85lb regain options

I don't know where you are in AZ but Honor Health Scottsdale (Shea) has support groups targeted to where you are in your journey. They're free. Usually the first Monday and third Wednesday of the month. They get good attendance so it's a nice way to meet others with the same issues. I had my vsg there 2 years back but people come to group from all different programs. Just thought I'd mention it in case you're in the area.

Thanks for the info! I will definitely check it out. And Wednesday is a good night for me.

Many VSG regain stories have made their way to the Duodenal Switch group for a revision (since the sleeve was adopted from the DS originally). Some people need more than just restriction while others do great with just the sleeve. Don't kill yourself either way over it. The DS gives you that extra punch and keeps your sleeve stomach working with all working parts.

Thanks Valerie, I'm going to go check out that group.

Jackie, I just went to your blog...JUST starting to read it and you mentioned a tracking app for people with Eating Disorders. Would you please tell me what that is?

I don't have any sage advice to add to what you've already gotten here, but I can give you a virtual hug. OK, a virtual smooch. :)

Thank you!

(*EDIT*) Check out SparkPeople.com - You can track your food, activity, water, and the community is very active and encouraging. I've been using it for years...best of all, it's FREE, and the database they have is the best I've seen anywhere. Plus I have a ton of recipes that I've put in, so it would be a major pain in the ass to try to get those recipes entered into another tracking app.

Hi Teresa, thanks for checking out my blog. I'm not very active on it much anymore, but can't seem to give it up yet!!!

The app is called: Rise Up

or

Rise Up + Recover: An Eating Disorder Monitoring and Management Tool for Anorexia, Bulimia, Binge Eating, and EDNOS

Apple Store link:
https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/rise-up-recover-eating-disorder-monitoring-management/id509287014?mt=8

Here are some steps that helped me and I hope they will help you too! You may have several starts and stops but don't give up, don't beat yourself up. IT WILL CLICK!!! Our tool works if we work the tool and get back to the basics.
Planning/Preparing

Remember when we were preparing for surgery? How many meetings, classes and such did we attend? We were told the more prepared we were the better our chances were for success. And they were right. Go through the house, car and work place and get rid of trigger foods. Stock up on foods that will keep you on track. I removed every bad carb/sugar temptation and replaced it with lots of protein, veggies, grains and fruits.

Journaling

Get back to journaling. This will help you identify when you feel like eating, stress factors and any triggers in your life. Once you identify these factors, this will help you put tools in place to keep you from eating. It became clear I was not taking time for me anymore. I worked my day job and then spent the rest of my time caring for my husband. It was easy to reach for fast, prepackaged food. Since I purged my home I have to eat clean as there are no other options LOL

Use a tool to track you're eating and exercise like Getting Started with Health Tracker. Once I started to track ever bite and drink it became clear why I had gained.

Goals/Rewards

Make a list of goals for yourself. Make them realistic and small. Some of mine were move more, purge all junk from my home, eat more protein. If you didn't make a Weight Loss Surgery bucket list when you first had surgery do it now. GREAT reminder of all the things you can enjoy in life after losing weight.

Food

In general, a long term post-weight loss surgery eating plan includes foods that are high in protein, and low in fat?, calories, and sugar. Important, vitamins and minerals are provided as supplements. (if you had a different surgery adjust this to your food plan).

Water

Water is our Best Friend. I have to say I never went back to pop or any bad drinks, however I was drinking tea like crazy. What is wrong with drinking tea? I was either using sugar or 3 equals and 3 sweet n lows per 32 ounce glass. I found once I started carrying one of the metal bottles of water to keep it cold I drank water all day.

MOVE!

I can't say enough about how key this was for me. The reason I kept my weight off for almost 10 years was no matter what, I kept moving. If I could not go to the gym I would walk. Grab a cart and walk all the isles at your local box store. I loved Zumba, bootcamp workouts, lifting weights. When I stopped, the weight started coming back. So for me I am starting slow to avoid injury by walking and using some of the workouts on my Demand TV. Find something you love to do and it won't feel like a pain in the *** to do daily.

Support

If it's an option "run" don't walk to a support group. Come here on OH daily for support and participate in one of the food threads. It helps you be accountable and also great ideas for food prep.

Keep me posted on how you are doing.

Track, track and track again. My Fitness Pal is easy to use and is free. You must love yourself or you would have never had the surgery. Cognitive therapy is wonderful and part of that is looking at yourself in the mirror and telling yourself what you honestly like about yourself and what your wishes and dreams are. Practice positivity and avoid negative people. There is nothing wrong with seeing yourself and your inner beauty. The past is the past. Let go, take time, meditate and breathe.

Forgive yourself, you haven't failed. You recognized you slipped and you did something about it by coming back to OH. Now take each step one at a time. You will be where you want to be if you move forward.

When I started regaining, approx 2 years ago, I joined WW with my husband. It helped me focus on eating right (lots of protein, fruits and veggies). I hit "lifetime", and follow the plan on and off (especially when my weight starts creeping up). I think the "newish" WW program is very conducive to VSG vets, and when I follow the plan I'm never starving, can still fit in a treat now and then, and don't get overwhelming cravings.