just thought i would see how everyone is doing. I have gotten off track and have been since august when mom was diagnosed with lung cancer and got WAY off track when she died in november. First I was eating everything in sight then when she died i went into not eating at all then back to eating non stop when i was upset. Now am working on getting back on track again. Luckily I have only gained a few pounds but am going to to the % day pouch test starting monday... see how that goes Hope this finds you all doing well
Kim

Hi Lisa,

I too hope it went well for you.  Keep us posted on your progress.  I don't stop in much anymore, but I'm always curious to pop in and see how everyone is doing.  This is definitely a life long struggle, surgery or not.

Hugs,
Violet

I'm not telling you it's going to be easy, I'm telling you it's going to be worth it!

Welcome to Cleveland. I live on the East side in Painesville. I found your post and was just wondering if you ended up doing the 5 day pouch test and how it worked out for you? Have you gottenb back on track? I am out of control and scared and feeling very compulsive as all I want to do is eat again. I know I am not far out from surgery but I have not lost anything in 2 months and it is my own fault with poor eatting habits coming back. Just need a kick in the butt I guess. Kim

Hi there!  I had RNY also, 3 years ago in Oct.  I've gained almost 20 lbs from my lowest but I've been at the same weight now (162) for almost a year, so I feel like this is where my body "leveled off".  I didn't feel so strong or healthy at 145, and I feel real good here in the 160's. 

But as far as what to eat?  Well.  I noticed I started slowly gaining weight when 2 things changed in my life 1) I started drinking coffee (very sweet) and 2) started working a 2nd job.  When I started the 2nd job I found myself grabbing a hunk of cheese and a handful of crackers for "dinner" as I headed from one job to the next, I found myself eating fast food again, for the first time in 3 + years.  Though I must say it was not horrible, I can eat 1/2 of a hamburger or 1 taco - nothing like I used to eat.  But now, I am living with my family, eating 3 square meals a day, and about to go to work after not working at all for 2 months! 

Here's the interesting part - when I was working 2 jobs and seemed to be on the go constantly, I was not eating right and gained weight.  Within 2 weeks of getting here in November, I lost 6 lbs just by eating healthier, "normal" meals.  Even though at first I felt like I was eating too much, I really wasn't, I was eating "right". 

I eat homemade granola most days for breakfast.  Lunch is usually a small salad or half of a sandwich with some crackers or some type of chip or pretzels.  Dinner is whatever I cook for my parents (I came to live with them to help take care of them).  So now I'm cooking a healthy meal (my mom is diabetic) every night, and actually sitting down to eat!  I still can only eat a very small plate of food.  I still religiously drink water throughout the day and take my vitamins without fail.  I've added Biotin and Zinc to help (and it has tremendously) stop the hairloss I was starting to experience again.  I only drink one small cup of coffee a day, and sometimes don't even have any, and I've reduced the amount of sugar I put in it.  I still DO NOT drink with meals and don't think I ever will. I still DO NOT drink any type of soda.  Unfortunately I discovered I can tolerate tequila quite well......................................... one night playing cards with my boyfriend and my family, but I felt so bad the next day, I swore it off LOL.  It was a very short-lived drinking discovery!  I do occasionally have a glass of wine with my sister but that's it. 

So, at 3+ years out I feel like I'm a success at WLS.  I feel like I'm maintaining my weight, eating well, still "following the rules" and still thankful every single day that I was able to have this surgery.  I do still LOVE chocolate, and always will.  But I no longer eat an entire bag of Hershey's kisses, I eat 2 or 3 (not bags, pieces lol).  I no longer eat 5 slices of pizza, I eat maybe one slice, if it's thin crust.  I do still drink a protein shake once in a while, and an occasional AchievOne.  I still buy protein bars for "emergencies", if I'm out and hungry with no reasonable food choices before me.  I do still hope to have plastic surgery to deal with the extra skin, but if it never happens, I'm fine with it.  Anything is better than weighing 300+ lbs. 

That was a long answer to your question!  I'm trying to give you the benefit of  my experience, and the things I've learned about eating just in the 2 months since I've moved from Fla to Ga.  I feel like I can eat what I want, just in moderation.  I know I couldn't eat in moderation if I didn't have this tiny stomach, so I am grateful that I have it!  I no longer feel like I have to eat something different than what everyone else is eating.  I think at this point, we can eat the things we enjoy, even if they are "bad" as long as we remember where we've been and keep things in moderation.  I truly don't exercise as much as I should, but tomorrow's another day..........

Oh one more thing I'd like to add.  Last year I worked in an office with a lady who had RNY about 6 years ago.  She had regained almost all the weight and truly didn't know why.  She ate fast food sandwiches for breakfast, or cuban bread with butter or cuban pastries almost every day; she ate fast food or takeout chinese or pizza almost every day for lunch; and told me she has "issues" with food at night.  So, basically she went right back to the way she ate before RNY.  She understood that part, but didn't understand why it didn't all get "bypassed", thus she shouldn't have gained weight back!  I think that is not uncommon, some people can modify their eating habits and routines as long as the weight is coming off, but they go right back to the bad habits and ways and end up gaining it back.  So whether we have WLS or not, we still have to work at keeping the weight off. 

I think that "dieting" post RNY is easier.  So if you want to try and lose some of the refound pounds, you will find that you can.  I hear of people that have a 5 lb "range" that they give themselves.  So maybe you've met your "range" - certainly you don't want to go any higher.  This is where the post op support is SO very important!  So lets support each other!  Our October 2005 board should be as hopping as it was that first year!

What do you say guys?