Hello everyone. I'm new to this forum. I in the process of qualifying for gastric bypass through Kaiser Northern California in Sacramento. I already met my surgeon and went through orientation, nutrition class, and support group. I was given a goal to lose 15 pounds. I started at 283 and I need to get two 268. When I am within 5 pounds of my goal, I can schedule my psychiatric evaluation and then I can schedule my surgery date. I'm super frustrated, because I'm retaining water weight like crazy. I've cut Cut out sodium almost completely out of my diet, and yet I still fluctuate 5 to 6 pounds in one day! I took my scale into the doctors office with me to compare the difference between the doctor scale and mine. There is no difference. The other day when I weighed myself in the morning I was 272, and I was ecstatic! But afternoon, I went to my support group and waiting at the doctors office. The scale reported 277, giving me a 5 pound gain in just six hours. It set me back, because I was planning on making my appointment for my psychiatric evaluation that day. I have been sticking to my 1200 cal food plan religiously. I have been walking every day. I just don't know what to do. Any suggestions?

A 1200 cal a day does not promise weight loss. Its what you do with that 1200 that makes a difference. My sister used to use myfitnesspal with me and I would see pizza and all kinds of stuff on it. I would try this...

Breakfast, 1 boiled egg and 1/2 cup oatmeal

lunch.. 1 package tuna, ff mayo, 3 crackers

dinner.. 1small bake potato, Ff butter spray, Ff cottage cheese

This is the quantity you will be on after surgery.. so if you do this now it will show big time! Between meals have celery or something ff. Always remember splenda and ff butter sprays

I understand that not all calories are created equal. The food plan I am on is pretty strict. I was provided a binder with a list of foods that I can choose from. Lean proteins, non starchy veggies, fresh fruit, very little fat, nothing processed and no sugar. I get in between 70-80 grams of protein a day, which comes from food, not supplements. I keep a food journal and I'm not hungry in between meals, and I'm not snacking. I know the crazy fluctuation has to be water weight, I just don't know why I'm retaining so much water. I would have to consume an extra 3500 calories to gain one pound of fat. A typical breakfast for me is egg whites, spinach and mushrooms, a slice of 40 calorie bread with a fat free butter and a small banana. Lunch is usually 3 oz of boneless, skinless chicken breast, mixed non starchy veggies sautéed in Pam, 3/4 oz of triscuit crackers and a small apple. Dinner is similar to lunch. I take my vitamins in the morning with 8 oz of skim milk. Am I overthinking it? Am I just obsessing/stressing myself out? I'm drinking myself nuts. Lol

Edited April 18, 201412 yr by HelenaMarie83

How much water are you drinking? Can you increase your water intake? That seems to be my problem when I'm having large fluctuations like that-- I'm somewhat dehydrated and my body hangs on to it. Drinking more will flush you and let your body known that it's hydrated so it doesn't have to retain...

I'll try that Melanie, thankyou.

I'll try that Melanie, thankyou.

That would make sense.....I gained this week and the biggest difference for me was my water intake. (Headed to get my glass of water) good luck to you.

Some people lost weight prior to surgery in the support group I attend and some folks didn't. I lost 20 pounds without even trying by cutting out the 6 diet cokes I drank each day. It is a good goal to lose some weight pre-op because it can add to your total weight loss after the operation. But this goal is possibly not set in concrete. But as you say Kaiser Northern California in Sacramento may be dictating that requirement. So drink enough Water and I wouldn't cut out all salt completely. Salt is important to your diet too. My mother cut out all salt from her diet and that drove her into the hospital emergency room.

Definitely increase your Water intake and maybe add more cardio to your exercise plan. Get your heart rate up. And, like James said, don't cut out sodium completely. Your body does need a certain amount of it. I also use myfitnesspal to track my food and exercise. It's a great tool, as long as you are completely honest with your entries, and maybe it will help you see what you might need to change in your diet. Good luck! You can do this!