Question:
Has anyone jump started their weight loss again after it seemed to have stopped?

I would appreciate any tips from some people who have had a hard time reaching the 100 lb. loss mark and restarted their weight loss. My husband said to me the other day, "Why does it seem like everyone else who had the surgery has lost more weight than you?" I didn't know what to say. One friend who had the surgery in Jan. has lost 101 lbs. already; she told me her Dr. said her weight loss is record breaking. Two of my cousins have had the surgery this June and Aug. and they are both at lower weights than me already. Although, I weighed a little more than they did, (One by about 50 lbs and the other by 20 lbs) I don't drink alcohol or carbonated beverages. My Dr. said that he has heard of patients who jump start their weight loss after it has stopped. I even know people who just go out and party (drinking alcohol) alot and even those people have lost more weight than me. Also do patients who had the open RNY lose more weight? Help??? I don't want to come this close only to fail. I am 16 months post op and the only way that I can lose now is by eating little or nothing.    — Lisa D. (posted on September 20, 2002)

September 20, 2002
Hi, Lisa. The first thing I would do is tell my husband that you are NOT everyone else, and that he shouldn't compare your weight loss to anyone else's. YOU are an individual, and EACH PERSON loses at their own pace. Next, you need to convince yourself that you are speaking the truth. Has your husband been mostly supportive? If so, it may have just been a thoughtless remark, if not, then maybe he is ridiculing you? Either way, it is NOT good for him to say things like that to you. It definitely does not help you. As for the open RNY, it doesn't matter. RNY is RNY whether you have it open or lap. The procedure itself is the same. It has NO bearing whatsoever on how much weight you lose. Some of us are just really slow losers. Now, to explain why I can say these things. I have lost a little over 105 pounds. I am 21 months post op. According to the "ideal weight charts" I should weigh 114 pounds for my height. I currently weigh abot 147 pounds give or take. I have quit weighing myself regularly because if I never lose another pound, I will still consider myself a success. Now, because I haven't lost the roughly 150 pounds I was "supposed" to lose, does that mean I failed, or the surgery failed? Hell no! And I'll tell you why. I had this surgery to improve my health. I haven't kept very accurate records of how much I've lost or how fast I've lost. Why? Well, after I had surgery, and the weight didn't "melt" off like everyone else's seemed to, well, I got discouraged. Then I realized that I did what I could. Now all I could do was accept what would happen. Yes, I followed my surgeon's plan. No, I wan't perfect. Did I lose 100 pounds by the one year mark? No, I don't believe I did. Was I happy by my one year anniversary? You bet your sweet bippy I was! I was off insulin for good. I looked SOOOO much better in the Christmas pictures. My asthma had improved. The sleep apnea was gone. I was so much healthier and had so much more energy. I honestly don't care anymore how much I have lost. I have gained so much more. I got my life back. The number on the scale doesn't tell the story. But, if it helps, I was on a VERY long plateau, about six months or so, where I gained and lost the same five or six pounds over and over again. Then, suddenly, at roughly 19 months post op, I realized I had lost 10 pounds! I had to lose that 10 in about a three week period. I have been losing a few pounds here and there over the past two months. As long as you continue to do what you are supposed to do in terms of exercise, protien, water, etc. you will continue to lose weight, even if it is excrutiatingly slow. At 21 months post, I am still losing. I have no clue if I'll ever get to my personal goal of 135 pounds, but I'm getting very close now. Please, please, stop comparing yourself with others, quit worrying about "failing" and live your life, enjoy the fact that you lost so much already. It HAS to be better today than it was before you lost 80- something pounds. I really wish the best for you. I'm sorry that this is long and rambling, but I really hope it helps even a little. Don't continue to beat yourself up and start recognizing what you have accomplished so far. Please feel free to email if you ever need to chat. Maria
   — Maria H.

September 20, 2002
wow... what a terrific question and a terrific answer. my thanks to both of you. i needed that info really bad right now as i am going thru the same thing. patsy in las vegas
   — PATSY N.

September 20, 2002
Maria ... thank you for such a supportive and insightful answer. (((((Big Hug))))) to you. To the poster of the question ... although I am fortunate in that my DH could not be more supportive, I too am experiencing the frustration of stalled weight loss. I have gained and lost the same 5 pounds repeatedly over the past several months. I know we should not compare ourselves to others as we are all unique ... but I guess it is human nature to compare ... because it seems like we all do it. I am trying to deal with this by focusing on what I have gained in terms of health and quality of life. But I certainly have my moments when I get really down because I have not reached "goal" and I am TERRIFIED that I will regain. I am also trying different things to "jump start" the weight loss ... but no luck so far. I will post if I ever find a solution that works for me! I truly empathize with your situation. It is hard enough with the mental torture we put ourselves through when we don't lose as fast as others ... and must be even harder when you have loved ones pointing it out to you. Have you discussed the possibility of a mechanical failure, such as a staple line disruption, with your surgeon? This is a possibility that could stop your weight loss. I wish I had better advice for you ... but the best I can advise you is to stick with the basics ... healthy diet, plenty of water, supplements and exercise. Try your best to focus on the positive ... and not torture yourself by comparing to others. But ... I know from personal experience ... this is easier said than done. (((((Big Hugs))))) and best of luck to you!
   — Lynn T.

September 21, 2002
I have found that carbs have a profound effect on my weight loss. To lose all my weight, I had to eat exclusively protein. NO CARBS. When I added veggies (broccolli etc. never potato) my weight loss stopped. I have maintained a 161 lb weight loss for over 2 years. I truly feel that our (morbidly obese people) bodies react differently to carbs...i think consuming carbs creates a "chain of events" that results in us wanting more carbs. Furthermore, I feel my body can "store" a carb calorie away in fat easier than any other type of calorie. Now this carb revelation is just a theory, but I have dieted off and on for 25 years...never once successful until I made peace with the "carb". Do your own research...but I suggest you try 100% protein until you get to goal weight.
   — lee J.

September 21, 2002
Lisa-I am not at a year yet, but I have hit a number of plateaus and I have found using the liquid protein supplements will get me off the plateaus and get the weightloss going again.
   — Lisa V.

September 22, 2002
Just a comment on the poster who said "NO CARBS"..absolutely no carbs is not the way to go either, just limiting the quantity and what your eating in carbs is the sensable way. Carbs is what gives you energy...good luck to the original poster, step up the exercise and water intake..eating concentrated protein as well.
   — Trish R.

September 22, 2002
Ok.. I'm only three months post op... but I read it all here... have a little of my own common sense. I think that someone said it, and I agree, go back to basics. I also think to do that, you really have to keep track of everything you eat and do some measuring... like everything we've ever done... all the diets, it creeps back on because we eat a little more... add more carbs, get a littl more fat.. and we don't realize it. Someone in our local group just posted about how good it was to use fitday and she realized she was getting so little protein... she lost the 12 pounds she gained rather quickly once she started keeping track of what she was eating. I'm trying hard not to diet, but I know that my longterm success is based a lot on what I do now so here are my rules.. maybe some of them will work for you. <br><br>lean, low fat protein first<br> keep the carbs and fat to 40% or less of your calories combined<br> never eat a meal of just carbs<br> exercise<br> exercise<br> one protein drink a day<br> eat small amounts often<br><br>Good luck, I hope that helps.
   — Lisa C.