Over whelmed

 I am currently doing my pre- op visits. Labs , nutrition and seminars. Holy cow! All these certain foods and all the directions to follow! Can I really do this? I've already paid my 13,000, so I'm in it now, but to only lose up to 66 percent of my body weight! I really wanted to be 130-135. I don't know what to think, just trying not to break down in tears. I****ting my goal weight really possible? Was it really hard for you guys to get your goal?? Overwhelmed and ready to go back to my hotel. :(

You're a lightweight, we have much better odds than those averages the surgeon's offices pass around like they're Gospel. 66%? Ha!  You watch, I'll give you odds on 100% + some to spare. :)

--gina

 Thanks! They told me no shakes after 3 months! I don't know if I can do that. I was going to count on them for breakfast and snacks. Well we'll see. One more seminar tomorrow and I get to go home. Hope you all have a great 4 th!

Do what works for you. I'm 5 years out and still use shakes. ;)

Most of us use shakes way after that point....part of the pre-op process id for you to learn about your options and THEN do what works for you.

It can be overwhelming but this IS doable. Keep reading....you will be able to do this.

Good luck!

~~Jennifer

I blew past my first goal, then my second, then past a normal BMI, then to "idea weight" according to the charts.  It is so worth it.  All the food stuff seems overwhelming in the beginning but you do progress and pretty soon, you have the hang of it.   

I totally am for following the rules in the beginning.  But at some point, you are in charge of your own program and you have to make your own decisions.  Many of us have found protein suppliments very useful way past 3 months.  I'd be lost without mine and I still eat 4 meals a day and need my protein suppliments. 

Good luck in your journey.  Your whole life will change, and it is something that you need to learn along the way, because each person's journey is slightly different.  I certainly had to completely change eating habits to keep from having protein deficiencies and reactive hypoglycemia.  It is an ongoing journey for me.

A loss of about 70% excess body weight is average.  Some people do more, and some less.  My doc said I'd lose 70% of my excess body weight, and he also encouraged me to exercise vigerously, and as a result, I lost 115% of my excess body weight by 9 months out, which is 6 lbs below my fantasy goal.  For me, the combination of exercise and strength training was one of the keys.   I am now in maintenance mode, trying to keep my weight steady, and continue to develop good eating habits.

I had to continue to do protein shakes because I couldn't get enough protein in without them (I got protein deficient).  Now,  I do one or occasionally 2 a day, as I'm trying to get most of my protein from food.  I need at least 80-100 grams of protein to maintain adequate protein levels,   I found I need some carbs to keep hypoglycemia at bay.  With an RNY pouch, I really need the concentrated protein in a shake, so I can fit in some carbs.

Hi,

You can do this! I will be one year out on Friday - cannot believe how the time has flown.

My NUT says 3 meals per day - no snacking and at around 6 or 9 months out they wanted me to stop my protein drinks. I do have planned snacks as well. It would be very hard for me to get my protein in (they want 60-80 gms per day - I feel better with 80-100) following that. I have 1 - 2 protein drinks per day - usually one for breakfast, and if I have another it is a lemonade or tea type drink I just have sometime during day in my water bottle.

I am lower than my original goal. I hover around 130 give or take a pound. I've lost approximately 94#. I never thought I would get here. It is a journey, for sure. I am so very, very happy that I had my surgery. I had the sleeve, not sure which surgery you are planning.

Best of luck. It seems like it takes forever, but once the time comes, time just seems to fly by!

Lynn

 Thanks Lynn, I am also having the sleeve. I plan on using my drinks like you and the rest of the light weights on here. I just won't tell them. I also only get support for 90 days from the clinic after surgery. So I am relying heavily on LW OH. I am for sure nervous. My meal plan is the same as yours was, and I have to start today. I have my 3 hour seminar left today, then surgery Aug 6. Yep getting nervous. Hope it's not as tough as it seems the first 3 months!

Good luck!!  We were probably all nervous.  You can do this.  You have a much better chance hitting goal as a LW, but remember you do have to make good choices.  Getting to goal was pretty easy - staying here is another story.  It is not nearly as hard as prior to WLS, but it does take time to prepare your food and make better decisions.  Don't fall back into your old habits, use this time to create new good habits of eating and exercise.

Can't wait to watch your journey!!

Linda