It's Ground Hog Day, for me!!

Hello everyone,

It's been a long time since I was on this website. I had my WLS 11/2003. I got with in 30 lbs of my goal weight and then LIFE happened. Let's just say stress brought on eating. I've gained 35lbs in the past two years! I'm afraid and angry.

 

The date of my surgery I weighted 298 now I'm back up to 193…ugh! I can't hit 200, I just can't….. It would kill me.

 

My family has been wonderful but they are just as concerned and worried. I'm an emotional eater, always have been. But this time it's even harder. I think it’s a combination of my age, the stress in my life and the overwhelming feeling of failure.

 

I'm looking for advice and help.

I would like information on the pouch test.

How much protein and carbs I should be eating each day.

How do you guys keep and maintain your food journals (and if you really feel they help). And do you know of someone that has gained after WLS and successfully gotten back on track.

 

I haven't really looked around the website yet, so I don't know if there are online support groups or partners or what for people who have gained after WLS… Any direction, help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

 

Thank you for reading this… It helps just posting. I really truly want a new start. I don't want to be a failure any more. I want a new start… I hope I can do this!!

 

Here's to no more Ground Hog Days…… but to a NEW Day!!!

Ok, I will try to help.  First of all, there is a great group you can join called, Back On Track Together.  Just click on Groups and type that in the search window.  I have nerver had much success in journalling my foods.  This is just me, by the way.  I find that being so aborbed with food distracts me from getting things done.  Others need to do this.  So, you will have to try it for yourself to see if it helps you.  I think if you join the above group, you will meet many who have achieved their goal again.  Also, also, I have noticed over the years that sometimes, our goal weight isn't the weight our body says it wants to be.  At that point, it takes work to get beyond that point.  That is when the real battle begins.  Through support, it can be done.  Believe me, I am in that battle too.  I hope this helps.

The pouch test.  Here is a copy I have.  Someone else may have a better copy.

So, how do you measure up? Are you accomplishing the feeling of satiety at each meal? Do you know how big your stomach pouch is? Would you like to?

Nearly every patient is curious to know just exactly how big their stomach pouch is. The following technique is used by bariatric surgeons and patients to determine the functional size of a patient's stomach pouch.

The idea for this technique began with Dr. E. E. Mason, at one of the Iowa Bariatric Symposia in the early 1980's, who suggested that it might be useful to ask patients to eat cottage cheese, in a structured manner, to attempt to determine their functional meal volume at different times postoperatively.

Dr. Laytham Flanangan (website: The Oregon Center for Bariatric Surgery)is known for his research and experience in developing the "Cottage Cheese Test."This test is accepted as a standardized, reproducible measurement of the physicalsize of the stomach pouch in a person who has undergone a gastric bypass procedure.

The Cottage Cheese Test

1. Purchase a container of small curd low-fat cottage cheese.
2. Begin the test with a full container of cottage cheese, and perform the test in the morning before eating anything else. This will be your breakfast on that day.
3. Eat fairly quickly until you feel full (less than five minutes). Note that the small soft curds do not require much chewing. You are eating rapidly so you will fill the pouch before there is time for any food to flow out of it.
   After eating your "fill" of cottage cheese, you will be left witha partially eaten container that has empty space where cottage cheese used to be.
4. Measure the volume of cottage cheese you have eaten by filling a two cup (16 fl.oz.) measuring cup with water. Pour water into the container of cottage cheese until the water level rises to the original top level of the cottage cheese.
5. The amount of water poured into the container is the functional size of your pouch.

Dr. Flanagan's research indicates that the average volume of the mature stomach pouch, measured by this method, is 5.5 ounces (163 ml). Additionally, he reached the conclusion that, "sizes ranging up to 9 ounces have NO IMPACT on the person's success in weight loss". This means that unless your pouch holds a greater volume than 9 ounces (267 ml), the exact size of your pouch is not a critical factor in whether or not you can lose excess weight and then manage your weight as time progresses.

 

Thanks for the info. I'm going to check out the group today!!!!
Take care!
Redy2bHealthy

Hi there - First off, let me start by saying...((((HUGS))))...I was right in your shoes 4 months ago.  I am vigorous with food journaling and in hopes of not having to reinvent the wheel, I welcome you to read my blog entry archives which document my journey since I decided to get back on track.

I weighed 259 when I had my RNY in 2002, then I lost 115 lbs and maintained for over 5 years...then I gained back 50 over the last 2 years.  I did take control of everything and am happy to report that I have lost 43 lbs since May of the 50 gained (6 lbs away from goal!).

You can do it!!!!!!  It is never too late! Good luck and let me know if there is anything else I can help you with. :)