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My Nutritionist evaluated three months worth of my dietary intake on MyFitnessPal. Would they have said anything if it were too low?

So, I had the sleeve in August and I only lost 19 kg and stalled in November. Since then, I've been stalled and I can't understand why. I meet my Water and Protein intake as suggested by my nutritionist, I eat at a caloric deficit, I exercise every day and I play roller derby. Because I've had gallbladder attacks, I had my gallbladder removed in March (so I physically am less able to eat fatty foods, as it would make me sick and that would be feedback that I'm not eating right). My surgeon put me on phentermine almost a month ago and I'm still stalled.

Am I doomed to always be this fat?

On 29/04/2018 at 3:09 AM, Jeaniered said:

That must be really stressful for you. Hope they can help you soon and get to the bottom of why your not losing.

I hope so too. I hope all this data I'm collecting will be worth something in the end, if for no other reason than to at least get me some answers.

I am non-compliant on my C-PAP (because I can't tolerate the damned thing while sleeping) but when I was Poudre Valley Hospital recovering from the surgery, I was able to use it without issue but coming home, no such luck. What they told me when I called the nurses station at the surgery unit was that they fed oxygen into the C-PAP, which would make sense as the solution as it's something that they were doing there that wouldn't carry over to when I got back here.

I'm hoping I can speak with my GP and she can order it with oxygen just so we can try it and see how it goes. Of course, given the fact that they didn't initiate C-PAP at all during my last sleep study, there's every possibility that I might not have sleep apnea anymore.

Yeah, so do I. I typically get in at least 85 g of Protein a day and I am also keeping track of waist measurements and weigh ins because everything syncs to the cloud. I think that typically, people tend to take you more seriously when you have data to back you up.

I've been stalled in my weight loss since November.

Nothing seems to be working to help me lose weight and I don't understand what's going on. I've been tracking my nutritional intake, my exercises, my weight (on a daily basis), my Water intake, and I've furnished that data to a nutritionist at Poudre Valley Hospital. In the last couple weeks, I was put on phentermine and started tracking my nightly sleep using a sleep tracker. I've also had gallbladder surgery last year where I had my gallbladder removed, so I cannot have fatty foods without getting sick.

I have no idea why this surgery isn't working for me and it is so depressing.

Hello,

So, I had bariatric surgery in late August and since November, I've been stalled in my weight loss at roughly 130 kg. Nothing I do seems to work. I've been keeping meticulous tabs on my Water and nutritional intake, I've been working out every day, I've had gallbladder surgery (so I can't even have fatty foods without getting sick), my surgeon put my on phentermine and I still haven't been able to break this stall.

Does anyone know how I can break this stall? I've been trying everything and so far, nothing seems to work.

Holy hell, it's been three days since I went to derby practice and I'm STILL sore! This gives me hope, as I need a workout this intense in my life.

37 minutes ago, jenn1 said:

Embrace the pain! you're a derby a badass.

Oh yeah, I'm aiming to get good enough to get on the A team.

So, I started with the Boulder County Bombers yesterday and I have to say... OW! My legs are so sore, it is unbelievable. Mostly, it's my hamstrings and I feel it in the inside (the adductors?) and somewhat in the back... though that could be because most of the times I fell last night, I fell backwards even though I was trying to fall forwards (reason being that all the protective gear has padding on the front, not the back). I had to take a work-at-home day at work today and I'm not going to be moving much today.

Having said that, I'm going to be going back to the next practice on Saturday.

I just got home from my first roller derby practice. Needless to say, I'm not very good at it because I've never skated since I was a child (and probably not much even then). I know I fell several times (mostly on my back, which is something that I'm trying to avoid because my front has a lot of the padding (i.e. knee pads, elbow pads, etc) but I definitely worked out a lot because I hurt from shoulders to toes. The only thing that doesn't hurt is my head.

I'm still planning to go to the next practice on Saturday, as well as to do those exercises the coach gave me to the best of my ability. However, I must share some gratitude.

