4 weeks postoperative today and I've lost
24.4 pounds give or take a few ounces either way. I've been in a stall lately where I'm fluctuating between 3 pounds, I go up, I go down. I'm calling it a stall because I know nothing else to call it.
As far as diet goes, I'm still struggling with what I'm supposed to eat. My doctor told me last Monday to start eating any seafood that I wanted in addition to ground chicken, turkey and chili. He said to add in veggies and fruits, too. I post on here what I'm eating and people tell me that I'm not eating the right things (and I agree with them) but I don't really know what else to eat. I thought I was making good choices with beans since he said to add in chili, but obviously not. What I think is a good thing, others think not. I'm not whining, just confused. Someone posted a link or two yesterday that gave me some really good ideas so I'm going to stick with those foods this week and see how it goes.
I'm still not getting in my required liquids and am trying to work on that. I'm drinking hot tea. I have some protein chicken broth that I'm going to start drinking, too. It's just hard to keep my calories below 800 and still get the required amounts of protein AND food. It's a balancing act that I'm just not very good at yet. Since I was self-pay, I don't have a nutritionist. I'm learning everything from this message board and from the tiny bit of information given to me by Dr. Borland's office. It's just a very daunting task to figure it all out, then to be frustrated on top of all that because the scale is going up and down like a damn see-saw!
I am so confused on restriction and maybe someone can help me out here. I ate a small baked chicken leg yesterday and didn't feel full at all. I TRIED to eat 1/4 cup of oatmeal last night and thought I was going to DIE after about 2 tablespoons. I didn't feel full while eating and then all of a sudden, CHEST PRESSURE and pain for about 30 minutes. What gives? You'd think the chicken wouldn't sit nearly as well and that the oatmeal would go right on through. Boy, was I wrong! Does this mean that I can't tolerate oatmeal (grits do the same thing) or is there something that I just don't know about how food "lands" in your stomach?
Lastly, tonight I'm supposed to go to a Chinese buffet with my mama, son and husband. I'm going to get about a half dozen boiled shrimp, a couple bite-sized pieces of thin fish or chicken and a 2-3 small florets of broccoli. That should be okay, right?
As far as diet goes, I'm still struggling with what I'm supposed to eat. My doctor told me last Monday to start eating any seafood that I wanted in addition to ground chicken, turkey and chili. He said to add in veggies and fruits, too. I post on here what I'm eating and people tell me that I'm not eating the right things (and I agree with them) but I don't really know what else to eat. I thought I was making good choices with beans since he said to add in chili, but obviously not. What I think is a good thing, others think not. I'm not whining, just confused. Someone posted a link or two yesterday that gave me some really good ideas so I'm going to stick with those foods this week and see how it goes.
I'm still not getting in my required liquids and am trying to work on that. I'm drinking hot tea. I have some protein chicken broth that I'm going to start drinking, too. It's just hard to keep my calories below 800 and still get the required amounts of protein AND food. It's a balancing act that I'm just not very good at yet. Since I was self-pay, I don't have a nutritionist. I'm learning everything from this message board and from the tiny bit of information given to me by Dr. Borland's office. It's just a very daunting task to figure it all out, then to be frustrated on top of all that because the scale is going up and down like a damn see-saw!
I am so confused on restriction and maybe someone can help me out here. I ate a small baked chicken leg yesterday and didn't feel full at all. I TRIED to eat 1/4 cup of oatmeal last night and thought I was going to DIE after about 2 tablespoons. I didn't feel full while eating and then all of a sudden, CHEST PRESSURE and pain for about 30 minutes. What gives? You'd think the chicken wouldn't sit nearly as well and that the oatmeal would go right on through. Boy, was I wrong! Does this mean that I can't tolerate oatmeal (grits do the same thing) or is there something that I just don't know about how food "lands" in your stomach?
Lastly, tonight I'm supposed to go to a Chinese buffet with my mama, son and husband. I'm going to get about a half dozen boiled shrimp, a couple bite-sized pieces of thin fish or chicken and a 2-3 small florets of broccoli. That should be okay, right?
Michelle from Louisiana
Some folks report doing OK with shrimp and others don't. Just chew it slowly and chew it well. I can only eat about 6 shrimp in total before I cant eat anymore so good luck with the rest of the fish, chicken and broccoli you mentioned :) The first time I had shrimp it made me feel sick. I think I ate it too fast.
On March 26, 2012 at 6:45 AM Pacific Time, khessmd wrote:
Some folks report doing OK with shrimp and others don't. Just chew it slowly and chew it well. I can only eat about 6 shrimp in total before I cant eat anymore so good luck with the rest of the fish, chicken and broccoli you mentioned :) The first time I had shrimp it made me feel sick. I think I ate it too fast.
Michelle from Louisiana
On March 26, 2012 at 7:00 AM Pacific Time, khessmd wrote:
My bad! I never remembered a buffet giving out take home boxes. Usually its all you can eat but only while your in the place .. not taking stuff home too! 
