gained alittle

Hi to you all and Merry Christmas.

   I haven't been here for awhile. but thought I had better get back on. The problem is, is that I have put on about 20 pounds. I was what you may call a light weight befor going into surgery. I was 240 and went down to 159. Now I'm back up to 180. I could just kick myself.... What I've been doing is munching on mostly peanut crackers and candy. I have a hard time sitting down and eating a meal. It still hurts alittle and sometimes it comes up. I can't eat much during meal time any way. the crackers don't hurt and the candy in the most part doesn't bother me. ( I wish more than anything that it would). I would give anything to go back to the first 3 months. Janurary will be my 3 years post op. I guess what I'm asking is, is there anyone else that is having this problem? and what have you done to take care of it. Oh one more thing . Walking and doing cardio is out of the question for me. I have a fussed ankle and I'm going to have surgery again hopfully next month....... Ellie

My lowest weight was about 135 but I actually wanted to gain a few pounds because that was too low for me (unless I had skin removed...).  Surgeon stated 160 was a realsistic weight so at this point I am about 158.  I planned to gain some weight but didn't plan on the clothing issue.  So now I have anything from size 6 to 12 in my closet.  Some- although few- of the 6's still fit.  The extra skin in the abdomen area really makes sizing weird for me anyway.  I do need to start a regualr exersise habit though- because even if not for losing or gaining weight - it might help firm up some of my sagging areas a little.

I graze often but keep to hard pretzels mostly.  I suggest abandoning the candy and switching to perhaps graham crackers or something else with some sweetness- maybe Lorna Doone cookies.  Cheese sticks/cubes, mixed nutes and peanut butter are good too for the protein- which usually help keep the fuller feeling longer.  I also plan to drink more tea instead of grazing.  I am not really hungry when i do some of the grazing.  In fact- I rarely feel truly hungry---but head hunger is an issue for me- almost 3 years post RNY. 

I'd say graze on more healthy stuff, drink more artificially sweetened beverages, and find some form of exercise you enjoy so you'll keep to it. I am going to take my own advice here---and start immediately--- no waiting for the new year resolution goals. 

Hi ellie!  Have you thought about doing the 5 day pouch test?  You can search for it on google under 5 day pouch test.  i hear it will jump start your pouch again and you can lose a few pounds on it.  basically you're forcing yourself to start over and go from liquids to full foods in the course of the week and doesn't allow you to graze.

My close friend who had RNY a year ago has had the same issue.  He also gained about 20lbs. He had lost track of his carb intake and was not eating enough protein daily.  His blood sugar shot up to dangerously high levels 2 weeks ago.  This past 2 weeks he's gone back to cutting out all simple carbs and keeping complex carbs below 20g and he is dropping the weight again, to his relief.  His diabetes numbers have gone right back down to where they should be.  His optimism about dropping the rest of his excess weight has returned too. 

Ellie - I am not as far post op as you. However, I have had some stumbling blocks beginning a couple fo months ago. I would get periods of time when I just had a hard time resiting carbs. I too find that my system is more tolerant than some others - darn! For me, I had to learn how to allow myself some of these things, but in a managed way. In addition to staying connected to others in the process via this board and support groups, I also went to see a counselor. I am finally at a point where I feel I can control it. Even if I occasionally slip and go up a couple of pounds, I do not let it get too far before I reel it back in. I also find that exercise is very important to keeping my head on straight as well as burning the calories. You mentioned that you were limited in being able to exercise right now. Even with your issues, could you do something low impact in the pool?

Best of luck with this.

Debbie

Thank you all for the suggestions. I will star****ching what I eat. My sister is coming from Germany for Christmas and I know that there will be things that will be to tempting. Just because she loves American food. And we will have allot of junk in the house. I will throw all the stuff out when she leaves on the 10Th of Jan. I think all of us in this house needs to take off about 20 each.And I know that when I have my surgery on my ankle I will be immobile. so that means that my mother (lives with us) will have to get my breakfast, lunch and dinner. I won't be able to just go and get what I want. And she can be really mean to me. (just joking) she will really help and keep me straight. She's 79 and going strong. I tend to graze more at work while I'm on the computer. And being out of work for about 2 months will help. I will try that 5 day pouch test. but not until after Christmas. Thank you all again for your help. If you have anymore advice just lay it on me. I'll take as much as I can get and then take from there. I hope you all have a great Holiday... Ellie