Lots of crap in my life and I have regained 60 lbs after my VS.  I am eating out of control. Always grazing and not making good choices.  I feel your pain. Can we stretch out our sleeve????

I recommend that you start tracking everything you put into your mouth with something like Myfitnesspal.  From there, get back to your basics.  These are mine, yours might be slightly different: 

1. Prioritize protein and water
2. Deprioritize carbs, especially the refined and processed ones
3. Make the most of healthy fats
4. Eat three meals a day with no snacks
5. Avoid liquid calories (breakfast protein shake is the exception)
6. Weigh portions, log everything consumed
7. Eat mindfully and with no distractions aside from real live people
8. Move as much as possible
9. Weigh myself daily
10. Be kind to myself

You CAN do this again.  You've done it before.  Have faith in yourself :)

Hi sweetie, sounds like you're doing splendid! I am 12 years out and have you'd back and forth so many times!  My new doctor recently recommended bariatric fusion for life diet plan and I am on day 4 and down 5lbs already. I'm interested in the program you used too, if you'd care to share your experience! Brightest blessings doll and congrats!

Theresa, I struggled with regain, hunger, etc. Gained 55 lbs back after my rny. Found an awesome program that helped me to finally get my food issues/cravings under control and I have lost 50 lbs! Perfect program for wls grads--very doable and it works! Mesage me for info---I'd love to share!

Kristi

Well, at almost 6 years out, I won't claim to be excited about the process. But here are a few things I know.

First - the numbers aren't always what we think they are. I could wish my day away wanting to weigh in at 130 lbs. - but the truth is, my fighting weight right now is 155. And this means that I'll never quite reach the BMI that the charts say is perfect for me. However, at 155 I am able to wear size small tops and size 6 slacks - not to shabby for this former 24W. And I have no butt to speak of. Age is also a factor for me - because I had my surgery in my 50's I have to believe that my metabolism isn't what it was when I was 30. But no real excuses come in with the age part - truth is, we need to respect our bodies and what they are willing and able to do for us, whatever "number" we might be striving for. 

Second - Doing what matters is what really matters. Making those good food choices, hydration, and exercise is the trifecta of WLS success in the long run. Slack off on one...and it's likely that all 3 will suffer. Trust me on this. Been there and done it - bad food choices make me less likely to go to the gym. Skipping a walk or a workout invites the bad food choices. Lack of hydration (or getting all my fluids from diet pepsi - I confess it's happened) can make me feel "hungry" and lead to bad food choices. Etc. Think of a 3 legged stool. All 3 need to be in place.

The rest of it?

Support groups if you have one - or use the forums as your support group. It helps us stay accountable.

Log your food intake. I'm back to it and find it a great help. While I want to believe I can manage without it, one of my own mentors in the WLS journey has logged well over 1000 days on MFP and is a spin instructor these days. Who can argue, right? She has NEVER felt she was above it all. She is vigilant. She is a model we need to pay attention to. I've recently started using MFP and wow - what an impact to see the actual nutrition info for my daily food intake. 

Take your vitamins. Even on my worst days I've been conscientious about my vitamin intake.  My doc pointed out early on that deficiencies in vitamin B12, B1, D, and calcium are often not detected until there is irreversible harm done. Don't play with this!

Face the facts. If you see regain happening - pay attention and pay attention fast. For me, it took 35 lbs. of regain to get my head on straight. Now, it's better to have to re-lose 35 lbs than 135 but I wish I had smacked myself upside the head when it was 5 or 10. A caution - relosing weight is very slow and very difficult. 

And a final truth about WLS. The honeymoon period is exciting. There's a thrill - yeah, it's a honeymoon! The reality of life post op is in maintaining, and maintaining is like a marriage. You take it for granted sometimes. It's not always exciting. But it's part of life for better or for worse, and sometimes it takes tremendous energy to keep it going. 

Every. Single. Day.