Question:
Where is this weight coming from?
HELP! I've gained 40lbs!! I'm 2years and 5 months out.. been on antidepressants (which I was informed I'd been on Paxil for too long at 37.5mg) my appetite has increased, the walking I do doesn't make the weight scale budge...I'm considering going back to Phase I to get back on track...I NEED HELP!! I've almost lost control!! Many of you have advised me to log on to the Yahoo Graduate group, but I must be doing something wrong because I can't get on for some reason. Iam really depressed about this weight gain! I don't feel I can work effectively in ministry with tis weight coming back. I was doing so well before the sexual harrassment issue back in January 2004-6 lbs from my goal weight of 126. Now this!!! I'm at 177pounds when I went to my family doctor last Friday (February 4, 2005). He even asked me "what's going on?" "Let's check your numbers". Anyone else going through this? I'm going to start eating with infant utensils or something. My psychiatrist (who happens to be genuinely interested in my success and has experience counselling gastric bypass patients) has given me a book and workbook to use to "work through" my issues, but in the meantime, everytime I look in the mirror, I can't stand what I see. I'm back at size 14, when I was at size 6-8. Am I losing it or what? My husband is supportive, I guess I just want results too quick...I don't know, but I'm reaching out to you, my AMOS family for extra guidance on proteins, water, whatever....I have a Proximal LAP RNY on 9/3/02 beginning weight 265!!!(....Hadiyah McCutcheon, a.k.a.~~~~ — yourdivaness (posted on February 8, 2005)
February 7, 2005
You said it already..........go back to basics. Sometimes I know that's
easier said than done but it's essential. Weight gain has been a big topic
of conversation periodically since I started coming to this site. By now we
know it can happen, we know this is not a silver bullet. We will have to
maintain control for the rest of our lives or we'll be right where you are
right now. The good news is that it's going to be a lot easier for you to
get the weight than it was pre-surgery but you must start now. Don't let
this go any further. Get the pouch rules for dummies, make a commitment to
follow the rules, and PRAY, PRAY, PRAY. It really sounds like it's a mind
thing you're going thru but I did see in your profile that you had to have
something done because your stoma was too small so do be sure to have that
checked then re-familiarize yourself with the rules and make following them
a fact of life. The South Beach plan is particularly good for losing those
pounds and keeping them off forever. Good luck to you..........I can only
imagine how frustrated and upset you must be.
— scbabe
February 7, 2005
c'mon--we can do this!! It isn't easy, but it will work! Keep reaching out
to AMOS members and you will get back on track.
I am writing down small goals for the week, and trying not to beat myslef
up when I fall short. Email me, we can chat!
sally
— HOTSALLY29
February 8, 2005
Hey when I started getting depressed I joined Curves. I go five days a
week and i am loosing inches like you wouldn't believe. I like going
because it is all women and no one judges you and everyone is very
supportive there. The atmosphere is wonderful. They make you feel good
about yourself. And when you feel good about yourself you LOOSE weight.
Proven fact. go to www.curvesinternational.com to find a curves near you.
Or call 1-800-848-1096 to find out more information. I feel on top of the
world (emotionally that is). Have a GREAT DAY!!!!!!!
— mystic0619
February 8, 2005
The main thing that strikes me is the Paxil usage. Paxil has a reputation
for weight gain. I'm not clear if you are saying you quit the Paxil or
not. If you did and did not replace it with another antidepressant then
this could somewhat be a reaction to increased depression. I know for
myself when my depression isn't under excellent control I can get very
focused on things and blow them out of proportion, just exacerbating the
situation. I have been on Celexa for about 5-6 years. I am on an
extremely high dosage (70 mgs) but that's what works for me. I actually
had to increase the dosage at 9 months PO due to apparant malabsorption. I
have never had any weight gain issues with Celexa. So I would first ask
your psychiatrist to switch you to another SSRI. There are many to choose
from and some do have known weight gain issues with them. Good Luck!
— zoedogcbr
February 8, 2005
I think you've gotten some great suggestions from previous posters. To
those I'd add, break this problem into manageable little parts. Looking at
the big picture might bring back that familiar old despair we want so much
not to have again.<P>Track what you're eating on fitday.com --
everything -- and it'll probably enlighten you on where the weight is
coming from. Eat dense protein foods first to fill up the pouch. (If that
doesn't work, go get tested to be sure your surgery's intact.) Cut out
sugars and junky carbs (keep good carbs, but only after filling up first on
dense proteins). Eliminate calories from beverages. Give protein shakes a
whirl again if you aren't using them. Personally, it wouldn't work for me
to go to Phase I (liquids and tiny amounts of food) because you've got a
mature pouch now . . . I'd strategize based on what you've got now, not
slip back into old habits of trying diets that don't work.<P> And if
you're physically able, tackle exercise differently with a good
heart-pumping cardio routine, and maybe weights (walking, unless it's done
on an incline and/or as part of interval training, may not be enough
anymore for you).<P>Finally, have you had a full set of labs done
lately? I'd do those too, if you're fallen behind in them, to help round
out the picture.
