Dieting 3 years post op!!!!

So I'm 3 years post op (RYN) and have since gain about 22lbs over the last year, bringing my total weight lost to about 88 lbs. I don't eat alot of meals but do eat alot of snacks. I'm wondering if this is why I'm gaining weight. I know that I don't work out as much as I used to when I first had surgery, but shouldn't my surgery still be helping me keep the weught off?

I'm now thinking about going on Medi fast because it seems like a plan that I could keep up with; all snacks and one meal. Has anyone done this post op with success? Or does anyone know of a program that is available for post ops?

I don't won't to go back to FAT.... EVER!!!!!

We are in the same boat...  I'm 3 years out and was up about 20 lbs... 


Earlier this month, I went back to my surgeon and they basically put me on the same diet they put pre-ops on to lose weight pre-surgery.  I buy the food from the clinic, but most of it can be found at nashuanutrition.com 

It consists of 3 protein drinks a day and 2 protein bars.  That's it!!  They put me on that diet for 2 weeks to stop the carb cravings and to get me back into ketosis (fat burning mode)

After that two weeks, they had me return to be weighed in and to go over the post surgical dietary guidelines (the RULES) that they give to everyone after WLS.

I'm also supposed to be exercising...  I haven't done that yet, but I'm working on changing my eating and getting the carbs out of my diet and I ordered wii Zumba tonight, so hopefully I will receive it in a couple days and I can start that.  It is just too hot to exercise outside and I don't have a gym membership...

Please keep in touch.  We can help each other.

Dot*

wow, I just realized we had our surgeries only 6 days apart!  We really are in the same boat!!  BTW, in that two weeks, I was not able to stick to the shakes and bars...  But, I didn't cheat with carbs. 

I also only lost 5 lbs too...  so...  I'm tring to get back on the two weeks of shakes and bars and re-start again.  I am thinking about doing that "diet" until I reach my goal and then going to the protein first RULES, eating for life...

And, of course, get my butt moving to the Zumba!

At this point (I am a little before you on the surgical calendar), our surgeries are helpful but not malabsorbing like the first year or two.  Dot has a great idea in contacting the surgeon and asking for help.  Your success is a reflection on them, so they are going to do everything they can to help you succeed. 

That said, I want to applaud you for looking at the issue when the gain is rather modest overall (I know it doesn't feel that way).  A guy I dated about a year ago was pretty hefty and, when he saw my before pictures ****ep a couple up near the fridge, ha!) he asked how I lost it and  I gave my standard "surgery, blood, sweat, and tears."  His reply was that he had had rny too and it didn't work since he gained back all 150+ that he had lost.  UGH.

The best tool for me to keep myself honest-aware of what helps and hurts, is tracking my food and exercise frequently.  I would like to do so daily, but sometimes get running around instead.  But tracking keeps me honest, helps me see my patterns (on OH or the daily plate, you can graph your calories and weight on the same chart ... always interesting!) and, more importantly, has given me a HUGE insight into the calories and nutrition content of the foods I choose.  That alone may help you.

Hang in there and keep working it.  :-)

Janice

Hi ladies..Myname is sonia and i had my surgery 7/11/11 and i have lost 50lbs the only thing is that i find my self not eating much and i feel hungry is thier anythig i can do?

Sonia,

Do the best you can.  The idea is a little at a time anyway.  You are doing great!

 Janice

Are you free to eat any stage of food?  The denser the protein, the longer it is in your pouch and the longer you stay satisfied...

If you are eating slider foods (cottage cheese, yogurt, protein shakes, etc) they are leaving your pouch way too fast and not keeping you satisfied.

There are exceptions to all of this but:

For at least 99.9% of RNY post-ops, here is how it works.  

This happens whether we drink protein shakes, count calories and carbs, exercise for hours, or whether we eat pizza and potato chips while sitting on the couch watching TV.   

During the first year we lose about 100 pounds. 

After the weight loss our body goes into a nice holding pattern where we no longer lose any weight but we don't gain either.  That lasts until sometime before month 36.

Between months 18 and 36, about 20 pounds comes back on.

About month 36 we panic and start crash dieting.  Between months 36 to 48 we join weight loss plans, buy bigger clothes, join health clubs, track calories, eat more protein, drink more water, exercise to exhaustion and live in incredible fear and guilt.  

My solutions:  Get a very accurate scale and get on it at least once a day.  That will keep you out of denial.  Join Weigh****chers and get there once a week to get weighed.  Find an exercise buddy or hire a personal trainer who will motivate you to keep moving.  Track your food, calories, carbs and exercise.  Take your vitamins and drink your water.  Don't feel guilty about anything you decide to eat. Just be aware of it.  Make most food choices healthy ones.  Get some physical activity on most days.

You have still gotten rid of 80 pounds and you can keep them off.  Just do it the way people do it without having surgery.  The pre-op, liquid, and rapid weight loss stages of your surgery are now part of your past.  Trying to go back to those eating stages is like telling a teenager to go back to having four ounces of baby formula instead of a meal.

I had a bounce-back regain about a year ago.  I have not gained anymore since I started my daily weighing.  I believe I might have stopped the weight gain much sooner if I had not hidden the scale and gone into guilt, denial, and despair.

Thank You Thank You Thank You. The soundest advice I have read so far. Being 9 weeks out, I strive to focus on eating my necessary nutrients, fluids, and weigh once a week. I am fully aware of bounce back weight, failed surgeries, and denial of the causes of them. I am enjoying being free of insulin and other meds as I become healthier. Not to mention better fitting clothes and looking years younger along with greater energy. Kahwren

wow thank you sooo much for this breakdown. I am pre op, and i really wondered how it was gonna go after the weight loss. I know and understand this is not the same for everyone, but I'm grateful to have a idea. Great way of breaking it down !