5 years out and need advice!!!!!

I am coming up on my 5 year anniversery. I lost and maintained a 100 lb weight lose for 3 years, at that point I began working too many hours to stay healthy and since have put on 25 lbs. Since I have quit the second job the weight has not come off. I am very discouraged. I feel like I can eat so much more that I should be able to. I slip on making good food choices. I can eat anything, nothing disagrees with me. I eat out of bordem and because things "sound good". I am very scared.  I want my pouch to be tiny again, I feel like I have stretched it WAY out!!! What can I do to get back on track? Please all suggestions are welcome!!!  I never reached my goal weight and still have that desire. I have 50 lbs to go to reach it. 

My doctor did my surgery and moved out of state within days so I feel like I was abandoned and like I was just a number.  Is having it revised a possibility? will they go back in and put my pouch back to its tiny size???

PLEASE HELP!!!!!!

Hi Kelly,
Things to do to get back on track: eat dense foods, then fresh veggies/fruits. Stay away from trying to do the 5 day pouch test, it's a fad. You need to post what a typical day of eating is for you.

More important are you exercising? Give us an example of what you do for your exercise program.

You probably have just slipped back into some old habits, and you are not alone. Keep posting. Are you going to a bariatric support group? Those that do get support do so much better.

You can get those 50 pounds off, I know you can do this!

Before you start thinking about a revision, you'll need to have your pouch looked at to see if it's still mechanically in tact.  They can do a barium swallow test and/or an endoscope to take a look at how things are working.  At 5  years out it is normal for your pouch to be about 6 to 9 ounces in size and be able to hold 8 to 12 ounces of food (in volume).  Are you eating more than 12oz per meal? 

As for getting back on track ... it's a tough battle but one I think you're up to.  It sounds like you're ready to make the changes and buckle down.  Here's the guidelines I give to my support group folks about "Back to Basics". 

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http://pamtremble.blogspot.com/2009/07/back-to-basics.html


 

Back to Basics

 

 

We hear it often -- "Back to Basics" -- but what does it really mean? Sometimes folks get off track with eating and exercise after WLS or during any weight loss plan and we need to get ourselves back on track with some basic rules and guidelines. Sometimes we find ourselves just eating poorly, or ignoring exercise or even seeing a slight weight gain... so getting back on track is important when we find ourselves lost a bit.

Back to Basics Guidelines

 

 

1. First, find a good local support group. Then … DO NOT MISS ANY support group meetings. Make it a priority, put it on the calendar and don't let other stuff interfere with this important part of being successful. I attend 3 per month and believe that they keep me on track and focused on my journey.

2. BACK TO BASICS -- you know the rules, you know how to use your tool, so do it.

· Protein first and always (80-100g/day).

· Moderation with carbs (no white stuff - focus on veggies, fruit and whole grains to get your carbohydrate needs of about 100-120g/day and enough fiber to keep the digestive tract working properly)

· Get enough good fats in your diet.

· Get all your water each day - 64oz min

· No drinking with meals or for 30-90 minutes after meals

· Track every morsel of food that passes your lips. You can't know how to adjust your intake unless you know where you are starting from. Figure out where your calories need to be and stick to it 90% of the time.

· Plan your meals and eat on a schedule. I still follow the hour-by-hour schedule that Hurley gave us before surgery. 3 meals, 3 snacks pre-planned and eaten at specific times during the day and water intake between to curb hunger and grazing tendencies.

· Be a religious fanatic about your vitamins and supplements.

· Exercise your butt off. If you're not sweating like a pig, you're not working hard enough.

3. If you haven't had labs drawn recently then get that done. Some vitamin deficiencies can actually cause weight regain, so eliminating that as a culprit is important.

4. Lean on others for support when you're not strong enough to do it on your own. Eventually you will become strong enough and then you can be the support person that someone else relies on down the road.

 

5. GET HELP -- if you need to deal with the mental struggles that we all face of food addiction and disordered eating, then make an appointment with a therapist. A psychologist recommended by your surgeon's office is often a great resource. You don't have to do it on your own.

~Pam

I am sooooooooooo with you. Nov. 4th I will be 7 years out. I have gained 50 pounds, part of it was my own doing. I was down to 118 from 240 and I felt and looked like I was ill. I had several of my vendors ask my boss if I had cancer. I lost weight so fast in the beginning it really took toll on my body. From Nov. 4th to April the following year I lost 80 pounds. My husband said it looked like I had lost weight when I cam out of surgery (which I know I didn't) but thats how quick it happened. Wellllllllll, now I have been at the same weight between 165 and 170 for the last 3 years. I have to admit I put some of the weight back on at my own doings because I didn't like looking sick. Now, I would like to go back to about 145 - 150. It seems impossible. I do have trouble with some foods as I am very reactive hypoglycemic. I am still at the point when sometimes things are ok and sometimes they will make me yucky. I have been back tomy surgeon twice since my surgery as I do not like their follow up care. Beside the fact I never know where is office is located. Seems like he moves every year or so. I will make a better attempt to change and work on exercising more maybe this will help. All said and done I would not trade this surgery for anything, I'd do it all over again.

Good Luck!