Initially, (the first 6 weeks out of surgery) I had emotional/anxiety/depression issues and was terrified of my 40lb weight loss, in such a short time. Now that my emotional issues are being managed, (more or less), through medical/medicine intervention...and food no longer is repulsive to me, I am eating/drinking approximately 600-800 cals a day. I'm weighing myself for the past two weeks and the scale fluctuates between 186-188lbs. I don't get it! I workout on the treadmill at the local Ballys and use some of the exercise equipment but the lbs are just not budging. At this rate, I can't even imagine myself even near goal...my hopes and dreams of a fit and lean body are becoming just that...wishful thinking. I just don't get how taking in less than half of the calories I used to pre-surgery isn't having an impact on my weight. Even some family members are questioning if this surgery was worth it. It's 2 weeks and I'm still weighing 187-188 lbs! This is some hell of a stall! I feel like I did pre surgery every time I tried to go on a diet. And, I may be put on an antidepressant next week so now I'm wondering if that will help or hinder my weight loss mission. Any insights will be appreciated very much. Thanks.

Lan2K,

This sounds like obsessive thoughts again from your anxiety and depression. My recommendation is to go on the anti depressant med or anti-anxiety med prescribed by a psychiatrist, not a general family doctor. Stop weighing yourself. You did not become obese over-night and you will not lose overnight. Your body is adjusting to surgery and trying to heal. Tell your family and friends to stop putting doubts into your brain about surgery because you are too anxious to hear them right now. If they can not say something positive about your progress to shut the hell up. Have someone you trust measure you (neck, upper arm, chest, waist, mid thigh, mid calf, ankle) and record the date and your weight. then put this paper away for 1 month and then repeat. Record all your food,water, supplement in a notebook while trying to minimize any salt use. You need to trust that the surgery is going to do its job if you do yours. Quit obsessing over this on a daily basis. Plan activities that you enjoy besides going to the gym. Your focus should be to avoid the emotional overload of obsessive negative thoughts reagarding yourself, your weight, the surgery, the diet. Do this for 3 months. Give your medications a chance to take care of the anxiety and depression. It will get easier. Feel free to call/post me if you want.

Since moving out of my home and life as a full time mom, I'm at a loss of what to do with myself so going to the gym for an hour is at least something to do. There is only so much shopping I need, and I'm trying to figure out where I stand in the working world ( I would love to get back in the swing of...something?). In the meanwhile I'm looking at volunteering options as well. I've been hanging out with my 80 year young mother or my father and they have been very supportive but I realize that I need to be among peers and find my way back into society. My days are long and lonely with too much time to think.

I will take measurements and follow through with your recommendations... Norma I needed some constructive instruction here. Thank you so much.

I am going through what you are exactly describing and I am losing my mind! I lost 24 pounds in the first 2 weeks and that is all. my calories intake is also between 700-800. I walk every other day! what else can I do?????

I've since come to the conclusion that for whatever reason our bodies resist letting go of the pounds of fat, it is likely impossible to continue because we have so little caloric intake. I find that what Norma said, Have someone you trust measure you (neck, upper arm, chest, waist, mid thigh, mid calf, ankle) and record the date and your weight. then put this paper away for 1 month and then repeat. Record all your food,water, supplement in a notebook while trying to minimize any salt use. You need to trust that the surgery is going to do its job if you do yours. Quit obsessing over this on a daily basis. Plan activities that you enjoy besides going to the gym. Your focus should be to avoid the emotional overload of obsessive negative thoughts reagarding yourself, your weight, the surgery, the diet. Do this for 3 months. is applicable to most if not all sleeved individuals. Having the sleeve may be a fix but not as quick and easy as one may have thought pre surgery. In the beginning I was actually too afraid to look at the scale because the weight was dropping so fast that if it continued at that rate I'd be dead soon. I think we need to go on with our lives as we learn how to adjust to our new and very different stomachs and in time we will notice change. Hope that helps some.

Really, I do believe that the surgery will work. I believe that we should exercise on a daily basis but only for 30 min to an hour and at the pace that is good for us. If you were a food addict, then the chance that you can develop addictions to other things (shopping, the gym workouts, dieting, weighing, etc etc etc) is high as well. The key toa happy life is to maintain a balance in work , in food, in exercise, in being with friends and family, in all things. Sometimes we will need professional help with this and that does not mean that we are crazy or weak or less than anyone else. It means that we are taking good care of ourselves and recognizing and fulfilling our needs. Keep reaching out and communicating.

Your so right Norma. And I am one that needs professional intervention....I'll take all I can get because this change in my relationship with food effects change in most of the relationships of my life. I cry alot lately but that's a good thing I think it's grieving, much needed grieving. I've had to say goodbye to so many things at once and it hurts so bad. Thank you again for caring enough to reply again.

Norma,

Thank you also for your words to help us all try to maintain an even keel as we progress through this hugh change in our lives. Hope you are feeling well with your journey. Thanks again..