Weight Gain after pregnancy!

I had RNY on 1/20/03, so I am over 4 years post op. I lost most of the weight I needed too within the first 6 months to a year. I was about 10lbs away from my goal and maintained within a 10lb gain for those 4 years. I got pregnant last August with my 1st child. I gained about 40lbs throughout the whole pregnancy. When I gave birth, I immediately lost 15lbs (water etc) and hoped the weight would just drop off. Well, much to my disgust, that is not what happened. I never lost anymore (no matter what I did) and have now started climbing up. I have seen those terrible 200's again and I promised myself i would never do it again.  What can I do? I need to get off about 35lbs. I have a treadmill at home and I have a gym membership. But I work all day long and I am going to school at night and in between, I have a 1 year old to watch over. I seem to be always snacking b.c of my busy schedule. I have a HUGE appetite and am always hungry.  Please help. I am petrified that i am going to get right back up there again. It is sneaking on so quickly! Just protein and exercise has not worked for me. Are there any diet plans that are better for WLS patients (ie: WW, nutrisystem etc)? What about an appetite suppressant? My doctor wants me to try Meridia. Where should my calorie and protein be at this point? knowing that I am 5'5", 202lbs and 32 years old. I would like to be losing the 2lbs a week again, but my metabolism seems to have stopped after having my daughter. I look forward to your responses. Thank you Philippa Felder

Philippa, I'm in the same boat as you.  I had my daughter a year ago and gained 45 or so pounds from my lowest weight.  I lost 20 right after I had her then nothing.  I am always snacking.  I don't know if I got into bad habits when preggo or what.  I did find out that I was really badly anemic--went for infusions and feel better.  My energy level went way up and I seem to snack a little less.  I'm trying to lift some weights twice a week and walk every day.  No big weight loss yet, but we'll see.  I tried WW but the diet didn't work well with gb patients.  I think we need less calories now than normal people--bc of the starvation after surgery.   Get your levels checked and try to get some more rest (I know ha ha not with a one year old)  Sleep deprivation will make you feel hungry for carbs all day long because your body wants quick energy to stay moving.   If you hear any way to help break the post baby plateau please share!!! Amy

This may help. www.bmi-calculator.net/bmr-calculator/ ~~Sherry

HI Philippa,

I have just started recently looking at some of the forum boards on here and if you haven't looked at the postings of the time-out plan, I would suggest that you do.  I haven't gained any of my weight back, but still would like to lose at least another 10 pounds (or more).  At this moment I'm in another country, so I'm not sure on how to obtain the nectin protein powder, so for now I have upped my water intake, cutting out the diet pop and being careful on what I eat.  I plan to try the time-out plan once I'm back in the good ole' United States.  Best of luck to you!

Kerri Kardux-Danek