Very frustrated

Ok I had my surgery on November 2,2005. RNY Proximal. Ok before surgery I weighed 390lbs as of the day of surgery I weighed 304lbs as of today I weigh 208lbs. I am suppose to be between 180-160 because I am 6 ft tall. I am frustrated. My weigh hasnt changed in 5 months now. There hasnt been any body changes either. I am frustrated and at my wits end. I think I have been getting depressed lately also. I moved from CA to MA in November and since I have been here. I havent been able to find any kind of support group. My own nurse practitioner has referred me out to Lahey since she isnt a Bariatric nurse. I need support I also noticed I have been slipping not staying on schedule with the vitamins and protein shakes. I know all of this that I am saying is probably why I am not losing. I just really need some emotional support from those that might understand. This is hard for me to just blabb openly about this but I realized if anyone would understand people here would. I am very happy with my progress dont get me wrong. Its just that as soon as my body reached 30lbs from goal it was like it just hit a road block, so then frustrations set in and lack of motivation also sets in. I am looking for a jump start. Amy

Amy; It's good to see you posting again. Start hanging out again regularly. My surgical support group is 90 miles from where I live and work, so I don't get to make it every month, but OH helps me fill in the gaps. Do you have a PDA or an alarm on your watch? You could set reminders/alarms for yourself to get you back on track with your vitamins and protein. I do this throughout the day for my vitamins and it's helped me a lot. You didn't mention exercise in your post. Are you doing any? Try adding a 1/2 hour activity to your day. It will not only help you lose the last 30 lbs, but it will help get those endorphins moving and help with the depression. You've come so far! I know you can go all the way. Blessings, Jennifer

Thank you Jennifer, Yeah the exercise has taken a back seat lately which I know it shouldnt. My husband and I where talking about that at dinner tonight. Amy

You are not alone girl.... i havent lost anything in around 4 or more months. my dr said its kinda normal for one year out and it will pick up again soon... this far out we just have to work a little harder for it than we did at first. If you cant find a support group around where you live maybe you could start one. you know if you are out there looking of one there are probably others. Maybe you could start one up and let people know (drs offices etc.) and get a network of others locally. I come here every day. i dont post alot but i never miss checking the boards here and some times several times a day. it has really helped me as i dont have alot of time to go to support groups even though there are several in my area. Also have you ever thought of being an Angel for some one else? that really helps.. some times it refreshes your memory on what we tend to let slip away as the months roll by. It has really helped me to support and encourage others. You may not realize what a treasure trove of info you could be to others. Good Luck and Happy Holidays. Carla

Thank you Carla. Back in California I was a facilitator and I also went to a seperate place where I wasnt the leader of the group. But here in MA I havent found anything yet. I was told there are people here but I am very new still to MA. Thank you so much for all the ideas. Amy

Hi Amy I am from MA and I attend Dr. Randall's support group for RNY. He holds them at Lawrence Memorial Hospital in Medford. It is probably 30-45 minutes away from you. The hospital is very easy to find. I don't go every month but I try to get to them frequently. Newton and Wellsely Hospital also offers support groups and that would probably be 20-30 minutes away from you. There are many support groups that are fairly local to you. You may want to start or increase your exercise roiutine. I have not lost much weight in the last 3 months but have gone down two sizes since September. If you want you and I could be e-mail buddies or meet sometime in person. Feel free to contact me at [email protected]. Good Luck! Janet

Amy, some perspective is needed here. You have lost 100 lb in a year. That is phenomonal. The stall is worrisome I know, but IF you have been following your post-op diet and excercising, then you are doing nothing wrong. Our bodies sometimes need time to catch up to our weight loss. You have said that you have not been excercising. I am not a fan of excercising, perhaps like you, but you know that you have NOT done all you should be doing to lose weight. You know you have to move your body to burn calories. Instead of being frustrated, DO what you know you have been avoiding. Move your body with excercise, review your diet if you have not strictly been following the post-op diet. You know that wls is not a miracle cure for obesity, we must do our parts to lose these cumbersome lbs. Good luck.