Frustrated and could use some advice....

Okay, so back in April I started a diet at 375 pounds and I got down to 330.  And then I stayed there, and stayed there and stayed there.  It was during this period that my husband got insurance through work and I found out that bariatric surgery was going to be covered.  I went to the seminar and had my first visit with the surgeon (who also weighed me in).  Now I had to wait for insurance approval and because I was right on the border of having to do the six month diet through my PC*****t having any requirements.  So at the advice of the insurance girl at the doctor's, I made sure I did not lose anymore during the time I was waiting for approval.  I went off the diet and started eating a little bit of crap, though still watching calories.  I gained about 15 pounds during this time.  Once I got my approval, I went back on my diet and haven't been able to lose since.  I was 345 at my preadmission testing so that showed a gain for them and the doctor said he wanted me to have a "modest" loss before my surgery on the 27th.   I have even put myself on a liquid diet and that didn't work (for about a week) now I am doing liquid and then a no carb dinner.  I lost a pound the first day and now today it is back.  Now, all of this may not amount to much, but it makes me worry that this won't change after surgery either.

You're probably not taking in enough calories.

i had surgery, 10/26 and there are days I gain 2lbs and then the scale doesn't move for a while.  It doesn't mean the surgery didn't work for me, it means I have to drink more water and make sure I'm limiting my carbs.  It is a constant readjustment.

It's not magic.

Are you working with a registered dietician?  If not, find one.  Ask the dietician to help you develop a diet plan and stick to that plan.  Don't worry about how much you do or do not lose.  Worry about sticking to the plan you are given.

Because I am preop still, I don't have a dietician yet.  That will come after surgery through the clinic.  I have adjusted calories up and down.  Seems like when I eat too little, I gain a little and when I eat too much, I gain a lot.  It's not really, but that is what it feels like.  I am just basically frustrated and scared to death that I am also going to fail after surgery.

Log how much sodium you are taking in also.  I am very sensitive to salt.  If I have a little bit I can gain 5 lbs in one day!

I did low carb, high protein diet for 4 months prior to surgery to lose 31 lbs.  I had days when I did perfect on the diet and gained 2-3 pds due to salt.  it was frustrating but I stopped weighing daily and started weighing every 3-4 days.

Yes, I think some of that may be a problem for me as well.  I do notice that I have something high in sodium I do gain several pounds the next day.

There is a huge difference between dieting prior to RNY and after!

Before, there is hunger and no restriction.  After, you have diminished hunger, restriction, dumping, and a different perspective of food/eating.

You just can't determine how you will do after surgery based on your diet prior to surgery, because we all failed prior...that's why we sought out surgery.

As I said before, prepare yourself now for the very real fact that the fat will not magically disappear, there will be stalls and small gains at times...it doesn't mean the surgery failed.  It just means you need to adjust what you are doing ....and...it is different for everyone.   What works for one, doesn't necessarily work for all.  I need more protein for my scale to continue to move, but some only need 60g.

Thanks - I guess it is just hard to believe that after all I have done to try on my own that something will actually work, you know?

I am pre-op but when I go in for my actual pre-op testing on the 26th (and after to the stores to hit the clearance racks!!!!) I will have a consult with the dietician and she will have a plan ready for me and I will have access to her for awhile after surgery, I think till I am well-established on solid foods.