Question:
3 Yr post op and struggleing with weight gain, help?
First of all, I don't want made fun of.......My surgery was Sept 16, 2002. I did lose 90 lbs but now I am back up 40 lbs. I know that I am not watching what I eat, I haven't taken my vitamins for a long time and I go to Curves every once and a while. Yes, I know I am doing wrong. I am having a hard time coming out of this. What I do want to know is, IS There any hope for me? Anyone out there Been there done that? What got you back in gear? How can I get myself pumped up enough to diet again? Can I lose weight again? Give me some tips on what I should do first. I haven't been to my dr for almost a year, I'm afraid to go back. I DO WANT TO LOSE WEIGHT and get to where I was and even more.......but I just can't get myself to do it. I need some desperate help. I am human and I make lots of mistakes. I don't want hollared at, I can go to my dr to hear that. I need some real help. Give me some steps to follow and do. I am growing out of my clothes and I don't want to buy a bigger size. I am not happy at all. I guess I am really depressed. I do have anti-depr. pills from the dr but I can't afford them every month so I don't take them. I am no pill taker. I have a hard time with that. It is not because I can't swallow them, its because I forget to take them. Can you help me? Have you been there anyone, or is it just me? — Robin A. (posted on November 27, 2005)
November 27, 2005
First of all, you are not alone. There are many of us whose body has
decided it wants to be heavier. Yes, alot of it is our fault and maybe not
all. Our lives are multi layered and require going through each layer,
like peeling an onion. It may require you get counselling from a dietician
as well as a life coach. You already know what you are doing wrong which
is important. Now you have to work on setting things right. So, what do
you think you need to do first, one step at a time. huuuugzzzz
Paula
— shoutjoy
November 27, 2005
I couldnt help but answer even though I havent been there, but who knows
maybe one day it could happen to me, life is funny that way. Just dont give
up. The surgery was a tool, it doesnt fix the reasons we eat, so dont feel
so overwhelmed. It must be hard to be in your position, I cant imagine.....
but if you need support at all I am here, and so are others, I hope there
is somebody out there who will share how they over came this situation, it
sound like you really want the help but dont know exactlly where to start,
maybe if your doctor is compassionate, you can confide in him/her. Believe
it or not they do see this more often then you think, atleast that is what
I remember from bari bootcamp, they talked about that, and I read an
article addressed to doctors by a WLS doctor talking about the same
situation, so dont feel so alone. Give me a line if you need back up
Michelle
— [Deactivated Member]
November 27, 2005
Robin,
Dont be so hard on yourself. You have to think in a positive frame of
mind to go somewhere with this...Stop eating for 1 week. Drink water &
Do protein drinks Only for one week and see if that will Jump start you
back to losing... Please let me know if this works for you..
Love ya Sis
Flo
— Flo
November 27, 2005
You are not alone. I am from East Texas and have been talking with someone
form Kentucky that is having the same problem. She and I have compared
notes and we both were slow losers to begin with although we were
"heavy weights" when we started. So that saying about the more
you weigh the faster you lose and the more you lose is not 100% true. I
began at 389 pounds and got down to 263 for my lowest. Now I am back to
289. Almost a thirty pound gain. I will be 3 years out in March or 2006.
It is a daily struggle for me. I think about my weight every time I get up
and until I go to bed. Therefore I am stressed and therefore I eat. The
same ole' viscious cycle as pre-surgery. I too want to know what can I do
to get back on track? I do not want to keep gaining weight. I am thinking
about trying the new drug Hoodia. At this very moment I have staples in my
ears(acupunture) to help control my appetite. I have lost 5 pounds. I
know I can not have these things in my ear the rest of my life so I have
got to fix my head. There should of been two parts to this rny surgery.
That being stomach and head by-pass. I am with you and hear for you if you
would like to talk. My home email is [email protected] Keep trying to
work at it and don't give up.
— twin94
November 27, 2005
PLEASE try Barbara Thompson's "Back on Track Program-
[email protected] What a awesome program! This program
has helped me get my weight under control and I am on my way to losing 15
lbs. I've put back on! I'm 2 yrs out! Nancy 255/160/ 175.
— nancyscott
November 27, 2005
Robin, First of all no one on this board is here to make fun of anyone. We
are all here to support each other. I for one would not have made it as far
as I have without this group and a friend that I have made on here. Second,
I can only imagen what you are going through. I have not had surgery yet,
but I can imagen how you must feel. Third, I think that if you really have
the desire to get yourself back on track you can. Fourth, its very
important that you get yourself back in to see your doct. and see what
he/she can do for you. I at one time also did not take my ant-depress.
medication, then my daughter looked at me one day and said mommy what is
wrong. Sometimes you are happy and sometimes you are sad. I didnt like
feeling like that. Fifth, congrats on the 90 pounds you did lose. Sixth, I
would say that if you started watching what you eat, exercising, and taking
your multi-vits that would be a start. And everyone even someone who has
had WLS needs to start somewhere.
This board is going to offer you lots of suggestions, I would suggest that
you take into great consideration some of the suggestions you get.
