help I'm gaining weight

Help, I came across this message board today and need your help.  I am almost 5 years post op and my lowest weight was 118 (too low because I had complications from a breast lift, tummy tuck and hernia repair)  my steady weight was 132 for years then a couple of months ago I started gaining and am up to 155 now.  My ideal weight for my height/age is 142 so none of my clothes fit and I feel horrible!!! So, maybe it has been too long since my surgery but, what is this water thing?  No water with or after meals?  I have always had beverages but maybe this is what is screwing me up?  Why no water with or 60 min after a meal? I need someone to help me.  After reading this board I am also finding out my dr boe in Belvadier, IL is no longer going to be there!! It was a 4 hour drive from here and was doing my 1 year check ups with the local dr who did my hernia repair and he is no longer around either.  So, can't go there for follow-up or help.  I don't know if I need a nutritionist or what.   If I did the liquid thing how long would I have to do that to shrink my stomache?

Hi,

I was told no liquids 30 minutes before and after a meal. Some folks "waterlog" before a meal, which I don't get.  How can you get in your protein if you are full of water?  They say that it makes the food go down faster and so you don't feel full when you should, and that it may stretch your pouch....although there have been some argument against that part being true.  I don't know if it is or isn't.

What if you went back to the diet you used when you were able to start eating solid food?  If you cut the calories down to about 1000, do you think that would help get some of the weight off?  Are you able to walk to excercise?  Maybe substitute a protein shake or bar for a meal?? I am sure you will get a ton of suggestions....folks on this board have alot more info!  Good luck, hope it comes off!! Laura

i will be five years out in June. I dropped down into the 140's just after my 1 yr anniversary, and stayed there until about a year ago. I got as high as 174 over the holidays, and am back down to 165. I need to get MUCH closer to 150 and hopefully back into the 140's again, as I do not have the funds to replace my wardrobe. There were a number of good habits I had stopped, and bad ones that came back. I'm hoping that continuing to do what I know is healthy will keep me focused and moving down. I began drinking water all day again. For me, I drink minimally with meals. I don't usually drink right after, but that is just how it works, not necessarily planned! Water loading before a meal really only works, as I understand it, if you have stayed hydrated during the day. I figure, you can experiment and see if you can or not tell a difference. I do not exercise. My bad, I'm trying to work on it.  I had begun snacking ALOT in the evening. I have cut that back DRASTICALLY. I know that was a very serious problem and bad habit for me. Going back to the basics is the best and most consistant advice I think you'll get here. Protein and water. Excercise. Limiting yourself and monitoring really closely for just a week or two can frequently retrain your pouch as far as quantities and sensitivities. The other thing I have changed is coming back here for inspiration. Good luck to you!

Hi KumQuat Delight, Wow 5 years out, you are way beyond me; but, maybe I can still give you a little information and help you get back on track...You've only gained back a small amount really, and getting back is still within your reach...You made the first step by getting on to post and ask for help... Water question:  My, and many surgeons and dieticians advise you not to drink during meals, also not 30 minutes before or 60 minutes after...This is so the pouch empty when you start eating and will retain a sense of fullness when you finish but is only full with food (drinking with the meal makes food soupy and it slides out into the intestines slowing the feeling of being full and contributing to overeating)  I also think you should try and see a nutricianist even if it is only for 1 or 2 appts...It would be a good idea to review what you are eating with a food specialist who know about GBS...If you have been doing good at maintaining until just recently you must have been doing alright in your food choices, but maybe recently something changed in your life and you are eating differently - you might try a food diary...A great place to track what you have eaten and how many calories you are taking in a day is a website called FITDAY.COM, this might help until you can talk with a doctor or nutricianist... I wish you luck on your continued journey...Keep posting with questions, people on this site are a great support system... Alesia :-)

Water loading is a technique to keep from over eating during meals and also to give you a feeling of fullness between meals. You drink beginning aboyt 45 minutes after your first meal of the day. You drink as much as you can hold in a few swallows, then sip until you feel full. The feeling of fullness usually lasts  about 25 minutes, then you take several bg swalows again, then sip until full, doing this until about 20-30 minutes before your next meal. This hydrates your pouch and small intestines and causes them to swell, they are sensitive to this and it takes less to make you full during your meal. As always you eat protein first, then veggie and then carbs if you are hungry and have room. You can always use a low carb protein drink as part of your drinking, then continue with the water loading as usual.  I do this every day. I have been a slow loser and on a plateau for a couple of months. But if I don'****er load, I end up eating between meals and find I can eat WAY more than I should during meals. I've lost 105 pounds in a year.

I have not heard of water loading but I was told that liquids with your meals washes food through your stomach so you can eat more without being full. This makes sense to me.  I also find that if I snack through the day my meals are actually bigger than if I eat just three meals.  This is not the same for everyone but I notice it in myself so I limit snacking whereever possible.  Physical activity is important.  Even if I have a bad day the workouts help keep everything stable.  Having said that I am only 13 mths out so it may be different at 5 years.  Hope this helps.

I've heard of water loading, its where they drink as mus****er as possible before eating a meal (I haven't tried this) 

I've heard mentioned when you want to jump start your weight loss go back to basics, liquid diet for 3-7 days and then start uping your protein (protein 1st always), up your water intake also,  no drinking 30 minutes before/after a meal. I haven't tried this so if you do please let me know if it works :)

If by the water thing you are referring to drinking or not drinking with meals...at this point post op, I think the reference is moot.  I am into my 6th year post op.  Gaining and losing are no longer about the early on recommendations.  As they say "fuggetaboutit."   Take a serious look at what you are eating, the choices, the portions, the calories, how often, and why.   Figure out your current caloric intake, the foods you like, the ones you are are willing to give up for now.  By knowing the calories that it takes for you to lose, gain, or maintain...you will know what you need to do to modify toward success. None of this is probably the answer you were hoping for. But here is the secret...there is no secret. No water loading or unloading, no voodoo carb cravers anti-venom, no sugar busters ass kicking powder, no pill...and definitely no silver bullet. Just like "normal" people (and hopefully by now you consider yourself one), this is all about portions and choices.  So weigh and measure, and read, and use portion control, and pay attention to hunger level, and be aware of your intake. Most of all, know that you can do this...the unthinkable is achievable...just take the first simple step. Karen