Question:
2 1/2 years out and I have gained about 15 lbs back, need help on a jump start!
I really haven't lost any weight since the first year. I have been playing with the same 10-15 lbs. I can't seem to get it back off and keep it off and then go for more of a weight loss. I know my eating habits are not good. First of all, I hardily ever eat breakfast, then i just pick all day long at whatever. I usually sit down for dinner and can eat sensibly then but all afternoon, I just eat whatever. I need to get back with it. Any suggestions on getting over this? I try to go to Curves 3-4 times a week but over the holidays, I didn't get there much. I started back this week. I drink tons of water all the time. I am not good at taking my vitamins. I am doing better this week. I guess it is the new years resoulition thing. I am soooo tired all the time. I can't stand it. I am a SAHM and I go back to sleep after my kids go to school unitl my 4 year wakes up and then I can't wait until her nap time, she wants me to lay down with her and then I take another 1/2 hr nap. Then if I am not doing anything in the evening, I want to lay back down before dinner. UUGGHH!!! I need help. I am on anti-depression pills and have been tot he dr but nothing is clicking with me. HELP!!! Robin — Robin A. (posted on January 4, 2005)
January 4, 2005
When was your last blood work? You sound like you could be anemic or a
host of other things. I am far from perfect but I do try to get in my
vitamins and eat all 3 meals. It's the grazing inbetween that is the tough
one for me and the sugar that I can tolerate. However, I know I need to at
least take care of the minimums which are vitamins and lots of protein or
else I will end up unhealthy and might as well be SMO again. I'd get a
full set of bloodwork and see what thing shows.
— zoedogcbr
January 4, 2005
Hi, Robin! I am almost exactly in your spot. I am 2 years post-op and
have gained 8 pounds over Christmas. I started back to high protein foods
today, but kindof fell apart at dinner time. I was also planning on
walking today, but we are having an ice storm and we needed to get home
from work quickly. Tomorrow is a new day, though. I'm recommitting myself
to eating high protein foods and staying away from sugar and bread. (My
downfalls.) I think that by beginning the day with something with
substance (like an egg and a piece of sausage) and then having more protein
at lunch (like cheese and turkey- I eat Boarshead monterrey jack cheese
with jalepeno - it's very very tasty!) and then later that afternoon have a
handful of peanuts and cheese. For dinner I like chicken with cheese and
picante sauce or a low-carb frozen dinner. I have also tried the low-carb
Oreos, and they are just OK. Not great, but will do if you are absolutely
dying for something "sweet."
I absolutely strayed during Christmas, eating whatever whenever, and it
showed up. I MUST get it back off! I was at 166, and now at 174.
E-mail me if you want - we can be support buddies.
Raye
— raye
January 4, 2005
It sounds like you know what you need to do. If you are not taking your
vitamins you may be malnourished. if you are not eating regular meals and
not taking vitamins - even more malnourished. Eating Breakfast is a must.
If you let yourself get too hungry you will make poor choices. picking all
day is not likely to be meeting your nutritional needs, and regular meals
help you feel full so you are less likely to graze. If you didn't exercise
over the holidays and ate poorly, well I'll say no more. Instead of napping
til the 4 year old gets up, make yourself a scrambled egg and put on an
exercise video. Sleeping too much is a sign of depression. maybe you need
to talk to the doctor about your anti-depressants. I would also like to say
that regular exercise has been shown in studies to be as effective as
medication in mild to moderate depression. It may be the boost you need to
add some regular heart pumping exercise to your routine. I know it is hard
to get started, but once you do it gets easier all the time.
— **willow**
January 4, 2005
Hi Robin, The first thing you should do is get to your pcp and get labs
done, be sure they do a cmp, cbc, B12,liver functions, folate, and iron,
also check your magnesium, potassium, electrolytes...basicly get a complete
work up. most of these have to be listed sepretly, so be sure to let them
know you want all of these. Also see if they will give you a B12
injection, to boost your energy level, and go to the drug store and get B12
sublinguele, remember the regular kind wont work for post wls. You need to
take calcium CITRATE too, and you should take prenatel vitimans 2 aday. I
weigh everyday, and write it down on a calander, I know it will flucuate
daily, but it sets the day, and helps me stay on track. You probably need
to up your protien intake also, Baked chicken, turkey, just throw some into
the crock pot since you dont feel like cooking. Start drinking protien
drinks so you can get all the protien, anything to boost your energy.
