Anxious - First pregnancy - surgery 3/2008
Well I am delighted and terrified all at the same time! We are so happy to be pregnant but I am miserably terrified of gaining weight! I am 5'1 (aka very short) and was 247 prior to gastric bypass on 3/2008. My surgery was a phenomenal success! I stablized down to 134lbs which was actually a great weight for my athletic build. I was finally able to wear a size 4-6 and a small!
But like everyone else on this board I have struggled my whole life with my weight. I have been doing so well and I have never gone back to my sugar habit! I keep anything I eat to natural sugars and then only take in 10 gms of sugar or less at any meal. The only exception to this is natural fruit. This satisfies my sweet cravings in the healthiest way possible.
I am 10 weeks pregnant and have already gained 6 lbs! I have continued my moderate exercise most days of the week and carefully watch what I eat. I am very distressed that even with my close monitoring that I have put on weight so quickly! The Dr. says she expects me to gain 25-30 lbs during this pregnancy and I don't have any doubt that I can do that. The problem is at this rate I am going to have gained 30 lbs by January and I am not due until May!
I am finding that my appetite has increased, which I expected. I am not having any cravings but if I do not eat every 2 hours or so I am nauseated! I am trying so hard to keep it the high protein, healthy foods as I do not want to use pregnancy as an excuse to "eat for 2" or eat unhealthy. I realize I only need 300 extra calories a day, not more.
I have asked my WL surgeon for a referal to a counselor/psychologist who counsels for this type of situation. I am shocked that they have no leads! I have called numerous counseling offices and most are perplexed and then tell me the name of a counselor who specializes in eating disorders. When I did go to one of them they told me they didn't believe in gastric bypass surgery!!! How are they supposed to guide me through my fears and anxiety when they have judged me for the single best health decision I have ever made for myself.
We all know how difficult it is to work toward the goals after WLS. I want to keep true to my promises to myself to remain healthy, not only for myself but also for our new baby. I would love to hear how other mothers or mothers-to-be have handled the anxiety they experienced with weight gain. I must keep a close watch on my weight but I do not want it to become an obsession which is clearly what it is beginning to feel like.
Advice, support, ideas are welcomed! Thanks!!
But like everyone else on this board I have struggled my whole life with my weight. I have been doing so well and I have never gone back to my sugar habit! I keep anything I eat to natural sugars and then only take in 10 gms of sugar or less at any meal. The only exception to this is natural fruit. This satisfies my sweet cravings in the healthiest way possible.
I am 10 weeks pregnant and have already gained 6 lbs! I have continued my moderate exercise most days of the week and carefully watch what I eat. I am very distressed that even with my close monitoring that I have put on weight so quickly! The Dr. says she expects me to gain 25-30 lbs during this pregnancy and I don't have any doubt that I can do that. The problem is at this rate I am going to have gained 30 lbs by January and I am not due until May!
I am finding that my appetite has increased, which I expected. I am not having any cravings but if I do not eat every 2 hours or so I am nauseated! I am trying so hard to keep it the high protein, healthy foods as I do not want to use pregnancy as an excuse to "eat for 2" or eat unhealthy. I realize I only need 300 extra calories a day, not more.
I have asked my WL surgeon for a referal to a counselor/psychologist who counsels for this type of situation. I am shocked that they have no leads! I have called numerous counseling offices and most are perplexed and then tell me the name of a counselor who specializes in eating disorders. When I did go to one of them they told me they didn't believe in gastric bypass surgery!!! How are they supposed to guide me through my fears and anxiety when they have judged me for the single best health decision I have ever made for myself.
We all know how difficult it is to work toward the goals after WLS. I want to keep true to my promises to myself to remain healthy, not only for myself but also for our new baby. I would love to hear how other mothers or mothers-to-be have handled the anxiety they experienced with weight gain. I must keep a close watch on my weight but I do not want it to become an obsession which is clearly what it is beginning to feel like.
Advice, support, ideas are welcomed! Thanks!!
Congrats on your pregnancy. Your fears are normal.
Try to remember that you will not gain weight like that every week. It goes in spurts. As long as you are eating healthy you will be fine.
Cut yourself a little slack and remember you will and HAVE to gain weight while preggo. But it sounds like you are being very diligent in your food choices so you should be just fine.
I wasn't as good as that, but still only gained 22 total.....with my last pregnancy. Others have mentioned gaining much more. Some lose it fast, some struggle. We are all different.
Try to remember that you will not gain weight like that every week. It goes in spurts. As long as you are eating healthy you will be fine.
Cut yourself a little slack and remember you will and HAVE to gain weight while preggo. But it sounds like you are being very diligent in your food choices so you should be just fine.
I wasn't as good as that, but still only gained 22 total.....with my last pregnancy. Others have mentioned gaining much more. Some lose it fast, some struggle. We are all different.
When life hands you lemons, ask for tequila & salt and give me a call!
First - CONGRATS !!!
I gained about 25-30 lbs (depending on water weight) but most of it the first 4-5 months. The last trimester I actually lost / regained / lost regained.
Sounds like you're approaching it right -- remember those extra calories are for the baby and so is the weight gain.
I did add back in simple carbs (crackers, pretzels, salty things - chips, etc and potatoes) while pregnant. I wish I hadn't in a way since that habit is hard to break... BUT... before WLS I was a size 38 ! I was over 400 lbs at my highest.
I got down to size 4/6 stabilized around size 6/8 and now if I am a size 10 or 12 ? Who cares ! I am still way more healthy and I have a prescious little boy to love. Hopefully I will go back down to size 8 -- but I am not stressing about it. I look like a normal "mommy".
You are already doing better than I by keeping up the exercise! That is one thing I gave up while pregnant and never have gotten back into to routine.
