needs to start back on weight loss

hi everyone, i had weight loss surgery 4 years ago in may. i still have 30 more pounds to lose. but let me fill in the blanks may 20th, 04 surgery (my husband was  sent to iraq right after this, he had a 16 month deployment). dec o5, found out i was pregnant (what a shocker but i guess thats what happens when you have weight loss + return fron iraq). sept 8, 06 new baby (ok now i can start to lose that last 30lbs) working on losing but i guess the honeymoon for the surgery is over, also i'm dealing with my husband and his ptsd from iraq. may27,07 my husband died (so stress is now very great with 2 children to raise alone and other issues of learning about life). so here iam 4 years out i want to lose that 30pounds. i have to be 130lbs to fet the tummy tuck i want so bad. can anyone please help where do i start, my frigging dr from surgery never sees you. he sends in the nurse practricationer. please send me some suggestions about what has worked for you. i started a diet to day i started on protein and water. please help.

Hi, welcome to the OH Tennessee forum!  If you need to get back on track, a wonderful thing is the 3 day liquid protein train as found on Bariatric Eating.  Many on the RNY board and WLS Grads board are doing the 5 day pouch test as seen on Kaye Bailey's LivingAfterWLS.  Both are the same concept but the 3 day lpt, well its just 3 days, plus it is more lenient on you as you can eat a supper if you choose.  I will link you to the rules of both.  Basically its back to full liquids, mostly protein shakes.  It helps you to get rid of the craving for those bad carbs that have jumped back into your driver's seat and taken over the steering wheel, so to speak!  3 day lpt 5 day pouch test Once you get back "on track" and need a schedule or routine to follow, I would suggest Susan Maria's Basic Bariatric Eating Plan.  It also contains a vitamin schedule.

Hi Lisa,

  First I would like to tell you how terribly sorry I am about the death of your husband, please accept my sincere condolences. 

  My heart goes out to you and your children.  From what I understand, a grieving parent will feel that they must be strong for the children and that would be completely understandable in the situation but they say that dealing with this loss is an extremely difficult thing, and you just might not feel so strong all of the time and that's okay. Possibly family and friends could help take over for you at times so that you can spend some time alone working on your own grief issues.

  If at all possible be sure to take care of yourself. You will be more effective in helping your children if you have done some necessary things to help yourself.  Sometimes a grieving parent will think that seems selfish when they should be helping their children, but helping yourself is helping your children.

  I think you have started in a wonderful place to come back to where you felt help and support from in the past. Do you have a local WLS support group that you attend?  Don't be too upset if your actual surgeon does not meet with you on follow up visits.  It is not uncommon for them to have a nurse practitioner see the patients and most of the time the nurse practitioner is vastly knowledgeable and helpful.  I am a patient at Vanderbilt and the nurse practitioner there is absolutely wonderful.  She even takes time out of her hectic schedule to call me and make sure I am doing okay with a particular issue I was having and talked with her about.  I know that is pretty rare and I am thankful to have her on my WLS team. 

  If I could encourage you to try to make an appointment with your WLS center and discuss all of the issues and events that have taken place in your life the past 2 years I feel certain the team could help you get back on track.  The team includes the nurse practitioner, the nutritionist and a psychologist.  All the team works together to help you get back on track in a healthy and safe manner.

  Lisa, I want to give you a big hug Hun and tell you that you are not alone.  Please let us know your plan so that we can support you. 

You have my sympathy for the loss of your husband. Let me say first, that you are doing a good job just maintaining your weight as you have while dealing with all that you have been through.  Now, do you have a local support group? If there is one connected with your surgeon's office and you have not been a part of it, start now. Let them know what you are dealing with and get involved. If there is not one, perhaps you can get in touch with other WLS patients in your area and schedule casual get togethers to get to know each other and form your own support group. The info Mel has posted about the 3 day LPT is a good place to start. Susan Maria's eating plan is also good to help you get back on track. You can still lose weight even this far out from surgery, it will just take more work on your part. You don't say how tall you are so I am wondering why you have to be at 130 for a tummy tuck. Is that a requirement of your insurance company or your surgeon? Just asking because my PS just required that I be at a steady weight for 6 months prior to surgery and that I be at least 18 months out from WLS. My insurance policy does not cover plastics so no requirements there. Please stay in touch and let us know how you are doing.

Congrats on your weight loss! I am sorry to hear about your loss. It sounds like you have been trhough a lot these past couple of years. You have done a great job keeping the weight off and only being 30 pounds from your goal. You should be very proud of that. Why do you have to be at a certain weight for the tummy tuck. Is that your choice? I never heard of a plastic surgeon requiring that. If yours is, you may want to check into another one. You will lose some weight after having your tummy tuck as well so that will help you reach your goal.  I have heard great things about the 5 day pouch test. I haven't tried it yet but am planning on doing it later. From what I have heard others say about it is that it kicks starts your pouch back into the habit of restricting "bad" food and over eating.  Other than that, I would say to track your food (like using fitday.com) to see how much calories, protein, carbs ...etc you are getting in everyday so you can modify it. If you can't get in to see your surgeon, do they have a nutritionist in the office? I would make an appointment with the nutritionist and get a plan together.  You can do it! Good luck and keep us updated on how you are doing.

thanks everyone for posting.  i have been to the differents and looked at them. tonight after the little goes to bed , i can read more. I started out at 245pounds, i'm 5'1. as for the tummy tuck thats what a plastic surgeon in kingsport told me and also my wls dr. said this also. i have as i call a terrible donelap at my stomach.  i no longer have health insuranse , but waiting patiently on the v.a. to decide if we get my husbands vetrans benefits then we'll have health insurance (my kids have coverage). i have done pretty good so far the last 2 days for protein and water intake. thanks again for the post.

I am so sorry about the death of your husband.  You and your little ones are in my prayers.  I lost my 21 year old son 8 years ago.  Grief is a hard thing.  (That's an understatement). I gained over 60 pounds after his death.  Take care of yourself.  I have heard good things about the 5 day pouch diet. Marilyn