Help needed... Here's my problem...I will be 6 years post op in April, My lowest weight post op was about 170-175. I am now at 206.. I am anemic. I know how I gained my weight... graizing and just being bad!!! Anyways I quit smoking around christmas and right after the first of the year I had an apt with family dr. (I weighed in at 202) that really freaked me out so I got right back on track... eating 6 small meals a day, writing down everything that went into my face, drinking upto 100 oz of water. 2 wks later I get on the same scales and I gained 3 lbs. This really devastated me. So I rejoined curves (going every day except for on Sundays), I then changed my diet too (I read up on the pouch rules for dummies and I have been following that pretty closely) my water intake is around 160- 200 oz a day, my calories are around 1200 a day my protien is around 90 and my fat intake is around 20. One week ago I was down 3lbs (203lbs) but today I am back up to 206lbs, I have been constipated (not regular, even with me taking iron and vites.. I have always been regular upto about 1 month ago). I just cannot seem to loose weight and you would think that with me drinking all of this water, following diet, and excercising I would be able to go to the bathroom and do # 2 at least once a day, and have a decent weight loss... Does anyone have any ideas on what is going on? I live 2.5hrs away from my surgeon and I cannot get in to see them (Barix clinics in Groveport oh) till around the first week in April, I do see my family dr. every 3months for blood work to keep an eye on my anemia. Oh yeah I have also taken laxitives, done detox 7 and I even gave in and done a suppository (super yuck) to get just a temporary relief but nothing regular... Please help, I am to the point that I want to go out and pig out on recee cups and get a carton of cigarettes (after being smoke free for 1month)...

Hi Bonnie. I'm so sorry that you're struggling right now. It sounds like you're on the right track so that's great news!!! I think if you stick with all of those good changes, you'll get the weight back off. It might take some time, but it will come off. Constipation problems are the worst. I take 3 stool softeners every night and eat Fiber One cereal to keep me going regularly. Don't give up! Just give your body some time to adjust to this new change and things will get moving very soon!!!! Hugs, Tracy B

At the end of your post you mention being smoke-free for one month. Did you just quit smoking? If so, that might explain all your other symptoms. If you have been smoking for a while, your body is probably going through withdrawal. That would explain everything. Hang in there. Quitting smoking is a HUGE deal, and the best thing you could possibly due for your body. Congratulations! But you are probably going to have to let your body stabilize first, nicotine-free, before you are able to start losing weight again. Only tackle one thing at a time, and give yourself room (and time) to succeed at the no smoking. It will take a while. Then tackle the weight thing. Again, congratulation!

Bonnie: Sorry you're having so much trouble. I know how frustrating that is. Maybe it's time to look at "what" you are eating throughout the day. I was doing what you are - eating small meals, drinking enough water, exercising, but was still not losing anything. When I switched to high-protein, low-carb, I started losing weight almost immediately. I think some people are very resistant to weight-loss, and the high-protein diet works better for a lot of folks. Don't give up, there's lots of things you can try. Also, if you haven't been exercising for a while, and just started up, some of the weight gain or lack of loss could be attributed to that. Seems unfair, that you're doing something so good for yourself and it's making you gain! But that happens a lot. As for the constipation, I often struggle with that as well. I have been finding that if I eat a pretty good-size salad every day, it really helps. I also take 2-3 stool softeners per day, and if it gets too bad, then I'll use the stool softeners with laxative, or Smooth Move herbal tea. It's harder to get fiber in when you're on a high-protein regimen, but it can be done with nuts, seeds, maybe adding some wheat germ or flax seed to your protein drinks, stuff like that. Good luck and keep us posted. Carlita

There is a -HUGE- ammount of water retention that happens when you quit nicotine. I know, as I just went through it too Constipation is part of it too.

