How do you deal with the fear of weight loss stopping?

Hey all, got kinda a strange question here. I am 1 year out and 7 months pregnant. I have lost a total of about 170 lbs before I leveled out at 206 in november. Now I know that this is because of the pregnancy, and I am completly ok with that. The problem I have been having is a creeping fear that once I have the baby, I will not be able to continue on with the weight loss due to the fact of my body stabling out. Now I know that weight loss with the rny can go on for up to 2 years, but I find that this preys more and more on my mind. I mean most of us have tried the excersise thing before the surgery and it didnt work. That doesn't mean that it won't now. I know that, but it is a fear. So I find myself starting to pay more and more attention to the diet pills advertised on TV, and thinking about lowering my healthy goal weight (145-155) even more. I have heard the horror stories of people who have become so obsessed with weight loss that they just dont know when to stop, so I guess my question is this. Do you have these fears? If you do how do you deal with them? Ok and thanks for taking the time to read this! sharl

I believe you kind of have to listen to your body. Your body may not get as small as you want to get. The farther out you get it is harder to lose but the tool is always there. If you eat right and exercise you can lose no matter how far out you are. After a year exercise becomes very important. If you dont move you aint gonna lose. It is not unual to get to a low point and gain a little back. I got down to 199 which was my goal but I did not stay there long. My body thought that was to small. I regained about 30 pounds and have lost 10 so I still need to lose 20 more to get back to 199. I am increasing my exercise but I am not obsessing about the weight. I just dont want to buy larger clothes.. I probably will get back to 199 again in time but if I dont it is no big deal. Most people do regain a little weight back. That is normal you just have to not let yourself gain too much back. Remember a lot of us have always been fat. Myself I was never skinny and even at 220 for a 6 foot old man that is not too bad. I fit into regulare size clothes and I dont look too bad. If I lose the last 20 pounds it is not going to make me any healthier it is just my vanilty/

I don't subscribe to the notion that there is a "honeymoon" period of weight loss or a "window"..and once that is gone it is gone. WLS is a tool. Use it wisely and it will benefit you... if you don't learn how to deal with your food issues then it will rise up and bite you on the hindend down the line. Early on it is easier to loose the weight for many reasons. We are so overweight that the sudden restriction of food intake coupled with the malabsorbtion issues makes it all but a given to happen. The further out we get the more our body acclimates to the surgery. Plus the closer you get to goal weight the slower the weight is to come off... If you never deal with the food issues that made you heavy in the first place you come to a point where you will BE FORCED to deal with them or you will start to regain. I'm not talking about a slight increase in weight... I'm talking about the folks that are crying out months/years after having WLS and finding that they are gaining massive amts. of weight back. Why? For the most part it is because they didn't deal with their issues. Very few folks have true medical issues that cause this regain no matter what they say. YOU HAVE TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR ACTIONS... if you don't then don't start looking around to blame someone or something. Instead look at the reflection in the mirror!... Pills are not going to work sweetie... if they did then most of us wouldn't of needed this surgery in the first place right? That doesn't mean to forego the good supplements...and vitamins. That isn't the same as a diet pill.... I routinely make sure that I get my fresh ground flax in...along with all my vitamins, minerals and I even take some herbal supplements.... I do NOT do diet pills.... and I have never felt this good in my entire life!... WLS is not a quick fix.. just remember it is a tool.... Best wishes on your little one on the way! Elizabeth~

It isn't a strange question at all. The research regarding pregnancy after weight loss surgery along with post-pregnancy weight loss is actually quite positive, and the weight loss can and will continue on as before. There actually is a "golden window of opportunity" or a "honeymoon period", whatever term you want to call it. In short, this is due to lots of physiological adjustments made by your body immediately after surgery some due to malabsorption and your body just metabolizing food differently. Everyone's "window" is of different durations. You already took advantage of that opportune time (170 pounds??!!!). So you have the best of both - much of your early post-op maximum weight loss period plus now a healthy pregnancy and baby!!! The great news is the research also bears that after pregnancy, you'll be able to lose your pregnancy weight and continue on with your weight loss as long as you make the lifestyle changes you would have been making anyway. Your surgery is like your shadow - it's always there! Take comfort in knowing because of your surgery you will have a healthier pregnancy and healthier baby than before surgery. Enjoy every day of your pregnancy and just know that once the baby is here that you'll pick up where you quite successfully left off in losing weight and your healthy lifestyle. It is perfectly normal and actually great to have those concerns. Those concerns are what will propel you forward in continuing to lose weight and be a healthy mom for your new baby. Sometimes fears can paralyze us but they also can motivate us to do better. By your post, my safe bet is that you will use yours to motivate you!! Congratulations on your pregnancy and soon-to-be baby! Please let us know when you have the baby. Cathy ObesityHelp Support Group Leader

Hey guys just wanted to say thanks for taking the time to answer... I did read everything, and do hope to continue my weight loss after the baby.. Excersice luckily wasnt much of a problem here till they grounded me to my bed for the kiddo. Ah well, just means I'll have to do it again after. Anyway been listing to everyone on the board, so wanted to say hi, and sorry it took me a couple of days to post again, been a long couple of weeks... 7 months down and only 2 to go! sharl