Have I messed up my surgery?

I had my surgery in June 2008.  Since surgery I have lost 101 pounds but I have gained 13 pounds back.  I will be honest I don't eat like I'm suppose to.  I can eat anything and I usually do.  I feel like a failure.  Have I broken my pouch?  I don't exercise I don't feel like it and have no desire to.  I know that I should be I am just so down on myself. 

I never reached my goal is there any chance that I will if I get back on track and get my butt in gear or is it to late?  Thanks so let me vent.  Any help would be great!

Julie

We've got very close surgery dates - personally I don't think you've messed up your surgery. I do think that the honeymoon phase is over and now it's time to get to work if you want to lose the remaining weight. I'm right there with you.

Have you kept your follow up appointments with your nutritionist and your surgeon? If not it's time to schedule those appointments. they're the high authority on if it's broke or not.

It's time to get back to basics. Portion Size is crucial. Protein First. Stay hydrated.....and you're not going to like this BUT.........get moving. Find something that you like to do - walking the dogs, jumping rope, swimming...whatever. You put yourself financially, emotionally and physically through major surgery to improve your health - YOU CAN DO THIS.

We're here to help - join us in the daily post that Goody (carrie) does every week day and help keep us accountable.

- iris

You said it yourself... you are not following the rules.
The pouch will only take you so far - it limits how much you can eat at one time... you are deciding what to put into it... work on your nutrition and making healthy choices, you can definately get back on track its a matter of putting the work in.

You dont 'have' to exercise... a lot of people dont... but you cant eat anything and not exercise... calories in versus calories out... so decide what you want to do and find a happy medium. Start slow and make obtainable goals for yourself.. once you get some motivation back then start to challenge yourself further.

Definately nip this is the bud now... you realize what going on so dont just sit back and keep letting it happen... its a slippery slope!

Julie,

Your pouch isn't broken... It's still there, ready and waiting for you to use it. As the Iris and Jenn said, you need to 'use your tool.' As Iris mentioned, the honeymoon is over. You have to learn moderation and work it to make this be long term solution for you. That said, Jenn and I are proof that you CAN do this. Get back to the basics. Try journaling your intake. Often when I 'see' what I'm doing, I make better choices.  I struggle myself, but journaling helps me a lot with awareness and that's more than half the battle for me. Be sure you are getting plenty of hydration, but remember not to drink with meals so that you can 'use' the pouch to help you feel satisfied. You might also try wearing a pedometer so that you have an awareness of your activity level. I find that I tend to move a little more when I wear one... I park farther from the door, decide to go for a short walk, etc... to try to get up to or exceed the 10K steps a day that are recommended. 

I also find that I make a deal with myself. If I think I want to indulge, then I need to have 3 ounces of lean protein first, immediately before the indulgence... when I do this, I can only do so much damage because I don't have room for too much 'bad stuff.' This allows me to 'have my cake and eat it too' without out undoing myself.

I got a couple of books that have been helpful with helping me learn to adjust my thinking about food ... I'm still a work in progress and to be honest, I may be until the day I die... At any rate, the 'Beck Diet Solution' by Dr. Judith Beck and 'Eat it Up' by Dr. Connie Stapleton are both excellent resources. The 'Beck Diet Solution' comes as a book and accompanying workbook. I would suggest you get both. 

Wishing you all the best,