HELP!! 10 yrs post op, cant reach goal, yo-yoing

UGH! I'm 10 years post op. I never reached goal. Currently yo-yoing the same 20 pounds. I NEED to lose 50 lbs. I don't even know where to begin.  I go to the gym usually 5 days a week, but can't seem to budge, I maintain.  Any thoughts?

What was your highest weight?  How much did you weigh when you had surgery?  What was your lowest weight?  How much do you weigh now?  Who set the goal for you?

My highest weight was 308, I've struggled to get down to 204, now I'm 230. My biggest issue was I had no follow up with my surgeon, back then they didn't have the resources we have now.  currently, my personal goal is 180, only because I've had such issues, I felt that was realistic.  But If I could get things moving again, I would keep going.  I found this website on my own which is also where I;ve gotten my info on "special" vitamins. I started yesterday on a modified "pouch" test, I did protein shakes all day, with the exception of about 2-3 oz of chicken for dinner. I'm guessing I should start here.

I have also gone years without follow up by my surgeon due to financial problems.  I'm planning on scheduling an appointment in a month or so.  I can't afford the "special" vitamins so I've been experimenting with cheaper options from Vitamin Cottage.  I finally found a combination that is affordable and digestible.  I take Solaray calcium citrate with d3 included, an additional 400 IU of d3, flintstones and sublingual b12.  I can't find anything online that is priced reasonably.  I simply can't afford to spend $40 to $60 a month on vitamins.  The calcium citrate is the only one that is somewhat expensive.  It's $12 a month.  The rest work out to only be a few dollars a month apiece. 

What viamins are you taking?

How is your pouch test going?  How much volume can your pouch hold now?

The only way I can keep on top of my wight is to eat four meals a day with nothing in between.  I eat from the same size of bowls for each meal so I can tell exactly how much I am eating.  The reason I restrict myself to four meals is because when I was far off track, I was grazing all day and the pounds were adding up.  I didn't realize that I was over eating because it felt like I was just having a little bit of food now and then.  When I started counting calories and protein for a while, I realized that I was eating a lot more than I thought I was.  Maybe something like I am doing would help you get back on track?

I don't eat sugar or consume caffeine either.

I'm taking a multi-vit, it has EVERYTHING, biotin and calcium. I get them from Bariatric Choice.com. I haven't figured out how much my pouch wll hold total.  But yesterday I drank a protein shake for breakfast and lunch, had a protein pudding for a snack and for dinner I made chicken cacciatore. I only had about 3/4 cup, no pasta and I was plum full.  I track everything I eat in Myfitnesspal.com.  Turns out as a grazer of carbs, I was eating WAY more than I thought.  I have the app on my phone and its holding me accountable.  It also track my exercise.  So far today, I've had my vitamins and 2 egg whites with rosemary ham and light cheese.  (180 calories) And burned 587 calories at the gym this morning. I'm trying to steer clear of sugar and I only drink green tea.   If I can keep this up, something should happen. Right?  Lord knows I'm at my witts end!!  I appreciate any advice.

You are not getting enough calcium if you are taking just a multi.  Also, we don't absorb just any form of iron.  You need ferrous fumerate, taken along with B12 and C.  You don't say how much protein you are getting per day.  Our guts don't magically go back to the way they were created.  We will continue to malabsorb.  I drink at least one protein shake every day with a scoop and a half.  That's 35 grams.  Protein helps you to lose weight.  I'm 8 years out.

My personal advice is to begin at the beginning.  Have your protein shake.  Don't skip breakfast.  Try to have 4 small meals per day and get the right forms of vitamins.  It sounds to me like you are not, except for the Calcium Citrate.  One multi a day is not going to give you everything you need.  How are your labs?  And drink your water. 

There is much more that could be said - but bottom line, you need the protein and the right form of vitamins, in addition to proper food and excercise.

I take Bariatric Fusion which has 30mg of iron, 1200mg calcium and 560 mcg of B12.  My labs are all normal now.  I went on a mission to find the proper vitamins a few years back when my hemoglobin was 6.9.  I also take biotin and omega 3. Monday I had 800 calories, 87 g of protein and burned 580 calories at the gym. I track all of my food and exercise in myfitnesspal. On average I drinnk about 120 oz of water. 

At 10 years out, exercising like you do, if you only had 800 calories, that may be the issue.  Your body may be in starvation mode.  We were never intended to live off such unrealistic amounts long term.  Your body is holding on to everything for dear life.

I work out 5x a week have quite a bit of muscle and I eat daily an average of 1,500-1,800 calories, 110 grams of protein and at least 100 grams of complex carbs.  I eat 6 times a day.  I have been in maintenance for a year at goal weight.

Try getting at least 1,200 calories a day with 33% from protein.  I know it sounds scary but there are enough studies to indicate that below 1,200 = starvation = no lost weight.

Thanks Kim, I thought about that, but wasn't sure if that rule applied to us.  I would have no problem increasing my (good) calories! Boy, all this advise shows how clueless I am.  I'll be making this adjustment too.

Right you are, Kim.  We must get 1200 calories a day to remain fuel efficient.