Put back on some weight
Hey fellas,
It's been a few years. Some background about me....I am about 5 years post-op. Started at 313 and got down to 135 at my absolute lowest about 2 years ago. I was happy with 145 or so and maintained that for a long time. I am now about 160 and started putting on weight quickly these past few weeks. I have really started watching what I eat and am getting back on track. But....I am freaked out and am consumed by it. I think of nothing else and am scared to death. Need some advice, assurance, anything...ANYTHING!. I don't think I can stand this! Thanks.
It's been a few years. Some background about me....I am about 5 years post-op. Started at 313 and got down to 135 at my absolute lowest about 2 years ago. I was happy with 145 or so and maintained that for a long time. I am now about 160 and started putting on weight quickly these past few weeks. I have really started watching what I eat and am getting back on track. But....I am freaked out and am consumed by it. I think of nothing else and am scared to death. Need some advice, assurance, anything...ANYTHING!. I don't think I can stand this! Thanks.
Well, I'm relatively new at this - but it's working for me, so here goes:
You said you were "happy" at 145 - hmmm, I wish I ONLY had 15 lbs. to lose to get happy; that's where you are. Okay, I know it's the not main point - that would be what's driving the increase right now, but you're not too far from where you want to be.
When we slip - or are tempted to slip - my group is encouraged to ask ourselves "why?" Not why we slipped - but why we wanted to lose weight in the first place - try to re-focus on the original motivation that has given you such hard-won success. I'm almost half-way to my goal, and working like a bear every day: I've lost diabetes, lost sleep apnea and lost high BP. I'm 65, and by god, I'm going to live long enough to see my grandchildren into adulthood. Okay, maybe not, but if I don't make it, it won't be obesity that killed me. You inspire me - I never dreamed someone could do what you did to improve your life. I'm only 3.5 mos. into this since my sleeve surgery, but success stories like yours make the future look bright. Good luck - you can do it.
You said you were "happy" at 145 - hmmm, I wish I ONLY had 15 lbs. to lose to get happy; that's where you are. Okay, I know it's the not main point - that would be what's driving the increase right now, but you're not too far from where you want to be.
When we slip - or are tempted to slip - my group is encouraged to ask ourselves "why?" Not why we slipped - but why we wanted to lose weight in the first place - try to re-focus on the original motivation that has given you such hard-won success. I'm almost half-way to my goal, and working like a bear every day: I've lost diabetes, lost sleep apnea and lost high BP. I'm 65, and by god, I'm going to live long enough to see my grandchildren into adulthood. Okay, maybe not, but if I don't make it, it won't be obesity that killed me. You inspire me - I never dreamed someone could do what you did to improve your life. I'm only 3.5 mos. into this since my sleeve surgery, but success stories like yours make the future look bright. Good luck - you can do it.
I would start by logging everything you eat and all the exercise you do. That brings some "accountability" into the program immediately (even if just to yourself). Odds are that just knowing you'll have to log it may well discourage "bad habit" eating...
There are some excellent sites out there that allow you do log all this logging stuff, and most at this point have extensive libraries of foods, etc. so you don't have to enter all the nutritional information yourself. I use MyFitnessPal, mostly because it has a great app for the iPhone (along with Android and Blackberry) that lets you log your food while on the go. Other sites I've heard recommended include Livestrong, FitDay, and MyNetDiary. Or just Google search "best food diary websites" for a complete listing...
Once you've logged everything that goes into your mouth for a few days, you'll have a pretty good idea what you need to do. The MyFitnessPal site has lots of good nutritional information, and provides some good guidelines to help you figure out how much you should be eating. With all of these tools, however, you will have to "fine tune" their recommendations for your specific body. (Strangely enough, we're all different!)
One more thing. I don't know about your surgeon, but mine offers "lifetime" followup as part of the deal. I can go in and meet with his team (or call them to have the discussion over the phone) at any point in the future... No matter how far out that may be. If you are still struggling to maintain once you start logging your food, I would reach out to those folks.
And, of course, you can always post here, and we will be happy to provide whatever help we can... To my knowledge, none of us are bariatric medical specialists, but collectively, we have a lot of knowledge and experience...
There are some excellent sites out there that allow you do log all this logging stuff, and most at this point have extensive libraries of foods, etc. so you don't have to enter all the nutritional information yourself. I use MyFitnessPal, mostly because it has a great app for the iPhone (along with Android and Blackberry) that lets you log your food while on the go. Other sites I've heard recommended include Livestrong, FitDay, and MyNetDiary. Or just Google search "best food diary websites" for a complete listing...
Once you've logged everything that goes into your mouth for a few days, you'll have a pretty good idea what you need to do. The MyFitnessPal site has lots of good nutritional information, and provides some good guidelines to help you figure out how much you should be eating. With all of these tools, however, you will have to "fine tune" their recommendations for your specific body. (Strangely enough, we're all different!)
One more thing. I don't know about your surgeon, but mine offers "lifetime" followup as part of the deal. I can go in and meet with his team (or call them to have the discussion over the phone) at any point in the future... No matter how far out that may be. If you are still struggling to maintain once you start logging your food, I would reach out to those folks.
And, of course, you can always post here, and we will be happy to provide whatever help we can... To my knowledge, none of us are bariatric medical specialists, but collectively, we have a lot of knowledge and experience...
