Not Losing Weight Like I Thouht I would...

Hey all ... I had RNY June last year (6/2/2009) and I've only lost 74 lbs in 9 months.

I'm following doctors orders on what to eat and seeing a personal trainer. Even before the surgery I had a tough time losing weight and I know some of it is due to water retention but I'm really getting depressed that the weight isn't falling off as fast as everyone else.

All the doctor says is eat less calories. I eat less than 1000 a day as it is! Nothing seems to work. I go weeks losing nothing and then maybe lose 2-3 in a week and then stall again.

Is anyone else having the same problem? I'm really frustrated and no one can seem to give me an answer as to why this is happening.

I lost 55 lbs prior to the surgery using water pills (doctor supervised) so am down about 130ish and do feel so much better and can do things I haven't done in years but still where is the huge weight loss?????

Sweetie, I'm sorry. I hope that someone will give you some ideas about a so-called pouch test or something.

Honestly, it's not you, it's your surgery...

Meilyne, have you ever been tested to PCOS (Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome)?  I don't know much about it, but I've read a lot on here about women who do have it (there's even a board for that topic in the Medical Conditions Forum here at OH.com).  They say that condition notoriously slows down their weight loss.  I'd check into it with my OBGYN, it can't hurt anything.  I'm so sorry about your situation and I certainly understand your frustration.  Take care!  connie

((HUGS))

Everyone loses differently,  especially if you lose a bunch preop (I'm jealous). I know it's hard, but you really can't compare yourself to other people. The important thing is that you're already feeling better. You also need to remember that a lot of surgeons are just interested in having good stats for themselves.

Just some things to think about (forgive me if you're doing fine with these):

How much protein are you getting? A lot of people here aim for 80 to 100 g a day.

I have problems with water retention as well. I do better when I watch the salt and drink a lot of water. A good rule of thumb with the water is that you want to drink in ounces half your weight. So, for example, I weigh 253 right now. So, I should try to get in 126 - 127 ounces. Easier said than done.

You might want to see a nutritionist. Surgeons are great with the cutting stuff, but a lot of them don't have a firm grasp on the nutritional stuff.

A lot of people hit big stalls at 6 months. If i is bugging you, stay off the scale - weigh once a week or even once a month. I know I've been stalling, but I'm dropping sizes.

And this is really important: it's not JUST 74 pounds. You've done a great job -- you've lost 134 pounds. That's the same as me and I had my surgery two months before you.

Have a great day!

Thanks for the responses.

What is the pouch test? Does this mean there is something wrong with my pouch? Should I be worried?

I read alot on here about protein and asked the nutritionist in the surgeon's office and they said do not worry about protein that I should worry about calories and reduce the calories I take in. They would not give me a protein amount at all.

How do you get that much protein in?

What is a normal day's eating?

I know before the surgery when I first met the surgeon and said I was only eating about 1500 calories a day and couldn't lose weight he said I was lying and that to maintain the weight I was at (470 at that time) I needed to be eating 6000 calories a day ... not even on a rare binge day did I even come close to 6000 calories. He said if I was only eating 1500 then I was a medical anomoly and should be written up  in the journals.

I try to keep positive and think on what I've lost so far and think of the non-scale victories but then I see/hear about these other people where it's just melting off of them and wonder what is wrong with me.

1) I don't know why they call it a pouch "test." My understanding is that it is a special diet that will supposedly reset your pouch back to the way it was immediately preop (mostly smaller because it does stretch with time). I haven't tried it myself, but it might change something up for you. 

I think if there was something wrong with your pouch, you'd have pain.

2) All nutritionists seem to be different. Yours is the first I've heard of not pushing protein. I'm not an expert, but it sounds like you're getting some bad info from your nutritionist. It's frustrating, but you may want to read up on protein requirements after gastric bypass here.

My nutritionist only recommends 50 g a day of protein. But after reading things here on OH, I try for 80 to 100. Most days I drink 30 to 40 g in protein drinks, the rest I get from my diet. You might want to post on the RNY or Main Board and ask what other people do to get theirs in.

3) What I should be eating everyday: I don't track my food as closely as I should

protein chai tea when I first get up (18 grams + protein)

breakfast: 1/2 cup cottage cheese with a few peach slices

30 g protein drink (on way to work)

lunch: 1/3 cup tuna salad with 4 whole wheat crackers
apple slice

snack: reduced fat sharp cheddar cheese stick

dinner:
meat from dinner
steamed veggies
bite or two of starch

This is a goal for me.

What would be good for you is to look at the RNY and Main board. People there post what they're eating sometimes. That is very helpful.

I think you might want to try upping your protein for a couple weeks and see what happens.

Good luck!!

Congratulations on your weight loss; You should be very proud of yourself! Don't listen to people when they tell you that your surgery has failed; That is ingnorance talking. Just be proud of yourself and know that you will arrive at your goal. Be proud sister!!!

Are you strictly tracking your food?
I mean like, measuring everything before you eat it and recording it on a site like spark people?

Do it for 5 days and then i bet you will see where you can cut out some calories.

The other thing that can help is to really increase your protien. How many grams do you get a day?  Double it and see if that helps.  It will mean increasing your calories, but not enough calories could be the issue, Your body will not let you lose weight if it thinks it is starving.

How much water do you drink everyday, Your body NEEDS water to lose weight, Make sure you get at least 2 litres of non caffinated liquid everyday. At least half of which should be 100% plain water.

Do you do cardio?  You need to get your heart rate up to be burning calories. Just find something that you like? Walking, swimming, biking etc......

Have you ever gone to the support group stuff? There are two of them going in the city. Reaching out to others might help as well.

What Doctor are you seeing?  Your GP or Baratric doctor?  Fritizor, Grabor, Dent, Bishop, Freedoff? Someone else?

good luck

Catnip

On water retention, are you taking anything for that? When I started diuretics, I lost 20 pounds in 4 days!

I am only 2 months out so I am supposed to eat 500-800 calories a day. What surprises is me is that my vitamins alone are 120! I am not sure if most people count theirs or not, but I do so I know exactly what I am taking in.

I stalled at 2.5 weeks and when I saw the surgeon at a month out she told me to increase aerobic exercise, even if just in short spurts, that getting my heart rate would help kickstart the loss again. I have to say that for me that seems to be true as I am losing much more consistently the last month.

On the protein, my clinc says 60-70g . . . I am aiming for 60-80 and will adjust depending how my blood work comes out. I do need two protein shakes a day to accomplish that. My understanding is that those of us who started bigger might need more and that it seems to help us lose weight. It may also be partly that if you get that much protein in, you can't go very high carb and still fit everything in!

I am also seeing that my cycle plays a role in weight loss. I lose much more right after my period. and then it really slows after ovulation.

Hang in there!

I would like to first start off by saying congrats on your weight loss and don't down play how much you have loss. You have done a wonderful job. If you would like additional information on the 5day pouch test go too www.fivedaypouchtest.com and they have some wonderful information. I myself am at a stall and will be starting a 5 day pouch test myself on Monday. I hope and pray that all works out for you.