Meal ideas? Please help!

I am new to this board. I am 4 years post op and have been AWFUL at keeping up with everything. I was almost at goal (lost most of my weight in the first year). At about 2 1/2 years post op, we finally got pregnant (had been trying on and off for 4 years). I gained 40lbs from beginning to end, but only lost 15lbs after she was born. Since then I have not lost 1lb. My diet during pregnancy and most of the last 9 months has been crap food. Whatever I could get my hands on. Carbs, sugars, junk food etc. My daughter is almost 9 months old now and I HAVE to get back to normal. I hate myself at this weight. I am very depressed and want my thin self back. That is why I decided to come here. Hoping for some moral support. I need some menu ideas. How do I get my metabolism moving again. I tried for a few weeks going back to all protein etc and I couldn't shed a pound if my life depended on it. I need lunch and dinner ideas. Also I will have to start the shakes again, but am not sure which one to do as I never could stomach them very well. I appreciate your time. I hope to get some helpful hints back. Thank you Philippa Felder

Hello Philippa, It's nice to meet someone new like me, welcome! It sounds like you need to get your appetite undercontrol and portion control undercontrol. Like you I sometimes forget the RULES of this surgery stuff. But, I might be able to give you a few pointers that may help. I have had times where I would gain weight during my 6 yrs out from surgery and what I do or what my Hubby fondly calls is, "Tummy boot camp!" You see after eating wrong for a while the pouch can get stretched out, which means of course more food can go into the pouch before getting full. Another rule that I often "overlook" is that I drink while I eat, which is counterproductive because it just pushes food out of the pouch for more food to go in. Tummy Boot Camp...LOL is going on an all liquid diet to get your pouch to shrink back down and get control of your appetite. Everything is liquid again! For instance, protein shakes, liquid or chewable vitamins, liquid protein and putting things in a blender. Increase protein intake is important! No drinking water when eating or when sipping meal replacement drinks. Take your time drinking your shakes/meal replacements. You must do this to get your pouch smaller and the extra protein helps to calm down your cravings. Sip don't chug meals. You will find after a few days that you are getting fuller and more satisfied like you did after your surgery. I gaged the amount of time I was on tummy boot camp by my cravings and feelings of being full. Then I transistion into soft foods and back up to some non soft foods like small bites of meat, etc. This worked for me...the hard part is to go back to the liquids again...but the reward is that your pouch will shrink and you will again have your appetite under control, which makes it easy to lose weight after that. Make sure that you are getting all of your supplements, and extra protein in. You will do fine:-)

I am a texture kinda gal. I like crunch, and since carbs are bad, I "trick" my mouth with tuna wrapped in lettuce. Another good, easy, and quick meal is meat-and-cheese roll-ups. I like to pop these in the microwaves for about 8 seconds. Makes the cheese soft enough to seem like it's a good-"bad" treat for me. I can't find the recipe right now, but protein balls made of ground turkey are good, too. Make a big batch, freeze 'em, and nuke 'em as needed. As for shakes, I like coffee too much to substitute a shake. That said, I have started dumping a scoop of GNC banana-creme flavored protein into my morning coffee. Just skip the splenda and creamer-substitute and it is YUMMY!!! The best way to avoid the junk is to AVOID the junk!!! Throw it out of the house, avoid it while you're out, give it the "stink-eye" on TV.(I know...easier said than done, but baby steps, that's what ya gotta do....one step at a time...make sure it's going AWAY from the fridge!!!! LOL Good luck to you, and I will look through my recipes for some good dinner ideas and get back to you soon. Julie

Welcome!! It is so hard when we got off track to get back on the right track, but you CAN do it!!! Besides just pushing protein, try to keep track of your calories, carbs, etc. You can use fitday or sparkpeople if that helps. Focus on getting in all of your water, don't drink with meals and exercise! Hopefully you can get jumpstarted soon! Good Luck! Tracy B 328/150 5'9"

hi philippa: two things - thank you for asking this question. it's a major relief to me to read the responses, since i'm not yet at your stage postop but know it's in my future. it's good to know it can be turned around if need be. and - i don't have a particular protein drink brand. i mix mine at home with protein from sam's club or gnc. i add ice, coffee, chocolate, splenda, protein, and skim milk. and i adjust it to my taste but i end up with something that's alot like starbucks. good luck to you dorthe

I can't handle those shakes either. I do 1% milk, Carnation Instant Breakfast mix....the Carb Conscious version....and unflavored Unjury. Tastes just like chocolate milk. None of that "protein drink" taste. My son snatched mine one day while I was on the phone and drank it and never said a word so it can't taste too bad. lol