How can this happen?

[tysweetpea]

Hi,

I had RNY in 2001 and revision to trad DS in 9/2017. HW abt 350, LW 180. CC is 125. In the past couple years there has been alot of drama and medical trauma and extreme stress in my family. Somehow, I am up to 250 now. Ahhhh. I also need several ventral hernia repairs, full tear rotator cuff repair and veins repair in my legs/pelvic. Recently the cardiologist wants me to get an IVUS with possible stent. Having some venous insufficiency and my legs are swelling. I also have lipedema but cannot get a doctor to treat or dx officially. My labs look okay except I am working on low vit d and zinc and last year had iron infusions which will probably be a year thing. I also have a fatty liver, spleen a little enlarged and moderate pancreatic atrophy(no idea what that is). I am due to get a endoscopy and a colonoscopy with a new gastroenterologist but no family or friends to help me with any driving or care after any surgeries so I have been putting everything off. I have an autoimmune disease that can sometime limit my mobility. Right now I have to be a caregiver to myself and my husband (he is in a wheelchair with term cancer). I also have a special needs son.

My surgeon is Dr. Rabkin and we are under disability so there is no way for me to afford follow up care with him. I have to depend on my PCP and random specialists...and thats another thing...doctors are dropping like flies....appts are delayed, doctors retired, leave practices or decide not to take a particular insurance anymore so I have had to switch specialists several times....which is frustrating. I am absolutely miserable and miss my onderland weight. Do you think this weight gain could be medical related or mindless eating or both.

Thanks for all your feedback

 

[southernlady]

The weight gain might be both. Mindless eating can be controlled. First, log absolutely everything that goes in your mouth for 2-3 days. But make no changes to what you are currently eating. Don’t change just cause you are logging it.

Next, take a hard look at what you logged? Count up your macros, grams of protein, fat, and carbs. If you want to break the carbs down into complex and simple, fine. If you see too many carbs, especially simple carbs, start there. If your eating is fine. Then take a second look at your labs. If you want help with them, redact personal info, and take photos and post them in the Vitamins and Labs board. We’ll help.

 

[Larra]

Great advice from southernlady and I also suspect mindless eating. I know from personal experience how quickly food can be consumed with random mindless eating. And stress, at least for me, is a huge factor.

 

[hilary1617]

Hi tysweetpea - sounds like you are going through a lot and I can definitely empathize. Hang in there! My weight increases with carbs, stress and when my vitamin levels are out of range (e.g. low selenium). So, echoing the advice above, up-to-date labs and mindful eating could help.

I have lipedema and do find that Vodder lymphatic draining message, wrapping and compression stockings (both prescribed) make a big difference with swelling / volume. Like you, I am behind in self-care on the medical and need to step it up soon, to make sure I am healthy enough for caregiving for others.

Wishing you the best!

 

[tysweetpea]

The weight gain might be both. Mindless eating can be controlled. First, log absolutely everything that goes in your mouth for 2-3 days. But make no changes to what you are currently eating. Don’t change just cause you are logging it.

Next, take a hard look at what you logged? Count up your macros, grams of protein, fat, and carbs. If you want to break the carbs down into complex and simple, fine. If you see too many carbs, especially simple carbs, start there. If your eating is fine. Then take a second look at your labs. If you want help with them, redact personal info, and take photos and post them in the Vitamins and Labs board. We’ll help.

Thanks! Great idea. Fingers crossed that is all that it is. Who would think a few extra carbs would make you increase so much. I thought I would just get a lot of gas and diarrhea. Those nasty carbs are dangerous. I will keep you posted of what macros results I come up with.

 

[tysweetpea]

Great advice from southernlady and I also suspect mindless eating. I know from personal experience how quickly food can be consumed with random mindless eating. And stress, at least for me, is a huge factor.

Yes! Lots of stress. I hope I dont have to be way under 50 to make a difference. I set my macros for protein 120, fat 150, carbs 50.

 

[tysweetpea]

Hi tysweetpea - sounds like you are going through a lot and I can definitely empathize. Hang in there! My weight increases with carbs, stress and when my vitamin levels are out of range (e.g. low selenium). So, echoing the advice above, up-to-date labs and mindful eating could help.

