FEELING DISCOURAGED (BUT SHOULD I BE?)

Good morning everybody.  I am almost 8 weeks out and had an appointment with my NUT yesterday.  She says I need to be eating more food and upping my calories.  I have been having 2 Nectar protein drinks a day, plus a half cup of  real food like cottage cheese, yougart, refried beans with lite sour cream and mashed avacado, etc. three times a day. I know I am not venturing out of my comfort zone very much..but I have my "bad" days about twice a week where I will feel full and "vomit" after only a few bites and on those days I struggle to eat much at all.  I really try to watch my eating technique and do things right, but I am reluctant to try much variety in foods right now...I am never hungry but I do wish I felt more comfortable trying more foods...I started out at 211 lbs. and am at 180 now..but have been at this weight for 2 weeks now...my NUT says because I am not eating enough..she says that by now I should be eating 3/4 cup at a time and eating all foods except for nuts, dried fruits and steak..I am nowhere near being able to do that. I would be happy to just stick to protein shakes forever..but they want me down to one a day soon and eventually NONE...I feel like I went through all of this and now I am being pressured to EAT MORE!  I didn't think I would be hearing those words after weight loss surgery!  Any suggestions?  I work 10 hour days in a busy medical office where I am the only x-ray tech, and I am very seldom able to have more than 10 minutes to try to eat a few bites..that may be adding to my issues...the stress may be making me eat faster than I think I am..but I am just clueless as to how to go about fixing this. Part of me thinks I should just ignore the NUT at eat how I am comfortable and not put the pressure on myself and the other part of me says I should be trying a new food every day and really pushing myself to be eating more "normally"...any thoughts?

Thanks... Jeannie

You are being told the same thing that I was told at 8 weeks out.  I have never had a problem with eating enough, and have to watch how much my portions are.  I started with rotisserie chicken from the deli, a little at a time.  Then added turkey, and added beef at the end, which still doesn't agree with me.  Your NUT is trying to get you to eat as normal as possible, and not rely on protein shakes.  Alof of WLS people have protein shakes everyday even after several years out, some, like me have them when our protein is falling short that day.  I think it's a personal preference.  I worry that you don't have time to have a calm meal because stress eating is unhealthy.  If I were you, I would try the new foods on my days off and see how they work.  That's actually what I do now.  During the week I eat pretty much the same thing everyday, it reduces my stress level.  It seems you're doing pretty good!  Your weight loss is great, and you're able to eat 3/4 cup.

Stalls are normal ( and coming from me is alot ) I have just ended a 2 month stall, so I wouldnt worry too much about the weight stop, you r body can just be playing catch up. I wish I had taken measurments but you may see a difference in inches now.
If you feel you need your shakes, then drink them, but you do need to try to eat more foods. Have your shakes at work with you but while at home, I agree with Sue, try to explore more foods, eat slowly and small bites, it will come. Just keep trying. Good Luck!

Start out trying foods you used to love pre surgery.  Start with small portions, only a bite or two.  You'll soon build up a tolerance.  I know exactly what you mean about sticking to safe slider foods and protein shakes.  What I found was I started to get hungry on those, so I had to transition to denser proteins in order to maintain satiety without grazing all the time. 

Im a yr out and still have days when I cant get all my food/calories in.  On those days I eat 6 smaller meals rather than 3 "normal" meals.  My surgeons plan is 3 meals so we dont start grazing but I simply couldnt get all my nutritional needs in if I follow the 3 meal plan.   You have to find out what works for you.  Personally, I could still live on protein shakes and skip food all together.  Those stalls are the pits!  Just keep following your surgeons/nuts rules and the weight will come off.  Good luck!  Cindy

During my first several weeks, I had a lot of difficulty getting enough fluids and food in. When I started dense protein, I started with 1 oz and worked my way up, as I was able to tolerate larger amounts. Salmon always went down well, but chicken, unless it was moistened, was difficult to ingest. Start with 1 oz and work your way up.

You need to eat more calories, to keep your metabolism functioning, as well as getting enough protein, so that you don't lose all your lean muscle mass. If you don't have enough protein, your body will take it from your muscles, which leads to fatigue and weakness and the loss of lean muscle mass.  In addition, the loss of muscle slows your metabolism even further and your calorie burn is less, so your body is less efficient at burning calories.

Your weight loss has been great, but during the early weeks, I think we lose a lot of lean muscle mass, which slows our metabolism down. When you are able, strength training will help to preserve your lean muscle mass.

You should be eating 3/4 cup at 8 weeks out?  Well, I'm not gonna say not to eat that much, but 1/2 cup is just fine.  Eating three food meals and having two shakes sounds fine to me.    I think the reason you've been at the same weight for 2 weeks is just 'cause that's how weight loss works, not 'cause you're not eating eanough.  Are you not getting enough calories?

At some point you will want more variety in food 'cause you'll get bored and your appetite will come back but I don't see the need to push yourself right now.  If you're getting enough protein and taking your vitamins, you're fine.

Sounds like you are doing fine to me. 

Our Nuts and Drs all have different plans.  I agree with sticking to them 100% until you are comfortable with your new tum tum.  But as you will see, there are lots of folks doing fine with a different plan.

At 6 months, I still eat 1/2 c at a meal most of the time.  There are days and foods when I can eat more or less, but that is the usual.  We still don't have bread on our plan or any white starches or cold cereals.  I eat 4-5 small meals a day and 1-2 protein drinks. 

Eating fast can be a problem and make you sick.  Especally for new foods, try them when you can eat slowly, small bites and chew well.  Maybe keep some high protein snacks to up your intake at work like cheese sticks or yogurt. 

Don't worry about the stall.  They happen. And they end.  You will be fine.

Thanks everybody...this is making me feel better about myself.  I am actually fine with my weight loss, it is the NUT that is concerned..but I knew that being a lightweight, being older , etc. would slow it down.  I am getting in 85-90 grams of Protein a day and around 60 oz of fluid and all my vitamins.  I am walking 20 to 30 minutes on the treadmill...I feel like I am really trying to comply, but I am just scared to try too much foodwise...I HATE that "tight chest" feeling and the vomiting! I am getting about 400-500 calories a day...so I know that needs to increase. I am going to try to add a few new foods though, so I'm sure things will improve slowly.  I am just going to try to relax a bit and know that I am doing my best. 

Jeannie

Well, I think you most likely DO need more calories.  You might wanna think about trying a shake other than Syntrax Nectar, one that would give you more calories.  But don't pu**** with adding new foods until you feel comfortable.