I hate to post this

But I feel like I have to.  I am having a really hard couple of days....I am very unhappy with my decision to have surgery.  I have never been this unhappy about my decision.  I am 3 months out, 12 weeks tomorrow.  I am in a stall, have been hanging around 195 for 2 weeks now.  I feel really  hungry all the time, both real and head hunger.  I want to eat carbs so bad, like I am craving a piece of cake....it's horrible!  Seriously the only thing keeping me from eating some kind of sweets is the fact that I don't want to get sick.  

Why is this happening now?  Is it the stall that is making me questions my decision?  Why are my cravings so bad?

Then I see these posts of "hey I lost 90lbs in 3 months" and I'm super happy for those people, but why have I only lost 43lbs?  I do everything right.  I almost wonder why because lately it doesn't seem to help.  

Yesterday I found myself at dinner with friends and they of course mention how little I eat, and I don't know where it came from but I just started to cry and I told them how much I wish I could just sit and enjoy a meal like I did before, like they were doing.  

I guess I just miss my best friend, food.  I have much work to do still....I really am a newbie at this!  I can't believe I offer advice so often to people....really, I just need to shut up.  I have to work on myself.

On the good side I get to finally have the MRI on my knee tomorrow and maybe that will finally solve whatever this problem is and get me back into the gym.

Thanks for letting me vent....I hope to feel better soon. 

Thanks for posting how you're feeling. Read your signature - we are all here for each other.

I haven't had any real food in days and I am going NUTS!

Hang in there.

What you are feeling is normal...it is hard when you body was changed but not your brain. I have lost alot of weight in a short time but I started off much heavier than you. I have my days when I just want a big ol burger and fries and dive head first into the plate but that is how I got to 365lbs and miserable. Pat yourself on the back for each day you make it through and remember why you chose surgery to begin with. You will succeed and be all you ever dreamed of being. 

                                          Kim

 From what ive seen my 90 lbs in 3 mo is rare...im thankfull for it but its rare. Look at it this way...YOUR LOSING! Maybe not at the rate you want but youre LOSING! I have slowed down a lot in my loss...Ill go a week or more and flip flop back and forth with in the same 5 lbs or so, then one night Ill lose 5lbs ...wacky how this surgery works. HWne I stall its VERY discouraging...but I know it will pass....I mourn food also. Sometimes i just want to eat normal like everyone else...but I cant and I just have to suck it up and deal with it. I asked for this surgery and all the restriction it places on us...I NEEDED THAT...and I got what I wanted. Is it hard? yes...but its worht it. In fact im getting to where I can eat MORE than I feel I hsould and I can tolerate things I was praying I wouldnt be able to...so now my willl power must come into play...that along with the fact that I cant eat as much as before is what will keep me losing and maintaining. And let me tell ya, being able to wear smaller prettier clothes, doing more physical activity and have more fun, looking better and getting compliments will DEFINATELY boost your will power...and this si coming from someone who has VERY little will power lol. YOu can do this...it WILL get better...If I can do this...ANYONE CAN!

First of all, Big hugs to you! You are doing great! 

You are starting out at much smaller that someone that is losing 90 pounds in 3 months. By looking at your ticker, if you lost 90 pounds in 3 months, you would only weigh 146. You seem to be losing weight at the right rate for your body size (or really any size)

Have you thought about therapy? Maybe someone to talk to would help with the feeling about eating large portions.

Are you getting in all of your protein? Have you tried upping it? How many calories are you eating in a day? Things will get better the farther out you get. Hopefully some others will chime in about the carb cravings because I honestly have no idea about that.

 You are a lightweight and you can't compare yourself to someone that has a couple of hundred pounds to lose.  It looks like you started out with less then a hundred to lose and you have lost a good percentage of it.  You are doing great.
Stalls are frustrating but normal.  Usually followed by a big drop so you have that to look forward to.  I remember being sad that I could never eat the way I used to but now I am glad I can't.  Eating that way didn't do me any good.  Now I enjoy my food instead of just shoving into my mouth as fast as I could to satisfy some emotional need I could never figure out.
Things will get better.  A lot of women find that their weight loss is related to their cycles.  I have heard of some people that only really lose weight after their period.  I remember when I was losing weight when I was younger it was very frustating not seeing a loss for a long time and then after my period seeing a big drop.
If you are experiencing hunger try adding another protein drink.  I have found that the more protein I have the better my weight loss was and I wasn't bothered by hunger.  Stay away from the refined carbs.  They will only make you crave them more.

