I'M A FAILURE

You mentioned you were unable to attend Dr Phol's support meetings. I am not sure if you have class every Thursday but we changed the meetings to the 4th Thursday which is this coming Thrusday. I hope you can make it. Shannon

Thanks Shannon. But I do have school every thursday. I am just hoping that Megan can get a support group going in south county area. I'm in Exeter so having one closer would be nice. joanne

Hi Joanne, As the others who have responded to your posted, I think you look fantastic. What number were you shooting for on the scale? At 5'11 and a size 12, it sounds like you are pretty close to where you "should" be. Are you sure that your goal number is realistic? Have you mentioned your frustrations to your surgeon? Please consider that how you are feeling right now could be a function of the surgery. Everything that your body has been through throws off the chemical balances in both your body and your brain. I'm not implying that this is something that is "in your head" ( I HATE when people assume that!), but if any of your blood chemistry is off, then it could be adding to your feelings of frustration, and depression. Please give some thought to calling your surgeon, and asking him to check your blood work. If nothing else, it will tell you if you are getting what you need, and he may be able to help you adjust your food to help you all around. Good luck with everything, but most of all, don't give up looking for the answers that will help you get through this. Kristen J.

I am shooting for 160. Believe me, I have MUCH more to lose. I am 197 today! From 189. But that might be a lot of salt too. Who knows. I have been eating like a pig too. When mentioned to the doc, he says I am fine where I am. BUT I AM NOT HAPPY WHERE I AM! As for my blood, I was just tested completely by my PCP for everything. Everythign came back normal except two things. My calcium is a little high and she is a bit concerned about my thyroid test. It was 3.3. I am being retested on Wednesday to see if it has changed. Otherwise, I do not lack anything. Joanne

Hey Joanne, Your thyroid being off could be the answer to everything. Low thyroid can cause depression, and of course weight gain. Keep on top of that and let us know how it goes. I know when my thyroid is off, I can really feel it, but only because I know what to pay attention to. Good luck! Kristen J.

Hi Joanne, You are not a failure, none of us are. Some of us just lose faster than others. Everyone of us is different, trust me I have HIGH expectations of the surgery when I had it done, and now if I oly could get out of a size 18 and down to a 12 or 14, I would be extremely happy, but ya know what I am happy with what I have lost, just wish that it was more. I understand your frustration, even though I am almost 2 years out, I have been on a plateau for quite some time and at my last visit with Dr. Pohl, he suggested I try hyptnosis, which I feel works, if you have the time to listen the tapes the hyptnotherapist provides, I have to tell you I enjoy going, but I fall asleep listening to the tapes at home and I am not home during the day to listen them properly. My blood pressure keeps remmaining relatively high, not high enough for meds but high, just as my cholesterol does as well and I eat pretty healthy. I have lost 105lbs, but have gained 7 back, keeping my weight at about 220-225. I want to lost atleast 50-60 more, but its not going to be easy. I too, plan on starting the liquid diet for a week and see what happens, I just came back yesterday from Ft. Benning, Ga, from seeing my brother graduate from boot camp and he is now in Alaska and all I felt like I did was eat while I was away, I realize and it upsets me to know end, but how do you stop yourself, thats the hardest thing. If you need some one to talk to, please do not hesitate to email me. Melissa

Joanne, I'm so sorry that you're feeling down. I understand that you're disappointed with 80 lbs, because it often seems as though EVERYONE is losing faster than we are, more than we are, etc., but that's often far less true than it appears. I noticed that you mention "grazing" in a couple of your posts. I suspect that may be part of the problem. Is it possible for you to set up a more rigid schedule for eating, and not eat between meals? I know from experience that grazing can kill us - we end up eating far more than we think we are. Between meals, what else can you do besides eat? I've taken up crafts and other hobbies that I deliberately pick up if I'm bored, etc. It really helps to keep me out of the cupboard! I hope you begin feeling better. I also just started Walk Away the Pounds, and I can tell you that it's a great way to get your metabolism up. There's nothing complicated about it, and it's as effective as any aerobics tape I've ever tried. It also sounds to me like you may have some form of Seasonal Affective Disorder. Have you ever spoken to your doctor about depression? Winter is a common time for people to feel like all they want to do is hibernate. There's nothing wrong with that in general, unless it interferes with your life, and then it's worth pursuing medically. I'm not trying to diagnose you here, but I have a very good friend who goes through SAD every winter, and I see some similarities. Good luck to you. I hope that you can get your eating on track and begin feeling better about the great success that you've had so far! Jackie

I CAN UNDERSTAND HOW YOU FEEL...I HAVE THE SAME PROB....I HAVE ASKED FOR SOME HLP. FROM OUR PEERS NOTHING SO FAR BUT PLS. DON'T GIVE UP YOU ARE A BEAUTIFUL PERSON......I KNOW AND FEEL STAYING FOCUSED WILL BE ONE THE THINGS WE NEED TO DO TO GET BACK ON TRACK......AND DO THE PROTEINS DAILY AND OMIT EATING THE THINGS WE SHLD. NOT EAT IF THAT MIGHT BE THE CASE FOR YOU IT IS FOR ME I CRAVE SWEETS SOOOOOOOOOO MUCH IT IS SO OUT OF CONTROL.....I DO WALK 3MLS. PER DAY AT LEAST 4 TO 5 DAYS A WEEK I NEED TO INCREASE THAT...I DON'T WANT TO BE A COMPLETE FAILURE I DO FEEL THAT IS STILL A CHANCE FOR US....SINCERELY CHRISTINE.....HOLD YOUR HEAD UP HIGH AND LETS TAKE CONTROL OF THIS MOSTER THATS PREVENTING US FROM REACHING OUR GOAL...