery...I wondered what the hell I had done to myself...the first two-three months were the hardest...I was also very emotional.  Once I understood my new life and accepted all the things that would be different, I WAS IN A WHOLE DIFFERENT MINDSET!!!  I wake up everyday and try on a million different clothes, do my hair over and over.  I've really started to take a lot of pride in myself.  It will get better Shauna, I promise!!!
In the meantime, everyone is here for you, just like you have been for all of us!!!  Hugs to you and here's a little shoulder to cry on.

I think that is my key.  Figuring out how I can keep my blood sugar stable and then doing what it takes to keep it that way.  Once I'm functional again, I can't imagine having anything to complain about!   

I love it that you've been able to turn over such a wonderful, new leaf in your life.  Enjoy every moment! 

 Shauna--  Justa thought...  It took me about 6 weeks or so till I felt "normal"   I was weak,  shaky, had insomnia.   I didn't even have sugar issues pre-op.  I gathered from your post you do.    Your body is going into starvation and it doesn't like it! And eating is so hard in the beginning.  I was so frustrated after eating the smallest amount,  it made me discouraged and a bit sad to eat as weird as that sounds, ---- the value of eating was just gone.  Hope this is some help to you :)     Gwyn     PS  ---  Losts of people have some " buyers remorse"  for a bit.   WLS is the best thing I have done for myself.

Yes, I've been thinking that with the combination of major surgery, low calorie intake, hypoglycemia, and fibromyalgia, heck...it's no wonder my legs are like Jell-O.  I lived with chronic fatigue, pain and weakness pre-op...I can't expect it to all go away within 2-3 weeks post-op. 

I think it's this hypogycemia that has me knocked for the biggest loop.  I didn't know I'd be hit so hard by it and that, with my inability to digest animal protein properly, it would be such a difficult thing to fix.  When it happens, it either feels like I am in a full-blown panic attack or like I'm going to black out or both.  Scary miserable. 

And yes, the eating part is very frustrating for me.  I am not a person who likes to eat to begin with.  Pre-op I would get up at 7 a.m., wait to eat until about 1 p.m. and then eat 3 times in one day.  Now I have to begin eating at 7 a.m. and try to eat something every 3 hours.  GAG!!!  It's definitely going to take some getting used to.

Hi Shauna,

You might have noticed that I've been a MIA a bit, so I'm so sorry that i didn't know about your struggles. While I know that I am able to 'eat meat,' my program requires that you are on protien drinks and clear liquids only for the first 3.5 weeks, so I had many of the same symptoms and issues that you are experiencing. After that, they had us move on to 'real' foods and try to get off of the protien supplements and to be honest I don't use them at all any more.

I keep wanting to call, but my timing is all off. Give me a call if you want to talk.

Hugs,

Hi Barb,  Yes, I noticed that you didn't post on Saturday but I knew you had a lot on your plate that day with the get-together.  I'm glad it sounds like ya'll had a great time.  Hope everything else has been going okay.  I know you and Ben must be so excited in gearing up for his surgery! 

Shauna,
 You are in my thoughts and prayers.
 This will get better.