7 YRS POST OP: Sometimes Life just Happens and you lose control!

Hey Kimberly,
            My name is Alexis and my story is very similar to yours. I had gastric bypass in 2001.. Started off at 245, 5'3.. I got down to 110.. very skinny and unhealthy. I stayed at 145 for years but have now got stuck at 160!! I feel as if it's creeping back on and I need to get a hold of it before I am really UNHAPPY! I was off the board for years and now feel like I need a little support so here I am! I also justed finished my RN.. I take the boards next week.. May I tell you I can eat anything as well, NURSING SCHOOL SUCKED.Hahahah All I did was snack and study, study and snack! I had a breast lift and full tummy tuck 2 years ago. I feel like we have gone through the exact same things!! I need to jump start feeling good again.. I was even researching revision surgery. Drop me a line if you want, would love to chat!         - Alexis

CONGRATULATIONS on your RN!!!

It is great to find someonle who can relate to what I am dealing with.  I still have one more year (actually 10 MONTHS) till I graduate and am afaid of adding more weight so I have to get it under control now.

We are headed out of town for a few days, but I'd love to chat more with you.  My email is [email protected] if you would like to write.  The support would be great for both of us.

Best of luck on the NCLEX!!!!! Hope to hear from you soon.

Kimberly

Alexis, congrats! 

I dont think people who have never been thru an intense 1-2 yr period where all you do is sleep, study, eat, REPEAT understand what we've been thru.  My sister did an Accelerated BSN in 13 mos, I did my MBA in 18 mos and its so easy to put on weight!  My sister did it and she was never heavy in her life.

Congrats again!

Heather

Heather, my I ask where your sister did her accelerated BSN in 13mos?  Was it during the day or evening/weekends.

I'm thinking it's in NYC and am very interested in doing that myself.

Good luck with losing your regain.  You can do it.  I understand that you feel that someone who is 2 or 3 years is still newly post-op But they may be doing things that we let go as time has passed.  We should never be closed to information.  What works for someone else just might work for us.  This person that responded to you is amazing with accountability - through the years, I have watched and not most of us do that.  It is a method that is proven to work for long term WL even without surgery.

Accountability has worked a miracle in my life as well.  I go to WW.  I must weigh-in, I need the support of my meeting leader, WW staff, and other members.  It works wonders to journal, measure, weigh.

Best,
Leila

Wow ! This is a train of conversation I needed to read.  I have ALSO just completed a Human Resource Management Degree and I gained the 20 pounds during school.  I felt like I ran from the office, grabbed something before class, and ate my way THRU class to stay awake.

Maybe it's college that's fattening!

No - it's the soda (I love Coke Zero and it's go to go... I think it triggers sugar cravings for me) and the fast food eating on the go.

I need to slow down and plan to take care of myself now that school is done.

JUlie

Hi Heather! I remember you from the "old days". Believe it or not I'm 4.5yrs out now and it sure does get harder the farther out you go. I feel like I'm fighting tooth and nail to maintain most days. I float up and down within about a 10lbs range so far, but I know I'm on a slippery slope for sure. I hate the fact that with all I went thru to have surgery I still feel like I have to "diet" most of the time. I do believe that being into exercise has helped alot, if not for that I'm not sure where I'd be. Grazing is tough and I too fall into that habit~its tough to break! That's how I gained 10lbs last year between Halloween and New Years~non stop picking at this and that all day long! Anyway, you have been a great inspiration to me since the beginning and you continue to inspire me! It sounds like you've been doing alot of wonderful things over the last few years~Just be sure to take time to pamper yourself too~you deserve it!!!! Good Luck and keep us posted on how things are going!

Hey Tracy.  Thanks for sharing.  I didnt want to spend my life dieting and while I knew what I was getting into,  I think you sometimes take things for granted, ya know?

I do graze, now more than ever.  Thats why I cannot wait to get back to work since I've been getting my MBA for the ladt 2 yrs. I will be thrilled to get out of school/study mode.  Its easier for me when I have that routine.

Thanks again. I've decided to change my exercise habits and see if I can get some consistency with those and then really modify the eating. 

Heather

Hi Heather, I am several years out also, lost 140 pounds in the first year and a half, maintained for a while, have gained 42 since my lowest weight - have dieted on and off like crazy the last year and a half, and have gained more weight!  I mentioned to my husband just 11 days ago that I felt out of control, like I was an addict - he smokes, and i told him i have a snack more often than he has a cigarette!  So then I started really thinking about it, and believe i truly am a food addict!!  So I got online and searched a lot of information on food addiction, triggers, etc., and the one thing that kept coming up was HFCS (high fructose corn syrup) - and it is in everything (breads, meats, condiments, EVERYTHING)....so I thought I would just eliminate that completely and see what happens.  First of all, it is difficult to eliminate it because it is in absolutely everything!!!!  The first 5 days were horrible - I had a headache, was very edgy, didnt feel well...the last two days i have felt great...so much energy!  I stepped on the scale this morning, down 9 pounds!!!  So, maybe there is something to this after all.  The last few days I havent grazed because I haven't even thought about it.  So, I am going to keep doing what I'm doing and see what happens - if eliminating that stuff keeps me from grazing out of control then maybe I can lose the rest of that 42 pounds!  Just my two cents

Becky,
Thats awesome.  Im glad that is working for you.  I hope you continue to be as successful.

Heather

I am 5 years out and I am exhausted - I worry about my weight all of the time and it is harder to lose weight now than it has ever been before. I have gained 25 lbs and I am fighting it and losing the battle. I lose a pound or 2 and gain it back in a day or two. No matter how little I eat and yes, i am watching the carbs very carefully.
It just felt like at 4 years out everything changed.
I don't really feel comfortable advocating  the RNY to other people anymore - I think perhaps it isn't long-term for most people. And did we go through all of this for 3 or 4 years of a brief taste of the good life?  I am still on a diet, I am still counting those carbs and calories and still obsessing over every bite and every pound. It is dejavu all over again!
Donna