Suggestions needed

Swissmiss

I joined MFP eight months ago. I haven't posted much in that time but I feel that I really need more support from others. I have lost only 16 pounds. It has been slow going. I am very active at work...very seldom do I ever get a chance to sit down. I have been going to the gym for more exercise and have found that to help. My problem is that in two weeks I will be having surgery and will not be able to exercise for six weeks. What is this going to do to my weight? I need some suggestions on how to keep losing or at least to not gain back any weight. I think that if I cut my calories that my metabolism will suffer.

Swissmiss

I joined MFP eight months ago. I haven't posted much in that time but I feel that I really need more support from others. I have lost only 16 pounds. It has been slow going. I am very active at work...very seldom do I ever get a chance to sit down. I have been going to the gym for more exercise and have found that to help. My problem is that in two weeks I will be having surgery and will not be able to exercise for six weeks. What is this going to do to my weight? I need some suggestions on how to keep losing or at least to not gain back any weight. I think that if I cut my calories that my metabolism will suffer.

shababy

Congratulations on your six pounds!!! That is a huge accomplishment no longer how long it took you. Just know that you didn't gain the weight overnight so in return you can't lose it overnight. Regarding your surgery, you need to find out how many calories your body burns at it 'resting' stage. This means how many calories you burn if you do nothing but stay in bed all day. Once you calculate that (go to any search engine and type in how many calories do i need) you will be fine if you stay at that number. Good luck and happy weight loss!!!

KatWood

I joined MFP eight months ago. I haven't posted much in that time but I feel that I really need more support from others. I have lost only 16 pounds. It has been slow going. I am very active at work...very seldom do I ever get a chance to sit down. I have been going to the gym for more exercise and have found that to help. My problem is that in two weeks I will be having surgery and will not be able to exercise for six weeks. What is this going to do to my weight? I need some suggestions on how to keep losing or at least to not gain back any weight. I think that if I cut my calories that my metabolism will suffer.

16 lbs in 8 months is a lot! Especially if you don't have that much to lose, and according to your profile you are almost at your goal weight! I wouldn't stress too much about the 6 weeks off. I wouldn't cut my calories. Just watch what you eat and stay as active as you can. I know you can't exercise but even if you can just stay as mobile as possible. Remember that weight isn't everything, your overall health is much more important. Since you are already an active person, I don't think 6 weeks will set you back much if at all. Also, even if you do gain a bit of weight you know that you can lose it again later. I think stressing about your weight while you are recovering from surgery will only hider your recovery and could actually hurt your weightloss efforts.

Good luck and have a speedy recovery!

aprilvet

Swissmiss,
First of all, you should congratulate yourself on 16lbs lost! 16lbs is 16lbs!:flowerforyou: Now, as for your recovery period, depending on the type of surgery, you may likely not feel great for days to weeks and not have much appetite. Try to eat about 1200-1400 cals per day as a maintenance if you're really down and out. I had surgery 2 years ago and found my appetite decreased for about 3 weeks- pain meds and all. No exercise- on the couch for the first week. I found I was able to maintain my weight. Now of it's orthopedic surgery, try doing some exercises with your unaffected limbs to burn a few calories. Just don't get down and let this derail you!!

Swissmiss

Swissmiss,
First of all, you should congratulate yourself on 16lbs lost! 16lbs is 16lbs!:flowerforyou: Now, as for your recovery period, depending on the type of surgery, you may likely not feel great for days to weeks and not have much appetite. Try to eat about 1200-1400 cals per day as a maintenance if you're really down and out. I had surgery 2 years ago and found my appetite decreased for about 3 weeks- pain meds and all. No exercise- on the couch for the first week. I found I was able to maintain my weight. Now of it's orthopedic surgery, try doing some exercises with your unaffected limbs to burn a few calories. Just don't get down and let this derail you!!

