Question:
Need support at 12 weeks post op

I posted this on the message board a few days ago and could really use some more help and suggestions so I am posting here too. If you are about 3 months post, please tell me what and how much you can eat. Thanks :) I really need some support. I am about 12 weeks post op and have lost 52 pounds and 55 inches. I know that sounds pretty good and I'm happy about that but I can't stand these plateau's. I am getting so depressed. I am working hard. But I feel this is surgery has failed me. I think I might have something wrong with my pouch because I can eat a lot and I am hungry a lot. Last night I ate a whole frozen pot pie. (390 calories- 11 grams protien) I did get sorta full, but within an hour I was ready to eat again. I can pretty much eat anything. What am I doing wrong? Could someone please tell me what you usually eat??? Especially those who are about 2-3 months post op. I am getting so depressed about these plateaus that I'm starting to make bad choices on what to eat. Like the other night I went to the store and bought tortilla chips and cheese dip to eat (and ate it) I set a weekly goal for myself to walk 20 miles per week and I've been doing it...ALL with my baby in the backpack (about 30 pounds total) Well, one of the days last week I didn't take the backpack and tried to jog instead and now I have problems with my hip and knee ever since. This is not easy. I have not lost anything in 10 days. Now, before you say, everyone has plateau's for 10 days read on...10 days ago was the week of my period and that week I lost a total of 11 pounds. BUT 4 of those pounds were pounds that I gained the previous week AND I had been on a plateau for 2 weeks before that. I am out there sweating like a pig in 90 degree heat carrying 30 pounds on my back for 3-4 miles EVERY DAY, with my hip and knee killing me and I'm not loosing weight? I know I must be eating way too much! BUT I also know that exercising like that will make you hungrier, right? I am about ready to give up. I started out at 245 and 5'3", so I am happy that I am finally under 200...but I am getting depressed because of these plateaus. I really seem to be able to eat a lot. Please someone tell me what and about HOW MUCH you eat to give me some ideas. I can eat a lot. And I guess I just can't figure out what to eat. I can't stand protien drinks but I am thinking about giving them a try again if it will help. Also, I have noticed that if I EAT protien it does NOT help my appetite like some say it does. I still seem to be just as hungry an hour later. Is this head hunger? How do you know? I am also thinking about trying to write everything down that I eat and drink for a few days to see what is going on and if I am getting enough water. I've got to do something. I'm starting to feel out of control again. Honestly I've been on diets and not been this discouraged so early on like I am now. I am sorry to be whining so much, I'm just discouraged. Thanks for your help.    — A. S. (posted on June 26, 2002)

June 26, 2002
I don't think you are whining. I think you are obsessing. First, stick that scale away. Only weigh at your Doctors- I don't care if you only see him every three months, you are driving yourself insane with the weighing (I'm up, I'm down- this will go on for the rest of your weightloss- so ditch it NOW). Second, look at what you are eating, get back to basics. Basic proteins (eggs, chicken, fish, beef, tofu), basic foods. No pot pies. ANYONE can eat mostly anything, simply because you did not have surgery on your brain, you must train it to eat different foods (GOOD FOODS). Plateaus cannot be predicted. You are making a good decision to write down everything you eat- especially WATER. Input what you eat at fitday.com and see how healthy you are eating. Don't beat yourself up over the chips, just don't slip back into that pattern. If you are hungry after 1 hour, you could start water loading to appease it- then you can tell if it is head hunger or real hunger. Your body is not happy it is losing, and simpky thinks it is starving, therefore it trys it's hardest to hold onto anything it can.....
   — Karen R.

June 26, 2002
It sounds like you need someone to talk to. I am 3 and 1/2 month post-op. I have lost about 60lbs. I have plataeus and I gain weight with my period. But I am not stressed out about it-Because the end result is-YOU ARE LOSING WEIGHT! Much faster than you were before you had the surgery. You should check with your doctor about your pouch size. Depending on the weight you need to lose. Your doctor may have made yours bigger than others. Please feel free to call me or e-mail me. I am here if you need me 757-468-2978 or [email protected] You are doing fine!! But throw your scale away!!!
   — Sheila H.

