cass32117

I would recommend that you take a good before photograph of yourself, so that you have something to compare to after surgery. Many times we are blind to our obesity. We do not really see ourselves. Therefore when the weight begins to drop off rather dramatically, we question if this is really happening. Photographs are a good visualization of our success. Many people carry a before and after photo with them, just to remind themselves of their success. For years I was obese but when I looked at myself in the mirror, I didn't see it because I was looking straight on. Also I was the photographer in the family so I never appeared in photographs. I am including my before and after (6 month) photo as an example.

I've been losing weight throughout the approval process, and I'm down about 40lbs, with my surgery 3 weeks away. I know that sounds great, but I'm getting very frustrated and disappointed. This past month, I only lost 10lbs, the least so far.

I'm pushing myself hard - I'm going to the gym 6-7 days per week, adding time/speed/weight to my workouts as often as I can handle. I'm eating 1300 calories or less, including at least 80 grams of Protein and very little sugar or fat. I gave up coffee, alcohol, and soda right away. I'm craving all the time, and I'm feeling cranky a lot.

I'm trying to ignore the voices in my head that are trying to tell me that the surgery won't be effective. Obviously, I'm seeking surgery because conventional weight loss doesn't work for me. What I'm having more trouble doing is managing my expectations. I know I should be happy as long as I'm losing and not gaining weight.

What strategies can I use to cope when I plateau or my weight loss slows down after surgery? I don't want to keep repeating this pattern of getting frustrated and feeling like what I'm doing isn't working.

Hello everyone,

I thought I'd stop by and check this out at the recommendation of my therapist. I am having RNY on 3/21. I have gone through the whole approval process, and so far I'm down 40lbs from diet and exercise.

I call myself a grumpy newbie because that's how I've been feeling a majority of the time since I changed my eating and started exercising. The dietician recommended adding 2 Snacks to my regimen, and that helped with the irritability a bit, but not totally. Also, I am 3 months into this journey, and exercising still sucks, and I feel like I'm not getting any stronger, which is frustrating.

I can't figure out if I'm grumpy because I can't eat like I used to or if the anticipation of surgery is stressing me out or what. I know my emotions will be all over the place immediately after surgery. What I want to know is, is there a light at the end of the tunnel? I'd like to think this grumpiness is just a phase that will abate once I'm recovered from surgery.

Any advice or anecdotes would be appreciated

Thank you!