Needin some support from my friends
Hey everyone!
I'm having some struggles and know that you all can encourage me or kick me in the rear, whichever is most appropriate!
I'm 4 1/2 months out from surgery. I am feeling some real concern and disappointment these days. By all reports I should still be in honeymoon land where life is easy on the food front and it is not for me. I do not enjoy any protein source, food or otherwise. meat hurts Edna and drinking protein is not satisfying. However, carbs taste great and don't hurt Edna at all. Main problem is that I can eat way too many starchy things and then I get too many calories and not enough nutritional value. I am thinking about food all the time again. Last night for supper I had 1/2 cup of chili, 3 small slices of cheese, 6 snack crackers, 3 small pieces of cucumber with some dip and some snack mix. And still no "full" signal. I just had to walk away from the table. (I'm working at church for VBS this week so I am not in control of what's offered) just what I take of it! I am so frustrated!!! I did surgery to be free of food controlling my life and already it is back. I am having to plan every calorie or can eat 1300+ a day. Any ideas???
Then it's the hair.......good Lord, will it ever stop leaving????? I have lost about 60% of my hair and you can see my scalp, especially in the front. Every time I wash I am still losing handfulls. Hair was my best feature!!!
So in short :) my hair is going, going, nearly gone, my body is saggy and ugly and still WAY too big and all I want to do is eat again.
I am still losing weight but it is much slower and arratic, I will be down three one day and up three the next. I need so help............. Thanks in advance!
I'm having some struggles and know that you all can encourage me or kick me in the rear, whichever is most appropriate!
I'm 4 1/2 months out from surgery. I am feeling some real concern and disappointment these days. By all reports I should still be in honeymoon land where life is easy on the food front and it is not for me. I do not enjoy any protein source, food or otherwise. meat hurts Edna and drinking protein is not satisfying. However, carbs taste great and don't hurt Edna at all. Main problem is that I can eat way too many starchy things and then I get too many calories and not enough nutritional value. I am thinking about food all the time again. Last night for supper I had 1/2 cup of chili, 3 small slices of cheese, 6 snack crackers, 3 small pieces of cucumber with some dip and some snack mix. And still no "full" signal. I just had to walk away from the table. (I'm working at church for VBS this week so I am not in control of what's offered) just what I take of it! I am so frustrated!!! I did surgery to be free of food controlling my life and already it is back. I am having to plan every calorie or can eat 1300+ a day. Any ideas???
Then it's the hair.......good Lord, will it ever stop leaving????? I have lost about 60% of my hair and you can see my scalp, especially in the front. Every time I wash I am still losing handfulls. Hair was my best feature!!!
So in short :) my hair is going, going, nearly gone, my body is saggy and ugly and still WAY too big and all I want to do is eat again.
I am still losing weight but it is much slower and arratic, I will be down three one day and up three the next. I need so help............. Thanks in advance!
I KNOW WHAT YOU MEAM ABOUT THE CARBS, BECAUSE I FEEL THE SAME WAY. I CAN EAT A WHOLE SLEEVE OF CRACKERS BIT BY BIT IN A COUPLE OF HOURS. SO YOU ARE NOT ALONE, BUT I COMMEND YOU FOR TRACKING YOUR CALORIES, THAT'S A REALLY GOOD SIGN.
I THINK WE ALL HAVE UP AND DOWN WEIGHT FLUCTUATUONS, JUST MAKE SURE YOU ARE GETING ALL YOU WATER (IF YOU ARE NOT) AND WATCH YOUR SODIUM. AS FOR THE HAIR FALLOUT, ARE YOU TAKING THE VITAMINS? I UNDERSTAND ONCE YOU STOP LOSING YOUR HAIR WILL STOP FALLING.
I LOST THE MOST AMOUNT OF WEIGHT EARLY ON AND LIKE YOU IT SLOWED DOWN. THAT'S ONLY NATURAL BECAUSE YOU WERE EATING LIQUIDS AND EATING LESS.
YOU NEED TO REALLY STOP AND PAT YOURSELF ON THE BACK WHEN YOU ARE HAVING DAYS LIKE THIS BECAUSE YOU HAVE ACCOMPLISHED SO MUCH. I SAY CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU ON YOUR SUCCESS AND MAY YOU CONTINUE.