Best of luck to you,
Melissa
— kizie23
November 28, 2005
Thank you so much for writing this email. I am also having the same
problem. I was also a slow loser who did not get close to goal at all. I
stopped losing that first year and am now gaining. I have tried so many
things and now I feel desperate and the more desperate I feel the more I
gain. I also feel ashamed. I do not have a solution, I can only empathize
because I am there with you.
My doctor wants to do a revision but I cannot afford it and I have decided
to give myself until midyear 2006 before taking any kind of surgical
action.
Nights are my enemy when I get home and am alone and feel lonely I eat quck
easy things. I do not and have never dumped. I can eat normal portion
sizes. I feel broken because this weekend I actully ordered clothes a size
larger.
I am very bad at taking pills too. I have been using a 7 day pill box
lately. I take it everywhere. I have to take vitamins twice a day now
because I am low on iron, vit A ad B.
I am going to win this fight even though I don't know how. I tried
phenturamine but it makes me crazy so no way. Good luck to you and thanks
for writing. I see now that I did not get proper after care at all but at
least I was able to sit in any old chair for a long time (smile) so for me
surgery was worth it but the fight goes on. I am not a easy or lucky
loser. I now believe there are many of us out there. Maybe an answer will
come for us very soon. God bless.
— [Deactivated Member]
November 28, 2005
Oh, hon, you are not alone! I think that the first thing you have to do is
start taking your medication for depression. I know I have to take mine!
It is difficult to muster the enthusiasm to do anything when you are
depressed, so take care of that first. Go to your doctor next. S/he can
help you get back on track and deal with your depression.Then, go out with
your friends/family and have some fun. Do something you could not do when
y ou were fat, so you can remeber what you need to be thin for. Please
email me if you want; you can do it!!!! I do not like taking pills
either, but I must, and so must you. Hugs!
— Novashannon
November 28, 2005
It's time to join the Grad list. No guarantee that you'll get the rest of
the wt off, but there's also the trick of maintaining the loss you have
achieved. There is a lot of combined long term experience on this list and
I'd recommend it in conjunction with this site and any local lists you
use.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Graduate-OSSG
— vitalady
November 28, 2005
Janet, exercise can help you lose weight, help you feel more in control,
give you more energy and perhaps reduce your depression.
Best of luck.
Kasey
365/210/195 (nonop)
— Kasey
November 29, 2005
Robin, I don't feel the responders so far have have touched on the fact
that you shouldn't be "going on a diet again" this isn't a diet
- or a temporary way of eating. This is your life now. There are certain
things you must do to be successful and healthy in this new chance you've
given yourself, but you are not doing them. Don't avoid your Dr.
Avoidance of our issues got many of us to the place were surgery was a
neccessity. Plus, not going to the Dr. dosen't make your weight gain
untrue just like not getting on the scale dosen't mean you haven't gained.
Take charge. If you don't feel you can do it all at once, make one change
at a time. First take your meds. Talk to your Dr., get samples from him,
do what you have to to get on a regular medication schedule. Then add
exercise, you're already paying for Curves, go. It will also help with
your depression. Then the basics: Protein, Protein, Protein, Water,
Water, Water - and absolutly no grazing. Get a hold of pouch rules, they
are invaluable. Is it simple? - Yes, Is it easy? - No. You can do it, we
believe in you.
— carlaplank
November 29, 2005
I didn't read all of the responses so I'm sorry if I am repeating what
others have posted. The best thing you can do is start small. Little
steps. If you say "Tomorrow I will eat only an apple and exercise for
5 hours', you will fail. Start with realistic goals that you KNOW you can
commit to. If it means that your first and only goal is to make sure you
take your vitamins every day, then do it. After a week or so of that new
habit, try small dietary changes. Little things that are hardly
noticeable. Same with exercise. Those people that eat super healthy and
work out for hours didn't start that way, they built up to it. Exercise is
boring for me, the thought of droning away on a treadmill is a slow and
painful death. BUT...I am taking Tae Kwon Do with my kids. Thats fun and
a much better work out. Little steps. The turtle always wins. Good luck!
— RebeccaP
November 30, 2005
Robin,Don't buy new clothes.Go through your house and get rid of all your
high calorie foods.If you are not willing to be that extreme then start out
slower,the main thing is to get started.Remember you did it once you can do
it again.
— Brenda M.
November 30, 2005
Thank you so much all of you. I needed to hear all of that. I do want to
report since Monday, I got a hold of my life and my thoughts and said
"enough is enough" and I am doing great so far this week. I took
the posters idea on joining Barbara Thompson's Get BAck On Track program
for 6 months and I joined a fitness gym today and start tomorrow. I went
to Curves for two years and had no results (a lot of it was me) but I
decided I needed change and need a change in my exercise habits. I need to
add more cardio, esp. after watching the Biggest Loser. man, that show was
so motivatioal for me. I'm going to look like "Suzy".
Someday....but for now, I am taking it slow. I have been taking my
vitamins and eating mostily protein and a very few carbs. I always drink
lots of water and water only. So thanks of the help of you guys and making
up my mind that I can do this. I can conquer!!! So can the rest of you.
Check out that program on wlsenter.com.
Robin
— Robin A.
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