ideas for the last stubborn 15 lbs x post

Hi.  I will be 1 yr out on 10/20.  As some of you  may know I had a fair amount of complications and was on TPN for 6 months.  I now get all my calories orally.  I have been on a 3 month plateau that is getting pretty frustrating.  I know the issue has been liquid calories (milk) but even with that my carbs are under 70..  calories are between 800-1000, protein 80-100 g.  Exercise pretty good.  Some severe anemia is limiting that some  but I am getting iron infusions.

Anyway, because of some narrowing in my stomach and SEVERE reflux (they want to convert me to RNY)  I dont have any issues with NOT feeling satiated and no real hunger issues. I truthfully feel much better drinking my decaf lattes or an occas prot shake than I do eating anything that is dense.... I can eat small amounts of sorta dense foods (shrimp, diced up chicken salad, string cheese, med rare steak that isnt tough etc)  I often end up vomiting though.  I cant get time off work to do conversion surgery and not even sure I want to anyway...  but I do want to finish my wt loss!!

My question is I saw a story on the front of obesity help by a wt loss surgeon on how to break a plateau for the last few lbs and 1 of his recommendations was to do a 2 wk protein shake/ meal replacement plan (kinda like some preop plans many of us may have done)   I always lost well with those in the past.

What do you guys think?  I have no issues maintaining my wt at this time but I am still 12-20 lbs over a healthy bmi.  I know dense is best usually but it makes me pretty sick if I am getting the proper amount of  protein...  My other thought was replacing some meals with shakes but keeping dinner with my family so I don't slow down my gut which has happened when I stopped taking in "real food" before.  I will ofcourse speak to my dietician at my 1 yr appt on the 19th, but meanwhile I wondered what you all thought?    Thanks alot!   BTW  Just stopping my decaf lattes without replacing a protein shake or 2 wouldn't work because I get a decent amount of my protein from them at this point.  Thanks!    Amy

Amy, I think that it's mini_me over on the VSG maintenance group that did the two shakes a day routine and quickly got off some pounds that had crept back on.  Go on over and look at the group.  I'll see if I can find the post for you.  I think it was about a month ago that she talked about it.

It was great seeing you and Megan on Wednesday night, and thanks for that lovely message earlier tonight.

Big hugs!

I think you have to look at 2 issues, where your body seems to be happy and you are eating wise and where you want to be.  I wouldn't personally worry about the last 15 lbs if it meant I was going to have to live on a diet for the rest of my life.  I would keep doing what you are doing, getting in your protein, fluids, etc and be happy.  You may continue to lose, slowly but you aren't even a year out yet. 
But if you really want those last pounds off, then replacement drinks and one meal a day should do it.  I know you don't have a pouch but I don't see why trying the 5 day pouch test might not be good also.
Sleeves don't malabsorb but I have found my weight loss was better late in the game when I kept my protein between 125-`50. 

Im going to go out in a limb here and go against some of the low carbers but I wonder if maybe your body needs some more healthy carbs..if you are mostly drinking protein maybe your body needs something more..maybe try adding some salad or a fruit and up your carb level for two weeks...then drop it back down and see what that does. I know that I did that on two occasions when I reached a stall and I started loosing again..now granted I had not reached the year marker yet but I wonder if it just surprises our body which makes us start loosing again.  Just a thought

I'm going to give you some advice that you didn't ask for, so stop reading now if you don't want it. 

Please don't play around with severe reflux.  There are many severe complications that you can't necessairly know are happening.  The two worst are Barretts Esophagus which is a precurser to cancer, and the other is to aspirate the acid, which can lead to respiratory issues.  Consider the switch to be medically necessary.  I had severe reflux, and that's why I had an RNY, and my reflux and persistant cough have improved dramatically in 2 months.

Thank you aall sooo much for your input!  I really appreciate all the different opinions and experiences.      :-)     Amy



Eiza -- Thank you for your concern.   I haven't taken it lightly AT ALL -- I have had 3 egd's, attempted 2 dilations, been on reglan and protonix and carafate daily.  Spent 6 months on TPN, 2 1/2 months in the hospital...  it has been an ordeal to say the least!  I am sure I sounded kinda cavalier about to RNY or NOT to...  The issue in largely getting more time off work and attempting to keep my job for both pay and health insurance reasons.  Also, my symptoms on all the meds are better than they were by far, I just feel MUCH better on liquids than solids and they stay down better.  I have both acid and bile reflux.  I am a hospice nurse and I have seen what can happen with barretts and with esoph cancer and I dont want that AT ALL.   I have had  more nights where I wake up choking on acid than not... although recently its been getting a bit better since we increased my carafate and reglan dose.  I really appreciate your thoughts!   Thanks!   Amy

I'm sending you BIG HUGS sweet Amy.  I just want you feeling good already.  I hope the iron makes you a little perkier.  I can't even imagine how you work, keep a house running and keep up with all the kids of yours.  You are truly a current day wonderwoman!

Awwwww Lee,  Thank you!   Truthfully, it's all done with mirrors!    :-)   Amy

LOL, don't forget, I KNOW YOU!   No mirrors involved.

Now when are you going to change your avatar already.  I sent Megan a great one of you as the thinker as well as some other ones.  Get her to change your pic already so that everyone can see how gorgeous you are!

I know...  My pic on the avatar now surprises me more than the mirror so its obviously been awhile...  LOL   I will ask again...  truthfully its hard to get Meg to do anything but try on clothes now that she is over 6 weeks out   LOL!!!  I have dramatically cleaned out my closet though    I  will get on her about it again...  but beggers cant be choosers..  and I am sadly VERY technically-challenged  :-)      Thanks!   Amy