Need encouragement, 3 mos s/p VSG - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

KateMT · 11-10-2008, 08:00 AM

Hi, everyone. I am about three and a half months out from the sleeve and I feel like I'm doing really poorly. I've lost about 35 pounds and considering that I lost 20 a week after surgery I'm feeling really discouraged at how slowly the rest is coming off. The problem is - I can eat! I'm really regretting choosing the sleeve over the bypass. I can not eat large quantities of the food I am supposed to be eating like proteins, but I can eat larger quantities of the foods I am NOT supposed to have like snacks. They just go down easier and I can tolerate more of them. I feel every bit as food-obsessed as before my surgery. For instance, this morning I had a packet of instant oatmeal before I came to work. But when I got to work all I could think about was, what can I start munching on? I was definitely NOT hungry - but I was so obsessed thinking about food I finally had to go get some pretzels and munch on them. I am grazing throughout the day.

I know I need to exercise. I have only been walking sporadically and last week I really made an effort to start at least fitting in a walk at work every day. I know I need to do something more strenuous, but I have just been giving myself excuses why I can't fit it in. The truth is, I'm just not committing myself to it.

I probably wasn't as ready to start losing weight as I should have been. Maybe I thought the surgery would be an easy fix. I didn't take the diet as seriously as I should have. I started trying solid foods right after the surgery. I had it easier than most - I didn't need to be followed by a physician before my surgery and I had total, instant insurance approval. I know many people work for months to have this surgery and I feel like I am wasting my opportunity. I know I need to "start over" but I feel like I can't get a handle on my food cravings and get motivated to exercise. Tomorrow we are having a support group and the topic is obsessing over food, so that will be good. But any advice or encouragement would be appreciated!

nextbigloser · 11-10-2008, 08:07 AM

Don't beat yourself up over it your only 3 months out. Your body will slow down and stall occasionally. This is not an overnight fix you still have to work for it. One thing that could be contributing to the slow weight loss is snacking. If you find yourself snacking make sure it is on something with protein in it like string cheese. Wish I could offer you more advice, the weight will come off just give it time.

katzz87 · 11-10-2008, 09:46 AM

I'm sure you heard...this surgery only works on the stomach...YOU have to work on the head issues! And trust me you wouldn't be the first person who thought this would be an easy fix. This is a life-long journey and you KNOW what you have to do...DO IT!

If anyone would have told me prior to surgery that I'd actually like exercise...I'd of told them they were C-R-A-Z-Y!!! It took me many, many months but I can truthfully say that exercising makes me feel...well, powerful. Strange but true!

And we all pretty much understand how those carbs are easy to munch on, that's something I'm dealing with right now. Learning how to have carbs in moderation is kind of hard...but doable!

Keep plugging along and your tool will work for you!

weza215 · 11-10-2008, 09:19 PM

Kate,
I have gone through everything that you posted not only once but numerous times. This is the biggest roller coaster ride. Please don't give up. You need to get yourself on a schedule and follow a plan. Don't eat the carbs they make you crave more carbs. It takes two successful days of not eating carbs to finally get the cravings to go away, that is for me. My plan consists of waking up drinking 8oz. of water then an hour later I eat a peice of string cheese and a boiled egg then more water then another hour later I drink more water then for lunch I eat some kind of meat and a peice of string cheese. More water. Supper consists of meat and a non starchy veggie. Then more water then a protein shake which I use 1% of milk 8oz. mixed with body fortress chocolate protein powder. Then it's water for the rest of the night unless I want a serving of pork rinds. I have the ability to eat snacks also and I learned that I can pig out on popcorn. The sleeve is more forgiving then the rny and sometimes I wish I would've gotten the rny but I'm sure that everyone doubts their decision at some point. You can eat all day long as long as you wait that half hour in between your meals and water drinking. Choose the protein and it'll keep you fuller longer. Bring some string cheese to work and munch on that rather then pretzels. We are addicts and no matter what surgery you choose you can find a way to eat around the obstacles. Quit beating yourself up it just makes you want to eat more. I obsess about food all day long. I have head hunger all day long. You came here for support and I want to help you like so many others have helped me so please keep posting and we can get through this. Lisa

KateMT · 11-11-2008, 04:27 AM

Thank you all for the encouragement. It does help to know I'm not the only one going through some of these things. This morning I got up early and unpacked the "Gazelle" and did some exercise on that. Tonight we have a support group meeting on emotional eating so that should be right up my alley!

Carlota · 11-14-2008, 06:48 AM

Hello, Kate!
I do not have pearls of wisdom to share with you but wish to send you my encouragement and hope for better days. We all have similar stuggles. Focusing on each day as it comes seems to be working for me. Don't become demoralized and keep going!
xx, Carlota

KateMT · 11-14-2008, 08:16 AM

Thanks Carlota - it does help to be part of a community and be able to share. Thanks for your encouragement : )

kate

Carlota · 11-23-2008, 12:05 PM

Hello, everyone!
It is freezing in London- there was even a bit of snow this morning!- but I am feeling all warm and fuzzy inside! Wish to share with you my renewed joy and hope. Happy days will come for us all.
My tender embrace,
Carlota

Vickichacha · 05-18-2009, 07:01 PM

Dear KateMT,
Your post says it all for me.I am now about 3+ months pre-op and have the same issues you did when you started this thread.
I would love to know how everything panned out for you.Your story might help me through this stage OR might send me to the 'right' path.
I can't stop grazing and am going to take the advice given to you and eat protein snacks.
Vicki

P. Rodgers · 05-20-2009, 11:36 AM

KateMT,

I'm a nite feeder. That was all we did, watch tv and eat. But I realize that my mind is playing the game and I will not let it win. Number 1, I was a self-pay and I will not let the money go to waste; Number 2, I won't get another chance to do this again. I'm happy for you that you have a support group to go to. You can overcome this and you will lose weight. As the others have said, eat protein and not carbs and you will eventually not want the carbs so much.

Try not to obsess over it (I'm guilty of this myself) too much. Stress causes you to retain weight. Just know that if you work the plan, it will work for you.

You're in my prayers.