txprincess

So what do you do when the surgeon is stumped? When the dietician is stumped? When no one has answers why there is no weight loss? Here's my story: I had the lapband in 2010. Fairly successful, the usual up and down that banders experience. In 2014 I started having major complications, severe vomiting. I let it go for about 6 months because I lost a drastic amount of weight, of course. But then I started having health issues related to that (anemia, dehydration, lack of circulation) and had the lapband removed in June 2014. Surgeon required a 6 month recovery period before the sleeve, so I had the sleeve in January of 2015. I lost a few pounds the week after surgery. A few more over the next couple of weeks. For a total of about 20 pounds. I was excited...until it just stopped. I have not lost a single pound since February. I have had every lab work under the sun! Thyroid and hormones and adrenals all checked out "normal." I am taking a low dose of Nature-throid to get my thyroid to a better level. I have also had some testosterone pellets injected. I have great energy levels, work out 4 days a week (cross fit), get great Protein and veggies. I do feel like I can eat more than I should be able to. I don't gorge, but when I read how some folks are eating 1/4 cup of food and I'm eating a large dinner salad with grilled chicken, it kind of concerns me. I met with the surgeon and dietician. The only suggestion they came up with: diet pill and eat "clean." Seriously? I paid $14K for you to prescribe a diet pill and now I have to drastically change my eating habits even further and eat CLEAN?? As a single mom running from work to work out to ball practice to a school meeting to homework to get kids in bed....trying to fit a clean diet in there freaks me out. Doesn't seem possible. I had my metabolism tested using Medgem. My RMR is very low, especially considering my level of activity. The dietician could not offer any reasoning nor could she offer any suggestions...other than eat clean. I have added drinking warm lemon Water in the morning and nothing but lemon water all day. Because the internet said that can help boost metabolism...and if it's on the internet, it must be true right?!? I'm beyond frustrated as I have several coworkers that had the sleeve done in February and March. All of them have lost 40-60 pounds. One of them brings in her Breakfast from Whataburger every morning as I sip on my Protein shake. How is it even possible that she has lost 40 pounds and I'm struggling just to maintain?! At my last appointment in July, my surgeon suggested coming back in a couple months and having an upper GI done. Said that maybe my pouch isn't small enough due to still being swollen at the time of surgery and now I need more staples. So does that mean ANOTHER surgery? Another cash, out of pocket, surgery?? I just called to make an appointment to see him, and he's booked until October 5! So another month of waiting. Has ANYONE had issues like this? Know of anyone with a story like this?? Any feedback is appreciated. Thanks for reading my rant.

Saw my surgeon today. He said to increase my protein intake to 100+ grams. He said the extra calorie intake will be worth it. And nothing "white" should pass my lips (bread, pasta, etc). He's also going to contact an endocrinologist and talk to him about me, see if he has any words of wisdom. Other than that, he's clueless. Here's hoping an extra shake or bar a day does the body good!

@@bel6692 It's like we're telling the same story! I weigh every Friday and it goes like this: 204, 201, 203, 200, 201, 203, 200....you get the point. I have yet to break that 200 plane! And my goal is only 160! It seems so attainable, yet unreachable! I would love to know what your surgeon has to say. Please let me know! Thank you for responding. Every person with a similar struggle lets me know I'm not alone. And I hope you would feel the same. I see my surgeon on Oct 5. I hate waiting, but that's his first opening.

@DianeSav Thank you so much for responding and sharing your experiences as well. Finally someone that can relate and I don't feel alone in this. I wear a fitness watch to the gym and average around 400-500 calories burned. You would think that would be great, but I feel like it's not enough. Maybe I need to stop focusing on calories and more on carbs and Protein. I downloaded mfp and will try to track as much as possible. @@Daisee68 Thank you for the suggestion, I never considered trying another NUT. No one is a fan of the one in the surgeon's office. She doesn't even attempt to relate to what we're going through and is not supportive. That does not help one be successful.

