Question:
Need advice about gaining, hernia repair and tummy tuck

I had open RNY 10/28/02 (276/177). I quit smoking 10/28/03. I orginally lost 99#. I havent lost anthing since Oct 7th. In fact I have gained 10#. I know I can eat more now and am struggling to control myself like everyone else. Im not sure if the weight loss stopping (and gain) is due to quitting smoking or eating more. I guess Im scared that since we lose our weight by basically starving that If we increase our food even to less than normal we are doomed to gaining it back. What do you think?? Im still 35-50# from goal. I do Curves 3 times a week (45 minutes--3 rounds) and Ive recently added one hour of water aerobics twice a week and walking 3 times a week. Im freaking out because im having an incisional hernia repair and a tummy tuck on Feb. 3rd and am still terrified of this weight gain and how Im feeling. It seems the 10 pounds Ive gained has really effected how my clothes fit and everything (feeling like a hog!!! I hate it). Im so scared of having any kind of surgery too. Any advice or encouragement?? Sorry to rattle. Thanks guys.    — Marilayne M. (posted on January 14, 2004)

January 14, 2004
Your stats are very similar to mine. I had surgery 10/22/02. Started at 272 after having lost 27 pre-op. I lost down to 153 but gained 10 between Thanksgiving and now.I can only blame it on over eating, and cutting back on my time at the gym because of the holidays and not getting up on cold mornings and going like I should. I live in Florida so that is a lame excuse for getting lazy. I know what you mean about feeling the extra 10 pounds. When I weighed 300 10# didn't faze me but now I feel ashamed and self conscious in my clothes. I feel like people are noticing it and thinking "yea, I knew she would gain it back". I am back to going 5 days a week now and I have cut out the snacking but I don't want to get on the scale yet. Go on with your surgery. It will give you the incenitive to get back on track and you will love your new self after the TT. I know because I had one 20 years ago and my tummy is still flat even after getting back up to 300.
   — Tawnda C.

January 14, 2004
I really know how you feel. I started at 275lbs and had my open rny 9/26/02. I have stayed between 150 and 158 lbs. for the past 6 months. I to am having a hernia repair and TT Feb. 2nd! Last night I was in tears because once again I was back up to 156lbs. My DH don't understand when I get upset and tell him I feel like a hog. He's always telling me to look at my before picture. He doesn't seem to realize that fear is always there of becoming my former self again. I have read so much here about Tummy tucks and how they take off the lbs. Geeze....after 6 months of going up & down, I'll be happy to have a few lbs taken off. Hang in there...and if you want email me at [email protected] and we'll keep in touch about our progress with the Tummy tuck, maybe we can encourage each other!
   — Brenda T.

January 14, 2004
The honeymoon for us is over..I have to agree with the poster below..when I was 300+ lbs, 10lbs wouldn't phase me. I had my surgery Nov 18th 2002, I've lost 167lbs but have gained back 3..Now of course 3 lbs does not sound like much, but I'm FREAKING OUT- Its hit me, I CAN GAIN WEIGHT (and plenty of it) The longest post op I personally know is 9 years from RNY- she lost over 200lbs, and gained back over 90 of them- SO ITS VERY POSSIBLE- The fear of gaining back weight, is as scarry as burning in a fire (I know that sounds dramatic, but its true) I'M PETRIFIED,,but on the other hand, I think this is a GOOD THING, if we become too relaxed (like I've been lately) we ARE going to pack on the pounds- This site is VERY important to me for SUPPORT, I need it..and ALWAYS will..best wishes Kim
   — WABBIT F.

January 15, 2004
I WENT FROM 380 TO 255 AND WEIGHT STOPPED, AFTER 2 YEARS OF NO MORE WEIGHT LOSS I HAD MY TT @ 255LBS AND IT CAME OUT GREAT. YOU WILL LOSE THE 10 LBS AFTER SURGERY. IT'LL MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE. DON'T BE SO HARD ON YOURSELF, JUST DO THE BEST YOU CAN. GOOD LUCK.
   — Julie A.

January 15, 2004
I WENT FROM 380 TO 255 AND WEIGHT STOPPED, AFTER 2 YEARS OF NO MORE WEIGHT LOSS I HAD MY TT @ 255LBS AND IT CAME OUT GREAT. YOU WILL LOSE THE 10 LBS AFTER SURGERY. IT'LL MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE. DON'T BE SO HARD ON YOURSELF, JUST DO THE BEST YOU CAN. GOOD LUCK.
   — Julie B.

January 15, 2004
Hi There. Many of us long term post op folks are suddenly realizing that what they said all along about WLS being a tool and not a miracle is really true. I've mentioned this here several times so forgive me if I sound like a broken record but......there is a new e-group called GetBOT and it stands for GET BACK ON TRACK. It an accountability group. You write down every thing you eat each day and others on the group give you some direction and guidance and support. There is no slamming or flaming even when you have a day where you really fall off the wagon. We are going to start having live chats next week and that should be fun. Most folks are 6 months post op or longer but if someone less than that is really experiencing problems they are welcome to post. There's over 100 members and often 50 or more posts a day. We call it a safe haven because no bashing is allowed. I can tell you that I started journaling there for my accountability on January 5th and I have lost 7 1/2 pounds. It's been so helpful. If you'd like to join the address is: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/GetBOT/ Hang in there. If we work together we'll all find our way. Best wishes to you!
   — ronascott

January 15, 2004
Marilayne, you are discovering what the rest of us long term post-ops have already discovered, that yes, you can gain weight back. In fact, there are some post-ops who have gained significant amounts back. But this does not have to happen. Its all up to us at this point. The surgery does its work the first year or so, after that it is us who have to work to continue to lose and yes, more work to maintain. What is required is a plan that you come up with and personalize, anything that works for you. I'm close to 2 years post-op and I'll share my plan/lessons learned with you. I weigh daily and allow a 3 pound window. 10 is way too much and others say they wait until their clothes are too tight-again, that would be a good 7 pounds for me, no thanks. It is so much easier to tackle 2 or 3 pounds, than 10. When I go outside of my window (as I did at holiday time!!), I started making better food choices for meals (deli meats over salad instead of a sandwich with mayo and chips), and I cut back (not out) the snacks ( a few a day instead of whatever and whenever I wanted) and changed some of the snack choices ( nuts instead of cookies, for example). And I upped the heart pumping cardio exercise to 4 times a week instead of 3 (sounds like you have a good plan in the exercise dept). In no time that extra 2 or 3 pounds is gone. I've also chosen a reasonable goal weight. Keep in mind that the lower your goal weight, the less calories you can take in to maintain that lower weight, and I love to eat, so I set a reasonable goal-size 10, instead of going down to 6 or 8 and having to eat less to maintain that. And another thing, eat frequently. Small frequent and mostly protein based meals and snacks keep you from getting hungry and fuel that metabolism to keep burning those calories. Good luck.
   — Cindy R.