Crossing over to the other side :)

I think about maintenance but because of my previous complications I keep thinking that I have no control over whether I'm losing weight or not still.  I came here because I want to hear from people that have gone through this and can offer good advice.

In the last three weeks I've felt a change in my body and it has me a little worried.

Things that have happened in the last three weeks:

• My capacity has definitely increased.  I was lucky, even two weeks ago, to get in 2 oz of dense protein most of the time and now I have almost doubled that.  
• I was sitting at 139 and for three weeks have been fluctuating between 140-142
• My doctor has given me the okay to stop trying every vitamin that has ever been manufactured in my effort to find one that doesn't make me sick.  Instead they are going to monitor me longer at the clinic and keep an eye on my labs.
• I have been a lot more hungry than usual.
• I have been a lot more stressed than usual.

With the extra capacity I've gone from about 800-900 calories to 1000-1200 calories a day.  My protein and veggie consumption are good and I feel pretty comfortable with what I choose to eat. I feel like I'm on program.

My questions are:

Should I be worried about the weight gain, increase in capacity and increase in calories?  

I'm 10 months out, 5' 7" and 141 as of this morning.  

Thanks for any help, I've never maintained a weight loss so even though I have studied all the "to do's" I still feel out of control and like I'm going to fail.

Hi and welcome!  Don't know exactly how to reply to your post...yah, maintenance is a new and mysterious place, but we're all walking an individual and unique path.  You'll find lots of encouragement and support on this board...we tend to be friendly and try to stay positive as we work our own WLsalvations.  I use this place for accountability and to stay in touch with what have become friends over time.

One note...check out your last two bullits--Stress begets hunger..or is maybe interpreted as hunger...or coped with by eating.  As you can work on reducing the stress, perhaps the hunger will diminish some.  Remember, the only thing food fixes is true physical hunger.  It won't fix stress induced hunger.  Smiles your way, bonnie 

Thanks for answering Bonnie.

I think you are right, stress was/is playing a big factor and after I wrote the post I cut my portions back.  I was over eating my sleeve.  As I've been under the weather I was blaming all my physical discomfort on that and as soon as I ate a smaller portion or three I realized that I was pushing just enough to be uncomfortable.  I'm feeling better the last two days.  That means I'm back down to under 1000 calories but at least I feel better so it's a start. 

Sometimes it just feels good to get the words organized and out.  But a reply is much appreciated to help encourage me in my thought process.

Blessings to you,

Michelle

I'm glad that you are venting.  That's usually enough to shake us out of our funk- just writing down our thoughts.

Maintenance is work, and the longer you are out of the surgery, the more you have to work at it.  It's easier to eat more, to slack off for longer periods of time, etc.  Those of us that have been succesful at keeping our weight off have faced those battles and learned what works best for us.  It's not always the same for all, but pretty much works the same for most.  Since you are aware of your desire to keep control of your weight, you have already won the main battle.  I have seen it  happen more often than not, that those that fail at keeping their weight off is because they are in denial from the very beginning( ie, will I ever be able to drink sodas again, having burgers at two weeks out from surgery, sweets, breads, etc.)  You've made the right changes, so you will get this too.

Regarding vitamins,  although I did take most of the vitamins from the beginning, there were some that I couldn't tolerate and ended up with gummies(and criticism).  Today I really don't take any vitamins, and my blood work continues to be stellar.  As long as you are getting proper nutrition from your food, you should be fine.

So, you are doing great!  Keep vigilant of the scale, but don't sweat the small fluctuations. 

Best of luck on your new journey!