Regain

I saw your post on FB and popped over to read it. I may or may not be interested. Honestly I'd be more likely to check in regularly on FB than the TMB. I quit coming here because I got sick of the drama and the trolls. And the whole pay it forward thing became too much of the focus. I'm willing to help newbies, but I'm more than 4 years post op and maintaining my weight has become a lot harder.

I woke up about 3 weeks ago and realized that my 15 pound gain had become a 27 pound re-gain and it scared the hell out of me. I'm back on track and have already lost 8 pounds, but I now understand how quickly it can happen and how vigilent I must be.

Let me know when you decide where to go with this and thanks for stepping up.

I know my problem - it's the evil carb monster! And yes, I am a carb addict!

I can't really tell from this post but is there a group set up? And how do we join?

Dana and co, I'm in. Coming up on 4 years, I'm good right now, but have been as much as 18 lbs higher. I'm totally guilty of not making myself and my health a priority, and work stress is off the charts.
However, I'm only interested if it's a private, trusted group.
I'll be honest, I've checked out on daily posting as there is little that applies to us anymore, and my patience for drama and prattle is pretty low.

I am with Rachel; I would only be interested in a private, trusted group due to the trolls, drama, etc that can happen in a public forum.

I'm here, but I'm not sure what I want to say, or how to say it, but I DO know I'm experienced and passionate on this subject. I had a regain problem before I had even met most of you-big ugly 70 pounds, at one point. Re-losing is HARD work, but that tool IS still there, and the lost CAN be done. With the help and love of God, and my FAMILY here, I have re-lost that 70, plus some more and am still on that sloooooooooow boat to goal at 8.5 years post RNY.

My fear would be that the people who truly need the "intervention"--for lack of any better word I can come up right now--would not be the ones to recognize themselves as needing it. Never in a million years would I say "Hey stupid-I'm talking to you"-even when it would be done out of love. What I WOULD do is lend an ear, and give whatever bits of "advice" I may have learned along the way-whi*****lude all the points STEPH numbered-you HAVE to do that stuff, folks-it NEVER becomes totally optional. We went into this as a "forever" thing.

I'll do it on OH or FB-doesn't matter to me-whatever works for y'all. People need to feel comfortable posting WHY they are eating XYZ (maybe filling the void left by the loss of a boyfriend, etc), without fear of ridicule. I don't think I'd be very involved if all I ever read about was someone whining about a few vanity pounds and an imperfect body. Actually, I despise whining in all forms. *****ing is fine, but please do not whine, once you are over the age of 5 years.

If I had to pick ONE thing that has always helped me, it's #3--I have always OWNED my mistakes. I am in charge of EVERYTHING that does-and doesn't go in my mouth. I am responsible for if I do-or don't exercise-even when I'm hurting there ARE certain things I can still be doing. At 8.5 years, of course my pouch has "stretched"-and I COULD use that as an excuse to eat a vat of popcorn-but I still can't eat over 4 oz of dense chicken, so something must still be working in there. People have to OWN their choices and behaviors. You are adults. nobody can MAKE you do anything.

Boy, for someone who didn't know what to say, I sure said alot!!!

Gina if those that NEED it don't apply we can always send them a PM asking them to join.  If they are truly in denial, it won't do them any good any way but if they WANT our help, I want to offer it.  Plus who knows, I might just lose a pound or two along the way too.

STEPH-very good points. I still have "pounds to lose" and Lord knows we always eat/drink better when we think someone is watching us!

Thanks to everyone for their responses and their interest.  We are currently working on formulating a PRIVATE OH "group" where people experiencing regain can go to for support and guideance.  It will be by "invite only" to keep the trolls at bay.  When we get the details ironed out we will post to let people know how to apply for admission to the group.  I don't mean for this to sound like a clique, we just only want people that fit the demographic we are looking for (in other words those over 2 years out and struggling to maintain or lose a few).  We'll be keeping you posted real soon.  Together we CAN and WILL do this!! 

STEPH-you are a true ANGEL for doing this. Other people TALK about doing stuff-You MAKE it happen. I am proud to be your YOUNGER sistah