unhappy tears

I just couldn't contain myself any more - all my feelings - just came running out as I cried unhappy tears last night.  

I've gained 45 lbs doing everything I possibly can - exercising 2x a day, low-carb, no sugar, small meals (1,000-1,200), no dairy, no refined foods, low sodium, no processed foods or TV dinners, I make everything from scratch.  You name it, I'm doing everything right. 

All this and I continue to gain.  I had repair surgery 3 months ago and I've gained 15 lbs for a total of 45 lbs since last October.   What upsets me is I ate terrible with my 1st surgery - candy bars, sodas, slider foods, chips, cookies, everything I wasn't supposed to eat and I lost 125 lbs in less than 2 years.  I went from January - October without exercising or caring what I put in my mouth and eating exactly what I craved, yet I didn't gain any way.  Since last October however, I've stopped that and have taken baby steps to where I don't even think about sweets anymore and I'm eating healthy.  Yet, I'm gaining. I just don't get it.

I would say I have depression, I'm emotional, unstable - I just don't have the answers or why my body is fighting with me.  on top of all this, I've had swollen legs, ankles and feet for the past 3 weeks or so. I got tested for diabetes today because I just don't know what else to do.  I have to wait 24-48 hours to find out the results.

My only shred of hope is that I have my 2nd fill this Thursday.

I don't need sympathy, I just want answers and want to know why I cannot do it like all the rest of you.  I've done it before, why not now???? 

I am so sorry your dr didn't tell you about fills and some people need 0 and others several to reach the spot where there are full!!     I might suggest 75% of each meal be protein and the rest a low carb veggie or fruit, or snack.
Hang in there!!  and keep posting away for help!

You don't have my sympathy.....you have my empathy!!  My body works much the same way!!  I am thinking of getting my thyroid thoroughly checked, I just can't figure out what else to do. 

You are already eating low carb, so I can't imagine the swelling is caused by that.  I hope you don't have diabetes.  I have had it since the age of 29, but after losing my first 50 pounds I no longer need medication to control my sugar. 

Yes, have your thryoid checked.  I had that done 3 months ago, but I was not outside the range to get prescription. It was on the inactive side, but not outside the range.  I would ask for a full thyroid workup with antibodies.  It's important that you get the full one. It tells them more and gets a better picture.

Okay, my thoughts are that something might be really wrong (glad they are running tests).  If you are following protocol to the letter, and it seems per your post that you completely are, it is CRAZY that you are not losing weight at this point.  With all of those food restrictions, I would think that even a non-WLS patient would lose weight on this kind of program.  Did you have the same revision surgery as me (band-over-bypass)?  I would love to help you on your journey in any way I can.  Please feel free to send me a personal message if you'd like.  I would really like to know how your labs came back.  Did they just test for diabetes or do a full WLS panel (like 9 viles of blood is my usual labs)?  In the meantime, HUGE hugs to you...I know the disappointment of weight gain and it SUCKS.  I'm here if you need me, every step of the way!!! 

Your so nice Lisa.

I agree I don't know why your not losing weight... low or no low carb .. calories in vs out.. I use myfitnesspal to track and thought I don't lose 5 pounds a week I lose it that much usually a month with minimal effort when I really hit it hard on my food intake and exercise regimine I lose more.

 

Lisa, thank you for reaching out. I appreciate it tears fill up my eyes once again.  No one gets me, yet thinks they have the answers.  Yes, I too believe something has to be really wrong in order for this all to be happening. 

My 1st surgery was the band and my revision was just to correct the band - it had slipped down. So, my second surgery was also the band. 

I went to my local clinic (paid thru my employer) and she took 2 viles of blood.  She is going to do the full work up, including thyroid test.  She said the 1st test will tell us if my blood sugar is high and then if it is, she will run the diabetes test.  I also had my full thyroid with antibodies test done about a month ago. I was more on the inactive side, but not enough to get a prescription. I would have to go to a hollogentic doctor to get a more accurate test - thus more money.  I didn't know about the WLS panel work up.  My WLS doctor is pretty useless when it comes to doing anything other than giving me fills and taking my money.  If I don't get any answers with this, I will do the WLS panel work up. Guess that's something that can be done thru my primary care physician.

My exercising doesn't seem to make any difference like it used to, especially since I have no routine.  I walk 2-3 miles 4-5 days a week during my lunch hour.  I also take 1 hour group exercises at my local YMCA.  Mondays are Kickboxing, Tuesdays are water aerobics, Wednesdays are Zumba, Thursdays water aerobics and Saturdays either zumba or water aerobics.  Between all that, that's like going to the gym 2x a day and each work out is an 1 hr long. 

I've worked thru cravings and have defeated a lot of bad food habits and behaviour.  I know the 1st fill is starting to take some effect - I do feel it making me more satisfied between meals - I eat eggs w/ salsa in the morning, walk 2-3 miles before lunch and I don't eat lunch till 1:00.  I usually have some type of veggies before my workouts.  I log all my food intake and am accountable for everything. 

Again, thank you for reaching out. No one seems to understand and I've tried to explain my situation on here but no one gets it or thinks I'm lying and not telling the whole truth. It's all out there.  My friends wonder why I continue with all my efforts, like how I can continue to do all this work with no results.  I think to myself "Where would I be if I didn't?"

I completely understand!  I mean, if you were to choose to NOT be diligent with diet and exercise, imagine where you would be.  Unfortunately, "outsiders" just don't get the whole process and struggles with WLS.  Most just expect you to have the surgery and all of the sudden be thin.  It just doesn't work that way people!

Sorry to hear that your surgeon is not helpful when it comes to issue (but really helpful when it comes time to make a payment to him/her, I'm sure.)  I am lucky to have my surgeon and staff.   And yes, your PCP will definitely be able to help you get that labwork done (which I highly recommend) but you will probably have to give THEM a list of what you would like done.  It's as simple as your PCP checking the boxes on the lab slip.  I will try to find recent lab results of mine so I can give you a list of what panels to ask them to do for you.  Trust me, the local clinic's "full work up" is probably way different, so it is worth a shot to ask for additional tests.  Once you get those back, you can post the results on OH and I'm sure one of the vitamin "experts" can review and advise of any deficiencies and even symptoms that relate to those deficiencies.  Should give you something to compare to and see if your symptoms are similar, you know?

I have to say that your diet & exercise regimen is strict and diligent...there is no way you would not be losing weight doing what you are doing - unless it is a thyroid issue, diabetes or something of the like.  Stay strong until you can figure this out and keep up the regimen in the meantime.

Hugs!!

Sounds horrible and I'm so sorry to hear! Can I ask you what type of surgery you revised from? I'm guessing RNY and you got a band put over it? If that's the case then I can only imagine the easy loss the first time was due to malabsorbtion. I'm so sorry you're gaining with such a strict diet. It's definitely not fair but maybe there is something truly wrong that you'll find the answer to.

Thank you for your concern.  My first surgery and revision surgery were both lap-band surgeries. My band slipped down and required revision surgery to be corrected. I'm probably using the wrong term to describe my 2nd surgery - sorry!  So, yeah all that junk food and still lost weight. I lost 100 lbs after 13 months and the last 25 came off about 8 months later.  I still needed to lose another 30 lbs and that's when the band slipped.

I've also been extremely careful with the band this time around.  I haven't pushed it by any means, but everything I eat, especially dry, dense meat goes down just fine.