Had my 15 month check up today.

As you guys know from my previous posts this week, I've been stressing about not losing weight for the last 3 months. So, I was nervous today to see my surgeon. Well, somehow, I was down 3 lbs since the last time I saw her (I see her every 3 months) but her scale and mine are not always the same as I weigh first thing in the morning, naked and before breakfast...of course, I can't weigh in that state at her office (or I would...just joking.) Anyway, she said she was very pleased with my results! She said she is super happy that I am still faithful at keeping up my fitday exercise and food diary and very happy that I'm exercising so much. She thinks my body is taking a "break" and that she has seen patients' bodies take a 6 month break from losing. She is concerned however, that I told her I haven't been dealing with stress very well. That I feel tense most of the time and that I'm very "reactive" at work, which, because I'm a manager, gets me in trouble. She told me that the fact that I'm carrying around so much stress and tension that this is probably why I'm not losing weight. That I'm producing too much cortisol (the stress hormone) that promotes weight gain and/or retention. I know she is right. I'm actually going to see a psychologist about this as I don't really know what is wrong. My job is stressful, but, it has always been stressful. So that is not new. I've taken prozac for 4 years since my initial breast cancer diagnosis. Maybe it isn't working anymore??? Anyway, another tool in my arsenal on my continuing quest to actually get under 200 lbs. I'm so glad you guys are there!!!! Thanks! Hugs, Lori 384/238/199

You so totally ROCK!!!! You've done so well!! And you're a survivor!!!! You could have felt sorry for yourself and not even tried and instead you're kicking butt everyday!!!! I have a friend who takes prozac because of her job..(she'd walk out without it and has) and she has to get her dosage adjusted every now and then. I think the psychologist is a good idea as well. I was just telling my best friend in the whole world who is not a SMO how I'll need psychiatric help post op as well because there are reasons I would over eat and medicate with food. I've been in therapy before and it saved my life. I wonder if the stress you're under isn't part of a vicious cycle... like when you can't sleep and you keep looking at your clock and thinking "I've got to get to sleep NOW" and you can't sleep because of the pressure to go to sleep? Maybe you're so worried about not losing anymore weight that it's causing the stress that's keeping you so uptight and that's what's causing the slow down?? You're a trooper and you exercise your guts out every day. You look no where near your age (everytime I see your pic I think this)... You're gonna do SUPER.. just hang in there. You'll make it happen.

Thanks so much WLS chick!!!!

Hi Lori, Glad to hear you had a good doctors visit my friend. woohoo!! on the three pound loss!!! Sorry to hear about your stress at work. I hope things get better for you. Have a great weekend, Diana

hang in there, lori -- i think you're doing GREAT! congratulations on your success. deb

congratulations on your weight loss. You are doing great and are a great inspiration to me. Did I tell you I added a jup rope, and some spring stretching exercise dumaflope thingies to my exercise. Anyway, I have been wondering about the mental thing. I have been having a little trouble with some emotional issues and wondered how everyone is handling theirs. but have been too scared to post it. I have been aiming to call my couselor but havent done it yet. maybe i will get on that next week. Cant hurt can it. Good luck and try not to stress out too much. love marie

Woohoo! Three pounds is huge right now! And it sounds like you have a terrific doctor who knows to look at all aspects of health - that's a good quality. I have a psychiatrist that I have seen off and on for years and he is already my biggest support - we have met a few times just to get me prepared for some of the emotions. Sometimes it's nice to be able to talk about stuff that others may not understand. I'm so impressed that you have stuck with your exercise and good food choices - it's an inspiration! Pam

Pam, My doctor is great. Before my surgery, I really researched the different surgeons and surgical programs in my area. She was the only one that looks at the whole patient and not just the surgery. It is why I picked her, when it was a bit of a risk as she had only been doing the surgery for 1 year at the time. I did see a psychologist for a few months before my surgery. It really helped me. Especially because she was also a gastric bypass patient. I'm not turning back to her for help because I saw her recently and she has started to regain her weight and is very upset about it. I think she is now 4 or 5 years out. Which just goes to show that this is a life long struggle for all of us. She lost over 130 lbs, refinanced her house to pay for a tummy tuck, arm and breast lift. Now she is struggling again. I am going to keep trying that is for sure! Lori