Expert: Steven West - 8/11/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hi,
I hope you can give me some advice. I had WLS in Nov. of 2006. I started out at 355 lbs. I now weigh 245 lbs. I haven't gained but I'm not losing either. I'd like to get down to 160 lbs. I'm 5'4". I take my vitamins, drink more than enough water, get plenty of protein. I rarely exercised which I now know was a mistake, however I've started to and have been exercising most every day for the past month. (I will continue to exercise now) This is really getting me down, I read where so many reach their goal, but not me. Any advice would be appreciated as I really want to make it to goal.
Thank you

ANSWER: Hello Karen,

I am sorry to hear that you are not satisfied with the weight that you have lost.  It is important to understand that exercise is a vital part of any weight loss plan, but I do little more than walk a few times a week and this has not kept me from losing the weight that I needed to lose.  You say you "get plenty of protein" but do not indicate how much you are eating.  You also don't indicate if your intake consists of items that are low in fat and low in sugar - this is a must as well.  Have you expressed your concerns with your doctor?  If you haven't, I suggest that you begin to document what you eat and, after a period of time (one or two months), take the documented evidence to your doctor and discuss it with him.  I feel certain that he will be able to deduce what the problem is and help you along your weight-loss path.

Please keep me informed regarding your progress.

Thank you for the question,
Steve

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you Steve,
I am documenting my food intake. I don't eat as much as I should I know that but am trying to get better at that, however I do stay away from fats, bad carbs and sugar. Every now and then I sneak some chocolate or a bad carb but it's only every now and then. I do drink alot of protein smoothies in a day but use splenda in that.
My next question is: I'm considering revision surgery by having a StomaphyX done, I've been reading up on that. I had an RNY done and that seems like the easier way to go without more incisions. Do you know anything about this procedure and/or the success rate?
Also, I will keep in touch with you on my progress.I do have a profile on www.obesityhelp.com under the name lilac45 if you're interested in learning a bit more.
Again thank you,
Karen

ANSWER: I am confused by your comments.  Do you eat more or less than you should?  And, who are you "sneaking" the chocolates and bad carbs from?  You say you are documenting your food intake but you don't say whether you have discussed your intake with your doctor.  You also say that you have researched revision surgery but don't mention anything about discussing it with your doctor.  Please see your doctor and express the same concerns with him that you have expressed to me in this forum.  Then please let me know what you are told by him/her.

Thanks,
Steve

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I eat less than I should regarding calories. I have carbs in the house that my husband can eat (he is very thin) and at times I will eat them also, I hope that clears that up. As far as logging I just recently started to do that. I haven't talked to my doctor yet about my concerns. I see him in Nov. and at that time I will also discuss revision surgery. I know he doesn't do the stomaphyx revision. There are very few surgeons in PA that do it.

Answer
Thanks for clearing that up.  I'm anxious to hear what your doctor says during your visit with him in November.  Until then, be dedicated to logging your intake and be sure to include notes that indicate what other issues impacted what and how you ate such as mood or physical ability.  Also document your exercise to the same degree.  The more information that you provide your doctor, the better he can help you.

Steve