Question:
2yrs.post-op & gained 20 lbs.after hysterectomy with A&P repair?

My eating habbits haven't changed much but, I haven't been able to excercise like I was due to extream exhaustion. I'm very anemic and I'm fighting this with Dr.'s care. I was down to 130 pounds and FINALLY felt comfortable with my body.Now I'm up to 145-150 and feel fat all over again, despite the fact others tell me I'm finally looking healthy again.(others thought I looked anorexic) What can I due to loose these 20 pounds again?I'm scared to death of being 283 pounds all over again.Please send me some encouragement.    — Sandi H. (posted on May 27, 2003)

May 27, 2003
Sandi, perhaps your body is comfortable at this new weight. I've heard that it is normal for post-ops to gain back 10 percent of what they have lost by year 2 and that is where they settle, so it sounds like you are there now. I can totally understand the scared part..I think many of us fear any regain as we all think that we are destined to go back to the obese bodies we spent so much time in. I would however, trust your friends who tell you that you look better-healthy at this new weight. Why would they lie to you? I know our own self-image when we look in a mirror is a tough one to deal with. You probably do look better at this weight than you did at 130. However, if you are determined to get back to 130, you know how to do it-exercise, more protein, less carbs and sugar, more water, cut back on calories.
   — Cindy R.

May 27, 2003
I know how you feel. And, let me tell you exactly what I tell myself each day - try not to feel discouraged. It may be a screwed up hormone thing. I had my ovaries removed just over 2 months ago and they put me on Premarin. They told me I would gain 10 pounds but I haven't. However, I've been working intensely to lose 10 pounds and the scales haven't budged. Sometimes we do everything right and we still don't see good results but I know if we hang in there they'll come. I'm convinced that my problems are somehow hormonally connected and it may just take some time to get straightened out. I bet the same could be true for you. Don't give up!
   — ronascott

May 27, 2003
Sandi, First take a deap breath,now another deap breath, OK :) now tell yourself you will be just fine. I am about 18 post-op and have gained about 12lbs. now my 12 or your 20 might not sound like much when we were bigger we might not even have noticed but NOW it feels like 100( dosen't it?) so weird! Any-way I know how I felt 12 lbs. lighter and I want it back so I started back down the scales by doing at least 2 protein supl. a day and really upping my water ( which I was not paying attention to and it went way down)also I am really trying to stay away from white stuff like pasta, rise, bread, and as for working out , each to his own, the neat thing about this surgery is that it is possible to get a grip, you will find that even with a slight effort you will notice a difference where as before we did not have had a chance. good-luck you can e-mail me if you like, but know this YOU CAN DO IT :) ;) ;)
   — Rho