I don't enjoy solid food...

Whenever I eat a solid protein, I don't feel good. It feels as if I've eaten a 14lb. turkey with the trimmings... in actuality I've only eaten a few ounces. I don't like how solid food sits and moves through my intestines... I also don't enjoy going to restaurants. I prefere to drink non-fat iced lattes w/unjury for breakfast and lunch. for dinner I'll drink a muscle milk light or a myoplex light. I also drink plenty of liquids consisting of water or under 10 calorie items. I don't snack and don't care to. I also bike 8 miles 6 days a week, with 3 additional walks at night for 45 minutes and swim a couple times a week. I'm 45 and feel as though I'm 23 and full of energy. In 9 months I'm down 119lbs. and have had to work very hard at getting the weight off and know my calories average 600 per day. Shouldn't I be losing faster? I've tried adding more protein only my weight doesn't budge and I stall.

You have settled into a very good routine for exercise - congratulations! Your relationship with food seems to be a little problematic.  Now, don't get me wrong - there are a lot of people post-op who have a hard time tolerating solid protein in the form of meat.  Dairy products seem to work fine for you.  There's nothing wrong with being vegetarian, you can certainly meet your protein needs by using supplements and being conscientious about your intake. 600 calories a day is pretty low.  As you get closer to your goal weight, the pounds will seem much more stubborn.  What I would encourage you to do is keep it in perspective - a stall for a few weeks can be discouraging but it can be overcome.  Usually it's just your body adjusting to what's going on. What sounds problematic is that you don't seem to like the social aspects of food anymore.  I may be misreading what you are saying, but it seems like you have a love/hate relationship with food - not really an acceptance of its necessity.  At some point you are going to work at maintaining your weight, these issues I am suggesting may come up then.  And then again, maybe I'm all wrong! You feel great, you are exercising, you are getting enough protein and fluid (you are taking your supplements??).  You are close to your goal weight (congratulations!). It sounds like you are on the right track. Any of my sister RDs out there want to chime in? regards, Danielle Halewijn RD eNutritioncare.com

Thank you Danielle. : ) Yes, I take all of my quality supplements. Bariatric Advantage (2) Multi-vitamins, (1) iron passion fruit, (1) B-12 2-3 times a week. Evenings I take (3) Metagenics Cal Apatite Forte capsules. It's true, I don't like feeling the pressure of eating at a restaurant. I'll go a couple times a week with a friend. Wait-staff look at my food intake and ask if the food was okay? Or, did I order too much? Or, do I want to take it home. Yesterday, I decide to excuse myself from the table to avoid the wait-person from asking me. Instead they asked my friend. A few days before, I just said I eat like a two-year-old now, and the food was excellent. AndI even mentioned I've lost about 120 lbs. this past year. The waitperson's facial expressions changed from worry/concern to happiness for me. I think this is how I should handle the pressure from now on. The food still doesn't feel well in my stomache. Fish is probably the easiest as well as Tofu. Veggies are easy. I've never really been a big meat eater and now physically it's much harder and it doesn't taste good. I love going to Starbuck's, I get away from the office, it's a creative environment. I don't have the full feeling with my non-fat latte w/Unjury unflavored protein and have energy. Thank you again! : )