Question:
What are the chances of me gaining most of the weight back?

   — garygiles (posted on June 23, 2009)

June 23, 2009
If you don't fall back into your old habits of "regular" eating you will keep the weight off. Keep your portons down and stay on track. My motto is "eat like a four year old" I am a year and a half out and still eat on the tiny plate.. Good luck.
   — lesleigh07

June 23, 2009
Good if you go back to old bad habits or create new bad habits. I think Grazing is the biggest problem for us. Stay away from sugared sodas and drinks, slider foods and you all know what they are. Fortunately for me almost 5 years post op and I still dump on sugar. My issue is grazing on slider foods. I gained 30 pounds back and had to go to Weight Watchers to get back on track. Lost 25 of those pounds and I'm not going back. One more thing......Keep moving (exercise).
   — smparker2

June 23, 2009
i have already made the decision that if i gain even FIVE pounds i will immediately go to weight watchers and get myself back into some sort of program. there is a reason we had surgery and the reason is that we want to become healthy people who eat right and exercise. and we must continue to eat right and exercise. and if we mess up, then we MUST pick up and eat right and exercise again. so, the bottom line is if you stop eating right and exercising you will gain weight back, and possibly all of it, and possibly more.
   — greenpunchbuggie

June 23, 2009
Hi! I agree with the other posters, change your eating habits now. Take the "honeymoon" period of no hunger to re evaluate wha and how you feel about food. It should be thought of as fuel for your body, not a source of comfort or pleasure. Eat healthily, and and you will do great. I am 1 year out and still eat very small meals 4 times a day to maintain my current weight. I am not worried about regaining because I know I have made the necessary changes in my head to eat right and keep fit. Best of luck to you all!! Hugs,Kim
   — gpcmist

June 24, 2009
The chances are very good if you are doing protein drinks. They are made for body builders to bulk up not for weight loss to get protein. I eat all day, call it grazing, I eat a lot of protein cottage cheese, cheese, peanut butter, Fruits and Vegtables, a little meat (few bites) The biggest thing is to eat slowly and pay attention to your body. When you feel full stop. No more then a cup of food per meal. I eat sweets and junk too but a few bites and I am satisfied.
   — Kimberly Ten Kate

June 24, 2009
It's really YOUR CHOICE. We have to change the whole way we look at and deal with food. We have to learn to "eat to live" - not "live to eat." It's hard. Especially with so many darn food commercials on TV. I'm doing well with my weight loss - Since March 2, I've gone down a total of 60 pounds, and including the weight loss I did BEFORE surgery, that makes a total of 86 pounds. I was uber prepared for this surgery. I went to support groups BEFORE surgery to get a feel for what I'd be going though AFTERWARDS. I heard a lot about "head hunger" - which is where you're really not hungry, you just think you are. A lot of us also battle cravings daily. My personal demons are MacDonald's Fish Sandwiches, and all kinds of pasta with rich, white sauces. The key to my success so far has been to BE PREPARED. That means when I walk out the door, I have a small insulated lunch bag or cooler that holds several appropriate things I can eat if I get caught away from home for a long time. I also make sure that I'm drinking PLENTY of water, which is hard for me, because I'm just not a "water" person. So, I carry little stick packs of Crystal Light On The Go, or Benefiber Kiwi Strawberry to add to the bottle I carry around with me everywhere. You also have to remember to stop drinking at least 15 minutes before you eat, and do not start drinking again until 45 minutes after you eat (or however you're directed by your surgeon). This is extremely important, as drinking will just wash the food right through your stomach, without it having a chance to digest anything, and your body will think it's starving and will hold on to all the weight it can in order to "survive." I try to avoid going out to restaurants more than once a week - but when I do, I make sure that I order something that is very high in protein, and if it comes with things that will tempt me, like mashed potatoes or white rice or pasta, I ask them to leave that off the plate. In fact, I often just order a side of something, or ask if anyone else wants to share a dinner with me. On many occasions, I've asked the server to put half of my order in a to-go box before he or she even brings it out to the table. In other words, you just have to really re-train yourself, and exercise your will-power and keep thinking "slim tastes better than anything else". Here's to success!
   — Erica Alikchihoo

June 24, 2009
Take a look back and what you've accomplished and what you did (eaten/not eaten) to get to where you are. Some days I feel like I eat like a horse and get really upset with myself...but then I realize what I've eaten is far LESS than what I used to; PLUS I don't drink sodas anymore, nothing carbonated, very little sweets, no rice, potatoes, bread, pasta...those things alone should count for SOMETHING! I know you are doing far better than in your "other" life. Just keep chewing, chewing, chewing and stick to the tiny plate.
   — Roxana W.

June 24, 2009
I had my surgery 10 years ago and I'm still at (or very close to) my goal weight. And since having GBS, I pretty much eat what I want. But always in the back of my mind is this little voice telling me that if I'm not careful with what I eat, I will gain it all back. I try to watch my portion sizes and I try to stay away from things I know will make me sick. I always ask myself these questions before I eat something too: 1.Is this what you really want to eat? 2.How is it going to make your stomach feel in a half hour or so? 3.If it really is what I want, how much can I eat and not feel sick to my stomach? I try to eat small meals or portions, but multiple times a day. This way, I keep myself more satisfied and I'm less tempted to go overboard. I'm not saying I'm perfect and that I never over indulge, I do. I am the world's biggest carb-junkie and that's my biggest weakness. But the thing is, now I know it's my weakness and I just keep that little voice going and I ask myself those questions and I keep on going. And I don't beat myself up too much if I do over do it either. I just cut back a bit the next day and it all works out in the end. Yes, you can gain back some, alot or all of the weight you'll lose after having this done. I guess your chances of gaining depends on how much you DON'T want to gain back. How much work are you willing to put into keeping it from coming back. I know it's sounds like it's a really difficult thing to do, but really it isn't. If you ask yourself those questions before you ever put anything in your mouth, you'll think more about the choices you make and it just becomes habit. I hope this didn't sound too preachy. I just think the odds are what you make them to be. I wish you good luck in your future weight loss! Life is just starting for you.... :D And if you have any questions, (I don't know if I make myself very clear sometimes! :S) feel free to ask!
   — carmelina1123