Why am I losing so slowly?!

Ok, am I losing slowly should be the question...I had RNY on July 11th and at my four week check up I had only lost 19.5 pounds...I'm down 8 more and thats 28 pounds in 6weeks...I had a short melt down earlier in the week (thanks again for the caring emails) put I'm better now...although I have an ulcer and the dr. put me on the pre-surg liquid diet until it heals...then I can try cottage cheese, ricotta, ect. I was having trouble getting all the protein in b/c of the ulcer pain...could that be why I'm losing slowly? My dr. and the nut. seem to be contradicting each other...the nut. said you could gain weight by not getting enough calories and protein in...the dr. says no...you lose dispite how much protein/calories you get in. Do yall know the answer to this one? My plan says stay completely away from simple carbs, but I notice some of you are eating potatoes and some other carbs...I thought that carbs immediately turned to glucose (sugar) then to fat...what is your understanding about that? Thanks so much, Stephanie

First let me start by saying that I think u are right on target with your wt loss Stephanie, I have a friend I met at the hospital when I had my surgery and we talk on here all the time and she has lost 30 lbs so far. She started out at about 300lbs. I started out at almost 400 lbs. The larger u are the faster u loose in the first few weeks. I lost an encredible amt of wt the first 3 weeks but my wt loss has slowed down now to a more normal level. In part becouse I had alot of water retention and its all gone now. I dont think all this wt loss is fat. A lot of it was water wt in the begining As for your questions about carbs. U are correct, u should stay with complex carbs and totally stay away fromsinple carbs, ie, potatos and the like. I even rarley touch any high glycemic veggie. There are so many good veggies u can have. Try to stick with Healthier choices when possible. Now about the total caloric intake. The more protien u get in the more you build mucle and muscle increases metabolism....thus burns off more fat. When U stave yourself...u go into a starvation mode and u dont gain wt but your body does have a harder/slower time letting go of the stored fat. Its trying to preserve it. So please get lots of protein in. You asked me what protiens I use. I have an Atkins Advantage or Slim fast( low carb only) protein shake usually before but sometimes after breakfast. Then after lunch and dinner I have a Profect protein. I order these online a couple cases at a time. They have 25 grms of protien and no fat or carbs. They are only 3 oz and much easier to get down than a large can of a milk based product...there is no milk in them. They are pure protein. None of this is cheap I will tell u. But Im actually saving vs breaking even since I dont eat out 2-3 meals a day at restraunts. Im glad u are feeling better. I know myself Ive had a few meltdowns and they usually only last a day or two. Just know thats normal when u have so many changes happening all at once and u have a busy life at home as well as taking care of yourself. Take advantage of all the help u have in here. Everyone is a great support and soon u will be able to help someone else becouse of all u have been thru and all u will learn from it. U may also want to ask your dr for an anti depressent for a few months to get u thru all these changes. My surgeon offers them to everyone becouse she knows how hard this is on everyone. Take care of yourself and if u have any other questions feel free to email me Mariah U will find my yellow diet sheets from my surgeon at this link ..it will show u what Im allowed to eat at each stage of my process. http://www.wlsindy.com/planphases.htm

Dear Mariah- You are an angel for writing me back so quickly...all your information was so helpful, I'm copying it and will refer to it daily for clear, sane advice! I started out at 272 so perhaps I'm not as slow as I thought I was. I'm going to get at least 60-70g. of protein in while I'm waiting for this ulcer to heal...thanks for the advice about carbs...I'm definately ready for an antidepressant...this whole process is more stressful than I thought it would be, especially since we've been through 13 surgeries in two years with our youngest who just turned 2 in July...thought if I could get through that I could get through anything...I'm much better at taking care of others than in taking care of myself...like alot of women, especially. Where can I get the Perfect Protein...? I saw a link to Bariatric Eating...have you tried that site? Again, you can't know how helpful your counsel has been...thank you so much and when I'm "back on my feet" I'll definately "pay it forward" to a newbie in meltdown mode! Fondly, Stephanie

