Off the wagon

I desperately need some advice: I will be coming up on my six year anniversary from my WLS. I initially lost 92 lbs!!! However, nursing school has took a heavy toll on me and my eating habits.  I didn't just fall off the wagon...I fell under the wagon!! I am almost positive I have stretched out my pouch. I have gained almost half of my lost weight back and I am starving ALL OF THE TIME!!! Does anyone have a similar experience or ANY advice??? Thanks so much!!

I am right there with you, nursing school and all!  I am 13 years post op RNY.  I went from 300 to 160 in 18 mo post op.  Maintained until I went on high doses of steroids and then gained to 250.  Lost 50 and now I've regained putting me at 230!  I'm so disappointed in myself.  But I'm going to cut out the sugar!  I'm going to start journaling what I eat, stop drinking with meals, and get in my protein each day.

We can do this!

Stephanie

Thanks so much for sharing! At least I know that I am not alone. Wow, I guess you know exactly what I mean about nursing school (study-eat-study more!!). I have gotten really bad about diet soda & not doing my protein. You are right...we CAN do this!! It's just a matter of making up my mind!! Thanks so much!!!

http://www.amylhwilliams.com/pouchrulesfordummies.html

Check out out the above link.  It helped me so much when I fought my way back on the wagon in January 2015.  Since then I have taken off 114 lbs - see my signature below for my weights.  My surgery was in June 2007, so like you I'm a few years out.

I had all the same worries & questions as you and the info on that page helped me to get going, hope it helps you.

Thanks so much!! I am so happy you were able to lose the regained weight!! That gives me hope!! Thanks so much for sharing!!!

Carbs and sugars make me him very. And it also make my pouch less sensitive to "full signal" and it feels like I can eat and eat and eat some more. 

Restricting carbs - even from complex sources like grains and fruits makes a huge difference for me.

When you get back on plan - expected lose first few lbs rather quickly... Then the real work begins when you may expect to lose 1-2 lb a week.. And the closer to goal you get - the longer it may take.

Come people may recommend shakes are other "quick fixes". But reality is that shakes may provide extra proteins on days you can't eat much - but most of the times they are not only extra proteins but extra calories...

There are no quick fixes that I know... 

I am working on my last 4 lbs ... I may lose 1 lb a month...that is ok. Because I try to have semi normal life.  

I try to take one meal at a time. Then one day.  One bad meal, or one bad day will not make me gain too much weight...but doing that often will..

I am facing a really tough week. So yesterday I prepared meals for the whole week. And snacks and salads. And I am giving myself permission to eat as much food as I need to - stress snacking- as long as the food is the one I prepared: pork loin, chicken, ham, veggies, eggs, guacamole with pork rinds, coconut waffles and "cookies"... And some pressured nuts... Strawberries - are my "sweet treats"... I also have "ready to eat " frozen food that I can grab - reheat and eat, plus some new pickles...

"Fail to plan is plan to fail"...

I hope you find what is working for you. 

Btw: diet soda with aspartame makes me feel like I am starving.  Too much splenda makes me itch... But it is better for carbing my appetite.  Low fat foods don't work for me... I need good fat so I make sure that I get enough fat in my diet. 

My RNY never worked right and so I have always felt empty and never feel like I have eaten anything.  A while after a meal I am not hungry anymore.  I have had the most success with Nutrasystem, Slimfast, Weight  Watchers and Lean Cuisine frozen meals and snacks.  I found a Mayo clinic food pyramid check off sheet that I used to lose weight before surgery.  I plan my food ahead and use the check off sheet during the day even when I don't plan ahead. I eat 6 meals a day to keep my blood sugar steady. It is working ever so slowly.  I have relost 24 lbs. since November 11, 2014.  It is difficult to keep bot with such slow progress.  I find this site very helpful.  It encourages me to read other people's success story and to get support from others.  I feel like this is my year to reach my WW lifetime goal weight of 168 lbs. if I can pick up the pace a little.  Best of luck to you, Tri

Before I got Back on Track I was positive that I had stretched out my pouch as well. But I realize now that I was not eating correctly so I was misreading signals from my pouch. I often grazed throughout the day allowing my pouch to never really get full and allowing things to pass through it quickly from drinking (often while eating). I went back to my doctors recommended eating plan. No liquids with meals or half and hour before or after. I eat the types of foods that he recommended and avoid carbs (because I know my own body and what carbs do to me)!! Once I got the carbs out of my system it was much easier to identify the signals I once knew from my pouch. I get a runny nose when full and I hick-up! I eat SLOWLY so I can get these signals BEFORE my pouch is over full. Visit here often and read advise from others as well as post things that you are having trouble with or have found are helpful to you! We are all in the same boat and can relate. Best of luck to us all

Thanks so much for you guys advise!! I know one of my problems is too much Diet Coke. I am so addicted to it; I can't stop!!! I also am highly addicted to sugar; I was one of the ones that do not get sick when I have sugar....it would have been better if it made me sick!! I did so good yesterday and then today I blew it; however, I know that is how it goes and just to pick myself up & go on. I truly appreciate everyone's help!!!

I am not sure if this will help you or not, but I know for me not only eating sugar makes me crave more sugar but also eating carbs makes me crave sugars! Once I got the carbs out of my system the cravings (for both) went away. You might want to try and see if cutting carbs helps. Best of luck!