It Works!!!!

Increasing protein, water, exercise and NO Carbs. That's what I have done the last 10 days and it paid off. I dropped 4lbs!!!!! Im soooo proud of myself. Not just because I dropped the weight, but mainly because I got myself disciplined again. It feels so much better following what I'm supposed to vs: being out of control. I put on 8lbs. that I didn't need or want. Even though my original goal weight was 150, I dropped down to 145 and felt better at that weight. Clothes fit me better. Then I had the emergency surgery and went way to low. Down to 124lbs. That weight was not good for me at all. When I was in my late teens and early 20's it was fine but not now. I looked very guant and sickly. Having been told to gain at least 20.lbs. back was very frightening to say the least! Deep down inside I new I had to put the weight back on, but I thought to myself what if I can't stop gaining like before WLS????? My counselor assured me that I would eventually balance myself out. I didn't like the swinging pendulim.(sp)? It swung too far in the direction I feared! That's when I knew I had to put the brakes back on. Doing this daily accountability and The Protein Train, helped me tremendously. From today on I will start back to eating the way I know to do to get the rest of the 4lbs. off and then to maintain again. Protein firs****er, water, and more water. Exercise, portion control and watch what carbs I eat. Back to the basics for this girl! I know some think what's the big deal! It was only 8lbs. You could afford to put that much back on. NO WAY!!!!! I never want to have to struggle w/weight gain because of being out of control again!!! That is a road I was on for half my life and I don't want to travel it anymore. I hope and pray that this little side track that I took, taught me a valuable lesson. I've come too far to ever go back to that miserable person that I was before wls. Honestly, I was miserable putting these 8lbs. back on. It's not worth the emotional anguish I put myself through. I want to stay healthy in body, mind and spirit. Following the eating plan that was designed for me is what I must continue to do to stay on the road of recovery. I want everyone who is struggling w/rebound weight and even those that still need to get to goal, to have hope. It can be done if we put the effort into it and not give up on ourselves. We are worth it people. Be encouraged and I am here for anyone who needs a listening ear. Have a Blessed Day because I sure am. Your Gastric Buddy, Jeannie

I'm so happy for you, Jeannie! I know you worked hard at it and it worked for you. I enjoyed the bridal shower yesterday and even ate some of the cake last night and it just made me feel yucky! (Of course the cake wasn't "good carbs" but I allowed myself the treat anyway.) I'm back on track Monday morning weighing and measuring my food and I'm going to very slowly add some healthy carbs back to my plan but I'm sticking to a mostly protein day! Thanks for your encouragement over those 10 days too --- it was great to have folks all working together for a common purpose! See you tomorrow morning. DD

Congratulations. It sounds like you have it all figured out. Good job! Julie P.S. What do you mean they removed your band? I had RNY and I don't have a band.

Some surgeons put a "band" around the stoma to stabilize it and keep it from stretching. Our surgeon puts one on his Open patients, but it is a "band" of extra strong sutures. Other surgeons use a silastic band. Some surgeons use nothing. I had Lap RNY and the surgeon does not do the suture band on Lap patients as it was too difficult for him at the time(I was his 10th Lap patient), but maybe now he does it.

Congratulations on being able to get in control of food again. You've done a beautiful job of losing and have now proven you know how to keep it down long term. I love your picture. Every time I see it I wonder if you belong to The Red Hat ladies. I use to love to wear hats to church but haven't worn one in years. I just started maintenance 3 months ago, but see how easy it would be to let the carbs sneak back into my diet. I've figured out protein, water and exercise are my friends. I've given myself 5 lbs to play with, but when the scale moves over that the carbs have to go until it's gone again. This is a lifetime commitment for most of us if we want to keep the weight off. I am just thankful I've been given this wonderful tool that makes it possible to lose and keep the weight off. Have a great day!