• I am grateful that I have a workplace that lets me duck out at 3pm to go back down to Boulder County to play roller derby (and yes, they knew).
• I am grateful that my surgeon's office at my three-month check today, didn't have me see the awful nurse who refused to help me when I would phone Northern Colorado Surgical Associates for assistance/advice when I was gaining.
• I am grateful for the patient trainers at my league.
• I am grateful for the two trainers who gave me a ride to the barn and back to the park & ride.
• I am grateful that I have most of the bottle of Tylenol 3 left from my surgery.
• I am grateful that I have an employer that might let me work from home tomorrow, since getting up is going to be a nightmare.

Now, I must brush my teeth, take some Tylenol 3, and pass out to sleep.

So, after today's series of errands, my step count is a whopping 13,806 steps according to my phone. I could have got it up to 15,000 if my thighs weren't burning with the fires of a thousand evils, as the walk home from the bus is worth roughly 1,000-1,200 steps. I went up to Loveland to get my derby gear, down to Boulder to pick up my lost wallet (the transit authority found it and, luckily enough, nothing was stolen from it) and my new Apple Watch (so now, I'll be able to pick up the step count when I'm not carrying my phone with me), make a dispute with my bank of a few overdraft fees (I was able to get them all reversed) and try to sort out an issue with T-Mobile.

I'm not starting roller derby tomorrow (due to a change of plans by the trainers, but given the burning in my legs, I'm not going to complain too much). But I am going down to Arvada tomorrow to finalize opening an account at a credit union.

On 11/22/2017 at 7:42 AM, Sherry Rice said:

@Cloebird Can you message me that chart please? This app is the most user UNFRIENDLY app I have ever installed. I HATE IT, but love this group. I got tired of scrolling through pages trying to find the chart. Is it me or does this App really suck?


5' 5"
HW: 259
CW: 235
GOAL: Healthy and hard 140-ish?

No doubt, the BariatricPal app was so poorly designed, it's not even funny. And I'm not just saying this in regards to the fact that BariatricPal won't sync up with Apple Health so that if we have a smart scale (like I do) or an Apple Watch (I'm picking up a new one today), we can sync our activity and weight data automatically. I'm saying that the BASICS that should work, like user authentication, don't actually work.

So, as for what I'm up to, I am picking up my Apple Watch because I want to get a more accurate tracking of my step count (as I don't carry my phone with me all the time at work). I'm also picking up a kit of derby gear in about an hour so I can start with phase 1 training with Boulder County Bombers tomorrow. I've already paid my dues and WFTDA insurance online, so all I need to do is get my gear and hit practice tomorrow!

4 hours ago, dreamynow said:

I️ have no had Diet Coke in so long. I️ think I’m good through the winter but once summer comes I️ know I’ll want it!

Why would you want Diet Coke? It's not like we drink this stuff for its nutritional content. Why not try something like chocolate milk or Water? Either is more nutritional and tastes a HELL OF A LOT BETTER.

My co-worker across the room from me (it's not a big room) opened a Coke and I swear to Xenu, my head turned so fast towards him, I wonder if I gave myself whiplash. I haven't had soda since a couple weeks before the surgery...

But hey, so far I've lost 40 pounds and I have roughly 136 more to go.

On 11/16/2017 at 8:11 PM, Janet610 said:

Congratulations to you! Best of luck!

Thank you. I'll be starting in January but until then, I'll be kickboxing.

On 11/16/2017 at 10:42 PM, trying4me said:

Hi guys,

So at survey day (8/31) I was 294. I am at 263, down 31 lbs. This seems really slow. Anyone else have similar concerns? My body has changed and I am down 2 pants sizes, but am feeling discouraged.

Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

Yeah, I know the feeling. I started at 319 and now, I'm at 281, down 38 pounds. I'm quite concerned that I'm not losing it quickly enough... especially since my clothes aren't feeling as loose as everyone here brags about. I haven't even been down a size yet.

