Question:
Where are you? Long term post ops?
Hi Friends, Being a long term post op myself I know I enjoy reading profiles of other long term post ops. It helps me to know if I'm "normal" at my stage in the journey. I also think it's a wonderful tool for pre-op patients. I'd love to hear the successes and frustrations of long timers. I'd also love to read updated profiles for long timers. Is everyone keeping their profile updated? Any helpful hints, tips or other things we should know to remain successful? Best wishes to everyone. — ronascott (posted on April 19, 2004)
April 19, 2004
I'm only 1 year post-op but wanted to put my two cents in :-) I'm feeling
fabulous and maintain a 110 lb. weight loss. I'm 4 months out from the
lower body lift and 4 weeks out from breast lift and arm lift. It's been
quite a year to say the least! Lab work is great and life is good. What's
the problem, you say? G-R-A-Z-I-N-G! I am having the worst time with
eating throughout the day. My bariatric surgeon said the #1 cause of
weight regain after RNY is grazing. Never thought it would happen to me
yet here I am. Been 3 weeks now and I haven't been able to turn it around
yet. Only gained 3 pounds but we all know how quickly 3 can turn into 30.
That's much main frustration! Thanks for listening and allowing me to
share.
— Vicki S.
April 19, 2004
I'll be 2 1/2 years post-op as of 5/5. I can't believe it's been that
long!! I'm feeling great and have an inner thigh lift surgery scheduled
for 4 weeks tomorrow. I think I might get a breast lift done next year and
that will FINALLY end all of my plastic surgeries!!! I know I look 10
years younger then my current age and that makes me feel wonderful!! I
agree with the previous poster about grazing being difficult but I've still
maintained my 120 pound weight loss. My weight fluctuates between 124 and
129. My promise to myself is to NEVER go above 130 EVER again. So far
I've maintained that promise but it's not without a lot of willpower and
exercise. Good luck to all the other pre and post-ops!!
— Patty H.
April 19, 2004
I am a little over 2 years post-op and I have been maintaining at the same
weight for at least 20 months now,, i also have a problem with grazing, if
I eat 5 to 6 small meals a day rather then 3, I don't have that problem,,I
have also been measuring and weighing all my food portions lately,and
trying to get in my required amount of water, I hate the water thing, I
know it is what keeps our system moving, but I just can't seem to get
enough water (even yet at over 2 years post-op,) anybody else have this
problem??
— bikerchic
April 19, 2004
I am 18 months post op and do keep my profile updated at least monthly,
sometimes twice. I'd agree with the others - grazing is evil. I exercise
4-5 days per week for about an hour and I need to continue this to not gain
weight. Holidays are hard for me to not pick at the goodies. I've lost 130
pounds and am looking into getting a lower body lift which I expect to lose
about 15 pounds from. I am not in a normal BMI range, nor do I expect to
ever be, but I consider myself successful. Best wishes to you!
— Yolanda J.
April 19, 2004
My surgeon requires protein supplements. If you are not doing that, would
that cause the grazing? That is part of the program that my surgeon is
requiring. I haven't had the surgery yet. My date is May 24th.
— Candy M.
April 19, 2004
I am 18 months post op and do keep my profile updated at least monthly,
sometimes twice. I'd agree with the others - grazing is evil. I exercise
4-5 days per week for about an hour and I need to continue this to not gain
weight. Holidays are hard for me to not pick at the goodies. I've lost 130
pounds and am looking into getting a lower body lift which I expect to lose
about 15 pounds from. I am not in a normal BMI range, nor do I expect to
ever be, but I consider myself successful. Best wishes to you!
— Yolanda J.
April 20, 2004
I will be 3 years out in july and doing well. Ever aware of regain I dont
let it get out of hand. Lowest was 179 and that was underweight I settled
out in the mid 190s where my docs wanted me:) climbed once to 205 or so.
Tend to gain in the winter. Got a part time job stocking shelves at grocery
store for paid exercise. Weigh 191 as of yesterday. Details all in my
profile:) Dieting is MUCH easier as a postie and I do update my profile
occasionally. Avoiding sugar and back to basics peels the weight off fast.
