Question:
I am 7.5 months post op. I recently gained 6 pounds. Anyone else??

I really need help, advice, support. I had my open RnY on 8/23/01. I lost about 65 pounds and lately have been plateuing for longer periods of time, even though I have increased my exercise. I actually shot UP from 225 to 232 and to say I am confused and depressed is the understatment of the year. I get loads of conflicting 'advice' ranging from the obvious: 'you are eating too much' to: 'you are not eating enough'. What is the DEAL with my metabolism?! I will be 36 years old early next month. My surgeon just sorta shrugs and says I am a slow loser and to just be patient. I just wanted to 'vent' I guess. ~Lisa in NY    — Lisa G. (posted on April 15, 2002)

April 15, 2002
Lisa, I am 8 mos post op, started at 289. I'm down 112 pounds. Since 6 mos I have had the same problems. I will sometimes go up several pounds and maintain it for about 2 weeks, and then all of a sudden I will drop 8 or 9 pounds at one time. I think it is water retention. I notice it happens more when I am not drinking the amount of water I need. Why, I do not know, hang in there, you will lose, it just seems like forever at the time, especially if you are weighing everyday. good Luck.
   — Valerie M.

April 15, 2002
Lisa - gosh, I relate to you. I have named myself "queen of the slooooooow losers"....check out my profile if you don't believe me! I have just resigned myself to track my calories (on fitday.com) so I KNOW, really, how much I'm eating, to drink 64 of water, to get my protein, and to MOVE a little more each week. Then, I've got to let my body do it's thing. If I'm doing all of the above, eventually my body will catch up. For me - I had to get brutally honest about the food. These folks who are only eating 800 calories a day - I don't know...I can put away more than that, easily. Of course, when I do it "right" it takes effort, but you know what they say, where there's a will there's a way! LOL. Seriously, go back to basics and let your body do it's job. Hang in there! OPEN RNY 7/17/01, -90, 47 to go.
   — blee01

April 15, 2002
Lisa - gosh, I relate to you. I have named myself "queen of the slooooooow losers"....check out my profile if you don't believe me! I have just resigned myself to track my calories (on fitday.com) so I KNOW, really, how much I'm eating, to drink 64 of water, to get my protein, and to MOVE a little more each week. Then, I've got to let my body do it's thing. If I'm doing all of the above, eventually my body will catch up. For me - I had to get brutally honest about the food. These folks who are only eating 800 calories a day - I don't know...I can put away more than that, easily. Of course, when I do it "right" it takes effort, but you know what they say, where there's a will there's a way! LOL. Seriously, go back to basics and let your body do it's job. Hang in there! OPEN RNY 7/17/01, -90, 47 to go.
   — blee01

April 15, 2002
You might want to check your diet for hidden fats intake. We put butter or margine on food, even oil and vinegar salad dressing can be high in fat. Reduce your fat intake to about 30 percent a day and eat simple foods such as grilled chicken breast, tuna with no fat mayo, fresh veggies and fruits. Do this for at least 2 weeks along with you waters, exercise and protein drinks and you should be fine. Also, no snacking between either your 6 small meals a day or 3 a day, whichever your doctor has you doing. Also, take your measurements. I had surgery on August 21, 2001, down 84 pounds, had bad diebetes, major metobilic disease and I just turned 44, talk about a slow loser. Anyway when I was on a 2 month plateau, just last month, that is what the doctor told me to do. I was eating too much fat in my diet. While I did not lose any weight for those few months, I did lose lots of inches and went down in clothes size. I am still a slow loser compared to others who had surgery about the same time as I did. I also take thyroid meds because my thyroid does not work. Keep up the good work. Also, I can gain an easy 5 pounds a few weeks prior to my period. Hope this helps.
   — Celtic B.

April 15, 2002
If you are getting a lot of excercise and getting in your protien, you may actually be building up muscle that you lost during the early stages of being post-op. Typically people will loose a substancial amount of muscle during the first month or 2 post-op because of not getting enough protien during the recovery phase. Take your measurements and listen to those who say, don't be obsessed with the scales.
   — Dell H.