gaining weight and feeling scared

I had the r-n-y 3 years ago and lost 100 lbs. I had gained some weight back but lately it seems as if I am gaining more and more each week. I have gained 30 lbs but most of it has happened over this past year and I can't seem to stop gaining. I am not sure how to stop the gaining. How do I jump start my system again? What basics do I go back to? I am at a loss ---- I just don't want to gain any more and I would like to lose what I have gained. I just feel lost, depressed, and discouraged. Any advice? Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks! Joanne

Hi Joanne, From what I have read alot of people have gone back to the basics, protein, water , low carbs. I have been going to www.sparkpeople.com there I keep track of what I am eating, water and they also give you exercises. Good Luck, Sandy

http://www.amylhwilliams.com/pouchrulesfordummies.html The basics would be the Pouch Rules......here's a link from Amy's site. When you're not sure what the problem is, an excellent place to start is simply by gathering information and shining a light on the situation. How much ARE you eating and of what type of foods? How much exercise are you getting? If you're not sure, try tracking it somewhere like www.fitday.com or www.sparkpeople.com. Are you getting in your vitamins & supplements? Are you getting in your protein? Are you grazing or are you eating distinct meals? Do you know how big your pouch is? If not, try the cottage cheese test to measure it. That will help to see how much it has stretched out, and whether or not the meals that you're eating are big enough to provide the 'fullness' stretch you need. Good luck - I can understand how discouraging that would be.....that happened to me about thirteen years ago when I went off the medical fast (the only successful weight loss I ever had prior to surgery). --BT

I have two suggestions, mostly based on things I've read plus my own personal experience. I'm not as far out as you, but I intend to do these things on a daily basis so that I don't regain what I've lost. Anyway, the two suggestions are: (1) weigh yourself everyday and keep track of your numbers, and (2) write down everything you eat. This information allows you to make small adjustments on a daily basis and helps make you accountable for your daily choices. For me, I know it would be only too easy to gradually slip back into my old habits and gain a pound here, another pound there. If I don't hold myself accountable every day, I'll wake up one more and not like who I've become again. And I've worked too hard to allow that to happen. I agree with the folks who suggested that you go back to the basics - high protein, low carb, lots of good fluids, and exercise. I suspect that you know what you need to do, it's just finding the motivation to do it. You worked hard to lose that 100 pounds and I'm sure your health and self-confidence were a lot better after that loss. Look for your motivation in how much better you feel when you weigh less. Look for it in your ability to be more physically active. Look for it in the pleasure you get from being able to buy and wear smaller, more attractive clothes. Look for it until you find it, then hold it close and be mindful of it every day. Best of luck to you on your continuing journey. May you find peace, health and happiness. Kellie

Hi Joanne, Congratulations to you for recognizing the problem and seeking help. In the past five years I've done a lot of observation of wls patients. The ones that are the most successful seem to have the following in common: 1) They do not consume liquids with meals, and wait at least an hour after meals to drink. I'm 3 years postop and many times I'll go an hour and a half or two hours because it's easy for me to still get in enough fluids the other times. It keeps me feeling full longer. 2) They exercise. The most successful do both cardio and weight/strength training on a regular basis. 3) They participate in some form of support group, either in person (if available) or online. 4) They are faithful with getting enough protein, fluids, vitamins, minerals, etc. to stay healthy. 5) They eat protein first, vegetables second, fruit third, and "white carbs" last if at all. It's possible to be successful if not all of these things are in place, but it makes sense to me to do them all most of the time. Am I perfect? Of course not. But letting the good habits replace the bad ones is the biggest part of the battle. Stay here with us and we'll help you in your endeavor to get those pesky pounds off. Hugs, Connie -147#

The others have given you great advise. I'm 33 months out from surgery. Like you I see the pounds wanting to creep up on the scale, but I will admit I'm not eating correctly. Every time I let the simple carbs back into my diet I see weight gain. I've just cut back on the carbs again so hopefully the 5 lb gain will soon be gone AGAIN. You followed a program to lose the weight so you know the way to do it. Just make up your mind to get serious again. If you eat something you shouldn't disgard the guilt and go back on your program immediately, not the next week, not the next day. Best of luck for your continued success. Yes you've gained some weight but you are still a success.

I'm going to jump in here a little late, but no one suggested you making an appointment with your WLS doc. You may have something metabolic going on, like low thyroid or hormone imbalance. Check in with your doc to be sure nothing else is going one except food choices and/or lack of exercise.

Girl..I can relate... I feeling like Alice when she was just falling, spiraling down, down, down.... I am 2 years post op this month..lost 100lbs but never reached my goal..i'm still over 200lbs...But I was happy with that, believe it or not, just because I am grateful that I am healthier and had no major complications.... BUT...I haven't lost any weight in over a year-and wasn't discouraged because truth be told, I was content with my little meat on my bones-no hanging skin- I swear I never wanted to be skinny in the 1st place..BUT now-I gained like 10 lbs. And that may not seem like anything to anyone- I am so depressed because I have no motivation or support to do anything about it. I feel hopeless..and I graze all day. I might as well be back over 300 lbs!! I read advice about going back to basics-BUT DOES THAT REALLY WORK??oR IS MY WINDOW OF Opportunity closed.???? I posted this in some messageboards, see if I can get some good advice too. Good luck and keep in touch if you find something that works..I'll do the same!!!!