Advise Please !!

Hi I've never posted on here before but I'm needing some help please ..I have gained a few pounds in the last 6 months and my scrubs are getting tight ....not enough to go to a bigger size I was a 3x at start and now I'm in a medium but need to get under control I've gained about 15 lbs Curious as to others regimen how much protein do you eat daily what do you limit carbs to and approx calories I'm getting on that ol treadmill after I finish this post ..which obviously I haven't been too faithful with lately but gonna give her a try. One more thing does anyone do protein drink I know lots of my problems is I'm not taking in more carbs than protins. Thanks for your time ...Deb

Hi Deb, It seems that the tighter clothing problem is going around for us 2+ year post-ops!! I too have gained weight in the past 6 months...21 lbs., unfortunately. I do still drink one protein drink each morning. My demise has been that I can tolerate sugar, and have been having it way too often. That coupled with virtually no exercise all winter has not been good. I can't really tell you how many calories, protein, etc. I eat because I haven't kept track. I am conscious to get plenty of protein in, but I know I've been to lax about eating carbs and "empty calories", which is why I've gained. We both just need to get back to the basics...eat like we did at about 6 months post-op...and we'll be fine. Now is the really hard part!!! Good luck, and thanks for posting. Sometimes I feel very alone on this Oct. 2003 page!! Kathy

I just found this Oct 2003 site and I have been looking for something like this for a long time. I am in the same situation as everyone here and I thought I was alone in gaining a few pounds back. Also, I sure wish I had lost more in the beginning. I think it was my fault, I should have tried harder to lose as much as possible the first year. It shouldn't be so hard to lose weight even now..with so much less intestine removed!! I sure don't feel like I have a small stomach anymore, though. I hope more people log in and we can get a regular support thing going on here. Thanks for listening !!

Hi Debbie, There are several Yahoo Groups to help you get back on track with your weight loss. The most active and positive one that I know about is OSSG_Off_track. They are a very supportive and knowledgeable group. I had my first WLS in 1997 at 397lbs and got to 255 then all the way back up to 310 before I had a revision. In retrospect I think the biggest mistake I made was feeling sorry for myself on my way back up the scale. Instead of looking at the first 5, 10, 15 lbs. and realizing it was something I could manage; I chose to feel defeated and ashamed. This only led to many more Little Debbies. Kuddos to you for stopping weight regain in it's tracks!!! I do things much differently this time. I allow myself a 5 lb. window. For now, it's 153-158. I weigh everyday and have since surgery.... it works for me. When I see 158 on the scale, I start the next day off with a protein drink for breakfast, a protein bar for lunch, a protein drink about 3 or 4 in the afternoon and either chicken & veggies or salmon & veggies for dinner PERIOD. I keep this up until the scale reads 153 or less. Then I go back to eating my "normal" way. What I have found is that the time between eating "normally" and my "dieting" is getting longer and longer. When I first started this, it would only take a few days and I'd be at that 158 mark. Then it was a week or so and now, it's about 3 or 4 weeks. And, the number of days I have to "diet" are fewer. In the beginning, I would have to "diet" for about 4 days now, it's about 2 days. The other thing that has helped me tremendously is having to be accountable to other people. Do you attend a support group? Have you thought about (and forgive me if you already do this) assuming a leadership position in a support group? There is nothing more humbling than other people checking out your plate 24/7!! Anyway, good luck to you!! Jackie in TX

Jackie, It's kind of ironic how you operate your "5 lb. window". For over a year I did basically exactly the same thing, and maintained myself perfectly with very little effort (I think I only was outside of my 140 - 145 range twice). Then seasonal depression and alot of other stressors got way out of control...and I let my eating get out of control too. I got on an anti-depressant for a couple months, which helped me grab ahold again. Now I just need to fight myself back to goal! I am currently putting myself through a daily reflection book, reviewing what my values, goals, and ambitions are and it has helped me remember some key principles that I was living by for the first couple of years post-op, but managed to lose sight of. A key one for me: The greatest gift I can give my children is a healthy (physically, emotionally, and spiritually) mom. By remembering this, I realize I am not being "too selfish" when I spend time on myself going to the gym or participating in support group (I co-lead one locally, but have had schedule conflicts in recent months). Anyway, thanks for your input. I think I will check out that yahoo group. It's good to know I'm not alone...and not a failure! Keep up the great work! Kathy

Kathy and Jackie ...thanks so much for the replies, helps knowing I'm not alone and I really do need to join a support group. I do feel a bit isolated at times I moved here about a year ago and have yet to find a support group near by. But I will try your advise thanks again...Deb

Me too! I am now going to start back to the basics. I got down to 212, now I am 228, and the clothes feel tight, oh, I hate that feeling! Today was my first day of the low carbs and high proteins again. Lets all try and see how we do, I have been living in the comfort zone for too long now, I am ready to try again. We can Do IT!!!!!!!!!!! D