On 11/17/2017 at 1:31 PM, 46w4kds said:

Ok, so i really like this site but......... why are so many people complaining about loosing weight of 30-40 lbs in just a little over 2 months? I dont understand! When was the last time you lost that kind of weight. My surgery day weight was 244, today its 209. Thats 35lbs and im super, excited, happy!!!!! I feel wonderful, not discouraged or wondering if im loosing slow or not. All that matters is im loosing, so be happy !!!! If you read everyones weight loss on this paticular forum you will see your not losing slowly at all, if anything a little more or about the same as everyone else. Again be happy your losing!!!

Because my surgeon's office told me that by my three month appointment in one week, I need to be down 60 pounds, meaning that I need to lose 22 pounds in the next week to hit that target. I'm so scared that it's not going right.

On 11/17/2017 at 3:49 PM, lindabalseca said:

i fell into that category of "complaining" as u call it. but in reality I was being doubtful that I wasnt doing something correct or wondering what the normal is. Im not an expert at this type of surgery and everyone is different. I more so am trying to figure out "MY" normal. so I have come on various threads here "complaining" that my weight loss is slow in the beginning and some seasoned "losers" have given me pretty good advice. Im a little over 3 months post op vsg and 75# down and Im not freaking out anymore when I have a stall for 2-3 weeks. I dont use my scale as Gospel anymore but a guide. I look at all the NSVs and feel good about myself. This is a learning process both mentally and physically.

Precisely, and it aggravates me that the nurse from my surgeon's office has brushed me off. In nine days, I'll be three months post op. Yes, I do weigh myself daily and I do so because it puts so many data points on that graph. It also gives more definition to the graph and more insight about trends when meshed with nutritional data. If the nurse won't help me, then I need to rely more on this data to self-correct.

On 11/17/2017 at 4:06 PM, 46w4kds said:

I was simply trying to tell those who were worried about their weight loss progress to be happy about it. Not trying to turn this into a debate about individuals and there weight loss, again if you read the thread it simply states everyone is diffrent. Just want some people to appreciate the loss, not feeling bad about it!

Well, if that's what some people want to do, more power to them but I want to make sure that my surgery is a success and if I'm not hitting targets and I'm seeing people with a higher degree of success than I, I want to try to correct my course and make sure that I'm doing everything I can to make this surgery a success.

So, I went to my areas of focus meeting today where we established five goals (both personal and professional) towards my growth. One of them was to get fit and I asked them if I could get off for roller derby practice at 3 on Monday and she said YES. I didn't even have to debate for it or convince her, she just said yes! After all, I need to be sure I have 30 billable hours of work each week but considering I can make the time up by coming in 30 minutes early each day.

I love my new job so much.

Tomorrow, I'm going to go into my boss' office to discuss logistics around getting off work early at 3pm on Mondays (offsetting the two hour early departure by coming in 30 minutes early Tuesday-Friday) so I can attend roller derby practice on Mondays as well as Saturdays. Wish me luck?

Considering I haven't lost nearly as much weight as you have, I don't have much in the way of loose skin. :/ How the hell have you lost 86 pounds? I've only lost 37 so far.

2 hours ago, Diana_in_Philly said:

Then go to the website to look it up - there should be a link someone can give you so you can check things like what drugs are in the formulary. There shouldbe something like this they can give you a link to - this one is for Westminster College's plan. Your plan may be different. At least one Cigna OAP 500 that came up when I googled did not cover bariatric, but this appears it may.

https://westminstercollege.edu/docs/default-source/internal-content-documents/hr-documents/benefits/medical/2017-2018-cigna-oap-500-benefits-summary.pdf?sfvrsn=2

If I could have tried that, I would have. Unfortunately, all that stuff is behind a wall and since I haven't qualified to get the benefits yet, I can't register for that site and figure out what exactly my new plan covers. I do have a brochure that gives a broad overview but no specifics, unfortunately.