— Suzy C.
February 8, 2005
Hadiyah,
I can somewhat relate to what you are going through. I started on
anti-depressants back in September for the first time for my seasonal
depression. I hated to do it - was scared that I would gain weight. I was
put on Lexapro and hated it and was then switched to Wellbutrin...I was
practically giddy when I read that lack of hunger and weight loss were two
of it's side effects...so, I can't attribute any weight gain to that.
After Christmas, I had actually reached a high weight of 142...which
doesn't sound like a lot, but I haven't kept a single pair of pants over a
size 8 (and only 2 of those) and they were getting tight. I decided that
rather than go out and buy new pants, I needed to get serious again. I had
read many times that if you go back to 'basics' that you could start losing
again...and I figured I had nothing to lose...but maybe a few pounds. So,
I decided I would give it 2-3 days and see what I thought. The first day
was the hardest. I cut out just about all carbs from my diet...unless they
were coming from a major protien source and upped my clear liquids to 100+
ounces a day. By day three, I was no longer hungry 8-10 times a day and
was no longer craving junk food all of the time. Within 4-6 weeks I had
(yes I said had) gone from 142 down to my all time low of 129...and without
any exercise. I kept telling myself I would start on 'Monday'...but the
right Monday never seemed to come. Well, unfortunately, I caved in this
last weekend...which sent me into a full junk food binge and now, this
morning I am back up to 135. Of course, it doesn't help that it's just
about that time of the month...and some of it could be water weight...but,
still - the truth hurts. I guess my point is that it can be done if you
are willing to crack back down. The truth remains that calories out must
still be more than calories in, in order to lose weight. Like a previous
poster said, track EVERY single thing you eat for a few days. Go to a web
site and find what your BMR is and try to keep your calories at or slighly
below that every day. For me, at 5'7", my BMR is about 1400 calories
a day so, for those 4-6 weeks, I kept my intake between 900-1500 calories a
day - including my protien drinks. It might sound hard, but in all
reality, once I got past the first few days, it actually got easier...which
makes some sense if you think about it. See, I had fallen back into my old
eating habits...no real defined meals and lots of carbs. Well, I would eat
say cheese and crackers, then be hungry and hour or two later. So, I would
eat a piece of toast...again hungry. Chips...hungry. Cereal...hungry.
Fruit...hungry. Get the picture? I think what was happening was actually
a blood sugar problem. See I would eat carbs, insulin would be released -
to take care of them, my blood sugar would drop slightly - and I would be
hungry again. Now - or should I say until this last weekend - I would eat
a protien - my body wouldn't have to use insulin to process it and I
wouldn't be hungry for maybe 4-6 hours. So, after the first few days, I
would only be hungry like 2-3 times a day instead of the 8-10 I had
been...which allowed me to eat less and therefore lose weight. Anyway,
check out the grad and protien boards. If you can't get on, it could be
something to do with your computer. I have mine set to pretty high
security settings and don't allow many 'cookies' from sites and I had to go
in and give myself, actually yahoo, permission to leave 'cookies' on my
computer so I could access their groups. If there is anything else I can
help with, please feel free to email me. Blessings! ~ Andrea
— eaamc
February 8, 2005
Just wanted to comment that the reason I wound up having WLS was because of
a hundred pounds gained directly as the result of the anti-deoressant
Zoloft. Was taking 200 mgs for a long time, and just keep eating. I was
never a sweet eater, but started living on Ben and Jerry's ice cream!
I tried many other anti-depressants(including Paxil which did nothing), and
have found that only Zoloft works for me. The difference now is that I
only take 50mgs per day. I am one month and 17 days post-op, and have gone
from 214 to 187.5. My suggestion, amoung all of the others is to try and
change your medication (anti-depressant), and stay on the lowest dosage you
can tolerate. I found that Lexipro didn't work badly, and also did not
increase my appetite. Good Luck!
— lindarodham6
February 8, 2005
— Kasey
February 11, 2005
You must remember that this surgery is a diet tool and you have a small
window to lose. Once that stops you may have to go back to convential
methods of losing weight (weight watcher, etc.). For me, I have 25 more
lbs to lose and I'm really working hard at it. I jointed weight watchers
for the support. I write what, when and how much I eat. I lift weights,
walk, and run stairs. I still eat with my baby spoon, fork, and small
plate. I try to make sure I eat a the table if I put something in my
month. After every bit I place the fork down and do not pick it up until
I'm done. I set a time for 20 mins. If I'm not finished in this time I
stop eating and toss the food out (don't want to graze). I drink 64 oz of
water/coffee a day. Do you belong to a support group. This is so
important. I wish you the best of luck.
— Linda R.
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