Regain after 25 years.....relearning the pouch

Hello everyone,

I had my RNY 25 yrs ago.  Back then.....our pouch was 3 times larger than they now do (60cc), and the bypass was 3 times less than they now do (50cm).  They gave us no instructions other than get a B-12 shot once a month and take a multi-vitamin every day.

I did manage to lose 100 lbs and kept it off about 10 years.....but then the weight started creeping back.....and I began yoyo dieting for the last 15 years.  And now, I am back to where I started 25 yrs ago.

I thought about a revision.....met with surgeons.....and finally decided.....that my pouch (although) it is about 6 times bigger than a new RNY).....does work to some extent......

......If I follow the new rules that I have just recently learned.....such as no drinking within 30 min of a meal....eating protein first.....eating lower carb and higher protein meals.....eating low glycemic foods......and finally.....not grazing all day.

Am I happy about this....NO.....but with the help and support of others in this same situation, I might be able to get this weight off.

I have been on the surgeon's diet for the last month.....have lost 20 lbs.....and am pleased.

Is it hard?....yes.  Can I stay on it forever.?....no.  Do I know what I am going to do next.?....no.

What I do know, is that I need a support group where we can share with each other.....our struggles, our diets, our meal plans, recipes, medical information because of our surgeries, ....I hope that this is the group I am looking for?

Thank You,

Marcia

Oh Marcia - I'm so glad you have chosen to join us   

I hope you find this group as helpful as I have.  I call them my angels disguised as humans   I've never found a more supportive, accepting, understanding, caring group of folks.  While I don't believe any of us have the 25 years experience you've had, we're all here because we've regained and need to get back on track - WE CAN DO (AND ARE DOING) THIS TOGETHER

Come often.  Don't be shy   Please let us know how we can be most helpful to you.

Again, welcome

Thank You......you gave no name????

I love your darling Fairy and Hug and other little cute pics.......Thank You.

And......thank you for answering so quickly.

Does this group talk about what each of you are doing in your struggle to lose weight?

I am on a low carb WLS type of group....that is a wonderful group.....but insists that I do extremely low carb......and I need to be around 60-90 net carbs for me to feel good and still lose weight.

So....I am looking for a group where people are on their own plan....and support each other....

I am surprised that my HUGE pouch still works to some extent....and pray that I can continue as I am right now.

I journal on Sparkpeople.com and keep track of my meals.....love doing this....keeps me accountable.

I am happy to be here and hope that I can be of some help to others, as they can be to me.....

Have a wonderful 4th of July,

Marcia

We share anything and everything that's on our minds at the time.  We have no food plan - each of us follows the food plan that works best with us and is within the guidelines of our bariatric surgeons. 

I have found I need to keep track dailing of the foods I eat and I happen to use mydailyplate of Livestrong.com.  There are many such programs out there that are quite good.

So glad you're here - we all help each other.  I've found it's impossible to give support without also receiving support and the reverse is true as well.

Marcia,
It is wonderful and fascinating to meet someone who had surgery 25 years ago. I believe I have an uncle who was that or longer. He was in the Navy and required to lose weight. He too gained and still struggles so it is not uncommon. Food is a hard one because unlike alcoholics or drug users, we have to eat. Take the "bottle" off the shelf several times a day so to speak. And try not to trigger the desire for MORE FOOD!

Cathy does a daily check in for food and exercise, read the home page that has guidelines. ( I need to do that again and not just skim it, really take it to heart) I am trying to walk to the beat of my own drummer and see what I can get by with to be honest. I want to lose weight and not give up the food. Just being honest and trying to get myself BOT. Am improving but very baby steps it is. Exercise is so important for lifelong success. I believe it has prevented me from relapsing more than I have. I had surgery in 2003 (a couple years prior to surgery I had lost about 45 pounds). Lost 135 pounds with the surgery  and gained back almost 30 at one point. I never reached my goal of 145 and am currently about 26 pounds away. I know I can do it. It is just getting the willingness to do what needs done which happens as a process I think... sometimes can't be forced but requires some slight adjustments to our routines which helps change our mindset.
Welcome! Looking forward to your posts.  Lucy

Thank You Lucy and Happylapbander......

I am glad to be here.....will surely go to the home page....which I unfortunately skipped over.....and I will read all there is to read.....

Lucy, I am so glad for you that you have taken control before you gained all of your weight back.....

Together......we can do this!!

Just got a call from one of the couples coming today for dinner.....that their puppy is sick and they can't come.....

So.....need to make up a couple of side dishes that they were planning on bringing.....

So.....wishing all a wonderful day.....

Will try to check in later if time permits.....otherwise.....will tomorrow.....

Happy 4th of July everyone !!

Marcia

Hi Marcia,

Welcome to BOTT. You have answered something that I have been wondering...does the pouch continue to work no matter how far out we are.  Twenty-five years is a long time. 

I never reached my goal during the "honeymoon phase" of the surgery.  I am almost three years post-op and have been watching the scale slowly creep up in the wrong direction.  I am more determined than ever to get back on track and lose the weight I have regained.
 
Thank you for joining us, we look forward to seeing you along with the ideas you bring.

Genie

Welcome, Marcia!

Wow, 25 years!  I'm so glad that you've decided to join our BOTT family.   You've come to the perfect place for support and encouragement.  We can do this together.

Thanks Genie and Hope,

I hope that I can share something that might help everyone.....and the same in reverse!

I am new to this posting type board....used to a Yahoo type board where all of the e-mails show up in my e-mails.....so these is a little different for me.

For me......I know what I need to do to lose the weight........

Eat protein first
...................................................
No snacking or grazing
...................................................
Stay away from sweets
...................................................
No drinking with-in 30 minutes of eating
........................................................
Exercising daily
........................................................
Drinking at least 8 glasses of water per day
.............................................................
Follow a low carb eating plan
.............................................................

But......I not do I need to follow these things to lose the weight, I also need to conintue to do these things to not gain it all back again....which I keep doing, and doing, and doing......ughh

So, right now....I am journalling my foods and calories, etc......and trying to lose weight.

But, I need a support group to talk with and share with....to keep it up....

SO.....rambling as usual......here I am.

Thanks for all of the support.....

Lots of love,

Marcia

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