Question:
I am about 1yr and 7 months post op RNY I have recently gained about 20 lbs back!!
It's been over a period of about 3 months but still it scares the heck out of me!! Please give me any advise to stop ANY I don't want to get back to where I was. Why can't I stop? — Allison T. (posted on December 28, 2003)
December 28, 2003
Dear Allison, I am 25months out, and know how you feel, you are not alone,
there are many of us out here fightning everyday to get thru. I finally had
to give up all carbs, and sweets, I just can't have any in the house, I
never drank pop, so that hasn't been my problem, but I love breads,
crackers, you name it, so I gained 10 pds, and knew I couldn't continue
because it makes such a difference in your clothes, and how you feel in
general. I have lost the 10 plus almost 10pds more, I am at my all time low
145pds, and I would like to get down to 140, then it gives you a little to
play with. I did go off at Christmas, and ate some crackers, and dips, and
tried alot of the sweets, just a bite or two of each, and knew I could
really get out of control. I had a terrible stomach ache, and hope I have
learned my lesson, it is the sweets that bothers me so much, sorry to be so
long, but don't give up, just get back to protein first, water, and you
will do good, e=mail me if I can be of any help, Happy New Year to you and
your family, Suzie
— lostitall
December 28, 2003
Dear Allison, I am 25months out, and know how you feel, you are not alone,
there are many of us out here fightning everyday to get thru. I finally had
to give up all carbs, and sweets, I just can't have any in the house, I
never drank pop, so that hasn't been my problem, but I love breads,
crackers, you name it, so I gained 10 pds, and knew I couldn't continue
because it makes such a difference in your clothes, and how you feel in
general. I have lost the 10 plus almost 10pds more, I am at my all time low
145pds, and I would like to get down to 140, then it gives you a little to
play with. I did go off at Christmas, and ate some crackers, and dips, and
tried alot of the sweets, just a bite or two of each, and knew I could
really get out of control. I had a terrible stomach ache, and hope I have
learned my lesson, it is the sweets that bothers me so much, sorry to be so
long, but don't give up, just get back to protein first, water, and you
will do good, e=mail me if I can be of any help, Happy New Year to you and
your family, Suzie
— lostitall
December 28, 2003
Like they told us pre op, WLS is a tool, not a get out of fat free card:(
See the very bottom of my profile it details my experience with regain. No
food is worth my getting fat again. The good news is getting back to basics
and its possible to loose weight much easier than pre op:)
— bob-haller
December 28, 2003
Allison, I am 1 year and 2 months post surgery. So, far, I have not met my
goal - need to lose about 40 more lbs. I get on the scale each and every
day. I bet I could gain back the weight I lost if I really did not watch
what I eat. I wasn't too bad over Christmas, but did have some sweets and
other high calorie foods I don't normally have. I didn't gain, but I sure
revved up thecarb cravings! I can tell you that it only takes 3 days to
break a carb addiction. I have to bump up my protein to at least 90 grams
per day and I find that my carb craving decreases. So - my recommendation
is to pick up the protein - 3 to 4 shakes a day to get in 90 to 120 grams
of protein for 3 days, and you can eat a few carbs, but try to stick to
vegetables and protein sources like chicken and so forth, in addition to
the protein shakes. I figure I can do anything for 3 days. I hope you can
get back on track. I really worry that this will happen to me, but I am
going to try and avoid it!
— koogy
December 28, 2003
so what's changed in your life the last three months that could be the
culprit for the 20 pound gain? usually something has happened...more food,
more carbs, less exercise, something.
— [Deactivated Member]
December 28, 2003
Allison--You are NOT alone. I am 1 year 3 months post and I am doing the
gain lose gain effect. I had surgery September 25, 2002 starting out at
372 pounds, I am at 280 pounds. And I am gining. But of course I cannot
do any extra heavy duty walking either due to having a open sore on bottom
of foot which I had as an on going thing for 2 years. I know I aqm not
help but maybe go back to begining and start with liquids and soft foods.
And increase your water and walk
— missturtle
December 28, 2003
Hi - I really feel for you! I think that the hardest thing in the world is
to see our friends who fought so hard and waited so long to have the
surgery hit a bump in the road. <br>
I see it the most in those who stop coming to support group meetings - then
when we see them months later, they are bummed out because they have gotten
off track. Having people around you who are making great choices and are
encouraging you to exercise, eat right and feel healthy 24-7 is the best
way to go. <br>
Sadly, hardly any of us have family members, work friends or social friends
who have had WLS- so you need to create a support network in your area. If
your clinic does not have a support group, consider setting one up, or
finding a buddy through this website. I have even found that even if I
don't have a WLS friend to go on a nature hike or 5K with me, I have made
friends through the Jaycees (or you can make friends through other
organizations or church!). Make friends who are active in fitness who are
just as goal-oriented about nutrition as YOU have to be! Eating in
"strange" ways do not seem weird to fitness 'nuts' - trust me.
