weight gain after surgery

Hi Everyone,

I'm nearly 4 years post op and I'm so happy I chose the surgery! Making the decision to have the surgery after being obese for 30 years was a difficult one. But once I made the decision I was totally committed.

Over time I have really in the past year experienced some difficulties. And I'm here posting today to share my experiences with you and to help get some tips from those of you just starting out.

Mostly for me I used to struggle with balancing my life and trying not to make my weight the primary focus of my world. So what ended up happening to me was that I started to believe that i was "normal". What I mean by that is normal in the sense that I could eat and drink like others who dont have to obesity disease. Well, over the past year and more significantly over the past six months I've gained nearly 20 lbs. That is so dangerous for my current and future health.

Last night something happened to snap me out of it. I was enjoying a relaxed evening at home but during that time I ate so much over a 4 hour period that I woke up in the middle of the night with extreme stomach pain and I felt full to my nostrils.... i kid you not. I had to go sleep in a chair in my living room. What a horrible experience.

Also, as you know from the surgery you have fewer bowel movements since there is less food in your system because we can't eat a lot. Well, yesterday and today I had rather excessive bowel movements. That also worried me that after nearly 4 years I suddenly have changed my entire body!

I'm worried about it but I'm taking a stand and making the change. I hope my struggles will help you understand what may be coming your way too. We all know the surgery is just a tool. WE have to eat right, exercise regularly, drink all our water, take our vitimins and remember that we had the surgery and we need to make it work for us for life.

Thanks so much for reading my post. Support from you and the forum is very helpful and healing for me.


P.S. I need to update my signature and not sure how to do it. Can anyone provide me instruction?

Love to all
Angela

Happy to hear that you've gotten a handle on it after only regaining 20 pounds instead of all your weight back.  Thanks for sharing your story with us.

I had a night like you mentioned just last weekend in fact!! I would try to lay down and felt like I had heartburn. I would try to throw up but I couldn't.  It followed a day of very heavy eating as well. I reckon that it is one of two things - either a variant of the flu going around (I don't vomit) or possibly my gallbladder telling me to get a grip.

Needless to say, the next day I pretty much slept all day.

Hope you are doing better!

Dawn

I am 3 1/2 years out.  The first three years were really easy for me.  And, you have pinpointed a recent mindset I am experiencing and need to gaurd against:  I am starting to think I am like everyone else.  With that, I am slipping a little on my exercise.  I am a little more blurry about what constitutes grazing.  I am a little less vigilant about getting in my protein and water.  I am starting to act like I am normal and can do it like a "regular" person.  Thank you for your post.  It is a good reminder that I need to do things differently and I have signed up for a lifetime of vigilance.  Over the last year, I have probably gained 10 pounds.  I haven't been thinking much about this because I was probably a hair too thin anyhow.  The point is not what I weight, but rather that things are sneaking up on me and slipping away a bit.  So, with this, I am recommitting to owning that this is a lifetime condition -- and requires a lifetime of care.  Thanks and good luck to us both! 

I'm sorry to hear that you're having problems but you at least recognized it and know what actions to take.  There is a new group on OH that you may want to join, it's a group of people that have lost to their goal weight and are now in maintenace.  They seem to be doing very well and may be able to give you some support as you move forward.  Best of luck to you as you continue your journey.


http://www.obesityhelp.com/group/VSGM/discussion/

WLS surgery is always a process.  I've learned a lot in the last 4 years--how awesome and strong my body can be and how strong those old habits are.  Even though I ran a half marathon last year and do yoga religiously, I still found a way to gain 20 pounds over the last year or so. Now I need to buckle down with the eating and stop drinking with meals.  Just when you think you've "got it" you find another way to fall of the wagon.  I'm dusting myself off and getting the scale going in the right direction. 

Who's with me??