Question:
9 years post up and gaining

Hi I had my surgery 9 years ago this month. I started at 315 and lost 115 pounds. I have always wanted to weight around 175 but have never been able to get down to that weight. I am now starting to get depressed because I stepped on the scale and am at 205. I take isopure liquid shakes every day and when I snack I will snack on a pickle. I have cut out soda and all sugar foods. I am trying to just go back to basics and do a pure liquid diet and work out 5 days a week. I am also considering having plastic surgery on my stomach. I am 30 years old and my stomach skin has never tightened back up. I wanted to know if this anyone out there that can give me advise on how to lose the weight faster get off this plateau or just advice in general. Thank you!    — stillfighting (posted on September 14, 2009)

September 14, 2009
laura i feel u on that, im 5 yrs out and i gained at least 30 lbs..i was told tonight to go back to basics w/journal and making sure u drink ur water and eat protein first..exercise you should see results. good luck
   — phatigirl43

September 14, 2009
You should really try to "eat" your protein, not "drink" your protein. You will feel more full, and will not get hungry again as soon. Are you getting fruits and vegetables, or are you eating starchy foods like bread, potatoes, rice, corn, etc.? Try snacking on cheese or nuts. I keep hard cheeses sliced up in my refrigerator, along with sliced steak or chicken left-overs. I sometimes have chicken or tuna salad made up (made with chopped up hard-boiled eggs). I like to eat it in a tomato or on a wheat thin cracker(any cracker with higher fiber content). I also try to have grapes or melons on hand (in season). Remember to eat for nutrition. That includes vitamins and minerals. Also be sure to take your multiple vitamin and any others your doctor recommends. Without the necessary vitamins, minerals, and protein, your body cannot properly metabolize anything you eat, and you'll have a hard time retaining muscle and loosing fat. Exercise will help you gain muscle (as long as you are getting the proper nutrition, esp. protein). Muscle burns more calories than fat, and continues to burn more calories throughout the day. At first you may only notice a change in measurements instead of weight. That is because muscle weighs more than fat. But the inches will come off first, you'll look more tone, you'll have more energy, and eventually the weight will start to come off. Go back to the basics like taking 5 minutes between bites (it takes our brains 20 min. to register that we are full). Take small bites and chew well. Enjoy your meals, don't "eat them on the run". Try new recipes. There are a lot of good recipes out there for bariatric patients. Go to your support group regularly for encouragement from fellow WLS patients, to ask questions, and be motivated by new research or success stories of others who are going through similar challenges. Lastly, remember that we had our surgery to improve our health. Make a list of all the ways your life has improved since your surgery, and remind yourself of how far you've come by looking at your list next time you get discouraged. I don't know about you, but I do not want to give up all of the health gains I've made in the last 5 year since my surgery. This is a lifetime journey, not a short-term "diet". Don't be so hard on yourself, and celebrate your successes. God Bless. KimM
   — KimM

September 14, 2009
try to go back to the basics. protein first, no junk foods of any kind. 20-30 minute meals, no longer, etc...Good luck to you! Hugs, kim
   — gpcmist

September 15, 2009
Have you looked into egd sclerotherepy. they go in through your mouth look at your stoma if it is open they inject it to start closing it. this will help you feel full again. you may need to go through this 2 or 3 x's to get it small again. you should be at 13-10 mm and you will start to loss weight again. It is normally covered through your insurance.
   — Veronica M