the secret to your success?

I will be a year from RnY out on February 15 and feel very happy with things so far. I was thinking last night about long term success. Do you think there is something specifically that you do that has kept you successful [i.e. keep protein over X amt, journal, exercise, never eat white food]. I am thinking it's probably a combination of good behavior, but I also suspect that each successful graduate probably has their own 'technique.' I know that the journey is really just beginning to maintain good health and not regaining. I've worked hard to get all my ducks in a row even prior to surgery, and I want to stay proactive. Any thoughts? xosm

VITAMINS AND SUPPLEMENTS!! Since I keep battling anemia, I cannot stress enough...make sure you are taking the RIGHT KIND of iron and Calcium too. Calcium deficiencies can cause extreme leg cramps that are hard, and I mean HARD to walk off!! Mine, one night was so extreme, I started to panic because I could not lay my foot flat on the floor, that I quit breathing and I passed out. Hyperventilated big time. Sucked, and hurt too!! I am only 2 yrs out, I am still starting the maintenance phase, so I am not long term yet. Laura

OK, well, good, I think I have this one covered. I haven't missed a day [or night] of supplements, well, EVER since my surgery. I haven't needed iron per my great labs. And I take Calcium Citrate - which I *think* is the right kind, right? Did you know another reason for leg cramps is QUININE and or potassium deficiency? I had a patient who had debilitating ones years ago [before all the hype about restless leg syndrome] and she had to go thru these painful leg studies. Anyway, I can't remember the last time I got a leg cramp [knock wood!!]. Thank you for your response, I certainly don't feel like a 'grad' yet, even though I guess I will technically fit in the category in a few days. I feel like I am still learning so much! xosm

What is the right kind of calcium and iron?

Hello, I'm 19 months out now and reached my dr goal @ 9 months and personal goal @10, it took about 6 weeks more to figure out how to stop loosing...So far I think my "secret" is no big secret at all, since then ( and I plan, into eternity) I have been following the pouch rules of focusing on making sure I get protein with every meal, drink plenty, moderate exercise 3 days a week ( do water aerobics for 60 minutes), limit daily intake of white carbs and the biggie, weigh myself every morning - Weighing daily may not be recommended by many; but, for myself, I find it is the greatest re-committment...I allow myself a 5lb fluctuation range, when I get near the top, I know this is the time to be more mindful of what goes into my pouch and will take a day to monitor my food on fitday...Each of us has to work out a plan that works for them, take the pieces of information you have available and mold them to fit you - that's my best suggestion... Congratulations on making it this far and good luck... Alesia

Thank you Alesia. I still can't imagine I'll have a problem trying to STOP losing. During this last year I had to stop weighing every day, because I KNEW I was doing the right stuff per my FitDay intake and when I saw a tiny fluctuation or not move, it would make me feel crazy. So I stopped, and for a while I only weighed twice a month, on the 1st and on the 15th [my anniversary date]. That worked for me then. As the weight slowed down towards the holidays I weighed once a week, and now I am back to daily. I am so eager to lose the last 18 pounds to my first goal, I want to make sure I don't mess up. And at this point, since I know I can get off track, like you said, I want to make sure I don't. I was exercising 5x a week, but started a PT job in January and it's down to about 3x a week. I do the treadmill for at least 40 minutes in my target heart range. I would love to add weight training [or after my hernia is fixed, a yoga or kickboxing class] but right now I'm still trying to balance out my new job. Again, thanks for your response! xosm

Hi and welcome to the Grad board!!! Here are some of the things that keep me successful: 1. exercise---so important both for weight loss and maintenance 2. not drinking liquids with meals ---and now I wait 60-90 minutes after I finish eating to start drinking (when you're newly post-op you can't wait that long or you'll dehydrate) 3. protein first 4. veggies or salad second 5. hydration---water or calorie-free beverages 6. of course, all the vitamins/minerals EVERY day 7. if I get off track with my eating, I do get on fitday.com and enter all my food and exercise for a few days, just to be aware of what I'm doing 8. studies show that those that go to support group meetings faithfully tend to have more long-term success OK, so not one secret but several.....LOL Stay here with us and we'll help you with your long-term success!! Hugs, Connie -147#

Hi Connie! Thanks for the welcome. Like I said, I don't feel like I fit yet, but I am planning to stick around. I have a question for you about drinking with meals. I don't, never have tried, I thought I physically wouldn't be able to, but I don't know. Are some people able to do this? I just can't imagine finally having gotten out of the habit and then going back to doing that. When I reviewed the rules of the pouch in early January I realized I WAS drinking too soon after [I was only giving it 30 minutes, now I aim for at least 60]. I am definitely good with the fluids, I easily get in 64-96 ounces a day. So easily, in fact, that I think I should be doing more. I find it's just a matter of habit and making sure I have the water [or protein drink] in front of me. I love to drink, I really enjoy water and I love the physical feeling of fullness and the energy the hydration gives me. I had gone to one local post-op support group and wasn't crazy about it. It consisted of really, really new post ops and a couple of just a year out folks who were NOT following the rules [in fact, had never heard of them] and COMPLAINING the whole time that they were gaining. Needless to say, I didn't feel supported. I joined WW at about 7 months post op as part of my personal plans to rediscover portion control and normal eating. I found a leader that I loved and since everyone there had the goal to lose or maintain and WORK TOWARDS THAT [instead of just expecting the pouch to do all the work!], I felt really supported. But it turned out with the points plan I fell back on eating too many carbs [and even though I was losing weight, I didn't FEEL good]. And going back to the rules of the pouch FELT better. THEN the support wasn't as helpful, and too expensive to hold on to when I'm weeks and weeks away from goal. Anyway, long story not as long, I am going to try another local WLS support group [luckily I live in an area where I can chose from a few]. Thanks so much for your response! This PARTICULAR board has been so welcoming and informative! xosm

Some people do drink with meals and it allows them to eat a lot more, and you get hungry much sooner because the food has run right through the pouch. I see this a lot in people who are regaining weight. Also regainers tend to replace protein with "white carbs". They start out with a few carbs, and they go down so easily, they replace more and more protein with carbs. That's just been my observation. Connie

I know the theories behind why we aren't supposed to drink with meals, I was also told that if I did try it would make me I'm just surprised that people would get back into drinking with meals after not really being able to tolerate it, but then again, I guess I shouldn't be surprised - there's always that post from the person who says they do dump, but they eat sugar anyway Anyway, I, for one, feel like I've done a good job breaking that habit, but I will be sure to keep on top of it. I totally get that white carbs go down so easily - I can tolerate everything, even steak from almost as soon as I was cleared to eat it, but I still see the difference. I also notice that white carbs don't give me that full feeling, I could still easily overeat chips or cake. Thanks again, I will make sure I continue to be diligent about these points. xosm