18 minutes ago, Diana_in_Philly said:

The only way to know is to get the details of your new potential plan from your new employer. There are hundreds of CIGNA plans out there - some may cover some may not. However, it is extremely unlikely that anyone will cover bariatric Vitamins. Most plans don't even cover pre-natal Vitamins.

I never used specific "bariatric" vitamins. (I'm 14 months out). I buy my vitamins at costco. I use chewable multi, tablets for Iron, Calcium, D and B12. (I'm low on D and B12 since before surgery). Doesn't cost a ton there.

But the only way to know if things are covered are to ask HR or whomever for the information on the policy and then go to the website for your particular policy and check things out.

It's their OAP 500 plan.

So, I just had my surgery two months ago and I just started my new job last week. Now, I'm continuing my last employer's healthcare under COBRA but I'm wondering when my new company's insurance plan kicks in, if the aftercare for bariatric surgery (follow ups with the surgeon, etc) are covered under Cigna? Also, I'm kinda curious if bariatric Vitamins would also be covered under Cigna? If so, that'll save me a TON of money.

I was stalled for the past week or so. Not to mention I'm still getting over seasonal allergies (or maybe it was the flu?) in that I'm still coughing but my throat isn't as sore as it was last Tuesday. But when I weighed in today, I'm glad to see some indication that my latest stall might be broken.

I started a new job, which means that until i move up closer to the new job (which has a Pilates studio between work and an apartment complex I'm looking into), fitting working out into my daily schedule is a bit trickier... though not impossible. I am looking into going back to a kickboxing gym I used to go to in Boulder when I get my first pay cheque (which is going to be on black Friday).

2 minutes ago, XYZXYZXYZ1955 said:

I am yet another person a little envious of those who lose more quickly--I'm generally happy to have lost 53 pounds, yes, but 25 of those were pre-surgery, so it's not really that much since. But there are plenty of reasons I'm not losing more quickly, from my age to my lack of exercise (very, very bad knees). And I'm living with a friend for a few months; she is a classic "shows love by giving food" person, so I can't really hold it against her that she's bringing me doughnuts and Halloween candy--I'm the one who has to be strong enough to say no (and I'm not always, frankly). I'll be back on my own in a few months and won't have this stuff in my apartment . . . so have hope for the future.

When I was walking either to or from the bus stop today, I was thinking that maybe my issue with the relatively slow weight loss is the fact that I have sleep apnea? I mean, I'm doing as much tracking as I can and I'm doing pretty good according to the guidelines my surgeon's office is giving me (albeit, I'm rarely hitting my Protein goal of 85 g per day, so I'm trying to hit a reduced goal of 60 g per day).

I'm wondering, once my sleep apnea abates, will my weight loss accelerate?

On 20/10/2017 at 0:59 PM, hap314ness said:

It has become very clear, between the reading materials my surgeon has given and the advice from everyone on this forum, that Water is one of the most essential pieces of success post-op. My concern is that I have never been one to hydrate regularly. I roll my eyes whenever "stay hydrated" is toted as a cure alll... headaches, feeling fuller, Constipation, nausea, depression, clear skin...you name it Water always seems to be the answer. But I hate drinking. I know I am in for a rude awakening for the pre and post op liquid diet, and I am committed to being a good patient. I want to meet my water levels. Can I have some ideas to make sure I am constantly sipping and getting my water on track? I need it to be easy or else I won't stick to it.

I know the feeling. I have a hard time tolerating water unless it's cooled at the right temperature, based on the flavour. I'm thinking about getting some water delivered to my house, as using a Brita filter just isn't cutting it and I know I'm not getting my numbers in.

Precisely. If there was a god, why the hell would we need surgery to attain weight loss? Doesn't the Bible say something along the lines of if any two people ask something in his name, God will deliver? Pretty sure given the negative attitudes towards people of size, it shouldn't be too hard to find a second person to sign off on that, so to speak and god would just magic away the weight.

... But since he's a fictional character, that never happens. So, we have to do the work since there is no god to help.