I've GAINED since I started seeing NUT

Started the process in February and started seeing my doc's nutritionist. The main thing I have been doing under her advice that I never did before is: taking vitamins (an ungodly amount  but that was going to happen after surgery anyway), drinking protein shakes, eating breakfast and lunch on a daily breakfast instead of skipping and just eating dinner and snacking, and keeping a journal of everything I am eating. Somehow, I have actually gained 20 pounds. I think it's all the extra protein, probably combined with the lifestyle changes of eating extra meals, quitting smoking, and me sitting around a little more being a little sad over all of the changes so fast. Anyhow- long story not so short- she gave me a talking to at my last visit and she wasn't happy. She basically said that they don't think I am showing that I can make good choices and I need to lose some weight by the end of the month to show them that I can do it so that I can have the surgery. I'm just at my wits end. I truly am bigger now than I have ever been. I started my journey out as a lightweight but actually am not anymore. I'm ready to just throw in the towel and give up most days and say forget it. If it weren't for my kids I think I would have I think. I just don't understand what happened and how I got so big, so fast. It seems like I'm gaining and can't stop now..

I surely hear you and feel your pain.  Been where you are on so many occasions with diets and exercise and vitamins... I did finally throw in the towel.  I had vsg in 2009 and it was wonderful then low and behold the weight came back.  I am now looking to do the DS and hopefully not have to keep going up and down.  I know how to do the work, I know what it takes but then the loss just slows and stops and then here it comes again.  Seems to almost blow my mind anymore to try and figure it out (I swell, can lose almost 50# then it comes back...).  I wish you well and hope for you that you find the perfect path to take that solves all your ups and downs.  Keep thinking and reading and asking questions and the good people on here will give you good ideas and good truthful advice.

I'm so sorry.  We are really at war with our bodies and lifestyle and I don't think Nuts get that. Its probably not the added protein but as you said the extra meals, quitting smoking, less activity and your metabolism is likely a mess.  Try cutting the extra meals or only having a low carb protein shake rather than eating. Make sure the protein shake is a zero carb whey protein isolate one. If you're taking more vitamins, reducing the meals won't hurt a thing. Good luck.

--gina

Our bodies aren't our friends when it comes to weight loss.  If you are logging all your food, you should have a good idea of what you are eating and the breakdown.  Did she give you a calorie goal?  Protein? carbs?  My pre-surgery diet was 1500 for 6 months, then 1200 the month before surgery.  The last month it was 5 optifast shakes and one small food meal a day.  I didn't lose on the 1500 but did lose a little on the 1200.  Do you weigh daily?  I just read an article about that.  It is helpful!!!

Good for you stopping smoking.  You can do this and RNY will help if you can get to that point.

I'm sorry you are going through this!!!  Unless I skipped it you didn't mention what kind of surgery you were planning. I wouldn't have anything less than the RNY or the DS.  They seem to have the best success rate.

I had to go on a 6 month 1200 calorie diet before my WLS and I only lost 6 pounds (exactly 1 pound per month) and I really stuck to it.  But after WLS the pounds just melted off so it was definitely worth it!! 

I doubt VERY MUCH if it is the Protein shakes unless you are making them like milk shakes with a lot of fruit, carbs etc.  Buy a container of GOOD Whey Protein and just use water, ice, and a shaker cup. 

Drink lots of water not diet sodas and SF drinks.  You can use a squirt of flavoring if you can't drink water. I gave up sodas during my 6 months because I figured if I couldn't give those up I was going to be a failure.  At 6+ years I still don't drink soda.  It bothers my pouch.

Buy a small plate to use at meals.  It's surprising how a smaller plate can limit your calories.  I still use one (Disney because it makes me happy) and it still works for me.

You can do this!!  Do this for YOU and your family not your NUT!! 

I agree with the others. Are you weighing and measuring everything you eat and drink? Cut out all white carbs (sugars, breads etc) Drink lots of water. Hang in there it's not easy. Make those added meals light, and that one you usually eat (dinner) light also. Adding meals don't mean they have to be big ones. The idea is to keep your body fueled all day long!! Get up and walk more don't sit there be excited about the change to come!

Good for you on the stopping smoking!! I quit in 2009 and it was the best for me. I do think that stopping did lower metabolism making it harder to loss, but you still can do it!

Hang in there!!!

Before surgery, I was just like you. Since I've had surgery, im finally starting to lose, albeit I'm a slow loser. My advice would be to cut your carbs drastically. I've found that I won't lose unless I go no more than 20 grams per day.  Start with 50 and see if you lose, then go lower if needed.  Good luck!