I try and try but the scale doesn't want to budge, anyone else long term post op dealing with...

I had surgery in 2006.  Okay, so I have stubborn pounds that I want gone and no matter how much I seem to work on this with exercise and counting calories the scale is not going down. It's really quite frustrating. I'm trying to stick with 1500 calories a day, is this too much? I am doing protein first.  I drink plenty of water.  I have one question in the back of my mind, Can constipation have any affect on weight loss?

Hello Pam,

I know it is really frustrating.  What kind of carbs do you eat every day and many many of your total calories come from carbs? 

Best,

I've actually cut out any and all pasta, as well as crackers in the past 5 weeks. If it's a carb it's coming from what I consider natural healthier carbs and I allow the carbs from these they include yogurt (dairy), veggies and fruit and beans. I should figure out what their content is for carb, I very rarely have any bananas. I do have carb from bread 2 sometimes 3 times a week I'll have a piece of toast (the higher fiber bread to try and help get my body working) and I spread plain greek yogurt on top. In my meals my meat is first, then veggie (most of the veggies I consume are green, sometimes sweet potato, or squash. Never white potato as I'm allergic and it's bad period and NEVER corn which has a whole story in itself).

Fruit is usually a 3-4 slices of apple with the peeling (again to hopefully help get my body working in the bathroom). I'll sometimes add berries -blueberries, raspberry or sliced strawberry to my greek yogurt to change things up a bit.

 I realized I wasnt getting in enough protein so I've added a protein shake as well (syntrax nectar 1 scoop in water).  Truthfully with the lack of follow up medical I'm not even sure as to the ammount of protein my body needs this far out.

Honestly, I think that at this point, you're like any non-op fighting the last 10lbs.  It's hard.  It sounds like you're doing all the right things.  And, consitipation definitely affects my weight. 

ETA:  how about exercise?  maybe mix it up?

I have a 3 year old and no dependable childcare so getting to the gym is difficult. I've been relying on my treadmill and hand and ankle weights. Crunches, that sort of stuff. Plus I guess you can count running around with my daughter. I'll be getting a new bike soon so I'll be adding riding to the mix and hopefully that will help.  I am not really set up for strength training in my home, I'm sure if I was able to alternate strength/cardio/strength/cardio throughout the week like I did following surgery it would make a big difference.



edited for spelling error

 I eat between 1000 and 1200 calories high protein low carb but im pre-op and thats my diet After as well (when i get back on solid foods after surgery so it Might be to much food intake. but im not a doctor so i cant promise anything.) 

Track your food - you might be surprised to find that your protein/carb ratio is not as good as you think! If you are trying to lose weight, make sure your carbs are complex (no white pasta, rice, bread etc). I trust you are not drinking with your meals or for 30 minutes after?

Constipation might make a difference on a day to day basis but after a good BM, it would show you your weight loss. This is an issue you should address for your health - extra magnesium, miralax etc are all good to keep you regular.

Change up your exercise for your overall health -a combination of cardio and strength - it's not a given for weight loss but your body will thank you!!

Metabolically we are a little damaged after WLS, but it is wholly possible to lose a few pounds UNLESS we are at an optimum weight for our body, which is not always the lowest weight we have ever been. I would have to STARVE myself to go down to the my lowest weight after surgery and I am sooooo not willing to do that! Are you sure you have those lbs to lose?

I've been trying all sorts of things for the constipation, and when I finally go it's not much. I think there is more to the cause of this in my situation because I've been dealing with other things related to it (pains etc) since sortly after my daughters birth.  Now that I have a new pcm I'm hoping to get to the bottom of things.  Working on a referral to a bariatric clinic and  surgeon in my area in hopes to find some answers.

I don't know how tall you are, but -- based on your weight and goal weights -- my guess is that, at 6 years out, your body is at where it wants to be and will fight like crazy to keep from going any lower.  As Kim said, for those of us who are quite a few years out and our bodies have settled on a certain "happy" weight when we are eating a very reasonable number of calories, it takes a tremendous amount of sacrifice (much less food and much more exercise) to force it lower.  Then, even if you can get it lower, you will likely have to continue at those extreme levels to maintain at that level.

I am almost 5 years out, and I can get off 4-5 pounds of weight "creep" within 2-3 weeks (just by increasing protein, cutting out as many non-dairy carbs as possible and drinking more), but if I continue doing what gets THOSE pounds off,  it results in no ADDITIONAL loss.  (I am, however, limited in how much physical activity I can do (and what types) by a knee that needs replaced).  I would love to get my 7 pounds of bounceback weight off to get back to my lowest weight (or even the 4-5 pounds to get back to my goal weight), but it just is NOT happening.  I am much happier, though, accepting that this is the weight my body is happy at and enjoying being able to eat very normally and enjoy occasional treats.  I was making myself miserable (and further damaged my knee) during the 6 months that I tried intently to get those 7 pounds off.

Lora

I'm not sure how tall you are - so 1500 cal may be too much if you're trying to lose.  But may be fine for maintenance.   Also, Do you have extra skin, etc. - that weighs and will not go away by itself or with any amount of exercise.  That might be your 10 lbs right there.