Calories

Hello I am 12yrs post. My starting eeiwei was 370 I got all the way down to 210 about 3 years ago I had a hernia replaced and was had the mesh put in but everytime they put the mesh in it was an emergency situation that being said within a year I had had to have two surgeries on my stomach because the meds started growing into my intestine will every since that it became a nightmare so now I'm back up to 280 I know I need to ask my doctor and I will but how many calories and carbs should I be getting being this far out because it was no trouble beforehand for me to stay on track and lose weight but after the hernia mesh surgery everything just got out of whack because they had to cut some of my intestines out and everything I know my stomach hasn't stretch Because by the time I eat a Turkey Patty a half of a Turkey Patty I'm already done I'm full I cannot eat a half of a Turkey Patty turkey burger patty and green beans so I know I still don't drink and eat at the same time but what should I be doing or what should I ask my doctor thank you

Depends on your metabolism. I can lose 1-2lbs per week on 1200 calories per day. Some people have to eat at 800 per day to lose. It's trial and error I'm afraid. I considered losing my regain as a long game, not expecting instant results = no disappointment.

I don't restrict fat, aim for 90 of protein and stick to 20-30g of carbs per day maximum from dairy and vegetables only. Absolutely zero potatoes, rice, pasta, bread or fruit.

It's not as easy to lose as it is in your first year, but it is doable.

"I considered losing my regain as a long game, not expecting instant results = no disappointment. "

What Kim said right there. It's spot on. I've had two large regains, the biggest was 60ish pounds. I was able to lose it all plus a bit of extra. It certainly didn't happen overnight though. I started feeling much better about myself almost overnight because I quickly saw progress. But physically? It took many months to get it back off.

It's critical to remind yourself that you didn't just wake up one day with a significant regain. Gaining that much happens over weeks and months of time. Losing it will also happen over weeks and months.

So I'm pretty sure you know what you need to do in order to get the weight back off. You can do this. It's hard, but we can do hard things. You just have to determine to start. The majority of us over two or three years out have been where you are and will gladly share things that worked for us.

edited for formatting.

It's crazy because it's very easy to gain but so so hard to lose doesn't take much effort at all to gain

Thank you so much but one of the good things is I cannot do pasta cereal milk bread any of that and I am so glad that I cannot because it makes me sicker than a dog and I start as they say the dump syndrome so even 12 years out I cannot do any of that.

Hi and welcome. 12 years post-op is awesome!

If you aren't already, start measuring and tracking everything you put into your mouth using something like MyFitnessPal. Once you figure out how many calories you're eating now, try decreasing it by 100 a day for a week and see how that goes. If you start losing, awesome! If you don't, decrease by another 100 a day for the next week. Keep doing this until you find out how many calories your body wants to lose weight. I suggest focusing on dense protein as much as possible.

From there, work on getting back to your basics. Here are mine, yours might be slightly different.

1. Prioritize protein and water
2. Deprioritize carbs, especially the refined and processed ones
3. Make the most of healthy fats
4. Eat three meals a day with no snacks
5. Avoid liquid calories (protein shake for breakfast is my exception since I've never liked putting solid food in my stomach first thing in the morning)
a. Don't drink with meals or for 30 minutes after eating
6. Weigh portions and track/log what you consume
7. Eat mindfully and with no distractions aside from real live people
a. Try to eat at a table
b. Eat with utensils
8. Move as much as possible
9. Weigh yourself daily
a. But focus on the trend of your weight, not the day to day fluctuations
10. Be kind to yourself

OMG.... Thank you that is an awesome idea so I'm going to start trying to do that and subtracted by 100 each day until I start seeing where I'm losing thank all of you so much for your help.

Vslim1214,

I have already read all of the other replies and you have received some very good tips.

There is good news. You still have the restriction and the feeling of fullness.. You are still separating meals from fluids. These are some of the most important things you need to continue to do.You can get there from where you are...it will still take preserverance and dedication to yourself and getting healthy.

The key to weight loss is to take in protein and enough fats to feel full .. for first few weeks I would limit carbs to 25 for a week ,if possible, to jump start weight loss.

Think back what was your original protein goal...Did your Dr give you a goal for carbs? Do you have your sheet of instructions( a copy of it?) This would be a starting point.

I do not count calories. I count protein and carbs/fluids... my surgery was done 2 decades ago, and involved essentially a RNY, banding above a pouch and below,small bowel resection and all but 2 feet of colon was removed... this was all in one surgery. there were other things done at the same time... gall bladder , appendix,multiple cysts and fibroids removed... so I understand what has set you back. The removal of intestine should make it easier for weight loss. ..because you have less area to absorb . It can also interfere with absorbtion of nutrients.

If you have not had bloodwork done re: iron levels,etc they should be done as soon as you can get them, to make sure you are absorbing enough nutrients.

I am taking K2(to utilize/redistribute magnesium and calcium, Vit C, D3- 10 thousand, mag citrate(500mg average), a natural dessicated liver and several enzyme w/ probiotic pills with each set of food that give me distress.. because of repeated gastritis... I have had to stop eating all beans, all milk except lactose free,all nuts, all yugurt,and cheese..an occasional serving of cheese every 2 weeks requires double amounts of enzymes.

My doctor set my needs (5"5" medium frame, w/ considerations of metabolism and other factors) @ 90 grams protein and 25-50 grams carbs.per day. If I exercise heavily I have to add a serving of carb and 2 servings( 2-oz) of protein.. or my blood sugar drops. Adding 2 or three servings of protein does affect my weight loss positively.. keep Carbs low... I used to use: 3 saltine crackers and 2 tablespoons of peanut butter, if you tolerate them... I said that to stress..your activity level will affect your blood sugar and it your energy levels. Exercise if added suddenly can lower blood sugar.

The first 3 days are hardest for me when getting back on track...B complex sublingual is my go to for helping break the carb cravings...it was suggested by my nutritionist.I also avoid all sugar substitutes excet Stevia.

Start your exercise program slowly 10 minute walk 2 x day. increase to 3x, then increase each walk by 5 min til up to 30 min...then increase intensity.

Diet will be something you need to fine tune... to YOUR tolerances, If you get hungry before the next meal, you should probably add a snack to help get in your prescribed protein... use low carb vegetables as much as you can... tomatoes, string beans, and if you tolerate broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts.. adding different veggies will help with preventing food faigue...If you like them.. eggs are balanced protein and full of nutrition.

You have got this! You have made first and second steps...now is the application of all you have experienced over the past 12 years. measure your protein..measure your carbs. You know how and can probably estimate accurately by now... get back on track with actually measuring and writing down everything and the time... protein, carbs,fluids. You will see results begin. It will not be fast as before, but should be fairly constant. I regained about 45 lbs and am still working on getting the last few off.. I am doing it and so can you.

You are SO worth the effort to get healthy for yourself first. Hang in there and keep coming back, there is lots of good advice to be found here . We look forward to your posts in the coming month as you track your loss and learn what works for you.