I have lipedema and do find that Vodder lymphatic draining message, wrapping and compression stockings (both prescribed) make a big difference with swelling / volume. Like you, I am behind in self-care on the medical and need to step it up soon, to make sure I am healthy enough for caregiving for others.

Wishing you the best!

Thanks! I cant recall anything about selenium...I will have to check. I wish I could get MLD but no PT around me that knows how to especially under insurance. for stockings, I will probably have to buy on amazon. Getting anything covered with this horrible insurance is a chore. Fingers crossed its only mindless eating. I swear if I cant get a hold of this, I will have to resort to chicken, salad and eggs...ahhhh.

 

[hilary1617]

Thanks! I cant recall anything about selenium...I will have to check. I wish I could get MLD but no PT around me that knows how to especially under insurance. for stockings, I will probably have to buy on amazon. Getting anything covered with this horrible insurance is a chore. Fingers crossed its only mindless eating. I swear if I cant get a hold of this, I will have to resort to chicken, salad and eggs...ahhhh.

I hear you completely. I dread cutting out the comfort food I've been eating lately, but need to do it. For insurance, stockings are considered durable medical equipment. The OTC versions don't work for my legs - they gather tightly in the crease between foot and ankle and that makes them too painful for me to wear. If you can get them, the prescription custom made ones (Jobst Elvarex) have a special type of seam available that can be placed there to prevent that from happening - plus they actually fit and have an open toe option. Free the toes!

 

[Spiky Bugger]

Hi.

Just a weird suggestion: when my weight is moving upward and getting my attention, I try eating a “high protein appetizer” (for lack of a better term) before every “snack.”

So…sure…I’m jonesin’ for some candy…but first, I’m going to chow down on some sliced ham or turkey wrapped around some string cheese…or just eat a couple of slices of Swiss cheese. Sometimes, I decide against the candy. Other times I eat less. And every time, I’m increasing protein intake.

That’s all…a high protein mind game…that makes the scale go the other direction.

 

[JackieOnLine]

My surgeon is Dr. Rabkin and we are under disability so there is no way for me to afford follow up care with him. I have to depend on my PCP and random specialists...and thats another thing...doctors are dropping like flies....appts are delayed, doctors retired, leave practices or decide not to take a particular insurance anymore so I have had to switch specialists several times....which is frustrating. I am absolutely miserable and miss my onderland weight. Do you think this weight gain could be medical related or mindless eating or both.

I've had both weight gain (typical) and loss (just the once) from STRESS so I would think that is a big factor.

it's great you came here to talk about and please continue to post!

 

[Munchkin]

Get a fitness tracker of some kind. They can be had for little money. Then just wear it for a couple weeks to get an idea of your typical activity level. Then concentrate on increasing it a little at a time. And do whatever you can do. Just keep it moving in the right direction. It forces you to be aware of your activity level.

 

[tysweetpea]

Hi.

Just a weird suggestion: when my weight is moving upward and getting my attention, I try eating a “high protein appetizer” (for lack of a better term) before every “snack.”

So…sure…I’m jonesin’ for some candy…but first, I’m going to chow down on some sliced ham or turkey wrapped around some string cheese…or just eat a couple of slices of Swiss cheese. Sometimes, I decide against the candy. Other times I eat less. And every time, I’m increasing protein intake.

That’s all…a high protein mind game…that makes the scale go the other direction.

Do you have any favs for your “high protein appetizer”? I think to grab one of my husbands granola bars but then look at the carbs...wow 22g....last night I wanted something quick so I grabbed a string cheese. I love oikos yogurt but at 7-10 carbs per, it adds up.

 

[JackieOnLine]

Get a fitness tracker of some kind.

you can even get a free app to count steps on your phone. it really is amazingly motivating when you see the numbers get bigger.

 

[tysweetpea]

you can even get a free app to count steps on your phone. it really is amazingly motivating when you see the numbers get bigger.

Thanks! I have the MFP and the carb manager apps.. The bad thing is my phone just crashed and have to look for another one.

 

[JackieOnLine]

so inconvenient! I hope you find one you like and at a good price.

my phone has been running on fumes for years now but I do not want to shop and decide which one to get next.

since I grew up with landlines I don't think I should have to pay for a phone if I have to pay for "service" it seems like it should be free. I guess I need to join the 21st century.