ADVICE:10 year post op and trying to lose weight I have gained.

I had bariatric surgery (RNY) in 2002. I was 21 years old and in a little over a year, I lost 135 lbs. Over the last 10 years, due to bad decisions food wise and having 2 babies, I have gained 35 lbs.

I stopped utilizing my "tool". Not only was I eating unhealthy foods, I was eating a lot of it.  Not at the same time, but throughout the day. Luckily, I still get filled with relatively small portions of certain things.  I am trying to take control again and lose these lbs that have been bothering me. I have been doing so by 1) eliminating unhealthy foods, 2) using my tool correctly 3) Eating 6 small meals a day 4) STOPPING when i have satisfied without feeling like throwing up.

I've joined another site for general weight loss but whenever someone mentions anything below 1200 calories, they lose it.

Following my guidelines above, I can eat anywhere between 850-1000 calories, and feel satisfied all day. I eat mostly lean protein and vegetables. I also incorporate whole grains, fruits and LF dairy. Would this still be considered unhealthy even thought I am a WLS patient? I am not starving. When I get hungry, I can snack on a berries or nuts, and feel fine. I was abusing food before, again, eating all day. I take all my needed vitamins and B12 shots, too.

Although I was eating a lot more food before, the foods i'm eating now fill me up quicker and longer, so fitting in more food even seems impossible.

 

1- how many calories are you guys eating years PO?

2. Are you still losing?

 

Thanks in advance,

 

Cristy

I'm only 3 years out, but currently losing and eating between 700-900 calories per day plus exercise to do it. If you are looking for a good group of people working on this together try the OH Group Back On Track Together (BOTT).

 

 

Thank you Chrispy_Man. That sounds like te exact typre of group i was looking for. :)

Sounds like you answered your own question. Sounds like you have the food part down and are basically back on track? What about exercise?

Hi Keith! I started walking. I did a a little over a mile in 22 minutes. Its a start because I am really out of shape.

 

I'.m just not sure if below 1200 calories was ok given that I have WLS. For those that don't have the surgery below 1200 is a no-no subject in other weight loss forums.

That's great. A mile is a good start. Keep doing it as often as you can. You should shoot for 30-60 minutes per day of walking. Its a good way to burn fat.

Below 1200 is fine for WLS patients. I lost 175lbs eating 600-800 calories per day and only recently have I raised that to 1000. I also work out 10 times per week so the 175 is not just from eating. Eating is the biggest part of it though.

For you 1200 calories should be fine. Just make sure to focus on Proteins first and then veggies. Stay away from sweets and breads. Make small changes that you can keep doing and you will be back to where you want to be in no time at all.

Thank you Keith. I guess I am on the right path. I just bought some small exercise equipment, including a jump rope. I am quit excited to start. :)

Oh my gosh! I'm so excited to see this! I had surgery about 9 years ago (Nov 5, 04') and I too have gained some. I'm desperately trying to lose the weight and I've been walking/jogging around 5 miles a day for a month now. The scale refuses to move! People say its "muscle" forming, but what the heck... I can't believe how discouraged I am! I stopped weighing myself and am trying to focus on how much better I FEEL, but... I don't know, I just have no idea what's going on! :/ Okay, I'm gonna go finish reading your post (& the replies).

Hi Amy- it really is discouraging when we don't lose. I have been eating between 800-900 calories a day. I started on Oct 7 at 211lbs, and today, oct 21, am weighing 200 exactly.

 

I've been sticking to lean protein, lots of vegetables, very low fat to no fat, brown rice/quinoa/sweet potato/ oatmeal,. Very little fruits. Just one daily.    Ive been also walking a little over a mile daily.  30 more lbs to go.

Good for you!! That's great!! My issue is that I'm building a lot muscle in my legs by walking/jogging at least 4-5miles everyday, and eating tons of protein! So while I'm losing fat, I'm gaining a lot of muscle. I can tell I've leaned out, even my husband and neighbor has noticed. I even had to start clasping my bra on the next 'clasp section' (you know what I mean! :P ) I focus WAY too much on the number on the scale when in reality, it doesn't tell what any oportion of the weight is blood, muscle, fat, bone, organs, etc. It really helped reading an article that explained all this. OH! And I read it could hinder your weightloss if you have vitamin deficiencies, which I do. :/ I'm trying to be a lot better with at least taking my multivitamin, Vit-D & Calcium.
Even though I know I'm losing fat, it still is VERY discouraging to not see the actual scale number ever be different. Anyway, I think I'm going to weigh once a week just to keep track. (Even though it's depressing when it's always the same number)