Advice/Support

I have a question.  I am really discouraged this morning and very surprised.

Since WLS my lowest weight was 127.  Prior to my bowel obstruction in May, my weight ranged from 132 to 135 or 136.  I am 5'9" so there was never any change in how my clothes fit.  When I had my bowel obstruction surgery, my weight dropped to 127.  At that point I admit I began a cycle of eating far too many carbs/sweets.  Nevertheless my weight would always bounce back down as quickly as it bounced up.

The past month or more my husband has been working around the clock.  Because I do not drive I have done very little in the way of exercise.  I actually went one month with out leaving my house except to run to the store with him a couple times.  Due to my eyesight, I do not like walking my neighborhood alone.

Well...my weight has crept back up to 135 - similiar to pre bowel obstruction.  BUT...last night when I got into the shower I looked in the mirror and thought, "Gosh you look like you've gained weight."  It was so noticeable, I decided to try on some pants I have not worn since last winter.  To my horror the first 3 I pulled out did not fit.  The button holes and buttons were inches apart.  I sucked as much as possible to button them, but there is literally no way I can wear them.  I am shocked.  At 135 last year I wore them.

My question is...because I have been shut in for basically over a month and a half with little to no exercise (I have walked a few times when my family was able) could my weight have shifted that much that my clothes no longer fit?  I weighed this monrning, and I weighed 134.5.  That is the truth...no lie.  However I now have clothese I cannot wear and don't want to try any more on. I also refuse to buy new pants, but Summer is coming to a close.   One pair of pants I wore to Canada a year and a half ago, and I may as well put them in Goodwill.  According to the scale, I am at most 4 pounds up from that trip?

I'm confused.  Can 4 pounds make that much of a difference?  I am not retaining water...I wish I could claim that, but I can't.  Also, I have stated on the other boards that calories in/calories out and we lose weight based upon physiology.  I was criticized for thse comments with some saying it does not work that way post WLS. 

I am very, very discouraged now.  It is one thing to weigh an amount I have in the past but altogether different now that the first 3 pants I pulled out of my closet I cannot wear.  I have been eating poorly I totally admit.  I guess I would expect the scale to show more.  My scale is correct because I had a doctor's appointment last week.

So...has my inactivity possibly redistributed my weight that much.  Living in Texas it is still Summer to us, so I am still wearing summer clothes.   I am really upset about this.  It has not been since surgery 3 years next month that I have put something on that I can no longer wear.  There are a lot of emotions running through me today. 

Any suggestions/advice, please.

 There's also something known as "redistribution".  The remaining fat will move around in your body.  That happened to me before I gained any weight.  So clothes will fit differently just from that, even if you haven't gained any weight.  I know darn well that if I get back to 125 the fat will definitely be in different places than it was before.  

I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror at my daughters.  She has a mirror on a door at the end of the bathroom and OMG - my thighs are AWEFUL!  Sometimes I need that brutal wake up call.  

If you haven't been able to exercise, yes, your toning won't be there and clothes will fit differently.

I responded to  your post on my post...  

Thanks so much for your response.  I'm going back to your post to read the comments.  You are so correct....I needed this wake-up call too, and it is shocking. 

I think part of it at least is redistribution.  I know my stomach is bigger than it was when I was losing.  It is good because it helps fill in some of our gaunt face stuff but bad that is goes back to where it was the happiest before.  In my case, my stomach. 

For exercise, you need a home routine so you aren't limited by your area or who will drive you.  Look on SparkPeople on line.  They have tons of workout routines that are both strenght building and cardio.  Some need a few items like small dumb bells or an exercise ball but many require nothing but you. 

Good luck.  You can get this back under control.

Thanks Price.  That is one of the places the redistribution has happened - my midriff and butt and thighs...all problem areas pre WLS.  I have a treadmill in my garage; I think I am stir crazy for being inside for such a long period of time.

Do you agree with what others have said regarding the calories in/calories out does not apply the same for us?  It seems counter intuitive.  I thought if we burn more than we take in then we have to lose.  But I've read posts by vets who are following their plans and exercising vigorously yet the scale does not move once bounceback has happened.  I would not mind weighing this if I could just get back into those clothes. 

I have a hard time with the calories in/calories out stuff too, for 2 reasons.  First is that when we lose, our bodies require so much less.  for me, according the the body composition information, I only need 1200 calories a day if I am not exercising.  that is basically nothing.  So when I am really good and on target, that is about what I eat.  I have to go way below that, or exercise a lot to make any difference and actually lose.  I am very physically active with the farm and ponies but I have to do even more to actually lose or stay even if I am eating more than 1200cal a day.

The other thing is that at least for me, it really does make a difference what I eat.  I can eat the same number of calories but if it is high carb instead of low carb, I will gain or not lose.  I have to also be low carb to lose.

I appreciate your suggestions.  When I had surgery, I fanatically monitored my carbs.  I have lost a lot of weight at one time over the years but could never keep it off.  After reading your post I realize now more than ever I will never be able to eat carbs in the amounts I have been if I want to keep this weight off.  I also realize I am going to have to get into the gym again.  I did not go too terribly often when losing, but I did go.  Walking consistently & a little gym worked while losing but not now.  I've gone back to low carb, so I will take it one day at a time and try on my pants in about one month.

Dasie,
I haven't really had any bounceback yet.  I have not exercised in about 1 1/2 months.  I've had some leg problems.  I have noticed that my stomach seems bigger than it was when I was running.  I also have been eating more carbs/sweets. 

I really think the exercise helps to keep us toned and when I don't exercise it seems like I feel more flabby.  That might sound strange.

You can do this Dasie.  Dust that treadmill off!!  I keep saying I am going to join the gym or get back out there and try to walk/run some more since the weather is cooler now.

Good luck.  Be sure to stay connected to us here.  I feel like this site helps us all to stay on track better.

Linda

Thank you Linds.  I have a really bad habit of pulling away when I am not doing what I need to be doing.  That is the worst thing I can do.  I have to come here daily.

I realized the lack of exercise has to be the issue with the redistribution.  What a shock to know the weight can redistribute like that.   I have a gym membership at the Y that I got in 1997 when I lost 70 pounds.  I have paid for it ever since.  I actually told my husband last week we should consider cancelling the membership because we are not using it and wasting money.  He said no because he intended to go back.  I'm so glad he did.  This morning we are going for the first time in a long time.  I got lazy, complacent and thought I ould coast and get by with eating the foods I ate  pre WLS. 

How is your leg.  I haven't been on, so I missed your updates.  I remember you were having bad cramps.  Did you find an answer/solution?  Thank you for your consistent support.  I know better than to ignore this site when I'm not eating right...that is when I need to come here more than ever.

Glad you are going back to the gym.  I keep saying I'm going back and joining again.  I really need to do some weights for my muscle mass-which is all gone almost.

My legs are still twitching and cramping.  My PCP told me to try drinking an energy drink to balance out the electrolytes in my body.  I've done this for awhile now and not much difference.  She said if that didn't work I should probably go to a neurologists, I just haven't made an appointment yet.

I usually weigh every morning, but my dad was in the bathroom with the scales this morning and I missed it.  Now my whole day seems out of whack...guess I'm scale obsessed, but it really helps keep me in line.

Good luck and glad you are back with us.

Linda