Regretting my surgery

Sounds like 11 years ago you were given a meal plan that worked for you.  I am happy for your success.  I am looking at my meal plan.  It never mentions calories and my nutritionist specifically told me to stop counting calories.  It does say that after the first month, I am supposed to be having between 1/2 and 1 cup of food per meal.  I am allowed soft fruit, thoroughly cooked vegetables, and low-fat cooked meats, poultry and fish.  I was told to start adding raw vegetables.  This is the diet that I followed to the letter for the last month and ate 1/4-1/2 cup of food at each meal the two weeks before that.  I don't see how these portions could ever equal just 200-300 calories for a day.  I don't think I was given your meal plan. 

Yes I overindulged in foods that were off plan for one of the nine weeks following my surgery.  I did not exceed the amounts listed and did not feel any restriction.  I agree it was foolish and counterproductive.  But I also am entitled to my feeling that I regret having the surgery.  I will discuss my problems with my surgeon and nutritionist next week.

I found your post when someone crossed posted it on a different thread, and I am so glad I did!  I had my surgery last year on Nov. 1st, it was a revision. I know exactly what you are talking about!  I haven't lost any weight either!   Since this is my third weight loss surgery I am used to only eating small amounts and love the feeling of not being hungry all the time like I was with the band.  I am also never sick like I was with the band!  I do believe the problem at first was that I just wasn't getting enough calories.  It's true people can loose weight on so little calories, but maybe we're just not those people.  My nutritionist did a metabolism  test on me and said I I need to be getting about 1600 calories a day.  I went completely off sugar free stuff, because I know I can use the calories.  That was an adjustment!  I was addicted to the taste of sugar free.  I was also exercising a lot, just like you, which creates and even greater calorie deficit.  I've stopped doing that, I do the elliptical trainer for 20 minutes and then get off, but not consistently like I was.  The first time I tried increasing my calories I gained weight and freaked out, it seemed like I'd been doing it for weeks, but looking back it was probably only a week.  Then I ran into a friend who had Lapband surgery the same time as I had my second band placed.  She is going to school for nutrition and told me that she started eating the rules, following what was suggested to her and she had started loosing weight.  I told her what I had done and that I had gained so I went back down on my calories.  She told me it took her about 2 months of eating the rules before she started seeing any change in the scale.  So, the very next day I marked on my calendar Wk 1, that we I can really see how long I've been eating 1600 cal.  I also messaged my nutritionist and told her the struggles I was having.  And that I didn't want to come in because I was gaining weight, even though I know there is NO way in heck that I can be eating enough calories to gain weight.  I've gained 7lbs, and if you don't think that is killing me!!!!!!  I don't always get 1600, my average is usually 1400, and I'm probably fooling myself, it's more like 1000, but some days are more and some are less.  I haven't lost yet, but I am beginning to notice my clothes are fitting my differently.  That might be one reason the Nut told you not to track calories.  Please email me, you are the first person I have found with this same problem.  When I post on other sites, I just get lost of advice on decreasing calories or going back to basics, blah, blah.  Not that I don't appreciate the feedback, but, been there, done that.  I have been all over the place on my calories, exercise, protein, vitamins, you name it.  So now I'm taking this approach.  Good Luck!

Kris

you guys should visit the vsg forum, lots of info there and there is a daily post where we post what we ate for the day. Alot of people who get the vsg don't count calories, only carbs and protein. Maybe you guys are eating to much carbs?? Is it more than 40? Not everyone does this but the majority of sleevers on the vsg forum eat between 600-800 calories, 80-100 grams of protein and under 40 grams of carbs

I've been saying this since day 1 wls

now 6 yrs and 3 months P  O .. I've come to realize this wls reminds me of when i had my abortions.. same thing....wls surgery will help you lose weight but then later brings other problems from it, and mine and so many others who have had abortions say the same it got rid of 1 problem only to add on other problems after the abortions.. YEA i agree 100 %  I regret having wls......it still boggles me how i have not regained any weight back. I have never followed the rules after weight loss surgery. with the exception the only thing i do is not eat over 40 grams of fat per day..

Why would you talk about your abortions on here, it has nothing to do with weight loss, wow

HUH??? Did I miss something?

WLS isn't one-size-fits-all, I'm afraid.  Have you looked at your dieting history and noticed that you rarely lost much despite your best efforts?  Some people really need the malabsorption of the RNY or DS.  Sometimes eating less just isn't enough to get the results you're hoping for.

I am so sorry that you're feeling down.  Realize that this feeling is normal as many people have buyer's remorse.  I have had my lapband for almost 6 years and am still successful.  So, wls is NOT a hoax or scam.  I had my surgery in Edmond, Oklahoma at Weight Wise.  This will come as a shock, but right off the bat, I think you're exercising too much and too strenuously.  This goes against everything we were told all of our obese lives, so it might be hard to believe.  I attend our support group at least twice monthly and periodically lead the group.  We are encouraged to have a Vo2 test which test us exactly where we should be exercising.  For fat burning, you need EXTREMELY low intensity.  I have exercised with many people who have had the test and use a heart monitor.  I have never heard anyone's beeper go off because they were going too slowly.  It's always because we're going too fast and/or too hard.  When you exercise too much or too hard, your body just wants more food; commonly carbs which is a no no after wls.  I understand that not all surgeons promote the same eating protocol, but this early our group promotes almost no carbs.  Be sure to eat three meals of protein, get plently of water (minimum 64 ounces), and mostly importantly--- Don't give up!   Gayla

I think I need to find other places on here to read :) I am in those initial stages of getting all the things done prior to insurance submission etc. and I already have huge fears...all the 'what am I doing' questions.....all the ups and downs...then I somehow keep finding all the excerpts of people regretting their surgeries.....just what I don't need to see....but perhaps I do.  I keep thinking I can do this w/out having surgery.  Am I just merely fooling myself? I always gain back what I lose....it's a yo-yo thing with me and has been for my entire adult life.I will look for a place on here for us 'newbies' in the process....and it's also good to hear from people years post op too to get a good idea of how they feel!

Hello WalkinonSunshineGirl,  I think it's a good idea to read lots of different kinds of posts...negative and positive.  I'm almost six years out with my lapband and have lost 107 pounds.  I have kept it off within 5 pounds.  I attend our surgery clinic's support group at least twice monthly and then once a month at our graduate's support group which is for patients at least a year post op.  You're feeling the same way everyone I know has felt at one point or another.  If you are able to lose and maintain without surgery, then I recommend it.  I personally considered surgery for almost four years.  I finally did it and have never regretted it.  If you're hearing the good, the bad, and the ugly of wls, then you'll be a wiser patient.  You won't know everything until you go through it, but the more you know, the better.  I'm sure there is a place for newbies, but I think some oldies will also be helpful with you in this journey.  Good luck on whatever you decide.  Find a group of people to help support you in whatever journey you take.  Remember to find positive, but realistic people.  Have fun, Gayla