Depression - Never reached my goal

I never lost the total weight I wanted to in the first place.  I went from 304 to 200.  Why am I having such a hard time?    Also, what is the pouch test?

I am so depressed.  While I feel better, Im not happy. 

You have done very good losing over 100 lbs but it is still possible to get to your goal.  You may have to make some changes that you aren't ready to do, though.
Do you track your food?  Keep protein first?  Lot's of water?  Avoid refined carbs?  Get in regular activity?  If not there are some things you can think about.  It is still a matter of calories in vs calories burned.  As long as you keep the calories in lower then the calories burned you will lose weight.
Some people say that we get a free ride in the beginning of our journies.  I know I did with my first WLS.  I didn't make any changes and I still lost weight but after a few years it came back to bite me and I would up gaining almost all the weight back.  I learned a lot from that and this time I choose to look at the reasons I got to the point of needing WLS in the first place.  My biggest problems were eating refined carbs like sugar, candy, cakes, cookies and especially bread.  My other problem was that I ate too much.  The surgery helped me be satisfied with smaller portions but what I ate was all on me.  I accepted the fact that I am a carb addict and choose to abstain from them.
So far it has been over 15 months and I am prouder of that then I am of the weight I have lost.  It feels good not being out of control like I have been for so long.
Good luck to you.

Great advice!!!

The pouch test is simply going back to the beginning.  If you google 5 day pouch test you will get tons of infomation.  Lots of folk find it helpful to restart and cleanse their system.

Tazz is right.  It is never too late.  You still have your tool, you just don't have the malabsorption you had in the beginning.  Now will take more work.  And if you didn't make changes in how you were eating in the beginning, now you will have to.  But you can do it.  Lots of folks continue to lose.  Don't let all you have been through already go for nothing.  You can get to goal.

Go back to the basics you did on a daily basis as a new post op.  You can google 5 day pouch test and read about it.  You basically go on liquids, then soft foods, measure food quantities, etc. The old addage "if you bite it, write it" describe journaling food.  Bring a notepad with you everywhere you go. Write down time you eat, what foods, approximate amounts of foods, whether you drank during the meal, mood at time of eating, etc. Then again, in 30 minutes, write down your thoughts on your meal. Did you overeat? Do you regret your food choices? You might try water loading too. Drink as much water as you comfortably can 30 minutes before your meal. You're less likely to feel thirsty and drink during the meal, and you'll feel full, and likely consume less food at the meal too. Depression can be an issue with many post ops. That may be part of your problem. Many people "turned to food" from depression of many life issues.  It may be advisable to speak to a medical professional to find the root cause of your depression.  "Comfort foods" have been used to self medicate depression and may have been part of the reason you needed wt loss surgery.  Not every patient get to "their goal wt".  I don't know if you've been exercising or not either.  Long range success is based on behavior modification. I'd highly suggest attending support  meetings for postops.  I attended a meeting for 7 months post op. I thought I'd reached my personal goal.  Surprise--I got on the scale 2 months later and had gained 20 pounds. I went back to support meetings, and normally attend 3 per month.  DAVE

What are you eating? Are you tracking your food? I agree with the others. Get back to basics. You can do it.

Laura

Also, if you are depressed, that can be treated.  Being depressed makes things harder so please you may want a psych consult to see.
Best Wishes.

I understand how you feel.. I am fighting with 10 pounds one month after the next. Its a little frustrating too.. I am committed to detox from carbs for the next 8 week.. I am on day 3... OMG its hard.. I am doing 4 protein shakes and any non starch veggies (spinach, lettuce etc and broth.

i keep a book of 12 steps for overeaters.. self help books help.

The great thing is .. you are still in the fight..

Are you sure that your original goal weight was realistic, given your age, height, weight history, body characteristics (bone and muscle mass, traits like a large bust, etc.)? Many people pick theitr goal weight pretty arbitrarily ("I have always wanted to weight xxx pounds") or based on things that are not realistric for THEM ("my best friend is the same height I am and she looks amazing at yyy pounds") or based on something that may or may not be realistic ("I was zzz pounds in High School, so that's where I want to be", or "zzz pounds is at the low end of the BM I range for my height").  Some people set themselves up to "fail" (as far as goal weight) before they even have surgery.

Not everyone was destined at be a size 4 anymore than everyone was destined to weat a size 6.5 shoe.  I don't know what is or is not realistic for you, but I would suggest that you at least consider how realistic your goal is.  Remember that the unfortunate truth is that not everyone WILL get to their goal no matter what they do (and many will get to goal but then will regain). If you decide that your goal IS realistic and attainable, refer to the other replies regarding tracking food, decreasing carbs, etc..

Lora

I agree with Tazz.  If I have one cookie, piece of cake, candy, etc. I go on a downward spiral for days and days and it is hard to get back on the wagon.  I am not that bad with just bread (of course I eat whole wheat) but anything sugary is like drugs for me!  It's really scary!  I would completely stay away from that stuff, IF that is where your weakness is with food.