One year anniversary

[AngelY]

So this month I hit the one year mark since my bariatric sleeve surgery and I haven’t lost nearly as much weight as I wanted to. I’m somewhat regretting the surgery although I have had no complications. It’s been rough in the sense that I feel so much pressure to lose weight bc “I had surgery.” I have been highly active, joined a boot camp type exercise group that I have been 100% in attendance for since last July. I haven’t followed 100% protein post 6 months mark because let’s be honest if I had the willpower to eat that way I wouldn’t have needed the surgery. But I will say that I eat 90% protein and have the occasional carbs when I want to try something if my family is enjoying it at the time but I always go the healthier route. I’ve made keto cake to have for my daughter’s birthday. I enjoy the occasional chips and salsa or crackers but not daily or even weekly. I do not eat breads, pasta, or fast food ever! I feel discouraged and disappointed. Is anyone else having trouble succeeding with this surgery? I started my journey at 238 lbs. I now weigh between 200-205. I gain weight VERY easily. My lowest was 195 but I gained weight out of nowhere and now it’s goes down only to 200 if I’m VERY strict but doesn’t budge for weeks after I hit 200. This is full disclosure. 100% honesty bc I feel like this surgery just didn’t really help me.. I don’t know but I would love to hear your thoughts. I’m so sick of all protein meals, and yet I’m not even close to where I need to be. I’ll never give up on my weight loss journey but I do feel like I’ve failed a bit.

 

[Kayleigh]

Hello Angel, I’m sorry that you’re are struggling. My start weight was also 238 pounds. It does sound like your weight loss has stalled. Mine slowed down when I hit the 6 month mark. I have monthly visits with a registered dietitian at my surgery center. I talked to her about my concerns and the slower weight loss. She had me commit to using my Baritastic app that they provided to me at no charge. I’ve been weighing myself once per week since my surgery last July. Everything I enter into the Baritastic app, my surgery center can see.

After tracking again for just a couple weeks, the dietitian sent me a message in my patient portal telling me I’m not eating enough and that I should be having around 1,100 to 1,200 calories per day for continued weight loss. I was eating between 600 to 800 per day. I took her advice and increased my daily calories and lost 2 pounds the following week. I’m so happy that I had this surgery. I’ve struggled with my weight for 20 years. My blood work is excellent, my cholesterol levels are all in the normal range, and my blood pressure is normal - 120/70 and I no longer have to take high blood pressure medicine. My only regret is not having this surgery years ago. It has saved my life and has done wonders for my self esteem.

You may want to reach out to your surgeon’s office and start tracking what you’re eating. The Baritastic app is great. Do you have a dietitian who worked with you?

 

[JudyNY]

So sorry you feel disappointed in your results. I know in the beginning concentration is on protein but from all I have heard watching many different bariatric surgeons on Youtube that 90% protein is higher than you need to be. Have you consulted with a nutritionist? I'm thinking it might be a good idea to go over everything you are or aren't eating with them and see how you might be able to tweak your eating plan.

 

[AngelY]

So sorry you feel disappointed in your results. I know in the beginning concentration is on protein but from all I have heard watching many different bariatric surgeons on Youtube that 90% protein is higher than you need to be. Have you consulted with a nutritionist? I'm thinking it might be a good idea to go over everything you are or aren't eating with them and see how you might be able to tweak your eating plan.

Hi! Thanks for your response. Unfortunately bc of covid and having to cancel elective surgery for some time the place I went to for check ins and therapy closed down. It was a program through my insurance. I still had the appointments with my surgery center but they didn’t focus on mental health or anything just blood work etc. Doing this during covid was a blessing and a curse I suppose. No added peer pressure with special occasions but also nothing to do but stay home for the most part. I’m glad you’re doing well and I’m using all of this advice to stay motivated!

 

[AngelY]

Angel, a lot of times when we feel we're doing everything right, we're not noticing what we're doing wrong. The brain is a unreliable witness.

Before you arrive at your final conclusion, try this: weigh, measure, count fat, carb and protein grams and WRITE IT DOWN.

We never would have been able to become obese unless we consumed more calories than we burned.

If it goes in your mouth, it goes on the scale first. It goes into a measuring cup or spoon. We don't lick the beaters or the bowl. We don't "taste for seasonings" a dozen times.

I don't know if you have this problem or if you're hypothyroid. But in addition to weghing and measuring, you should tell this to your doctor.

After a year, you should be close to your goal. But you also said you got down to 195, then started to gain weight back. The only conclusion I could draw is that you added calories somehow.

You have an eating disorder. It's more common than anorexia or bulimia. You aren't controlling what you eat but because you've treated yourself a few times, you're shifting focus away from what's actually happening.

You might benefit from mental health support, but you really need to support your dreams. Are you dreaming of a new you, or of plates of delicious food? We are at war here. It's you against that nasty little gremlin that wants you to fail.

Pencil.

Paper.

List of nutritional facts.

Scale.

Measuring tools.

Self-love.

AWARENESS.

Success.

I hear you. I am definitely supporting my dreams. I’m going to look into my thyroid and make sure it’s not under active. Thanks for your help and I’ll definitely be tracking more.

 

[AngelY]

Hello Angel, I’m sorry that you’re are struggling. My start weight was also 238 pounds. It does sound like your weight loss has stalled. Mine slowed down when I hit the 6 month mark. I have monthly visits with a registered dietitian at my surgery center. I talked to her about my concerns and the slower weight loss. She had me commit to using my Baritastic app that they provided to me at no charge. I’ve been weighing myself once per week since my surgery last July. Everything I enter into the Baritastic app, my surgery center can see.