I think it is nicotine issues. I quit 2 years ago next week (before surgery) and it took about 3 months for my system to regulate. If you can add some flax or some nuts to your diet, it will help with the constipation - I make sure that I get in at least 15 grams of fiber a day and I'm going almost everyday now. My only other advise is to not to let this discourage you from quitting, it gets better! Micha

Bonnie, sorry I can't help, I did want to say congrats on being smoke free for 1 month. I had my last cigarette at 8 a.m. this past Saturday, I'm glad you posted all of this and the replies you've gotten, hopefully it'll help me get through this next month. Stay the course, you've got some good advise......believe in yourself. Dana

woohoo ... congrats Dana! I'm "easing" my way off 'em ... I'm down to about 4/day. I'll get there (hopefully this post will inspire me as well). Karyn

Thanks Karyn, today is day 6, it's getting easier although I do find myself wanting to eat to replace the time......I'll get a handle on it this weekend, I'm not allowing myself more than a week of this, lol. The weird part is I've lost 1 1/2 lbs even with all the grazing I've done since Saturday, however, I do know this can't continue on without some consequences. Hugs, Dana

Dana - how are you doing? I am two weeks and 2 days offically stopped! Did you know the issue about retaining water - that was the first for me to hear that but good to know!!! Hey if you get a chance shoot me over the figures - I am really interested now! Thanks Valerie

Hey lady, congrats on 2 weeks and 2 days.....is it pretty easy for you now or do you think about smoking still????? It's definitely getting easier, just a couple of instances during the day that give me the urge, you know how that goes.....when I wake in the morning and get the coffee brewing I think about it......then on the way home (all that Houston traffic congestion), lol. What figures you talking about, the ones I got from Dr. Cash? I've only got the brachioplasty w/BL-BA, I'm waiting on the TT quote. Let me know! Dana

Hey guys, thanks so much for all of your advice and input, it has inspired me to keep on going... I have just recently came back to obesityhelp.. It got me thru all of my research and my pre opp woes, and since I have been going thru this I have recently started lurking again, this is a great sight, full of support and inspiration... Thanks so much I'll hang in there and see what happens, then maybe one day I'll awaken and then I'll finally start pooping regularly again (LOL) and I'll shed those lbs again... It has been aprox 2 yrs since I last saw my surgeon so the visit will be good me... Thanks again and if anyone else has any more info I would appreciate it... ps... It would take a lot for me to start smoking again... this is my 3rd time to quit (once when I was pregnant, second time when I had my surg... actually 4mos prior and about 2 yrs post).. the smell now gags me...

Just wanted to say "Congrads" on the quiting smoking. Remember it's more of a habit than an addiction. It will take your body awhile to adjust. I remember when I quit 5 years ago, my fingernail came off. It was one of the fingers that I held the cigerette with all the time! I smoked for about 20 years and I'm only 38. I was told to try to do things that I did not associate with smoking to help keep my mind of of cigarettes. Well, as most everyone who ever smoked for 20 years knows, there is not much you do not smoking. Driving, eating, talking,after sex,  drinking, and even sitting on the potty. It takes a lot of WANT and WILLPOWER. Good Luck!! Good Luck Good Luck. I am also a lurker but every so often I post. I learn a lot from all these wonderful people and try to pass on any knowledge I can also. Just remember this is a tool, the fast weight loss in the beginning is normal, now we havd to work harder. My biggest downfall I necver have and still don't exercise but I think that is about to change. I have never hit my goal weigh but I WILL hit 199 and go below this year. I just pray to the Lord our heavenly Father that I never gain the weight back again as I hated that person. I have 4 daughters ages 2-13 and they are so proud of me, not embarrassed as I know that had to be at one time. My biggest help is my husband. He thinks I am getting sexier and he thought I was sexy as 346. That's true LOVE.

Hi Bonnie - I just wondered where your getting your protien from? If it's dairy(milk) and of course cheese that will plug up any plumbing system. I have to watch the milk and cheese intake or I get into trouble.

Hi, I have gained some weight myself, about 20 pounds, and trying to relose. The big difference is I walk about one hour to 1 1/2 hours just about every day. I did miss yesterday, but did walk far at the grocery and Wal-mart (better than nothing). I have a lot of problem with eating right. So eat only protein and water you think is the best?As far as regularity, try Mirelax powder. It goes in any liquid and you don't taste it. Have to get a prescription from your doctor though and some insurance companies will resist paying, but it can be done. Works usually pretty good, but still with me takes a few days to start. Good luck. Karen