Ok, reality check time.  Let me get this straight.... you're only 3 months post-op and have already lost HALF of the weight you need to lose... and you're complaining about a 2 week stall?!?  Really...?!?  Most people here would LOVE to have lost half their excess weight in only 3 months.

First of all, it's only been 2 weeks. Stalls happen. Surely you knew there would be some, right? 

Secondly, the people who lose 90 pounds in three months have a hell of a lot more to lose than the 100 pounds that you need to lose.  It is likely that those people started out at 350+ pounds (or are men, and they ALWAYS lose MUCH faster).  (Moreover, it frequently takes people with a lot of weight to lose 18-24 months to lose it all.)

Three months is about the time that the old habits and cravings frequently rear their ugly heads.  It is also a common time for your hunger to return since your pouch and nerves are healed, so what you are experiencing is quite normal.  Some people struggle more with cravings than others.  Sometimes the carb cravings are stringer if you are already eating a lot of carbs, so you might want to check to see how many you are consuming (especially in processed foods).

I don't want this to sound mean, but if a 2 week stall and not being able to have a "normal" dinner have you this upset about your entire decision to have surgery, I think getting some counseling might help.  You may be suffering from some post-op depression.

Lora

Vent away!  I think your weight lose is reflective of the fact that you were a "light weight" at the time of surgery.  This surgery/tool is doing exactly what is is supossed to do for you.  I have my surgery in 12 days and I totally see myself in you and what you are experiencing right now.  I could always start a diet and stay motivated for about 2 months.  I'd lose about 20-30 lbs.  But, about 2 months is all I could manage before my craving would get the better of me and my willpower would crater.  I'd go back to old habits and regain the weight I'd lost.  I suspect you might be like me.  So, just try to remember why you had your sugery. So, this time you could be successful. So you'd have a tool to help you be successful long-term.  And guess what,  it's working just like it's suppose to. :) You're going to get past this and be stonger because of it. (((Hugs)))

P.S. In a few months when the new has worn off for me and I'm struggling.  You can remind me of everything I just said to you. ;)

REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS!



While you will lose weight in the first few months after bariatic surgery, you reach your maximum weight loss in 12 to 18 months.  Here is what you can expect to lose post op!



For patients weighing 200 to 250 lbs.

10 lbs. in first 10 days

15 to 25 lbs. in 6 weeks

25 to 35 lbs. in 3 months

35 to 45 lbs. in 6 months

60 lbs. or more in 1 year

70 lbs. or more in 18 months



For patients weighing 250 to 300 lbs.

10 to 12 lbs. in first 10 days

15 to 25 lbs. in 6 weeks

25 to 35 lbs. in 3 months

45 to 60 lbs. in 6 months

80 lbs. or more in 1 year

90 lbs. or more in 18 month



For patients weighing 300 to 400 lbs.

10 to 30 lbs. in first 10 days

25 to 45 lbs. in 6 weeks

35 to 55 lbs. in 3 months

50 to 80 lbs. in 6 months

100 lbs. or more in 1 year

120 lbs. or more in 18 month



 For patients weighing 400 to 500 lbs.

10 to 30 lbs. in first 10 days

25 to 45 lbs. in 6 weeks

35 to 60 lbs. in 3 months

50 to 90 lbs. in 6 months

120 lbs. or more in 1 year

150 lbs. or more in 18 months

Dawn,

Thanks for posting this!  I will be one year out on Wed. 7/27 and have my visit with my surgeon today.  I am so worried he is going to make another comment about my weight loss being slow!  He did at 6 months.  I had surgery at 273 and am only 199.  so  technically 74 pds after surgery.
(your range said 80 pds or so which made me feel a bit better )

I need another 50 to get to goal and I am very anxious - what if I do not get there??!!