some advice for the STUBBORN last 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)  

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

My first thought is lowering your carb intake under 40g.   I am also wondering if you are eating any processed foods.  They go down easier but they have a great deal of sodium.  Normally I would say eat more dense food, but in your case, that doesn't seem to work.  You might want to look at my Green Chicken Soup for protein that goes down easily.

you could do the 2 week shake thing if you wanted, with the one meal, but you may get the same results if you changed from milk to almond milk which is only 2 carbs per cup and 40 calories. (not as much protein in it though)

I dont know how many calories your surgeon or nut suggest.. but for losing phase i tried to keep my calories  600- 800  i was told to keep it under 1000 ...

 
The last 15 is a fight !!!

But very winnable !!!!

Just out of curiosity.....is your narrowing just a about right in the middle of the curve?

Have you had any balloon procedures to try and open up the narrow section?

frisco

LOL Amy!  I just replied to your post over on the LW board and told you to come over here to look for help.  I should have known that you would have already done it!

I think it took me 5 months to get off the last 10 pounds.  They are just plain stubborn, but I know you and I know you'll get them off.  I'd like to shed another 10 in the next fews months but it feels like an uphill challenge.

Amy, how much loose skin do you have? What is your body fat percentage? BMI is only one marker and doesn't take into account muscle, bone, and loose skin. If you are exercising, including strength training and cardio, maybe, it is time to increase the intensity and frequency and the type of cardio and/or resistance training that you are doing. Use a different machine each day, change your weights. If you can do more than 15 reps, it is time to increase weight. Use weights, while doing lunges, squats, etc. Pylometrics (mountain climbers, burpees,etc. are GREAT calorie burners and help to build lean muscle mass).

I found that when my weight loss slowed down, I increased the frequency, length, and intensity of my cardio exercise. Working with a trainer twice/week also kept the resistance training mixed up. Spinning is a GREAT calorie burner, but you do need some carbs for this type of exercise.

Talk with the dietician. They are very helpful. Remember, slow and steady wins the race. As you are dropping weight, you want to hold on to your lean muscle tissue, since it burns more calories at rest, than fat. Every pound that you lose, also contains muscle, so a slower weight loss preserves your lean muscle mass. This is especially true, since you are so close to your goal weight.

I kept wondering, if I needed to drop a couple of more pounds, but after having my body fat tested hydrostatically, I found out that my body fat is quite low, and I shouldn't lose anymore weight (writing that felt very strange).

Good Luck,

Gail

PS: I wonder, how much the anemia is interfering with your weight loss? Good question to ask Dr. O'Brien.

Gail, I've been meaning to ask you where you had the hydrostatic testing done?
Lizanne

I had it done at the Sportsbasement in Walnut Creek. I was in there one day, and saw the posting for the hydrostatic weighing, so I signed up for it. It is supposed to be one of the most reliable methods for testing body fat.

I was impressed by the procedure, so I brought the information to the gym that I go to.  The owner contacted the company and they will be having the testing done on Wednesday, November 2, from 8AM-6PM. I asked the owner if non-members could participate in the testing and she said, "yes." If you decide to do it, bring a check for 49.00, when you sign up in advance of the procedure. The weighing part involves going under water for a brief period of time and entire procedure takes about 15 minutes.

gail

Oh Gail I am soooo gonna do that!!  It should answer a MAJOR question for me!!!   Thank you for the info!!!   Amy

Amy, I go to the Benicia Health and Fitness Club. The testing will be on Wednesday, November 2, from 8 AM to 6 PM. Non-members can participate in the testing. If you decide to do it, bring a check for 49.00. The procedure takes about 15 minutes. Bring a towel and bathing suit, since you will be in water.

Another thought, have you had your one year labs done yet? How is your TSH? Weight loss can cause some instability in the thyroid hormones. I had my thyroid med adjusted at 6 months.

Gail