Thanks to all of you for the help. I am having major surgery. The female type. I don't know how I will feel because I have not had surgery since I was one year old. I was wanting to go home later in the day after the surgery and thought that I would be able to drive. The doctor says no way. I guess that my biggest concern is that I am VERY active now and not losing too quickly...what is going to happen if I am very laid back for a while. I am picturing myself sitting on the sofa getting bigger by the minute.

chipper15173

i have had several surgies since starting my program. just as said before stay within your BMR (just to live) calories and you should be ok. if you do gain, it should come right back off. in may of last year i was laid up for 12 weeks. it was hard, i did put on a few pounds, but, once i got going again they came right off. i just had my gall bladder out, i lost 5 just after, but, once i was able to eat again it came back. i was discouraged because my tummy was/is larger. but, the surgeon just told me last week i still have at least 6 more weeks of swelling and air. that they just took out a major organ and my body has to adjust. that made me feel better, and something to look forward to. when i had my (female surgery) i wasn't allowed to drive for 6 weeks. it puts pressure on your abs. not good.
best of luck to you. and worry may only make it worse, cause it causes cortisol build up. don't stress. you will do fine.

cmriverside

You may find that the surgery isn't all that hard on your body. Since you are already fairly active and not grossly overweight, you may have a faster recovery than you expect. The newer surgeries for "female" issues are not nearly as invasive or debilitating as they were even just a few years ago.

They never let you drive after general anesthesia. Even if it's just an endoscopy. It is driving under the influence. I've been known to call a cab to take me two blocks to my car. after dental surgery. They wouldn't even let me take a bus.

It's a great opportunity to work on biceps, triceps and shoulders. You can also spend the time making a detailed food and exercise plan by going online and researching.

You will continue to lose weight without exercise. You'll get back to it as soon as you can. :flowerforyou:

aprilvet

Chipper's right- worry may only make it worse! Just take care of yourself in the most healthy way you can, try to stay close to your calories, work those arms! Once you're back on your feet, just re-start your journey!:flowerforyou:

Swissmiss

Thanks to all of you. I will be depending on your support during this time. Not only for help with keeping healthy but for the friendships.

MyaPapaya75

I joined MFP eight months ago. I haven't posted much in that time but I feel that I really need more support from others. I have lost only 16 pounds. It has been slow going. I am very active at work...very seldom do I ever get a chance to sit down. I have been going to the gym for more exercise and have found that to help. My problem is that in two weeks I will be having surgery and will not be able to exercise for six weeks. What is this going to do to my weight? I need some suggestions on how to keep losing or at least to not gain back any weight. I think that if I cut my calories that my metabolism will suffer.

grats on your weight loss...i just had a friend go through this and she didnt watch what she was eating while on bedrest and minimal activity so needless to say she is heavier than what she was prior to surgery...whats bad is her surgery was tummy tuck ....WATCH WHAT YOU EAT...its so important ..sodium and so on ...I would get the doc to give you a low calorie diet plan full of veggies and fruits and lean meats...

Swissmiss

Hello everyone---I have been home for four days now. I haven't been able to weigh myself because I always do that at the YMCA. However, my meds have been making my nauseous so I haven't been overeating. I do have a problem with a hubby who will not help me. Maybe that really isn't a problem because I certainly haven't been sitting around being waited on. :laugh:

aprilvet

Glad to hear you're up and about! What's up with no help from hubby?????:grumble: Good luck on the rest of your recovery. Keep us posted!!:flowerforyou:

Swissmiss

Had a set back on Monday. I am not healing well because I am just not used to sitting around doing nothing. Sooo boring. Anyway, am doing better. I am staying at my BMR and my appetite has been down because I haven't been feeling well enough to eat. I am feeling better now and am sipping water to keep from eating. Any other suggestions for me? Thanks.

chipper15173

i worked on puzzles, did word search books, read books, selpt.....took slow walks around the yard. sat on the swing while watch DH mow the lawns :laugh: . i am a people watcher. i like to sit and watch the world go by.
but, do take it easy. you don't need problems in that area. my 6week rest turned into 12 because i wasn't healing fast enough. (that's my diabeties).

good luck with your recovery.....:flowerforyou:

Swissmiss

Oh no--I hope I don't take longer to recoup. I have been wondering if the set back this week will make it take longer to heal. What type of diabetes do you have,chipper? Chances are with the weight coming off you may find your diabetes improving. My sister was diabetic so I am very versed on the disease.