Approaching max frustration level.....

OK...I had surgery on Aug. 11, 2005. I've lost 130 pounds...85 of which I lost in the first three months. So, I don't have anything to complain about, really. However, in the past few months I've not really lost anything. Kept gaining and losing the same 3 or 4 pounds. UNTIL recently. I'm back up to 214! This is making me so mad. I haven't really changed the way or amount that I eat, nothing significant, like I've started eating fried foods everyday or something like that. I've tried upping my water, but I generally get in more than 64 oz. anyway. I've tried upping my protein and I have to admit, that's not always easy. I don't do protein supplements, so I try to get it all in through food. I can get in 60-70 grams easily. But just as easily, I can not get enough protein in, too. I've gone back to my aerobics class...had to stop when I went back to work in March, but can go now that school is out for summer. The up and down between a few pounds I can handle, albeit frustrating. But this jump in weight is really making me mad. Those "why bother" thoughts start creeping back in and I get even more frustrated. I'm calling the dietician tomorrow. My one year follow up with the surgeon is in a few weeks. I think he jinxed me at my 6 month check up. He told me I was losing so well and steadily that he could easily see me losing another 40 pounds by my one year date. In Feb. I was 225. I got down to 205, but now all of a sudden I'm back up. And I just can't figure out why. Ok...thanks for letting me vent. I've been holding back for a few weeks. My friend, who had surgery in November of 04 keeps telling me not to worry, it's all normal. She did similar things, but is still slowly losing. Ugh...I'll keep telling myself that. Tina 335/ WAS 205...NOW 214/ hope to be 150ish

Wow Tina, I know how you are feeling!! You echo my thoughts these past few months as well. I keep losing 3 and gaining back 2, then I lose it all over again. I got down below 200 once and now I hover at 200. It is such a tease to me. I know that there are some things that are right and some that are wrong for me. I've been eating more carbs lately and need to stop that and like you, have gotten into my head the "why bother" mentality. I appreciate your post, because it is a wake up call for me. I am falling into old patterns of sabotaging myself and that is not what I truly want. I haven't felt this good in so long that I don't want to gain even 10 pounds back let alone 93. So, as we each post our frustrations at times, please know that it helps someone else start to get real with herself as well. I wish you continued success and thank you so much for this post. It is my kick in the behind to get back on track. So far today, I am on track and will stay there due to your post. I'll take it one day at a time. Lori 293/200/135

Tina I am in the same boat you are hunny, and my date is Aug 4, 3006

I am so in the same boat! I have been so darn discouraged lately. Like you all I lose 4 or 5 then gain it back. I sit and hover around 185. I have increased my exercise. I joined Curves a couple of weeks ago. I am drinking more water and trying to increase the protien but I gotta be honest. I am getting a few more carbs than I should. I love those darn granola bars. lol. Is the only sweets I eat. But I wouldn't think that one or two of those added a day would hold me. I don't know. I just know it gets alittle depressing. We will beat this though. Have come a long long way and we don't want to go back to where we came from.

I didn't believe in the protein supplements either,BUT absolutely EVERYTHING I have read by successful bypass patients says that we DO NOT ABSORB protein from what we eat. Remember the nature of our surgery was to induce malabsorption. I started drinking protein drinks and it did jumpstart my weight loss. Protein causes our metabolism to run at a higher rate (I don't know all the ins and outs of it but that is what all the weight loss gurus say) and then we burn more calories. All excess food gets stored as "sugar" (to simplify things) but protein takes a bit more to convert so it increases our metabolism. Now here is my question, if we are taking in things that we don't absorb where does it go? Do we end up "excreting" it (to put it gently)? If so then what a waste of money & food. I try to do 1 protein based drink a day, either a protein powder or Isopure. TRY being the operative word here LOL I also try to eat ALOT of protein. Some days I eat only protein. I know that I am more run down when I have over done the carbs, even complex carbs. I have also increased my vitamin intake (esp vitamin B complex) since I feel better when it is up & I have more energy. When I am tired I want to eat more, and not always good things, so I try to avoid being tired. One thing that dr's don't tell us, when you go for your blood work, don't take any B complex for 24 hr before the blood collection, it will give you falsely elevated lab results. Same holds true for your iron levels and folate levels (no iron or folic acid or Vit D for 24 hrs prior). Some dr's say it doesn't matter BUT I work in a lab and the handling requirements say "Do not let patient consume anything containing Vit B for 24 hrs prior to collection" Must be a reason even if the dr's don't think so. Anyways, this is JMHO, something to think about. I am sure, that just like everything else, it is different for each of us. Ciao 4 now, Berta

Oh I hear you! I feel like you just voiced all the same frustrations I've been having the past few months. I have only lost about 4-5 pounds since April and I can't tell you how frustrating that is!!!! People tell me I look smaller, but I want to see the scale move down again. I think we definitely got spoiled those first 6 months with the weight loss and now it's really going to take some extra work to make it to our goals. I know for me, I've been eating too many carbs with my meals and they are just like empty calories as far as my doctor says. So, I try to do protein first and fill up on that, but it's really hard to pass up on bread, crackers or pasta now that I find it doesn't make me sick anymore. So, the will power definitely comes in to play again. Certainly, I can't eat as much of it as I used to - but I shouldn't be filling up on that stuff. I also have to work out more. I was going to the gym almost 3-4 times week once I was cleared after surgery. My gym membership expired (I only got a 6 month deal) and I couldn't afford to renew. So I have a treadmill and some exercise videos at the house - but I find when I'm home I'd rather curl up on the couch and relax. I have to find a way to motivate myself to work out again. We can do this - that's why we're here to support each other. *~*Lisa*~* sw: 305 -- cw: 187 -- gw: 160

Hello Lisa, I just wanted to say that it seems you and I are very similar. Besides the fact we had our surguries the same day. I also started at 305. My situation however, is that I became pregnant in February. That unfortunately didnt work out. But that is ok and I am doing fine. However, being pregnant and hormones and such I ended up gaining some weight. When I found out I was pregnant I was 180 lbs. I am now just under 200. Its driving me insane.. I have upped my water intake, and have been consuming mostly proteins only.. I say mostly because there are some days that I do not make the best choices. I also had a membership to the gym and mine too has expired, and I too could not afford to renew. I have walk away the pounds on dvd that I do.. I keep being teased with losing 5 lbs and gaining back 3. I have tried the protein drinks.. But find I just cant get them down very well. Strange I think. Anyway, Just wanted to say hello. And tell you that I think your doing great! Much Love Kimberly

I just want to say thank you for all of your kinds replies. It's not that I'm glad you all are having this problem, too, but it is comforting to know that I'm not alone in all of this. I have started recording everything I eat, again. I did that for the 1st 6 months or so, very diligently. But I slacked as things got progressively easier, as far as what to eat and how much. I'm reallly watching my carbs. I don't generally eat that many carbs, but have realized that some days, I'm getting way too many, without realizing it. The small things add up. I'm focusing on eating my protein first, to the point that I'm not even putting anything else on my plate til the protein is done. When I do that, those familiar full pouch feelings from early on returned. Made me sigh with relief to realize that my pouch is still working...LOL(even if I'm not doing exactly as I should). OH, and I'm adding my protein shake back. I'm hoping that will give me that boost I need. I did call my dietitian, but have to call her back as I was out of town for a few days....I have a new nephew! I think she will probably tell me to do the things I'm doing and then some. So, thanks for your support! I'm glad we are all in this together and can each relate our experiences to help others. Thanks, so much!! Tina