I THINK WE ALL HAVE UP AND DOWN WEIGHT FLUCTUATUONS, JUST MAKE SURE YOU ARE GETING ALL YOU WATER (IF YOU ARE NOT) AND WATCH YOUR SODIUM. AS FOR THE HAIR FALLOUT, ARE YOU TAKING THE VITAMINS? I UNDERSTAND ONCE YOU STOP LOSING YOUR HAIR WILL STOP FALLING.
I LOST THE MOST AMOUNT OF WEIGHT EARLY ON AND LIKE YOU IT SLOWED DOWN. THAT'S ONLY NATURAL BECAUSE YOU WERE EATING LIQUIDS AND EATING LESS.
YOU NEED TO REALLY STOP AND PAT YOURSELF ON THE BACK WHEN YOU ARE HAVING DAYS LIKE THIS BECAUSE YOU HAVE ACCOMPLISHED SO MUCH. I SAY CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU ON YOUR SUCCESS AND MAY YOU CONTINUE.
Hey Cheryl --
First, I will become your cheerleader, if you would like. Second, is Edna your stomach? I did a mental head scratch when I read "Edna" - wondering if it was a typo or a nickname... Anyhow, I am Brenda, nice to meet you, can I give you a hand?
First things first, I am pre-surgical, and weigh in the neigborhood of 450 pounds. I know that I can lose weight, but I have had the worst time "this time around". My top weight (March of this year) 474 -- YIKES! I am hoping to get RNY, my boyfriend is wanting VSG - so I have a little bit of knowledge about both.
Protein should be your BEST FRIEND! You want to regrow your lost hair? You want to be healthy? You want to lose fat instead of muscle? You need -- in caps -- NEED Protein.
I am a carb junky, too. The best thing I can tell you is, there are lots of protein options out there. I try to mix things up - I drink protein shakes (soy & whey), I eat fat free cottage cheese, currently on a "bean binge", chicken is fabulous, and making sure I am getting the most bang out of my nutritional buck ;)
What protein drinks have you tried? Have you tried UNFLAVORED protein powder? Have you ever checked out Egg Face recipes? Are you in a SUPPORT GROUP?
My next step is to "Friend" you - after that - is to see how I can be supportive to YOU!
HUGS & don't give up!!! It did not take just a couple of months to gain your weight - so it will take more than a couple to lose it ;) OH! Congratulations on your OVER 100 pounds lost so far!!!
Brenda : )~
First, I will become your cheerleader, if you would like. Second, is Edna your stomach? I did a mental head scratch when I read "Edna" - wondering if it was a typo or a nickname... Anyhow, I am Brenda, nice to meet you, can I give you a hand?
First things first, I am pre-surgical, and weigh in the neigborhood of 450 pounds. I know that I can lose weight, but I have had the worst time "this time around". My top weight (March of this year) 474 -- YIKES! I am hoping to get RNY, my boyfriend is wanting VSG - so I have a little bit of knowledge about both.
Protein should be your BEST FRIEND! You want to regrow your lost hair? You want to be healthy? You want to lose fat instead of muscle? You need -- in caps -- NEED Protein.
I am a carb junky, too. The best thing I can tell you is, there are lots of protein options out there. I try to mix things up - I drink protein shakes (soy & whey), I eat fat free cottage cheese, currently on a "bean binge", chicken is fabulous, and making sure I am getting the most bang out of my nutritional buck ;)
What protein drinks have you tried? Have you tried UNFLAVORED protein powder? Have you ever checked out Egg Face recipes? Are you in a SUPPORT GROUP?
My next step is to "Friend" you - after that - is to see how I can be supportive to YOU!
HUGS & don't give up!!! It did not take just a couple of months to gain your weight - so it will take more than a couple to lose it ;) OH! Congratulations on your OVER 100 pounds lost so far!!!
Brenda : )~
Wow - 102 pounds in 4 1/2 months! Now I don't feel so good about my weight loss - I had surgery the same day and I've lost 70ish pounds. You must be doing something right! Maybe you're hungry because you aren't getting enough protein. Have you tried protein bars - the Pure Protein Peanut Butter one taste like candy to me and it goes down easy. I kept trying protein drinks until I found one I could tolerate -- not like mind you - just tolerate.
