Almost a WLS, need advice

I'm almost 11 months post-op and getting ready to join your graduate board instead of the RNY board. I've done great, lost a bunch of weight with no complications. My weight loss has slowed and I think I may be about finished losing weight.. I know I'm about to come to the hard part, keeping the weight off. What's the most important thing? Exercise? Limiting carbs? Counting calories? Lord knows I never had much success before my WLS, and I don't want to blow it again. Is it pretty much written in stone that I'll regain some weight over the next year or two? Thanks to all of you - I've written y'all before when I had some questions and I got some helpful information here.

WOW! You have accomplished losing a major amount of weight in a short time.  Congratulations I feel that there is not only one important thing to do but several in order to maintain our weight loss.

1. Keeping to our pouch rules as much as we can.

     a.Eat protien first       b.Don't drink with meals       c. Watch carb and fat intake       d. Drink a minimum of 8 glasses water or SF beverages a day    2. Take in 60-80 grams protien a day   3. Get regular exercise  4. Take your vitamins  5. Go to support meetings or get support on line or anywhere you can get it.  6. Get yearly follow ups with your surgeon and have your blood work checked. Don't feel that a weight gain is something that will happen, it isn't neccessarily written is stone, but if you do have some gain, and want to lose it go back to basics before things get further out of hand. All the best for your continued success and good health. Sher

I think all the good habits established early on continued to be important when it comes to maintenance.  It continues to be important to follow the rules; protein first, no drinking with meals and taking supplements as prescribed and exercise.  I don't believe it is written in stone that you will regain weight.  I think it is important to weigh in regularly so the weight doesn't creep up gradually.  I know not paying any attention to the scale is part of the reason I gained weight.  Now I weigh once a week to make sure I am staying on track.   - Mary

Commitment. Beyond commitment, I believe the following are vital to long term success: Measuring Portions Choices (600 calories of cream cheese frosting vs. 600 calories of grilled salmon, vegetables, and a grain) Planning Preparedness Knowing your hunger level Writing down everything you eat within 15 mins. of eating it Heart pumping exercise at least 30 mins/day Willingness to accept success and challenges Karen

the most important part for me is ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE no matter what happened after my surgeon made that first cut into my abdomen I was determined to be grateful---even if I never lost a lb I was grateful for the opportunity to have a chance to regain my health. That "attitude of gratitude" held me up through all the plateaus, the troubles healing after PS, the rebound that occured at year 3 1/2. now I will add a second most important thing for me is exercise-but it goes along with the first theme of gratitude. Every day I can exercise I am grateful that with the DS I am so healthy. Also I found an exercise -swimming and water aerobics that I love and adore. That is the "me" time in my day where I am not a mother, wife or co-worker for anyone. It renews my body physically as well as mentally.

Congradulations on  your  sucess..  What  you  have  done  since  your   surgery  is  the  success  for  your wls  to be a  life  time .. I  have  never  looked at  life any  different  when I   reached   goal  ... I   just  use  my  tool  my  WLS  to  maintain  ...  Our  success  is  the  weight  maintaining  and  a  healthy body  and  a  awesome  atittude ...  Atittude  has  helped  me  the  most  ..  I have  realized I  need  the  support  of  other  WLS   after  reaching  goal  more  than I  ever  did   loosing ..   Stand  proud   and  know your  not  alone  you  have a  big WLS   family  here to  support  you  rejoice  with  you  ....  Have  a blessed  day..  :-) Tami

Hi Wanda and Congratulations! You've already received so much wonderful advice and I agree with all of them!!! It's alot of trial and error, but you'll figure out what will work best for you~then you need to stick with it! Wishing you continued success!

Thank you all. I look up to you for your perseverance. I'm sure I'll need your help along the way and I appreciate your time.