S.O.S. from an "old" member

Hi All, It has been a very long time, since I last posted or have been on the board.  I had my WLS with Dr. Bell in July of 2004 with Dr. Bell.  I lost 85 lbs and never was able to get below that.  I'm starting to gain.  I've gained about 10-12 lbs. and it's making me a nervous wreck, which is making it worse.  Unfortunately, I can eat just about anything.  I do exercise almost every day of the week...but that's not taking the weight down.  Does anyone have any diet suggestions?  Weigh****cher? Anything, I so don't want to go back to where I was!  I'm getting very depressed; my clothes are not fitting me! JA

JA, I am glad that you came "home" to this board; I have been absent for far too long myself and your post compelled me to answer. Let me say hello to all the wonderful, courageous people that find their way to the board every day and share their stories of personal triumph, dismay, fear, and hope.  We're all here to help - and to be helped.  I had my surgery in March 2004 and lost about 214 lbs.  The past 6 months have been excrutiatingly difficult for me as I attempt to maintain my weight loss.  If I were a fly-on-the-wall of my insides, I might gain a better perspective of what's going on; all I know for certain is that I can eat anything and in any quantity. I am hanging on by my fingernails to live by my personal code of redirecting my life energy toward passionate living and away from emotional eating.  It's a roller coaster ride and I want to get off.  There are things we can do; first and foremost, stop blaming yourself for any of what you're going through.  Banish any feelings of shame, guilt, disgust, fear - any of those negative, self-defeating feelings will simply pull you down deeper into the muck of regain.  Instead, channel your energies toward giving yourself away, every day, to any living, breathing thing that will be better for your gesture.  Get out of your head, and you will get out of your own way.  Be of good service to your family, your community, the world - but start with being good to yourself. Enjoy your life. And never forget where you came from.  Secondly, you might want to start researching medical interventions that are available to us as post-ops facing weight regain.  There are procedures worth looking into.  Finally, keep coming back here, let us know how you are doing, and get the support you need. Be well, JA - Maureen

Maureen, Thank you so much for your support.  The past 16 months have been some of the most difficult times of my life.  I lost my job (after 20 yrs), my precious dog, my aunt that I was caring for, and my best friend was hospitalized for 6 months for pyschiatric issues in California.  I made it through all of that and then crashed and burned and turned back to my old "enemy" food!  I too can each way too much....of all the "wrong" food.  Today, I promised myself I would not indulge in anything that was not healthly and so far so good.   Do you, or does anyone else know for that matter, of folks who have regained some weight and been able to get it off again and continue losing?  Is there a kick start that you can do?  I'm not aware of any medical interventions other than having the surgery again, and I'm sure insurance won't pay for it, especially because I now have the worst insurance known to mankind! Thanks again for your support, and I will be back on this board daily looking for all my "sisters and brothers" in WL! xo JA

Hi JA....I am only 6 months out and haven't reached your dilema yet...but I do know that you should make an appointment with your doctor and nutritionist....they are there to help you...they want you to succeed....they are not there to discourage us or beat us up for falling off track....your nutritionist can get you on a plan that is the best for you...good luck and let us know how you do!

Congrats to you on your WL.  Let me give you the best advice anyone can ever give you...don't start eating foods you shouldn't have.  If you don't start, you won't have to stop. I've been back to my doctor/nutritionist; it's bigger than that.  I don't get hungry; just eat out of a very bad habit, unfortunately.  It amazes me that even though I am never hungry, I still feel the need to eat! UGH. Thanks for your suggestions and support, and best of luck on your journey! JA

Dear JA-  I noticed that you are from East Haven, so I can give you  an invitation...if facing the scale and being accountable will help-I belong to a group called TOPS, "Take Off Pounds Sensibly"--the group I attend meets Wednesday evenings, weigh in is between 6pm - 7 and the meeting is from 7 to 8.  Although TOPS does have an exchange eating plan, if you chose to do some other diet you can, but for me it is first the accountability and then the support of all the other women in the group!  On the third Wednesday we have an exercise class that is a lot of fun!  It is just a thought--I will never be able to do this on my own, I will always need to belong to a support group!  It cost $24 to join(annual dues) and 25 cents for the tin-there are many contests, fifty-fifty raffle and a bad bank-you gotta pay 5 or 10 cents per 1/4 pound when you gain--but it is a very supportive group!  I know there are meetings all over CT But thought you might want to consider it! OH, it is at the North Branford Congregational Church-Wednesdays form 6 to 8--let me know if you want to go or have any questions--you can stop by and visit to see if it is something that interests you! Best of luck! Jennifer

Hi Jennifer, First of all congratulations on your tremendous success!  Don't you just love Dr. Bell?  He is the best.  I feel as though I'm a disappointment to both myself and him; as I started to gain my weight. I like the idea of TOPS.  I work a 2nd job M-W, but I will do my best next week to work my schedule out so I can be there.  This week, I have a report due, so I cannot do it. It would be great to be in a group with someone else who has also had WLS.  What gym do you belong to?  I have a membership at Planet Fitness, but have not gone in a while. Thanks again for your support. JA

Hello again, I go to North Branford Town Gym--it is small and I love it.  My daughter has a black card at Planet Fitness and I think once I am comfortable I will move to Planet Fitness as I am sure they have more equipment.  I know I have to be committed to changing my life and I am! I am sure Dr. Bell is not disappointed with you--I am sure he is concerned and wants to help make you successful!!! If I can be of any support, please let me know! Hope to see you at TOPS! Jennifer

From one oldie to another... Four things: 1. Cardio Exercise (raising your heart rate is a must) 2. Psychological counseling for eating issues (ditto on the must) group, individual, whatever works for you- but deal with the mind! 3. Food diary/log to keep track of what you are eating every day (try fitday.com) and a sensible structured eating program such as weigh****chers can certainly help (the more planne dout the better, usually) 4. Water loading to control eating and hunger as necessary Finally- what does Dr. Bell say?  I assume you have no mechanical failure of your surgery?  If you DO- then you might want to look at revision in addition to the above.  Don't stop going to your Dr. because you feel like a failure- He is your best asset to continuing the fight.

Lisa, First of all, you look awesome!  Congrats on keeping it off!  I've played with like 7-10 lbs, but have always been able to get it off, until now!  I lost my job 1 1/2 yrs ago, and with that my insurance.  The current insurance I have hardly pays for anything; so some of the medical options are not available to me.  Do you know that WW works for us?  I've considered joining it, but wasn't sure if it actually would work, as they have a high carb menu alot of times. Haven't been back to Dr. B. lately; but my regular doc keeps trying to encourage me to take it off.  I know I have to but can't see to do it!  And yes I do feel like a BIG failure, but want to stop it now before it gets any further. Thanks for your input; I really appreciate. Regards, JA