Christine, I too have gained about 20 pounds since I had my surgery in 2001. I have thought of a revision too but I think the key here is that we have had the tool given to us, now we need to change our bad habits. We need to re-train our brains instead of looking for the quick fix. They never told us that it would be easy afterwards but then they dont have much in the way of support after wards either. I am really depressed right now with myself. I can't believe that I have allowed myself to get this way AGAIN! I am still 100 pounds lighter than when I started yet I still have 60 pounds to lose. Maybe we can help each other come up with a plan that will work. Christine James

Robbin, As we all know, this surgery is a lifetime commitment. I don't have any advice, just words of encouragement. Try to remember how you felt when you first started to lose weight and how proud of yourself you were. Remember that everyone gains after surgery. It's a fact of life. I don't consider you a failure. Everyone makes mistakes. The true test is what we learn from those mistakes. I don't know enough about your eating patterns to comment or offer advice but I can tell you what has worked for me. Carbs are also my downfall. But I still eat no refined sugars and I work out 3-4 times per week. You would have to know me to understand what working out costs me. I do not like it but have recognized that this is something I will have to do for the rest of my life if I want to avoid returning to my former size. You also have to realize that with this surgery, no food is a bad food...even carbs and fat. In moderation. Try to remember those lessons the doctor gave you three years ago. Drink a glass of water 15 minutes before you eat to give your pouch a sense of fullness. No fluids for 60-90 minutes after eating. Start with small portions(even if you have to weigh your food). No more than 5 oz. Eat protein first, then veggies, then carbs. No fried foods I know this seems restrictive but it truly does work. I've seen it and I've lived it. I don't believe in luck but Best Wishes! Yvette

I had my surgery on 3/15/01 and at the time I was 314 lbs... down from 363 on my pre-op diet. I did very well at first and lost down to about 200 lbs, which for me was a size 16 and I was satisfied. Big mistake. I should have never let myself get satisfied because I obviously became complacent. I started gaining about a year ago and made yet another mistake, quit getting on the scales. I am very sad to say that I have gained 80 lbs and although I'm still 80 lbs less than I was at the start... it is completely unacceptable. I know exactly where I went wrong. I found that I could eat crackers ... and eat them and eat them and eat them. I can't eat much of the protein still and get full quick (full as in my stomach being full, not full as in being satisfied) but I can pound away the crunchy carbs. I throw up more now than I ever did early on (which was very rare) because I try to put too much in my stomach. Although I am afraid my stomach has stretched way too much sometimes, sometimes I think maybe it hasn't because of the fact that I can't get much protein in. I'm really at a loss because I'm back where I was before... I need to learn to watch what I eat and eat the proper foods.... the exact place I failed before and opted to have the surgery. I need some support but I don't know where to turn. I'm embarrassed now to tell people that I've had gastric bypass surgery (whereas I was proud when I had lost the weight). I'm embarrassed to go on a diet because everyone I know knows I'm a failure now. Does anyone have any suggestions for me? Fat Again in Florida, Robbin

christine, I read your profile and I am 3 years post op as of March 5th. I weighed 261 and went down to about 140 now I am about 155 and nervious I can eat more now and I have eaten pretty much what I have wanted and now I am looking and that carbs have been easier that protien and I am guily of the easier path, so rather than a revision I am looking at this as still a valuable tool and I am eating more protien and less carbs. Barbara Halley Nolan