What am I doing wrong?

Well I just got reading the post of "Where are you now?" and I am just bit worried that I am doing something terribly wrong. When I had surgery, I weighed 354. I know why anywhere from 276 and 281 depending on the day. I have been at this since August. I keep losing and gaining the same 5 lbs. So my total weight loss is only 78 lbs. My doctor says that I am losing on the slow side, but up until August I was losing the same amount consistantly. He thinks that my new development of my hernia may be part of the problem. I started developing this hernia probably around 3-4 months post op and never knew what it was. It is about the size of a softball and is hard as a rock and it sits in my upper abdomin (sp?). I just assumed it was part of my weight that I just haven't lost yet. At my 9 mth post op appointment, I ask my dr when I was going to start losing in that area. He looks at it and said "when I repair it". Surprise to me, I wasn't even in any pain until he started poking me. When I questioned about my weight loss, he told me that part of the problem maybe where my hernia is sitting that it is pushing on my pouch. I have been able to eat quite a bit of food that I do not feel is normal and I do not feel the full feeling anymore. He also said that was due to my hernia pushing on my pouch. It doesn't help that I have not been able to excerise much beyond my swimming, due to discomfort and pain. Walking causes me back pain, which will end after surgery (breast reduction ya know?) I am having surgery on Dec. 7 for my hernia repair, Tummy tuck, and breast reduction. Just thought if someone has had similar experiences or if I could get some advice about what I may be doing wrong. I know my weight loss slowed way down after my excerise routine had to be modified. Advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

Chris - I don't really know what to say except you are not alone and there are many others who are slower losers as well. Just think you are 78 pounds closer to your goal. Just to ask a few questions (if you don't mind): 1. What are you eating (what's a typical food day)? How many calories per day? How many fats and carbs? Are you snacking or grazing? 2. What are you drinking? Soda? Water? 3. Are you careful not to eat and drink at the same time and wait at least 45 minutes after you eat to drink? My advice is to go back to the basics. Stick to under 800-900 calories a day, low fats and low carbs. Drink at least 100 oz of water a day and NO SNACKING AND ABSOLUTELY NO GRAZING. Stick to 3 meals a day. This should really kick start your weight loss. Swimming is great exercise. I understand the back pain but whatever you can do for walking would be an added benefit for your weight loss. However if swimming is all you can do, do it 7 days a week - start burning those calories. Perhaps after the hernia repair and breast reduction you will be able to kick start your weight loss. Regarding the tummy tuck, don't be surprised if you need a revision after you lose another 75-100 pounds! Good luck to you, and I sure hope that weight starts coming off again. Also, best of luck on Dec 7th! Kim 347/174.5/???

I will try and answer your questions as best as I can. 1. Typical day B-Protein shake, decaf coffee w/cream & sweet/low L-Chix breast (or other meat) 4oz, 3oz cottage cheese, veggie s-1cup popcorn D-4oz meat, sometimes 2oz rice, & veggie 2. I drink water at work all day. I have a 64oz cup that I add a little crystal light in and it is may goal to have that gone by the time I leave work. I do treat myself to either a diet caffeine free Dr. Pepper or Pepsi in the evening. But otherwise it is crystal lite or plain water. 3. I do drink with my meal by taking sips. I have never been able to eat without drinking. so I do take maybe 2-3 sips during a meal (sometimes a few more depending on how dry my meat is). I know I may have to get a revision of my tummy tuck, but we just found out that my insurance will no longer be covering plastic surgery for gastric bypass patients. they are viewing it as strictly cosmetic as of Jan. 1. So I have decided to get removed what I can now, and worry about the rest as it comes. I would rather get what I can removed now, then wait and find out I can not afford to do any of it. I have enough loose skin now, that my dr actually recommended do this now due to my back pain and rashes. This summer was not a good one with the rashes under my loose skin. I got the same advice from someone else, go back to liquids for a couples days and work back up from there just like in the beginning. Re-train myself so to speak.

Hi Chris. You definitely want to look at your calories to be sure you are not taking in too much. It doesn't look like it but when you put it all down on the paper you might be surprised of your caloric intake. In my opinion during this critical weight loss stage you really want to keep your calories low. Do you use fitday? (www.fitday - it will add up your calories, carbs, fats, protein, etc. based on the foods you intake.) Really do your best not to drink with your meals - (1) it washes the nutrients through and (2) it washes the food through which makes you more hungry. You definitely need to get back to the basics and I wish you the best of luck. A few days of just liquids may be the trick. I'm doing a 2 day of only protein shakes to cleanse my body of the junk food I ate yesterday on Halloween so join me! You can do this Chris and I wish you the best of luck. Like I said I really hope that the surgery in December will kick start your weight loss. Getting that hernia out, taking off some tummy skin and removing some excess breast skin will definitely add up to some pounds lost and give you the motivation to keep it going by keeping to a low calorie diet and exercise when the doctor clears you. I'm just letting you know what has worked for me (may not work for you) and I've lost 172.5 pounds so far. Take care.

I think you are doing fine and that you need to take care of your surgeries before you stress too much. I would ask your dr. to check out your pouch and the opening to your intestines while he is in there. that way you know it's all ok. Aside from that I would wait to judge your weightloss until you are healed from these surgeries. Just take good care of yourself because I have seen bad experiences with tummy tucks on people that are still overweight. Best wishes!!! Shawna