Question:
Are you 3 years post op or more? How do you look now

compared to what you did BEFORE? Since this weight (the ugly BEAST) has crept back on my body, I can't hardly stand to look at myself anymore in the mirror! It almost brings me to tears...My PCP had referred me to an Endocrinologist to do some extensive diagnostic testing. It makes me feel somewhat relieved that my TSH levels or whatever they're called, indicates that they are not sure what is going on and has diagnosed me as "abnormal weight gain" since I've compulsively showed my journals from the day I was released from the hospital up to and until January 13, 1994. That's the day my life went backwards. I still write down everything I eat, drink, and if (and when) I'm motivated to exercize. but I stay sooo tired all of the time. I have the classic symptoms of being hypothyroid, and it's making me angry, depressed and all because I just can't stand the way I look. My ankles and knees hurt, swell and...I just can't stand it anymore. People that I have "mentored" are now trying to cheer me up. Don't get me wrong, I don't want a pity-party, but it sure would help if I had some support from my buddies here on this website...and I know I've been promising to let you see how I REALLY looked, but, please bare/bear with me, it'll happen sooner than you think...I just gotta get motivated again after they finish doing these lab tests I've never heard of. I'll be glad when they find out what's wrong with me. Thanks for you guys always jumping in there with your support! It brings tears to my eyes, you just don't know, when I see all of the clothes in my closet, and can't get into ANY of them! I'm back in the FAT CLOTHES again...hiding the fat!! HELP me!!My endocrinologist may put me on thyroid medication. I've NEVER had this problem before my WLS, and only my Granny had a thyroid condition (she passed on to glory two months after my surgery) Any suggestions??? Hadiyah, back in the 180's (weight-wise) and NOT happy~~    — yourdivaness (posted on October 26, 2005)

October 26, 2005
Calm down and take a deep breath. Some weight gain happens. You see, some times we create goals that our body doesn't want us make. I'm not saying this is your situation. Make sure that you get all your testing done and find out what may be going on medically. If nothing is wrong, then going back to protein first, watch the sugar and get your water in is what you should probably do. huuugzzz Paula
   — shoutjoy

October 26, 2005
Hi, dear! Don't panic..thyroid problems can be easily maintained with appropriate medications. Many people have them and some people are diagnosed later in life. Also, you mentioned your granny have thyroid problems..they are heriditary. Your aches, pains, tiredness, mood changes and all the above and more are symptoms of hypothyroidism, especially since you are mentioning that your TSH levels are off. TSH is Thyroid Stimulating Hormone. Your doctor is running a full thyroid panel to check everything so it sounds like you are in good hands. Hang in there. Take this time to center yourself and take control of the things you can, such as drinking your water and protein first, eating slowly and chewing well. This to shall pass and you know where to come for support! Take care and you'll be in my prayers.
   — Karen Renee

October 26, 2005
Hi, First off, Stop beating yourself up!!! Step back and say Hey, What have I accomplished in the last 3 years, I an not over 300 lbs anymore. You are doing the right thing by haveing your Doc check your bloodwork. It is not uncommon to have problems 3 years out. You will get back on track. You might need to be on an anti-depressant as well. That very much helps get everything back on track as well. Do not panic. That will make things much worse. At least you are checking things out before you are completely past help. I am only 19 months out & have been stuck at 200 lbs for months. I just saw my surgeon yesterday & found my iron levels are very low, even though I have been feeling fine. He also gave me suggestions to jumpstart my weight loss again. I am planning to start them and get the rest of this @#$#@ Weight off. Hang in there.
   — Marilyn C.

October 27, 2005
It's easy to forget how vulnerable our weight made us feel until it creeps back on. Like an insiduous little mosquito in the night, we start with a small itch and then find out we have malaria. But, you know intellectually that some creep up is normal and that, unfortunately, you've been hit with some medical problems that contributed to your woes. I find it easiest to return to my old ways when I am feeling so sorry for myself that I am convinced that what I eat has no bearing on anyone else. But, then I realize that I deserve to feel good and that I owe it to myself to eat healthy and not let food dominate my life. Repeating that mantra helps a little- but, the one thing that helps the most is looking in the mirror and realizing that if I don't take care of myself and if I don't control my relationship wtih food, no one else will. Good luck.
   — SteveColarossi

October 27, 2005
Hey Hadiyah, First girl let me give you a big hug ((((((((Hadiyah)))))))), I know that it is heartbreaking when you meet a goal only to have something you can't control take it away from you. But you are still doing okay, you are not in the 300lb range and they may have figured out what is wrong. Imagine if you didn't have your surgery and didn't lose the weight, and then developed the hypothyroidism. It could have been the straw that broke the camels back. I will definitely pray for you that God gives you comfort, and gives the docs guidance to help you. I am two years out as of 10-23-05, my goal was to get healthy and to hopefully make it down to 170 from 340. I have lost down to 170 (actually 168 for 2days) and went back up to 180, I took a long look at what I was doing to myself. I cut the junk back out that was sliding in and I have been maintaining the same weight for almost a year. I thank God everyday that I am able to weigh 170ish. I don't care if I ever make it smaller, I am so much better than where I was. So if you need a shoulder to cry on, I have 2. Please keep us posted and if you need to talk, just IM me or email. Lisa post-op lap/rny 10-23-03 340/170/??? -170lbs.
   — Lisa H.