90/10 versus 10/90

I've heard that immediately after surgery... our success is 90% due to the surgery and 10% due to us and what we do. Then I heard that over time, that flips and it becomes 10% surgery and 90% us. How does everyone feel about that? Do you feel that your 90/10 has flipped to 10/90? I certainly do. But my 90% and surgeries 10% don't seem like enough, ya know? I'm up in weight and it seems like I cannot get my weight down much further. I'm basically the same weight as Christmas time. I work out 4-5 times a week. I get my protein and my water. Some days are more calories than others. Not really sure what I could to improve situations. Frustrating? Oh you bet. I got so close to my goal (within 7 lbs) for about 4 days straight only to jump up in weight. Now I'm 14 lbs from goal and my weight bounces from 171 to 175 (goal 160). My body likes it here. Do I? Yes and no. I'm just not convinced I'm done. I don't want to be done yet. I want just a little bit more. Kathy

It definitely is more work now than before. Only thing I can suggest is to change things around. Maybe your body has gotten used to your routine and is quite happy there. I don't know, I sometimes think that no matter what we try to do the body is going to do whatever the he!! it wants to. I recently had stress in my life for a few weeks and sad/happy to say it jump started my weight loss. I wouldn't wish that on anybody though. It was nice to get over the hump though. I know....go on vacation and veg out for a few days! Then start up your exercise again and see if that helps! I'm going to Huahine 5/19, come on over and laze around, snorkel, lie on the beach and when we get back home start up your routine again! That should do it, if it doesn't, at least you will have had some fun! Linda

I know that shaking things up might help...just not sure what to shake up, ya know what I mean? Wish I could go on vacation. I could definitely use it. But need to get my pain fixed so that I might actually enjoy myself. That would be nice! We do have a few planned trips... one OH convention, one non-official OH gathering and then a trip to see my sister (that'll be more like vacation - boating, sun, bicycles, etc) and hubby for July 4th timeframe. Calgon...take me away... Kathy

Kathy, I want more too, and I'm gonan have more

I'm gonna have more too!

Hi Kathy, Here is my take on things.... I am not doing as well as I would like. I posted this on another one of your threads but not sure you saw it or not.... Im here.....doing ok... feeling so much better than a year ago... I am O so struggling with my eating... which is a bit depressing.... Haven't lost anything in months now... kinda go up 3-5 lbs and back down...so I guess I am maintaing my weight...but I am not happy about it! I am down ~ 97 lbs.. I just kinda said to myself last night...Marla...don't you want to be at or below 100 lbs pounds gone by May 17?!?!?!?!?!?! But, I continue to sabatage whatever good days..hours.... I have! I guess it may be time to go speak to a professional?? Not sure what is going to help... and what is behind all of this.... I know I am not alone on this.... but I want it to go away! I guess I want it to go away with no effort too... I have been working out... and trying to work out harder.. and that's all good... cause physically I am doing sooooo much better.... Emotionally, I feel like a bit of a WLS faliure already... Can't seem to understand why I can't get past this! SO.... stuck at 247.... I want to be under 200... badly.. but I guess not bad enough to stick to my eating.... Thanks for listening! Hugs Marla

Marla, I can so relate to everything you are saying...I'm stuck at 245...I so want to be under 200 too, but, you sure can't tell it by the way I continue to put stuff in my mouth... I'm very good about the exercising...it is breaking this bond with food that is so hard! Hugs back at ya! Lori 384/245/168

Thanks Lori.... This is crazy right.... battle battle battle....and there is no magic to weight loss.... it's hard work. I just totally envy a person who could care less about food! Hugs! Marla

While I can understand your sentiment... you are NOT a WLS failure. Not even close. If you need inspiration... look at Amy Williams. At two years post-op she is still losing. If she can, any of us can. Emotional eating is such a hard thing. I know I'm doing some of that now. I know where it is coming from too. I physically hurt and I don't really know why and I'm playing a waiting game and I hate it and I run to food for comfort. I honestly don't think I eat enough calories in a day to truly gain yet my body reacts that way and it bugs me. The value on the scale bothers me and ticks me off. Seeing a therapist especially one who deals with eating disorders is a good thing. Lots of reasons why we sabotage ourselves. Fear. Anxiety. Depression. Old habits that creep in. Stress. Hugs to you, Kathy

Okay, now that I've crawled out from my lurker's rock for a day or so, I'll give my opinion on this, for what it's worth. Look around at your non-obese friends. The majority of Americans are overweight, we live in a society of food abundance. Our culture celebrates, comforts, and grieves with food. My surgery now allows me to be "normal" with my friends who are struggling to lose the 10-20-30 excess pounds that they carry. I don't know if I'm making much sense here, but when we are together, they talk about how hard it is to cut back on treats, how hard it is to make good food choices, how hard it is to exercise regularly. I can commiserate with them, because that is how it is for me, too. Prior to surgery, I had no opportunity to even think of losing "only" 30 pounds, I couldn't eat a restricted calorie diet for more than a month or so without going crazy. What it boils down to is this, the surgery may now make it a little easier for me, the 10% factor, to lose weight than the average person, but basically I am as "normal" as my friends. It is hard work for us all. It is truly the rare individual who is naturally thin, not interested in food. Debra M.