Maintenance Trouble

Today is the 4 year anniversary of my gastric by-pass and I'm afraid that I am on an upward gain spiral. I originally lost 80 pounds and got stuck at 167 pounds. I retired last June and am home all day taking care of my grand son. I've gained  back 23 pounds and I am scared. I've lost all my paperwork in a move and need help understanding how to get back on track. I suffer from frequent attacks of hypo-glycemic and have a real issue with feeling hungry. Any suggestions? 

Also, what is revision surgery? Is it something I can consider or is it for lap band patients only?

 

Go to the RNY board, there are several active regain posts there RNY forum here as well as a daily eating post, showing what other people are eating.

if you type regain in the search function, (magnifying glass on blue bar) you will find literally hundreds of posts - it's almost a daily subject here.

Revisions are only really feasible if you have a mechanical problem - if it's what you are eating, no revision will fix that

I am going to guess the hypoglycemia and feeling hungry are going hand and hand. If your blood sugar is dropping it would be from not eating often enough.. which would be why you are also hungry.

If possible, I would get back in contact with your surgeon - do they have a nutritionist at their office? or one they can refer you to? Are there support groups in your area?

In the meantime I would "get back to basics"... start food logging and see how much you are eating a day and make sure you are getting in your protein, fruits veggies and "good carbs". Look into low-GI diet and aim to eat 3 meals and 2 snacks, or 6 small meals a day to help keep your blood sugar regulated.

If you've lost your paperwork, can you contact your surgeon's office and get a new copy of your guidelines? It might be wise to have a check-in as well, just to make sure everything's OK and get some advice.

To get back on track:

• Start logging all your food and be accountable for everything that you eat.
  
  
• Drop the carbs and focus on protein, 60 - 80g per day or more. Protein first, then veggies and whatnot if you have room.
  
  
• Weigh and measure your portions. After a while, many of us suffer from portion creep.
  
  
• Make sure you're staying hydrated, drink 64 oz or more of water (or sugar-free drinks like Crystal Light) every day.

 

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...  Also, be sure and join the Back On Track Together group link in my signature area.  

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