OneFinger
on 2/26/11 11:48 pm
on 2/26/11 11:48 pm
"...The MyFitnessPal site has lots of good nutritional information, and provides some good guidelines to help you figure out how much you should be eating. "
Jim, downloaded that app on my smart phone and really love it!! Great way to track what I'm eating and monitor my protein input. Thanks for the tip and info.
High Weight = 310 Surgery Weight = 300 Dr's Goal = 200 My Goal = 190 
OneFinger
on 2/25/11 12:32 pm
on 2/25/11 12:32 pm
Jim's offered some excellent suggestions. (I'm going to download the app for my phone that he recommended.)
One thing that has helped me is tracking my weight in the weekly Sunday Weigh-In on this forum. Thanks to Don for leading that charge. I find it very motivating to stay on track when I need to be accountable each week.
Personally, I think you're on the right track by recognizing the weight "creap" and watching what you're eating. It's also a positive thing that you're back posting here and looking for support.''
Your initial drop from 313 lbs to 145 lbs is fantastic success. No doubt you can get back to your goal weight by tweaking your priorities. Hope to read of your loss in the Sunday check-in.
High Weight = 310 Surgery Weight = 300 Dr's Goal = 200 My Goal = 190
All the above posts are from realative newbies, so let me give some sage advice from a veteran.
Start a food diary right after you call and make an appointment with your NUT. Just because we have been successful and it has been a number of years doesn't mean we don't need the professionals that helped us get here. Your NUT will look at your food and exercise diary and give you personal advice - just for you. When I have a problem that I think is caused by a diet issue I see the nut and so far she has given me great advice.
Start a food diary right after you call and make an appointment with your NUT. Just because we have been successful and it has been a number of years doesn't mean we don't need the professionals that helped us get here. Your NUT will look at your food and exercise diary and give you personal advice - just for you. When I have a problem that I think is caused by a diet issue I see the nut and so far she has given me great advice.
Robert
Yes most of the advice in these issues does come from newbies, but it does not make the advice less valuable. Newbies, myself included are at a point where they are still living strictly by the rules and haven't strayed to far or to often from the path. Sometimes the best advice can be reiterating the rules and the need to get back to them.
Certainly checking in with ones surgeon and NUT are good things but unless you can show what you do from day to day and follow the rules there will be little they have to work with.
Certainly checking in with ones surgeon and NUT are good things but unless you can show what you do from day to day and follow the rules there will be little they have to work with.
Paul C.
First 5K 9/27/20 46:32 - 11 weeks post op (PR 28:55 8/15/11)
First 10K 7/04/2011 1:03 First 15K 9/18/2011 1:37
First Half Marathon 10/02/2011 2:27:44 (PR 2:24:35)
First Half Ironman 9/30/12 7:32:04
First 5K 9/27/20 46:32 - 11 weeks post op (PR 28:55 8/15/11)
First 10K 7/04/2011 1:03 First 15K 9/18/2011 1:37
First Half Marathon 10/02/2011 2:27:44 (PR 2:24:35)
First Half Ironman 9/30/12 7:32:04
Paul, I wasn't slamming the new guys for commenting. You will understand in a couple of years that things change quite a bit years down the road. Our bodies are complicated and any advice on this board is just too general for the problems of a 5+ year post opp. He knows the rules, he's been through it and has been successful. He probably only needs to tweek one or two small issues to get on the right track again and he will not get that specific info from you or me.
He will get encouragement in here though and that is thanks to everyone that helps out in here.
He will get encouragement in here though and that is thanks to everyone that helps out in here.
Robert
Hey, Robert. No offense taken here - I appreciate all of you "veterans" who hang around to help encourage us rookies. It was from previous posts by guys who've been through it all that I learned the importance of keeping my food and exercise log (and being meticulously honest about it!), and checking in with my nutritionist occasionally. I also know that it gets to be a pain in the butt to keep doing it, and once you think you've got things "nailed" it's tempting to stop logging... But I've never once gone back over my logs without having something "jump out at me" and realizing that I'm heading for trouble if I allow that trend to continue. It's usually something very subtle that I probably would not have noticed if it weren't for the detailed log.
I learn something from every post, and every poster here on this forum. Sometimes it's things to do, other times it's things NOT to do. And sometimes it's just "food for thought". My dad once made a point in one of his sermons... He used a parable about two men - one a wise man, and one a fool - who met and spoke for a while, then went on their way, neither having learned anything from the other. He then asked the question "Which one of them was really the fool?" I guess it came at a really impressionable time in my life, because that lesson has stuck with me.
To the OP - we're here for you, man. Sometimes we'll be helpful, and other times we may not be, but we'll always try to encourage you!
I learn something from every post, and every poster here on this forum. Sometimes it's things to do, other times it's things NOT to do. And sometimes it's just "food for thought". My dad once made a point in one of his sermons... He used a parable about two men - one a wise man, and one a fool - who met and spoke for a while, then went on their way, neither having learned anything from the other. He then asked the question "Which one of them was really the fool?" I guess it came at a really impressionable time in my life, because that lesson has stuck with me.
To the OP - we're here for you, man. Sometimes we'll be helpful, and other times we may not be, but we'll always try to encourage you!
My surgeon said that folks who put weight back on just got relaxed in their diet and execercise and has nothing to do with malabsoption stopping or anything.
All u have to do is get back on track. Did you always workout, track ur food, etc?
U can do it.
All u have to do is get back on track. Did you always workout, track ur food, etc?
U can do it.
1st Goal: 190 lbs. - Achieved 8/3/2010
2nd: Goal: 165 lbs. - `Achieved 11/2/2010
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