Pregnancy, Weight gain, now plateau...need help

Hello, I am almost 3 years post op. 515 lbs day of surgery. I have an 8 month old. When I got pregnant I weighted 240 lbs and that was a great weight for me. I didnt gain anything until 6 months into pregnancy and by the time my daughter was born I gained 30 lbs. I have gained 10 lbs since she was born and I weight 280 now. I really need to get back to 240. I am feeling unhealthy and I am in fear of going back to what I was.

I exclusively breast feed which may be an issue as I need a higher amount of calories to produce milk. I dont excersie because its tough with having a baby and again it can effect the milk production.

I feel like I forgot how to eat. Prior to pregnancy I NEVER ate sweets and then the cravings got too much and I at sweets and didnt dump so now its hard to say no.  Day 2 of no sweets though!!!! I am proud of that.

So far today I have eaten Breakfast - 1/2 cup old fashioned oats with apples, almonds, splenda, and cinnamon that I made and Coffee with almond milk. Snack - 1 cup almonds, cashews, and dried cranberries. For lunch I plan on eating a salad that consists of spinach, Kale, carrots, tomato, chicken, and italian dressing. I need more water and protien.

Please help!!!! Thank you so much.

I'm a midwife and have breastfed two boys for a year each and I have NEVER heard or found that exercise affects milk production - sorry, but that's just tosh!  You can walk, run, (both with the baby in a stroller)  bike with a baby seat, find a gym that has a creche - the exercise possibilities are endless and I know because I had my son 11 months after surgery and I was an exercise fiend!

 I assume that at 8 months your baby is eating a combination of food and milk at this point, so you will probably produce plenty on a normal 1200 - 1500 calorie a day for her needs. 

An entire cup of almonds/nuts is a LOT of calories.  Additionally, have you looked at how many calories and sugar grams are in dried cranberries?  There is 529 calories in a cup of almonds.  There are 87 calories in just one ounce of dried cranberries and 34 grams of sugar.  Have you talked to a dietitian?

I would seriously consider tracking everything you put into your mouth with Myfitness pal or a similar tracker.  You will be surprised how quickly the calories add up.  Your menu for the day does not seem too bad, but I wouldn't eat an entire cup of nuts.  Also, the low sugar Craisins taste exactly the same - you should try those.  Eat DENSE protein forward and watch the snacking/grazing.  I am about 21 months out and it's already hard for me not to graze.  I can't eat a lot at one time, but I can definitely graze all day if I let myself. 

There's no reason you can't excercise with a baby, it DOES NOT affect milk production at all.  Go for walks with the stroller at least.  I also don't think you need a lot more calories to produce milk.  You need a lot more WATER to maintain your supply.  Make sure  you stay hydrated.  It's easy to use a baby as an excuse, because they are so dependent on you, but in all reality, a baby should not hold you back from a proper diet and/or exercise.  Maybe a newborn, where you aren't getting any sleep, hormones are off, etc., but not an 8 month old.

You are only 40 pounds up from your goal.  It's definitely not too late to get back on track!  I wish you luck.  It's not easy at all, but you can do it!!!!

Excessive should not effect milk production unless your not getting enough calories which if your gaining you def. Are. While nuts are great just 12 aalmonds is a serving. Three actually a lot of carbs between the oats, nuts and dryer cranberries. I would highly suggest trading calories protein and especially carbs. Also speak to a nutritionist trained in wls. She's going to be she to best help you get on track with diet. None of this comes from a judgmental standpoint but an I know exactly what your going  through stand point. I gained 40 lbs with each pregnancies and some after. Carbs are my undoing. Also an apple will do better than dried cranberries

Cut out the almonds, cashews and cranberries... There is way too many calories. Add eggs, fish, chicken to your meals with veggies and you will see the weight come off. And obviously you have to add exercise, start with 30 minute walks with the stroller and you will see the weight come off.

I also had gained an awful lot of weight through pregnancy and I was only 1 year post-op.... Today 6 years later I have relost some of it and have the last 25 pounds to go... Really it's psychological that we have to eat so much more FOR the Baby.... Eat good things, no junk and empty calories and the weight will come off.

Good luck!