Down-Up- Finally Back Down . . .My roller coaster ride

I am 4 years post-op, and originally lost exactly 100lbs following RNY.  From about 2-3yrs (about an 15 month time period), I regained about 35 lbs.  While I think that 20-30% regain is statistically normal, I was not willing to live with my regain, so about 10 months ago, I got back on the program.  I have lost 39lbs, so I am now at my lowest post-op weight. 

For me, returning to immediate post-op protocol was not feasable --first, because i actually have an appetite now (which I did not have for the first 8-12 months post op), also I found that my immediate post-op food choices included a lot of processed, sugar-free, food replacements (i.e. fake chocolate, soy chips, etc. . .) and my choices were based soley on tallying protein grams, sugar grams & other individual pieces of info from nutrition labels.  Now I try to eat real/whole foods, and I am a firm believer that whole foods are greater than the sum of their parts (things measured on nutrition labels).    Below is what I did to lose the weight:

The first thing I did was get back on the scale.  I have found that weighing myself every couple days makes me mentally more accountable (I know all about the day to day fluctuations, etc. . ., but I find that I avoid the scale when I have been eating poorly & that when I avoid the scale I continue to eat poorly--wierd vicious cycle)

Second, for about 4 weeks, I went back to a protein supplement (drink or bar) every three hours, and then a dinner of only protein & veggies.   This was really a re-set for me & a way to get rid of the carb cravings, but something I am unwilling to due long-term b/c most of the protein supplements are not "real food" in my opinion--also I don't like the idea of being on a diet, I just need to figure out how to have a good relationship with food & my body for the long haul. 

Third, I cut out all artificial sweeteners (except for what was in the supplements, since that seemed to be inevitable)--This actually made a huge difference in my hunger.  There have been a couple times in the past few months where I have had a diet soda, and I can immediately tell a difference in my desire to eat crap & in the scale.

After the initial protein heavy reboot period & the elimination of artificial sweeteners, I physically feel  much more restricted (like I did in the 6-12 month post-op time frame). Also, I try to eat as much "real" food as possible--no low-fat, partially-hydrogenated, high-fructose, or sugar-free stuff.  Other than taht, I don't have an official plan or diet that I eat.  Just try to eat when i am hungry & only quality food.

Another very important (IMHO) componant to me getting back on track was to get a full lab panel done including vits & minerals, standard CBC panel, and hormone levels.  I had PCOS prior to my RNY & was told that RNY would cure the PCOS, so  I would not longer need to take Glucophage (metformin).  When the blood work came back, my cortisol levels & testosterone levels were both seriously out of whack and in line with active PCOS .  As such, I went back on Metformin ( my new PCP has advised that this will likely be a lifetime maintenance drug for me).  I also adjusted my vitamin intake where the lab results indicated deficiencies.

Finally,  I also found a great psychiatrist, who has found the perfect drug ****tail to handle some of the depression/anxiety issues that I have (these are pretty persistant and not necessarily  related to weight gain).  With the depression/anxiety under control, i have had an easier time not abusing food or eating when not truly hungry.

Not suggesting that this is "THE" way to get on track, just sharing what worked for me.  Good luck. :)

Dear "R"

Thank you for taking the time to explain how you found your renewed success. I think that many people start to regain and feel like they are the only one and it spirals out of control so easily. This little group has proved that quite a few people have many of the same feelings and desire to grab the reins to renew that previous success.

Again, you did exactly as I had hoped when I posted at several of those boards; you placed your success plan out on the table for all to see. I was sure that there must be at least a few people who have gotten things lined back up.

Thank you.

John

Thanks for sharing your experience!  Your comment about it not being feasible to go back to the immediate post-op protocol is so true.  I've tried to do it several times (unsuccessfully) and went down the road of guilt and feeling like a failure because I was physically hungry and had the need to eat more, but my weird-WLS-whacked-sense-of-portion-control kept telling me I should only be eating so many ounces, etc.  This is one of the issues I'm working on with my eating disorders therapist (the head game "rules" I've set up and thinking that I should be eating tiny amounts like I did the first year postop).  Like you, I'm trying to put the focus more on having whole foods and dense items that will fill me up, rather than relying on soft proteins (yogurt, chili, soups, etc) that move out of my pouch fairly quickly.  My pouch was rather sensitive the first couple of years so I got into the bad habit of using more soft, slider foods or crunchy/crispy things (like melba toast/crackers).

I also had PCOS for many years prior to WLS and stopped taking metformin once I had my surgery.  I see my PCP at the end of February and need to get those labs taken as I've been concerned the PCOS may be playing a part into some of the regain I've had and the distibrutiion of it on my body (mainly abdomen and waist).  I'm hearing more and more long term posties who had PCOS commenting that they are going back on metformin.

Thanks again for sharing your journey!