Question:
SURGERY WAS 2 YEARS AGO & I HAVE STOPPED LOSING...WHAT TO DO??

I HAD RNY MARCH 26,2003 STARTING AT 445 LBS...TODAY I WEIGH 300 LBS & HAVE STOPPED LOSING..I KNOW I CHEATED ALL THIS TIME BUT I WAS WONDERING IF ANYONE OUT THERE HAS HAD THIS HAPPEN & OVERCOME BY FINALLY LOSING TO THEIR GOAL WEIGHT OR AT LEAST TO A REASONABLE WEIGHT?    — BLSLIM77 (posted on March 1, 2005)

February 28, 2005
Typically the "honeymoon" period is about 1 - 1.5 yrs. After that its very hard to lose. Have you followed ALL the wls rules? Some people have "insulin resistance" and it is much harder to lose. My doc said some have to go on meds to help it out. Might want to check everything out. Again, that's if your following all rules. Best of luck!
   — ZZ S.

February 28, 2005
sorry, just read the top, didn't see the "cheated all the time comment" It is much harder after that first year. I'm sorry, its hard I know.
   — ZZ S.

February 28, 2005
First of all, get Colleen Cooks book "Success habits of Surgical Weight Loss patients" and read it from cover to cover and start living it. That is the first step. Then watch the boards. We are testing a plateau breaker formula now that should be effective to restarting weight loss once a patient plateaus. However if you plateau is self induced, then you need to work on the "head" and get yourself re-motivated to your lifestyle change before anything will really work for you. Hugs to you today from your Okie friend,
   — wealthgvr

February 28, 2005
First of all go back to the basics and do the pouch rules!!!!Do not have anything that is related to junk food in your house what so ever!!! Drink drink drink PLENTY of water. If you want a snack have some beef jerky. It is loaded with protien!!!! And while you are at it why dont you join a club like curves. It is a wonderful place!!!!
   — mystic0619

February 28, 2005
There is a story in the pouch rules about a woman who regained all her weight, but after applying the rules faithfully, she lost it all again. I would think that means that if you follow them you could kick start your loss? Provided that your surgery is intact. Do a google search on "pouch rules for dummies". I would recommend reading those and buying a copy of the South Beach Diet book. You still have your tool. In my opinion it should still be possible for you to lose weight if you change your eating habits and do the work.
   — mom2jtx3

March 1, 2005
You're way past your honeymoon period, so assuming your surgery is intact, it's time to get back to the basics of living with your pouch and a strong exercise program. Make sure you have a solid vitamin program and a strong protein first diet with very little carbs. That's the only way I've heard of anyone doing it after the honeymoon period, with lots of diligence and lots of hard work.
   — Cathy S.

March 1, 2005
Couple of things you can do. First, lets take a look at what you are eating and your exercise. Write for one week what, when and where you are eating. Have you been eating more carbs then protein. I'm almost 2 years out and I have about 30 more pounds I want to lose. I went back to one week of full liquids (no carbs) and changed my exerisie routine. Sometimes those old habits come back and we don't realize it. I also joined Weight Watchers to get the necessary support I feel I need. It helps me stay on track and I met a great group of people. Good Luck to you.
   — Linda R.

March 3, 2005
Bonnie, it is possible to lose more weight, definitely, but I am afraid at this point, it is all work and committment on your part. You did not maximize your window of opportunity-1st 18 mo- as you have admitted cheating all the time, and as long as you continue to cheat you will not lose any further and may even gain back some of your hard earned loss. You have to decide how much you want to succeed, and take control. It is work at this point and all of us formerly or currently obese post-ops are not very good at this part or we would not have gotten morbidly obese in the first place. But if you make the committment that you are going to take control and JUST DO IT, it can be done. NO excuses. You have to not cheat, go back to pouch rules, meaning lots of good protein, lower the carbs and sugars, drink a ton of water, no drinking with or right after meals and EXERCISE..yes, the dreaded "E" word. But you can start slow. Especially with the exercise part. Its no secret, calories in + calories out. You have to burn more than you are taking in to lose. Someone suggested joining Curves. If your too self-conscious at this point to join a gym, then find other ways. Park the furthest away from the entrance to the mall, shopping center, work, movie theater etc. Take the stairs, not the elevator. Walk once around the block at home this week, then twice the following week, etc, etc. You have to eat less and move more. Something that also helped me was to eat something small everytime I got hungry because if i let myself get too hungry, i do make stupid choices. So carry around a protein bar, peanut butter crackers, turkey jerky, whatever it takes to keep you from making the wrong choices. And get the junk out of the house. Out of sight, out of mind. And make bargains with yourself. I'm not a believer in denying myself my sweets. Its how i got fat. Deny, deny, deny, then binge, binge, binge, guilt, guilt,guilt, then more binge to assuage the guilt. Oiy!! So now, I make bargains with myself. I have to eat grilled chicken with salad for lunch today-no carb sandwich or chips. And I have to spend 20 minutes on the treadmill and if I do so, I can have that mini chocolate bar or cookie tonight. So thats how i do it. You can do this too. Just find what works for you and JUST DO IT.
   — Cindy R.