8 year surgiversary 100 lbs gain

I can definitely increase my exercise. I also need to remember to drink herbal tea. That always comforts me.

Thanks for your suggestions. Nice to remember others are working on the same goals and can provide a little caring.

Hello Challie,

I didn't have the DS but I think the basics are the same of us all.....

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 70 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!!! Our tool works if we work the tool and get back to the basics.

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. If you didn't make a Weight Loss Surgery bucket list when you first had surgery do it now. GREAT reminder of all the things you can enjoy in life after losing weight.

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. I found once I started carrying one of the metal bottles of water to keep it cold I drank water all day.

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. Grab a cart and walk all the isles at your local box store. 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. Come here on OH daily for support and participate in one of the food threads. It helps you be accountable and also great ideas for food prep.

Keep me posted on how you are doing.

Thanks for the detailed suggestions. I will definitely apply some of them. It is true that we sometimes fail to realize how far we have deviated from our original eating. I should really start tracking my eating again for awhile. I'm glad to hear you did it! Great job!

Glad to hear your depression is lifting! Three questions.

can you post the timing of your meals? Is it just simple white carbs like bread or is it sugar too? [Hypoglycemia between meals is more common with RNY, but there are some cases after DS (including me). For me, post surgery hypoglycemia can magnify hunger and cause mental fog. When hungry, eat protein and eat more often.]

when was the last time you saw a bariatric surgeon for follow up and lab testing? I know Gagner has moved, but it would be a good idea to reconnect with someone. He was my surgeon 13+ years ago and usually did a 100 cm common channel then, but I don't know what he was doing when you had him.

did you have diabetes before surgery? Have you checked for this recently? I did and I know it might return now.

Smart of you to see the link between your drugs and your weight.

Thanks for your reply. I have had episodes of low blood sugar with trembling and rapid heat beat and sweating. I have only had about 6 or so in the 8 years since my surgery but it does let me know that it can happen for me. I do also have a bad habit of eating breakfast and then going for about 6 hours without eating while at work. I am really bad at preparing and being organized. You raise a good point. I should really be more mindful of this.

Challie,

I'm sorry you're having a rough time.

Thank you so much for being brave and asking for help. You have no idea how badly I needed to read your post, and the wonderful responses. I'm struggling with some of the same things as you. You asked the questions that I was too ashamed to ask. I use the app Carb Manager. This is my first week in two years tracking everything that goes into my mouth. Even supplements, and mini sugar free Altoids. As for the anti depressants ask your dr for one that is NOT time released. I take Effexor 2 times a day.