June 26, 2002
Oh my god! If I didn't know any different I'd swear I wrote this posting. I am really glad someone else feels the same way as me. I am just a week shy of being four months post op, down 71lbs. For breakfast I eat a boiled egg, 1 slice light wheat toast(sometimes with butter) For 9:30 snack a banana, mostly because I have low potassium. For lunch, 1 1/2 cups salad or 6 pieces of shrimp cocktail or 2oz chicken breast. For dinner about 1/2 to 3/4 of a Weight Wathchers meal or Lean Cuisine. I know exactly what you are going through. Some days I can eat alot then others I can hardly eat anything. One night I ate half a small turkey sandwic with lettuce, tomatoe and mayo and a few potato chips too. An hour later I ate the other half. Then one night I ate almost 2 cups chicken chow mein, no rice or noodles. I've realized I can't snack, even on the healthy stuff. Once I began snacking I don't want to stop, even after surgery. For the first 3 months my weight loss was pretty good, 65lbs and now it seems like my weight is coming of in spurts, 5lbs here, 5lbs there. And....I do get hungry! Like you, sometimes an hour after I eat. I thought maybe my surgeon made my stoma too large or something. So, you are not alone! I just try to drink water to feel full when I can't eat. So, almost 4 months down the road, reality is hitting kind of hard, I've realized this surgery is not magic and actually takes work. Even though I've been accused of being lazy, "cheating" and taking the easy way out. They way I look at it, it doesn't matter if it seems like we are eating alot as long as it's healthy food and not junk food. Good Luck and your not alone. If you need to talk or just want to compare info, I'm here. [email protected]
   — Angie B.

June 26, 2002

   — lilmskitty

June 26, 2002
Hi...I am sorry you are frustrated. I am almost 3 months out and have lost about 50lbs, so it sounds like we're on the same track. I am happy with this - I'm fitting into stuff I haven't been able to for years, I feel more attractive, etc. etc. I am halfway there! Is there another way you can track your success besides the scale, ie, thru clothing sizes, inches, etc? With regard to eating, I find my habits to be very erratic - one day I can eat (what I think is) a lot, the next day, next to nothing. My only advice is this - lighten up on yourself, give yourself (and your body) TIME to adjust. Look at this way...you should be thin by the end of the year. You will be a happy, healthy VITAL mommy to that sweet baby in no time at all. Keep up the good work!
   — rebeccamayhew

June 26, 2002
I am 9 weeks post op and have loss 70 lbs. but nothing in 2 weeks. I know it is frustrating but the doc said it would happen. My body is catching up with the weight loss. Hang in there as they say we will start losing again.
   — Gary H.

June 26, 2002
I just wanted to say OMG! Sorry if its a lil rough but come on girl you are working your butt off plateaus come and go. I have watched 2 of my closest friends have this surgery, one with no plateaus till 7 months and the other struggling for every pound she loses. Drink more water, eat more protein that's what you always hear, but come on you are still losing weight. Sometimes just taking out a before pic helps, that is so important watching these two friends of mine. I ask them if you didn't lose another pound would you be satisfied one says yes one says no. I have not had surgery yet, I am scheduled for 7-16, so take what I say to heart or not, but girl be proud you are only 3 months out. You have lost a lot more weight than without the surgery sometimes these aren't the right things to say but then sometimes you just need to hear it too. Hang in there girl and good luck. Fitday.com is an easy way to keep track of calories and exercise check it out it looks like it would be beneficial to you since you want to start a food diary. Also Isopure is a great source of protein it has the consistency of skim milk, just a lil thicker than water it is quite tolerable. ~Ang~ p.s. sorry if it sounds like I am being rough, rude, or unemotional, I just hate seeing people take for granted their accomplishments.
   — angel_wls

August 25, 2002
I know this posting is a little behind, but I was here looking for others with problems similar to me.....and here you are! At 4 1/2 months out, I find myself thinking I am eating WAY too much. In the overall, it isn't. I read of others who eat mor calories than me. That doesnt relieve my anxiety. I down to 208 from 280 the day of surgery. I look better. I pretty much feel better. I couldnt tell you what I eat in a day because I am a nurse and work nights 3-4 nights a week. Nurses tend to graze and socialize with eating, so I have to bring things like fresh fruit, soy nuts, cashews, beef jerky-like steak nuggets to eat through the night. I am never sure when some one item will be too much and I vomit or feel painfully full. Other times I have to STOP AND THINK, choose to not eat a whole bag of doritos or funyuns.... those go down EASY!!!! Also, my surgeon has expressed his "displeasure" I havent lost more weight to date. However, I exercise, drink as much water as I can swallow, stretch, etc...... All I keep focusing on is this: I am HERE TODAY. I am lighter than I was 5 months ago. If I NEVER go back to that weight 5 months ago, I have achieved more than I expected. Before I had this surgery, I gained and lost weight. I was sure I would do the same after surgery. Sure enough, I do, but the AMOUNTS of GAIN are SMALL!!! I went into this surgery WITHOUT a weight loss goal. I focus DAILY on my preop mantra. I wanted to stop taking just one of the 17 meds I was taking a day. I only take 4 pills a day. One of those is a vit, one is a stomace med, one an allergy med, one is my antidepressant. Amazing!!!! I personally am proud of you and your efforts to this point today. Just keep plugging along, eat what you can tolerate, hug your sweet baby, and love yourself!
   — deenurse