Update* NOT Altering my plan

*UPDATE* SEE REPLY BELOW!

Ok, so I have been doing quite well on liquids with a cup of cottage cheese, but I am starting to notice more "snacking" throughout the day.  More sugar free popsicles, more broth, a bite of cottage cheese throughout the day, etc.  I am finding it difficult to get my protein in because I don't want to sit down to a bowl of cottage cheese anymore.  I still like my protein shakes, but not as my only food intake.  So, this morning I decided to start eating 1 protein meal per day.  I'll still have my shakes for breakfast and lunch, then have some solid or semi-soft protein and a veggie for dinner.  Tonight I had 3 oz of shaved beef brisket and a small ear of fresh corn with the Touch of Butter spray and salt.  It was delicious and I am stuffed.  Probably too much food, but it was less than a cup altogether.  My pouch definitely feels it, but I wanted to point out to everyone that at first I didn't feel full.  In fact, I was actually getting scared because I felt like I could have eaten twice that.  Then, about 15 minutes after dinner I started feeling pressure in my pouch.  Now it's been over an hour and my stomach is really full.  I'm thirsty, but I'll have to wait a little longer or I think I'll get sick.  I am still staying under 1000 calories and trying to get around 80 grams of protein in per day.  There were days I only managed to get 50 grams, but I know that by adding in a solid/semi-solid meal option each day it will be easier.  I sort of feel like I'm giving up by altering my plan, but I have been on liquids for 2 straight weeks.  That's way short of my initial plan, but the point is to get this extra weight off.  I feel like it's better to eat a solid protein meal and keep the snacks in check rather than "snacking" all day on sugar free junk that adds up with no protein value.  So thanks for all your cheers and I'm glad I could inspire others.  Please keep the support coming because I have a LONG road ahead.  I'm down from 236lbs to 223lbs.  I still need to lose at least 73lbs, but I would like to lose 93lbs.  I need all the help and encouragement I can get.

Sincerely,

Angela

Update on the brisket....bad choice.  3 ounces was way too much I guess.  The pressure and pain in my pouch was increasing and starting to really sting.  I felt cramping in my shoulders and neck.  I tried to sip some water and ended up bringing the whole dinner up.  Very frustrated right now.  I think I'll go back on liquids only and stick to my original plan from my surgeon.   I'll have my 3 shakes a day and just switch up my protein source to the chicken soup flavor from Unjury along with my chocolate shakes.  I may still do a half cup of cottage cheese or possibly tuna each day along with the shakes, but nothing more solid than that for now.  Ouch and Yuk!  Now I am sipping Crystal Lite.   Back in the saddle tomorrow!

Thanks. 

Your reaction to that brisket almost sounds like a new preop. Maybe you really have given yourself a "revision.

i meant post op

I know, it felt exactly like that.  It really does mean that the pouch can restrict again.  I am 7 years post op and before I started this plan I could easily eat a sliced beef sandwich or a burger and a few fries without feeling stuffed.  Plus, because I was drinking with my meals I would feel hungry again within an hour or so.  Since I have been doing this I have been dealing mostly with head hunger, but I have been struggling to get in enough protein because I don't start until lunch.  Well this morning I decided that I would eat dinner tonight with my family since I was making something I thought would be a good protein choice.  I initially portioned myself about 2 ounces of beef with the corn.  I ate that and didn't feel anything, so I had another piece of brisket.  Dinner was finished and I was still not really feeling anything.  It actually made me feel that maybe my pouch wasn't as small as I was hoping or that the past 2 weeks hadn't really accomplished anything.  Then, as I was cleaning the kitchen and loading the dishwasher I started to feel it.  It just kept growing and growing in discomfort.  I thought about washing it down with liquids, but I was afraid I would get sick.  Finally the pain was so intense I had to try drinking something, which of course sent me over the edge.   My pouch and my midsection are still feeling sore and my shoulders and neck still feel tight.  I sipped through a bottle of water with Crystal lite and now I am just taking it easy.  I really do feel like I am a brand new post op, but not in my head.  My head hunger tells me to make a plate of nachos followed with a Coke.  I am certain there will be more slip ups and more scenerios of me talking myself into pushing my limits, but I am going to try sticking to my original plan of liquids.  I just placed my order on Unjury.com for the chicken soup flavored protein powder.  That will help alot.  I also ordered a sample of the strawberry sorbet since I haven't had that one before.  I am going to force myself to start the day with a shake, even before my coffee.  Then I'll have a shake for lunch, maybe a shake for an afternoon snack, then for dinner either a shake, cottage cheese, scrambled eggs, or tuna.  I'll save the dense proteins for later.   My number 1 priority is to get enough protein and fluids in each day while still staying under 1000 calories.  If I do that, the weight should take care of itself. 

