Self Sabatoge????? WHY??????

Hi. I need some major talkin' to. I'm 4 and a half weeks post op. I lost 30 pounds in the first 2 weeks and now I regained 7 pounds. What the hell??? I'm not drinking enough water...I know that. I "think" I'm getting enough protien. But, I'm confused...and frustrated. I can't believe this crap. I'm eating some bad stuff......I had a big chocolate covered pretzel today. the other day I had 2 glasses of coke. I know that is really, really bad. Obviously, I can handle suger just fine. those are the 2 major things I did wrong. I guess I'm just feeling really depressed that I am not losing weight. I don't know why I would do this when I just went thru such major surgery to try and better myself and my health. I dont know what to do. OK..........I know your going to let me have it. Lets hear it!!!

Hi Depsy I don't want to scold you. God knows I have made some poor decisions as well. And you know what your mistakes have been. The question is, what are you going to do to fix the problem? You know what you're supposed to do (*depending upon your surgeon's instructions). Drink 64+ oz of noncaloric noncaffeinated noncarbonated liquids. Eat protein first (at least 60+ grams per day, supplementing if needed), then nonstarchy veggies, then unsweetened fruit, then maybe a little whole grain. Avoid sugars, highly processed starches, and alcohol. Small bites chewed very well (or pureed). Take your vitamins (and protein). Walk 30 minutes or more everyday. If you find that you have severe problems sticking to your dietary requirements, you really should seek some help. We here will gladly do what we can, but we can't get inside your head. You probably had to pass a psychological exam to get your surgery. Your psychologist felt you would be able to comply. Maybe you should go back and tell him/her about your problem and ask for help. Is there anything you can think of that we can do for you? If I can, I will. My email box is always open. Whatever you decide, DO NOT GIVE UP - You've come to far to quit now! Joe

I second what Joe said! Couldn't have said it any better! Good luck to you, Kathy

You know what? You can start fresh in your mind...just start over and no self sabotaging. I read about a lot of people who made bad choices...it happens. I'm scared of death to try any sugar or soda and I'm sticking to my surgeon's plan...and at a plateau at that. You just have to reassure your self, think positive! You have a great tool now, so use it to the best of your ability. It might also help to get a small notebook and jot down what you eat all day. I'm usually eating 3 or 4 meals a day with at least a protein shake at night. I'm 5 weeks out, so we're almost the same as far as dates. My surgeon says sometimes give your body a break and instead of exercising everyday, shake things up and give your body a days rest. Also, get rid of the coke and sugary products in your household. My husband has given up real sodas and now only diet is in the house...I don't touch it. As far as sugar, the family only eats light ice cream in flavors I don't care for and they've cut down on junk food for more fruit and better snacks. Surround yourself with good stuff and drink tha****er. Remember to stay positive and don't regress. Best of luck to you!

All of the food stuff aside, you must try to drink tha****er. The weight gain that you see is likely water retention and happens to alot of people. If you start making that a priority, the 7 pounds will likely come off. I know its hard, but I got one of the Weigh****chers 32 oz. cups, with a lid and a straw. I carry it with me everywhere I go. Sometimes I resent it, but at least it keeps me sipping all day. I'm sure that you can find them on their website, or that other people make them. Very helpful. Now the food stuff. Does your doctor offer any aftercare? Ours offers monthly meetings. Our nutritionist is available to us on call. I think many people stretch the limits of this surgery. I tried a bite of my boyfriends croissant the other day and nearly died. If you dumped you would avoid those foods, but you know that. I'm almost sorry that you didn't. Just ask yourself "did I really climb up on that operating table, just to be taken out by a can of coke?". I have little notes everywhere (on my computer, the refrigerator) that say: 1. Water 2. Protien 3. Vitamins It helps me to focus on the fact that these three things are the most important for my lifestyle. I wish you the best and hope that you can get back on the horse. Warm Wishes, Dina

Depsy, Every time I open a draw or cabinet in my house there is temptation. I have two very active healthy teens who like the occassional snack. "Hi, I'm Kate... and I'm a chocoholic" I won't deprive my family of their treats, so I had to do some self-help. To keep me sane, I do two things everyday. 1****ep a diary of everything that goes in my mouth (before I eat it). .....this includes, Meal (breakfast, snack, etc), Location (kitchen, office...) .....Time, Description of food (Danon Yogurt, etc..), Quantity/Value .....(3 oz / 80cal 8gm protein), Hunger Level (1=starved 5=full)and last .....and most important "MOOD". I found that temptation knocks on the .....door when we're bored or depressed. The 2 minutes it takes to fill in .....this information gives me time to think about my choices. 2). I actually prepare all of my food the night before. If you don't have to .....go looking for something to eat when you're hungry, it helps. Everyone falls off the wagon... Get right back on and feel good about yourself. Food is an addiction. More accessable than drugs and alcohol. As the others before me have suggested, talk to someone if you can't get the monkey off your back. Prayers and Good Thoughts to you.... Kate Z

I second all of the above. No one has to let you have it because I'm sure you are beating yourself up just fine. That said .... take a deep cleansing breath .... exhale .... and reread the materials and other research you did pre-op, look at old pictures of yourself and remind yourself why you did this. If you don't have a support group, find one! If you need help tracking your protein intake, record your food on fitday.com. If you are taking anti-depressants, check in with your doc. Remember you are still down 23 pounds. Post here when you need a boost. Take care, J

Hi there Depsy, I too have my ups and downs. I don't "Dump" on sugars either. On my first week out I had solids and I was suppose to be on a liquid diet for about 4 weeks, I couldnt tolerate that so I ate. And then after my 3rd to 4th week I wanted to eat all of the time! I was never satisfied with anything. I felt so discouraged. But now I have to remind myself to eat,I get Kinda lazy because I dont want to make the wrong choice and so I rather not eat sometimes,thats wrong in its self Anyways all you got to do is get up and dust yourself off and take another go at it! We all have our little problems but we ARE and CAN get better with each mistake that we do! Thats all about Life my dear.Dont sweat it and do take the advice of getting help with a psy. Find the source of your food addicition. I know I have issues and I'm seeking help. I had a trouble childhood and I'm trying to cover it up with food. Take good care of yourself and dont get discouraged,It'll get easier over time! And believe me when I say "It'll get better" I never thought it would but it did! It sure did! God Bless You Rosie

Thank you all for your responses. I know what I have to do. Its just been really hard because I was one of the last surgerys my surgeon preformed before he moved to another state. Sooooo, he's not here anymore to ask questions and I have no idea if there is a support group near here or not. To tell you the truth, my doctor really didn't give me much info on what I should or shouldn't be doing. I seen him for the last time at my 2 week post op apt. and he said I could start trying "real" food...thats it. He didn't tell me how much water I should be drinking or how much protien i should get. I am relying on all of you for information on that stuff. Thank you all again. i really appreciate it. I decided to just start anew today. No more "JUNK" for me. I promise. Depsy

Hey, I'm with Dina on the Water! Drink allot, you're probably just retaining...I get those water additives from Wal-mart, they're right next to the Crystal-lite but they're wal-mart brand so they are only like $1.85 a box, its in a little box and they have about 10 little tube packets, no sugar, carbs fat, nothing! They come in tons of flavors like peach-tea, rasberry-tea, lemonade, fruit-punch, etc. I LOVE them and couldn't do my water without them! I hope this helps you! HUGGS