HELP!!!!

My surgery was on March 2004, I went from 240 to a 169. But now I weight 188.I gained 18 pounds from March to the present. The thing is that I do not feel good, after I ate something I feel like a baloom fill up with air. I eat more that before, but even if I eat the right foods or drink something I feel that my stomach will explote. I think that my pouch its bigger now. How is that cottage chesse test?? Please help me.

Martha, you know what you need to do. We are too far out of surgery to be relying solely on the size of our pouches to lose (and maintain) weight; we must rely now on the changes we have made in our lifestyles, mainly physical activity, which must include at least 1/2 hour a day of getting that heart rate up and breaking a sweat; and good, solid, healthy eating choices. If we do these two things every day, there will be room to enjoy a treat now and then. But if we are not doing these two primary things -- exercise, and healthy eating, including at least 5 fruits and veggies a day, with the rest being primarly healthy protein choices -- then we will regain the weight. There's no getting around this. At least I don't believe there is. It's especially difficult for us women over 45 or 50. Vigilent commitment to a healthy lifestyle...this is what it takes. It's not easy. When I find myself dreading the exercise, I try to remember what it felt like when I couldn't walk 10 steps without having to sit down. I try to reconnect with my super morbid obesity. And I concentrate on how good it feels to be able to move. I count my blessings and move my butt. Hard. This is what works for me. Know that we are all struggling right alonside you. And trust that you have the power to help yourself through this. Good luck, my friend. Keep us posted. Maureen

It sounds like you are experiencing gas maybe, but I'm not sure. It could be that you're overeating and stretching your pouch. If you think it's something serious, you should call your doc's office. Other than that, we all need to diet and exercise to maintain our weight loss. It's hard to get motivated sometimes. Maybe you could try loading an upbeat CD in your stereo in the morning. Let a few tracks play and energize you for a walk or some other workout. When I'm feeling "blah" that really helps me!!! Also, I recommend getting a food diary and committing to using it every day. It works because it keeps your head in the game, and we all need that from time to time!!! Relax, it'll be ok, we're here for you Jill

Sounds like you are eating carbs, maybe? Those can cause bloat big time. If you have stretched your pouch, a couple days of eating very very lightly - like just a nibble here and there, can help shrink that pouch up a bit again. Just to be on the safe side, talk to your doctor about it. The feeling you are describing SOUNDS like gas distension to me, but it could be something more, so you should talk to your doc about it and make sure it's not something more serious. Dina