Question:
I have only lost 135 pounds and my anniversary is next month what have I done wrong?

I had surgery on Sept 8, 2003 and that was the most happiest day of my life. I started out at 485 lbs and I am now 350 I thought that I would be at least in my 200's by my year. What have I done wrong and what can I do I drink plenty of water, and crystal light. I get over 45 grams of protein. I excersise but not alot because I have osteoarthritis in my left knee so it is limited. PLEASE HELP!!!!!    — SHAKEITHA M. (posted on August 18, 2004)

August 18, 2004
Wow! 135 pounds in a year is wonderful! Congratulations on such a wonderful loss. Keep on losing and remember that everyone loses at their own rate.
   — Margaret S.

August 18, 2004
Hi, I also have arthristis (RA) some of my meds that i'm on side effect cause possible weight gain/change,please check with your doctor to see if that's the case with you. I didn't gain I stop losing for several months,just started back losing last week. I was very disappointed,but understood. I had my surgery in Dec.2002 with complications leading me to have two other surgeries last one Aug.5,03. I was 400lbs down to 217lbs. Don"t give up.Please check with your drs. mae
   — Mae T.

August 18, 2004
How much protein does your doctor want you to have? 45 sounds low, also how are you doing with carbs? Are you lucky enough to have a pool near you, water excerise is great for us with stress pain. Congrats on your 135 pound loss, hang in there it will remember any loss is better than a gain.
   — Cookie G.

August 18, 2004
Don't assume you did anything wrong, there can be many things that factor in. However, normally a SMO would have lost more by now unless their surgery wasn't done right. Do you know how much you are bypassed, pouch size? How much are you eating - total. Track it on www.fitday.com - it can be a real eye opener. Your protein intake is low also. What proportion of your total intake is protein? To me there is something that doesn't meet the eye and I suspect it's in how your surgery was done. I also am assuming you had an RNY. If you had a lapband then the loss will be slower but will also continue on for years. <p>I do understand the physical pain issues and how that limits what you can do. It took me 6 months before I could walk a mile continuous without stopping. Even after losing 252 lbs my knees suck worse than ever, but then again they would be even worse if I was still 442 lbs. At this point the type of exercise I would recommend is to get in some weight training. Nothing burns fat better than muscle mass. It doesn't need to be done with a trainer or in a gym, although it does make it easier having everything there. You can do all kinds of exercises with bands, small weights etc. and do them at home. Also the more muscle you build the more stamina you will have to do more walking etc. Water exercise is normally what everyone recommends but for me it is one of the worst exercises. My knees are so bad that bending the lower part of my legs against the water resistance is very painful, so for me I do the weight training and walking. The walking can be painful also but not as bad as the water. If I ice my knees after walking then they end up no worse than before I started. <p>What is your surgeon saying about your loss? Does he or she have any explanation what is going on? The whole thing doesn't make a ton of sense to me but there may be some good explanations that you have very little or no control over. You need to take a hard look at your eating and make sure you are doing mostly protein and doing it first. Veggies and fruit next and lastly carbs but hopefully there won't be much room left at that point. Your best bet is probably to go back to square one and force your body back into ketosis to get the process moving at a good pace again. I hope you get some answers and continue to work towards your goals. 135 lbs is nothing to be ashamed about. Yes you have a ways to go but life still has to be better at 350 than 485. You may also be a person that needs a panni early in the process. Getting that excess skin and fat off would really help with your mobility. You might check into that. Good luck and keep working the program!
   — zoedogcbr

August 18, 2004
Our stats are very similar so I hope you will listen to what I have to say. You need more protein. Double what you are getting now would be good. Do you have any white carbs? That can slow loss. Also, our metabolism can be affected from being over 400 for so long. Just keep doing the right things and in time....you will get the results you want. Best of luck to you. Ann in TX
   — Ann B.

August 18, 2004
What are you eating? I don't think 45 grams of protein is enough per day. What's your calorie count per day? What's your carb intake? Are you getting in excess of 64 oz. of water per day? Exercise is crucial to getting the weight off and keeping it off. There should be some low-impact things you can do like isometrics or strength training. Even walking would work. My osteoarthritis got drastically better when I started walking and I've found I must do something every day to keep the pain away. I do a combination of walking, running, stepper and stationery bike, depending on my mood that day. Also when eating, are you sticking to the rules of protein first, fruits and veggies second and carbs only if there's room. Don't drink 20 minutes before/after a meal and no grazing between meals. Congrats on the 135 lb loss. That's awesome. This is a lifelong journey. The journey isn't over after a year. It's a lifelong committment.
   — Cathy S.

August 19, 2004
My surgeon said 90-120 grams of protein for the 18 months or so. Then down to around 60. I hope you have'nt screwed yourself out of your weight loss by not doing the heavy protein for the first couple years. Personally I lost almost nothing after the first 12 months. I did'nt have the 18-24 month window most people seem to have. (Still 35 pounds OVER goal). :(
   — Danmark

August 19, 2004
Average loss for a year is between 97 - 180 pounds. You are in the normal range. 45 grams of protein a day is what kids eat, not someone who is 300 lbs. You need at least 90. I have terrible knees but exercise everyday if I can. They hurt but they get stronger.
   — mrsmyranow

August 19, 2004
I WISH I had lost "only 135" lbs. You are so BLESSED. I had surgery August 8, 2003 and I have ONLY lost 95 lbs... and for the past couple of months I have been gaining and losing the same 10 lbs. God Bless you on your journey... it is NOT over yet! I also have osteoarthritis and TWO bad knees. I exercise to SPITE the arthritis.... the exercise will also HELP with your arthritis. Ask your arthritis doctor for physical therapy! That is a great way to kill two birds with one stone.... exercise and your pain. Good Luck!
   — pennix122

August 19, 2004
Thank u very much for posting your answers. I do get in about 60 grams of protein I do a lot of meat first. I get in close to 64 oz a day my liquids arent very good. I do between 32 to 64 a day. So I know that is not good but I am trying.
   — SHAKEITHA M.

August 20, 2004
Shakeitha, please stay encourgaed. Step one is being aware of what the problem might be. Don't be afraid or ashamed to discuss this with your doctor. Really focus on the protein and water and as hard as it is ask someone to walk/exercise with you. Just don't let yourself get too discouraged over the "slow" weight loss. You will do just fine. I know it isn't easy but just keep trying to do right and the weight will come off. Vesta 426/290 (1 yr post op today)
   — vesta D.

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