5 months and struggling

[alirocks713 8]

Hi Everyone,

Thought I would get on here and see if anyone else is in this boat...

I am 5 months post op from VSG surgery. I am 5 ft. 2 in. tall, my starting weight was 291 lbs, I am currently 230-232 lbs. I have been stalled for over a month now, gaining and losing the same damn 2 lbs. I am starting panic and worry that this surgery didn't work for me. My total loss for 5 months out is only 59-60lbs... I see people 5 months out down 70-80 or more lbs. they don't seem to be struggling the way I have been.

My weight has been a struggle for a very long time, as I am sure most of on this forum has struggled, However, I am frustrated thinking I did all this for 60 lbs down. While I am still happy and grateful to even have lost 60 lbs, I would have never been able to do that on my own, I am starting to think that I have hit my mark?

Am I on track, or am I behind??

Also I will tell you what I am doing right and what I have been doing wrong. I try to get in as much Protein as I can, however, old habits for me have formed, and slider foods go down much easier and I know I am a stress eater, mainly around my time of the month. I know that is something I need to work on. However, even with that being said i would 9/10 times I am good with my diet. I eat my protein, veggies, and fruit. I was doing a Protein Shake in the AM but i started to get a sour stomach and stopped with my protein shake, therefor aI am not getting all my protein in. I don't know.. I feel like i am failing and I am on the cusp of giving up... is there anyone else that has been struggling? How far out at you? when did you start struggling??? Does this feeling go away?

I know I need to start exercising as well, I just feel so weak and tired and almost dizzy when I exercise... any tips? I am also very bad with Vitamins and they make me sick. I have been ashamed to reach out because its obvious I know what I am doing wrong... I guess I am just in one of those moods, getting a little down as it has been over a month and I have lost nothing, especally so early int he game. Please if youre having this experience let me know... perhaps we can talk.

thank you for listening,

Ali

[Apple1 2,572]

I wanted to reach out to you and give you encouragement. I am just about three months out and I can already tell that it will get harder with every passing month. What has worked for me is to keep remembering why I am doing this. You have lost 60 lbs. and that is something to be proud of!!

My advice is for you to continue to search inward and realize your faults. We all have them. It seems like you have a pretty good idea of what you are doing wrong. You must find your motivation. This has to come from within. You have to follow an eating plan that is sustainable within the guidlines you were given from your doc/nut.

Are you tracking your foods daily? This is important so you know exactly what you are consuming in a day. Your exercise does not have to be high impact if that makes you dizzy. Walking everyday works. Find an activity that you like so it will be easier to form a habit of doing it. Change your vitiams if you need to, but make sure you are taking them everyday, it is very important and it could be why you have low energy. Stay away from the slider foods. Ask yourself if what you are about to eat is worth it?? If you are battling an eating disorder reach out for help. Talk to your doctor about your struggles.

You can get on track and start losing again. Change up your routine to try and break this stall. Have faith in yourself!!! Keep posting for support. I wish you the best.

[lisaBme 46]

You need to reach out to your medical team now. They will help you. You are not the only person who feels this way and they have seen it before. Be honest, they will help you, no one will be mad at you.

[tabula 54]

Don't get discouraged, I know easy to say right. But it's true, I think you're doing great! 60lbs!?! That's awesome. From what I've read on here a month stall is not that uncommon. You'll break through it, just focus on each day. Also, what about inches, often I find when I haven't lost weight I did lose some size. As far as on track we all lose differently, I don't think you're far off of the median, some lose more some lose less.

If you haven't started to work out, i strongly encourage that. Your metabolism has probably adjusted to your new habits and you need to reboot the system. Start by just walking for minutes 3x a day, then start to increase it. Or get on the stationary bike. Make sure you're drinking enough Water too.

Also, mix up your diet with new/different healthy food.

I've been stalled the last few weeks +/- 2lbs but I did fit into smaller jeans this morning so that gave me a boost.

Remember all the weight loss stats are based on a 1 year, you're not even half way there!

You'll get there, I just know it!

[sharon23 26]

Here's a good chart for you with average weight loss.

[Tracyringo22 11]

Are you keeping track of what you are eating ? High Protein low carb.. At any rate 60 lbs is fantastic, congrats.

[Sullie06 1,013]

I had a big stall in my 5th month, it lasted 5 weeks and when it finally broke my weightloss has been different, all part of the process according to my NUT. I was losing 2-3 pounds a week prior to 5 months. Since then I usually only lose 2 weeks a month, the week of and after my cycle I haven't lost anything in 2 months. I also only lose about 1-2 pounds most weeks when I do lose. I find that in order to break a stall I have to get lots of Protein and then change my eating habits to shock my body a bit so I will eat a day of low calories then higher calories the next day or two then low again until the stall breaks. Also make sure your tracking your food!

[Caligirl T 28]

Hi my fellow loser(weight)...

Im at 4-5 months out have been the same weight for so long it seems almost

6 weeks I only lost 1-2 pounds its been difficult but I am also okay with my weight

where I am now......I rarely exercise for the same reason weak and other muscle/neurological issues I am having...although I am very active. I am anxious to break that 10 lbs loss I had so much easier in the beginning but those times are changing cravings came back although I don't give in they are there...stay focused it will all happen in time...! Good luck!

[alirocks713 8]

On 8/8/2017 at 7:12 AM, Apple1 said:

I wanted to reach out to you and give you encouragement. I am just about three months out and I can already tell that it will get harder with every passing month. What has worked for me is to keep remembering why I am doing this. You have lost 60 lbs. and that is something to be proud of!!

