gained 55 lbs back...

Help... anyone I've gained almost 55lbs back. I had my surgery going on 5 years ago. My dr. also said that some of the meds I am taking can cause weight gain, however I have to take them due to very very bad back & hip problems, this also makes it so it's harder to get up and exercise. At first the weight fell off, then it stopped at about 170. I went through a really bad divorce and lost about 45lbs...I have since gained that back plus some!!! After the divorce I ended up staying with my mom and other friends until I could find a place for my daughter and I. I also take antidepressants. I believe that was part of the weight gain cause there was a few months there that I could even get myself out of bed! Then I started night eating due to my ambien. I would love to have the surgery again but I am now on SSDI and have only Medicare for insurance. Someone please help me start the losing process again! I feel like I don't know where to start. Thanks!!!!

Melissa H.

Hi Melissa,
I don't have any advice for you but I just wanted you to know you ARE NOT ALONE!  I'm right here with you.  I've gained back 66 lbs & want/need to get healthy again.  If you need someone to talk/cry/vent to, just let me know!  
Nita

Hi,

You have been through alot of trauma that can be a hardship in keeping weight off.  I hope you are getting some good support.  Getting back on track is something many of us struggle with.  I am nine years out and have found myself going the wrong way.  A good board to join is Back On Track Together.  Many of us struggle with the same things and it is a good support group.  Give it a try.

Hi Melissa,

I'm glad you're getting some positive feedback and encouragement.  I went through a weight regain battle for a year and made it through it.   Now, as I get older the weight management challenges continues to "evolve"...

You seem to know the details/facts behind the regain.  Now where do you think you want to start given where you are?  What would most serve you today and for the next 3 days?  ...Go to your surgery support group meetings?  Join an OH member group?  Journal?  Work with a planning tool?  Practice positive affirmation exercise?

What do you most want to do?

Much love,
Coach Roz
Member Group Leader

Hello! 
So sorry to hear your story.  No words of hope for you though.  But I DO WISH YOU WELL!  I was/am scheduled to have by pass on July 7, 2009 and after doing some detailed research on this Internet for "Statistics 5 years out after by pass surgery"  I came to learn that MORE THAN 50% OF PEOPLE GAIN MOST OR MORE THAN THEIR START WEIGHT BACK!  Seems that the part of the stomach that is seperated from the pouch produces a hormone called grehnlin (spell ?) that at 12 to 18 months starts messing big time with MOST people's insulin which in turn, starts huge CRAVINGS!  Then, after about 5 years, the amazing body, trying to repair itself starts to reabsorb calories in the portion of the small intestine that was left intact.  Put that with a usually stretched out pouch, and you have a combination for disaster.  Look how many people want or actually get a Lap Band AFTER Gastric By Pass!  Crazy huh?  Everybody loves the instant extreme weight loss, but ask any doctor.  None of them would dare to tell you that fast weight loss is good for the human body.  If it were a good thing, the Nazi starvation camps would still be in business doing great!  Good luck with your health problems.  Remember, just because you may be big doesn't mean you are not a good person. 

 I've gained back the exact same amount, and also struggle with depression (though it sounds like you've got it much worse, and have had some major life changes that would throw anyone off.)

I hope that things are starting to stabilize for you and that your life is starting to look brighter.

I've just bought a month of Medifast and am going to try to sortof start new and shock the system and get this done. 

I'm not sure what your ideal weight is, but I'd really like to lose about 200 lbs. It's incrediby daunting, and so any given day it is SO EASY to not make the right choices, and to comfort myself with food rather than deal with all the disappointments and failures and missteps I've taken. But I'm going to try starting tomorrow. I'm not even going to worry about exercise yet, just getting the food under control.

Hi there, I also do not have any solutions and I am in the same boat, I never got to my goal but I was down 167,  I am 5'7 so that was a nice size for me, I recently got married 04/09 and since the planning for the wedding I have gained 23lbs, I am currently 195. and I am slowly gaining but the minute. I  need help too.

I am in the same situation.  I had my gastric bypass in October 2006, lost 80 lbs and then my father passed away and I got all off track.  Now I am almost three years out and have regained 30 lbs!   I went back to my bariatric surgeon yesterday for my checkup and he said to eat NO carbs and see how this works for me.  Now I am giving this a try to get me started going back down again.  I even asked him about performing a revision on me, but he said he could almost guarantee me that my pouch hasn't stretched I am just eating the wrong things!  I am so thrilled I have found this forum and I don't feel so alone with this struggle. 

I'm sorry to hear of your struggles. Have you considered switching the Ambien to something different? I have heard a lot of those who take Ambien with the same complaint, that their spouse catches them eating in the middle of the night and they have no recollection.