After tracking again for just a couple weeks, the dietitian sent me a message in my patient portal telling me I’m not eating enough and that I should be having around 1,100 to 1,200 calories per day for continued weight loss. I was eating between 600 to 800 per day. I took her advice and increased my daily calories and lost 2 pounds the following week. I’m so happy that I had this surgery. I’ve struggled with my weight for 20 years. My blood work is excellent, my cholesterol levels are all in the normal range, and my blood pressure is normal - 120/70 and I no longer have to take high blood pressure medicine. My only regret is not having this surgery years ago. It has saved my life and has done wonders for my self esteem.

You may want to reach out to your surgeon’s office and start tracking what you’re eating. The Baritastic app is great. Do you have a dietitian who worked with you?

Thanks for your response! I too have gotten healthier in regards to blood pressure etc. I forgot about that and I am grateful it’s improved. I get discouraged when I really feel like I’m putting in work and it’s not working. I will try the app and see if it gives me more clarity. Who knows, maybe I am doing something wrong? I appreciate your time!

 

[JudyNY]

Hi! Thanks for your response. Unfortunately bc of covid and having to cancel elective surgery for some time the place I went to for check ins and therapy closed down. It was a program through my insurance. I still had the appointments with my surgery center but they didn’t focus on mental health or anything just blood work etc. Doing this during covid was a blessing and a curse I suppose. No added peer pressure with special occasions but also nothing to do but stay home for the most part. I’m glad you’re doing well and I’m using all of this advice to stay motivated!

That's a bummer that the place you were going to closed down. I wonder if your insurance would cover another nutritionist, maybe you could call them and ask? I would think that the insurance company would prefer that you are under a nutritionist care rather than risk you gain your weight back. I'm not saying that you will, just saying they might think it could happen.

I saw your post that you are going to have your thyroid checked, I think that is a god idea. Also, not sure if you are on any medications but there are some that contribute to weight gain.

I would just like to echo what others have said about writing everything down that you are eating and see what your calories and protein levels are. Also track your water and make sure you are hydrated enough. I have to wonder if perhaps with doing a lot of exercise, perhaps your calorie intake is lower than it should be. You'll only know by writing it all down for a week and seeing how it looks. If it were me, that is where I'd start and then figure out where to go next. I really do wish you all the best and hope that something helps.

 

[AngelY]

That's a bummer that the place you were going to closed down. I wonder if your insurance would cover another nutritionist, maybe you could call them and ask? I would think that the insurance company would prefer that you are under a nutritionist care rather than risk you gain your weight back. I'm not saying that you will, just saying they might think it could happen.

I saw your post that you are going to have your thyroid checked, I think that is a god idea. Also, not sure if you are on any medications but there are some that contribute to weight gain.

I would just like to echo what others have said about writing everything down that you are eating and see what your calories and protein levels are. Also track your water and make sure you are hydrated enough. I have to wonder if perhaps with doing a lot of exercise, perhaps your calorie intake is lower than it should be. You'll only know by writing it all down for a week and seeing how it looks. If it were me, that is where I'd start and then figure out where to go next. I really do wish you all the best and hope that something helps.

Thank you so much. I’m going to look into seeing if there is an alternative option. It really is a lifestyle change and the check ins and accountability are so helpful to staying on track and having constant support. I also think writing everything down will help. Thanks so much for all your advice. I truly appreciate it.

 

[3momchaos]

I’m sorry you are frustrated. It’s really disheartening when things don’t work out the way we’ve envisioned. How are you feeling otherwise? Sounds like you’re working out a lot. Are you feeling stronger, more energetic? I hope you get to where you want to be. Congratulations on your successes so far though. You’ve come a long way!

 

[missyinacage]

This process can certainly be frustrating and I personally know many people that have not had success to the extent that they were hoping for. And not all of us end up with the same level of restriction of how much or what we can eat. I cannot stress enough how much I agree with the suggestions to TRACK YOUR INTAKE. I have been measuring/weighing my food for 9 months, and yet every single time I go to grab an ounce of almonds, it's 1.2. EVERY TIME. Some days I don't weight/measure and just eat without tracking. But if I did that on a regular basis, I'd be eating probably 10-20% more than I actually thought I was. Also, I mostly eat out of storage containers. Want to eat a cup of soup? Put it in a container that holds 1 cup. Want to eat a 1/2C of chicken salad? Put it in a container of that size. Easy measurements without the hassle of a scale or measuring cups.

 

[AngelY]

This process can certainly be frustrating and I personally know many people that have not had success to the extent that they were hoping for. And not all of us end up with the same level of restriction of how much or what we can eat. I cannot stress enough how much I agree with the suggestions to TRACK YOUR INTAKE. I have been measuring/weighing my food for 9 months, and yet every single time I go to grab an ounce of almonds, it's 1.2. EVERY TIME. Some days I don't weight/measure and just eat without tracking. But if I did that on a regular basis, I'd be eating probably 10-20% more than I actually thought I was. Also, I mostly eat out of storage containers. Want to eat a cup of soup? Put it in a container that holds 1 cup. Want to eat a 1/2C of chicken salad? Put it in a container of that size. Easy measurements without the hassle of a scale or measuring cups.

Thank you! I am definitely going to start tracking and measuring. I didn’t go through all of this for nothing that’s for sure. I’ll do whatever it takes. Thanks for your help!

 

[AngelY]

I’m sorry you are frustrated. It’s really disheartening when things don’t work out the way we’ve envisioned. How are you feeling otherwise? Sounds like you’re working out a lot. Are you feeling stronger, more energetic? I hope you get to where you want to be. Congratulations on your successes so far though. You’ve come a long way!

Thank you! Yes I’m definitely feeling so much better. I’m really going to just keep on pushing and try not to stress about the weight loss. I appreciate your positive outlook. It’s so helpful to remember to look on the bright side and focus on how I’m feeling. Thanks again!