Question:
why am I starting to gain weight @ 7 mo. post-op...

I am 7 mo post-op and have gained 4 pounds and can't lose it... eatting habits are the same.. is this normal? Someone please tell me what to do to kick start this weight loss back into action...I have not even lost 100lbs yet...I am scared...    — daizi55 (posted on May 12, 2009)

May 11, 2009
Maybe you should increase your exercise a little and cut down on your eating just a little bit.
   — deannhuss

May 12, 2009
How long has the weight loss stopped including the time that the 4 pounds came back? "...not even lost 100lbs yet" sounds like in 7 months sounds like you have done wonderfully so far. This may be a pause in the weight loss and from what I understand changing up your exercise may be the best response. Increasing intensity of workouts either through increased duration or level of effort or a change to a different type of exercise altogether. Since your eating habits are the same the exercise change should be the key. If that doesn't help then careful documentation of what you're eating to see if there is any room for calorie reduction there but from what you've said exercise should be the the most important factor. Kevin
   — hapkidodoc

May 12, 2009
A lot of people say that their eating habits are the same but often as we move further out we tend to eat just a little more here and there and those extra calories add up. I have a 3-4 pound weight flux right around my time of month (TOM)and it's all water retention. By the end it goes away...So sometimes it's a matter of water retention...But if that weight stays more than a week or so...There is only one thing it is...calories...Calories are the only thing that will make you gain weight...It doesn't matter if you eat an extra 500 calories in apples or donuts a day by the end of the week you'll have put on a pound (1 pound is 3500 calories)...Even if you drink it in a soda...Somewhere, you've added more fuel than you can burn...and your body is storing that excess...It works the opposite as well...cut and extra 500 calories a day and you'll lose a pound a week...(easier said than done, of course...isn't it always harder to work at something?) You can do a little more cardio to burn that excess and/or cut back by eating leaner, making better choices of foods...Sugar and simple carbs are energy for the body...but store as fat...Protein is not stored in the body thereby making it an ideal choice over simple carbs...Your body feels fuller longer on dense protein and a little complex carbs (always eat protein first!)...and must work to get rid of the excess so it requires less protein before you are full (but your mouth and gut loves those easy to digest simple carbs..so that makes you generally prefer simple carbs over protein)Ignore the urge to skip the meat and eat the potatoes!(such a chore for me personally! LOL....Also if you begin strength training (muscles) Muscles burn hotter than fat and will burn fat faster EVEN while resting...So you see there is a lot more depth in diet and exercise but bottom line is calories = weight gain...If you are eating a lot of simple carbs, replace with protein...eat leaner meats...substitute fatty red meats for lean fish a few times a week...Get low or no fat rather than full fat cheeses and dairy...Make sure you are not drinking or eating empty calories in sugar...Replace any sugar or white breads with complex carbs like fruits and whole grains...They are not easily digested and much will pass thru in the form of fiber, rather than store as fat...Get out measuring cups and start using them to help you keep better track of a serving size...I use the recommended serving size on the package...because it is based on a 2000 calorie a day diet...which is close to what I eat daily to maintain my weight. You might adjust the recommended serving to a slightly smaller amount...If 1/2 C is a serving of fiber rich cereal...Eat a "small" 1/2 C or a 1/4 C to cut some calories...weigh your meats on a scale as well...Often we don't realize when we have added extra food and the only real way to see it for yourself is a food journal/log of everything you eat. Then add up the calories breaking it down into protein/carbs/fat/fiber intake...This is where you can really learn how to manage your diet now that you are almost done with the rapid weight loss stage. I know I was absolutely stunned when I started a food journal..I thought I was pretty good at guessing calories in foods...I was STUNNED how many hidden calories are in restaurant foods and salad dressings...etc..So I learned quite a lot and it's been a HUGE help to me when i am just off track even a little. You have to work to maintain that loss and continue til you reach a healthy weight...These aids REALLY WORK and have helped me in the past with a weight gain and fluctuations...Get on those 4 pounds NOW before they turn into 10-20-50! It happens...it's easier than most can imagine while they are rapidly losing...It's not the same diet we start with and our bodies adjust to our surgery...We have to WORK at keeping on track constantly. I know I sure do...I still worry that I will begin bad habits more often, because I am far from perfect all the time I fear gaining all my weight back...I notice some times I just give into temptations or have a beer with hubby on hot days and those calories are EXTRA that I have to work out in my lifestyle change of diet! I cannot mindlessly have a beer or a drinkeven a sports drink without reading the label to see how many extra empty calories in sugars I have to work off! If I have a beer...I mow the lawn or take a brisk walk with the dog with some weights on my ankles or do an extra 20 minutes of heart pumping cardio...You must always be mindful of what you are eating...It sneaks up on you if you aren't very careful most of the time! Cut it out or burn it...or both! Stay hydrated as well...often we retain water when we don't drink enough...Body does store water too...and it might be as simple as that! ( I cannot eat chinese food because of the sodium and msg makes me retain water) When your body is hydrated, it will stop retaining...usually! Hope that helps!
   — .Anita R.

May 12, 2009
Exercise.... even if its only 5 minutes per day every day. And don't forget to drink your water.
   — karrenn

May 13, 2009
First dont panic. Your only 7 months out and stalls are normal. You may gain a few of the pounds you lost. Check how much salt you are getting. Then change your foods. eat only protien and veg for a few weeks and then slowly add other foods. This will usually break the stall. Don;t worry I was stuck bouncing about 5 pds for a couple months and now am losing again.
   — trible

May 13, 2009
I am 2 years post op - RNY and have gained 6 pounds back. I was in some denial about the number of calories I was taking in. I finally faced the fact that I was constantly sucking on hard candies and they were giving me the extra calories. I also needed to exercise more. Anita R. always gives us good advise.
   — Muggs

May 13, 2009
If you had an RNY, your tiny stomach grows and reaches its new mature size at about 6 mos post-op. You may just be able to eat a little more now. Maybe you should keep a food log to be aware of what you are eating. If you are still having difficulty, buy the workbook version of the BECK'S DIET SOLUTION. This is a 6 weel course written by a cognitive therapist that teaches us how to follow a diet. One of the keys to it is in developing helpful thoughts to counteract our own sabotaging thoughts. We can learn to change our internal dialogue about food as well as change how we react to the world without using our old eating habits. Bob
   — sjbob