How hard are you finding it to maintain ??

at first I was scared to post here and then I realized that technically I AM a grad...if the criteria is 1 year out like the locked topic says.

I'm considering a revision to RNY.  It's a scary prospect yanno?   I am super depressed about having failed at one surgery already.

So realistically,  is it impossible to maintain?

What are some challenges?

Do you still get full on small amounts after such a long time?

Thanks for any help.

If you're worried about maintaining....have you considered the DS? The long term statistics for the DS (you can find several studies on my profile) show that most DSers (over 90 percent) are able to maintain their weight loss long term out 10 and 15 years.

Scott

Hi

I find that I still have to exercise and watch my diet.  The good news is the tool still works if you ose it.

I still eat small amounts and I don't pu****


Paula

i just converted on Monday.  I can keep you posted as to my experiences if you'd like. 

I am two and one half years post RNY and maintaining. It does take work but our tool will work if one follows the rules. If I follow the rules ie. protien first, no drinking 30 minutes before or after eating I feel full after about 2-3 oz protien and a few spoonfuls of vegetables and whatever else I am eating. It is not to say that I don't treat myself now and again but don't make it a regular thing. I can tolerate most foods now but chose to limit them. Remember this surgery is a lifteime commitment to take your vitamins and supplements and learning to eat healthy and in small amounts. It is also important to get adequate protien in each day. Every day brings challenges but  the success I obtained with the help of this surgery  gives me the motivation to continue to be successful and maintain my weightloss. It is so worth the changes to feel healthy and fit.

Sher

 It takes work....but I knew that going into this.  I watch my intake more than I ever did in my life. you could say I am focus on food all the time, but not in a good way. I control food, it does not control me.
I agree with the other posters, protein, fruits and veges. exercise, I stay sugar free, and I try to stay away from the white carbs.

I am over 3 years out on RNY, and still can't eat much. I maintain with no problems. I eat any type food, and still don't gain. BUT I don't eat very much, my portions are still small. That's what I had the surgery for, the help it would give me with weight loss and maintaining that loss.

Looks like I had my surgery on the same day you had yours although mine was RNY.  I have been maintaining very well with a minimal amount of effort.  It actually does take SOME effort, however.  I stray occasionally but usually try to balance things out by the end of each week;  some weeks it happens, some weeks it doesn't.

I'm sorry you have had difficulty.  Figuring out why and how the band has been difficult for you will hopefully help you decide how to proceed.

I get full on small meals, but I have to eat more than 3 meals a day.  Doing something that gets my mind on something other than food is helpful to me.  I almost forget to eat sometimes, however my stomach usually lets me know about it.  I'm big on consuming sugar free popsicles if I have already eaten enough for the day.

Good luck.

I would consider the DS as well as the RNY.  Either surgery can stand you in good stead, but it really depends on your personality and your preferences as to which would be a better fit.

See, something that Tammy just said above me made me think.  She said she's always focused on food, but not in a good way.  She works really hard.

I don't work hard and I'm not focused on food, aside from making sure I get my protein in every day.  Food is not the focus of my life anymore.  The DS freed me from having to rigorously diet and having to constantly monitor every morsel that crossed my lips.  I did not want to have to work hard anymore, having worked hard at every diet I've ever been on (and they were legion) and having failed at maintaining any weight loss on any of them.  I was completely out of fight.  I wanted a surgery that would work hard for me.  Since my DS, I've lost 146 pounds and maintained that loss damned near effortlessly.  I'm ridiculously healthy, as certified by my doctor last Tuesday.

Come to the DS board.  We've got lots of revisions there - RNY to DS, LapBand to DS, VBG to DS.

You are lucky that you don't have to work at this.  I think most folks who have had WLS of any type will say that it is only a tool and that we have to use it and work it.

I would have to say, after many years of research and now 2.5years post-op, you are the exception, not the rule.  I don't think my life is focused on food, but it is definitely not effortless.