Surgery didn't work for me !!

I had surgery on Dec 1, 2003 and I have only lost 50 lbs in 6 months. I am sometimes referred to as a lightweight which I hate. I am 5'8 and my starting weight was 250 and I have been at 200 for the last 6 weeks. I can't take this disappointment and was wondering if anyone else has experienced this. Thanks for any help you may offer!!

I'm so sorry that you feel so disappointed. Afraid that I'm still pre-op, so I have to great insight to impart. Perhaps it's just a long plateau? I'm sure the great people here will be more than willing to help you figure out what is going on. Take care!

I'm sorry you are having a rough time at it. Can you tell us how much protein you get a day? How about calories? I know that if you get too few that will put your body into starvation mode and weight loss will stop or at the very least slow way down. Too many and you will gain. Do you drink when you eat? This will wash food out of your pouch and you will be able to eat more (more calories) and more often. How much do you work out? Do you graze between meals? Do you eat lots of white carbs such as pasta, rice, or white breads? How much water do you drink a day (80 or more oz.)? All of these can effect your weight loss. Maybe you should talk to your surgeon to see if you have a problem with the pouch or stoma. Hang in there and keep us updated on how you are doing. Sidney

I don't understand why you say it didn't work. If you've lost 50 lbs - then SOMETHING worked. Are you following Dr's orders? Do you exercise? It's also well known that the bigger you are the faster you loose. So don't be discouraged if you're called a "light weight". The surgery isn't a "magic diet" you have to work at loosing the weight. If you're serious - and you work at staying on a low carb high protein diet then you should loose weight. It's also about portion control. I know this isn't easy and I'm only 3 weeks out - but you have to work at the diet.... Keep your head up...keep working at it....it will start to come off again! Besides....everyone hits pleatues....maybe adding carbs for a few days will trigger it to come off when you cut them back out!!! Heads up and God bless!!!

I've read that when folks get into the situation you're in they go back to the 2nd week food plan - the one you were on two weeks post-op. Take it back to the basics. Your exercise level is critical, as is keeping a journal of what you eat. What does your surgeon say about your plateau? Don't give up - you've come too far now for that. Revisit your post-op papers, check in with your support group and especially your surgeon. This surgery will help you lose weight, but it won't magically take it off. When things get tough, the tough get going, and you are a tough person already to have gone as far as you have!!!! STAY POSITIVE AND DON'T LET YOUR BRAIN TELL YOU YOU'RE A FAILURE!!!!!

I also can't find your profile page!!! Help!!!

Sheri, I would also suggest having a consultation with your nutritionist. My nutritionist made it clear to me to go meet with him anytime to see if I'm on the right track and get back on track if needed. If I were in your shoes, that's what I'd do. Good luck! Karel

Sheri, I agree with all of the advice offered above but also...have you spoke with Dr Duncan's office about this? Are you able to eat large amounts of food? Are you always hungry? If you can....Have you been scoped by a Gastroenterologist to see if your stoma may be enlarged and passing food through too quickly? Dr Duncan is now able to perform a surgery to correct an enlarged stoma. Infact he spoke with one of my fellow support group members about this problem and said he could correct it. Please give us more information. Tonya