Question from Al Roker.............

Anyone else see Al Roker this morning? He talked very very openly about Losing down from 340-ish to 195 in one year as a result of his Gastric By-Pass. Then he went on to talk about his regain. He attributed it to losing sight of following a plan As a result of recovery time from his back surgery. He's launching a new "segment" on Today- "Loosing that last 20 lbs!" He'll be working with a dietician and an exercise coach And the show will keep track of how well he does. Talk about accountability pressure! The dietician did say that the goal will be to have 6 small "feedings" rather than 3 meals a day. So I guess I've been doing that right for the last 2 years. Then he had to step on the scales, Yep, national Television, to get an accurate starting weight. It was interesting to see that he has the same "scales issues" That many of us have- "How much are we counting for having on my suit and shoes?" "What about wallet and keys?" I had to laugh. I think those exact same things when I weigh at my surgeon's. So, having been at 195lbs, his "Today" Weight? 240.and change..... He's at about 4 years out, Had his RNY just after the winter Olympics. 45 pounds of regain? It gave me re-doubled determination to stay right where I am! Supposedly, he'll be losing 2 lbs a week on this Program of multi-meals and what they described as- "Resistance Stretching." The exercise portion is interesting to me. So, - For those of you who have held at goal- What do You attribute your success to? For those of you who have gained and then returned to goal- What do You attribute your success to? For those of you who have had substantial regain- What do You attribute your problem to? I found it interesting that he stated his "back surgery," Because I see Many folks out here Who have had problems arise in connection to A subsequent surgery or health problem. Thoughts? Best Wishes- Dx

Hi Dx, Oh this is such a scary thought...I will be having surgery this year and I am really afraid of exactly this, not that I exercise much but I still do a little. I am glad you posted this it is a real wake up call about regain. I will be interested to see any replies to the questions you asked I am to new to answer. Take care, Melissa

I have had 13 surgeries since my WLS and its been a struggle to lose the weight. I have gained 10 pounds that I am working on now but each time I am in the hospital, I gain at least 10 pounds and then there is the recovery period with very limited exercise. Its hard. I was hospitalized in Sept and Dec with intestine obstruction and had to eat light when I came out which was pastas because that was all that went down without pain. So its very hard to lose weight when one is in the hospital. Good luck to you, Betty

Betty, Sorry to hear about your trying Fall! Hope all is going well now. Hope you don't mind my nosiness- How did your symptoms of bowel obstruction First cause you to notice? Did you have enough obvious symptoms that they caught it soon? Just very curious.....sorry. Best Wishes- Dx

Lots of low abdominal pain, unable to keep anything down including water and lots of pain in the pouch area due to the fact that the food not being able to go down. I was lucky that it was found early enough so that I did not need surgery. I keep a close eye on things now. Betty

The strangest thing I found was that I was still having bowel movements so I could not believe it when thay told me. I had no constipation. I am sure that is way more than you wanted to know LOL Betty

Betty, I'm always a little on the look out for such. With my complications, my intestines are a little Like a "crazy quilt" Post-op and the odds of stricture Adhesions are increased by every place of "incident" Within my intestines. My doc has told me to be aware of that As a Very Real future possibility. He's been less than Assuring that the risk reduces with time. I keep asking and keep getting the- "It's still a very real possibility," But I can't Get him to go so far as call it a "Probability," So I just remain "watchfully aware." Sort of like "worried," without the clarity of definition That word carries. Thanks for your input, Best Wishes- Dx

Melissa, Hope your surgery fixes whatever problem. Hope all is going well. Best Wishes- Dx

Interestingly enough I am having some similar problems now 2 1/2 years post-op. First off I never did get on a formal exercise program, I was standing on my feet with my job for 40 to 60 hours a week and it kept my weight off. When I went into "semi" retirement this summer suddenly my weight slowly started coming back on. I've gone from a size 22 to a size 6 and now I'm back up to a size 10. Not good. My biggest problem would be that I'm hungry inbetween "normal" meals and there never seems to be enough protein and my blood sugar drops and then I'm grabbing at the carbs. Bad cycle and not sure how to get off of it. It also does not help that the docs have been messing with my thyroid levels dropping them as well. Anyone else's experiences and successes I would also love to hear!

Joy, Do you eat 3 meals a day or multiples? I'm right at 2 ½ years out myself But haven't had the "hungrys" yet, And I think it is from the little meals about every 3 hours But I'm so not sure of that. I'm hoping also to get some input from those Further out. Best Wishes- Dx