I NEED SOME ADVICE PLEASE...

I HAD MY VBG SURGERY 5 YRS AGO AND OVER THE PAST YEAR AND A HALF I HAVE GAINED 23 POUNDS I IMAGINE I HAVE STRETCHED MY STOMACH LIKE I HEARD YOU CAN DO BUT I DON'T KNOW. I'M GETTING VERY DEPRESSED OVER THIS AND I NEED SOME ADVICE, SHOULD I CHECK INTO MORE SURGERY? I'M VERY DESPERATE HERE AND COULD USE SOME HELP. YOU KNOW I SWORE WHEN I HAD THIS SURGERY THAT I WOULD NEVER GET TO THIS POINT, AND WELL HERE I AM.... THANKS IN ADVANCE STEPHANIE

I have not had the surgery yet-but I just wanted to offer you some support. No matter where you are now, you can get back to where you were. Go back to eating the way you did the first weeks after surgery, and join weigh****chers or some other weight loss group. 23lbs is manageable-don't you remember when it was so much more? Hang in there-you can turn this around-Dana

You have come to far to let go now! Remember all you went through to get to this point. Have you tried talking with your doctor who did the surgery? Maybe they can offer some advise. Have you ever checked out the support groups in your area? Someone there may be going through the same thing. Remember the old saying, "When the going gets tough, the tough get going!" Well, anyone who goes through what we have to go through to have this surgery is tougher than nails! You can do it! Just remember, we're all cheering for you. Peggy B.

Hello Stephanie, I recently stopped tracking my caloric intake. I was eating whatever I felt like (old habits... they creep back when you are not looking!!). The past 8 days I have been tracking my exercise (limited mostly to 1 day of aerobics a week/3 weeks) and caloric intake at Fitday.com (a free online site). I have kept my calories to around 1000 per day for the last eight days. The first day practically took an Act of Congress to stay on track. I ended up going to bed at 6:45 p.m. because I couldn't stand it anymore. Oh... did I mention I was CRABBY that day??? Well... I was. The hardest part was getting through the first day. After that first day though it just got easier. I was really worried what would happen over the weekend. I was pleasantly surprised to know that I could get through even that. Well... after getting through the first week I was happy (AMAZED) to find that today (my weekly weigh in day) I had lost 7#. This totally STOKED me!! I still can't believe it. I haven't lost that much ALL year let alone in ONE week!! I guess what I want to say is before looking into have another surgery see what you are able to do without taking that drastic step. 23# is workable. You can do this.... And you might just pleasantly surprise youself... I know I did. I am providing a link to my fitday journal so you can check it out (or anyone else...). They way I have it figured is that I only have to restrict my calories until I have got to goal. Then I need to reorganize my calories so that I maintain my weight. http://www.fitday.com/WebFit/PublicJournals.html?Owner=sharon001 Good luck... and Best Regards Sharon Chute Open VBG 10.28.03 340/210/170 .......^.......

Thanks Sharon, As a matter of fact thanks to everyone who has replied so far to my post,you are right , I think I do need to look at how I started, and what I ate etc.I feel like I am so far off track right now and my life is so busy it seems so hard sometimes to take the time to do this. I'm like you were sharon just eating whatever I want whenever I want,I know I need to regain some control, I just need to figure out how. All of yor support right now means the world to me and I think will help me...so please keep sending me all your advice!!! You guys are great God Bless! Stephanie