Help!!! What am I doing wrong?????

OK....I had surgery August 2005 at 386 pounds.  I lost about 150 in the first year, and pretty  nothing since then (although I still get people asking me if I have lost weight in the last few months).  Right now I am about 230.  No matter what I do, I don't lose.  I was eating 1,000 calories for months, no loss.  The nutritionist said it wasn't enough, and I should go to 2,000.  I did and lost like 11 pounds in 4 days, then it came right back plus a few.  I exercise, don't lose weight.  I don't exercise, don't lose weight.  I go to 6 Flags and eat fried dough and onion rings all day and los3 6 pounds.  Then I eat salad and grilled chicken and Lean Cuisine meals for a week and play raquetball every day for a week and gain 8 pounds.  I have no idea what I should be doing.  Is it possible I am supposed to be 230-240 lbs?  I am still huge!!!  I am still a size 16. I am 6' tall.  My BMI is still 32, so I am still obese.  I had my body fat tested, and it is 26%, which is normal, they say. What am I doing wrong?  I can't see that 230 pounds can be normal and reasonable for a woman. we had a dieting contest at work (of course, I did not join because it involved weigh-ins), and almost everyone was around 140-150.  How depressing is that?  I am 100 pounds bigger than everyone at work after all of this.  Why am I just stuck for almost a year?? Arrrrrrrggggghhhhhh!!!!!!  I give up! By the way, I cannot figure out how to add picture, but here are my most recent photos, last week at brother's wedding.  I am totally disgusted!!! Carrie

Hi Carrie, I don't have any words of wisdom, but just wanted you to know that your stats are very close to mine, and I feel your pain.  I started at 394 at 6 ft tall and even though I've lost 150 I am so frustrated to still be obese.  I've tried decreasing calories, increasing, etc, and really figured out that for me I have to totally go off all carbs in order to lose.  So now I'm trying to put some protein shakes back in and increase my water and avoid all sugar, flour, etc.  I really had hoped to be at goal by my two year anniversary, which is this coming September. Anyway, I have no solid advice, just some solidarity and a "hang in there".  I wish you continued success on your journey! All the best, Holly

Carrie, I am close to the same stats as you.  I'm 5'10" started at 384, have been stuck in the low 240s since September.  My two year anniversary was last week.  My BMI is 35.  I find myself very discouraged at times about still being obese.  My WLS counselor tells me that a WLS patient is considered a success if they lose 80% of their excess weight.  So, take you for instance.  You started at 386, you are at 230.  That means you've lost 156.  You state your goal at 199.  156/186 = 84%...you are successful!  I so know how hard it is to feel successful.  I am of the same mind set that a woman should weigh less than 200 lbs and I hate the label of still being obese.  I know I don't eat perfectly.  I do exercise alot.  I am just working on being healthy.  I successfully did 3 very challenging hikes this weekend.  That is success.  Being a size 16/18 is success.  I was a 30/32.  I wish I had something magical to tell you.  I don't.  I just want to let you know that you are a success and if you would meet in person patients that are contemplating this surgery, you can bet they see you as an ideal! Big hugs, Lori

If you find out what to do, let me know.  I am right there with you.  I am 5'9" started at 413 now 223, total loss of 190, but been stuck for months.  I will be 2 years post op in October.  I am thinking of trying the plateau buster diet once we get youngest stepdaughter's wedding behind us.  I am ready to scream and have the returning feelings of failure and disgust because I cannot get under 200 pounds.  BTW, if I have to read about one other person reaching goal in "just a few months" I think I will barf!  While I realize that their weight was just as much of a problem to them as mine was to me, I still want to bop them and tell them to get real! Hugs, Janie

I'll be right there barfing next to you, Janie!

That is why I stick  to this board pretty much.  I will glance at the GA one, but I find I like this one better. Hugs, Janie

Thanks for working out the math  Lori... Carrie, 84% is really good like Lori said.  But I still know exactly how you feel.  I am about 83% but like you, I am still about 30 pounds from my  goal and sometimes it is hard to feel successful.  Thank goodness for liposuction because I "will" be taing advantage of it!

Can I join this club???? I started at 384 and have been stuck since 10 1/2 months out.  I just recently started losing again.  So, hang in there and I'm determined that perserverence will win out.  I will in no way give up - I've come too far and I'm not gonna let this beat me. I'm trying to enjoy my new life even though not at goal yet and remember that last summer this time there would be no way I could climb up a ladder to get out of a pool like I did last weekend!!! That's why this board is so important so we can support each other.  Hang in there - YOU can do it.

Hi Carrie! First off you look absoutly BEAUTIFUL!!!!  No matter what you say in your new pictures!   I too am TALL.... 5' 11" and  2 years out 5/23/05 I was 420 pounds DOS today I am 214.....size 14.  I went to a new MD 2 weeks ago and do you know what he said to ME????  You need to lose 30 more pounds!!!!!  WHATEVER!  People come up to me now and say, I bet you weigh 170, (I wish) but your starting to look anorxic (sp?) ....So I can only imagine what I would look like 30 pounds lighter.  Anyway, I don't know how to help you with your diet but I just wanted to tell you please don't be disgusted.  You have come a very LONG way in your journey.  I myself have just accepted the fact that I am NOT going to weigh 180 pounds (my surgons goal).  I never put a "weight goal" on me.  I only wanted to be in a size 14!  I guess when we are taller we can hide some of our weight. I hope you find your answers,  drop by your "old" pictures like I did of you and see how great you look! Take Care! Carmella