I am 11 years out from an RNY. I lost 100% of my extra weight and kept it off for about nine years. I have had several surgeries, chronic pain issues, and have lost my exercise mojo. I have gained 20 pounds. I went to a surgeon (not my original, because I now live in a different country...but a reputable one.) The first words out of his mouth were "do you eat sugar?" And I answered yes. He told me to cut all sugar, check lanels to keep it under 5%, not drink fejit juices or eat sried fruit (fresh was fine) and all the weight would come off. That was in May. I have followed that to a T, and have lost between none and three pounds (depending on the day). I eat healthy, and don't graze, and I am so FRUSTRATED!!!! I habe started wearing my fitbit again, and have been gettig about 7000-7500 steps in a day, and this weight is not shifting. I'm really depressed. I have a closet full of nice clothes I can't wear. I realize to some twenty poinds sounds like no big deal, but it is when you've worked as hard as I have. I have been totally vigilant. The doc told me not to count calories, eat protein and fat--just cut sugar. Since I cut the sugar, my digestive system has improved--I was having terrible bloating, pain, diarreah, and sometimes terrible bowel urgency issues. That's stopped, except for some bloating. Can anyone advise me??? I asked the doc, what if I do this and the weight doesn't come off? He assured me that it would. Ugggh! Thank,you for taking the time to read this post, and especially to those *****spond.

Hi Kim

We are glad you felt you could turn to your OH family for help.

You have already taken the hardest step by saying enough is enough and now I want to get back on track. I maintained 118-125 for over 10 years after losing 200 pounds. Due to a personal tragedy I gained and hit the 190 mark a year ago. After several starts it finally clicked and I am back to goal losing 60 pounds of regain. Here are some steps that helped me and I hope they will help you too! You may have several starts and stops but don't give up, don't beat yourself up. IT WILL CLICK!!!

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 bad carb/sugar temptation and replaced it with lots of protein, veggies, grains 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?, 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, lifting weights. When I stopped, the weight started coming back. 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.

Thank you so very much for the support, wisdom and advice! Very much appreciated!

Email me anytime

I am struggling with regain and blood sugar issues. Saw the NUT and she said the same thing as your doc.

However, LadyGodiva and others who are long termly successful here on these boards continue to stress the importance for weighing, measuring and portion control.

On your exercise-10,000 steps a day is recommended to maintain heart health. You are a bit under that. I shoot for 12K steps a day and make sure I exercise intensely for 1-2 hours.

Maybe we can be accountability partners? I got about 15 lbs to lose.

I would love that!! Thank you!

OK!

What are some do-able small goals to focus on TODAY (or tomorrow) and the rest of the week.

Perhaps limiting starches? Increasing steps? Getting enough water?

My goal is to: get more than 6 hours sleep a night. Which is hard, because I come home at 8 pm and Generally get up at 4 am. So my goal is to be sleeping by 9 pm EVERY night STARTING Thursday.

Well, I'm going to finish out this week's meals. Also....add in more water and walking. I'm going to buy a boatload of veggies over the weekend and roast them. I think I'll make some sort of frittata with eggs, spinach, and mushrooms...maybe onions for breakfast next week. And maybe chicken salads for lunch, with nuts....or maybe spinach salads with eggs, avocados and mustard dressing with stevia, instead of honey. I gave up artificial sweeteners years ago and sodas, too--but have added stevia in....what's the skinny for you on Stevia?

Funny! I was debating whether I should roast veggies this weekend or stir fry them. It is still pretty warm so I will stir fry.

I have never got into Stevia. It tastes weird to me. I rarely use sugar or sugar substitutes but when I do, it is blue agave nectar. But my reasons are it tastes good and not that it is any particularly better sugar substitute.

I think you should be counting calories and carbs, in addition to limiting sugar. Weighing and measuring food is critical too.

Post a sample daily menu- it give readers more insight on what you're eating.