Gained 53 pounds back

I am 4 1/2 years out - started at 268 and got down to 133 and maintained there for 3 1/2 years.. In the past year I have gained 53 pounds.. I went back to the bariatric surgeon for help and he told me simply eat less, exercise more... I feel so out of control with the eating.. It feels like food is 100% dictating my life again.. Has anyone successfully gotten back on track and if so, how???  Any help would be great, anyone looking for a buddy let me know.  I really am scared of what to do at this point to stop the gaining... I have had no problems during the past 4 years.  I did suffer from PCOS before and my blood work showed my blood sugar is averaging 100 now.  Any advice appreciated and needed..

 

 

I am so glad that you are reaching out for help.  Bravo for recognizing that you are not alone.  I found that the if I return to the basics (what I did when I first had the surgery) the weight again started to come off and I regained "control".  This is what I did....consult your health care practitioner and tell them your plan.  Please only follow this if you are in good health and do not have any health/medical issues.  Remember to take your vitamins and mineral supplements daily.  Drink at least 64 oz. of water daily. Eat 3-5 times per day with protein as your main focus.  (Eat the amount of protein your doctor recommends daily).   Eat lots of green leafy vegetables.  Avoid all processed foods.  Avoid bread.  Avoid fruit.  Thus avoid all carbohydrates including starchy vegetables.  (Choose a no or low carb protein shake if you need to add additional protein to your diet).  Avoid milk and milk products (try to avoid any additional sugar).  Eat slowly, recognize satiety.  Do not drink during meals.  Keep a food diary.  Exercise/move daily.

I do the above for 7-10 days then I gradually reintroduced other healthy foods...berries, beans and legumes, yogurt, nuts.....

I return to this "disciplined" eating whenever I feel the need to pull back on my eating.  I follow the above way of eating for no more than 10 days.  Feeling deprived would send me into a never ending binge.   I am quite aware of my eating patterns and I am mindful of what foods would send me into the abyss.  I know that candy, cookies, ice cream ...and other sugary items make me feel powerless so I eat them occasionally.  They do not control me anymore.  I am "great" with "real food"....fruit.  And I actually enjoy them but most of all I LOVE having a healthy vibrant lifestyle.  Being mindful has set me free.

I wish you much success.

I'm 8 years out. I also have PCOS, and I also am trying to get  back to my lowest weight. I've lost 40 lbs in two months just by stopping the unhealthy habits I'd learned while pregnant. I've turned to something called the Rules of the Pouch.

Basically it reminds me of everything the other poster said above, plus, it suggests drinking water to curb appetite. It really works. I don't drink water for 15 minutes before meals, and an hour to an hour and a half after. I have a scale and I never eat more than 6 oz at a meal. Here's the link and good luck to you. Feel free to keep in touch with me.

http://www.amylhwilliams.com/pouchrulesfordummies.html

The other lady's suggestions are great.  I just wanted to ask if you have seen a therapist or found one you connect with.  I am trying to find one that I like because I have huge food issues that this surgery won't be taking away!  I too always felt out of control with eating and that food ran my entire life.  That's such an unhealthy way to view food... like the opposite of being anorexic, instead of being scared of food, we are letting it run our lives. 

Along with setting up a plan for eating and exercise to get you back on track, seeking out a therapist (if you aren't already seeing one) to help you deal with your food issues seems like a smart idea. 

Good luck with getting back on track... you still have so much to be proud of and I have seen many people on OH that have gained some weight back after surgery but then changed their life and their habits and lost it again... AND kept it off!  You can do this, you just have to get yourself back in the right frame of mind. :-)

Thanks for posting this. I feel so similar to you. Same thing, 4 years out, gained back 40lbs from my happy weight. I'm  glad I've come back here for help and support. Just reading yours Lynne and the replies made me feel better and more motivated.

 

I like the responses here a lot and I agree. I too gained back weight about 30% and in my case 30 lbs.for me my bottom was approaching 300 lbs at 2-1/2 years out. After a while I finally went back and read my paperwork. Started following the rules and the weight started falling off again. I'm about 30 days into it and using the tool really regained control. The rules rule. In addition I really began to keep track in a food log. There are a lot of factors which affect us but I think for me the key has been portion sizes. I went back to the nut and adjusted my plan even more to get mor diversity in my diet. Like others here I am happy to share my experiences on the forum or if you would like messenge me. You can do this too. You have the tool to help.

Chrispy

I had rny in 09 and have been gaining slowly for about a year now. I lost about 75 of the 100 lbs that I wanted to lose. Now Ive gained back 20-25. So I need to lose at least that 25. I felt good there. Even tho I wasnt where i thought i should be. I'm 62 yrs old too so I really dont need this. I want to be eating all the time. I keep having issues with strictures and have to get EGDs. just had one and the Dr wants to do another in 2 months. My bypass Dr keeps saying to eat less dont eat this dont eat that just like yall are saying. I just dont have any control just like before the surgery. Ive tried the 5day pouch thing. Ill look up the pouch rules though. Im losing hope. I thought this was the answer to my problem with food. I spent 45000 + and i still have issues. What do ya do???

I guess I am the old timer here. I had my surgery in 1985. I lost 115 lbs, my lowest being 140. As the years went on I crept back up and stayed about 165. A year ago I lost my 5 year grandson followed by my brother. My eating became out of control. I regained to 190. I am really struggling to lose. I didn't even know these kinds of support was available. I am getting involved with the forums and am going to the event in AZ to find more about the things to do. They kinda did the surgery and you were left to your own resources. I am having to learn a little late. I am down to 183.8 this morning.