VSG almost 3 years out, need some help...

Hi everyone,

I am almost 3 years out of my surgery and back sliding a bit. The last 6-8 months I have surrendered to my cravings and just not been on a regimen. I have gained 20 lbs and it is terrible. I want to know any suggestions people have to get back on track. From stomach shrinking diets, to everyday eating, how to change, etc. I am taking responsibility and moving forward in the right direction. No more weight gain, I cannot do this again. Please help.

Tracking!  Keeps you honest and really shows you where you are going wrong. MyFitnessPal is fantastic!

Thank you for the information! I have it, but need to use it again.

Hi there... your certainly not alone!  I had my surgery Oct. 2010 and struggled for a while after I completely bottomed out with my weight loss.  It took me almost 2 yrs to gain some of the weight back (that I needed)... but unfortunately, I've gained 25 more than I should have.  I, too, need to get back on track and get the 25 back OFF for good!  Would be happy to "track" along with you... if you'd like.

I am on myfitnesspal and have fitbit. Would love to have a tracking buddy!

I have been there.  I would do a nutritional cleanse (not the colon kind) and start eating "clean" and increase your protein intake (no more than 1 gram per pound).  I would also consider pre and pro biotics to get your gut balanced out.  I ended up doing a 30 day cleanse system a while back and within a week I was back in control and by the end of the month food was fuel again and I was able to make better decisions.

I think one of the reasons we all struggle so much is that we aren't being held accountable on a daily basis. I know I have struggled for years being able to eat any food and larger quantities than I assumed would be possible after a gastric sleeve. If I choose to eat something "bad," the record in my brain says, "well, you screwed up the day already, so you may as well go ahead and eat bad the rest of the day because it's shot." It's a record I will probably struggle to change for the rest of my life, but I can tell you that exercising daily and eating clean have helped me over the last 4 months. When I exercise in the morning, I tend to stay away from "bad" foods because I am proud of my progress and I don't want to ruin it by making the wrong food choices.

I am a Beachbody Coach now (Who knew that was even possible 4 years ago at 297 lbs?!?!?) and I am paying it forward by helping others on their fitness journeys. I have online fitness groups where we exercise daily, check in, talk about our meals, struggles, accomplishments, and just hold each other accountable. I became a coach to hold MYSLEF accountable because I am leading these groups and I cannot let them down - and guess what? It's working! I get to help others, which feels so fantastic, and I get to keep myself on track as well. (Plus it's nice to get an extra paycheck every week). If you are having trouble with staying on track with your exercise and nutrition, seek out one of these accountability groups or reach out to me - I'm always happy to help!  -Lisa

I'm glad I happened upon this tonight....I've been struggling BIG time since I got to "goal".. I lost amazingly well, great recovery.  I'm now 1 1/2 yrs post op.I kind of knew it would happen, because I still have no idea how to maintain my weight...the surgery didn't teach me this.  I only know "losing"  OR  "gaining".  And I've been eating like an idiot for months now - have put on 15 pounds and it might as well be 100, because I feel so angry with myself and so ashamed and out of control.  I am heading back AGAIN to a therapist because I just can't seem to get a handle on this.  I realize it's supposed to be a life style change, but when the only thing that has changed is my stomach, it's awfully hard to see it this way.  I WISH I had changes other than just the surgery (ie more time to work out, money to pay a personal trainer, less external stressors, more help at home), because it has really done a number on me mentally.  I feel like I've ruined everything.  It is just so strikingly clear to me now that I've had the surgery, that I am completely and fully addicted to eating.  I did one of those self-tests and I checked off EVERY single one of the "are you a binge/compulsive eater"...I even fit the profile for the "night time compulsive" eating syndrome (didn't know there was a name for it!!).

Oh boy.....this has struck a chord with me, sorry to interject my own stuff onto your post...but I relate and also would love some more responses that can positively motivate....or at least normalize? some of this so that I/we can feel confident that it's not "over" and it's not "ruined"?  Know what I mean?

Kerry

Kerry,

I totally understand your frustration. I am super busy myself. I have 1 full time job and 3 part time jobs that suck up a lot of my free time in addition to life stressors and just 20 some years of bad habits and emotional eating. It snuck up on me for sure and being around people who eat crap all the time didn't help me. I did have a great group that helped me know how to eat better when I was pre and post op at Mayo clinic. My first suggestion is look for weight loss surgery support groups at hospitals...they are usually free and so great to go and be held accountable. I just started going back myself. I cannot afford to have a trainer, but I use a gym and home workouts- currently starting T25! Start small with small goals. Be more than happy to be an accountability buddy. We all struggle and my friend (who is a personal trainer) always says that our life is a roller coaster. We can't be perfect all the time. So don't think this is failing...just time to change some habits. You recognize them- that is the first step! We can do this together :-)

This is helpful to read tonight and I appreciate everyone's honest posts.