Weight Gain

Hi Everyone- I guess I am writing looking for support and prayers. I do have to say I am embarrassed in writing this. The last two weeks I have gained 6 pounds at 14 months post-op. I don't know if it is actual weight or if I am swollen from the plastic surgery or if it is because I started run/walking and lifting weights again. I am not sure, but I am so upset over this. I haven't been sleeping at night either, because I am so afraid that I am going to gain all the weight back. I also question if it is from putting fruit (frozen strawberries) in my protein shakes. I am wondering if the fruit is making me crave more and thus eating more and then adding on the pounds. I am not sure what the answer is or if it is a combination of everything. Any suggestions? I want to nip this in the butt now!!! I wish there was a support meeting this week, I could really use one. Thanks Nicki

Nicki, First, you are an incredible inspiration! Please don't get down. I think you may be right..if you started lifting weights..thats probably just muscle weight you added..but, also a good chance it is swelling from the plastics. Don't they tell you it takes nearly a year for the swelling to stop? If you are more active now..possibly you are swelling a bit more..so soon after surgery? If you continue gaining, then I would be a little concerned. But, what you are gaining..is my average(5-10 lbs) during my cycle. SO, I just refuse to weigh myself during that time. Maybe you should stay away from the scale for a couple of weeks...I know thats easier said then done. As active as you are, I think you will do fine. You are an incredible person...I saw you at the meeting at PMRI where you shared your story..and wanted to thank-you for being so open with the group. Get some sleep! Don't worry just yet. Maybe drink more water to flush out any swelling. Hugs!!!! Kimberly

Awwww Nicki..."You ever know your "our" hero"! Please don't lose sleep over the weight gain or beat yourself up over this.....I know..I know...easier said than done. But the weight gain could be from all the the reasons you stated above. They sound so logical to me. I want you to know you have my support and prayers....I am sure you will find the right answers along w/solutions. Hang in there chickie get some rest and get ready for the week support group mtg...we don't have long. You've come along ways......YOUR NOT GOING BACK THERE!!! (((HUGS))) ~Shay

Nikki.... I met you at the support meeting on March 6th (right after your plastic surgery) and was so encouraged by your accomplishments. You should be proud of yourself and give yourself some credit... your amazing to me! You have come so far, don't let 6 lbs get you down and stressed out. Give your body time to heal from the plastic surgery, it hasn't been that long. Focus on your exercising, I heard the muscle weighs more than fat... maybe your "toning up" lifting those weights. Just think, you'll look great in that bathing suit this summer! THINK POSTIVE! I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers. See you at the next support meeting. ((hugs)) Patti C

Nicki, Nothing to be embarrassed about around here ... it is like a marriage ... we are all in this together ... through thick and thin! *GRIN* We are all here for you to rejoice with you and to hurt with you and to try to lift you up when you are down. Please never hesitate to seek help, support, or simply a virtual hug ... we are all going down the same road, we are just at different mile markers!!! Now about the weight gain ... doc told me that was too much weight at one point to be considered fat weight, he said it was fluid weight. Also, I have read on the main boards where others have struggled with a gain after PS ... your body is retaining a lot of fluids, hense the swelling. Please, please do not let this upset you. Call your ps or gb surgeon and I believe they will tell you the same thing. The swelling is to be expected for a while. There is also a plastic surgery message board where you may be able to hook up with others who have had plastics and they may be able to offer you some comfort and/or advice http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/plasticsurgery/ You asked about the strawberries causing you to be craving and perhaps eating more ... are you eating more? I really doubt it, but to ease your mind ... keep a record for a couple of days and look at it honestly. Are you eating more or are you like some of us who think we are eating tons, but when we write it all down, we realize that we are truly not eating enough? I know that I have struggled to get this weight off and so I spoke to the nutritionist after the meeting the other night and she questioned me on what I was eating and after I told her she told me that I definitely needed to get more calories in. She said I needed to strive for 1000 - 1200 ... I just about had a heart attack just thinking about trying to get that many in ... I just KNEW I would put on weight doing it. But I thought about it like this ... I was not losing while consuming 500 a day .. what did I have to lose but fat if I gave it a try. Well, I did and in the first couple of days I started putting on weight ... I panicked ... sheer panic. But then yesterday I stopped by carb busters and grabbed some protein drinks and a chocolate cover pretzel (350 calories in just one of them) and through out the day I had 2 protein drinks, one chocolate covered pretzel, 2 oz of steak, 1 oz chicken, 2 oz of cheese, 1/4 orange, 6 crackers. More than I have eaten for the past week in one day ... Well scared out of my skull to get on the scales today ... I bit the bullet and jumped on ... and guess what ... I lost 5 pounds!!! Unbelievable!!! Not sure if it was a coincidence or if I truly do need to eat more ... going to keep searching, working, eating correctly and hoping for continued loss. Make sure you are getting in all your protein, water and vitamins ... I always notice a big slow down, stall, or even a gain when I don't get those three things right. But on top of that ... I truly think it is just the fluid retention from the surgery. Please don't worry yourself over it ... you are too beautiful to be putting nasty ole worry wrinkles on your face. BTW - I agree, you are an inspiration to me also ... I am always so excited when I read your story and see your pics!!! But please know that we know and expect there to be times when you too are struggling and needing a friend to help sort it all out. Please do not be embarrassed or concerned to seek help when you need it. Truly we do all understand and even if there is someone who does not, perhaps seeing you post on it will help them/us to all remember that this is a lifetime decision and work .... it does not magically go away because we hit goal. Hugs to you Nicki!!! We all love you and are pulling for you!!! BTW - you looked gorgeous ... could not believe you just had surgery. Keep up the good work and call your doc ... he will help relieve your mind and thus allow you some rest. HUGS, Tammy

Hi Nicki, The others have said ity all and said it so well I'm sure I can't really add anything new to the mix, I just wanted to say you have come so far! Probably since the ps your body is still changing, the weather has been hotter the past few days also and we all know how that can play havoc on retaining fluids. I don't think you could even eat enough at this point to have a "real" weight gain...a fat gain. More than likely just fluids building up for whatever reason, hit the protein and the water hard and I will bet you its gone by mid week. I can sure sympathize with Kimberly's comments about gaining 5-10 pounds of water weight during your cycle. UGH that's the worst. I'm so glad to hear you're working out and taking good care of yourself. None of us are immune to the fears that go along with such rapid changes that are happening with our bodies, but I have confidence in you...from things I have heard you say you are one of the most prepared people I have ever met along the way and you are gonna be great! Linda

I remember seeing you on the panel at last month's support group, in the WNJ article last Sun/Mon, and at last Mondays support group. You are an inspiration to us all and we will certainly remember you in our thoughts and prayers. I truly believe the fact that you are reacting so soon to this shows your great committment. And I'm sure everyone who has responded so far with suggestions are right. I'm pre-op so I can't offer anything more than good wishes.

nicki why don't you go back and write down for a week ever thing you are eating.. just to see what you are doing wrong? but i would think it is from lifting weights.. good luck and hugsssssss

Nicki, It's probably a combination of the surgery and weight lifting. Don't get discouraged! I'm sure everything will even out in a week or so. Best wishes to you! You're still my hero! Deb

Nikki I'm pre-op so I don't have any experience to share, but I agree with all of the above. Also agree with you being a "hero". Hang in there.