Michelle from Louisiana
Some foods sit like rocks for people... bread and oatmeal get this response from quite a few... because it's doughy and may expand in your stomach. Ouchy. Oatmeal is really carby and probably a slider down the road... why not eat something that is mainly protein instead?
As for your plans tonight, just go slow. That sounds like a lot of food for one month out. I put 3 shrimp on my plate at 6 weeks out and could only eat 2. Broccoli is probably best reserved for later... again, focus on protein. Veggies can be hard to digest for some as well, so take it slow.
Good luck!
Edit: sorry just saw about saving extras for breakfast!!
As for your plans tonight, just go slow. That sounds like a lot of food for one month out. I put 3 shrimp on my plate at 6 weeks out and could only eat 2. Broccoli is probably best reserved for later... again, focus on protein. Veggies can be hard to digest for some as well, so take it slow.
Good luck!
Edit: sorry just saw about saving extras for breakfast!!
5'5" Goal reached, but fighting regain. Back to Basics.
Start Weight 246 Goal Weight 160 Current Weight 183
Starting size: 22, 2x
Current size: 12, L
Thanks Ms. Poker Face. 
Someone on here suggested oatmeal yesterday so that's why I ate it. LOL! I'm getting a lot of conflicting information so I'm not eating the right things. I'd really rather have a piece of liver (too high in calories) or fish. I was adding in the broccoli because my doctor told me to start adding in veggies and fruits. I'd rather have meat instead. It's all trial and error and I feel like I'm "erroring" more than anything. LOL!
Thanks for the congrats.
Someone on here suggested oatmeal yesterday so that's why I ate it. LOL! I'm getting a lot of conflicting information so I'm not eating the right things. I'd really rather have a piece of liver (too high in calories) or fish. I was adding in the broccoli because my doctor told me to start adding in veggies and fruits. I'd rather have meat instead. It's all trial and error and I feel like I'm "erroring" more than anything. LOL! Thanks for the congrats.
At 4 weeks post op I was just starting mushies. For me you are trying to eat what I call regular food too early. Your tummy will tell you what you can or cannot tolerate. At this stage I was still using cream soup to help smooth food down. I eat a lot of cottage cheese, and I have a terrific recipe for turkey meatballs which has been a staple in my diet since I started eating solid food. I have yet to try oatmeal as I don't think other than fiber it has value for me because I always do protein first.
I would stick to soft egg whites and continue to drink protein drinks to help supplement your protein intake. At 5 1/2 months out there are still many days I add a protein drink to my menu. Also, there is a site called Eggface.com, and she has lots of good recipes.
I am a self pay as well, so I understand no Nutritionist. I had help from my friend here on OH and my doctor did give me a guideline to follow, however it was vague. So I relied on my friend, and other OH vets. You are doing well, stay on here and learn all you can, I would be happy to help you in any way, food diaries, recipes to help you along if you want.
My other advice, stay off the scale. I promised myself in the beginning I would not let the scale rule my life as it had in the past. I weigh only once a week. The day to day fluctuations can make you crazy and put thoughts in your head that you are doing something wrong and/or not losing. I also track my weight loss on a spreadsheet. This has been so beneficial as when I look back a few weeks I can see the overall progress. Also, don't EVER judge your loss or lack or loss against any other person here. Everyone loses at their own pace and how your body reacts to surgery, diet and exercise. But know this, if you do it correctly you WILL lose.
The other thing I do is track my carbs. I stay below 30 carbs a day during this weight loss phase. I have stuck to it 99% of the time since surgery and have had great success with my weight loss journey.
I guess this got kind of long. Sorry. If you want my help in any way I am here for you, I totally understand the self pay and feeling like you are all on your own. If you want add me to your friend list and we can chat a lot more.
Have a great day!!
I would stick to soft egg whites and continue to drink protein drinks to help supplement your protein intake. At 5 1/2 months out there are still many days I add a protein drink to my menu. Also, there is a site called Eggface.com, and she has lots of good recipes.
I am a self pay as well, so I understand no Nutritionist. I had help from my friend here on OH and my doctor did give me a guideline to follow, however it was vague. So I relied on my friend, and other OH vets. You are doing well, stay on here and learn all you can, I would be happy to help you in any way, food diaries, recipes to help you along if you want.
My other advice, stay off the scale. I promised myself in the beginning I would not let the scale rule my life as it had in the past. I weigh only once a week. The day to day fluctuations can make you crazy and put thoughts in your head that you are doing something wrong and/or not losing. I also track my weight loss on a spreadsheet. This has been so beneficial as when I look back a few weeks I can see the overall progress. Also, don't EVER judge your loss or lack or loss against any other person here. Everyone loses at their own pace and how your body reacts to surgery, diet and exercise. But know this, if you do it correctly you WILL lose.
The other thing I do is track my carbs. I stay below 30 carbs a day during this weight loss phase. I have stuck to it 99% of the time since surgery and have had great success with my weight loss journey.
I guess this got kind of long. Sorry. If you want my help in any way I am here for you, I totally understand the self pay and feeling like you are all on your own. If you want add me to your friend list and we can chat a lot more.
Have a great day!!
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