My 18-month post-WLS "course correction"

After reaching my goal weight (143, down from 272) during the first year after gastric bypass surgery, I got complacent, and now I find myself up 22 lbs. in the last 6 months!  Aaiiiieee!  I see my bariatric surgeon + nutritionist later this week for my 18-month check-up, I'm anxious to see whether my vitamin levels are at healthy levels.

I keep reminding myself that "this is a loooooong journey... a lifelong journey", and like an ocean liner sailing the ocean, periodically I will require a "course correction" to steer myself back on course.  So I'm counseling myself as if I were counseling a friend.  And I'm consciously choosing the attitude and behaviors that I relied upon during the first year after my gastric bypass: TO TAKE REALLY REALLY GOOD CARE OF MYSELF!

Taking care of myself means "doing all the things that I know work best in support of my health."  After dieting my whole life, I simply refuse to focus on "lose weight! lose weight! lose weight!"  I think it's a really important distinction for me to focus instead on asking constantly, "What 's the best possible way I can nourish myself right now?"

I know what works for me -- building my daily routine on the basics: Taking my Vitamins every single day.  Having my protein shake every morning.  Walking the dog for an EXTRA 15 minutes, morning and evening (much easier now that Spring is here!).  Sitting down at the table with a small plate or bowl of good food.  Chewing every bite at least 25 times.  Not totally cleaning my plate, and not nibbling leftovers when I clean up after supper.  Don't "make cookies for the boys" because I WILL EAT THEM!  Really work at drinking pretty water (with ice, with lemon, with mint, with cucumber slices, with frozen raspberries, etc.) or herbal tea ****d or hot), as much as I can stand.  ALSO: after looking and trying several different things, I'm so happy that I FINALLY found a dance class that is a good fit for my abilities and interests -- not too complicated, but fun and energizing, 3x per week.  Also met with a trainer at the gym to set up a "tone up my muscles" routine, 2x per week. 

I'm 55, and I'm only 5' 3" tall.  After WLS, I developed a "frozen shoulder" that limited my physical capabilities. And even though I've gained 22 lbs. back, I recognize that this is one of those periodic "course corrections" that I have to make in order to continue my journey, always!  Seriously, I actually visualize a ship's captain, plotting an adjustment in direction, and commanding the crew to tweak or adjust or just flat-out CHANGE whatever isn't working, and swapping it out for everything that DOES work.  I refuse to think, "I've failed!  I'm weak!", I'm saying to myself, "Course correction! Adjust to something more favorable and move on!"

WLS bought me a 2nd chance to live like a relatively "normal" person. "Normal" people are challenged by weight too, and at least now I'm not struggling with 132 extra pounds, just 22 extra.  A course correction is called for!  So.... I'm going to go have a cup of herbal tea now, and my calcium supplement, and switch my gym clothes from the washer to the dryer.  And plan my healthy dinner.  Who knows how long it will take me to lose the 22, but at least I FEEL good and I am confident that I know how to take good care of myself.  I wouldn't do any less for my best friends, so why would I do any less for myself?

:-) 

Excellent Post. Thank you for sharing. I am almost 5 years out and I have regained 40 pounds. I'm currently on course to lose that weight. I can do it. I keep telling myself that it is about my health and about my 2 year old daughter. I'm good at planning: Planning meetings and rehearsals and hair appointments and business meetings etc but I'm bad at planning exercise and preparing meals etc.  I've rediscovered ME!  I'm taking back MY life. I can't be any good for my daughter if I am no good to myself. Thank you so much for sharing.

Awesome post!  I am 21 months out ... I am going to turn 55 this year and am 5'2.5" tall (lol) ... I didn't exercise at all in my first year after surgery because I just wasn't motivated.  Finally I found the right place, and the right  class with the right people to exercise. I am loving it.  I have lost 62 lbs since surgery ... and am still losing ... slowly but surely.  I am not focused on the scale, nor really on weight loss ... just want to be healthy, getting my body strong.  Life feels good ... its not easy, but it feels good and it is so worth.  Keep steering your ship Captain! I know that I am in control of my speed boat :)

Great post!  I also am doing a "course correction" - about 18 months after surgery I too started regaining (also about 20 pounds).  I went from a high of 257.2 down to a low of 150, and then crept back up to 171.8.

I realized that I wanted to "eat like a normal person" and pretend that I didn't need to make lifelong changes post surgery.  For the past 6 weeks, I've cut sugar totally out and also refined carbs / white carbs - so no breads, pasta, rice, etc.  I wen back to my surgeon and dietitian for a "reboot" discussion, and got a phentermine prescription that I have been taking sporadically (nearly every day for the first 2-3 weeks, no I take it occasionally on days I know will be hard to stay on track due to stress/schedule/events with limited food choices.

This has been so effective, both in terms of energy and weight loss - and reminding myself that my weight and health truly is a result of my daily choices. I am in control!  I'm back down to about 160, and I know that I will continue to lose and get past my previous low - and get to my original goal weight of 140!! 

I haven't yet layered in exercise - looking forward to adding that into my mix and seeing even great results :-)