How about peanut butter on saltine crackers? I have found out that I can eat an unlimited amount of snack type crackers but fill up quickly on saltines with peanut butter - maybe it's the extra fat in the snack crackers.
How about yogurt? Beans? Beans are my lunch-at-work staple because they always go down easy and I don't have to worry about being sick all afternoon at work - they have protein.
Yes, I'm having hair loss too. It was at its worst in mid-May - I've lost about 1/2 of my hair. A few weeks ago I noticed that it's starting to grow back - still very thin - especially around my face. I increased my protein right before I noticed the new growth - I'm not sure if it's related or not - but maybe it would work for you. However, I don't have a solution - mine's still coming out - just not as fast and furious now - it seems. I'm thinking of trying a short haircut - but I'm worried that then I will really look bald if I don't have more hair to "poof up" with hairspray.
Good luck on finding what works for you. Hang in there. Your weight loss is amazing!
How about peanut butter on saltine crackers? I have found out that I can eat an unlimited amount of snack type crackers but fill up quickly on saltines with peanut butter - maybe it's the extra fat in the snack crackers.
How about yogurt? Beans? Beans are my lunch-at-work staple because they always go down easy and I don't have to worry about being sick all afternoon at work - they have protein.
Yes, I'm having hair loss too. It was at its worst in mid-May - I've lost about 1/2 of my hair. A few weeks ago I noticed that it's starting to grow back - still very thin - especially around my face. I increased my protein right before I noticed the new growth - I'm not sure if it's related or not - but maybe it would work for you. However, I don't have a solution - mine's still coming out - just not as fast and furious now - it seems. I'm thinking of trying a short haircut - but I'm worried that then I will really look bald if I don't have more hair to "poof up" with hairspray.
Good luck on finding what works for you. Hang in there. Your weight loss is amazing!
MSROMAGNOLA
Here are a couple thoughts for protein snacks that satisfy my cravings. Jack's Links beef steak (high in sodium) 2oz 120c-2.5f-3c-23p the other is roasted edamame (soy beans) 130c-4f-10c-8fi-14p or soy nuts 130c-7f-9c-5fi-10p (nuts taste better but nutrition is better on the whole bean)
These are a couple salty snacks that help me get my protein. The jerky is my favorite.
Remember that this is a journey and a life long change. Everyday is not easy and it will be better for us to focus on the non scale victories than the number on the scale (Even though yours are SUPER FANTASTIC!) I have been reminding myself of this a lot lately.
Good luck with VBS ours is next week!
These are a couple salty snacks that help me get my protein. The jerky is my favorite.
Remember that this is a journey and a life long change. Everyday is not easy and it will be better for us to focus on the non scale victories than the number on the scale (Even though yours are SUPER FANTASTIC!) I have been reminding myself of this a lot lately.
Good luck with VBS ours is next week!
Ok..take a deep breath...and remember to let it out lol
You already know what I'm going to say...stop eating those crackers! I was sitting here thinking what was I eating at this point out of surgery...and I have to say my protein intake was not so great. i didn't like the protein drinks and food was really not my friend! I actually hated eating...and had to do it three times a day...ugh!
It is normal that you are thinking about food all the time. You are learning to eat all over again...and i have to say this was the most difficult thing for me. You have to try different things...just a little to see how it sits. It may change from day to day or week to week so only get small amounts. Have you tried turkey roll ups with cheese? The chili is a very good choice, even better if you can make it yourself and try using ground turkey. The lighter the meat is, the easier it will be to digest. Try going back to tuna and other types of fish and see how that goes. The simple foods seem to go down better in the beginning. You're going to get the hang of it, but it is going to take awhile. Your stomach is still new!!!
Personally I couldn't eat raw veggies until about 6 or 7 months out..it just didn't go well. try some fat free refried beans with cheese. you can even brown some turkey with taco seasoning and have that.
Making the decision to have the surgery took alot of courage...and trying new things even if it may not work so well at first will need your continued courage. You're doing reallllllyyyyyyyyy great...hang in there...it's going to get easier...but have patience with yourself!
