Tuesday, August 31, 2010

maybe it's my first slump?

Hi guys!


I think I am in my first slump and I need ya'lls help! I need advice.


It has been 19 days since I was banded. It has been 26 days since I went on my liquid diet, and it has been 5 days since I started my mushie diet. I had lost 20 lbs. before I started my mushies diet. 2 of those lbs. have come back and will not leave.


Can I just say depressing. I had surgery to loose weight. I know in the back of my mind that this is normal and that it will all get better when I can have a fill in late September. I know this is a test. It doesn't make it any better.


I was told by my Doctor to only eat 6-8 oz at a time. Which 8 oz is a cup, right? I think it is any ways! I have measured everything! Never gone over that amount. I am eating right? Should I be eating less? Does this sound right to ya'll? Here is like a sample menu....


Breakfast - 1 cup of Cheerios & 2% milk
Lunch - 1 cup of refried beans & cheese
Snack - 5 crackers (saltine) and a tiny wedge of soft cheese
Dinner - 1/2 cup of green beans 1/2 cup of mashed potatoes


I really think I have been eating about 500 - 600 cals a day.


Things I think I might be doing wrong.......


not drinking enough water
not drinking my protein shakes (which I had one today before I came to work)
maybe not eating enough cals
maybe eating too much


This seems so complicated! I just want to loose weight. I emailed the RN that works for my surgeon. She told me to just hang in there and email the nutritionist and ask how cals I am suppose to be eating. I am pretty sure she would tell me over 600 cals a day? Wouldn't she?


I just want to do this right. I want to be one of these awesome super star banders that looses a ton of weight.....Amy W. comes to mind!


I need advice.....what am I doing wrong!

21 comments:

Jen said...

You're not doing anything wrong Mary - this happened to all of us. It's because you were on liquids for so long. Now that you are eating solids again, you'll gain a little. Keep on keeping on and as long as you feel ok and you're following the dr.'s advice, you'll do fine! Try not to worry! You're doing great. I think I gained 5 lbs. back when I started foods again. (for example)
Love ya!
Jen

Beth said...

You have lost 20 pounds lady that is amazing! Sometimes the body needs a break, just keep doing what your doing and let the rest come, sometimes the liquids and lack of cals eventually catches up with you and your metabolism is slowed, once your back to solids things will revback up - hang in there :)

Ellen said...

Don't be discouraged Mary. Things will happen and your body is adjusting. Just remember protein first and protein at every meal. Just keep reading stories from other lap banders to stay motivated. I love reading the S.O.B stories of ladies who have met their goal. They have great advice!
Don't lose heart, it'll happen.

Kerri said...

Hang in there, drink your water. The scale will move!! Promise!

jennyr1222 said...

You're doing great. We have all been in your shoes, it is totally normal to stall or gain when you start eating food again. I did end up upping my calories which you might try. When I was where you are, I was probably eating more like 1000 calories. Definitely up your water intake, just force yourself. Shoot for 100 ounces a day. Sounds crazy, but it helps me get out of the plateau. Also, eat more protein. The veggies/mashed potatoes thing for dinner needs a protein with it too. Try turkey chili, it's great because you can throw in any veggies, easy to eat and keeps you full. I do a little sour cream and cheese - YUM!

You're doing great Mary!

-Grace- said...

You are not doing anything wrong!! This happens when you transition to more caloric foods. It happened to each of us, but I know it is frustrating.

Increase your water intake and maybe up the exercise just with something basic like walking? Maybe even increase the amount of calories you eat in a day?

You are doing great, hun! 20 lbs is awesome!

uh said...

20 LBS is an awesome start! I agree with the others on increasing your water. You didn't mention anything about exercise, while 19 days is too soon to do weight training or heavy exercise, you should be walking. When you add mushies you add calories, you need to offset those calories, I increased my walking every day until I was walking 60 minutes a day after surgery.

Mary said...

Thanks guys!!! I knew ya'll would help me! I feel better already! I love this support system!

Amanda Kiska said...

You're doing fine. My only thought is that your protein is low. You should aim for 50 grams a day. The milk has about 4 grams, not sure about Cherrios. The beans and cheese are probably about 30 grams combined. A protein shake would bump you up to where you need to be. Or a serving of Greek yogurt. Or a half cup of cottage cheese for dinner.

Remember that this is recovery time, not necessarily weight loss time. The weight loss will come. When I was at your stage, I was eating about 1,200 calories/day so don't worry so much about calories. I also walked every day for 30 minutes (still do for that matter).

Michelle said...

20 lbs thats awesome! Give yourself a huge pat on the back. Just remember to drink lots of water, protein is important and exercise if you can't exercise yet then go for small walks. Good luck! The scale will move again no worries.

Amy said...

Like everyone else has said, it's normal. You've lost a lot of weight in a short period of time, you just had surgery, your body is recovering, and so on.

6-8 oz - he may have meant by weight, not by volume. Ounces are so confusing, because they apply to both. My doc never really said either way, but if you are curious, you could ask. One cup is 8 oz by volume, but obviously it's going to be more than 8 oz by weight of something heavy (liquid, meat, etc.) and less than 8 oz by weight of something light (cereal, veggies, etc.)

Hang in there - I gained off and on from two weeks after surgery until 4.5 months after surgery when I really hit my stride. I've still lost 110 lbs in 9 months, so yeah, a slow start doesn't mean slow-going the whole way. :)

Pamela E. Williams said...

Mary I think you are doing great. I mean 20#s in less than 3 weeks (girl thats a pound a day). I don't think you are doing anything wrong. I have read everything the ladies have said and its true. I went though this just last week. Follow their advice.

TracyZ said...

Nothing is wrong. You're doing every thing fine. Your weight loss is likely just where the doc wants it to be.

I would try to up the protein because it looks like your normal diet isn't getting you where you need to be. It may not have any impact in the weight loss but it will help tremendously in helping you fell full and being energized. I would replace the cheerios and milk with a small container of greek yogurt. The protein is insane and you'll have way less carbohydrates to start your day.

Bonnie said...

Not much more to add. You are doing great so don't get frustrated because your body needs a break.

Cindylew said...

What they all said...I concur.
Keep up the good work doll.

Steph said...

I can't say anything that hasn't already been covered, but you are doing great and your body is healing. Don't freak out about gaining a few lbs back. It happens in the stage you are in...relax and try not to stress!

Sam said...

I have to agree with everyone else. Staay on track and it will work out well:)

Beth said...

I nominated you for an award!!! http://bethyboo285thenewyou.blogspot.com/2010/09/blogger-awards.html
XOXO - beth

Stephanie F. said...

I have nominated you for a blogger award. The post is at the following link: http://ready4anewme.blogspot.com/2010/09/blogger-awards.html

Thanks for the inspiration and encouragement!

:o) Stephanie

Jenny said...

You aren't doing anything wrong. Remember that its not magic, it will take time. This I think may be one of the hardest lessons to learn because if you are anything like me you want it NOW!! LOL, just take a deep breath. All the things we need to do like water, measuring, protein focus take time to learn. You are doing a great job! We are here for you throughout your journey and will not let you get down on yourself!!

Mixed Veggie Guy said...

Just a thought ... but you sure seem to be consuming a whole lot of carbohydrates ... Cheerios, crackers, potatoes and the milk. What most people don't realize is that reduced fat milk just means that the milk has a lower percentage of fat calories but thus an even higher percentage of carb calories.

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