9 years post-op and I've gained 70 lb.

I posted this in the diet and nutrition forum, but I thought I'd post it here too.  :)  I had RNY about 9 years ago.  I've re-gained 70 lb. of the 185 I lost.  I've become a snacker/grazer, and I don't dump (at least not as drastically as some people do.  I can eat a fairly large amount of sugar before I become nauseous).  I've gotten so far off track it's unreal.  I've been reading about the 5 day pouch test, and I'm curious if anyone has had success with it.  From what I've read, a lot of people will lose roughly 5 pounds on it, but then what?  I assume at the end of the 5 days, I'll be somewhat back on track (with the amount of food I can eat).  Will I continue to lose weight after the diet is over (assuming I continue to eat the high protein/low carb foods I'm supposed to eat)?  Do I have to keep doing the 5 day test over and over?  Will I even lose weight again considering I'm so far post-op?  I'm disgusted with myself, and I don't know what to do.  I've considered weight loss pills (namely Adipex) that people I know have had great success with.  None of these people have had WLS--they're just "normal" overweight people.  Would a medication like this work for a WLS patient?  Please help!

Oh My Goodness, I am only a few years out but I, too am struggling not to gain weight. I am eating like a pig. I also do not get dumping so I can't stop myself from eating constantly. I start out doing great in the morning but by late evening I am emotionally eating. Knowing we do it doesn't stop us. I live really far from my surgeon so attending support isn't feasible. I haven't done the pouch test but am considering it. We need to stay on here and encourage each other. Hang in there. Don't feel disgusted with yourself, because that will not motivate us. I know.....I am there with ya.

Hello, I  read your message and thank  you for posting this message, because I will soon be 7 years out  April 21 and I have gain about 40 lbs iam now at 204 ,i really do not start munching until late evening,and I hate it. but i have started eating more fruit we do not have a support group of my knowledge.i hope we can continue to encourage each other.

Hello there,  I had RNY 4 yrs ago (1/31/07).  I was loosing weight fantastically (lost 195 lbs total by May 2008) .  I met my husband 10 months after surgery, got married 17 months after surgery and started to gain weight.  My highest weight before surgery 446, my lowest was 240. The last time I got on the scale several months ago I was 293.  I'm afraid to get on the scale.  My husband is about 60 lbs overweight.  He doesn't gain weight easily and doesn't like to diet.  But he finally started making a conscience effort about 3 months ago to change his eating habits. When we first got together, I think he thought he would automatically start loosing weight just by being around me.  lol   I being a wife and homemaker for the first time wanted to cook nice meals for my new husband.  I became a very good cook trying new things.  I tried to make things with splenda when possible.  But my husband has been dealing with having no teeth while having dentures made, implants done etc for the past 2 years.  As a result everything I cook has to be soft for him to chew.  This results in alot of white starch things like potatoes, pasta, bread...  I can eat the same thing several days in a row but he wants variety.  I have found it extremely difficult to keep myself on track eating the right food and portion size all this time.  Additionally, my husband stays up extremely late watching TV.  Being newly married it has been difficult to go to bed early (before midnight) when I know my husband is up for another 2 or 3 hours.  When midnight or 1 am comes around I'm ready to eat again.   I started snacking on chips etc. salty things.   I wouldn't get enough sleep because I get up very early because of our pets.  I stopped drinking my 8 glasses of water.   I could go on and on about all the old bad habits I've gotten back into.   I wanted to walk to help burn calories but my husband doesn't like walking with me.  I find it difficult to do it alone because I just cannot get motivated plus I am having problem with my balance and feet due to neuropathy that has settled in my arms, legs and feet (tingling and intermittent pain).  I'm a mess but generally very healthy. 
I am visiting this site (forum) for the first time in 2 years I guess to see if I might see someone's experiences and comments that will help me.  I pray I will not continue to gain weight. 
Your message did restate alot of the things I know I should do.   I appreciate your taking time to restate those things alot of us need to hear again from you and others who are still doing very well after being several years out.
Ann B.

