Question:
i am 3 yr out of post op..

i am 3yr out and i have gained 25 pounds. i am so depressed about regaining but it want stop. can someone please help me. i need all the prayers i can get and advice. thank you rita    — RITA B. (posted on December 14, 2004)

December 14, 2004
Rita, I am by no means in a position to give someone 3 years out advice but I do know that you still have that same tool you were given 3 years ago. Have you considered going back to basics? Eating protein first, limit carbs and NO drinking with your food? No grazing! 25 pounds isn't a lot unless you add another 25 to it. Get busy and get it off quick. I'm only 8 months post OP but I've had to work to lose the 93 pounds i've lost. My body is VERY resistant and I've pretty much been on a revised "Atkins" to lose. You can do it. If you want someone to encourage you thru..email me [email protected] YOU CAN DO IT!!!
   — FaithMills

December 14, 2004
I'm 3 years out as well and notice that I can EASILY gain weight. I have kept it under control by limiting myself to gain no more then 5 pounds. I then watch my calorie intake and eat no more then 1200 calories a day and the weight comes off again. This along with exercise will take the excess weight off. People who think they can't regain the weight are crazy. It can VERY easily happen. You just have to get control of the situation so it doesn't escalate back to our old habits.
   — Patty H.

December 14, 2004
I am two months out maintaining my weight loss but still would like to lose another 50 lbs. Stay away from the carbs especially refined sugar and junk foods. I can easliy gain weight and I am sure if I had started eating refined sugar I would have 20 -30 lbs back on . You can do it hang in there!
   — debmi

December 14, 2004
I'm three and 1/2 years post-op, and it is hard to fight to re-gain, but it's possible provided your surgery is intact. I would recommend that you re-read the pouch rules for dummies article (you can do a search on google for it) and apply the principles, especially about water... get lots, but don't drink w/ your meals. The longer you wait after a meal, the better. Second, get the South Beach Diet book. It's great, and recommends healthy foods to eat (low-fat protein, whole grains, veggies, etc). You can use Phase I and II to lose the extra, and phase II or III to maintain. Those principles really helped me to control my hunger. For me, white flour and white sugar products will cause re-gain in a heartbeat. Good luck! :)
   — mom2jtx3

December 15, 2004
<b>actually you deep down know the rules we wls folks must live with the rest of our lives. I am 2 yrs out. I do remember the doc telling me that I must always be focused and change the way I eat. if not I will gain. anyhow I'm convinced I carry the fat gene, and it's forever waiting for me to feed it. I realized that just because I reached my goal wt. my wl journey doesn't end there. I must always stay focused and eat healthy. which is very hard at 2 yrs out. my pouch isn't small like it use to be. I yo yo all the time. at 2 yrs out I do enjoy the forbidden foods at times. but not always, I do keep focused on my weight gain and when ever I gain between 5 and 10 lbs it's right back to wls golden rules. at 2 yrs out the scale is my window to how I'm doing. I keep watch every 3 or 4 days. and for me this works and keep me on my toes. I enjoy foods but I also will always be focused and control my weight. so hon, don't panic, you are not far off. since you know you gained start your wl journey and do what you need to do. The holidays are here, for me I will not fool myself in thinking I will not do this or that. So I will diet up until Christmas and then once again be back on track for the New Year. This is my plan. hang in there, you can do it. Best wishes</b>
   — B4real

December 15, 2004
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