HELP! I need some tips!!!

Hi Everyone! It's been a very long time since I've been here (just visited for the first time yesterday in about 9 or so months!) From what I can see by reading all of your posts, you have all done really well in getting the weight off I however (same old story) am still struggling! I finally broke down about 9 weeks ago and joined Weigh****chers and I am losing extremely slow!! Though I'm happy about the weight that I have lost so far between WLS and WW, but I still have so far to go... about another 45 - 50lbs. I'm feeling like a failure that I didn't get all the weight off with the surgery, I don't eat the wrong foods, I haven't gained any weight since the surgery, and exercise, but I just can't figure out the secret. I know there is no magical cure, but I sure could use some help and I would gladly take any advice from any of you! Thanks and Hope to hear from all of you! Milissa

Milissa, You're not alone. I still have about 30 pounds to go to reach what is considered normal weight for me. I haven't lost any weight to speak of since December 2004. Like you, I haven't gained any and no matter what I do, the rest just won't come off. I have just about resigned myself to the fact that I'm going to have to be happy where I am. I'm hoping that my body is just adjusting to the new me and the weight loss will kick in again soon. It sounds like you are doing what you can by going to Weigh****chers. They do have a really good program. Please don't consider yourself a failure. You have come a long way in the past 19 months. I'm sure you're much healthier now. Best of luck to you and I do hope someone can post the secret.... I sure could use it too! Wanda

Wanda, Thanks so much for the encouraging words! You're right, I shouldn't consider myself a failure... especially since I keep trying!! I guess I just get disappointed that I wasn't one of the people that managed to get all of the weight off. But I will strive through this!! Question for you, about how much are you able to eat at a time... I know that is one of my problems. The doctor and the nutritionist said that I didn't build up the scar tissue like I should have around my anastimosis (sp); therefore, food doesn't stay in my pouch like it should. I just have to be extra careful of what I eat and have to have self control in how much I eat!! Thanks again, Milissa

The amount of food I can hold varies by what kind of food I eat. I have been known to hold up to 1 1/2 cups of food in one sitting. I sometimes wonder about myself . Here is what my day usually looks like: Breakfast: 8 oz protein shake snack: 4 oz yogurt lunch: 3 oz of deli ham, turkey or chicken wrapped in about 2 oz of either swiss or pepperjack cheese slices. snack: 1/2 - 3/4 cup low fat cottage cheese supper: 3 oz meat, 1/2 - 3/4 cup vegetable (Depending on if I eat the starch I fix for the rest of the family. If I do have the starch, I try to keep it at 1/2 cup), and a salad with bleu cheese or ranch dressing. snack: (here is where I get in trouble!) I try to have a snow cone made with sugar free syrup (Thanks, Mary!!!), but sometimes I fall of the wagon and have an ice cream cone. And to be honest, I sometimes will snack in the evenings on popcorn or pringles. I have been doing pretty good here lately in curbing my snacking, but could have a relapse any day! I'm probably not the person to go by. I meet with my bariatric surgeon on the 12th. I hope to learn more about what I should be doing from her and the nutritionist at that visit. Wanda

Milissa, Please don't think of yourself as a failure ... you aren't!!!! Altho I have lost 131 lbs, I'm still considered obese. I'm below my surgeon's goal for me of 180 ... I'm at 174. But since I'm only 5'1" I'm still about 40 or 50 lbs overweight and won't have a normal BMI unless I lose those extra pounds. I try not to focus on the weight loss but the health advances I have made ... no more sleep apnea, no more high blood pressure, arthritis so much better etc. I know that I eat too many carbs (bread is an issue for me). I don't eat more than a bite of any bad things cause I know for sure that I do dump. It is hard. But if we do protein first, drink lots of fluids, exercise and follow the rules the weight should come off eventually. I think for some tho it is a struggle. I'm going thru that struggle now. I'm not gaining, but I am sure not losing. Weigh****chers is a great support system however counting the points could mean way too much food for us as WLS post-ops. Sorry if I'm rambling. I do understand --- I'm going thru it too right now. Mary 305/174/????

Thanks Mary! I've lost 81lbs so far and I know I'm not really a failure... I just want to "get there"! I'm sure you know what I mean. I am very happy about the weight that I have lost so far and as fas as my health goes... I'm great! Getting the bulk of my weight off has gotten rid of my diabetes and my high blood pressure. I feel great about that! I guess I'm a little scared at this point because I'm going through some fertility issues which means hormone medications and I'm so affraid of gaining weight with them!! I want to get as much off as possible before the process starts. Weigh****chers is kind of off and on for me... one week I lose 2lbs and the next 2 or 3 weeks I fluctuate and that's with following the program (thank God I'm still down a few pounds from where I started!). I haven't told them that I've had WLS because I just don't want to take the risk of someone not understanding... this is hard enough as it is. It just doesn't seem to come easy and I guess I never really and truly expected it to, but I didn't realize it was going to be this hard either! Carbs are a problem for me too, though I've managed to curb them a lot here lately... I'm trying to pretty much take them out of the every day picture (though not getting rid of them completely). I'm bored at work too and I know that has a lot to do with the desire to snack during the day. I will keep you all posted on my progress and thanks for the encouraging words! I miss everyone... I should never have left!!! Thanks again, Milissa

Hi Ladies I am in the same boat as Milissa. So many things have gone on with my life over the past months after surgery...I had surgery in February of 04, I got pregnant in May 04, Had my daughter in February 05, and my weightloss is at a standstill. I still have about 70 lbs to loose and I admit that I am worried. My surgeon still has not released me from his care because of the pregnancy and the weight that I have not lost. I am looking better and looking great these days. I have not gained anymore weight nor have I lost any. I just hate the fact that I paid so much money to loose this weight and I am not at goal. I still do what I am supposed to do....I exercise and eat right! Soooooooooo. I don't know what else to do. Milissa, I don't mean to rain in on your parade, but I am jumping on the bandwagon too...to get help that is. LOL! Jaunine