Until you get your body back up to par, and start feeling better. Caring
for small children is hard enough, so its important you keep up the
protien, vitimans, exercise and labs at least once a year or every 6 months
if you can. Good luck to you I hope you feel better soon. Rosemary
— wizz40
January 4, 2005
What helped me with re-gain was the South Beach Diet book. It has good
info on how to control what we eat. It's also a good, healthy program (not
low-carb, but "good" carbs). That program is what keeps me on
track at 3.5 years post-op (along w/ some of the pouch rules for dummies
principles). First though, I would suggest getting your labs done and
getting the deficiency issues resolved. It definitely sounds like you're
low on something.
— mom2jtx3
January 4, 2005
Robin, I'm going to jump on the B-12 bandwagon here. When I don't get my
injections, I'm just like what you described. I'm a SAHM as well, and when
I find myself wanting to grab a nap every 30 minues, I realize it's time to
get my shot. Please try this, I know I feel better the next day.
— RebeccaP
January 4, 2005
Robin: PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE get 'GOOD' about taking your vitamins. That
is the first step. I have been hearing a number of horror stories lately
about post-ops who were "not good" at taking vitamins, and it's a
serious issue. You can have some dire health consequences when you're not
supplementing properly. Please do that first, and then work on getting in
an adequate amount of protein (at least 60g per day). Only then would I
worry about the weight gain. Get yourself healthy first and then think
about how you're going to lose the weight. I think this part you already
know - stop grazing and start eating healthier regular meals. But please,
as I said, get those vitamins in. It's probably the most important part of
what we do as post-ops.
— Carlita
January 5, 2005
Thanks guys and gals for all your help and ideas. I was due for bloodwork
back in Sept but I did finally get it done on 12/31, so I will wait and see
what my levels are. I never thought that my tiredness could be coming from
not taking my vitamins?!?! But I truely understand and see why :( I am
being very conscience this week about it and I will try my best to
continue. I use to get B-12 shots but now I just take a pill for it.
Should I go back and get the shots? Are the rules the same as when you are
first post-op? Protein first (60-80 grams), veggies and then if there is
room, carbs?? I think I am going to clean out my frig and cubphard of all
bad things and put only high protein things in it. The only problem is I
have a hungry 14 yr old boy (luckily who is not heavy, he is very athletic
and wants to eat all the time!!) Thanks again for your help. I can always
count on this group to help me out.
Robin
— Robin A.
January 5, 2005
Robin, the body needs food to fuel it and provide energy so in addition to
not taking your vitamins if you are not eating, like breakfast, it can
explain the lack of energy. Try to eat something with protien every few
hours, like scrambed eggs, 1/2 a protein bar, some cottage cheese, cheese
and crackers, protein shake. In addition to getting bck on the vitamin
track, continue with the tons of water (good job) and exercising regularly
(heart pumping cardio is needed to boost that metabolism). Shake things up
and I think you will see that 15 jump right off! And yes, even at 2 1/2
years post-op, and I'm almost 3, the rules are still the same, protein
first.
— Cindy R.
January 7, 2005
Robin,
Hello, Have you thought about asking your PcP for Provigil? It is used to
help people with sleep apnea, shift workers, Narcolepsy, and others that
have trouble staying awake and alert.
I have a terrible bladder problem that will only be handled through
surgery. I wake up 6-8 times a night and never get into REM sleep, I am in
Nursing school and have to be alert in class or it might be though of by
instructors that I am inattentive. My Dr. suggested Provigil until I can
have the bladder surgery this summer. I will warn you it runs about 250.00
per month but it is well worth it.
I now don't want that nap in the afternoon, or the nap before dinner. I
can hit the books till 2am and be back up at 6:30 for clinicals.
It is worth consideration.
Best of luck
Christy Riederer RN/BSNS
— Tiny Pixie
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