Hi Dragonfly;

Just want you to know that you were the primary motivator with your plan for me to do something about getting back to the track and on the track. The others here are great but it was your initial post that got me to thinking about getting ready. So I don't care how you're altering, do what works best for you and you will get the weight off like you want.

So will I!

So you keep going and I keep my eye on you! Lead on. You're doing great!

KP

What seems to make sense for you is to go back on the refeeding 3-phase schedule you followed post-op.  Can't go wrong doing that.  Two weeks on each phase as in post-op (may have been different 7 years ago - don't know about that) is a good, safe plan to follow.   I wish you well. 

Hi Angela,

This goes to show you that our pouch are VERY powerful and CAN give you that restriction AGAIN. It is up to US to use our pouches and WLS to our best abilities and work our tool. After WLS - we need to change our way of thinking...

as I always say to myself - THINK like a thin person would think-- THE NEW way of thinking and change our eating behaviors....EAT like a thin person would eat. Just don't think about it. We must do it as well....  If you practice this over and over again - our bad eating habits will slowly fade away... work on it.... use our minds - our positive attitude and this will set us free -THEN YOU will have the motivation that you need to get you through the day!

Our pouches do not break, we tend to get comfy down the road after a few years wls post op and not pay attention to what we are doing --BUT guess what.... if that happens , Angela's post proves that WE CAN STILL FIND that restricting again -  also to be honest with you - NOW and then.... I DO feel this restriction and i say to myself - WHOA - What was THAT?!! MY pouch IS working correctly!! I didn't break it!! LOL!!  YESSSSS!!!!! :-) That is a VERY good feeling to feel.

As Lucy said,  Your reaction is just like a newly post op would feel. Now that your stomach is feeling that restriction.... you know how this feeling feels. Next time , and I know this will be hard to do.... BUT - do not push and eat that other piece of food/meat- Leave it be- do not eat anymore then what you have on your plate. ALWAYS MEASURE out your foods - like you did - and that is all.... eat what you have on your plate and push yourself away-

FOCUS on that pain that you had when you ate that extra piece of food - Don't lose that PAIN feeling. Remember that achy feeling. That PAIN in your shoulders Then you will not push yourself anymore to overeat. That feeling - is very important. LISTEN to your body. 

What you did afterwards ( getting up and cleaning -loading the dishwasher )  - is what you should have done before you ate that other piece. However, we all do this now and then because we love food and can not stop at that - we want more - right after we had our first plate. I won't lie , i do it a lot. and i shouldn't. SECONDS is my down fault - I am working on this .... it takes a few minutes for the feeling to travel to our brains and tell us - HEY! I am full - thank you - i am happy now  - that is all we want......TO be satisfied and feeling nice and full for a while.... 

When we stick to smaller meals in ONE sitting and only eat what we put on our plate and protein shakes throughout the day.... WE will FEEL this nice full restriction that we all want and need--- long term wls post op ... if we do this - we can not go wrong!!! 

You are doing an AWESOME JOB!

Keep up the GREAT work!!

thank you for the update :-)

Lizzy

Thanks for all the advice and support everyone!  I know you are exactly right, I just have to measure out the right amount of food, maybe less than I expect, and then stop when I have finished it.  The whole Bug's Life grasshoppers thing...."they come, they eat, they leave"! lol  I also think that spending 2 weeks in each phase would be adequate to reach my goal and keep my eating habits in line.  It would hlep me get to goal, but also give me something to look forward to as far as eating.  I am trying to find a good balance of eating enough protein and the right amount of calories to lose weight as quickly as possible.  I'm also working out several times a week, but it's low intensity and only for 30 minutes at a time.  I just want this weight to come off. 

Hi Dragonfly....

When You say -  I just want this weight to come off. 

Well... guess what my friend??

YOU got the right mind set , the dedication, determation and the motivation for it.... to go ALL THE WAY until you get to your goal!

You will get there in time...and evenutally all the weight will drop off of you....

YOU WILL DO IT!!! DO not give up.... You got the right mind set , your attitude is AWESOME! Keep this THINKING going..... THINK POSITIVE!

KEEP MOVING - low intensity , high intensity - WALK - RUN - it all boils down to the same- the high intensity level you burn calories quicker and you are done quicker-- i like low intensity for my knees, myself. Anyway ,it doesn't matter which you do - as long as you keep on moving and being active.

You are doing absolutely wonderful! :-)

Keep up the great work!!

hugss
Lizzy