Help! I need advice...

Hi all. I had rny surgery in 2007 and lost 100lbs. I was doing great for many years but recently gained some weight back. After reading a lot, I decided I needed to go back to basics. I've stopped drinking with my food, focus on high protein, low carb, cut out all rice, bread, pasta, sugar, etc. I am trying to drink more water and walking more. However, after the first 4 lbs lost, I seem to stay at the same weight or gain a pound then lose that same pound again. This has happened to me so many times when I try to go back to basics - so frustrating that I just give up on the way I know I should be eating for the rest of my life.

Am I missing something? Has anyone had success with losing weight after years of having had the surgery? How did you do it? I need advice from fellow gastric patients that understand that my body is no longer the same as the average person.

Thanks!!!

I'm only one and a half years post-op, but I do have a few suggestions that might help.

Looking back at my pre-op attempts to diet, I think that the panic I felt about the excess weight made me too impatient, and it was counter-productive. I think I might have had more success if I had focussed on making sure my diet was satisfying and that I didn't feel deprived. Then I would have had the patience to stick with the diet despite those frustratingly random weight fluctuations. I would have had confidence that, whatever the scale said today, if I stuck with the diet the weight would eventually come off.

Also, a bit of perspective might help. The amount you've regained is small compared to the amount you've lost. Be proud of what you've accomplished.

The current medical research says that eating breakfast doesn't make much of a difference, so eat breakfast if you want it, or skip it if you're not a breakfast person. For me, breakfast seems to "wake up" my stomach. If I skip breakfast, I don't get hungry until lunchtime, so I naturally eat less over the course of a day. Instead, I use mornings to get a head start on getting my fluids for the day. Sometimes I do want breakfast, so I eat it; no guilt.

Focus on the foods you eat most often. Are there small improvements that you can make that will reduce calories (or carbs, whatever you're counting) without making you feel deprived?

My surgeon advises us to lose to twenty pounds under our goal weight, because almost everyone gains back twenty pounds when their body adjusts to the surgery. Some people gain much more. If you want to lose to 118 pounds now, you will need to cut calories. For me, I only lose when I stay at 800 calories a day and I drop about one or one and a half pounds a week.

Instead of calorie counting, I have lost weight with Weigh****chers. I started in January and lost 20 pounds by April, but gained back 5 when I stopped counting points. Others have done programs like Jenny Craig. What you are doing now is taking in enough to maintain your weight. So it is time to realize that it is going to take more than going back to basics for your body to lose more weight.

Thanks for the advice. :)

My ticker is actually not updated. I was on a medication that caused me to gain 10lbs in a month so I went up to 149lbs, which has been my highest since having had the surgery. I am currently at 145 (some days 144) and stuck here for ever! I have cut out a lot of calories, no grazing, prepare my own foods to have control of ingredients, have a low calorie protein shake for breakfast, and still nothing.

So, my body won't automatically lose weight with the basics? I see how people constantly say that the "tool" still works for them and they've been able to lose all the regain just by following the rules again. This is the reason why I get so frustrated, because it doesn't work for me and thought maybe I was doing something wrong. I may have to look at a new type of weight loss program then, huh?

I believe I'm eating about 1,000 calories a day now. I will try to cut back down to 800 calories and see if maybe this helps.

Again, thanks for the imput. :)

All I can tell you is that it does not work for me. I am either counting calories or points, or I am gaining. I find it gets harder every year. I lost and maintained effortlessly for the first 30 months and it has been a fight ever since. I found out that I love Weigh****chers. I am taking a break for a while, but will go back in January.

I lost 60lbs last year by eating keto/low carb.

I'm a 6ft female and I lost on 1200 calories per day. At your height and weight, I would say 1000 calories are probably too many to lose consistently.

You'll definitely find more success at 8-900. You will need to weigh and log EVERYTHING that passes your lips if you are serious.

Good luck

You are inspirational Kim. You knew what had to be done, you did it and did not waiver from what works!

Hi there! 10 years out here.

Your body is definitely not the same, as the "plumbing" has changed, and of course, 12 years have gone by. That being said, basic human biology doesn't change!

For me, I had to modify the "basics", as I no longer eat animal protein. I do however feed myself really well, to include as many plant based products as possible. I limit my sugar, but definitely allow myself good nutritious bread, etc.

Your body is inclined to want to hold on to the weight. That's where your perseverance comes in. You've done this before, you can absolutely do it again.

I no longer drink alcohol (which has helped me immensely). In addition to making better food choices, I have also started intermittent fasting which I believe has helped me so much. I did lots of research on it prior, and feel it's a good fit for me.

I have decided after being on a diet of some sort since I was 11 years old, I wouldn't ever diet again. Instead, I consciously decide day after day, meal after meal what I am putting into my body and I insist on feeding it well. Does that mean I never have chocolate, or my treat of choice? Absolutely not. I just don't have it every single day.

The daily thread of "whats on your menu" has been a huge help, and helps me stay accountable.

You can do this!

Awww! Thanks Christina. This is very helpful.

Here is what I have always believed about going back to basics. Your brand new pouch is like a brand new baby and you feed it like a brand new baby. Only the foods and the amounts that it can handle.

By six months, your pouch is a teenager and by two years your pouch is an adult.

Trying to stick with the basics is like trying to feed a teenager or an adult on formula and baby cereal. They would not be happy.

Your pouch wants adult meals and can handle those without getting sick. It cannot handle them without getting fat. So you have to find adult meals that keep you content and also help you lose weight. That is where the commercial weight loss programs can help.