Have you GAINED any weight??

Hi everyone, Well, I am 19 months out now, and I have actually started gaining a little weight. I have gained a total of 5 lbs. (but it feels like 20 lbs!), and I'm extremely upset with myself over this. I have been snacking more than usual, mostly because of stress, and certain foods are comforting to me, but unfortunately those foods are loaded with calories and fat. I'm turning to food now for comfort just like I did before my surgery, and I'm very discouraged about it. Anyways, I was hoping to maybe see if there's anyone out there that is going through the same kind of problem. Thanks in advance to all *****ply. Take care, Rhonda Carter

Rhonda, I'm pretty much maintaining, altho this week did drop a lb. I'm 6 lbs under my surgeon's goal, but being only 5'1" 174 is still a bit high for me. I weigh each day and log in my weights on a Weight Commander program that I have. It shows my trends etc. and helps me to know when I'm moving up and need to regroup. Remember it is pretty normal to fluctuate up and down a couple of lbs depending on salt intake, fluid retention etc. IF you are eating more carbs than normal, you weight can easily jump 5 lbs as carbs cause us to retain fluids. If you back off on the carbs, the weight should come off quickly. Try to keep the trigger foods out of the house. Have lots of high protein choices in the house. The Stallone Protein Puddings are GREAT and a real treat with a bit of fat free cool whip on top. Yummmmm. Also snow cones are a great way to get crunch, sweet and filling treat and there is no calories in those when made with SF syrups. Grazing is one of my problems. So I try to keep things in the house that are high protein to help. Hickory Farms has a great individual beef stick (about pencil size) that is very filling. I eat snow cones a lot. They really help me get thru. I also try to keep buys and exercise each day --- usually walking, swimming, riding the exercise bike (try to vary it to prevent boredom). I know you can get back on track. We're here for you. Hugs, Mary

Not yet, thank goodness. I did gain about 4 pounds when my husband and I went away for along weekend and I ate ALL of the wrong things, but after falling back into my routine this week, I'm right back to normal. I swing between 146 - 148 lbs most of the time. I tend to drop 2-3 lbs. right before "that time of the month", then I settle back into the normal range and I've stayed there since early January. I'm trying to make 150 lbs. my check point. Anything over that means I have to work harder to correct bad habits creeping back in (like your comfort food...I do the same thing). Good luck.

I haven't gained any weight back, Rhonda, and that really surprises me. I had started snacking in the evenings which is an old habit and it scared the heck out of me. Mary had suggested snow cones and I went out and bought a snow cone maker with sugar free syrup. OMG!!! That is the best stuff. It has helped tremendously with my evening cravings. It also came in handy last week when I had a stomach virus. I'm one of those people who weighs herself everyday. I know I shouldn't, but I just can't help myself. If I see the scale go up at all, I try really hard to do what I know I should. That has really helped me. When I think back to before the surgery and when I would gain weight, it was when I totally ignored the scales. Its almost as if part of my brain is in those scales. I have to admit, I have not been exercising the way I should here lately. My lame excuse is its too hot. Well, its starting to cool down... I have no more excuse! I think there comes a time when you either "make it" or you don't. This is where we have to be strong. This site really helps to give me strength! Wishing you the best......Wanda

Wanda, So glad the snow cones are working for you too. Had WLS buddies and their significant others over last weekend and I made snow cones for everyone!!!! It was a big hit to say the least. Everyone really enjoyed them. I like the fruit flavored syrups the best for snow cones and had about 7 different flavors for everyone to try. I weigh almost every day too. It helps me stay on track. Mary

Mary were do you get your sugar free sypups. I can not find them in the stores. Tina

Tina, I can buy them locally at CostPlus World Markets and also Smart N Final stores. The brand from them is Torani. You can also buy DaVinci brand directly from DaVinci. VitaLady also carries them, however she will not ship them during the winter months because of the possibility of freezing and then breaking. If you don't have access to the syrups, here's another trick that works great too. Take crystal light and freeze it into ice cubes. Then put those ice cubes thru your snow cones machines. YUMMMY too and very easy and less expensive than the syrups. Kool-aid frozen into ice cubes works too, but not as distinctive of a flavor. Here's some links for you ... you need to add http://www. to the beginning for them to work: worldmarket.com/costplus/findstorelocation smartandfinal.com/locations.aspx (they have the best prices) vitalady.com (mail order) davinci.com (mail order) torani.com (to see flavors for Torani, you can't buy on-line from them tho). Hope this helps. Mary

Rhonda - I'm fairly stable at about 240; 100 lbs + a little down. I'm having to watch what I eat more, and due to issues with my blood sugar bouncing around after I eat, I think I'm going to switch at least temporarily to 4 smaller meals per day... Also going to try to get appt with the local bariatric nutritionist (I moved just before my surgery, but still had it in the place I used to live about 2 hrs away). Snacking and stress is a big enemy.. Try the post-op "pouch rules" to water load and try to get the feeling of fullness and find something to do with your hands so you don't snack. I fight the same all the time, it's actually worse now that I need to eat more frequently.. If that doesn't work, try for higher fiber, low calorie snacks to fill up and not have as big an impact. Or, if you can tolerate it, beef jerky works well for me - gets extra protein and stays with me a while... ..N

I am ashamed to say that it looks like I am the only one who gained back. I gained back 20lbs. I have really failed this. But I am still trying. I find that the more protein shakes I have a day, the more I lose. Now I have run out of protein AND money to get them. Have to wait about a week and then maybe I can get some. I am trying to be more active. It is hard when I work and then come home to cook. I am usually to beat to do anythign by the time I get home. I can't even walk during lunch because we don't take lunches out. I work in a small office and we eat lunch and work at the same time. have to keep manning the phones. Tonight I over did it and . I made homemade pea soup and had a bowl with 1/2 cheese sandwich. But an hour before that I had a boiled egg and a protein shake. So I over did it. When will I ever learn? Joanne

you are not alone in this Joanne!! I am right there with you. Bad habits and old foods slip back in and its frustrating as anything has ever been! I had some surgeries this spring and summer and got down to about 182lbs but last time I was on the scale I was @ 187 and now I am afraid to get back on!! I know I need to exercise and eat more protein, but protein doesnt crunch in my mouth when I am falling asleep at work. I also know how it feels not to be able to afford protein shakes. When I cant afford to buy my protein powder, I just make sure I drink a lot of milk mixed with Carnation SFIB so I am getting a decent amt of protein that way.... Its so hard...Just take each day as a new experience and try your best. Dont forget the way you felt when you were so big and try not to forget the skills we;ve learned along this journey!! Thats how I get through it... sarah