Regain

Dearest Meggie, my little surgery twin...THIS is why I have always said,  "we GET each other" and no else does!!  No matter the issue, we NEED to be here for each other and we need to be OPEN and HONEST about what we are feeling without fear of retaliation or being "shunned from the group".  We will always be here for you and I know that deep down you have to be terrified of further complications.  I know it wasn't easy for you to type what you just did-I'm proud of you munchkin.

OH MEGGIE!!!!  I CAN RELATE TO YOU.  I had the same fears as you do now.  I was FORCED to eat unhealthy foods for so long.  I was told to find the highest calorie foods.  I did not have the pain, but I was unable to keep anything down.  I was so worried that I would get used to eating that way.  When I had my surgery reversed, I did good at first.  I did not take it for granted.

Unfortunately, now that time has gone on, I have myself making excuses.  There is NO EXCUSE FOR MY 61 LB weight gain.  I did it to myself.  I have got to stop eating comfort foods, and emotional eating.  I may not have my "TOOL" anymore, but I still have my knowledge.  I still remember how I need to eat.  I have never exercised. 

It is time to stop making excuses.  I have got to get back on track and start taking care of me.  The last thing I want is to see the scale say 287 again.

I am so in.  Thank you Step for getting this started.  I am looking forward to meeting you guys in person tomorrow.  No excuses... I need to start being accountable.

-Kim T

Yes my dear, you of all people you truly understand what I go through!! I have been asked by my Doc, my PCP, my GI Docs, my Mom, my Sis, my SIL ,and my friends if I am or want to reverse it. My answer is...NO NO NO!! I know my self too well I would far surpass the gain you have had!.

My heart goes out to you!! I can't imagine how hard it is for you without your tool and I am so glad you are in this new group and hope it will help you. Those that have specialty problems really need our help and help is hard to find at our stage of the game.

I am still looking at going to the Cleveland clinic and if i do go I will be glad to share whatever I find out with yall.

If anyone is having problems that have not been addressed or to you not fit anything you read here, PLEASE speak up!! You never know...someone else my have the same problem but is embarassed to talk about it. It is hard to share some info but you might find out you are not alone.

So speak up you lurkers...we are here FOR YOU!!!

Meggie

Great post, Ms. Stephanie.....

Have a nice day,
Lisa

I too would love to join a private group to discuss these issues.  I go to my dr.s support every month but just like you say, its for newbies and its more my paying it forward then support for myself.  I have stopped coming to OH every day but know that I need to.  I need the support and need to be able to admit things that I am too ashamed to admit somewhere in public.  Like most of you, you become a role model for those that are looking into or have already made the decision to do WLS and the fear of showing failure to them is too much.  I guess I shouldn't use the word failure as I know I haven't failed, I have stopped exceeding.  Anyways, I will keep checking back to find out how to join. 

Thank you Stephanie for making this happen.

Count me in.

Wow, I am in that same boat. And holy ****! Have you been watching my every day moves Steph? I think at least 8 of 10 apply. Today is the first day and II have started back again on  track today. Some simple things I am doing. Following a weight loss plan that has worked for me in the past. Thanks for posting. Right on track and much needed.  

Hi everyone, I lurk alot and post occasionaly. I too have regained and my body seems to be happy now but i fear of gaining way to much again. I have trouble with portion size and sweets.I wish that sugar would make me sick but it doesn't so I am struggling. I hope that I will be allowed to join your group,if not I understand. thank for listening to me right now.

tammy

Great post, Stephanie! 

Although I barely meet the 2 year post-op criteria - I would definitely join a private group.

Since there aren't many people with VSG more than 3 years out, much less anything greater than that - I don't have any idea what the future holds.  I'm have not had any regain that wasn't intentionally.  Back months ago I declared my range of 143-149.  I haven't seen anything over 148 since I made that declaration, but it is always a possibility.

The first year, I lived for weight loss and lived on the TMB.  Since reaching goal and having been within a 4 lb range for almost a year, I do my best to live a "normal" life.  I eat what I want, when I want - but not nearly as much as I did 2-1/2 years ago.  My problem now seems to be really going back to the real rules to help King stay on track (even though he's doing wonderful with his weight loss).  I can't very well preach to him "stop eating those freaking Cheez-its" if I'm sitting around eating sugar cookies.  Difference is, I've met my goal and am maintaining easily enough.  He still has about 20-25 lbs to go and considering he's only 4 months post-op that sounds great, but if he doesn't stick to the plan those 20-25 lbs may never come off.

Like most others, I strayed from the TMB because of the constant negative posts, drama & trolls.  I still take a peek now and then, but rarely post.

I would accept an invite to the private group, if only to keep up with the struggles and learn what NOT to do in my coming years.  The struggles others before me have faced and continue to face, quite frankly, scare the **** out of me.

I haven't been on the TMB or to any support groups because I didn't want my WLS to define who I was. For too long being fat defined me. I just wanted to live my life. It isn't so much regain that recently has me worried, it is just that I got lazy in my choices and not taking my vitamins. Now all my vitamins are very low, I've been getting sick a lot, and have been extremely tired. I've been eating the wrong things, sugar really doesn't bother me, and I can eat more if I don't make the right choices. Recently the doc (Garth Davis) put me on a gluten free diet, and said he doesn't believe people should really eat meat. SOOOO everything I've been taught about protein and whole grains has to be changed. I'm relearning another new way to eat. As for cross addictions, other than coffee I really don't have them.

I just hit the 3 year mark, and realize regain is a big possibility that I must avoid. If that means letting WLS define me, than so be it. I would rather that, then go back to being MO and having all of those health problems. I've addressed the diet issue (it is expensive to eat gluten free, but let's hope it works), the vitamin issues (bariatic advantage chewables aren't as scary as I thought they would be, actually they are quite tasty), the iron problem will be dealt with tomorrow at the ob-gyn. NOW it is the excercise issue that has to be addressed, and I need to get my pouch back to that happy tight feeling it once was.

 Thank you SO much Stephanie for this post. It made me think about where I'm at, where I've been, and most importantly where I NEED TO Be.