5 months post op gain! Need advice

"Someone on a message board" may not be an expert. But there's plenty of research backing up Grim's opinion.

I'll go with the one who's done the research reading rather than two doctors (who, at best, will have had less classes on nutrition than I did as a midwife - probably 10, 20 or 30 years ago) and a so called "nutritionist" - not a qualification but a nonsense title.

We all make our own decisions on whether we educate ourselves or blindly follow people we expect to be experts for us!

Well, here's another "person from a message board" that seems to know more.  Starvation mode is utter nonsense.  Not only is there tons of research to back this up, the fact that we have no pictures of obese concentration camp victims or fat people in Ethiopia gives common sense wisdom a boost, too.

What do I know?  I mean, I've only lost nearly 200 lbs in 18 months.

To the OP -- I would definitely not eat more -- in fact, at 5 months out I would consider any weight gain to be a flag that I had perhaps let some crap into my diet that doesn't belong.  You are in you amazing honeymoon period -- DON'T WASTE IT.  That doesn't mean I am suggesting a liquid diet or anything radical:  simply dense protein first and no crap with plenty of water. 

Yes yes and more yes! I'm admitting that I have let some carbs creep in I also haven't been working out and me so early out seeing a gain for the first time was definitely an alert to myself that I may be (excuse my language) ******G UP! So liquid diet it is just for a week, Then back to strict protein only thanks!

Try Ensure high protein.  Taste great too!

please don't rely too heavily on these professionals for advice, as they are often woefully uninformed. the NUT at my surgeon's office was completely ridiculous and had a printed eating plan that she handed out to every patient suggesting orange juice and cereal for breakfast, among other terrible choices. she is not an outlier. you'll hear about many, many people who have experienced the same thing. 

any gain in the first year is true cause for concern because it speaks to behaviors, not physiology.

Yes, my surgeon's office nutritionist insisted that I begin incorporating breads into my diet early post-op.  That was the worst idea in the fricken world.  WTF!

There are probably hundreds, if not thousands, of people on message boards like this who know a hell of a lot more about the day-to-day life with WLS than your surgeon, your PCP, and your nutritionist COMBINED. When you're ten YEARS post-op, instead of 10 MONTHS, then you can sling attitude.

As for water weight gain, your body will only retain what it needs, the rest will keep your body flushed and enable it to function properly. On the other hand if you aren't drinking enough water and or using too much sodium you will see a gain, but fortunately it's all temporary.

Makes a lot more sense to me thanks!