Almost 6yrs out and having problems loosing re-gained weight

Help needed... Here's my problem...I will be 6 years post op in April, My lowest weight post op was about 170-175. I am now at 206.. I am anemic. I know how I gained my weight... graizing and just being bad!!! Anyways I quit smoking around christmas and right after the first of the year I had an apt with family dr. (I weighed in at 202) that really freaked me out so I got right back on track... eating 6 small meals a day, writing down everything that went into my face, drinking upto 100 oz of water. 2 wks later I get on the same scales and I gained 3 lbs. This really devastated me. So I rejoined curves (going every day except for on Sundays), I then changed my diet too (I read up on the pouch rules for dummies and I have been following that pretty closely) my water intake is around 160- 200 oz a day, my calories are around 1200 a day my protien is around 90 and my fat intake is around 20. One week ago I was down 3lbs (203lbs) but today I am back up to 206lbs, I have been constipated (not regular, even with me taking iron and vites.. I have always been regular upto about 1 month ago). I just cannot seem to loose weight and you would think that with me drinking all of this water, following diet, and excercising I would be able to go to the bathroom and do # 2 at least once a day, and have a decent weight loss... Does anyone have any ideas on what is going on? I live 2.5hrs away from my surgeon and I cannot get in to see them (Barix clinics in Groveport oh) till around the first week in April, I do see my family dr. every 3months for blood work to keep an eye on my anemia. Oh yeah I have also taken laxitives, done detox 7 and I even gave in and done a suppository (super yuck) to get just a temporary relief but nothing regular... Please help, I am to the point that I want to go out and pig out on recee cups and get a carton of cigarettes (after being smoke free for 1month)...

Hi Bonnie. I'm so sorry that you're struggling right now. It sounds like you're on the right track so that's great news!!! I think if you stick with all of those good changes, you'll get the weight back off. It might take some time, but it will come off. Constipation problems are the worst. I take 3 stool softeners every night and eat Fiber One cereal to keep me going regularly. Don't give up! Just give your body some time to adjust to this new change and things will get moving very soon!!!! Hugs, Tracy B

At the end of your post you mention being smoke-free for one month. Did you just quit smoking? If so, that might explain all your other symptoms. If you have been smoking for a while, your body is probably going through withdrawal. That would explain everything. Hang in there. Quitting smoking is a HUGE deal, and the best thing you could possibly due for your body. Congratulations! But you are probably going to have to let your body stabilize first, nicotine-free, before you are able to start losing weight again. Only tackle one thing at a time, and give yourself room (and time) to succeed at the no smoking. It will take a while. Then tackle the weight thing. Again, congratulation!

Bonnie: Sorry you're having so much trouble. I know how frustrating that is. Maybe it's time to look at "what" you are eating throughout the day. I was doing what you are - eating small meals, drinking enough water, exercising, but was still not losing anything. When I switched to high-protein, low-carb, I started losing weight almost immediately. I think some people are very resistant to weight-loss, and the high-protein diet works better for a lot of folks. Don't give up, there's lots of things you can try. Also, if you haven't been exercising for a while, and just started up, some of the weight gain or lack of loss could be attributed to that. Seems unfair, that you're doing something so good for yourself and it's making you gain! But that happens a lot. As for the constipation, I often struggle with that as well. I have been finding that if I eat a pretty good-size salad every day, it really helps. I also take 2-3 stool softeners per day, and if it gets too bad, then I'll use the stool softeners with laxative, or Smooth Move herbal tea. It's harder to get fiber in when you're on a high-protein regimen, but it can be done with nuts, seeds, maybe adding some wheat germ or flax seed to your protein drinks, stuff like that. Good luck and keep us posted. Carlita

There is a -HUGE- ammount of water retention that happens when you quit nicotine. I know, as I just went through it too Constipation is part of it too.

I think it is nicotine issues. I quit 2 years ago next week (before surgery) and it took about 3 months for my system to regulate. If you can add some flax or some nuts to your diet, it will help with the constipation - I make sure that I get in at least 15 grams of fiber a day and I'm going almost everyday now. My only other advise is to not to let this discourage you from quitting, it gets better! Micha

Bonnie, sorry I can't help, I did want to say congrats on being smoke free for 1 month. I had my last cigarette at 8 a.m. this past Saturday, I'm glad you posted all of this and the replies you've gotten, hopefully it'll help me get through this next month. Stay the course, you've got some good advise......believe in yourself. Dana

woohoo ... congrats Dana! I'm "easing" my way off 'em ... I'm down to about 4/day. I'll get there (hopefully this post will inspire me as well). Karyn

Thanks Karyn, today is day 6, it's getting easier although I do find myself wanting to eat to replace the time......I'll get a handle on it this weekend, I'm not allowing myself more than a week of this, lol. The weird part is I've lost 1 1/2 lbs even with all the grazing I've done since Saturday, however, I do know this can't continue on without some consequences. Hugs, Dana

Dana - how are you doing? I am two weeks and 2 days offically stopped! Did you know the issue about retaining water - that was the first for me to hear that but good to know!!! Hey if you get a chance shoot me over the figures - I am really interested now! Thanks Valerie