Getting more and more frustrated!

4/1/2 wks post op. I've been reading other posts and how much weight other people have lost at this point. Since surgery, I am down 25 lbs, but somedays its only 20 lbs. My weight keeps jumping back up. I was due for a period a week ago, but it has not arrived yet. I'm not sure if that is the problem or what, but this platuea is hard to take so early in this process. For the last two weeks I've been within the same few pounds. My eating and drinking are good - focused on water and proteins. I see others mentioning a "stall" for a few days, but this is getting ridiculous. I have low iron and my energy is terrible. Per doctor's orders, I quit my daily mile. He won't allow me to do any exercise again until the fatique has improved. Feel like I'm moving backwards in this whole thing. I think I need to start walking again - laying around isn't helping me feel any better. I actually felt better when I was walking. Returned to work this past week, it was brutal, brain goes to mush by noon and I'm falling asleep on my desk. Took Friday off to recover, laid around all day absolutely exhausted. Any others dealing with low iron? Found anything that helps? Are you exercising? Linda

Hey Linda- I am not low on iron as far as I know, but I am right in there with you chica!!! I exercise 3 times a week not because I have the energy to but because I know I HAVE to. I am still dragging. My surgery was on 4-18 and I am still zonked when I come home at night from work. (and I sit at a desk most of the day) Your body has undergone MAJOR surgery. You are still working through the lingering effects of anesthesia, the drugs and the fact that your body is still having to haul you around but on less than 1/4 the calories you used to eat. If you are like me, you are eating somewhere between 400-600 calories a day. I swear I could eat that many calories as a snack before the surgery (can anyone say king sized m&Ms???) I have been told by others who were in our early post-op stages that we start to feel like ourselves in about 6-8 weeks. I am gettin in my food and fluids but my weight stalled this last week at 28 pounds, then back to 27 then back to 25- I know I do not have to tell you how terrified I was. I even went back to drinking the shakes to see if that helped but I promised myself that I would not weigh again until Monday (my 4 week anniversary) or on Wednesday (my actual one month anniversary) It is a scary feeling but it WILL COME OFF. YOU WILL NOT FAIL. You must remember this and you will be fine. I have a wonderfully funny friend that has chastized me for weighing every day (sometimes after every urination) but I have put away the scales and have not touched them since Friday morning. (it helps that I am at my mother's for the weekend and she does not have any) But at any rate, if you are like me, PUT THE SCALES AWAY and only weigh once a week with the same clothes on and NOT IN THE MORNING. That is one of the oldest tricks I played on myself. It will get better. Jus****ch your caloric intake, make sure you get all your fluids and protein in and you will be fine. Hang in there and keep me posted on your progress. Bryna

Bryna, Thank you so much for your response. Your advice is great and I appreciate your support right now. I had to promise my self I could only weigh twice per week - eventually I'll make it just one. Its hard to break old habits. I do need to put the scale away somewhere - I feel like its just calling me to get on everytime I go in the bathroom! It is so scary after going through all of this to see yourself actually gaining weight - especially when you are eating so little. Its nice to know I'm not the only one dealing with this. I can't help but feel that I need to take more drastic measures, but I know that would be unhealthy for my body. I did start walking again over the weekend, despite the doctor's comments about low iron and resting. I find that I feel worse if I don't try to get some exercise. I've also discovered that my protein powder and skim milk are creating a lot of stomach problems for me. I've been tracking everything and how I feel after, definitely a connection to my periods of nausau and stomach aches with these two items. Maybe I'll start feeling better with those items out. Good luck to you - sounds like you are doing a great job AND staying positive too! If I could just get through this never ending PMS, it would help a lot! Linda B

First of all - please make sure you are working with your doctor!!! It is important that they know what is going on!! Are you seeing a dietician or is your doctor orchestrating your diet? You may suggest to him that a dietician who is skilled in the area of WLS might be a good thing. If I called my dietician (Hala), she would question my protein intake. My energy level has been UP UP UP since surgery but I have been averaging 90 grams of protein per day. My dietician says that most people struggle getting to 80 in the first 6 months. Most of my protein comes from Optimum Nutrition Pro-Complex which is 55 grams of protein per serving. For me, I mix 1 scoop with 4 ounces of milk which gives me 31 grams of protein, or 27 grams of protein when I mix it with crystal light. I have 3 liquid meals per day (or try to) so just from that I am getting around 90 grams of protein. Hang in there!! Dave Boston Open RNY-041505-488/423

Hi David, Thanks for the response, sounds like you are doing fabulous, keep it up! Yes I am working with a dietician who specializes in WLS. Both her and the surgeon require that I get between 40-50 grams of protein per day - which I am doing. The surgeon is aware of the low energy and after reviewing preop and post op blood work - says its due to the low iron that apparently I've had for some time now. With supplements, this is expected to improve over the next few months. They tell me to just rest and take it easy. You are the second person that mentioned the Pro complex powder, I need to make another trip to GNC to try that. I was using Whey Protein with milk but have developed lactose intolerance since surgery - I need something that works in water. The female problems are also contributing to all of this. Oh the fun of being a woman! Best wishes and keep up the great weight loss! Linda