Need Help Getting Back on Track

I am seeing a common thread lately - post-ops 2+ years out experiencing regain - myself included. I am 3-1/2 years out, lost to goal weight in 1 year, maintained at goal entire 2nd year, and started regaining after 2nd anniversary. I have gained almost 30 lbs, and am freaking out. I don't post much, but I do read - almost every day. What I would really like to see is responses from people *****gained weight, but have conquered and successfully lost the regained weight, indicating what they did, how they managed to get through the first days (that's usually when I crash & burn), and how they managed to stay focused and on program in order to lose the weight. I realize the holidays are a very difficult time to make these types of changes, but if you're like me, you'll reach another clothing size (in the wrong direction) before you get it under control, so what better time than now to get back on track. Please help those of us who are suffering, and post your successes! Happy Holidays, Betsy

Oh my go**** was as though I had written that post my self. I am in the exact same situation you are in. Hopefully someone can give us both some great advise. Brenda

OK-- I "3rd" that !!! I really want to hear those stories too - I am struggling daily with lack of patience, disappointment with myself, and on and on... ok I am whining !!! I will stop. Anyway -- I hope all of us that have regained know that we have each other for support !!!! Kera Open RNY 3/3/03 253/110/140---UGH !!!!

Betsy: I am in your shoes as well. I am 3.5 yrs out and regained 18# over the past 6-8 months. I came to this board two weeks ago, crying for help. I have gotten some really great advice, but ya know what? We know what we need to do!! Go back to the basics, follow the rules!!! Protein. Protein, drink, drink. No drinking with meals. Cut out the carbs, exercise, etc!!! See for me, I can see much clearer now. I just stopped following the rules. Somehow got it into my head that I had the "magic" answer and would never gain it back. WOW!! Was I wrong!! I had just quit following the rules, quit using fitday, quit coming here, drinking with meals, etc.... Blah, blah. I finally went back to just liquids for three days and it has helped me enormously to get ahold of the "head hunger", the carb cravings and has remotivated me. Well, the scale has motivated. Down 5 pounds in just a few day. The three days were tough: drank protein drinks, crystal lights, broth, jello. Ya know the same things we had post op. My head is clearer, my weight is down, but even more than the scale, I am back in CONTROL!! We can do this. We can be in control of food and use it for fuel. It is so hard. I so wish that the surgery was on my brain as well as my stomach. I so wish that my self esteem would be tied to who I am instead of the scale. Wouldnt that be nice? Go back to the basic pouch rules. You can do this!! Cheri

Cheri - Your reply really hit home with me. I just wish we weren't right smack in the middle of the holidays. I can't find 3 days in a row in the next few weeks when I don't have back-to-back parties, company, traveling for christmas, etc. But I am going to schedule a 3-day detox of only protein drinks, crystal lite, broth and jello, and see if it will jump-start me back into control. I just hope I can make it for 3 days. Thanks for your posts - everyone! Betsy

I know.....boy do I ever. The second day was the hardest for me. Even if you do two day or even one. The whole point is to get back in control. Log everything that goes in your mouth for awhile. Really is a slap in the face!!! LOL Hang in there Cheri

Cheri: Thanks for that post. As a person 10 days pre-op, I am reading all about maintenance, so I can be motivated to always remember the core facets of the program. I am so appreciative of all of your posts. Regards, Megan

I also am in the same boat. Everyday I say this is the day I will get back on track. I need help!

Hi Betsy - Are you keeping track of your intake to see what may be causing the regain? Have you changed any habits in the last year - perhaps being a little more lax with carbs or something? How much exercise are you getting? If you haven't already, you might join a site like www.fitday.com or www.sparkpeople.com and start tracking your food. Also - I have an odd question for you.....did you have liposuction done if/when you had your plastic surgery? I'm curious as to whether removing the empty fat cells helps in staving off regain, perhaps in removing a form of hunger (the empty cells wanting to be filled) or because the body would have to burn energy creating more cells if the old ones are gone. --BT

When I read your reply to her, I thought your question about the liposuction was good as I have always wondered how that affects the body and hunger and weight. Maybe we are both odd. LOL. I have always wondered if removing all of those fat cells would help or hurt weight maintenance. I know so many people who maintained their weight so easily until they had plastics done. I know that for myself I got down to a weight and stayed at that same weight for well over a year with very little effort. Then had plastics done to the breasts and tummy. Then it seemed like overnight my weight wanted to go up with me changing nothing. It has been harder to maintain my weight since I had plastics. And I follow the rules and exercise and everything. Don't know if it has any connection or not to the plastics and fat and skin removal. But it is a very good question. If you find any answers on that you will have to share them with us. Melissa