I do not know what to do

I am about 4.5 years post op. Originally I lost 100 lbs in one year. I felt great. Shortly after that the lbs starting to crawl back. I have gained 55 lbs back. I feel terrible. Last year I was diagnosed with endometrial cancer and needed a hyst ( I am 33). Since I am now in medically induced menopause the weight seems to be sticking with me. Earlier this year I tried to cut out most carbs and lost 1 lb. I could not believe it. Normally I would lose about 8-10 lbs that first week but I only lost that one stinkin pound I realize now that I did not use this surgery as a tool but as a quick remedy to my overeating. I do not know what to do. I am going on a cruise next month and when i get back I am going to more healthy and stay away from the crap. If I do not see any results I am going to have to go back to see my surgeon. Has anybody used weigh****chers post op? As much as I would hate to do this should I start back as if it was day one? I do not even remember what I was allowed to eat in the early post op days. Thanks - Tracy

Once you're back from the cruise, try the protein train..... Here are the rules: The train ride is for seven (7) days. The goal is to put your body in ketosis and burn fat. Therefore, you must STAY BELOW 20g of carbs PER DAY. Go to google.com to read about ketosis. On this train ride, you CAN NOT eat: - Bread of any kind (bagels, crackers, waffles, pancakes, toast, wheat bread, white bread, rye bread, pumpernickel, sourdough - you get the picture). - Rice - Potatoes (white or sweet) - Flour - Gravy - Beans - Sweets (cakes, pies, candy, cookies, M&M's or anything in this family) - Fruit nor fruit juices - Nuts (pecans, brazil nuts, walnuts, peanuts, hazelnuts or anything in this family) - More than one (1) green, leafy, vegetable You CAN eat: - Any meat (read the labels because some meats have carbs) - Jerky - Eggs - Cheese - One green, leafy vegetable per day (collards, turnips, kale, spinach, romaine lettuce, bibb lettuce) BROCCOLI AND GREEN BEANS DO NOT FALL IN THIS CATEGORY. - Protein shakes (read the labels) - Protein bars (read the labels) - As much water (or other SF, Sodium free, calorie free, caffeine free, carbonation free beverage) as you can hold. NO BENDING THE RULES!!! Try to make good choices on the cruise.... no "last suppers"... it will only add to the work that you must do. Check in with your support group here.... We're in the same boat, reaching for (or trying to maintain goal)... We can do it together.... Aim for the moon, my friend, and even if you fall amongst the stars, you'll be okay.... Just don't give up!!! Denise

Denise, I'm on BAF alot so I see the ladies are riding the train this week- are you one of them? I'm "all aboard" for next week. Gotta drop some weight and make my month's goal!

Yes... ma'am.... CHOO CHOO, I'm a protein train rider from BAF.... It's been the only thing to jumpstart my weight... I'm down 3 lbs since the train left the station on Monday.... I'm on travel next week... gong home to DC.... hope I can stay on the train!!! Denise

Denise - wow, thank you for the way you really spelled out how the train ride works. I always have 'questions' to try and clarify things...and well, you did an awesome job but can we have things like lunchmeat (if it shows no carbs on the label) and what about mayo (if no carbs)? How about yogurt? Just check the label for carbs? Cottage cheese - I would think that would be okay since we can have cheese...just thought I'd get a few clarifications while on the praise wagon! Thanks again!

Check the labels.... no carbs, no sugar... you're go to go! Denise

Look at the positive first: you're still 45 lbs down after 4 1/2 years!! That's way better than regular diet statistics. And probably you'd weigh a lot more by now if you'd never had the surgery. So that's success!!! Your tool is there forever - it'll work! You've had surgery (a big surgery at your young age!) so cut yourself some slack. Forgive yourself and turn yourself toward HEALTHY again. Maybe on the cruise you could make exercise a goal? Actually that could be a really fun thing to do - I'll bet there's all kinds of neat stuff to do. You can do this!! Age makes a big difference in how fast you lose, too. Gone are the days of the teens and 20's where the weight just melted off - but you're 25 years younger than me and I'VE lost 15 lbs of regain and kept them off for 6 months!! BE STRONG! Get back on the horse! Your WLS pal, Bette

Tracy, I have been out as long as you. I had a baby, divorce, etc and gained about 30 pounds. I never really knew that there were "rules". I have always been a "grazer" and ate around my pouch all day long. That is guarranteed failure. This past year I have educated myself. I thought, why should I have to "diet"!!! especially after having this experience and surgery???!!!. Anyhow, I found these rules and have lived them and the weight is coming off at about 2 pounds a week. It is hard to follow the rules. I had to quit grazing. Here is the web address: http://www.nikkiinmd.com/pouch_rules.htm Please let me know if I can help you! Shelly

Shelly. Great article. It helpmed realize what I'm doing wrong and how to fix it. And, the good things I'm doing. I appreciate that you posted this!!!

Tracy, I was so relieved when I read this article. I thought I had totally ruined my pouch and went through all of this for nothing! I am working at really following the rules this time. I never realized there were any! And I'm a registered nurse. When we had the surgery four years ago, they weren't doing alot of patient education like they are now. We can do this. Just print out the rules and reread them often. Shelly