I questioned if the lapband stress caused this screeching halt of my metabolism. They said no, but I can't help but believe it is related. Like my body is just in shock. The good thing is I have not gained any weight. I have maintained almost the exact same weight for 6 months. So that should be considered a success. I do have to say that I feel great! My energy levels are high, I am stronger now than I was months ago. Just want these jeans to fit looser.

When I attempted to talk about calories/carbs/fats she told me if I was getting in my Protein all that wouldn't matter. I didn't understand that. I thought it was about calories in/calories out. For the first 4 months I logged every single thing that passed my lips. I was devastated I was doing everything by the book and NOTHING. I toyed with the whole high fat/low carb lifestyle, but it almost goes against everything I've ever learned. My day: Protein shake for breakfast, grilled chicken salad for lunch, string cheese snack, and whatever we have for dinner, and a couple cups of coffee during the day. I have completely cut out junk food...no fast food, no potato chips or candy bars or ice cream. I feel like if I'm filling my body with good stuff, I should be rewarded! Ya know?!?

Had my 6 month check up yesterday...I've lost a whopping 1.6 pounds since my 6 week check up. All my labs, including thyroid, iron levels, etc are normal and in a good range. My surgeon is stumped. I work out HARD 4 days a week (think a lighter weight crossfit), diet is good, restriction is good. NUT called today to set up appts to visit with her about my diet. I'm not her biggest fan, no one is really. And at $30 a visit with her, I'm not inclined it just sit across a table from her and have her drone on and one about protein (which I'm getting in), veggies (which I'm also eating), low carbs (which I'm doing), etc. But she did offer a MedGem test. Has anyone done this? It tests your metabolic rate. I think that will be interesting. The nurse also offered a script for Adipex...I'm not thrilled about taking diet pills, but something has to give, right??

Well I have a bit of a hiccup to report. After suffering some pretty bad migraines, and not really being a migraine kind of person, my doc sent me for an MRI just to make sure I was all good. Long story short....I found out Friday that I have a tumor on my pituitary gland. It is benign, so praise the Lord. But it will have to be removed surgically as it is causing my headaches and messing with my hormones. And YES it is causing me to be completely unable to lose weight! And my acne that I'm suffering from! So now I'm waiting to hear from a neurosurgeon to get a consult and surgery scheduled. While I'm terrified and dumbstruck that I have this tiny alien growing in my brain, I am relieved to know that there is a reason I have been stuck at the exact same weight for months. In fact, I would bet money that had I not had the sleeve, I would probably weigh close to 300 pounds now because excessive weight gain is a side effect of this. Life can never be simple, can it?

Big hugs to you! I think we all here know the struggle and you do what you need to do to get back right. We will be here when you return.

ACNE!!! Could this be related to the sleeve?!?! I never even correlated the two! My face is breaking out worse than my 17 year old son's! I've been stealing his Proactiv and even that's not working. I have never had skin issues, so this is driving me crazy!

Had my 6 week follow up today. I just love my surgeon! He is so calming and encouraging...voiced my concerns that I haven't lost 50 pounds yet (was kind of kidding). He said I was exactly where I needed to be and that once I started adding in some exercising, I would be even more successful. I asked him if there was a calorie count I needed to stay at/under. He said no, as long as I was getting 65-80 grams of Protein, there wouldn't be any room for carbs/high calorie food. That made me feel better too. He strongly encourages resistance/weight training instead of a strictly cardio and aerobic routine. This make me happy. Running is the pits! lol! I would much rather pump some iron!

I haven't included my preop when thinking about it and talking to people. But now I wonder why I shouldn't! It's weight I lost and not going to gain again!

Almost 6 weeks out and only down 13 pounds. Yes, very frustrating when eating less than 800 calories a day. And I love when people say, "Maybe you aren't eating enough calories." I can't!!! There are nights when I have to get another protein shake to get more than 500 calories for the day. I know, I know...13 pounds is great! But not exactly where I set my expectations. My6 week post op is Monday and I hope he can reassure me that I'm on the right track, or give me ideas on what could make this better.

