Question:
I AM 4 MONTHS POST OP AND ONLY LOST 41 POUNDS

I know that 41 pounds is 41 pounds and I should be happy that I have lost that much in 4 months. I know that I could not have done this without the surgery but I am so depressed that I could die. I feel like such a failure and I know that I am going to stay fat the rest of my life. I eat less than 1000 calories per day. I drink lots of water in one form or another. I eat my protein. I am exercising more now. I keep thinking that if this is all there is...what is left. I went through torture and still am hungry all the time. I can eat more than anyone else I have seen post on this site and still be hungry. I don't understand it. Of all the people this could happen to, I guess it had to be me. I am really having a pity party now. I hope no one else ever feels this way. It is miserable. Please don't bash me. If you have any helpful ideas or want to join the pity party, please do. Just needed to vent here...someone out there has to understand.    — Sheila M. (posted on June 23, 2003)


June 23, 2003
Hi, Sheila, don't give up! I am still pre-op so I don't have any experience to share, I just want you to know I am pulling for you! I am sure there are some good ideas coming from the other members, but if you want to just talk, email me, OK?
   — Tim W.

June 23, 2003
Hi Sheila. I am sorry that you are having such a bad time right now. I don't know exactly what to say except that you have done good, although I can understand what you say about going through torture to have only lost that amount of weight. If I were you (and I realize we are different) I would stay on nothing but protein at all times. No carbs. Even though you are eating protein, I would drink it too. That is the only thing that helped me break a plateau my sixth week. If you are drinking a lot of water and exercising and truly eating small amounts, it has to catch up and it will. Don't think about yesterday. Think about tomorrow. I wish you the very best and know it will get better. Marcy LAP TO OPEN RNY 4/29/03
   — Marcy G.

June 23, 2003
look long hard and honestly at your food intake and level of activity. still feeling the pity party? well what needs to change? maybe nothing! i do suggest a support group or some therapy. take to your surgeon he must have sme ideas!! do not allow yourself to become a victim of negative thinking!! good luck
   — nan K.

June 23, 2003
Jolynne is right, I had the same problem, could barely get 800 calories down in a day. Once I increased my calorie intake to 1200 a day and walk/run 4 miles every other day the lbs just shed right off. I am also 4 months post op and am down 47lbs. No way do I consider myself a failure, you shouldn't either!!!
   — Liz B.

June 23, 2003
at 4 months you really shouldn't be feeling hungry all the time. That tells me a couple of things, if I were to hazard a guess. One (agreeing with everyone else here) that you need to eat MORE! Really. Second, that maybe your choices of foods haven't been the best - shoot for dense protein foods and avoid starchy carbs. If you must have carbs, load them with protein (salads with meat and cheese, crackers with peanut butter or cheese, etc). Are you eating in the mornings to get your metabolism kicked into gear? Are you eating at 2 or 3 hour intervals to avoid getting really hungry and are you eating until comfortable satiated - not stuffed but comfy? If you are doing all these things and your still really hungry a lot or feel you can eat a lot at one time, it's time to talk to your surgeon about a possible SLD or enlarged stoma. Best of luck to you!
   — [Deactivated Member]

June 23, 2003
oh a couple more things :>) Are you drinking an abundance of fluids? If you aren't drinking at LEAST 60 ounces of non-caloric fluids a day you can't flush out the fat AND it will leave you thinking your are hungry - often we mistake hunger for thirst. Maybe up your fluid intake?
   — [Deactivated Member]

June 23, 2003
Dear Sheila, Is it possible that you are depressed? This happens to many people post op. You are doing fine in the weight loss department. Maybe some antidepressants would help you not feel So hopeless
   — [Deactivated Member]

June 24, 2003
Sheila, read my profile. You are not alone, okay? Just think of it this way, 1 to 2 lbs per week is considered "normal" weight loss for this surgery. You are 16 weeks out and should have only lost 32 lbs. You are doing better than "normal" already!! Chin up, girl!! Keep on going and don't give up! This is the worst time after surgery, and you just need to grab on tight and keep going! :~)
   — Sharon M. B.

June 24, 2003
Sheila, I think Ruth summed it up nicely. Your profile does not give us any idea of what you are eating and how often, just a calorie amount. Less than 1000 calories = ? Is it 500 calories or 999? The others are right-you must eat frequently but small amounts of protein based foods-like every 2-3 hours. You say you are eating protein, but are you also eating too many carbs? Snacking? I know exercise has been a challenge for you because of your back and you are just starting to get into the groove with cardio types of exercises and did not have the opportunity earlier to do so, so cut yourself some slack here. Part of your depression may be due to seeing your hubby lose so rapidly. He's a guy!! They lose faster- don't even try to compare!! So, lets review. Eat more often-keep carbs/sugars low or non-existent, up the water (try to exceed the 64), keep up the regular cardio exercise to burn those calories, and no comparing to hubby. Now, if all that fails, then do as Ruth suggests, and visit the doctor to make sure that there is not a medical reason/problem with the surgery.
   — Cindy R.

June 25, 2003
I hate to be direct, but when is the last time you were on a diet before surgery that you were loosing 10 lbs a week... man if that were the case I dont think there would be a sight at all... No matter if you have had the suregery or not the doctors still say 2 lbs a week is what is safest... so think of it as being safe!!! Hang in there, the blues will pass, YOU ARE DOING GREAT!!! 41 pounds HA!!! I cant wait for 41 lbs to go away!!! This is why we need the surgery, because we can go so long with so few calories and get so frusterated that we stop trying becuase nothing is happening worth mentioning... surgery doesnt allow for that choice to happen, so you will take it off like it or not, now focus on something else like how to get happy with your self and your future! You have every reason to do that for yourself!!
   — colette73

June 26, 2003
I am 4 1/2 months out and have lost 37 lbs. It seems like everyone is losing more than me. I know some of it is my fault, I feel like I eat all of the time. Try upping the protien, cutting the carbs, and get in more water. Good luck. Maybe I can follow the advice that I give.
   — Sandy T.




Click Here to Return
×