Hi All

Well, I ambled back to Obesity Help looking for a group that I could participate in again.

My ticker isn't really up to date, so don't mind it.

i had VSG in December of 2012 and had no real issues or complications. I was very rule compliant and got to a weight below my goal weight. A lot of crazy life events occurred (violent home invasion where I thought I was going to die, marriage, moving, etc...) and now I'm finally settled now, nearly two years into marriage. My weight has crept back up; I'm 40lbs over my lowest and 30lbs over my goal weight. 

I really want to get back on target. My issue has been eating off plan, though I still follow some of the rules well; protein first usually at a normal meal, no drinking until an hour after eating, etc...  What I don't follow as well is the no sweets and limited carb thing...though often I'm better about carbs than sweets (which I know are carbs).

So I was hoping that being in touch again with a group of folks working to maintain this lifestyle might be helpful.

im back on track now eating and have begun walking again, my usual form of exercise. Will start swimming again too once the pool heats up a tad more.

Thanks for your support and I hope to get to know each of you. I'm always open to suggestions!

michelle

Welcome to the VSG Maintenance Group - we are glad to have you here with us! You will find a good mix of those fairly new to maintenance (like myself) and some veterans that have/are battling some re-gain like you and some veterans that are maintaining without re-gain. We are an honest yet very supportive group. Many of us consider each other "family" and treasure our daily communications! Hope you find with support you need with us and welcome to the "family".

Thank you so much! I really appreciate the warm welcome. I used OH religiously before and after surgery for at least a year post-op...along with myfitnesspal. Really wanting to get back into that groove.

I'm down 5lbs, so feeling encouraged. I think accountability helps a lot.

Thanks again and I look forward to getting to know everyone and participating!

Michelle

Welcome from me as well!  We Michelle's have to stick together :)

I'm a maintenance newbie but like Paula said, there are plenty folks around here that are farther out as well.  So, glad to see you getting back into the groove. 

Shel

Welcome Michelle!  Many of us here have struggled with some re-gain and have found lots of support as we work on losing the re-gain.  This is the place to be!

Hugs, Mary

Welcome Michelle!  I had surgery in Oct/12 so we're from the same class :).  

Hi Michelle! 

Glad you are here. I had my surgery in December of 2011, so just a bit farther along than you. I read your post and I could have written the part about sweets and carbs myself! Actually, the only carbs I really eat are sweets! LOL! 

I gained a big old pile of weight, myself. Some was intentional, but the extra 40 was not! I've got 12 pounds to go to get back to my revised goal of 188, but plan to continue down to

 Oops used the less than symbol! I have to remember that's what this site hates about my posts! 

to continue:

I want to get down to less than 180. 

If you need help getting and staying off sugar we are here to help. None of us is perfect 100% of the time with this, but we have some great strategies that may be of help to you. 

This board is a great place to talk things out and reflect about your journey. We all do it and it is very helpful. 

Welcome, 

Devon

Welcome Michelle, good to have you back on board.  I'm a newbie to the maintenance board, and am very close to goal, even though it seems that I will never get there.  

We're all here to help you stay on track, and are honest about our own struggles with getting to, and staying at goal.

Good luck!

I am in your boat too...Had my surgery in December 2011 and now I have gained 40 back.  I am on day 5 of the 5 day pouch test, even though technically there is no pouch.   I feel it helped me to refocus by starting over.   Now I am keeping my portions the correct size, eating the proteins first and really paying attention to what I eat.   I think that is where I lost my way...I stopped being so vigilant about the rules.  I stopped visiting here, I stopped paying attention basically.   Now I know that for the rest of my life I will have to pay attention.  I have lost 3 pounds on the 5 days so not bad...it's a start.