Back To Basics

I am wls graduate, 2 1/2 years post op, and I find myself slipping back into old habits. No one needs to hear the gory details, but I had lost 150, needed to lose about 30 more to get to goal, but instead have put back on 20 (meaning now I am only down 120 pounds and have to lose 50 to get to goal). I need some advice on getting back on track. Does anyone have a meal plan they use when they find themselves slipping? I would so appreciate any and all advice. Thanks so much for your help! Josie

Hi Josie, At least you've caught it now so you can get back on track. One of the many great things about the surgery is that it works no matter where we are post-operatively. We have to choose to use it. For me, I think about what I did initially that worked for me, say at the 6 months post-op stage. You had your food already figured out as far as what you could eat. When I need to go back to the basics, I consider what I'm doing now that is different than what I did before that worked so well to for my weight loss. Am I grazing now? Am I eating more refined carbs now? Have I cut back on my exercise? Am I drinking enough water? Look at the habits that may have crept back in and go back to what worked for you to lose 150 pounds! I know you can do it!! Cathy OH Support Group Specialist

Josie, I agree with Cathy, you were successful for a long time, go back to what you used to do. When I want to get back on track, I use fitday.com which is a free online program where you can enter everything you eat, as well as your exercise, and see exactly how many calories, how much protein, fat, carbohydrates, etc., you are taking in versus what you're burning. It's still all about calories in versus calories out! There are many of us here on the grads board in the same boat. We'll be here for you, cheering you on! Hugs, Connie -147#

Hi Josie, I too am 2 1/2 years post and also lost about 150 pounds. I have since gained back about 25 of those pounds and feel terrible. I eat everything and anything I want just the way I did beore surgery. I can't seem to stop myslef. I have no will power at all. I know I went through a lot, having this surgery and hate the fact that I am letting myslef go right back to where I was. I use to walk 2 miles every day and when I stopped, that is when I noticed the gain. I have never had anything that caused me to dump except ice cream. I seem to greatly crave anything that is sugary especially candy. I never wanted this or ate this to access untill after this surgery. So you see.....I know exactly where you are coming from. I keep telling myself that I need to start eating the way I did just after the surgery however, that seems to be so little. My Dr. had the worst dietician working with him that he actually fired her because she wouldnt return anyones calls and just plain didn't really care about people like us. I really never had anyone tell me what I could eat or shouldn't eat. Support group used to be very helpful but then it got taken over by a guy that thought he knew everything and everytime a speaker or anyone made a comment or asked a question, he had to put in his two cents. I got so aggrivated with him, I quit going. Maybe if we run things off of each other, we can actually help each other. All we can do is just keep trying. Just so you know, I was my Drs. very first patient as well as the hospitals first patient to have this surgery as well. It was on January 26, 2004. Cheryl

My surgeon told us in the early stages to eat as follows: Eat all the protein, then all the veggies and if you have room eat fruit or nuts. Your surgeon may have a different plan but if this helps you use it. 4 oz dense protein (chicken, pork loin, steak, etc) veggies fruit nuts (limited quantities-example 10 almonds) At this point I pretty much know how much my pouch is going to hold so I eat the protein and veggies at the same time. However if I feel like I'm getting full I stop eating the veggies and finish my protein. Most days for lunch I only eat the 4 oz of protein. Best of luck for your continued success.

well, I'm there right with ya. I have had anemia (gastric bleed - duodenal ulcer), but that is not the only reason I gained weight (anemia and fatigue leave you feeling weak and that felt like hunger to me so I ate lots and could not exercise because of the fatigue)...but there are other reasons that I eat like now I am not fatigued, and I have eaten so many bad carbs today - I start out in the morning thinking that I will eat right today, and I start out with good foods, but it just gradually gets worse as the day goes by.....The days I do better, I actually try to time my meals and snacks - breakfast 8:00, snack at 10, lunch 11:30 or 12:00, snack at 3:00, and supper around 6:00...So, I am going to try very hard to go back to this. and no grazing....Also, I am trying to get back to exercising. Definately going to try the support meetings again and going to the doctor regularly.....I feel like we can do this, just got to get some kind of schedule and STOP GRAZING.....DeAnna.