I have gained 80 pounds-- the surgery did not fail and I am not a failure

I had Gastric Bypass surgery October 2004. I will be 45 yrs. old in March. I am an evangelizer of the good news and a credit analyst.  I have been morbidly obese all my life. I have a lifetime of mental and physical scars from obesity. Before and after surgery I tried Weigh****chers, other methods of losing weight.  Every thing! 

I have gained back 80 of almost 300 pounds lost initially. I joined Barbara Thompson's back on track program so I can get back on track.  I never reached my goal of 200 pounds. I am considering a revision but I am not getting my hopes up on that front since revisions are hard to get approved.  My program leader already checked with my insurance and they is an exclusion in my insurance that will not approve lap band over pouch.  

I weigh 382 today and  My lowest weight after surgery was 302, and then I went up to 311, next year 321, last year 338 and this year Jan 2010 372 and to date 382.

I use to exercise on average 5 to 6 times a 45 to 75 min each session and weights at health club and at home with Leslie Sasone DVD's. I was very active and one reason for my gains over time I am less committed to my workouts. So far in January I am exercising 3 to 4 times a week 30 to 45 min sessions with walking away the pounds DVDS. I am ashamed to go back to health club since I have gained 50 pounds since the last time I was there--which was February 2009.

2009 my knee gave out and did not exercise for 2 months last year and I have not been able to get back on track since.  I am a failure I just need a readjustment and not sure how to get mind back in focus with my goals.

My biggest down fall is my addiction to and love of food. Surgery can not fix this so I have to fix my head with this problem. My plan is to start attending support groups each month and doing on-line back on track program with Barbara Thompson.  If any one has any more suggestion please HELP.  Thanks in advance for all replies.

Hi there,

What a journey you have been on! You aren't a failure, as long as you are still breathing you can succeed. Trying is success! I know how you feel about the emotional scars from obesity. There is no cure for compulsive / binge eating disorders but i believe you can learn how to better manage it.

I've just started out AGAIN... trying to lose the weight. I'm not having WLS at this point in time. Everything you are doing so far sounds very positive. Have you got a good support network? What about getting a weight loss buddy in your area? Or someone to communicate with regularly online?

Never be ashamed to try and better yourself, even if you have gained 200lbs since your last visit to the health club, it doesn't matter. What matters is that you are doing something to change and you should be proud of that. Have you thought about doing water exercises which would be kinder on your knee? Water aerobics? Swimming?

Best of luck with everything. I'll be keeping an eye out to see how you are going

:)

Hi there. I am in the same boat I have gained.. I am trying to get back on track. I went to the doc yesterday picked up protein and supplements. Cheated even on my way back home from there.. I have to get myself under control again. I see myself in photos and i cringe. I wanted to wish you some good luck and let you know your not alone. I don't blame my surgery either I blame myself 110 % all the way. I pray we find the power to get back on the wagon,

Thank you very much and we can do it.  Keep the faith.  You took the 1st step and you are taking responsibilty also.  KIT.

Hello, I'm out 1 yr. lost 120 lbs so far. My best friend isn't talking to me right now due to my asking her why she wants to redo her surgery? She has regained 60 lbs, from 460 lbs, she got down to 240 . She never stopped smoking or drinking. She said once i'm out 7 yrs. I can ask myself the same question. The wls is a tool not a fix all. Absessive behavor is not curable just treatable.  I stay on my mood stablizer meds. I walk, cardio, yoga, meditation, everything I can think of to stay healthy. I do not want to die.  I know this is tuff love but I know no other way to stay alive. Good luck

Can you really blame your friend for not speaking to you anymore?  Really?

I believe the term you are looking for is "obsessive" and you are correct, but not everyone eats or regains because of obsessive behaviors and pills do not work for everyone.  Sometimes a different surgery type with different hormone issues is the right fix.

With all due respect you aren't even at goal yet, you aren't even a vet yet!  Instead of handing out advice to a vet maybe just be supportive instead?  Your "tuff" love is not helping matters if your friend is so frustrated s/he isn't even speaking to you anymore.  Right?  If your friend only got down to 240 I'm guessing that wasn't even goal!  And a regain on top of that?  And you are questioning why she can't just do it on her own?  Why the heck didn't YOU just do it on your own?

Save this type of tough love for those that have been there/done that.  Worry about your own weight loss and be very careful, your own words have a way of coming back to bite you in the butt sooner than you might realize.

Give up the judgment and just offer support, that's your job as a friend in this case.

Hello, You can do senior chair yoga on youtube it's free. Good luck

Pretty Miss Molly

 what do you think is contributing to your weight gain?  I am a stress snacker !  I recently  tried  Phentermine.  It's really  helping  me  .. I still have head issue's  but   working with a therapist, taking the  appetite suppresant, making better choice's and facing the surgeons scale every week is keeping me accountable.

I did have a revision and it all depends on  what the failure can be associated with and  there is always fine print - . check into the differant revision options out there.

Interesting, haven't seen you with your Dr. S pom poms anymore.  Any reason for that?

Nope -- Just busy living the good life

 And you ?