Question:
I NEED HELP!

I am in a mild panic. I had an open RNY on 6/10, down from 475-428 and have stayed there! Not an ounce has budged since my last weigh-in on 7/22. What is going on?? I though this was the "honeymoon period" where the weight melted off. I have been having my protein drink (35 gms) in the morning, lean chicken/turkey w/a salad for lunch and lean protein with cooked veggies for dinner. Well over the standard 64 ozs of water a day (peeing all the time). Small amont of fruit for a sweet, fat-free Rye-krisps if I feel a need for crunch (2 of them most), boiled egg white for snacks, been walking gently (bad knees, hurts to go too far). I feel great, much more energy, do a lot of housework and overtime at my job but NO WEIGHT LOSS!! :-( I'm now terrified that I'm going to be one of those people that WLS just does not help. I've been morbidly obese all my life. I came into this world weighing 11 lbs., was 180 by sixth grade and almost 500 when I had my surgery. I just cannot imagine being doomed to this size forever. I have an appointment to check out Curves for Women to boost my activity level that much more but what else??? It's easier to get a callback from the Unabomber than it is to get a hold of my dietician (surgeon is done with me, says his role in this drama is over). I'm 34 years old and have a long way to go in this body. PLEASE HELP!!!!!    — Anna S. (posted on August 21, 2002)

August 21, 2002
You may need to bump up your calories to lose weight. If you are over 400 pounds and eating only 3 x day you are probably in starvation mode! Your body will hang onto the fat to combat the "bad times ahead." Try eating small amounts every 2-3 hours, protein first then veggies and fruit. Maybe that will let your metabolism loosen up a little. Good luck and hope this helps!
   — ctyst

August 21, 2002
Hi... Congratulations on your 47# loss -- that is fantastic. I am 4.5 months post op and down 71# and have had a few plateaus. They bothered me at first then I learned that plateaus are important also as they give the body time to adapt to this drastic change. Sounds by your diet that you are not eating enough. You definitely need more protein. In the beginning I could not find a protein drink I could stand but Vitalady steared me to Pro Score 100 Chocolate and I love it. I do 2 scoops (32 g of protein) w/ 6 oz of l or 2% milk and about l/2 cup or more of ice and blend. It is breakfast every morning and I occasionally do one midday and at dinner time while I'm cooking dinner. It budged me off that plateau. I also joined Curves but due to bad knees also could not handle much walking or such and have limited that but this week I'm getting a Gazelle exercise gadget and intend on really pumping up that heart rate with exercise that does not stress the joints. Water: I do 100-150 oz a day. I'm told we should do one ounce for every excess pound. You have to work up to that though: don't try to do it all now if you aren't there. Protein ideas: keep boiled chicken in your fridge, eggs, egg salad, chicken salad, make omelets, things that are also easily digestible. You are going to do fine. Also for me patience has been hard and its been a learning process. My best to you.
   — AJC750

August 21, 2002
Ana, don't panic yet! You are probably just on one of those pesky plateaus. It happens to all of us, some of us more frequently than others. Try what the others suggested, eating more frequently, alittle more protein...sounds nuts, to eat more to lose weight but believe it or not, it works! Your body will let go of the weight again in no time....
   — Cindy R.

August 21, 2002
Hi there... congrats on your loss... I agree with what everyone else says... you might want to find some more protein in your diet.. and you could keep track at fitday.com. I was surprised to see what I was eating after I started keeping track there. There are some other things you might do for exercise that wouldn't stress your knees too much one is swimming.. its a great exercise when you have joint problems... also you might find a gym that has a recumbent (spelling could be wrong) bike. Good luck!
   — Lisa C.