6 year follow up

So had my 6 year follow up yesterday.  Got in the car afterwards, called my husband and .  17 pound gain since January and an 11 pound gain since the appointment before that, plus another 22 pound gain we didn't talk about.  I am up a total of 49 lbs at this point (was 53).  I have some vitamin levels that are concerning because they are low.  They want me to see a nutritionist, take extra vitamin D, up my protein, and come back in 6 months.  Somehow the lab messed up on my lab work and did not send all that they requested so I bet if they had it all I would have been in more trouble.

Although they were very supportive, I still felt like such a failure.  How did I work so hard, maintain for almost 3 years and then let it come down to this.  I managed to talk her out of the nutritionist.  I explained that I just joined this group, cut my calories to 1000-1400 a day, cutting carbs, journaling food, doing protein drinks, etc.  I don't think I am going to do any extra vitamins yet either.  I have not been taking vitamins for close to 2 years.  I just restarted about a month ago and don't have it in my routine yet, I keep forgetting to actually take them.  Now I do have the gym thing down and since I do that at work and have an exercise buddy I am not too worried.  I stresseed to her that I just started it all and have lost 4 lbs.  She agreed to let me go with it and we will re-evaluate when I go back in 6 months.  Hopefully I can stick with it and get myself in gear so that i can be a rockstar when I go back.

I am over three years out and I have gained about 10 pounds.  Carbs are my problem.  I wish I knew how to go back and start over and stick to it.  I will do good for a day or so then fall back into bad habits.  I need some serious help. lol

Courtney:

I will be 6 years out in March and I have told y'all that I had a 70 lb. regain.  Going back to basics you can get the weight off.  I am 16 lbs. from my original weight and I have lost it in six months.  You can too.  Please, please get back on you vitamins.  Not only will you feel better physically, but they might help reduce some cravings and help prevent other problems down the road.  Keep coming here, we will be your support team.  We will cheer you on!

Aaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrgggggggggghhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!! Court I am right there with you! Only problem for me is I'm not even 3 years post-op and I have gained 50lbs in the past year. I lost my job, health insurance, gym membership....I'm losing my house and being sued by several credit card companies. The stress is over whelming and although I keep my head busy and try to keep my spirit focused on God grace, it is the night time when the food calls and I give in.

I haven't posted here before but get Cathy's updates all the time. I'm back to over 300lbs and my legs & back are in revolt. I have severe siatica issues and now have numbness in my feet! What the heck is it gonna take for me to get it together?

I had the VSG and so there is little I cannot eat and trust me I have taken all the bad habits back, I am praying soming here will help.

Tess you have been such an inspiration and the reason I wrote. Thank you for being 6 yrs out and still being on OH. This site was a life saver pre-op and I'm praying it can help me get back on track and lose the additional 130lbs I need to lose.

God Bless you all,
Eileen

 Hi Eileen:

I would like to offer you any help or insight that I can.  I think my regain was due to a lot of stress, financial and job related and I had stopped coming to OH.  I think sometimes when we reach our goals, we suddenly decide that we no longer have an issue and we can go back to our lives.  Believe me, we are all still heavy just living in a smaller body that can be taken away at any given time.  We can never take our eyes off the goal or down the hill we will slide.  I pray daily that after I get over this huddle that I remember not to take my eyes off again.  Sometimes, we need to stop and make ourselves our number 1 responsibility.  Easier said than done but we are worth it.  If you can look over at the main board and see what the newbies are doing and pretend you just had your surgery, you can do it too.  That is what I did to start out.  It will not be as easy as it was brand new but the pouch stills works if you work it.  Come back as often as you can to check in with us.

Hey Ms Court,
 

1st I'm sending you a BIG group hug, know you are not alone and all of us are paddling to keep this boat afloat...You're about 6 months behind me...This year ,like every year, about 2 months before going to see my doc for my annual, I start to get those feelings of dread...Every year he tells me I'm doing great on maintaining my weight, a poster child of RNY surgery...Reality to me is I don't feel that way at all...I feel like I've been lucky to hold onto my "minor" regain, I make poor choices almost daily...

Each day I re-start, say I'm to myself, I'm making good choices today & I'll follow all the guidelines setforth to stay on track...5 days out of 7, I end up putting something in my mouth that is not on plan, even if its just a bite - I too feel like I'm failing myself, my best intentions just don't stick and I'm struggling with this ALOT, yet I only seem able to knock the demon to the floor temporarily before it on again...

Man, that last sentence says it all...There is no permanent cure, it's one day at a time, pick yourself up and start over, don't  let one slip in the afternoon today translate into writing off the whole rest of the day, modify - adjust , figure out how to work smarter, CONQUER!

I'm right here with you , you CAN be a rockstar !!!

I know EXACTLY how you feel.  I could have written that post!!  I went to my 8 year follow-up about a month ago.  Again, even though they were kind, my Doctor said he was very surprised I was up 13lbs. since last yearr's weigh-in.  "its not like you to have a gain"  (ouch!)

Yes, I too called called my husband and ... Felt like a tremendous failure... joined this group.

I am down 7 lbs., taking Vitamins, moving more- my next appointment is day before Thanksgiving.  Started the 5 day pouch diet today.

Hang in there.  You are now on the right track so don't kick yourself down further!  You can do this!!!

oh my oh my oh my...i am will be 5 years post op in January i never met my goal weight of 175 i did meet the doctors of 220 i actually got as low as 205 i am now 245. I am afraid of gaining the weight back. I am a snacker and carbs are a big problem. I dont drink water when i do its forced.I know i need to be back on my vitamins but i am having financial strugglies and they just dont fit into my budget. I lack motivation and i have no energy to exercise. My doctor has sent me for a sleep work up thinking if i have sleep apnea and get it treated it will help.I have not been on OH in a long time but when i was (and looks to still be that way) i recieved so much support and encouragement

Thanks so much for all the encouragement.  So glad to know there are people supporting me and who understand.

To all the other new ladies, if I can help you all I will too.  We are in this together.