Question:
How hard is it really?

So i'm looking for honesty here. I've put on 30 pounds induced primarily by medication. Now i'm off hte meds and am looking, obviously to take off that 30...perhaps throw in an extra 10 with it. my diet hasn't changed much (in regards to pre med diet which is protein, low carb, typical WLS diet), how hard are post ops finding it (and i'm 4 yrs post op) when they have to "diet" again to have hte weight come off? Does it come off quicker than pre op when every pound was a stuggle? i know it doesn't fall off at this stage, but is it easier relatively so? Thanks!! heather    — hdziema (posted on October 26, 2006)

October 27, 2006
I thought we always had to "Diet?' I have to watch what I eat, and I am almost two years out.
   — Novashannon

October 28, 2006
I will be 5 years on Jan. 2nd, and I can give you only "my" honesty here. I was slowly going back up from my best weight of 112 to 130 in my 3rd to 4th years. I was eating more carbs, basically eating whatever the rest of my family was eating. I was able to eat a large amount at a time, as well. After our 14 year-old son drowned, I ate to comfort myself, and blossomed to 145. When I took the in-school suspension classroom teacher position at the 4th - 6th grade intermediate center I started nervous eating -- snacking all day at my desk -- and ended up at 157. On October 2nd I went to my PCP, asked for an antidepressant for the nervous eating. I decided I had to really want to get back to my best weight, and have made myself focus, seriously, and am pulling out all my tricks to keep that focus. It's easier this time in the fact that I can visualize what the end result will be, since I was already there and have pictures I can look at for motivation. I have my tools - the education I got from my surgery, my pouch rules, and knowing that it WILL work. It is not as quick this time. After the first 12, it has been three weeks just getting from 145 to 139. I know I'm not going to lose every day, so I am not letting myself get discouraged. I wish it was faster, but I'm trying to be realistic. I also sit all day at school, as my students don't get recess, etc., so we stay in the room all day. I've just started using my dumbbells at my desk for my arms, and I'm riding my bike at home in the evenings. I had gotten totally out of the exercising, so adding that back in should help. I'm getting in my protein, using shakes as well as foods, giving up sugar-free cookies and candies, as the sugar alcohols knock me out of ketosis, gave up all sugar and flour products, eating oatmeal once a week with Splenda for some fiber, and being consistent with my supplements. It's as close to my immediate post-WLS diet as I can get. I've read the library here on this site for pointers as the folks here are great with sharing tips and tricks. I journal, make mini-goals -- which I post in my room and change them when I meet them -- and have my old heavy pics and a pic from when I was 112 up on my desk to provide that little extra motivation I need. Honestly, for me, after the first few days getting off the sugar, it became easier each day. Now that it's been nearly 4 weeks I think I've made some great new "habits". I can only say my intentions are to stay with it until I'm back to 112. That's 27 pounds to go. I have no past experience as to know how long it will take this time, but I do know, as I said, what the result can look like! And that IS a great motivator for me. It didn't happen all at once, but I have become passionate about this again. That seems to be the key to it all for me now. Being passionate about it. I hope this has helped a little for you. If you would like to email me that would be fine. I'd be glad to have and be someone's buddy in our struggle with late regain.
   — kabookie

October 28, 2006
Honestly I thik certain meds do play a part in making you gain. For one I have Rheumatoid arthritis and the prednisone even in very low doses and the arthritis med itself gives me a hefty craving for food all day. I try my best to eat fruits and veggies and protein always first. But the cravings are still nore than sometimes I can handle and give in to whatever is in reach to eat. Mind you I still dump on high sugar content and greasy foods as well as eating too fast or gulping what I drink. I exercise by walking my daughters puppy several times a day. I have limited exercise due to the swelling and pain in my knees and feet. I do cookies but make them with splenda and almond flour. Still it is what you eat and how much though. I feel this surgery does make you have to diet so to speak but not to live your life endulging in watching every single thing you put in your mouth. I want to enjoy foods but also have them have a good taste and enjoy it without guilt. I don;t have a problem really with what I eat but how much I eat. It still makes me dump if I eat too much and I am glad that i do dump. Keeps me kind of grounded as well and away from over eating. Irish
   — mspisces

November 14, 2006
Diet is a four lettered word. Eating healthier and changing bad eating habits will get that 30 + 10 pounds gone. Remember to drink that water!
   — sby949