Coming out of hiding

Hello everybody.

I made a promise to myself that I was going to be more active with this group.  I did reply to a few posts earlier today and that's a start.

I am not the world's most patient person and I've really been down about the weight loss (lack of).  I am 7 weeks out as of yesterday and have only lost 41 pounds.  I was stuck at a plateau for about 2 weeks and just started losing again in the last couple of days.  I realize that plateaus are going to happen but a month out seemed very soon to me.

I have also been eating more carbs than I should but overall, not eating alot.  The nutritionist at the surgeon's office thinks I'm not eating enough and my body is holding onto every calorie it can to compensate for it.  I saw my PCP on Friday and he thinks I am borderline malnourished.  He also prescribed a very low dose of a thryoid medication for me to offset weight gain from another medication that I take.  There aren't any alternatives to switch to and this is something that I knew would be an issue at some point in time.  My weight loss started again within 24 hours of taking the thyroid med. 

The surgeon released me to start going to the gym and I was very grateful for that.  But because I'm not that far out from surgery, they have only given me a few exercises to do.  When I belonged to this gym in the past, there would have been 10 or 12 different things to work on; right now I only have 4.  She wouldn't give me any exercises for my stomach.  I do 15 minutes on the bike for cardio, 3 different exercises for arms on the machines and one for the legs.  It just doesn't seem like enough to me.  I ordered a bathing suit this morning online so that I can start going to the water aerobics class they have in the mornings. I hope the suit fits: it's one size smaller than the last one I owned which I just gave to my mother-in-law.  It was almost brand new but I bought that suit 40 pounds ago.  I hated having to buy any clothes right now, but I'll make due with this one for a while.

I had my mom take some new pictures of me to post, but I looked bigger in the new ones than I did for my post-op pics so I deleted them.  It did feel good, though when the dentist asked me how much weight I had lost.

Beyond all that I am still struggling with getting in protein, supplements and liquids.  My skin is starting to get really dry from lack of fluids.  If I'm not careful, I will gag and vomit my vitamins (I can't wait till I can take the kind you just swallow.  They told me at 3 months out I could switch).

Anyway, that's what's going on with me, I'll quit whining now.

Colleen 

 Hi Colleen!!  

First, yay!  Nice seeing you here posting.  When you read these posts every day, whether you respond or not, it helps keep things in the front of your mind and helps keep you on track - or at least it does me.  So whether you post or not, hopefully you'll take the time to at least read here a bit each day.

41 pounds, and you're 7 weeks post-op - including time off for a plateau??  Let me tell you, I am still pre-op and I have been trying to lose weight since July.  I am down 6.75 pounds - whoopee!  I can't WAIT to say I'm down 41 pounds, and I don't care if it takes 7 months!  lol  So congrats on your progress!  

I know the months immediately post-op can be a tumultuous time, and I have seen many many people discuss their struggles.  You seem perfectly normal!  So just do your best to stay on top of things, and this too shall pass.  Really try to get the water in though, dehydration is nothing to mess around with, and I'm sure you know that getting your water will also help your weight loss efforts.

So CELEBRATE your successes!!  I can't wait to see you post more.  I am impatient too, and I have at least 3 months to go before surgery...  aargh!!  

Colleen, come whine all you want.  Just great to see you posting.  I too am slow at the loseing weight.  Still taking things one day at a time.  Seeing the clothes fit different, feeling a bone surface that I knew was in hiding.  Take the small wows as they come.  Do your best to follow the program set out by your surgeon.  Post more often, that is how we know you need the support.  ((((((((Hugs)))))))) Kathy

Colleen. Thanks for posting and reaching out and sharing your struggles. We all have them. It is good to share them with others who can understand. Part of the trouble may be you lack of fluids. Your body will hold onto everything it can to help prevent you from dehydrating. Please find a way to fit in more liquids. You can always use orange crystal light and add vanilla prorein powder and it tastes like an orange creamsicle. Pretty good.

Now.. let me share that hit my first plateau at 11 days out from surgery and it lasted nearly 2 weeks. By 3 months out I was only down by about 50 lbs. Now , I am 14 lbs from goal and went from a size 24 (tight) to a size 10. So, try not to worry. I think you need to focus on more fluids, more protein foods and veggies, avaoid the carbs that do not come from fruit and veggies like the plague and get those vitamins in. I'll bet you will see better loss. I know it can be hard..trust me I struggled early on with this too, but it is what we have to do, having made the choice to have this surgery. (I really don't want to see you fall ill).

I have a question for you...when was the last time you lost 41 pounds in just 7 weeks? That is awesome loss sweety! Took me 12 weeks to lose 50. It is going to be okay. Really it is. I know it gets very frustrating, but try not to let it get to you. The other thing is take monthly measurements. That too can tell you alot. If you are holding fluids, once you begin to drink more, you will let go of that extra water and the weight that goes with it as well.
Big hugs to you. Lean on us anytime!

Hi Colleen. We've not met yet. I'm pre-op and from THIS side of the loser's bench, 41 lbs in 7 weeks is fantastic!! Doesn't that come out to about 6 lbs per week?!! I went to W****chers from this past February to October and lost a grand total of 29 lbs in 8 1/2 months. Now if I had lost 41 in that same time I might still be going to WW and not here in this site preparing for my surgery. I know some people lose absurd amounts super quick but aren't they usually the people who have the most weight to lose? Like all weight loss, the larger the body the more calories that are burned just in day to day living. Just try to remember past diets and how thrilled you probably would have been if you ever been able to get this kind of loss that quickly. I know plateaus are awful and from previous experience I'm afraid I'll have to deal with those early and often (but praying surgery WL will be different from all the diet WL).
 What I'm trying to say is I think you are doing great and have a lot to be proud of. Time is flying by and you'll be where you want to be before you know it. Best of luck and I hope to get to know you as we trvel on this journey.

Rhonda : )

Colleen,
I just went back up & saw your ticker. Your starting weight is 1 lb higher than me. Girl, when I hit 239 I will be doing a delirious happy dance. I haven't seen that number in over 20 years! And if I can get there in 7 WEEKS? OMG, I can't wait. You are doing so great. Please don't be down or feeling like it's not working. You are on your way and you are gonna be at goal before you know it. Enjoy every minute and don't waste time worrying. My last blood work showed borderline low thyroid also but my GYN asked me if I wanted meds ( & that it would help me to lose a little)or wait & see with re-testing. Because of planning for the WLS and not knowing how that issue would affect it, I said let's wait.  One more thing we have in common. You blaze this trail and I'll soon be following behind you. Then you can lift me up when I hit a plateau!

Hugs,
Rhonda