almost 6 years post-op

Hi-

Boy, it's been a LONGGG time since I have visited this site. My anniversary is 4/18, and this year will be six years!! I have gained weight back. I was as low at one point as 129# after starting @ 279#. Incredible. I now weigh about 188#. I have been losing a bit, I've lost about 10# from the highest I've been since surgery. I want to get my focus back on my weight again. One of the problems is that I now live 3 hours away from where I had my surgery done. I work @ a hospital now which was just accredited and recognized nationally for its Bariatric program and surgeries. The problem is that I need help to get back "into the program". I feel embarassed by my sliding backwards. If I go to join a group in my area, it will be with alot of people that I know from around the hospital. I think I'd be walking in to a support group with my head hanging. How many othjers are out there that have gained back weight? I went through all this 6 years ago, completely changed my life, and I really want to get down to at LEAST 165-170#....I'd be thrilled. HELP???!!!! Melissa

Welcome back!   The easier question after so many years might be, who hasn't gained any weight back?  As most of us learn if we didn't know or believe it going in, it's not so hard to regain. And whether it's medically provable or not, I think we former MO's gain more easily than someone who's never battled the bulge to the extent we have.   Keeping it off requires a lot of effort I'll be five years out in a couple of weeks. Although I never got to the weight I wanted to be at, I was able to maintain without a problem for two years, then it started creeping back on.  First 5# and then I'd lose it, then 7, 10, losing, gaining over and over.  But losing only when I did things right: proper diet and regular exercise. A few weeks ago I was 13# over my typical weight. I'm not sure what I am today but I am losing. I doing a detox diet--you could call it anything, it's a diet that restricts many food groups and emphasizes "clean" eating. I'm 12 days into a 28 day commitment and it's working. My cravings are way down (sugar was the biggy for me), and my pants,w hich had become TIGHT not fit almost properly.  If you are interested, I've been blogging daily. The blog posted on the evening of February 3 gives a summary of the program I am using. IT's a non-stop battle, I know that, but I never plan to give up. Good luck to you! Ann

I found this on the net and thought it would be a great tool for me to use after I am way out.   I have not had surgery not even a date yet.  But the best defense is a good offense. So I thought I would share.  5Day pouch test These are questions many weight loss surgery post-ops find themselves asking occasionally during their journey. Perhaps it feels like we can eat more food or we know that we are eating more food. Sometimes these questions are asked when there has been a weight regain.

This is the 5-day plan that I have developed and used to determine if my pouch is working and return to that tight newbie feeling. And a bonus to this plan, it helps one get back to the basics of the weight loss surgery diet and it triggers weight loss. Also, it is not difficult to follow and if you are in a stage of carb-cycling it will break this pattern. Sounds pretty good, right?

The 5 Day Pouch Test should never leave you feeling hungry. You can eat as much of the prescribed menu as you want during the day to satiate hungry and prevent snacking on slider foods and/or white carbs. You must drink a minimum of 64 ounces of water each day. A reduction of caffeinated beverages is suggested, but do not stop caffeine cold turkey.

Weight loss is not the intent of the 5 Day Pouch Test, however, many who have tried this plan report a significant drop in weight. More importantly they celebrate a renewed sense of control over their pouch and eating habits and easily transition back to a healthy post-surgical weight loss way of eating.

Understanding Hunger, Appetite and Satiety

Below you will find a brief list of the menu for each day. Please click the "Read more" links for further detail and hints and tips that will enable your success with the 5 Day Pouch Test.

Days One & Two: Liquid Protein low-carb protein shakes, broth, clear or cream soups, sugar-free gelatin and pudding. Read more.

Day 3: Soft Protein canned fish (tuna or salmon) eggs, fresh soft fish (tilapia, sole, orange roughy. Read more.

Day 4: Firm Protein ground meat (turkey, beef, chicken, lamb), shellfish, scallops, lobster, fresh salmon or halibut. Read more.

Day 5: Solid Protein white meat poultry, beef steak, pork, lamb, wild game Read more.

Good luck! I believe you are going to like the results when you give this plan an honest try.

Cheers! Kaye Bailey

I have done the 5 Day Pouch test to just get back on track during my weight loss. It helped me to lose about 5 pounds in one week. It can be a helpful way to get back into the program. Good luck!

The Madison support group meets tonight at 7 pm - it's not too terribly far from Weston, I think.  If you want to come, pm me and I'll send you directions.

HI! its will be 5 years for me this june 26th. I too gained some weight back. I started at 355lbs, got down to 211lbs now I am back up to 250. I am freaking out! I wonder if I can have the surgery done again? But as for now, back to the diet and exercise program! I think I took the surgery for granted and thought I would never gain weight back. WRONG!! But if we are strong, dilligend and disciplined, we can take it off. Healthier this time though. I got pretty sick at first, but I am great now. Just keep believing inyour self. You can do this, I dont even know you, but we have a common goal, and have had common pain. And I believe in you.