If my weight was fluctuating, yeah, I might chalk that up to water weight. But it is NOT changing. I think that's what makes it even more frustrating. It says the EXACT same number every single day. It went up .1 one day, but the next, it was right back down and hasn't changed. It's just weird.

I am really sorry for those not losing any weight, but I feel like I'm not alone. 10 pounds lost during first week after surgery. Nothing since...3 weeks later. I'm getting almost 70g protein a day and eating less than 700-800 calories. To go from eating probably 3000 calories to this little, surely the fat should just be jumping off my body. But for some reason my little fat cells are holding on with their dear precious lives screaming, HECK NO, WE WON'T GO! GaaaahhhH!!!!!

Just need to vent... Surgery was 1/6. Lost 10 pounds th first week. Since then...NOTHING. I know I wasn't going to lose 50 pounds in the first few weeks, but sheesh! Something to show that what all I just went through was worth it. I just hope one day I wake up and POOF! 10 pounds will have fallen off over night. RIGHT? UGH! I can't be the exception to this surgery...that it just doesn't work for me. It has to work! AGH!!! Whew...panic attack, over....for now.

I'm in Beaumont, TX and cost was $13500. Only extra thing I had to pay for was the first bucket of protein powder, some liquid protein, and vitamins. First year of office visits are covered. 6 month membership to the Wellness Center and 5 visits with a personal trainer is also included. If you don't mind the 1.5 hour drive from Houston to Beaumont....worth checking out.

Was normal for me! I'm almost 2 weeks out and just now feeling back to myself.

I couldn't imagine going back to work a week after my surgery! You are a very strong woman! Kudos to you! What stage of foods are y'all on? I'm full liquids: shakes, cream soups, pudding, etc. I have to say I'm so excited about getting to purees! I've found several ideas on Pinterest and just ready for something that tastes like real food!

@@Fallinstar I'm so sorry you're dealing with all that drama with the surgeon! Rapport with the surgeon is so important to being successful in this process. I'm so blessed with an amazing surgeon and office staff. But if you do get along with his staff, definitely stay in contact with them. They can help be the go between you and him....how did the follow up appt go today? Had my follow up today. I've lost 8 pounds since surgery, 13 since starting pre op. But who wouldn't when you're not able to ingest anything other than Water and broth. lol! Was able to start back on shakes and creamy thin soups. Been able to have several spoonfulls and then DONE! Not supposed to drink for 30 minutes after eating...an hour later, still trying to sip on some water and having difficulty. I can't eat. I won't eat. But I have to say the desire to just stuff my face is not gone. I still fight that at every turn!

Spent a few hours just wandering the mall and finally gave up due to sheer exhaustion. Still very sore. Have my first follow up this morning. Tired of clear liquids so I'm hoping I get to add some creamed soups and protein shakes today.

My incision sites hurt worse than the tenderness in my belly. Once I get up, I feel fine. Once I sit down, I feel fine. But the transition up and down feels like a knife cutting my stitches. Getting out of the house for the first time today. Hoping this helps speed up the healing process!

Anyone else having issues with things tasting weird? Even water has a funky aftertaste.

Third day in hospital and am hoping to go home this afternoon. Had some pretty painful moments yesterday and there were tears as I questioned why i did this to myself! It'll all be worth it, right?!

I am an HR "Rep" and if you were to call me about rumors and gossip, I would tell you to simply ignore it. And the only reason you know that people are gossipping about you is because someone came and told you. Tell that person to stop, you don't want to hear about it or talk about it. Just do your job. This is not a hostile work environment, not until you are being bullied, belittled, and subjected to behavior so pervasive that it renders you unable to do your job. Our admin assistant went on vacation, that turned into a disability leave, for 2 weeks. We are a close group and I questioned if everything was ok. I was told she didn't really want anything known. I let it be. Now several months later and she has dropped a drastic amount of weight, I know she had "SOMETHING" done. But I haven't said anything about it, it's not my business. Just as it shouldn't be any of their's what you are doing. If you don't talk about it and worry about it, they will be forced to drop it.