5 years out

 I am 5 years out all I can say when I saw this pic of myself I was so upset ! I could say have I failed with weight loss?  I was getting scared I have put on around 45 lbs I can eat anything I want now and I know that is bad .I have a tool and need to use it ,but I know I have not failed just need a big slap in the head for reality to hit me and it has .I have changed a lot since this pic ,I stopped cold turkey no more soda have not had  one since and will not ,I still have a food addiction that has not changed and will never will just because I had RYN  does not change my brain I need to readjust that is all .I have been watching what I eat and I tell you what hurt me so bad was GRAZING !!!!!!!! .stop grazing when you eat do not eat any more put down the cookie & chips !!!! I get full easy still & later I will not be so full that is when I would stuff my face with chips or snacks .I have lost 14 lbs now and have a long way to go ,this is a life long commitment I have to do for myself and my health .I need to come back here more often to update it is a hard struggle and the longer you are from surgery the harder it gets .I hate people that say it is an easy fix no way it is easy and no way will it ever be !!best of luck to all who are struggling I know how you feel I struggle every day but we can do this we have a second chance in life and I intend to make it the best for me and my family .

Easy fix?  No way.  I'm a little over 2 years out and my weight loss stopped I swear the day of my first anniversay.  I'm okay with how I look and feel but I really need to lose 20 lbs. and would like to lose 30.  I lost 70 lbs. initially.

I found grazing to be a big problem so I put the brakes on that.  I can't eat much at a meal and once I'm full can't swallow another bite.  Sometimes I have to spit out something because it just gets bigger the longer I chew it and won't go down. 

Try doing protein shakes for 3 days.  A lot of people do that and it helps them de-carb.

It's good you've made up your mind before you gained all the weight back.  Don't beat yourself up.  After the 'honeymoon' we have to watch what we eat just like normally thin people do.

I'm 7 years out and have a few ups and downs like everyone. But the bottom line is to remember why we did this. To be healthy. I'm not at a perfect size but I am healthy and happy. I watch my portions and remember protein first. I come back here to get support and to try to help others. That is the biggest boost to staying on track.

To RJOLLY1967:

I can soooo relate to the problem with Grazing.  I'm over 10 years out, and I've regained half of the almost 200 pounds I lost.  And I did it all by grazing.  I can't eat enough in one meal to feed a bird, so I just snack all day.  My hook has been on trailmix loaded with chocolate and bad stuff.  I decided to do the 5-day Pouch Test, starting tomorrow, to break the carb monster.  I just don't know what's going to make it LAST this time.  Ive lost and regained the same 40-50 pounds a few times over the last 5 years.  I'd like to make it permanent this time.  I think you're right that we just have to realize we just CANNOT snack on unplanned/un healthy foods.  I wish you luck.  If you want an accountablity friend, feel free to send me a private message. I will try to log in to this forum more often, and take advantage of the support offered here.,

RNYMom, reading your post makes me more aware that I do need to keep a close eye on my weight.  So sorry for you that you have regained part of your weight.  Something I'm doing that is helping me is I plan my food for the day and spread it out throughout the day.   I can't eat much at a meal, 2 oz. of meat or fish and a small portion of vegetable and I'm full.  But, I get hungry between meals.  My top calorie range is 1,200 and I track it at sparkpeople.com.  I allow for 3 snacks a day. 

Today's menu:

B:low sugar oatmeal w/2/3 cup Almond Breeze
S:  1 scoop Click w/1 cup Almond Breeze & 1/2 scoop unflavored
1 slice homemade meatloaf, green beans, peach
S:  almonds (12)
D:  Tilapia, vegetable
S:  SF Eclair dessert - homemade

I'm by no means an expert, but I hope my planning might be of help to you.

RNY,
Hi I am new to this forum, came here for some advice, looks like I came to the right place. I had my surgery about 2-3 years ago. Highest weight was 411, now 240. My weight loss has stayed here for several months. What scares me is the amount of food that I can consume now and do because I still have the compulsion to overeat. I am worried that I have stretched my pouch too much. I hear people talk about the 5 day pouch test, I would like to know more about that, can you fill me in please. Also I have recently developed deep achy pain in my left upper gastric-chest area, especially when laying on my back or left side. I am worried that it may be related to my RNY surgery, could I have damaged something ? Have you ever heard of this? Thank-You

Me, too, all. My first visit to this forum and I seem to fit right in.

I'll be two years out next month. I was 325 lbs, lost 150 of it, and gained 10-15 back. I'm up and down w/ that 10-15.

Grazing is what I do. Thanks for the reminders. But I get hungry!

I'm shocked at what I can eat. A whole plate of food. Sure, it's not what it used to be, but it's a normal portion before I'm full. Guess I need to do that pouch test. I HATE shakes though. But I have to nip these lbs before they turn into more.

I think those of us who weighed more to begin with can't be expected to lose as much as some of you. I'm fine being 175-185 the rest of my life. Yeah, I'd like to be 150, maybe if I starve and exercise every day, but it's only in my wildest dream I'd ever be 130 lbs.

I'm excited to get daily support from everyone. I feel very alone right now. Seems all newbies on the main boards.

Hello Cinn: this is also my first visit to this forum and I feel so welcome! There are so many like me who just seem to be able to eat more now (I am just 2 years post RNY this month) I was at my highest 450 and am now just at 242 - no real gains but no losses in a few months either.

It certainly has proven to be more challenging for me anyway.  Food tastes darn good again! (Especially those dreaded bad carbs and sweets, too!) I find I don't really dump only once in a great while with sweets but yet I go to eat 2-3 bites of, say ,chicken and I am so full I can't eat another bite for half the rest of the day! (go figure?) (Dense protein, I guess and much better for me than those ole sweet things!)

I think this forum will really be of great help to us.  While I don't feel like a total failure, I am feeling guilt and shame at not losing any more (I could stand to lose another 80# to be of correct weight for my height according to insurance charts!!

I feel good, I can walk, do some exercises, (I walk my dog in the park, do some elliptical, treadmill and a couple of other machines (I'm just not as faithful as I should be, I guess) but I am thankful that I am in better health and  like you, hope to nip any problems before they become full blown.  Thanks to all on this forum for good suggestions, & great support ! Take Care, Mary (Molly P)

Well I'm glad I came back too.... 7 Years out July 15th and struggling with the same thing. I knew it was the grazing expecially at night. A 100 calorie packet is only as good as it is intended if you eat one at a time. I've been struggling with my Fibromyalgia and all the meds. I started about 6 weeks ago going to a herbal pharmacy and really think it's helping. I have cut ut all artifical sweetners as they are poison to your liver and kidneys. I'll hip up Sams today and get the protein shakes going again. Lots of  fresh Fruits and Veggies available will help if I snack on the right food....

My journey begins again today. I have 48 pounds to loose again.

So much better then the 176 I lost originally.

Hi there to all of you gals that are out 5 or more years. I came back to this website because of the same problem as you all. I am 6 yrs out and have found mayself grazing and being way to obsessed with food just like in the old days pre Band. I find that I need a boost to my thinking and to see that I am not alone. So Hi to all and hope to get and give some support. I am thinking about going in to get a fill, but first I need to do a test of my band and see how much I can actually eat at one time. It seems like I can eat a lot more than I should, but maybe not. Who can tell, I think I have lost all rational thinking when it comes to this at this time. But I am back ahd hoping to do better