Hi Stephanie!!!!!!!! I know just how you feel. I've become very depressed at times thinking that my weight loss has been slow; then, I have others to tell me that I've done well. My pre-op weight was 358 and according to my scales, I was 315 on 8-24. I had my six weeks checkup on 8-24 and the MD's scales said 320. You talking about a meltdown. I have a big problem with the protein shakes because I can't seem to tolerate the taste. I've tried several, i.e. Hank's (a little too sweet), Slim Fast(makes me gag postop), Unjury(it's okay), Real Meals( too sweet), and Designer Whey(don't like very well). Even though I don't like these, I seem to stomach them although it may be only one per day. I do think that lack of protein stalls our loss. Also, I believe that we need to exercise because I know that when I walk, I tend to drop 2-3 lbs vs when I do not. I try to stay away from carbs although my dietician says I can have mashed/baked potatoes, brown rice,etc. I've got so much going on as well and we tend to put ourselves on the back burner. My DH is a pastor and we've been in revival for the past three weeks and this tends to interfere with my walking. I have a seven year old with tons of homework. I also have a nineteen month old who is all that and then some. In addition, I work M-F 8-5!!!!!!!!!!! So Stephanie, don't throw in the towel yet. We've got a lot of miles to cover and together supporting each other, we're gonna make it. Are you exercising? One more thing, we have the same "birthday"--7-11-06. Email me anytime. I emailed Mariah the other day and she is a sweetie. I was so jealous that she had lost so much and I hadn't...LOL. I needed her secrets. Ree Ree

Ree Ree, You made me laugh dear, My biggest secret is DONT GET FAT IN THE FIRST PLACE.....should have taken my own advice....LOL I tell my adorable neice that all the time. I love her and dont want her to ever go thru what Ive had to. Shes a cheerleader for her High School and eats everything in site...Like an entire box of chocolate doughnuts. I keep telling her that now shes moving all the time and constantly working out at practices and compatitions but thats not going to happen forever. I try to tell her now is the time to start making healthy choices becouse soon she will be at the age I was when I started gaining wt. Shes to young to diet...but just to eat one dounut and not the entire box... Make a few healthier decisions. I hope she listens. Its a horrible family curse!!! There u have my biggest secret... But I still swear by my profect. Thats how I have been able to keep my protein grams way up and I havent lost any hair? Mariah

Dear Ree Ree_ Oh, friend I'm so glad we've connected! Yes, we have the same birthday-7/11/06-we'll have to save these emails and read them again next July...HOPEFULLY we'll laugh at how silly we've been! I'm going to try a product from uibid.com-a concentrate protein drink Mariah kindly told me about-it's not milk based...they do take forever to drink and it's hard getting all the protein in...I'll let you know how I like them...have you tried it? Yes, I'm exercizing-walking 1.5miles or so and I've started lifting weights again like I did pre-surg...its SO frustrating to "gain" muscle b/c you don't SEE the loss on the scales...I know its the right thing to do though... Oh my gosh, the homework for my first grader...sight words, spelling lists, bible verse, reading math!!! My four year old daughter wants to do "homework" too...and I can't turn my back for a second on our 2 year old...he's the one with spina bifida whom the docs said would never move...well God has a since of humor b/c this child is everywhere!! I simply can't imagine working outside the home too...:) I look forward to our email friendship...let's keep each other posted on how we're doing... Be well, Stephanie

Try Matrix Perfect Chocolate, available at http://www.bariatriceating.com As a matter of fact, order the sample pack of protein supplements. They vow to stock on the BEST TASTING supplements, and I am here to tell you, it is no lie!

Hey, Stephanie Well, I HAD lost 30 pounds by week 6, but by week 7, I gained a pound back. So my solution at present is to stay away from the scales for a little bit. It is too depressing, and ends up making me want to self sabotage. Soon, the weight will begin to melt off and we will feel terrific, I just KNOW it will!!! Jezia

Dear Jezia- You know, you're right...the scale has NEVER been my friend...I know we're not supposed to weigh ourselves but once a week...I admit that I do weigh alot more than that...in my head I know that the weight loss will slow down and the exercize will build muscle which weighs more than fat...I know this in my head-my heart wants to SEE the numbers go down! Let's stay in touch...be well Stephanie

I'd love to stay in touch, Stephanie! Hugs, Jezia