Is there anyone struggling?

Im 14 months post op and I hit a wall. I got pregnant when I was only 6 months post op, I tried everything and took every precaution to not get pregnant but I did anyway. This made me force myself to eat more then I could handle in order to have a healthy baby. Moral of my story is ( which making a very very long story short) that I wasnt able to work out and the weight melted off of me without effort. Even before I got pregnant I would workout and the next morning be 2-3 lbs lighter. My son is 1 month old, I eat like a normal person and I bust my arss at the gym daily and I see no results.

My tummy is still the biggest thing on me. I look like im 5 months pregnant still. I went from 280 lbs to 183lbs. I know thats great, I know I just had a baby. I know im still trying to calm my cravings and I have done a damn good job at it.

BUT

Im busting my butt and there are no results. Im so terrified to go back to who I used to be. I feel like giving up, I feel like starving myself till im bone so that when I start to eat again I wont be fat. I know im being dumb but this is really messing when my head. I watched it melt off of me. And now that I am putting it all this hard work, nothing is happening. What am I doing wrong......

Im struggling, Im hurting !!!!! :'o(

You have a LOT of hormones circulating in your body, and they are designed to help you keep eating enough to breastfeed, and heal. This takes time to go back to normal, so don't get too upset...your body is doing what it's supposed to. Are you breast feeding? If so, don't get too radical on cutting calories yet, just work your plan according to your health team's suggestions. Congrats on the little cutie BTW

Are you still working with your surgeon and a registered dietician?  They should be able to help you get back on track.

Are you breastfeeding?  Because if so, you need more calories than if you're not breastfeeding.

About how many calories are you getting a day now?  How much protein?  How are your labs?  Have you had labs done since giving birth?

I was one of those who could not lose an ounce when I was breastfeeding.  I could not lose any weight until my babies were 6 months old.  And believe me I tried.
Give yourself a break.  Your tummy will go back down eventually.  It is very normal to look pregnant for several months after delivery.  I can't tell you how many people would ask when my baby was due long after I delivered.
Don't be so hard on yourself.  Enjoy your little miracle and let your body heal before you put it through more trauma of not enough calories and excessive exercise.

I carried my weight in my stomach BEFORE I had kids. After each pregnancy, it was terrible. It took FOREVER for my stomach to get back to pre-pregnancy size...and THAT wasn't even small!! 

And everyone tells you..and its so very true...once you have a baby, NOTHING is the same. You can't compare your body & method of losing to PRIOR to your pregnancy.

You can do this. You aren't working for NOTHING right now..even if you are maintaining...you are NOT gaining. Follow your RNY diet and keep up the exercise and it will work!! Be sure and check your labs. I had a HUGE thyroid problem after my second child...and never even knew it. I had no other symptoms.

Good luck and stay strong! You can do this for YOU and you can do this for your baby!! 

I just wanted to add to have your thyroid checked.  A lot women have post partum thyroiditis. 

Hi Jessica:
Congratulations on your your beautiful baby! Is that him in the picture? What a wonderful gift you have been given. Truly your son is the best blessing you will ever receive. He truly was meant to be here. Please enjoy him. Please try just eating healthy food for him and yourself. You can take him for walks and get some fresh air. That is all the exercise you need right now and the endorphins will make you feel better. Your stomach will go down naturally. You will lose more weight naturally, but please give your body time to heal. I had 4 babies so I know what you feel like. You want it back immediately but you have to have patience. You will be a beautiful trim mom by the time he is toddling and a month later you'll be running after him as he explores the world! When they said, "Stop and smell the roses", they were talking to you. Hugs and congratulations!

I just noticed that you have less than 20 lbs. to goal. OMG! Seriously, 10 of those pounds is still from your pregnancy hormones! Definately relax because you will be at goal weight before you know it. Just practice eating healthy and develop good eating habits now that you can keep with you the rest of your life and teach to your son so he developes healthy eating habits, too!
Tri

Thank you all for responding. Im crying as im reading them. There words I needed to hear but I have no one here to support me or help me. So thank you so very much.

My Dr... He is was no good. I was only 3 months post op and needed to re new my second part of the meds you are supposed to take for 6 months post op and they refused to give it to me saying I was passed my 6 months when I was only 3 month post op. They never called me for check ups or anything so I dont go back to them cuz I cant trust that they will tell me the right things and not hurt me in the process. Im doing this all alone, I use the internet to research and I take all my vitamins, I just lack on the protein cuz its nasty. I know that shouldnt matter but im trying.

Once again, thank you all so much.

Hi Jessica

Surgeons are wonderful, but they are surgeons and right now you don't really need a surgeon. I used to go to my surgeon and my endocrinologist and my gi doctor and my gynecologist. They were all really great doctors, but since the RNY my health has really improved and I don't need specialists anymore. I needed an emergency refill of a maintenance medication and all my specialists were busy for a couple of days. I go to a good clinic and I asked the girl on the phone who I could get into that day (I was really desperate). She hooked me up with a very young, newly graduated MD and I saw him that afternoon. OMG he is just wonderful and I have been going to him ever since. He sees babies and old folks and everything in between. He is young and smart and very knowledgeable. He handles my gyno and my RNY and diabetes...everything. Once he saw me immediately and even gave me a cortisone shot in my arm with very painful tendinitis and saw me through physical therapy rather than the ER. He has more time available than the specialists. He is always reading and keeping up with new and old medicine alike. Why not call a clinic and find someone like him that can take care of you and your baby. I am a mom of 4 and you will be seeing a lot of your family doctor as he/she takes care of your baby. It is a good relationship to have with a doctor because he/she can understand both of you and help you more than 2 separate doctors. Please find someone to get into today or tomorrow because it sounds like you need some solid medical help for both you as a RNY patient and as a mom. You have physically gone through a lot. The Internet (although we mean well) can't physically examine you and your baby. Family doctors actually do a residency in "Family Practice" and love caring for multiple generations. I wish you and your baby good health and again congratulations!

I forgot to mention that he even draws my bariatric labs and referred me to a registered dietitian. The family practice doctor really is an asset to your total family health. Many people don't even realize that they exist. Tri

 Jessica,

Dont give up. Your baby is only one month old. Even though I have lost 145 lbs. I go for weeks at a time without dropping a pound. Then when my cycle starts I start dropping, so my point is...that hormones can play a HUGE roll in our weight fluctuations, so dont give up. Keep on doing the right things and you will see the payoff!!!

Congrats on the litlle one. Gorgeous!!