What would you do?

My Dr appointment was postponed to Feb.26 which at first I thought good it will give me time to lose weight but now I wish I would have had the appointment so I could get input on my struggles. I'm not at a plateau but in over my head with snacking, eating unhealthy foods, and not exercising. I was so proud to have lost about 30 lbs but now I'm not even trying. My support group TOPS stopped meeting due to Covid restrictions in December so I'm no longer weighing in. My last weigh in was November.

Should I call and speak to my surgeon about whats going on? Has anyone else gone through this? Should I start from the beginning and start keeping a food journal? What will happen if I don't lose the weight? Was surgery a waste? Why did I stop eating healthy?

Should I start from the beginning and start keeping a food journal?

Yes yes and yes. Sometimes seeing how many calories or sugars items have makes me stop and think, and put the item back on the shelf in the store, or back to cupboards.
I would also suggest start weight yourself, if not daily, once a week. Every time I stopped weighing myself, it was not good for me. Change is not easy but possible. I gained 20 lbs too much during the pandemic. This week I started changing my diet. I made a list of foods that I can eat as much as want during the first week of my new diet - I call it a transiting week. I identified food that is good for me and that would keep me full, and I stock my fridge and pantry with that.

This foods are:

• meats, with no sugar added or with 1 gr or less of sugar per every 10 gr of proteins. (most jerkies can have a lot of sugar, as well as some honey baked ham - processed meats).
• fish (not breaded), fresh or frozen, or canned
• eggs
• snacks that I know I really can eat one serving (some nuts), no sugar added meat sticks, some keto items, as long as I can really stick to one serving
• non starchy veggies: cucumbers, celery, lettuce, cauliflower, broccoli, mushrooms, etc. etc.
• some condiments that are very low carbs, i.e. regular or Dijon mustard, good spices, etc.
• last but not least- I make sure I drink at least 100oz of liquids, and I make sure I drink that between meals. I try to stay away from diet drinks that have sweeteners added. They are zero calories, but they trigger my carvings for sugar
• no fruits when i transition from regular high carbs diet to low carb diet.

Right now I am in my 5th day of my diet-appetite-cravings reset. I almost always had issues with evening and late evenings eating. I would eat my dinner too fast, sometimes eating too much, only t fl hungry 1-2 hours later, get a snack or 2, then LNS (late night snack) blaming the cravings on "unstable blood sugar". Well, I was right, because who would not have problem wit sugar after eating ice cream followed by some chocolate and candies. or even fruits. 2-3 servings of fruits as a "healthy" dessert.

This week last 2 days I made a dinner for me, ate is slowly, and I couldn't finish. And I did not "need" snacks later. I set up a time of 45 min to eat slowly. After 45 min, I toss or put away the rest.

What will happen if I don't lose the weight?

The weight would eventually affect badly your health and you would be in worse situation than before surgery.

Was surgery a waste?

Only if you allow that.

Why did I stop eating healthy?

Only you know that. Was it a self sabotage? Or something else? Do you love yourself enough to put the work that is required to lose the weight?

It's not easy to follow the post op WLS diet. It require work and dedication. It's so easy to just grab something easy and tasty. Plus to eat our emotions, eat to get the good hormones' boost when we eat carbs, soothing, calming; no? But that "carbs -sugar induced feelings" don't last, then we want more, then more... as our BS drops...

Sugar is addictive. At least for some people. I know that when I start eating sugars, my addiction comes back. The more I eat, the more I crave, the more I eat. Plus most carbs, sugars decrease my insides sensitivities to full-empty signals. I could eat almost regular dinner (i.e. stuffed pepper), then eat 2-3 cookies, or a portion of ice cream, wat 1 hour and chase with some fruits, or other snacks.

Just 5 days into my program, I had lunch at noon, and now, at 2 pm, I sill feel full. But I can promised you, if I had a sandwich (bread, cheese some meat) topped with tomato (that is a fruit) and a few gherkins (pickles with some sugar added), by now I would be looking for a snack. An another one at 4 pm.

It is up to you to find out why you don't want to put in the work to eat "healthy". To lose weight.

Having a few sessions with a good therapist may help you with that questions.

Hugs

Thanks for your response. I'm going to call my surgeon and dietician Monday and ask for some guidance and a referral to a therapist. I want to start losing weight instead of maintaining my current weight. I've printed out a calendar and will preplan my daily meals. The weekend will give me a chance to read through all my bariatric information and get myself motivated to exercise. Sugar really is addictive and I know that I can give it up like I gave up other bad habits in my life.

Check and join the daily Menu Post on RNY board. Many people use that as their daily post to plan their food and to learn from others. You don't have to have RNY to post there. There was time I posted things like that every day to be accountable to MYSELF.

Right now, I'm over 12 years post op and I know so much things by heart, and I rather spend my time cooking than posting my menu.

But really, check the RNY board, that group, and the daily Menu post is the most active on OH (IMO)

I second HALA's response!

Bad habits are a BIOTCH to get rid of and they don't go down without a fight. I battle every day and know your struggles. My group meets via zoom and it's held me somewhat accountable during these weird times