Hello AnnB,i have a member-ship at the Gym,but have not been in about 3 weeks,i have made a promise to myself that i will start back and also start walking i also started having problems with my  blood sugar droping often therefore i begin drinking  cokes and eating peppermints often, and i was having problems with my potassium being low and i started eating bananas like crazy,so now iam trying to get away from the cokes and peppermints,bananas.i have started eating an apple and peanutbutter to balance my sugar and i am buying the gluclose tablets,my dr. also says to stay away from the carbs.it is very hard to do but i do not want to go back to 312lbs. so hopefully we can support and encourage each other

I'm the same way--I can go all day and not eating anything really (and not even think about food) but at night, when the kids are in bed, then I start grazing.  I also wake up  a few times during the night and just CRAVE (and eat) sugary things.  Ugh.  This is so frustrating.

The 5 day pouch test is really good. it's basically a pouch reset because when you go back to liquids for a day, the pouch shrinks somewhat..it's really hard to do but well worth doing..

Once the pouch is reset, it's too small to allow anything big and fluffy like white carbs..So yes, you do start over on the right path..Protein first, good carbs only..Meat and veggies, fruits..limited starches (like potatoes and corn). Lots of water but only before you eat and over a half hour after you're done..back to basics.. 

It's not the fat that makes you fat, fat is good for you but the carbs like breads and pastas, rice and starches that are the worst..WHITE CARBS..including sugar. White carbs make you sluggish and turn to sugar and if you don't use them up, they make you fat..

Things I suggest are
 
finding an support buddy who you can call when you are feeling like you're gonna cave in. Go to support group. Other people are where you are now and they could use the encouragement too...encourage eachother!

Getting rid of all the crud that you shouldn't eat in your house..If there are people in your house that still eat that stuff, put it away so you can't see it..Don't put it right where you would go to get YOUR food or it will call to you. I keep sugar free candies around because I'm addicted to sugar. Once I start on sugar, I can't stop myself.

Journal your intake for a while. This means weighing and measuring your portions so that you KNOW how much you are eating and what you are eating. Review that list for what it is..If you're eating too many carbs it will jump off the page at you..

Make SURE you are taking your vitamins and know what you need. That means you have to have current blood work..If you have no energy, you might be lacking in something..good to know before you try and do any exercise..My doctor is a pill pusher but she's lost on me cuz I just don't take medication anymore..but she will do blood work when I need/want it and that's a good thing. Review your own blood work, it's worth it to know what you need even if it's all within normal levels, if it's low normal, you can still adjust and you should. Information is available all over the internet if you dont' understand what is on the results.

Get up and move. If you just move more, you'll use more calories and that's ALWAYS a good thing. It doesn't have to be more than walking. When the weather is good, go out and walk..when it's alittle bad, still get out and walk. If you have access to a mall or a treadmill...great..Moving will make you FEEL better too.

Above all things, keep encouraged. If you're doing something you're doing at least SOMETHING and that's better than doing nothing. We're all human and we all fall but if you dont' get up after you fall, you're never going to make it to that goal line..You just need to keep getting up. You get automatic do-overs tomorrow..Keep trying. It's hard but you can do it and you're worth it..You're all you have!

Dawn, you are so encouraging! Thank you! Your words of wisdom really helped me today.

I need help also... I had my RNY 08/06. 

On Surgery day I weighted 284, lowest weight I got to was 184 and now I'm back at 239. 

I'm a snacker/grazer also, I've increased my water intake, watched the whitecarbs but I still can't seem to get the scales to move.  Does this 5 day test really work?  I'm feeling really depressed here and need help!

Hi Joan i know what you are going threw ,Iam going to try the 5day pouch test and praying that I will complete the test, Ineed a lot of will power, so Iam telling myself that Iam doing this for me ,and only me and with pray I will succeed ,and Iknow that Ineed to do this for my health,Iam also going to start back walking today.so maybe we can do this with encouragement  for all of us who is dealing with this problem