I need a starting point....HELP!

So here I am 5 1/2 years out.  I had Roux,.N- Y. Textbook, no problems, got down to size 6.  Now I'm gaining and I'm scared and I need help.  Monday is D-Day, I'm going to force myself to do what I know is right and start using my "tool" again.  Start walking/running, drinking my protein.  What I want to know is what is the easiest way to kickstart so I get the best results.  Have I totally screwed up my stomach by just eating and gaining or is it still basically the same size and just needs me to use it like it was intended.  I've read lots about liquid startovers....help me figure out what I should do to get the maximum results the fastest and make my stomach work for me again.  I need to lose 25 to feel comfortable...35 to be back to where I was for 4 1/2 years as a size 6.  I need to do this now before I get so out of control I can't fix it.   I'm here to tell you,,,,it's only as good as you make it and use, it won't work if you don't....I'm proof.  So suggestions????? ...of course, I know I have to start eating right.  I know the plan.  I just want to do something that will tell my stomach I'm serious again and I don't know if I need to go back to Day 1, or soft foods or what the best way to do it is.  I'm going to start reading posts here, but I really could use some support and shoring up.....THANX in advance!

Gay -189#  3/28/01

PS.....I have an uncontrollable urge for sweets.  big time....does that signal that I need something in my regular diet that I'm not getting.....

Hi So! Boy can I feel your pain!!  I am 3 1/2 years post open RNY and I am struggling with a regain too.  My lowest weight was 154, which lasted about 1 day!!   I hovered around 165 for quite awhile.  I have grazed and "cheated" my way up to 174.  I have been on and off a modified TO for the last month.  I keep losing and gaining 4 - 5 pounds.  I did get to 168, but went up again   I am really wanting to get back to 165,  I feel better at that weight.  I still get in my clothes, but just feel fat!!  It's a head issue all the way!!  I know if I would use my tool correctly I would lose again!!  It's the diet mentality all over again, which I thought was over with after this surgery!!  I still have restriction, but I don't dump as a rule, and unfortuntely I abuse it     I seem to crave sweets more than ever.   It is so frustrating, because obviously diets didn't work before, and here I am again, having to do it!!   I know I need to make healthy eating a lifestyle, diets don't work for us!!  The biggest problem sits on my shoulders!! (it's truly all in my head)   I am definitely a food addict!!  Counseling would probably be a good thing, but is unaffordable for me at this time.  I guess like with all addictions, we have to take one day, even one hour at a time!!!  If you get any good ideas, please post them!!  I  don't know how many of us are really prepared for the eventual return of hunger, and increased ability to eat.  I know I wasn't !!!  Best of luck, we all need to stick together and support one another!!!    DeeAnn

carbs/sweets increase the level of serotonin (the feel good chemical)in our brains.  The good news is that regular exercise does the same thing!     I know if I eat high carb I want even more and more of it.    5 weeks ago I started a low carb, higher protein diet and my car cravings are pretty mu*****ontrol.   This week I tried a modified start over plan.  I do a protein shake at breakfast and lunch.  I eat small amounts of other protein as snacks, cheese, boiled egg, yogurt, deli meat, then I allow myself a reasonable dinner 1 peice of meat and a nice veggie or salad.  I have an evening snack, small piece of fruit or more protein.    Exercising is now up to 1hr a day and I cant remember when I took a day off this past 2 weeks.  If I can do this anyone can.

I can comment that for me, as soon as i put the first carb containing anything in my mouth that is when i am hungry! I eat a 12 gm protein with only 4 carbs each morning even though i am not hungry. As soon as i eat lunch, i am hungry there on out and craving BADLY the mid afternoon sweet. I noticed this am that i had my mid day sweet prior to lunch and that's when i got EXTREMELY hungry. I do best if i do the yogurt for BF, lunch time protein drink, with fluids from BF-3pm when i eat a 200 calorie low carb meal. I am finding that the later i eat an official meal, the later my cravings begin and then i just have to occupy myself throughout the evening. So i eat at 3 pm, get home at 5 pm, go to the gym and eat again around 7 pm. If i eat too late i wake up hungry in the morning as well. So this is what i am trying to reduce my gain. Best of luck to all of us!

Wow...thanks for posting...you are confirming exactly what I have been finding since I switched the way I eat, my hunger doesn't truly set in until I have eaten something. I think the power bar I eat has 10 carbs/5 sugars but it is after that which is usually aroung 11am when my hunger starts.

