VERY frustrated 6 years out!!! Please encourage me!!!

Hey everyone!  I have come to a place in my journey where I know that I have to change a lot of things to be successful, and one of the most important is I have to stay in close contact with all of you who are walking in the same shoes I am!  I had RNY 5/7/01, and went from 275 to lowest weight of 140.  Size 26-28 to 6-8.  I have crept back up over the last couple of years to about 160, and wear a 10-12.  That's not bad, right?  Well, to me it's just a reassurance that I have lost control, and I need some encouragement.  I know how blessed I am to have been given this tool, but I also know how hard it is to use it since I am now able to eat at one sitting as much as and sometimes more than a regular woman.  I feel just like I used to when I was big.  I eat too much and or the wrong stuff, and I feel physically sick, but moreso, I feel disgusted with myself, but in no time, that feeling has passed, and I want more.  I am dealing with a LOT of stress in my life, and that has always lead to my eating problems.  I need to find out how to overcome this before I sabotage myself.  I already feel depressed and fat because my clothes don't fit, but I just keep right on.  One thing I would like to ask is if anyone would send me some info on carbs and protein.  My Dr. never really gave me anything on that subject.  Like I just knew how to count carbs.  I've never done it, and don't know where to start.  Also, the protein--- He never told me to drink shakes or anything, but I know that I don't get enough, and even though I take a multivitamin everyday plus extra B12, I feel so tired and drained all day, and my hair still falls out at 6 yrs. post op.  I am starting back to school next month, and need some energy, and need a fresh start when it comes to my health and the success of my surgery.  Any encouragement and advice would be greatly appreciated.  I think some friends who have been through the same thing will be so good for me!  Thanks everybody!!!

Hi, Maybe you should go to Weigh****chers? they will help you count carbs and protein and explain how to do it.  Or you might try calling your nutritionist that was there in the beginning.  She would explain the carbs and protein - you should be eating at least 50 grams of protein a day and the least amount of carbs possible.    Sounds like you are slowly stretching your stomach back to the old size. be careful it does happen.  Do you honestly want to go through all that again?  Get up and walk away from the table, use smaller plates, use a baby spoon and put your fork down after each bite.  Read up on your info  that you got in the beginning and stick to it.  it isn't worth gaining that weight back again and the pain and suffering that goes with it.  Good luck  

There has been some negative comments about the Time Out protocol that some of have started to use when we feel out of control but with that being said it has really helped me gain a measure of control when I am feeling lost.  I would suggest to you to really up your protein even 50 grams a day is not enough (try for 80 to 100) .  Try drinking protein several times a day (Nectar was suggested to me and I LOVE it).  Have mostly protein meals.  Limiting carbs is a must for many of us because they cause cravings for more, they don't keep you full and they are so "easy" to eat a large quantity can be chomped through in no time.  There has been alot of talk about stretching your pouch but it can only stretch so much and if you reference "Pouch Rules for Dummies" you will see that even those with the largest possible pouch (barring surgical failure) can be successful if they follow the pouch rules. Good Luck, Carla

Thank you for the info, Carla.  What is the Time Out protocol you mentioned?  Also, where do you get the protein?  I live about 80 mi. from any large city, so I would probably do better ordering it if it's not to expensive!  Thanks again!  Beth

Netrition.com has really good pricing and shipping cost. There are several threads on TO and Sugar Busters,  Modified T/O. etc.  Basically, it is 3 or 4 protein shakes a day with a salad for dinner.  But when I use the plan I eat a dense protein meal for dinner. Good luck

I mail order from GNC at http://www.gnc.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2507816&cp&sr =1&origkw=gram+slam&kw=gram+slam&parentPage=search I love the Gram Slam.. and right now they are on sale. I drink one in the morning now. At 50 grams of protein it is a good drink. Kind of thick and I love the chocolate. It replaced the crackers and bad breakfast foods. I feel better drinking it.  Good luck... we're all in it together.

I know how you feel. i had open RNY on Nov of 2001 and i went from 303 to 140 and now i am at 185 and holding. I know i have to take control again but it is hard when you can eat pretty much anything you want again. I do get sick on sweets but other then that i can eat about what i want. i am feeling embarassed at times because i know i should not do the things i am doing and i really want to get back to a healthy eating habit again. i am only 5ft 6 and i really do feel like i am fat again. i will pray for you and myself to get back in the right frame of mind and we can both help each other get back on track. i would love to get back to at least 150. i have maintained at 180 to 190 the past three years but i still feel fat. Lets see if you and I can get back to focusing on our well being again. email me anytime at [email protected]    Bruce

Hi sewmama! First of all I want to congratulate you on your initial weight loss.  I am almost 7 years out and I gained 42 pounds since June 2001 from my lowest post-op weight of 139 pounds.  By March 2005, I reached my highest weight of 181 pounds. I understand your frustration.  I am on the losing side again and since January, I have lost  20 of the 42 pounds slowly and steadily without any weight gains.  I'm not sure of the suggested amount of carbs and protein we should be eating and I decided not to follow any specific diet plan.  You probably heard many times about going back to basics with upping the protein, the water and the exercise but it is the only thing that is working for me. I reduced my carb intake by replacing white carbs with whole wheat products and eliminated most fried foods (my weakness is fried chicken wings that I must have at least once a week!!). Please check out my profile and be encouraged.  You can do this.  Good luck and many blessings to you. Char

OK, I know you are feeling down, but you are not YET out of control.  It is great that you recognize the signs that you are on the slippery slope to bigger weight gain though.  Staying on this forum and/or connecting with a local wls group will help you keep the motivation to change your eating habits.  I am also sad that you had surgery before good nutriton help and follow-up appear to have been the norm.  Your lack of enegy and loss of hair suggest a very serious vitamin/mineral deficit.  I suggest you go back to you surgeon or find someone else who has kept up with wls procedures/reseach and first see what supplements you may need to get you basic health back into shape.  You should not be losing hair, lacking energy and feeling crummy.  Protein is essential.  You should get in at least 60 gm per day, 80 grams would not hurt you.  Protein helps reve up your metabolism and builds muscle. Now that you know a bit more about protein, I hope you are taking in more.  Please post back about how you are doing, and please see your doc.  You can do this.  Good luck.

I do feel your pain!  The protein levels that I was told was don't go below 60 grams.....get it anyway you can...food or shakes!  At our stage food is probably better because its more dense and will keep us feeling full longer.  Lord knows on some days I could eat a house!  I am in school now and its an adjustment in life.  I don't regret being there its just really stressful sometimes and I don't get the gym time I use to because I am not totally focused on it alone like I was in my journey.  I really believe when we lose the weight we find so many opportunities and we try to make up for lost time and do them all and do forget about the basic things we did for ourselves.  I am trying to get back on the road with food and exercise.  Its hard when you have strayed.  But I do believe we can do it.  We can get back to the basics and remember we are the most important person in our world. I hope all goes well for you and thanks for posting!  Reading there are others out there longer than I still making it work keeps me trying!   Debbie