If you're here and in trouble...

My motivation for starting this post was to get feedback from those further out who are struggling to see why. See, there are newbies out there who believe it's okay to start eating the wrong things again. I believe its a slippery slope and recommend against eating too many refined carbs, too much sugar (if you don't dump it's HARD to say no but you must). They start drinking alcohol or carbonated beverages to excess and think it's all okay. I don't believe it is.

It is very hard to give up those carbs! I congradulate you on doing just that! What newbies don't understand is how hard it really is and if they start up again, it will be even harder later when they're scared and discouraged....

Anyone who is offended just doesn't understand yet.The one who was insulted probably misread my intentions...

I will answer your question but will not include any numbers because I am ashamed.  I had RNY 5 1/2 years ago and lost over 100 lbs.  I had my surgery at a facility that was just starting to do RNY and we were sort of the test rabbits!  The last diet I was given was at 6 weeks and every time I asked what I should be eating no one could tell me.  WHen I had my evaluation pre-op I stated that I wanted to be like a normal person and be able to eat anything but in a good proportion.  No one ever said that I wasn't a good candidate.  The hospital also had a support group but it was more of a selling session for new patients and very new post-ops and didn't really help us oldies.  We were told to avoid sugar and not worry about fats.  Hence why I know feel that sugar free anything was the worst thing for me.

I had one good year to take care of myself then my daughter had very major surgery and I had to run her all around and started having to eat on the run.  Still able to only eat a little bit but not really concentrating on what I ate.  During the next couple of years I gained a little but was able to maintain it.  THen  came a combination of things, ability to eat more and more stress in my life.  I just felt so out of control of my own life and everybody wanted me to do for them and that left no time for me!  My mother got ill and this stress caused me to reach for comfort food.  Of course this doesn't reallly help but it did at the moment.  I have been on antidepressants but don't think they are working, have not energy or ambition and at times no care.  I just feel that I slid so far downhill that I don't think I can make the climb out of this pit.

You have nothing to be ashamed of...you were left out in the cold with no information to help you at all. There's lots more information now.

I can tell you all sorts of things but the first thing you need to do is find a support group...Local, one that you can look people in the eye...there are alot of people out there who have had major problems in their lives and health and have slid back into the life they had pre-surgery...And support group really helps you get into contact with people who have been there..Really. It's much easier to speak to people who know what you are going through and have been there. I highly recommend it.

Here, we can support but there are too many other factors. I have the accountability thread that I do daily. I took it over from Carla who was doing it two years ago but each of us is different. I have one girl who posts who is anorexic and needs to be encouraged to just eat ANYTHING. I see all sorts of issues with eating and encourage low carb and high protein and low calories..I do that for the most part but I'm no angel either. I eat too many calories and have no idea how I can keep my weight down under 130...But my day is coming, I'm sure.

Good luck to you!