Question:
Am I a lost cause?

I tried for years and years to lose weight and couldn't not matter what I tried. I eventually gave up. It's all coming back to me now because I'm 7 weeks post-op and it seems like I'm hungry to often and I haven't lost any weight in more than 2 weeks. I haven't experienced any pain or discomfort that would lead me to think my pouch has ruptured or anything like that. I'm eating between 800 - 900 calories a day, about 60 grams of protein and about 100 grams of carbs. I'm still not doing very well with my water intake. I'm afraid if I drink too much water it will push the food through faster and I'll be more hungry. Any support or advice would be much appreciated. I'm starting to feel like I'm at the end of my rope. Thanks.    — C. G. (posted on August 4, 2000)

August 5, 2000
Hey Carolyn: Please don't get too discouraged. I plateaued and continue to a lot. In the meantime, I have been losing inches all over the place. I don't weigh often now (10 mos. post op), but my friends and my clothes tell me I am changing. I have just begun exercising due to arthritis pain and am told that my weight loss will change due to exercising. As you increase muscle your weight will go up a little or stay the same. You can weigh much more and look much better with muscle instead of fat. Water is the key to it all. You need to pee the fat out of your system. Force the water--just wait 30-45 min. after a meal and then drink, drink, drink. I'm sure you have read that crystal light counts as water also. I add lemon to my water and love it. Watch your clothes and measure inches if you want, keep away from your scale and you will see results. Also, make sure you are eating enough calories. Sometimes too little food is the problem. Oh, and of course get that protein supplement every day. Good luck.
   — Dot W.

August 5, 2000
Sometimes it may feel like you aren't getting anywhere but like everything else, it will happen. It could be that your body needs a slightly different menu for a day. Are you eating the same things all of the time? Maybe upping your intake of cals and drop the number of carbs. The carbs maybe your trouble. It doesn't hurt to experiment a little. A brisk walk around the block can get things going again too! Good luck!
   — char T.

August 6, 2000
I am the queen of plateaus. I had surgery on 6/6/00 and have been on two plateaus that lasted about two weeks each. Be patient. As everyone says this is your bodies way of catching up with the weight that has been lost. I know it can be frustrating....hang in there. Try not to weigh yourself very much because that makes it worse(I know personally that this has been my downfall). I bet we have all felt what you are feeling...that the weight will stop there and that will be that. Believe me that it is working so let your body do its job.
   — twenc

August 6, 2000
Hi Carolyn: You are doing fine, except you need to up your water intake. Just wait a minimum of 30 minutes after eating and then drink your water - the food will have already passed through. You sensation of feeling full will increase as you get further post op. Relax when you eat. Continue to keep track of your calories and protein grams - one suggestion to break a plateau is to up your fat calories a bit - or simply increase your calories by 100 to 200 calories. Your body may think you are suddenly starving it and the increase in calories can help break a plateau. I know, I've been on several -- I think 15 days is the longest and I've done that at least twice, maybe three times. I had surgery 4/4/00 and now I'm consistently losing 2 pounds a week - which is slow but my weight is lower than many who have the surgery. Try to drink a minimum of 64 ounces of water a day. I can easily drink half of that between breakfast and lunch. If I stay busy, I don't even think about eating! Isn't that a shocking thing to say?? You'll be fine - write me anytime and tell me how you are doing. Best wishes.
   — Cindy H.

August 6, 2000
Carolyn: This is a Post Script to my previous response. BE SURE and take your measurements so you can see how much you are losing as you go. This was a life saver for me because everytime I got a plateau, I discovered I'd lost more inches! If you didn't do it in the beginning, start now! Now go get out that tape measure. (If your tape measure is too small, use a string that does not stretch, and then measure the string with a yard stick.)
   — Cindy H.