The way we eat usually seems stranger to people who aren't used to training
or eating in a more fitness-geared manner. <br>Surrounding yourself
with positive people can make a world of difference. So can being bombared
with negative talk. <br>
Good luck - I hope you can get going and keep being the best, healthiest
person you can!
— kultgirl
December 28, 2003
Dear Allison, I sympathize with your situation as I am 30 months post-op,
Open RNY, and have gained about 25 pounds over the last 6 - 8 months. The
strange thing for me was I had trouble keeping enough weight on until I had
a bowel obstruction in Feb. of this year. Following the surgery for the
bowel obstruction I started gaining weight! My WLS surgeon also did the
bowel obstruction surgery and checked everything out while in there and
said it looked great. Anyway, I have just gone back to the basics of
protein drinks, low carbs, increased my water between meals, and stopped
doing all the things I found I all of a sudden could do after the bowel
obstruction surgery. The weight is slowly coming off. I wish you well and
hope maybe returning to those early post-op basics helps you get back on
track. Take care! Anita
— ALF
December 29, 2003
I understand what you mean. I'm about 22 months out and have regained
about 6 pounds. But, it all went to my butt where I desperately needed it
so I'm not going to worry about it! I think its best to have a target
weight. And when you reach it evaluate your eating and step up on the
exercise. I think its best to focus more on exercise then food if you are
now trying to lose the weight (unless you are eating sweets). Its the
lowered metabolism from losing weight that causes regain. Exercising will
speed up your metabolism.
— Lisa N M.
December 29, 2003
Allison, yours is another profile that stopped soon after your surgery and
has not been updated to give us the background so that we can adequately
help you. UPDATE the profile!! Its fine for others to sympathize and
relate to your gain-all of us struggle with regain from time to time-but to
truly help you we need to know what is it your doing to gain 20 pounds
back. What are you eating, how often, protein? too many carbs? Sweets?
Grazing? exercising?. Your question, why can't I stop..stop what?? The
regain? what your doing to cause the regain?? There is no secret to
keepin the weight off. You are obviously taking in more calories than you
are burning off. The good part of this is that you want to stop now and
are asking for support. Its easier to do it at 20 than it is to do it at
50...so go back to basics. Ensure you are getting in lots of good protein,
eat frequently in small amounts, minimize sugars and carbs, tons of water
and get regular exercise (heart pumping cardio). Its all work at this
point, like Bob said, the surgery is a tool and time to use the tool. I
know its easier to say than to do, but we can't do it for you. You have to
find the motivation (I look at my pre-op pics) to JUST DO IT.
— Cindy R.
December 29, 2003
HI
I AM ABOUT THE SAME AS YOU 19 MOS OUT AND I WEIGH MYSELF EVERYDAY NO MATTER
WHAT THEY SAY I KEEP TRACK OF MY WEIGH SO I KNOW WHATS GOING ON.
I WORK OUT THREE DAYS A WEEK AT A HEALTH CLUB AND IF THE WEATHER IS TO BAD
TO GET THERE I DO A EXERCISE TAPE I HAVE AT HOME TO KEEP MOVING.
MY WEIGHT MOVES VERY SLOW AND SOMETIMES I GAIN BUT THAT IS WHY I WATCH IT I
DONT DRINK AS MUCH WATER AS I SHOULD AND I DO DRINK DIET PEPSI WITH LOTS OF
ICE IN IT I DONT DO EVERYTHING THE WAY I SHOULD BUT I WORK OUT A LOT THOUGH
SO HOPEFULLY THINGS ARE WORKING GOOD. THERE FORE A WHILE I WAS WORKING OUT
5 DAYS A WEEK AND THE SCALE WAS NOT MOVING THAN IT MOVED SO KEEP A EYE ON
THAT SCALE. ROSEMARY
— ROSEMARY A.
January 7, 2004
I am 20 months post op and find I have to work hard at controlling my
apetite.. Go back to the basics. (pouch rules for dummies)It is great
instructions. This will be a life long battle for a lot of us. BUT, 20
pounds IS better than 120. You know what you have to do....
— littlelady B.
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