I will be three years out end of next month.  I was a lightweight to begin with....so it was a long frustrating journey because I lost so slowly!!!!  I eventually was able to lose 115lbs the first year 1/2 and in the last year 1/2 was able to graze 15lbs back on!!!   I completely understand the feeling of craving sweets...and bread!!!!  I also had on many ocassions the scary feeling that my pouch might have stretched back to its original size.  As time went on I was able to eat so much more than after surgery.  I had three hernia repairs in the last year so I would ask my surgeon to please check each time...he would always assure me that though it had stretched a tiny bit it could never go back to its original size.   Anyway on July 16 I decided that enough was enough and decided to go with South Beach Diet....That will be 2 weeks this Monday (July 30) and I have lost 5lbs so far....I know not alot but remember Im a lightweight so its huge for me!!!  The main thing is that I have completely eliminated my cravings for sweets/bread in these past (almost) 2weeks...and the most important thing is that yes...tah-dah...my pouch does still work!!!...I am completely full with my meals, getting 100 0z. each of protein and water a day, walking 3xwk, and feeling 100% better about myself!!!!  The best thing that I can advise is that no matter what route you decide to take to help lose your regained weight, it is so important that you have just merely decided to take this first step!!!!! You can and will reestablish control of yor pouch!!!! Stay motivated, and good luck...you to will be able to post your loss accountability post in a few weeks....I too was lurking here just a few weeks ago and was so encouraged and motivated by others to take the plunge!!!! So congrats and GOOD LUCK!!!!  You can and will do it!!!!

Don't worry Gay-we've all felt a bit out of control at times.  Pat yourself on the back for grabbing that bull by the horns!I would suggest getting back into a support group and consulting with your NUT as soon as possible.  Even though your situation may be a bit discouraging, you don't want to do anything you couldn't stick with AND would encourage a healthy lifestyle change.  I don't think you really messed up your pouch (only your Dr. could know), but you have probably trained it to your current eating habits...the good news is all you have to do is retrain it!  I'm trying to lose a few as well, but after consulting with my NUT and tracking my food, I realized I was NOT following the rules and that's why I gained, plain and simple.  My NUT and surgeon are dead set against liquid diets this far out because our body needs some good carbs and too much protein (no matter the form)can be tough on the kidneys.  So I'm back to eating 6 times a day, no more than 1/2 cup (with at least half of that as protein) and movin' my butt!  Guess what?  It works!  I'm making healthy choices and don't feel deprived so there really isn't much temptation.  I know I can get up to 8 tbsp of food about every 3 hours...and truth is, there have been occasions when two or three of those is a sweet treat, but I don't beat myself up about it 'cuz I know I'm still workin' the tool and it's still workin' for me!

All the best!

Thanks for this post. I have been feeling so guilty and alone lately. Like I fail. I lost to 167 and now have gained back to 197. I dont want to fail. I don't want to go back. I am glad to know I can use my tool again. I have a glimmer of hope again. Its funny I got so sure of my self I quit coming here and reading and finding support. I need a good kick in the pants. I will be back for sure. Thanks again

Thanks for all the great replies, it is so great to know I'm not feeling this alone.  For so long I got so used to looking in mirrors and windows and marveling that it was me that I was looking at!  Now all I see is the big me again, even though I know I don't look as bad as I feel like I do....So tomorrow when I wake up it will be a new day and a new way of life again....one question I have is how much is reasonable carbs?   This weekend I started looking at the amount in what I eat and even the sugar free hard candies I bought to suck on seem to have alot....I know I can get the protein, but what should I aim for in keeping carbs in balance and low as my day goes along?  I never had to watch the carbs before and the weight just slid off, but I know now that carbs can't be my safe place anymore, I have to substitute a quick walk or water.  Is there safe carbs that I can enjoy that you all have found that you really like?  We have to have them for good nutrition, but it just seems when you look at the amount in even simple foods they are so many grams.  You know it's funny how you really, really notice the extra pounds when you've been so thin for so long, I never realized it when I was large what an effect all the extra pounds have on your body, I've started to ache again and popping Tylenol,  how dumb is that???  So again, thanks for your support...until I can get to a meeting locally, this is a great place to get the pep talks I need to make it!