I'm six years post op today and want to share my story

Hello lightweights!

It's so good to see some familiar faces on this board and some new ones.  I can't believe I am six years post op VSG today! I was 253 pre-op and got down to 140.  I went from a size 20 to a size 2/ xs.  I became a stick, and frankly loved all the attention and how differently people treated me.  But believe me, I worked for it. I have always been active my whole life, and weight just never came off.  But in the last six years, I ran 7 half marathons, a full marathon and completed a triathlon...things I never would have dreamed of being able to do pre-op.

In the last few years though, things have changed a bit.  I still have an ongoing intolerance to gluten (one crumb and I'm sick for 3 days).    I developed an intolerance to some protein powders and lots of dairy AND soy.  I had a major breakup with a serious boyfriend.  I moved twice and then decided to buy a house by myself.  I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. I am still struggling with symptoms of polycystic ovarian syndrome.I still work 12 hour night shifts and have been struggling with insomnia. When you're only able to get a few hours of interrupted sleep a night, all your body wants is carbs....protein makes me queasy.  Even though it's gluten free....it's still a carb. As a busy nurse sometimes I rarely have time to pee, let alone drink 64 oz. water.  I do feel hunger now (started probably 4 years out for me) but I still forget to eat.  And then I run low on energy....and this makes sleep deprivation worse.  It's a vicious cycle really.  I do stick to a few carbs as possible though on good days....but my comfort food has always been a form of carb with cheese (pizza, macaroni and cheese, baked ziti, etc...).  Even though I have to make it in order to be gluten free, these foods are easy to make.  And cheap.  I guess I just ate like a "normal person" and forgot that I'm really a weight loss patient.  Most people still have no idea I had surgery. (I have moved all over the country the last six years).

So....slowly over the last 2 years, with changes in diet, more pain, more responsibilities, less time to work out 6 times a week....I've probably gained 60 lbs.  I honestly got too busy with life to really see it come back on too.  I threw my scale out three years ago because I felt I had become too obsessive with what I weigh...I also don't have time for 2 hour spin class sessions a day.  My size 2/4 clothes slowly over 5 years were replaced with size 10.  I am seeing an endocrinologist for my PCOS...and I'm now showing signs of insulin resistance (I was on Metformin before...and post op my labs were perfect).  I swore to myself 5 years ago I wouldn't let myself gain over 15 lbs over my goal weight. I was really getting into the grove of being comfortable in my own skin and knowing myself worth.  Now, I feel like a FAILURE.

I am glad I had this surgery in my mid 20s and I have had quite a few health hurdles post op that I didn't expect.  I'm trying to get my head back in the game.  I'm doing at least one protein shake a day.  I am going to count my protein grams every day again (I was doing 100-140 gm a day).  I'm going to increase my water to 2 L a day. 

So, there's my two cents.  I'm sorry if I scared the newbies with my story of weight gain, but it's my story.  And it's my truth.  Roz and Major Mom...any advice?  I'm struggling here.

Hello, I'm a newbee, but I appreciate you sharing your story.  Weight regain is a real thing and something I am scared of...  I have said I won't let myself gain more than 5 lbs once I find the weight I am comfortable with.

My advice (even though I'm new) would be to do what you've already started doing.  Increase your water and protein and cut carbs.  You have done it before and you can do it again. Welcome back :)

Hi Rhonda!  Welcome back!  Good to see you.

I too said I wouldn't let myself get over 130 lbs... and here I am 15 lbs heavier than that and I'm not happy with myself. 

I now have Reactive Hypoglycemia as a result of my RNY surgery and have to manage that with my diet.  I truly believe that is the main reason I haven't gained more back - because I don't tolerate simple carbs well.  I also don't eat grains as a rule.  I do try to stick with low carb and when I do, I feel so much better and my sugar behaves.

My downfall is I like my beer.  I have cut WAY back on that too and can tell the difference. 

I'm sorry to hear about all your health issues.  Working 12 hour shifts and trying to control them, along with your insomnia must be a huge challenge. 

As far as your story goes - it's the truth.  I think everyone needs to know regain is very possible and really happens to more people than not. 

I still try to post on Roz' Menus and Miles and be truthful ;) 

Perhaps logging online with Myfitnesspal or another daily tracker will help you get back into the game.  I know when I do I'm so much more accountable and am amazed at times the (non)nutritional factors in some foods. 

Good luck and I'm sure others will chime in.  Again - welcome back!

Rhonda,

You have taken your first few steps and that is a great start! Do everything you can to get back on track; doctors, nutritionists, protein shakes, logging food, exercise,....

Whatever it takes, take it! You have to come first. We are here to support you. Get on the forum as much as possible. Post when you can. It does help to make us more accountable.

Ellen

My RNY was 7/8/2008.  I've regained about 12 lbs. from my lowest weight and I'm working to get those lbs. off.  I got it in my head I could eat like everyone else, just less.  I've always had one or two protein shakes a day and avoid sugar.  Sugar makes me really sick, but I've been know to have a few cookies even though I knew it was a bad idea.  I'm back on track and focusing on what I need to do.

You were so successful and you can be again.  Go back to the basics.  You have a lot going on but focus on what you need to do.  Being a nurse is hard work I know and working 12 hour shifts has to be difficult.

Avoiding carbs is the thing to do, but darn they taste good.  I find if I eat something carby I'm hungry the rest of the day.

Life happens!!!!  And it happens to all of us so your story is important for everyone.  We all say that weight is gone for ever but it is all hanging out there waiting for us to let our guard down for a minute so it can hop back on.

Hope you can get your issues under caps and get back to being healthy. 

Stick around.  There are a bunch of us trying to get back to where we what to be!!!  Glad you came back to us.

Hi Rhonda,

Welcome back.  Sorry about your gain.  Sounds like your life is very busy!  I know for me, I do so much better when I hang out here and post on Roz's Menus and Miles.  I also use My Fitness Pal and know that exercise really makes the big difference with me.

I am almost 6 years out and in the last year have gained about 10 - 15 pounds(depending on the day) I am working on getting it back off and it is a lot harder now that it was right after surgery!!

Good luck and let us know if we can help you.

Linda

Thanks for sharing your story. Weight gain is such a fear for all of us and I think that we think that if we draw a line in the weight gain sand that we are unwilling to cross, then we can prevent it. But slowly life returns and we start fudging here and there until we are faced with the unthinkable. It helps to be reminded that this is a daily battle and the war isn't over once you hot goal.