Weight Gains

I'm just wonder if anyone that has undergone the Weight Wise Program in Edmonton had gains during the programs and how were they handled.
I am having such a hard time sticking to program and it seems like the more they cut my caloric intake the more I want to eat and I'm so scared to gain weight while on program.
I started in July and so far I have maintained but I constantly have that fear that I will go back for my routine appointment and be up.
Help....any and all sugguestion are welcome.

Keelan:

I would say that my pre-surgery time at the clinic was fraught with weight gains.  Granted, not all the time, but the closer I got to a possible surgery date, the more off my plan I seemed to get. 

Anyway, my first increase occured after Christmas of last year.  I was officially up about 3.5 lbs.  Nothing was said to me about the increase.  I assume that my dietician (Krista) recognized that Christmas was a time when people tend to gain weight.  All I did was continue on my regiment and was able to get down to my lowest weight ever when I was approved for surgery.

My next considerable gain occured about 4 months later when I went in for my post-surgery eating class.  I was up about 8 lbs from my weight when I approved for surgery back in March.  Again, nothing was said until my next appointment two weeks later with my dietican.  By that time, I was up another 4 lbs.  I felt like I was self-destructing.  Krista did tell me that I could not gain anymore weight from this point on.  So, we talked about the issues that I was having and we looked at how to adjust the meal plans.  We also talked about the possibility of going full liquid to get down the weight.  Something that I was not looking forward to.  This was the partial kick in the pants that I needed.  My weight came down slowly and then I maintained.

Now, here is where the story gets scary and totally off the record. My last official clinic visit was early July.  My surgery did not happen until Nov 4.  During that time, I gained significantly.  12.8 lbs by the time I had my preadmission clinic weigh in on Oct 16.  I figured I was dead in the water with this increase and my surgery would be cancelled. 

I spent the next 2.5 weeks worrying about when I would get the call from the clinic saying that I was cancelled.  Fortuantely, it never came and when I weighed in the day before surgery, I was down to my lowest weight ever.  Thanks can go to the 4 week liquid diet that I was on.  I have to attribute that process, along with my willpower and occasional cheating, for getting me onto the operating table.  The rest is history.

With that said, my advice to you is not to sweat the small stuff.  I've heard varying opinions about how staff at the clinic view small increases (up to 1 kg/2.2 lbs).  I think that it depends on your progress and your nurse/dietician.  The clinic staff are human and understand that this whole process is not black and white.  However, do not take my story as a reason to let yourself go.  I admit that I didn't work the program as well as I should have and I could have paid dearly for my indiscretions.  Fortuantely, it still all worked out.  I don't know if it was just luck or the clinic was more lienient on me because I was a 500+ lbs patient.  I don't know.  I'm just glad that it did all work out in the end. 

My one final piece of advice is talk to your dietican.  Call them or see if you can get their email addresss.  Don't wait for you next clinic appointment as sometimes it's 2-3 months away.  Communicate with them about what you are going through, even your slip ups.  Tell them that you are struggling with whatever part.  They can adjust your program (maybe increase your caloric intake, if necessary) as they want you to succeed as much as you do. Plus, for whatever it is worth, you can say that you sought out help when you needed it.  It shows that you are self-aware and concerned for your treatment.

I hope this helps.  If you have any questions, let me know.

Cheers!
-- Xcalibur

Thanks so much for your reply.

I know that life has it's up and down and there are times because of fluid, constipation and if your a woman that dreaded month demon can cause weight gain and its nice to know that even though we are doing the program that it's not as clear as mud and we will still have struggles.
I've never lose weight easily so maintaining is a big deal for me.

I wish you continued success on your journey.