Don't make me come get those crackers from you lol Remember...small bites...one food at a time..the same way you would feed a baby. Measure your food. When you have eaten what you were supposed to...get up and walk away...go for a walk, read a boo****upy yourself.
we're all pulling for you!!!!!
You already know what I'm going to say...stop eating those crackers! I was sitting here thinking what was I eating at this point out of surgery...and I have to say my protein intake was not so great. i didn't like the protein drinks and food was really not my friend! I actually hated eating...and had to do it three times a day...ugh!
It is normal that you are thinking about food all the time. You are learning to eat all over again...and i have to say this was the most difficult thing for me. You have to try different things...just a little to see how it sits. It may change from day to day or week to week so only get small amounts. Have you tried turkey roll ups with cheese? The chili is a very good choice, even better if you can make it yourself and try using ground turkey. The lighter the meat is, the easier it will be to digest. Try going back to tuna and other types of fish and see how that goes. The simple foods seem to go down better in the beginning. You're going to get the hang of it, but it is going to take awhile. Your stomach is still new!!!
Personally I couldn't eat raw veggies until about 6 or 7 months out..it just didn't go well. try some fat free refried beans with cheese. you can even brown some turkey with taco seasoning and have that.
Making the decision to have the surgery took alot of courage...and trying new things even if it may not work so well at first will need your continued courage. You're doing reallllllyyyyyyyyy great...hang in there...it's going to get easier...but have patience with yourself!
Don't make me come get those crackers from you lol Remember...small bites...one food at a time..the same way you would feed a baby. Measure your food. When you have eaten what you were supposed to...get up and walk away...go for a walk, read a boo****upy yourself.
we're all pulling for you!!!!! 
Oh...and as for the hair loss...it will stop, but you're right in the stage where it starts coming out. I thought I was going to go bald. It did eventually stop...but it looked like there was a small animal in the shower everytime i got out. I cannot lie...it was heart wrenching. But it stopped. When it did, I cut my hair from being half way down my back to a little above shoulder length. Recently I started taking biotin and it has started to thicken my hair again. I don't think there is any easy way around this, but it will return!
and by the way...your hair is not your best feature...YOU ARE YOUR BEST FEATURE!!!!!!
and by the way...your hair is not your best feature...YOU ARE YOUR BEST FEATURE!!!!!!
Thanks to everyone for their ideas......Brenda, my name is Cheryl, Edna is the pouch. Thanks for all of the support. Most days I am so thrilled with the new life and the newly emerging me, but I am still scared to death that I will not succeed. Post-op life is such a new challenge to me.
Mag, I lost 34 pounds before surgery so my post surgical weight loss is right close to yours, and I cut my hair off short with layers adn it does help hide the hair loss some, it is a messy style now so I can cover things up! I think we are both on track.
I have tried every protein product, frankly I am tired of drinking protein (although I do most mornings) I want to eat real foods more and they don't always work. I love the beans, nuts, cheese things but run into alot of calories if I am not careful as I can eat more volume of them.
I am really not trying to whine, I am upset that I am fighting the desire to eat so strongly already and that I want all the things I should be avoiding! I am so afraid to fail, failure means death and I want to live, there is so much more to do.
Thanks for the VBS thoughts, I have been teaching 21 4th graders!!! They are awesome but are wearing me out!
Thanks again for the support and ideas! I appreciate you all more than you know!
Mag, I lost 34 pounds before surgery so my post surgical weight loss is right close to yours, and I cut my hair off short with layers adn it does help hide the hair loss some, it is a messy style now so I can cover things up! I think we are both on track.
I have tried every protein product, frankly I am tired of drinking protein (although I do most mornings) I want to eat real foods more and they don't always work. I love the beans, nuts, cheese things but run into alot of calories if I am not careful as I can eat more volume of them.
I am really not trying to whine, I am upset that I am fighting the desire to eat so strongly already and that I want all the things I should be avoiding! I am so afraid to fail, failure means death and I want to live, there is so much more to do.
Thanks for the VBS thoughts, I have been teaching 21 4th graders!!! They are awesome but are wearing me out!
Thanks again for the support and ideas! I appreciate you all more than you know!
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