Question about my weight gain

Ok, as i have said before, my RNY was in 2002.  I was 249 the day of surgery.  I got down to 119 (for like an hour...LOL) and now I am 165.  I actually got up to 175 but I was drinking Dr. Pepper ALL the time....I know, that is horrible.  I finally switched to diet and lost 10 pounds over a year..... My question is, aside from having a revision or anything else, here is my problem. I have cut out rice, pasta, bread, cereal, sugars of all kinds and all carbs except for veggies and the occasional fruits.  In other words, I have gone back to basics for 3 weeks now. I am eating protein first, drinking my water etc.  AND I am exercising.....some.  Ok, I am only able to go one day a week right now but I am doing cardio and weight training..... So WHY have I not lost ONE pound????  I am discusted to say the least.    If anything, I think I gained a pound!!!!  This is heartbreaking. Any advice?  I know the truth hurts so don't hold back if need be.... thanks Lorri

Back to basics is a great start!  Are you using a food journal to track your daily intake and diet composition?  Although you've cut out the processed carbs, in the long run whether you lose weight still depends on the number of calories you are taking in and the number of calories you burn every day.  Also, depending on how you eat, your metabolism may be running a little slower than you'd like.  My suggestions:

1.  Use a daily food journal and record everything that you eat or drink. 

2.  Calculate your estimated BMR using the Harris-Benedict method.  Click on the link below, then select the "Use Our Calorie Counter" option in the yellow box on the right-hand side of the page.  http://www.annecollins.com/calories/calorie-needs-women.htm  The caveat that goes with #2 is that our individual metabolisms can vary significantly, so your Harris-Benedict results will likely be higher or lower than your actual metabolism.  But at least it should give you a general starting point.   3.  Track your weight every day, unless doing so will make you nuts.  I'm a daily weigher, but I look at long-term (3-4 month) trends, rather than focusing on day-to-day numbers.  I find daily weighing helpful in conjunction with the food journal because I can see how my daily food/calorie intake is affecting my weight over time.   4.  Be patient.  When you make changes, your body takes time to adjust.  Especially if it suddenly thinks it's not getting enough food; then it will be resistant to losing weight because it thinks it needs to hold on to its stored calories (fat) for a rainy day.  The trick is to find the number of daily calories where you can lose 1-2 pounds a week.  Then when you reach your goal, if you've been using a food journal you should have a good idea how many calories you can eat and maintain.   5.  Bump up your exercise.  I'm a firm believer that exercise is key to long-term weight loss maintenance.  Of course, that's because I still like to eat and by burning a lot of calories through exercise, I'm able to eat at a level that's comfortable for me.  In addition to helping you losing weight, you'll get a lot of other health benefits from exercise as well.  Can you add a 20-30 minute walk to your daily schedule?  Or can you take several 10-15 minutes walks over the course of a day?   I know how frustrating it can be to do all the right things and the scale stays the same (or worse, goes up).  But keep working on it, make small changes if you're still not losing, and most of all be patient.  Unfortunately, it takes a lot longer to lose that last 15 pounds than it did the first!  But it can be done - Good luck on your continuing journey - Kellie

Kellie Thanks, I will def do that......I guess i am one of those weekly weigh in people because if I way each day and the scale doesn't go down, I feel like I am a failure. I am also going to go to my PCP for a history and physical along with WLS labs too. I know it will be harder to lose the weight as I didn't gain it overnight. THANKS for the above link and advice! Lorri

Lorri, Sounds like you are on the right track.  Sounds very frustrating.  I think it may be time to get to a WLS knowlegable Nutritionist and also back to the surgeon for some bloodwork.  Make sure you are starting with no medical indications that may be causing problems.  Hang in there it may just be your body catching up with you.  I would get with some professionals though for some peice of mind.  Blessings on your journey.

