falling off the wagon

I had RNY back in April 2015. I was doing great and had lost about 100 LBS. Lately I have fallen off the wagon snacking on what I want eating when I'm full and drinking Diet Coke again. I have started to gain weight. Have I runined the surgery or can i get back on the wagon and contiune losing weight. Very confused and depressed.

I am sorry to hear that you are struggling. I just had mine done so I am not sure how everything works.  As part of the program where we are we are required to have before and after visits with the nutritionist and psychiatrist. I think this is going to be really beneficial. We also are supposed to attend monthly meetings. It is pretty structured. Do you have any support system where you are? I know these forums are awesome support with a lot of knowledgeable people who have been walking the walk and talking the talk for a long time. I try to visit here daily even just for a few minutes. It is so encouraging! Someone here has the answers for you and will respond.

You would have to tell us what you are eating, how much, etc before we could help you out.  Could you post a daily menu?  A lot of times, we eat beyond what we should because carb-creep has increased our appetite (as carbs are prone to do).  Dense proteins and good fats can reduce our appetite.

But I am not sure what Diet Coke has to do with anything.  I live off diet soda and low-sugar energy drinks... not a nutritional choice, sure... filled with chemicals, sure... and I am sure I will have a well-preserved plastic liver when I die early... but on the face of it, is not going to cause you to gain weight (unless you are drinking with meals).  As for the b*ll**** myth that carbonation stretches your pouch, I am here as a medical professional to tell you it's anatomically impossible.

Audrey

Our surgeries were 1 day apart, so I refuse to believe that you "ruined" your surgery. I think you got complacent and the bad habits are outnumbering the necessary good behaviors. You know what you are doing wrong (IE- drinking with meals and I'd venture to guess that the carbs are coming before the protein)-- now time to evaluate WHY your are doing those things. 

Yes you can get back at it. If you are depressed, see a counselor to work through the why's and start picking away at the bad habits you've let back in one at a time. 

Something about the caffeine and sweeteners in the Diet Coke seemed to keep me nervous and I do better without it.

I had my RNY the same month/year as you did and have lost about 110lbs so far (hoping to lose another 35).  BUT...I have been afraid of re-gain since BEFORE I had the surgery.  I have tried so many things to lose weight throughout my lifetime and have always been unsuccessful.  AND I KNOW our old habits can creep in and we can re-gain our weight.  So the honest answer for me is that I will always need to be a little "fearful" in order to be successful.  

When I read your post, I think you already know what you need to do...and no, I don't think it's too late.  You and I are still in our honeymoon phase.  Since you are already recognizing your issues, it then becomes a mental battle that you have to fight and win.  I'll admit that I'm not eating perfectly...to me it is not realistic to try to be perfect, BUT that doesn't mean I'm allowed to lose control.  For my 50th birthday I had a couple bites of birthday cake, but I didn't eat a whole slice.  Will I eat a couple bites of cake again one day?  I'm sure I will....but it will be a couple bites...and not a slice.  I don't want to be an obsessive skinny person like I was an obsessive fat person - but I now know this is more of a mental battle than anything else.  

I was told no bubbles ever again.  Lucky for me, I don't like bubbles all that much.  But knowing they are bad because they expand my pouch makes it's easier to say no.  I want cookies all the time still, but I say no, or I have one bite and stop (I think that's harder than saying no sometimes!).  

I have respect for those who live completely clean - protein, veggies and water for life, but to me, I know I would fail if I hold myself to that standard and never get to taste certain foods again.  So, I stay clean most of the time and have a little bite of a treat here and there.  If you can't survive the mental battle right now though, I'd recommend you eat clean for as long as you can to break your new negative pattern.

Use the support available to you.   Ask yourself why you are making the choices you make and I think if you dig deep, you'll find your answers.  Then make the choice to succeed.  We have confidence in you!