I need help

I had surgery in Aug 07. When I started I weigh 331 and I have lost 104 pounds.  I still have a lot of weight to lose but for the past 2 months I have only lost 2 pounds.  I am getting frustrated because I don't want the losing to stop.  Being 8 months out what should my calorie intake be.  I struggle on a daily basis to get all my fluids in, could this be holding me back.  I am really at a lost and need ya'll help to get me back on the losing bench.  Don't get me wrong I am very proud of myself to have lost 104 pounds in 8 months but now that I see how much better I feel I just don't want to feel like I could not accomplish this task as well.  Any suggestion will greatly be appreciated.  Thanks Becky

Hello my surgery sister!   At my 6 month post-op visit with Dr. Baker, he increased my calorie goal to 1000 calories per day and my "meal" size to 6 - 8 tablespoons per meal (and for the 1 snack we are allowed per day).   The not getting in enough fluid WILL hold you back.  You HAVE to get in all your fluids, even though it is NOT comfortable physically to do it at first.  I recently (in the last couple of months) increased my fluid from 48 to 64 ounces minimum per day and the first couple of days were almost painful.   Also, start coming to every support group meeting.  Studies show that those that attend more than 5 support groups per year lose more weight and MAINTAIN more weight loss than those that do not. 

Wendy, I need some stats on support groups, tell me where you are getting your data, I need a copy of it please. Thanks AmyBeth

It's on my profile under my story where I started a list of tips for success.  It's # 2.  I'll cut/paste here though.  (My sources are at the bottom.  Please tell me if you find a dead link so I can fix it.) 2. Attend support group meetings regularly. 
            Regular attendance to monthly support group meetings produces MULTIPLE benefits: emotional support, practical advice/tips, continuing education and fellowship.  
But it also produces physical benefits as well.  
             Research has shown that regular attendance (>5 per year) to support group meetings has been linked to increased weight loss after RNY.  The difference in weight lost between post-ops attending or not attending support group meetings is seen after 
the initial 6 months post-op.  In addition, research has shown that an increase in the frequency of support group attendance has been shown to increase weight loss.  
See below:

Post-op Time:	Excess Weight Loss for RNYers attending support group meetings regularly	Excess Weight Loss for RNYers NOT attending support group meetings regularly
2 weeks	10.5%	11.3%
6 weeks	21.4%	21.8%
3 months	30.9%	31.8%
6 months	45.4%	41.3%
9 months	53.6%	45.2%
12 months	55.5%	47.1%

Source:             http://www.soard.org/article/S1550-7289(07)00087-1/abstract 
                        http://www.soard.org/medline/record/MDLN.9819086 

Weightloss does slow.  I don't know if my weightloss slowed that much because I only weigh when I go to the doctor. Do you walk?  I walk every other day and it keeps me losing. My doctor told me the first year is a gift; that you will lose pretty much the bulk of your weight, and going into the second year, you need to work at it.  I would say increase your water, eat protein first, measure your food, and avoid slider foods, and walk.  The hardest thing for me is to eat protein because it feels me up so quickly, and then if I eat what I'm supposed to, I am uncomfortable, which  means, I try to eat soft foods, easy on my pouch.  Lately, though, I have been pumping the protein and have noticed my new pants really falling off of me.  No matter what the food is, I don't eat over 3/4ths of a cup. 

Congrats on the loss!! I am only 2 weeks post op and your story is encouraging!!  My doc toldd me that after the first year I would hit a slow time and not lose as much, but to exercise and keep eating right and it will pick back up.  A change in diet, like picking up a new food or cutting out an old one and mixing up your exercise may help.  And water water water.  I wish you the very best.   I am from Damacus as well I used to live there years ago and still go often as a matter of fact going to bee branch this weekend lol.  Anyway just wanted to say Hi and wish you every sucess. Ann

Hi Becky, I read your post yesterday, barely, and couldn't really see well enough to post, but today is better. I wholeheartedly agree with everything the others said, and if you want, send me some of your sample menus in a PM and I'll look them over for you. Congratulations on a job well done, so far. Now, let's keep that train on track!!

I am not very computer savey so you can explain how to PM I would love the help

On the line below, where you would click on "reply" is a button "contact".  Just click on that and it will take you to a screen like the one you post on, and it will come to me privately.  If you  give me a sampling of a couple of "normal" days of eating I'll see what I can suggest.

Just checking in to see how you're doing?  I'm having my gallbladder surgery tomorrow, but will be home Thursday afternoon. Will have lots of time to chat on Friday, so I'll send you my phone # in a private message and you can call me.  Take care