I can understand. I have lost 65 pounds since my duodenal switch surgery on November 10 2015. I am now getting an appetite back and feeling hungry more often. I haven't gained any weight back yet but I am getting worried. Your doctor has a really low goal weight for you it seems. I have to really get my act straight and fight this desire to eat more. I am also eating sweets which is a big no no. So we have to be strong. Maybe you are just going through a plateau and will get back on track soon. I hope so.

You have both done really well with the weight loss thus far.

My suggestion, 1judykay, is that you limit the fruits to high fiber and relatively low sugar fruits, such as strawberries, and then in small amounts -- no sugar added! Veggies won't slow your weight loss unless they are starches. I've found that I can eat things like green beans, spinach, asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower--no problem. But if I eat corn, potatoes, beets (high in sugar),,,,, those will slow or stop my weight loss. You don't mention how tall you are, and I agree with Carlsmom that 118 sounds really low. I think what is important is that you are comfortable, healthy, and happy with your weight. When you get to that point, it's all good.

Now, there are a number of things that can cause a stall, and interestingly one of them is memory. --cellular memory. Ask yourself what your life was like when you last weighed 200 lb: were you happy? unhappy? stressed? feeling stuck? Sometimes your psyche just needs acknowledgement of that time in order to move past that weight. I know it's weird, but it happened to me a couple of times during my meltdown.

Your plateau can also just be a part of a normal adjustment. You've lost a lot of weight, and sometimes we just need to get used to the new weight. To bust through it, you can increase protein, change up your activity level, drink more water, cut carbs.... it can all help.

I'm sure you will get there eventually. Just keep with your program. I know that for me, I have to strictly limit carbs if I want to lose any thing at all (and on maintenance, you do occasionally have to take off a few pounds that want to creep back on).

Carlsmom: protein is what can help to curb the hunger. It works because it takes longest to digest and keeps your blood glucose levels steady. Lots of water also helps. When all else fails, I chew sugar-free gum. My go-to for a sweet is a protein bar or shake. For the shakes, I blend in a lot of ice to make them thick like a milkshake (evil word, just pretend I didn't mention it! :) ).

I find if I stay with low glycemic, high fiber veggies fruit, I can make this work. If you need help picking which ones work, pick up an old Atkins or South Beach Diet book. They're loaded with easy ways to incorporate low carb veggies and fruits into your diet.
Like farmgirl said, her veggies, kale and other greens, artichokes, zucchini, cucumbers, radishes, bamboo shoots, water chestnuts, bean sprouts, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, watermelon, cantaloupe, all are great options for variety.
Stay away from the starches: even sweet potatoes will trigger your carb hunger. No corn, potatoes, juice, apples, oranges, grapes, bananas, sweet, carb laden veg and fruits will kill the tool.
Get a plan, read the labels and carb ratings on food, and stick to super low carbs so you can make this work. You're worth it.

I am going through the same thing mentally too. The weight is slowing down.. I was 270 got down to 160 now back up to 171 and am eating more food. It has been 17 months since surgery and I feel the training wheels have fallen off. Now I am thinking about eating and eating. I love the thoughts and comments here. I have been eating "sugar free ice cream oh no and eating junk and like veggie straws chewing it up and then spitting most of it out. I know I just do it because I still am working on ways to handle or cope with emotions. I use breathing and other methods so all I can say is it really is a daily commitment. WE are all in this together.

Post surgery can present some real challenges. The "honeymoon period" is over and now you have to use the tools you were provided. I'm not sure it will ever be easy. It takes a tremendous amount of head work to stay on track. Keeping a food journal has been one of my most valuable tools.Especially if you use an app that will keep track of your protein, carbs and fat intake as well as your exercise routine. When you look at your daily, weekly and monthly totals and compare it to your weight and measurements you can sometimes figure out where you have to make changes.
On last night's news there was a report about what happens to people after losing weight on THE BIGGEST LOSER. Our bodies change...and not for the better. If you Google Biggest Loser aftermath you will find many articles about the study of what happens in the aftermath. This particular study has not yet been done on Gastric Bypass people,,,but it's in the works. The more information we have the better we are able to cope and move forward.
Now! 118 pound! You must be 4 feet tall! That sounds like a very small number to try to achieve! Remember, it's just a number. Concentrate on your health and well-being rather than a stupid number! Lots of good advice offered here. We are so lucky to have a wonderful support group to help us through our issues!

Congratulations on shedding 150 lbs! That is awesome. Everyone already said the important things. I can't believe your doctor says 118 lbs. That just sounds ridiculous. If you did get near that, you'd have to take into consideration the weight of the loose skin. If you decided to get that off, it could put you down near 100 lbs. 150 sounds like a perfectly reasonable goal. I agree with Farmgirl in that you might want to consider what was going on for you when you were last at 200. I found that every time I had a pause that there was something significant that needed to be addressed. Every time I resolved the issue, the shedding would resume. You can do this, just hang in there and keep up with protein, water and sleep. Another thing you might consider is the stress in your life which can affect weight.

Thank you everyone for your suggestions. I do many of what has been suggested regarding eating fruit and vegetables and very low carb. Seeing where I was before when I was at this weight I was in emotional crisis and in intensive therapy for sexual abuse. I will do some work on this, especially reminding my inner child that she is safe and we no longer have to worry about being abuse. Thanks so much to each of you. God bless us as we continue our journey one day at a time.... Hugs

You've made a great connection JudyKay! Sending love to your inner child!

Thanks Lcat4, I appreciate it.