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I had my surgery and 2006 of which I lost 137  lbs.  8 year later i am up 32lbs.  Today is day ome to take ir

T off.  I need help.  I dont eat meat, i still get an up set stomach and bring syndrome when at me so I eat more carbs than anything. I'm going back to basics with my protein but protein drinks after while get boring. for the first 5 years I was very faithful and drinking my protein drink twice a day. exercise is not a problem I run and ride a bike long distance. since surgery I did 10 marathons or longer. I rode my bike since June close to 3000 miles. what I think I need is a support group that focuses on people 5 years and out not on newbies if you know of support group in the Pasadena area let me know. all help and advice welcome

you can tell I did not have my glasses on when I wrote this today,

 

I had my surgery and 2006 of which I lost 137  lbs.  8 year later i am up 32lbs.  Today is day one to take it off.  I need help.  I don't eat meat, I still get an up set stomach and dumping syndrome when do.   I eat more carbs than anything. I'm going back to basics with my protein but protein drinks after while get boring. for the first 5 years I was very faithful and drinking my protein drink twice a day. exercise is not a problem I run and ride a bike long distance. since surgery I have done 10 marathons or longer. I rode my bike in the last year over 5000 miles. What I think I need is a support group that focuses on people 5 years and out not on newbies if you know of support group in the Pasadena area let me know. all help and advice welcome

 

 

Hi jaymec,

You have already taken the hardest step by saying enough is enough and now I want to get back on track.  Here are some steps I hope will help you. They helped me...    

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 carb/sugar temptation and replaced it with lots of protein, veggies 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.

Food

In general, a long term post-weight loss surgery eating plan includes foods that are high in protein, and low in fat, fiber, 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.  So I was either pushing to be diabetic or get cancer.  I found once I started carrying a bottle of water around 24/7 (yes had one at my bedside) I lost the cravings for the sugar and I KNOW those artificial sweeteners are not good for me. Look I am old and if you add up all the artificial sweeteners I have consumed I am sure I am at the rat in the lab getting cancer threshold

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. I loved Zumba, bootcamp workouts, lift weights. When I stopped, the weight came on.  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.

Keep me posted on how you are doing

We found 14 support groups in your area.    Review the list and see if any meet your needs.

Support Groups

If you don't get your carbs under control, you won't lose weight.  You can't exercise your way out of a high carb diet either.  Losing weight is 85% what you put in your mouth and 15% exercise.

You can't "dump" from eating meat.  Dumping is a direct result of sugar dumping quickly into your small intestines, causing a reaction.  You might not be tolerating meat, but that's not the same as dumping.  Many times meat intolerance is caused by taking bites that are too big or not chewing the meat until it is the consistency of applesauce.  You get a piece of meat "stuck" because it's too big or not chewed well and you get the "foamies (where you get an abundance of thick, foamy saliva that comes up your throat).  

You have to be eating protein first, then veggies if you have room.  That means you have to find a way to eat meat or fish.  You can get protein from dairy sources like cottage cheese and Greek yogurt, or from legumes, though they all have carbs in them too.  If you go the dairy/legume route for protein, you will have to be more diligent with watching your other carb numbers.  You could do protein shakes but, this far out from surgery, they won't satisfy your hunger the way dense protein (meat) will.  Limit fruits to one serving per day.  No starchy carbs like bread, crackers, rice, pasta, chips, potatoes.  Don't drink with your meals or for 30 minutes after your meals.

Your tool still works.  You need to use it the way it was designed.  YOU CAN DO THIS!!!!

Thank you Kathy S. and Rocky513. I'm 6 days away from having surgery and your words of wisdom are things for all of us to remember and practice. After years off and on Weigh****chers I'm a great journaler. Since I'm afraid of dumping before I've even had surgery I'm prepared to give up "white" carbs. I love fruit so I will miss them for awhile and will look forward to when I can add them back.