Question:
On a plateau, then eating habits going out of control.

I am kicking myself for falling into bad habits. Lap done in 8/03, right on track til around 2/04. Then a plateau hit. I was used to being able to eat just about anything and being fine, but it's all caught up to me. The scale hasn't budged in 4 months. As long as I behave and get back to basics, will I be able to continue weight loss?    — Denise W. (posted on June 30, 2004)

June 30, 2004
Don't beat yourself up so bad. Everyone of us goes through this situation sooner of later. At least you have admitted to yourself that you have fallen into one of those bad habits that you had before Admitting this to yourself shows that you do care about your weight loss and you do understand what you must do to get back on track. Go back to the basics for a couple of weeks (protein, water, etc.). This will jumpstart the weight loss again, I know, I have been there and done that. Most of all have a little more confidence in yourself Confidence goes a long way when it comes to weight loss. I am 13 months post op. My start weight was 310 pounds and as of today I weigh 168 pounds that is a total of 142 pounds lost. Not bad for a man of 52 years of age is it? Your WLS brother, Gene
   — Gene F.

June 30, 2004
Hi Denise. I agree that you shouldn't beat yourself up too badly! Your situation is EXACTLY why the need exists for more preoperative and postoperative nutritional counseling. We actually can eat just about anything in the beginning with no consequences and then BOOM it all comes to a screaching halt and what we've ultimately done is wasted our honeymoon period. I find that actively searching for acceptable compromises has worked miracles for me. For example.......(pre-op) while I was enjoying all the Blue Bell Ice Cream who knew that fresh, cool, ripe Cantaloupe was SO WONDERFUL!???!! Or when I was unwrapping Hershey's kisses by the dozens who knew that 1 10 calorie jaw buster would last for 20 minutes and curb that sweet craving? I did the exact same thing as you did and knew myself well enough to know that if I put myself on a diet it would never work. So I started making compromises and the weight loss resumed and I've never been healthier. Just go out on a limb and try new things - you'll discover lots of things you enjoy that are as satisfying as those "bad habit" foods. It's not about denial - it's about learning a whole new way of living and I KNOW YOU CAN DO IT! Best wishes in your journey!
   — ronascott

June 30, 2004
Denise, don't stop being healthy and keep up with the water, protein, vitamins and exercise. You CAN do this. You WILL do this. This is NOT a race. This is your journey. Travel it honestly and be kind to yourself. If you make good choices, your weight will be good too. Are you measuring yourself? As I'm sure you know, inches can continue to change, even when the lbs don't. Are you exercising more? Perhaps you are gaining muscle weight? Only you can know these answers but you took the MOST important step to keeping your health - you took the FIRST step - and that is the hardest one. Take a good personal inventory, assess yourself honestly and then keep moving forward. Continued success on your journey. Jodie LAP RNY 05-02-03 336/166/???
   — Jodie P.