discouraged after 2nd post op doctor visit

[highdesertblue 70]

I had my RNY Mar. 18th. I've lost 60 lbs since my pre-op diet in February. I saw the PA at the surgeons office this week, and he really hounded me about exercising. I felt he was dismissive about the Constipation, and I felt like he was looking for what I was doing wrong, instead of encouraging me. If he had even given me a little verbal "pat on the back" for what I have accomplished I would feel so much better about myself. I thought 60 lbs was pretty good for 4 months, especially since I am disabled, with serious spine problems. The PA kept telling me I should try Water exercises, etc, even though walking in water is is more painful that regular walking for my spine. I can have reconstruction spinal surgery once I lose a total of 100 lbs. Standing up long enough to brush my teeth is intensely painful, for example. The disks in my back from L4 down are totally gone, and I'm loaded with arthritis. I am doing a little gardening, and I can stand and walk just a little longer than before I lost the weight. I am trying to be a little more active, and have trouble sleeping at night because of the pain. I can't go shopping without a wheelchair. Then the next day at lunch, my mother (I am 58 years old btw) said she thought I ate too much. The most I can eat at a time is less than one cup of food. If it is a dense Protein, I cannot eat a cup. For example, a Protein Bar fills me up for a few hours, and sometimes I can't eat a whole protein bar. I cannot finish a milk based proein drink in one sitting, but I prefer to sip on a nectar Protein Drink very slowly. I do eat protein first, and watch my calories, and track what I eat on Fitness Pal. The doctor said I should eat between 800-1200 calories a day. I hit a little stall at six weeks, and went back to mostly just protein, but started losing again when I added some other foods, like fruits and vegetables. Should I be losing weight faster?

[Djmohr 6,965]

Your weight loss for such a short time is excellent. I think they may be trying to help you take more advantage of the 1 year sweet spot. The more you move along with eating right, the more you will lose in that first year.

I feel your pain on the arthritis front. I have psoriatic arthritis an s just went through my fifth back surgery 2 weeks ago. I have 3 cervical levels fused and one of my vertebrae actually removed.

I have to be out walking every single day 5 times a day increasing my time every week.

I just try to see the future and how much better my joints already feel given my weight loss.

You are doing great, keep the faith and do the best you absolutely can.

[highdesertblue 70]

Thank you, Djmohr ! I really need a little encouragement!

[IcanMakeit 1,319]

@@highdesertblue

Your doctor may be a great surgeon, but he is definitely not a great coach. In his eagerness to encourage you to exercise, he only succeeded in depressing you and belittling your quite stellar accomplishment. Forget him. Try to add a little more activity every day and before you know it, you'll be walking and moving with less pain (and less effort). Losing weight does wonders for your mobility. Keep the faith. With daily practice, you will soon get to the point where you can move without drama.

[jjwhitman 19]

It seems to me like you're doing awesome! You just keep doing what you're doing and don't let ANYONE get you down. You know your body and your abilities better than anyone else. Weight loss is 80% diet. If you can keep eating healthy and Portion Control you will lose that 100 lbs+. The exercise will get easier once you lose more weight. It will make you feel more toned, stronger, more energetic, and happier, but all things in time. Set your goals and do just what you can do.

[TheRealMeIsHere! 863]

I had my RNY Mar. 18th. I've lost 60 lbs since my pre-op diet in February. I saw the PA at the surgeons office this week, and he really hounded me about exercising. I felt he was dismissive about the Constipation, and I felt like he was looking for what I was doing wrong, instead of encouraging me. If he had even given me a little verbal "pat on the back" for what I have accomplished I would feel so much better about myself. I thought 60 lbs was pretty good for 4 months, especially since I am disabled, with serious spine problems. The PA kept telling me I should try Water exercises, etc, even though walking in Water is is more painful that regular walking for my spine. I can have reconstruction spinal surgery once I lose a total of 100 lbs. Standing up long enough to brush my teeth is intensely painful, for example. The disks in my back from L4 down are totally gone, and I'm loaded with arthritis. I am doing a little gardening, and I can stand and walk just a little longer than before I lost the weight. I am trying to be a little more active, and have trouble sleeping at night because of the pain. I can't go shopping without a wheelchair. Then the next day at lunch, my mother (I am 58 years old btw) said she thought I ate too much. The most I can eat at a time is less than one cup of food. If it is a dense Protein, I cannot eat a cup. For example, a Protein bar fills me up for a few hours, and sometimes I can't eat a whole protein bar. I cannot finish a milk based protein drink in one sitting, but I prefer to sip on a nectar protein drink very slowly. I do eat protein first, and watch my calories, and track what I eat on Fitness Pal. The doctor said I should eat between 800-1200 calories a day. I hit a little stall at six weeks, and went back to mostly just protein, but started losing again when I added some other foods, like fruits and vegetables. Should I be losing weight faster?

How disheartening. Even if he thinks that you should exercise more, he should have also complimented you on your progress, been a little encouraging. Making someone feel bad, helps nothing. Is there a support group? I find them to be very supportive, inspiring and encouraging.

I too am disabled. I have ankylosing spodylosis in my ENTIRE spine, stenosis, buling discs, pinched nerves and bone spurs. That caused severe Reynaud's. I also have bilateral PTTD (posterior tibial tendon dysfunction) Torn MCL/PCL in my right knee, and chondromalacia patella in my left, due to a hyper mobile kneecap and severe ulcerative colitis, not in remission for almost a year. That being said, I have custom braces that allow me to do things that I would not be able to do without braces. Maybe a prescription for physical therapy can help give you ideas of where to start for an exercise routine that will not exacerbate your issues. They might, also, be able to let you know if bracing is for you.

Keep up the great work!

Edited July 10, 2015 by TheRealMeIsHere!