Don't obsess about food or weight gain.... that isn't good for the baby either. (Either the stress or growing up in a household where food is constantly montiered and "Do I look fat" or "Oh I gained a pound" are common phrases).
I am babbling - but my advice -- limit the simple carbs (rice, crackers, sugar) and keep exercising. Otherwise eat what your body craves and don't stress.
Enjoy your pregnancy !!
Take Care,
Cindy
I gained about 25-30 lbs (depending on water weight) but most of it the first 4-5 months. The last trimester I actually lost / regained / lost regained.
Sounds like you're approaching it right -- remember those extra calories are for the baby and so is the weight gain.
I did add back in simple carbs (crackers, pretzels, salty things - chips, etc and potatoes) while pregnant. I wish I hadn't in a way since that habit is hard to break... BUT... before WLS I was a size 38 ! I was over 400 lbs at my highest.
I got down to size 4/6 stabilized around size 6/8 and now if I am a size 10 or 12 ? Who cares ! I am still way more healthy and I have a prescious little boy to love. Hopefully I will go back down to size 8 -- but I am not stressing about it. I look like a normal "mommy".
You are already doing better than I by keeping up the exercise! That is one thing I gave up while pregnant and never have gotten back into to routine.
Don't obsess about food or weight gain.... that isn't good for the baby either. (Either the stress or growing up in a household where food is constantly montiered and "Do I look fat" or "Oh I gained a pound" are common phrases).
I am babbling - but my advice -- limit the simple carbs (rice, crackers, sugar) and keep exercising. Otherwise eat what your body craves and don't stress.
Enjoy your pregnancy !!
Take Care,
Cindy
Surgery on 4/25/05 , Dr. Alverdy in Chicago. God Bless the DS !!!
Highest Weight = 412lbs, Surgery Weight = 359lbs, Current Weight = 155lbs (5'7" tall)http://www.picturetrail.com/gid8138761
CONGRATULATIONS on both your successful WLS and your pregnancy.....how exciting.....
You are totally normal in your fears....I loved the saying in my WLS office that said "I am doing surgery on your stomach, not on your head"...I still struggle with the demons all of the time....I have considered finding a counselor too....I am sorry you have no leads....not that we are right there with you face to face, but come here...this forum is full of a bunch of wonderful wise women who have or are going through the same things....your mind seems like it is absolutely in the right place and with the exercise you are much further ahead than most...you have made a lot of head choices with the surgery, maintenance, etc. that I am POSITIVE you have it in you to do the right thing eating and exercising as you are pg and afterwards...and like Jo said...the weight goes and comes in spurts so don't stress too much....
Hang in there and know we are here for you!!!
You are totally normal in your fears....I loved the saying in my WLS office that said "I am doing surgery on your stomach, not on your head"...I still struggle with the demons all of the time....I have considered finding a counselor too....I am sorry you have no leads....not that we are right there with you face to face, but come here...this forum is full of a bunch of wonderful wise women who have or are going through the same things....your mind seems like it is absolutely in the right place and with the exercise you are much further ahead than most...you have made a lot of head choices with the surgery, maintenance, etc. that I am POSITIVE you have it in you to do the right thing eating and exercising as you are pg and afterwards...and like Jo said...the weight goes and comes in spurts so don't stress too much....
Hang in there and know we are here for you!!!
I've been gone a few days and just saw your post. I was like you...short and 235 at my highest weight (but had co-morbidities to qualify me for surg) In 4 months I got down to 150 in small/sz 4-6 pants (no hips or butt) and got pregnant by surprise. I gained 2 pounds before I even knew I was pregnant and FREAKED. I then stablized and my surgeon didn't want me to gain more than 15 lbs. I thought, NO PROBLEM!! RIGHT. The first half of my pregnancy I gained 8 lbs. YAY!! But I got really big. Then, the 2nd half of my pregnancy I gained 42 lbs. I freaked out because I was still seeing my surgeon and thought for sure he'd scold me. I was only able to eat 900-1000 calories a day!
He took one look at me and said "I'm not worried...it's ALL baby and you've lost everywhere else". I ended up gaining 50 lbs, had a 10.5 lb baby and lost those 42 within 2 weeks of having him.
I will say WATCH YOUR EATING HABITS. I think I didn't lose those last 8 because I still was eating a little extra after he was born. I got down to a size 6-8 pant and I think nursing my son - even if only for 2/3 weeks - helped A LOT! 18 months later I gained 2 lbs and guess what....PREGNANT! And this time with twins. Now, I've got about 5 weeks left and have gained 34 lbs. I eat like a horse with these two but I haven't gained nearly as much (knock on wood!!!) You just NEVER know how it's going to go, you just have to make good choices -which it sounds like you are - and trust yourself.
Good luck to you and congrats on your little miracle. If you are determined, you will do this right. :-)
Sandy
He took one look at me and said "I'm not worried...it's ALL baby and you've lost everywhere else". I ended up gaining 50 lbs, had a 10.5 lb baby and lost those 42 within 2 weeks of having him.
I will say WATCH YOUR EATING HABITS. I think I didn't lose those last 8 because I still was eating a little extra after he was born. I got down to a size 6-8 pant and I think nursing my son - even if only for 2/3 weeks - helped A LOT! 18 months later I gained 2 lbs and guess what....PREGNANT! And this time with twins. Now, I've got about 5 weeks left and have gained 34 lbs. I eat like a horse with these two but I haven't gained nearly as much (knock on wood!!!) You just NEVER know how it's going to go, you just have to make good choices -which it sounds like you are - and trust yourself.
Good luck to you and congrats on your little miracle. If you are determined, you will do this right. :-)
Sandy
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