Question:
Post-op needing AMOS Support
I am 9 weeks post-op as of today. I am so bummed because I haven't lost anything for the past three weeks. I have gone from 325 to 289 but feel like it should be more. I have started exercising this week and I have been very careful about getting all and more of my water in. I am trying to focus on eating more protein but I will be honest, I have not done very good at that. I can eat most anything and I can handle more food than my doctor allows. I am having to fight this battle with will power instead of the tool doing it for me. I don't crave sweets anymore, so that isn't a problem. But I do crave carbs. Those are my downfall. Can anyone suggest how to get over craving carbs so I can get back on track????? Thanks for all of the support. I am needing to know that I am not alone out here. Candi — Candi B. (posted on August 9, 2002)
August 9, 2002
Hi there :) Reading your post was scary...it's like you read my mind and
posted for me! I am 9 weeks post op...I had open RNY the day before you
(June 6th). So..we are in the SAME BOAT. My scale hasn't moved in quite a
long time and I've only lost 10 pounds in the past month. So far..I've lost
54 pounds all together...most of it in the beginning when I was "well
behaved". Now? I've been a very bad girl. I was taking liquid protein
now and then when I felt like it or remembered, and I relied on just what I
ate for protein (not much). The water intake was FAIR...maybe just a bit
below what I should have had. As for the carbs...they have been the
culprit. That, plus the low protein intake. I can tollerate more now and I
advanced my diet (as you did) beyond what my doctor suggests. (ie: I can
(and do) eat salad when I should be waiting a few more months). I have been
working out as of last week (b4 that..NOTHING). AND...now I went out and
got Isopure from GNC and started to get my protein in. I get about 60+
grams a day, lots of water, all my vitamins, and I go to the gym.
Hopefully, the scale will start moving again. There is no one to blame but
myself and I must remember that. I crave carbs, but now instead of having
some tuna on Pita bread, I eat it from the bowl...or make sure the Pita is
my only carb for the day ( or close to it). I've decided to do an
"Atkin's" like thing and eat loads of protein, no matter what it
is. We'll see how it works :) Good luck and feel free to contact me if you
want to share notes. -Kelly
— Kelly C.
August 9, 2002
I'm 8 weeks post-op and I've found Fitday.com to be a real life saver in
allowing me to track my protein/carb intake. It "keeps you
honest". You seem to know the areas that you need to "tighten
up". Good luck to you.
— Marti R.
August 10, 2002
Candi, I'm 4 months post-op and I've noticed that if I start my day with a
protein shake or a high-protein food than I don't crave carbs as much
throughout the day, and I'm not always in the kitchen looking for something
to munch on. Good luck!
— Christine L.
August 10, 2002
I am 2 1/2 years postop, down 140+ pounds and still crave carbs.
Especially when I workout! Your body needs carbs for energy.
At 9 weeks post- you want that energy to come from your stored
fat. It is easier for your body to get it from food- quicker too,
so you will crave for a while- but it DOES get better. As I got
closer to goal, I was able to add more carbs (carefully!)
to get my energy- but I am extremely active! But, I also
didn't crave them as much either! I play softball,
soccer, referee soccer, and jog daily. I don't have much
fat left, so I need to eat more carbs to do all I do. However,
I still first get my protein in. I guess what I am telling
you is to hang in there, drink your water, eat your protein first,
and eat a few carbs here in there, but try and make them
healthy- fruit, veggies, etc- and try and add protein with
them, eg. cheese. Also, I suggest you do a protein shake after
working out to replenish your muscle mass. Good Luck!
You aren't alone:)
— M B.
August 10, 2002
Candi, I was in the same boat as you. I'm 9 weeks out and was on a terrible
plataue for 3 weeks and didn't lose a pound. I try to get my protein from
food but don't think I'm being successful. Protein drinks stop me up, and I
crave carbs like salads, potato's etc. I finally started exercising this
last week. I am taking my vitamins. Finally this week my plataue broke.
So some of it I think is being patient and just working on getting in the
protein, water and exercise best we can but boy it's frustrating. I know I
over eat popcorn sometimes and I get disgusted with myself. Hang in there
and this is a major life change, one day at a time and be conscious of what
you are doing and make changes when you and as necessary. You are not
Alone!
— Tabatha M.
August 10, 2002
Candi, I am almost 8 weeks post-op, and I just broken a 4 week plateau. It
broke when I upped my caloric intake from 700-800 to 1000-1200, I upped my
water intake to 72oz., and I do get in at least 70g protein (usually 90),
and I stepped up my (30min.) walking speed using some upbeat music. I
don't know which one or combination broke this plateau, but it did. Too
few calories makes your body think it is starving, not enough sweating
while exercising doesn't get your metabolism moving to its max., and not
enough water just makes you feel too tired to exercise, and decreases your
metabolism. As for your carb craving, it is not going to hurt you to eat a
few carbs. True cravings usually signal a lack of something in our diet.
Eat a small amount and quit. Don't beat yourself up about it, just count
it toward your total daily caloric intake. Carbs are VITAL to our life. We
should get most of our energy from them (my surgeon and nutritionist says
this). As for the protein, get it in with some lean chicken or turkey,
there is tons of protein in tiny amounts. This will pass, I promise. Good
Luck.
— Tina B.
August 10, 2002
Hi Candi, number one you have to congratulate yourself for the weight loss
you've had. You've done great and will do great. A plateau is when your
body stops losing weight or inches for a month or more. Have you measured
yourself? Many many times, your losing inches, but the scale hasn't caught
up yet. A pound of fat and a pound of muscle weigh the same, but they look
different. Muscle is lean where fat is large and lumpy. Do your clothes
fit looser? If so then your losing inches. Start measuring yourself, every
two weeks or so. Everytime you feel bummed about the scale not moving,
measure. I bet you've lost iches. As for carbs, oe thing i have found is
that when you eat carbs, you crave MORE carbs. Hate that LOL. I crave
carbs too. My solution is sometimes, I give in I admit. But I do try to
find alternatives that taste like carb foods, but aren't. There are many
companies that now produce great tasting goodies that are low carb. They
do help when I crave goodies. Hope this helped!
— Carey N.
August 10, 2002
you are actually doing great don't beat yourself up over plateaus. i am
almost 9 wks out and have lost 38 lbs and started out at 294. i too crave
carbs but try to limit them and after all we can't eat as many as prior to
wls!!! Keep drinking all that water and getting in as much protein as you
can. and keep on keepin on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Diane
— diane H.
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