KitKat Hi! Thank you too for the advice.  I agree I need to see a nut and also  have bloodwork.  I am going to my PCP for lab work in 2 weeks......I also know I should get in more exercise too. Yall are wonderful people on this site and I wish YOU blessing on your journey as well! Lorri

well congratulations on taking the first big step which was admitting you had a problem and coming back here to ask for help. that took courage. i think perhaps the pcp visit is a good idea, followed by the use of an online tracker and perhaps a visit to a nutritionist. i do think you should give up diet soda, it is sooo not good for us, or perhaps limit your intake.  i will have some once or twice a week at most, and then only kinda flat and no more than four ounces. the next question is harder.  have you limited your portion sizes and the number of your meals? be honest with yourself, that is so hard to do, i fight that every day.    sometimes a tracker helps us get a better picture of what is actually going into our mouth daily. then be patient, that is so hard too.  your body and mind need to kinda start over again, its a shock to both systems. as to the exercise, dont beat yourself up.  my motto is do what you can, some days exercise will fit in better than others.  i try to walk in the good weather, but to be honest in winter if i get to the gym once or twice a week thats it.  im just not a gym person.  i do have free weights at home and try to use them when im not doing other exercise.  i feel its something. best of luck, you have admitted to a problem and thats the best thing you could do hugs and continued success, jacki

Hi Jacki Thanks!  I did just register for Fitday.com and I am going to do that for sure.  I have been trying to write down my calories and other nut info on paper and I am limiting myself to 1400 cal a day, although some days I don't even eat that, other days I go a little over..... I know yall are all right about how it does take the body time to adjust, I am just impatient as I want to be thin NOW!!!  LOL I have an eating disorder too.......compulsive eater. I will take all advice given to me.  Like I said before, you are all such an amazing group of people and i thank you for that!   Hugs to you too  Lorri

I really can't add anything, but to confirm that I had the same trouble as you are...I was working it out and nothing was taking the weight off...but I did begin to slowly see a loss. Journaling my intake was quite revealing. By watching when I am having a high cal day ...the next day I can adjust it...and try to make all my days somewhat consistant in calories and proteins. I eat pretty good choices...but some days I have stellar days and other times I just can't seem to eat enough...protein and too much fat...It's interesting...and it really keeps you aware of how much you REALLY are eating. Just cutting back on some calories might be a huge difference for you...I did just by sacrifcing a little olive oil and cutting some portions by a 1/2 an ounce even... I couldn't have done this and steadied the scale if I didn't take a closer look at my intake. It's really revealing! It's a pain in the butt...but now I  get excited about seeing where I am all day. IF I am not getting good numbers by lunch I know by dinner and a snack or two I need to try to round out my numbers! It's kinda cool!  I'm still learning and experimenting with food ...but it's interesting to learn about your real eating habits and get a little input in the accountability thread. I'm trying not to go over 1500 or less than 1300 calories a day...Some days I just can pull off either! LOL  As always, I wish you success Anita

There you are!  I was looking for you the other day.....I know you always have a kind word to say!  Well, I am not going over 1400 cal a day....and still not seeing the scale move.  BUT, I have really only been doing this for about 3 weeks.....so maybe my body is just being slooooow.  TOO slow! I just thought I would have seen a little something by now, but NOOOO, not a pound! I will continue to track my food for sure. I hope to have good news next week.  Oh, I think I said this already but I am going to the doc next week to get my EGD results (my hubbie didn't find out the size of my pouch) only that it is stretched....duh, i knew that already!  LOL I will talk with him about my options at that time. Thanks again Anita! Lorri

I just logged in my food and I saw you there!  You are hardly eating a thing! I think I'm a slow loser too. (took me 18 months to lose my initial weight) Just give it time...It catches up! It really does.  I was beating myself up last night because I couldn't stop eating! LOL Finally grabbed a carrot (which I did plan...but the cheese stick I didn't ) LOL  And I almost grabbed ANOTHER icecream snadwich ..."Skinny Cow"  or not!!! It adds up! I ate quite a huge amount yesterday...6 oz (protein) per meal is more than normal for me...But my cycle (TOM) makes me soooo flipping hungry and I cannot believe what I can put away!  But my calories are within range so again I am so shocked at that. It's just plain odd to me. I learn something new every day I journal my food!!... But eating til satisfied and not full is really really helping me. I do believe I am losing weight. I can see/feel it. But it's sloooooow. I have not weighed myself since sunday.  With TOM here, why bother!??? LOL No lookie, no disappointment! I'll look when it's gone! You are definately on the right path, my friend!  Oh yeah!  This is the story of my life...Slow to lose and give up before I even noticed I was losing. I'm happy in the 160's...It feels like home to me...You can get home too. I honestly think you can do it stretched pouch or not.  You have a lot of strong will and motivation! And you don't seem to be a quitter at all!  Getting discouraged is one thing...We all get there...but you just keep on trying despite your news about your pouch...You just keep trying...Honey that alone is just so admirable!  With that kind of attitude you are a leader in inspiration! And no one can blame you if you go slow...Not even you!!!!!  :::Smooches::: Anita