My advice is for you to continue to search inward and realize your faults. We all have them. It seems like you have a pretty good idea of what you are doing wrong. You must find your motivation. This has to come from within. You have to follow an eating plan that is sustainable within the guidlines you were given from your doc/nut.

Are you tracking your foods daily? This is important so you know exactly what you are consuming in a day. Your exercise does not have to be high impact if that makes you dizzy. Walking everyday works. Find an activity that you like so it will be easier to form a habit of doing it. Change your vitiams if you need to, but make sure you are taking them everyday, it is very important and it could be why you have low energy. Stay away from the slider foods. Ask yourself if what you are about to eat is worth it?? If you are battling an eating disorder reach out for help. Talk to your doctor about your struggles.

You can get on track and start losing again. Change up your routine to try and break this stall. Have faith in yourself!!! Keep posting for support. I wish you the best.

Thank you so much for reaching out to me. I am doing much better today. I guess I am not doing so bad. I just have my days and moments when mentally it all gets to me. To answer some of your questions, I do track my food daily (most of the time, i would say 90%), I will start adding more exercise. I guess i feel like if its not high impact i'm not really working out. You are right about taking Vitamins. I do try to make sure to take them its just hard some times. I am going to try and change things up and keep positive. thank you so much. Your kind words really are great to hear and helped me out of my funk.

[alirocks713 8]

On 8/8/2017 at 8:09 AM, lisaBme said:

You need to reach out to your medical team now. They will help you. You are not the only person who feels this way and they have seen it before. Be honest, they will help you, no one will be mad at you.

Thank you. I have reached out numerous times. I just get the "change this, change that" but not actual help. They tell me things I already know. I know its a lot of a mental issues, and i think it will be reaching out to my therapist again regarding binge eating. Even with the sleeve its possible, but I need to change the behavior. thank you for reaching out, it means a lot.

[alirocks713 8]

On 8/8/2017 at 8:48 AM, tabula said:

Don't get discouraged, I know easy to say right. But it's true, I think you're doing great! 60lbs!?! That's awesome. From what I've read on here a month stall is not that uncommon. You'll break through it, just focus on each day. Also, what about inches, often I find when I haven't lost weight I did lose some size. As far as on track we all lose differently, I don't think you're far off of the median, some lose more some lose less.

If you haven't started to work out, i strongly encourage that. Your metabolism has probably adjusted to your new habits and you need to reboot the system. Start by just walking for minutes 3x a day, then start to increase it. Or get on the stationary bike. Make sure you're drinking enough Water too.

Also, mix up your diet with new/different healthy food.

I've been stalled the last few weeks +/- 2lbs but I did fit into smaller jeans this morning so that gave me a boost.

Remember all the weight loss stats are based on a 1 year, you're not even half way there!

You'll get there, I just know it!

I love your positive vibes! Thank you so much for reaching out, and you're right, i know I will get there. I think everyone gets frustrated with the journey and I was just there. I know all the things I am not doing right, and I know that I need to change them. This journey is mentally so hard. I have realized that I am not doing so bad. I will be reaching out to my therapist, because I feel I have fallen back into bad behaviors... some people make this surgery look easy, they never cave, I am a slow loser and have terrible bad habits that I am struggling to break daily. So far so good this week though.

Again thanks!

[Apple1 2,572]

2 hours ago, alirocks713 said:

Thank you so much for reaching out to me. I am doing much better today. I guess I am not doing so bad. I just have my days and moments when mentally it all gets to me. To answer some of your questions, I do track my food daily (most of the time, i would say 90%), I will start adding more exercise. I guess i feel like if its not high impact i'm not really working out. You are right about taking Vitamins. I do try to make sure to take them its just hard some times. I am going to try and change things up and keep positive. thank you so much. Your kind words really are great to hear and helped me out of my funk.

You are very welcome. We all need encouragement and support at times throughout our journeys. This is not easy!!

I know everyone has their own unique struggles to overcome, but we all can relate in one way or another.

I'm glad you are doing better.

[Berry78 4,259]

I'm concerned to hear you get dizzy with exercise. Have you mentioned this to your health care team?

Dizziness can be a sign of blood pressure problems, blood sugar problems, dehydration, etc.

One thing that happens to many of us is our electrolytes get out of whack. Potassium, sodium, magnesium, etc. Low sodium v8 is a fabulous source of potassium. Coconut Water is good too (if you can't tolerate tomatoes).

Here is an article talking about electrolytes:

https://draxe.com/electrolyte-imbalance/

[alirocks713 8]

2 hours ago, Berry78 said:

I'm concerned to hear you get dizzy with exercise. Have you mentioned this to your health care team?

Dizziness can be a sign of blood pressure problems, blood sugar problems, dehydration, etc.

One thing that happens to many of us is our electrolytes get out of whack. Potassium, sodium, magnesium, etc. Low sodium v8 is a fabulous source of potassium. Coconut Water is good too (if you can't tolerate tomatoes).

Here is an article talking about electrolytes:

https://draxe.com/electrolyte-imbalance/

I have mentioned it to my NUT who simply states I am probably not taking in enough calories to maintain exercise. I think that has a lot to do with it because when I don't do vigorous activity I am fine. I can walk fine but its when I try to do something like running on the treadmill.. I don't know if dizzy is the correct word to use.. maybe just very tired, and sometimes nauseous. I am due to have my blood work checked. My 6 month follow up is in September, we shall see what they say. Thank you for the advice, and I will look into all of those things. I am definitely not dehydrated... big Water drinker... I think it has to do with my Vitamins being off. Again, thank you and I will be bringing up all my issue as my next appointment.