getting back in control

How do I get back in control of my eating?  I am 3+ years post op and have recently gained 15 pounds.  I am having a terrible time getting it back off.  My eating habits are out of control and I have been eating large quantities of food.  I know to lay off the carbs.  That is what I am doing today.  I think I will eat only meat for a little while and maybe that will work.  Does anybody have any suggestions?  Also, if I eat only meat will that hurt me?  I really need everyone to say a little prayer for me as they read this.  I really need it.  Thank you.

Hey there, I am sorry you are struggling. May I offer a suggestion? If you are going low carb, an excellent way to do this is to go out and purchase the "South Beach diet" book. There are a ton of great recipies in the books, snacks and information about how carbohydrates undermine dieting efforts and lead to weight gain, also how they are necessary..but there are good and bad carbs. Its a great educational book and the doctor who wrote it, Robert Agatston (spelling) is a cardiologist so it is very heart healthy. I started this diet before surgery to lose the weight to have my surgery..and it worked great! when I fall off the wagon, I pull it back out and read it again..it helps me, I hope it helps you. :) And its MUCH healthier than a 100% protein diet..which is very, very hard on your kidneys..and also tends to be high fat as well, and thats not good for your heart or cholesterol. :) good luck! I hope you lose your 15 quickly. :)  If portion control is what you are after, another good book is "french women dont' get fat" and its written by the Vice President of  the Veuve Cliquot Champange factory. She struggled with her weight and then adopted an entirely french way to percieve food as an enjoyment without having the necessity to "dive" into it. She talks about savoring what you are eating and making the most of what you eat. Isn't maintenance fun? :) LOL I am struggling myself, so its nice to know there are others out there who are in the same boat.

Keep us posted on your progress!

Thank you so much.  I have actually read South Beach and I have done other low carb programs.  I have just let myself  lose control and can't seem to get it back.  I think I need to get that other book, though.

   Curly: Hi !   I don't have any answers, but wanted you to know you are not alone!!  I am in the same situation as you!!  It is so frustrating and even a little scary, to feel so out of control!!   I've put on around 15 pounds too, and it is so hard to get on the ball !  I also feel like I eat large quanities, and make poor choices alot!!  I have tried the all protein, and just shakes ect.  I don't seem to stay with any of it long enough to get where I want to be!  I think that maybe instead of  the dieting mentality (which never worked before!)  we need to recommit to our lifestyle changes.  I am going to start measuring portions again instead of eating until I think I'm full.  Also you are right about the carbs, they need to go!!  Best of luck and hope you find what works for you!!   Keep us updated and pass along any hints that work for you!!!    DeeAnn

You know, that is a great idea.  The first year after my surgery, I weighed my food every day. Later on, my son started playing with my food scales and broke it.  I just never bothered to buy another one since I was still dropping weight off.  I am going to go out and purchase a new one this afternoon.  I can't remember what my doc said about how many ounces I should be taking in.  I think it is around 6 to 8 ounces.  I could eat double that in carbs!  (carbs are evil)

I have heard we should eat 1 - 1 1/2 cups depending on type of food.  I need to find my scale (buried and dusty I'm afraid!!)  and start measuring!!  Carbs are bad if they are the simple carbs (think anything white)  Complex carbs are good for us and  contain fiber, which fills us up!!  Good luck Curly we can do it!!!!!     DeeAnn    Let's banish the evil carbs!!!

Okay, first of all take a DEEEEP breath!!   One more time!  (It only  calms you if you REALLY do it! haha!) Let's look at this thing: you're 3+ years post op and if you were REALLY  "out of control" you would have gained a whole lot more than a mere 15 pounds. The goal is HEALTHY - diet's didn't work before - probably not gonna work much better now. Address this thing based on what YOU know works:  check your drinking w/ meals - are you drinking/eating  making "soup" allowing you to ingest more?  Are you snacking when you actually might be thirsty?  Snacking too late at night?  How is your "balance" - getting in  all the food groups?  If not you might have a natural "craving" going on to fulfill that need in your body - she needs certain things to fuel and will "crave" (call for it****il "she" get's it!.  You know, really looking at what you're ACTUALLY doing will probably pretty much head you in the direction you need to go! I'm proud of you!  Three years PLUS - post op and you've maintained SO MANY POUNDS lost!  Awesome! Judy 9/6/01   6 years!!! 292 159 & maintaining for 3.5 years

I am so sorry you are having a difficult time. I think that anyone that has ever been MO can relate to this out of control feeling. When the carboman gets hold of me and sugar **** creeps in, I try to up my protein and drink more water. It seems to help with the cravings. I sometimes supplement with a protein shake (I like Champion Nutrition ProScore 100 in Chocolate that I get from vitalady.com.) Anyway, you have done amazing and I think it is good that you are nipping it now!  Dianne from FL (Prayers went up!)

I am curious to know since I am only 3 months out and food taste different than before surgery and sometimes I can eat only alittle and other days somethings go down without issue or feeling of being full,  when your as far out as you guys does the original taste of some foods come back and taste normal again.  I don't think me and pork will ever be friends again.  And when you gain weight this far out is it because we don't follow the protein first rule.  Or is it because we can hold more food than at first?  I assumed our pouch wouldn't would not expand anymore than what we put into it and of course if we abuse it consistently it would making us feel like we are still hungery because we did stretch it.  I am curious to know if years out that after just a cup or a cup and a half of food do you feel full or have those little dumping issues that some get? I have so many questions

Hi Lynn, I dont' think that there are any absolutely correct answers. I think that everyone is different and each situation is different. Some people lose quickly, some slowly..it does not mean one person does a better job than the other.  I think the one absolute is that if we dont' get control of our eating issues, then we will find ourselves possibly obese again. As far as food tastes, I also noticed food tasted differently after surgery than before. For me, it went away after 6 months or so..but some things, like complete garbage like a Tommy's Burger (had a bite of my husbands..almost puked it tasted so gross..and I used to LOVE them) or refined foods like twinkies or candy bars (which I dont' touch..but had to try) taste nasty to me. Which is good. I've noticed food once again tastes good, which is dangerous, but I still get dumpy when I eat too much and I'm 16 months out as of Sunday. I get sugar sickness if I eat too much sugar, sometimes if I eat sugar substitute. So, each of us is different.. a lot of people throw up..I don't.. I've not puked since my surgery..not once. I've had food come up, but it was whole and it came up because I ate too fast and it never hit my stomach, so I dont' consider that puking. I can dry heave for hours, but nothing comes up. so, we are all different. :) I hope I was able to help. jess