Is this all?!

hello all, October 20th was my 1 year appointment with my surgeon and I left their quite disappointed. I was weighed and I currently weigh 315.7 pounds. That is a total of 136 pounds lost. I realized again that I have lost only 7 pounds since April. Not happy and wanted to cry. In any case, my surgeon said something that stopped me in my tracks. He actually said that I would probably be able to lose for another six months but not as easy as the previous six months. He also said that he was very happy with what I have lost and he would be perfectly happy if I didn't lose another pound!! Can you believe that?!! Here I am 5'5" and 315.7 pounds. I am still considered super morbidly obese and he is happy with my weightloss. I thought I would become physically sick. I feel so much better than a year ago but I get tired the same and I am still not able to do much exercising, so I know that I have a lot more to lose. I feel like such a failure and have been so discouraged for so long. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I feel as if I am going to have to start all over again and start at the basics. I pray that this isn't my final weight because I don't know what I will do!!! Erica

I would not take what the surgeon says to heart. You are not done losing. I think you came up with your own solution. Start over at the basics. Protien first, then healthy carbs. Drink the reccomended amount of water; no water a half hour before or after meals. You have done great so far. You are not a failure. Look to the future. You are a worthwhile person. You have accomplished a lot so far. Forge ahead. You can do this. Many hugs. Loris

Lori, Thank you so much for your kind words. They were just what I needed. I am so very happy I found this site. I feel so at home on this forum. You all know where I am coming from and where I need to be! Thank you! Erica

You just have to watch really closely what you are doing now. Make sure you are only eating three small meals a day and that you are getting your protien and staying away from things like caffine, carbs and high caloric foods. Its gonna be a good deal of work now but keep at it. Work out .. make exercise fun. Join a local gym or something. All of that helps.

Faith, Thank you for the words of encouragement! I am a member of Curves but I really am not feeling the manager so don't go often at all. But I will have to just suck it up and ignore her frowns and then fake smiles. Erica

You have lost 136lbs so far... Thats a great amount to have lost! My surgeon makes it a point to let everyone know that the first year is "normally" the time frame that you lose weight, BUT he also stresses that many people continue to drop weight after that year if they follow the program and work the tool that has been given to each of us. Your weight loss isnt over until you decide that its over.. Work the tool that has given you the 136lbs loss!! Watch what you eat, take your vitamins, get what exercise you can.. I understand that exercise can be hard to do at 315lbs, but every little bit helps.. Dont give up!! Dont let this be the end of your WLS journey... Keep it in your head that YOU get to decide when your done loosing... You can do this, and you can always come here for support!! Amber

Amber, Thank you so very much for the words. I really appreciate them all. I guess I just needed to see if others understand what I have to get through. My best fri3ends also had the surgery but they were "lightweights" compared to me. They listen but I don't really know if they understand how much harder it is for someone who begins at 450 lbs or more! I love them but I need to talk to people that understand better. BMI over 50 forum is what I need right now. Erica

Hi Erica, I know a lot of people have concerns that they aren't going to lose any more weight, but I truly believe what Amber said... Your weight loss isn't over until YOU decide it's over. Yes, there is this "window of opportunity" the surgeons talk about, but I was told by my surgeon or someone else in the Bariatric Dept. (I can't remember for sure - lol), that once that window closes (12-18 months, depending on the surgeon, I guess), it IS still possible to lose weight, but you become sort of like a regular, non-WLS person again trying to lose weight the "old-fashioned" way (if that makes any sense). You just have to continue to use the tool (again, as Amber said) and do the things that you know to do. It IS possible, and if you believe this and believe in your heart, you will achieve your goals; granted, it won't be as effortless as the first 136 pounds, but you CAN do it!! Take Care, Tanja

hi erica: i've been lurking alot lately but had to respond to your post. your numbers match mine almost exactly. amount lost, where you're at, ... i've experienced the same plateau and, even though i'm only about 8 or 9 months out, have been at this same place for a long time. you're so right. it's really difficult to get out and move at this weight. i try doing the small things like parking farther away from my work. when i last tried the stationary bike and treadmill my ankle puffed up something horrible. i also see myself making bad choices, which i know is not helping at all, but it's something i've continued to do. WHY??? i think it's because i'm afraid. i haven't been under 300 lbs in so long i can't really remember when it was. i know that when i decide to re-commit totally to this journey, i'll be able to lose again and pretty soon i'm going to try. for right now, i'm more worried about my upcoming surgery - or at least am using it for an excuse. please don't be so hard on yourself, erica. you have done very well and can continue to do so. but going back to the basic pouch rules and doing the best you can regarding exercise at this time would be really, really helpful in making that scale move. i wish you all the best in your journey. and if you need someone to talk to, who's at the same spot as you, please feel free to contact me. hugs dorthe

Dorthe, You've been so on my mind! I've been wondering what date your surgery is cause I want to put out some special thoughts and prayers that day. Also, maybe you don't know it, but you're my "barometer". We have so mu*****ommon, numbers-wise, weight-loss-wise, and it's always good to know you're going through some of the same things I am. I'm at 311 now, and stalled for another bit. I know most it's my eating and my water intake (been slacking on that). I've been doing my water-exercises, and frankly that's the one I look forward to the most. Also joined a PACE exercise class at my local hospital for free. It's just like it says.... you work at your own pace, in a chair, out of a chair, as much or little as you can endure. Maybe your local hospital has something like this? Just wanted to let you know you're being kept in prayers and thoughts. Myra