A promise to myself and you all...Hit 4 years in June.

Hi all,

I admit, I haven't been on here for a long time....but I came back because it's been 4 years and I need support and advise.  I started noticing that I think...I am gaining weight...or maybe I am just paranoid.  My pants still fit and are actually baggy in some parts..but I notice that "roll" that I can't seem to get rid of in my lower stomach area.  It's true that some of it is excess skin, but I fear gaining weight.   I started about a month and a half ago getting back to the gym.  I have gained lots of muscle and you can tell in my arms and legs.  I am not really flabby anymore and I have started up spinning class twice a week and also go to the gym very often.
I actually love the gym.  I am noticing though lots of snacks and hunger often!  That scares me!  I love soda...but there is some talk that the carbonation stretches the pouch..So starting tomorrow...I am stopping soda...I don't drink much but it's enough to maybe start to put some weight on.  I will therefore stick to my iced coffee once a day...and I am not sure if red bull is carbonated....But if it is...out it goes...I will consume more water and sugar free drinks.  My goal is to lose 10 lbs...I am at 130 and although I am not sure if it's muscle...I want to lose some of the flab.  My body seems to be changing shape.  I am going to work on losing my back end.  It seems that my butt needs more shape and work.  I need your support and advise...help???

It sounds like you're on the right track...you're aware of what you want to change and have started doing it. Good for you!

It's good you are taking control before you have a huge gain.  At 130 you don't sound like you're overweight.  Maybe you just need toning. 

Fortunately, carbonated beverages don't taste good to me.  Since surgery in 2008 I've tried a few diet drinks but just don't like the taste.  My favorite drinks are iced tea and water.  I've been told carbonation makes you stomach expand and some disagree with that.  Whether they stretch the pouch or not they really are not good for anyone. 

I have tried soda and within a few moments it tears me up, which is probably a good thing but soooooooo want the bubbles sometimes.  

Diet Coke does not taste very good.  It also does not stretch the pouch.  But it is highly addictive and if I allow myself to have it in the house I find myself drinking it all day long.  I quit it because I feel better without it.

 After surgery the lowest BMI is reached right about the two year anniversary.  After that the weight starts to creep up for a while and then rises quickly.  At their five year anniversary, 50 percent of patients have regained ALL of their lost weight.  It is easy to begin adding empty carb, pizza, white sugar, candy, soda, ice cream, potatoes, pasta, etc.  After three years, I can eat a fairly normal sized meal.  I can eat a lot more if I eat frequent small meals and snacks.

Your body also learns how to feel hunger again and how to hang onto more of the calories in what we eat.  The malabsorption that causes the weight gain in the first place no longer works well.  After two years, it is diet and exercise that keep the weight from returning.  The nature of the surgery gives the feeling that we have been cured of obesity and no longer have to worry about what we eat and how much exercise we do,

Fall into that trap and soon you will be back to seeing the numbers on the scale go back to where they were before surgery.