12 1/2 Years Later - 110 lb regain

Hi everyone,

I had a Roux-en-Y in Dec 2005. My starting weight was 348 and I got down to 165. I maintained around 180 - 185 for a long time. Believe it or not, I was a size 10 and sometimes a size 8, depending on the dress. I guess I have heavy bone mass.

Anyway, now I'm back up to 280, which has been a slow progression. I lived in NYC for a long time, while I was slimmer and all the walking helped to maintain my weight, but when I moved back to Indiana and the sedentary lifestyle, the weight starting packing on again.

Developed an alcohol problem, but went through recovery and that is now resolved. Had severe anemia issues, had 12 Iron IV Infusions in a 9 month period. Finally had my uterus taken out, and voila... no more anemia.

Now I'm just devastated because I'm back in size 18 pants, and that makes me so upset,, I can hardly stand it. I really need to somehow get back on track, but I'm not sure how to do it. Should I go back on the original regimin, with all the protein shakes and small portions, like after surgery? I mean, I know I would lose weight for sure. That seems like the smartest way...other than having a revision (which my job has opted out of coverage). Has anything particular worked for anyone else?

I read an article that said that a person's metabolism is trashed a certain period of time for WLS graduates. Is this true?

Woud love to get any advice at all.

Thanks,

Rachael

I'm still a baby, by no means an expert. But I think I'd start by downloading a food tracking app like MyFitnessPal, and track everything you eat. Don't make any changes at first, but use a measuring cup to scoop your food on your plate so you know how much to put in the app. From there, set yourself a calorie goal and decide what you should cut out or reduce.

I wouldn't go back to shakes--I'm only 7 months out and wouldn't be satisfied with shakes anymore. It's not a sustainable or realistic way to eat. But stick to the basics of eating 3-4 oz of protein first, then vegetables. Anything else only if you have room after that.

weigh and measure every bite. Eat protein forward with very little non carby vegetables. Eat 700-800 cals a day, no liquid cals, no alcohol, fruit juice,or white carbs. No sweet potato, wraps, chips, corn, oatmeal or fruit.

Drink 64 + oz of sf liquid a day. Take your vits.

It will take a long time to lose your regain. It won't be like that first year. It will take mindfulness and a willingness to everyday eat in the way that let's that RnY still work for you.

Protein first. Always.

No drinking after meals.

Carbs..no. No bread,crackers,rice These are the foods that allow easy regain.

The great news is your sobriety. That's much more impressive than your dress size.

Your still 70 pounds down over 12 years. Trust me..you've done good.

Good luck.

Also posting on OH helps.

Hi Rachel...have you been to your surgeon and got your pouch and stoma checked that's quite a regain..i myself had rny in 2003 and have gained all the weight back I'm going to see a surgeon and make sure everything is working right...i don't think it's all our fault..something must be wrong..good luck

I'm sorry to burst your bubble, but rarely is regain due to surgery failure, it's almost always user error. I absolutely could have regained all my 120lbs loss if I had just given in.

if you have consistently over eaten, you may have stretched your stoma, but none of the surgical "fixes" work. I'll bet there's little to no difference between your anatomy and mine.

Getting back to good eating practise is what works to get rid of regain.

There's an easy way to make sure your pouch is working: Measure out four ounces of grilled or baked chicken breast. Sit down and eat it slowly. See if you can fini**** without getting to the point of pain.

If you're stuffed after 4oz of chicken, your pouch is working just fine. It's all the OTHER food you're eating, that's not dense protein, that causes the trouble.

There are several of us here who have lost regain, but it does involve hard work and commitment. I've lost 54lbs this year to my lowest weight in many years.

It is not like we lost when we first have surgery, but it's still easier because of our altered anatomy.

I follow a strict low carb diet ( similar to keto but with higher protein and less fat). You CAN do this if you want it enough!

You killed it this year!