plateau help needed

[terpfan74 0]

I was banded on 6.29.09 and from my heaviest I am down 105 lbs. and down about 80 since surgery. I am more than thrilled with all that has left me and that I have never gained an ounce on this journey and I have been on one difficult journey. Two months after surgery my husband developed a staph infection on his foot that would not heal. Between 9/09 and 4/10 he was hospitalized 7 times with staph, MRSA, sepsis, silent heart attacks that resulted in having agents placed and multiple toe amputations due to the above infections. Of course once each and every specialist gave him a clean bill of health, my spouse of 34 years passed away on the evening of the last day of school, in the middle of a conversation with me. That certainly was not the way I pictured starting my summer break. Fourteen months later I had disc surgery in my neck, eight months after that a hip replacement ( on 2 yr anniversary of husband's death) and eight months later thoracic outlet syndrome surgery. Since my hip replacement last June my weight has basically stayed the same even with a fill. I think I maybe down 5 lbs in the year. I have changed nothing except walking more each day! I want to go for at least 20 lbs more...even with surgery #4 scheduled for 6.21.13! I need ideas,suggestions ...help! I am beyond frustrated now to the point that cake and chips are looking good and they never were on my favorites list!

[DELETE THIS ACCOUNT! 12,703]

First off, I am so incredibly sorry for the loss of your husband

Plateaus are frustrating. Are you tracking your calories? That's the easiest place to start to be sure you're not eating too much or too little.

If you are counting calories, I would suggest changing up your routine. If you normally eat low carb, add some healthy carbs for awhile. If you normally don't restrict carbs, go low carb for a couple weeks. Sometimes something so simple as this can essentially "trick" your metabolism into gear again. When I've hit plateaus, I've done something called Carb Cycling. I don't do it all the time but when I hit a plateau I carb cycle for 2-3 weeks and it always breaks the plateau. In fact next time I hit a plateau again, I'll definitely be carb cycling again. There's actually a really long informational thread on it here if you'd like to have a look: http://www.lapbandta...ent-gone-right/

Btw, the fact you haven't gained through all you've been dealing with is nothing less than amazing. You should be extremely proud!!

Best wishes.

[line-dancer 810]

_{wow bless your heart I am so sorry for your loss. I am with Missy the fact that you didn't gain is God on your side for sure...I have no advice since I am only 8 mos out but I wanted to send you hug and pray's and look forward to hearing from you again.Linda}