I need your help

I was at goal weight and I have been eating like something crazy for 3 months. I am afraid to get on the scales, but I can tell that I have gained maybe 12 pds. I NEED the HELP of all of you to help get back on track. I am eating all the wrong things. Thinking about going back to see the Dr. but I am ashamed to let him know that I have messed up. I lost 96 pds. in about 10 months. I have just got to stay motivated.Seems like I have been taking care of everything but myself. If anyone wants to E Mail me to talk my address is [email protected] Thanks. I need to talk

Do you need a fill? Sometimes people think that once the weight has all gone, the band should be looser. But in fact we need the band to maintain just as much as we did to lose.

I follow the yo- yo approach to maintensnce. Which is in fact what all my friends who have never had a weight problem do. That is, I eat fairly well but not too carefully. I weigh every day. Then, as soon as I go out of my comfort zone, I go back to band basics for a week.

Apart from one blip when I turned out to have a leak, this has ŵorked for me for well over 3 years of being below goal.

Kate

Hi, we are never "done" on this journey.  You have to get on the scale and face the facts. Then make a plan to get back to being in control.  Set some small goals that you can achieve.  You need to start today.  Some days I don't feel motivated, but I just "do it."  I give myself 4 pounds and if I get to that point I make myself get back to losing it.  We are human and we are not perfect.  Just tell yourself that you can do this. 

Congratulations on your success and for reaching out. 

NEVER let your disappointment trap you from seeking the help you need- ESPECIALLY here (among your community) and with your doctor.  Every one of us have been there (pre and post WLS).  If they haven't, they will, just keep living..  It's often when we get comfortable and feel like "I got this" that we start to backslide into some old habits.  As the saying goes, recognizing the problem is the first step. 

Fear of the scale is an ugly monster, but it's only a mental fear and negative perception.  Hop on.  One of my favorite quotes is, "Courage doesn't always roar; sometimes it's the quiet voice that says I'll try again tomorrow".   We are all fighting this thing. 

Gather yourself and formulate your plan, then press forward.

Hey Vivian!

I just want to echo what some of the other responders have said...

First of all, don't be ashamed of a little regain. We have all been there before. You are doing the right thing by stopping it at 12 lbs rather than 20...30...40...etc.! Don't be ashamed to go see your doctor. If you want/need a visit, go see him! He won't think badly of you and he will be glad that you came in to get back on track.

You've lost 96 lbs, so you know what works for you. It's just a matter of getting back to it. Low carb has been working really well for me. If that is your gig too, if you can white knuckle it the first few days and go ultra low carb, it will help get some of those cravings out of your system.

Hang in there and keep us updated!
Lindsey

Viv,
Please don't let embarassment or shame keep you from seeing your doctor.  Remember, you are PAYING him to help you.  He's seen it all and a 12 lb, (or any amount), regain is not going to shock him or disappoint him.  He's a paid professional there to help YOU.

Without fills and your doctor's guidance it's really difficult to continue on your WL journey.  Slight regain after a year or large loss is common and this is where it gets difficult.  We have to find new motivation to keep us on track because as Kristie said, this is not a journey with a beginning and end.  It keeps going for the rest of our life.  Yes, it's challenging and difficult sometimes but at least we have a tool to help us along the way.  And, you know what you need to do to lose weight because you're already a success. 

My advice?  Set a new goal for yourself that's not a number on the scale.  I'm up10 lbs from my lowest post op weight and I'm working on becoming fit.  I know that I need to make exercise a part of my regular routine in order to lose the rest of the weight I want to lose AND acheive the goals I have for better health.  Losing 100 lbs got rid of my comorbidities but now I want to be stronger and have more endurance.  That's my goal.  There are things I want to do in life that and I have a bag problem that I'm trying to cure by strengthening and regaining muscle I lost from rapid weight loss.

What's you next goal?  What's going to motivate you to get back to what you know works? 

I agree with Kate.  If you need a fill, start there.  Food wise, you know what to do!

You can do it!

Lisa O.

I can totally understand what you are feeling, it has been about 7 months since my surgery and I've lost about 35  lbs , but the last 4 weeks since I saw my doctor I haven't lost any weight and I have really been trying..... I have an appointment this Friday and I dread getting on those scales, maybe I need a small fill I don't know.  Congratulations on loosing 96 lbs that's great, how much saline do you have in your band???  What kind of exercising do you do???  I've been going to curves 4 times a week, but I probably need to exercise more..,,

Carole I noticed your one of Dr. Duncan's patients. Just wanted to mention to you there is an Atlanta WLS Meet & Greet Oct. 8. There is also a WLS clothing exchange in Stockbridge on Nov. 12. Let me know if you want details on them.

Remember, you are going to a weight loss surgeon.  He or she should be skilled in appropriately discussing slips.  If you have weight issues, as all of us who have chosen WLS do, it is aparently a lifetime journey with victories and slips. Any surgeon that deals with weight loss patients should have this figured out. Go to your appt. with your chin up, yet seeking the help you deserve and pay for. My docs office is great at working with you wherever you are on this journey. I hope your's is too.  Good Luck!

 You have done so well.  I am definiately discovering that the ability to control myself with a more open band really is effected by how I feel emotionally about what is going on around me.  You had a lapse in judgment, get back on track before you make it relapse!  It's ok, but sometimes we get distracted by others . . . sometimes we just don't want to focus on ourselves as much.