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You had the VSG correct? You need to focus on dense protein first and then if there is room a few veg. Your stomach restriction isn't gone - you are probably eating foods that slide through and that you can eat in volume so you think you have stretched out the stomach. TBH what they leave isn't that stretchy.
My advice is to measure out 3 ounces of dense protein like chicken, steak, whatever protein you wish and eat that first each meal. If you don't feel full add some veg - no drinks with that and no carbs like rice potatoes, etc. In a few days you will see that your restriction has been there all along - you probably got off track by eating foods your shouldn't. If you are eating sugar/processed foods and a lot of grains those have got to go.
Highest W 312 Referral W 252 Surgery W 237 CW 156 Height 5'6" 
Before you contemplate more surgery can I sincerely suggest you read the book "Food Junkies" by Dr. Vera Tarman 2nd edition. This is a book about sugar addiction and how to abstain.
I too had VSG in 2011 - weight loss lasted less than I year and I started to regain and lose just like pre-surgery. I binged and restricted and got deeper and deeper into the bad food again.
I read Food Junkies and FINALLY recognized that I had a food/sugar addiction - just like alcohol or drugs, sugar lights up the dopamine in your brain and you are in trouble. I joined the website that Dr. Tarman has and learned that I was not alone. I learned I could not do moderation and that one bit of sugar led me to a binge over and over again. This isn't an issue of willpower but rather what sugar does to the brain. There are many many bariatric patients on the website that like me were told to moderate all food. That doesn't work for many like me.
I started abstaining from sugar back in 2018 after gaining a lot of my weight back. I would go many months and then relapse. I kept fighting the desire to be "normal" and kept convincing myself that I could moderate. I have now been totally sugar free for over three years. I had to limit grains as well as grains are so processed and turn into sugar in our system. I lost most of my regain (10 pounds short of my goal) and for ONCE in my life my weight is stable and has been for a few years now. I no longer have 3 different sizes in my closet. I can wear clothes I bought several years ago because surprise - they still fit. For once in my life I have food peace - no cravings, no food hangovers, etc. etc. I do not feel deprived and for the first time in my life I feel in control of my eating.
I would highly suggest you give this way of eating a try - more surgery is not going to fix anything if you have a sugar addiction. Check it out and see if you recognize yourself.
Highest W 312 Referral W 252 Surgery W 237 CW 156 Height 5'6"
Thanks for your replies, everyone! I have Notifications turned on, but didn't get a single one letting me know anyone had replied until Dawnie's this morning. Anyhooo...
So I ended up doing some research on Semaglutide (one of the newer medications being used for diabetes and obesity treatment). After reading and reading, and looking at SO many patient reviews and experiences (particularly post-VSG people), I decided to go for it. It's amazing how the tiniest little injection works so well... for me, I started feeling the effects immediately. The day I did my first injection, I could only eat maybe a cup of chicken Caesar salad that night (usually I can put down a lot of salad) .... just filled up SO fast. Food noise is gone, appetite is gone -- I literally feel like I did in the first months after my surgery--able to eat anything, I just don't want to. I'm not constantly thinking about what's next. Not going through my head what's available at home to snack on after dinner, and whether or not I need to stop at Dollar General for junk food on the way home. It's amazing.
My thinking is this: My sleeve is still there, it still works great IF I eat what I'm supposed to. Using this to help re-train my thoughts and habits to get where I need to be is showing me that; it's teaching me again to watch for my full signs (hiccups), stop when I'm full (and full does NOT mean stuffed where you can't eat another bite), and not take a break for a few minutes and start again. Between this, and knowing what I know now about sugar addiction, and what my danger situations are, I think is going to keep me from gaining it back again in the end.
Anyway....that's where I am now. Oh, I lost 15 lbs the first month and have been hovering there the last 3 days, but we all know how that goes! :D Thanks again everyone!
HW 258 SW 246.4 CW 166.8 GW 160
(reflects loss from all-time high weight in November 2009)
Hi Dawnie! I actually remember you from back then...not specifics, but your name at least! Posting a separate update below. :)
HW 258 SW 246.4 CW 166.8 GW 160
(reflects loss from all-time high weight in November 2009)
Hi there, Skylark! So I'm not going that route, but I have found what I think is my key to success...updating below! :)
HW 258 SW 246.4 CW 166.8 GW 160
(reflects loss from all-time high weight in November 2009)
Hi there! I had my sleeve in 2010. These boards were so helpful at the time. I went from 360 to about 170, stayed at 190 for 8 years then started working third shift, and eating more often. I still have great restriction, I just eat bad things, and drink pop. I gained to 260, now I am back at 228...trying to get back below 200. It's a struggle. I am in MI too, I had Dr. Foote in GR
At this point your tool is pretty much gone and the only way to weigh less is to eat less calories than you burn. The tool works for between 18 months and 30 months for most people and stops when you go back to regular eating. It will never again be the same as right after surgery. But you can count calories and exercise and lose more weight or maintain your loss.
Real life begins where your comfort zone ends
Greetings,
So I really hit a low point with some financial stress that I went through with a small business I have and reverted back to my old ways of dealing with things - very poor food choices over a couple of months. I feel terrible, but I am ready to get back on track.
However I have some concerns. I am able to eat anything and even drink at the same time now - a year and a bit out from surgery. I don't get the "foamies" if I eat too much, etc. I don't get the full feeling that I was still getting right before my crash.
What I am saying is - I am worried that the "tool" that was supposed to help me is no longer there to help keep me in check.
I know the stomach can't be stretched to what it used to be, so I am fine with that knowledge after doing some research. However I am wondering once I go back to eating properly, drinking more water and getting my protein - will things go back to how things were prior to my 2 months of screwing up or is that probably gone forever now with feeling full, etc. Like I never had the surgery.
I looked into a pouch reset - but it seems there is a lot of misinformation out there. That this is not a real thing from what doctors have said - like drinking just shakes for a week again or whatever will NOT reset your pouch.
I would appreciate feedback on the above and if anyone went through something similar - what was your experience to get your sleeve back on track.
Thank you very much.
FW
Thank you! Very inspiring!
I forget how much I was initially told to take. But at a year and more out from surgery, that initial recommendation is pretty much moot. Have bloodwork done, as you did, and adjust as you go. You obviously need to add more iron. Many also need extra B12, D3, and calcium as well. Did they check all your B vitamin levels? Hair loss is much more likely to be a deficiency in one or more of those than iron.
Even non-surgical folks run into vitamin and iron deficiencies. Do yearly testing, and adjust accordingly.
6'3" tall, male.
Highest weight was 475. RNY on 08/21/12. Current weight: 198.
M1 -24; M2 -21; M3 -19; M4 -21; M5 -13; M6 -21; M7 -10; M8 -16; M9 -10; M10 -8; M11 -6; M12 -5.
