6 Months out....not eating much but not losing weight?

Actually Im a little over 6 months out now. My pre surgery weight was 351. Right now Im somewhere around 270. For the first two months my weight dropped like a rock. The second two months it slowed considerably but I still was losing weight. Ive been at about the same weight for almost 3 months now. I did a very detailed log of my caloric and protein intake and I tend to eat 5 or 6 small meals per day. By small I mean something like 250 calories at a time most of the time much less. I average at least 100 grams of protein per day. Over a 3 week period I averaged 1200 calories per day yet I gained 4 pounds. My belly has become very soft where it used to be much harder. I assume this means Im retaining fluid? I take a blood pressure pill everyday and without it I would probably have a stroke retaining all this water. My diabetes almost completely resolved itself just after surgery and is now coming back. A recent check at my brothers house was 271 and it was running 80 to 105 every time I checked it prior to that. Im not sure what is going on with me... Ive noticed if I dont eat regularly I get light headed. I dont have to eat much but I feel like I cant go more than a few hours without something to eat. This isnt like before when I would go all day without eating. I could never do that now. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

The 2 things that immediately come to mind- have your thyroid checked ( a TSH level) and when was the last time you had a HGB A1C drawn ( the long term diabetic test)??? It almost sounds like something is going on metabolically....Are you exercising? I know I hold steady if I do not exercise. Don't get frustrated- touch base with both your surgeon and your nut. for their input. Good luck, Sheila

First, congratulations on your success so far!

My advice to you would be just try to get back to basics.  Stay away from your high carbohydrates:  sugar, bread, pasta, potatoes, rice and focus on your high protein foods.  You say you average 1200 calories/day.  Try journaling everything you eat.  Log it in at Fitday.com and keep track of it. Do you drink alcohol?  If so, it turns to pure sugar in your bloodstream. Also, pick up the pace on your exercise routine.  Walk further faster, carry two soup cans, one in each hand while you walk.  You'll be surprised at the significant difference that makes. Are you still doing your protein shakes?  Try replacing 2 of those meals with a protein shake.  Not the most fun, but by far, the most effective. I pray this was helpful! Diane

I second Sheila's advice on every point. Please do call your Dr's office.

Barb

Since surgeons don't do much more than surgery I would definitely get my PCP on board.  I was at my surgeon's this week for my one-month post-op and advised him I had a bladder infection and all he could do was refer me to one of those walk-in clinics to get testing done!  I went straight to my PCP who took me without an appt, and got the care I needed. Wishing you all the best, do keep us posted.

I would definately call your surgeon as well as your NUT.  Even thou you are eating 1200 calories and gained... could be you arnt eatin balanced. Its important to make sure you stick to the nutritional guidelines and stay within (not over) how much protein, carbs, fat you should eat a day. I stopped losing at around 9 months... I tried everything for weeks and weeks the scale didnt move...went to the NUT and guess what? I was eating TOO MUCH protein.... I followed her advice and in just two weeks dropped 11lbs... simple little changes can do so much. The biggest advice I can give... make sure you are eating your veggies! I find that is the hardest for me but makes the biggest different when it comes to losing/maintaing and also WATCH YOUR FAT! I was eat way too much fat... (mostly from cheese)... you get stuck focusing on the protein sometimes you forget about keeping an eye on everything else!