These 3 years went by fast:) I am more physically active than I ever was,
and probably healthier too. Just wish I had done this sooner.
— bob-haller
April 20, 2004
I'll be five years out in September. I don't update all that regularly
because I'm fairly stable and things just don't change all that much. I
lost 135 in the first year, gained 20 back at the beginning of year three,
and lost the regain with a South Beach regimen this past fall. I'm holding
steady at 124. I'm 5'8" so that seems like a thin weight for me, but I
am pretty small-boned so it looks OK. I usually update my profile once a
year whether it needs it or not!! hugs, Ann..... RNY 9/10/99..... 260/124
— [Deactivated Member]
April 20, 2004
I'll be three years out in August. My frustration is with my on-going carb
addiction. I fall off the wagon, put on 5 or 10 pounds, climb back on,
lose the weight, fall back off, etc, etc. With some hard work and the
South Beach diet I am able to maintain a normal BMI for the first time in
my life. I don't update my profile much anymore as nothing really changes
these days aside from the 5/10 pound yo-yo. My biggest tip is to eat dense
protein foods that keep you full longer, and don't drink with meals (same
old advice!). I do have a snack between meals and as long as it's protein
I don't gain. It's that white flour and white sugar that is evil, evil,
evil!!
— mom2jtx3
April 20, 2004
I'm 14 months out. I have still managed to stay away from sugar and pop.
I was a diet Coke freak and a major sugar nut too. One of the hardest
things for me is to avoid Dairy Queen I miss it so much and I have other
post ops tell just try it. No way, I cant because I am sure I'll never
stop! My blood work has been great, only had major dumping once, but had
my share of intestional. Lots of emotional issues dropping the weight,
been obese since I was 2 1/2. I've lost 125 - 130 lbs and I go back and
forth 5 lbs. I am happy with my loss but have compared myself to others
which was really bad and painful. It just doesnt sink in sometimes that I
have gone from a size 34 to an 18 - 20, 5'10". I am the same size I
was when I graduated from high school 32 years ago! I work out 4- 5 times
per week, love it and extremely proud of myself. BUT! I still love to
eat, I love food, I have terrible head hunger--and I am about 60 lbs from
my goal!
My surgeon tells me I should be 149lbS! Best of luck to you!
— debmi
April 20, 2004
I am 4 years out and has gain no more than 10 and loss 10lb I am pretty
steady in my weight. When I eat too much sweet or oily foods I still get
sick and dump. So I just try and stay away from that type of food.I
usually can't eat anything sweet unless I coat my stomach with a protein
drink first. After that I pretty much don't want anything sweet. I am able
to tolerate a whole more. I update my profile once a year but read the site
almost everyday.
— Sharon T.
April 20, 2004
2 1/2 years post op. I lost all my extra weight the first year and was
down to 135. I maintained that weight for a year and started in on that
evil grazing thing. I went to the doctor a month or so ago and weighed 148
I just about fell on the floor. So I have joined up at the YMCA and have
been doing yoga twice a week and cardio stuffs 2-3 times. I'm one of those
that love excersize but NEVER did it. I've limited the grazing....ooooh but
it's soooo difficult. And hopefully I will get back down to 135. My
clothes were getting pretty tight and I refused to buy bigger ones...lol.
For the first time sice my WLS I have actually had to pay attention to what
I put in my mouth and the amount of excersize I do. I knew it was too good
to be true. =)
— RebeccaP
April 20, 2004
I'll be three years out next month. I am very discouraged. I went into WLS
knowing full well that weight can and does get regained. I NEVER made it to
goal and I stopped at the low end of the overweight bmi range. I despartely
wanted to lose more weight so I went low carb for a week. I lost five
pounds and as soon as I was off the low carb I gained 10 pounds! So now I'm
worse than before. My weight was holding at 162 before dieting. Now it's
169 to 174. Crap. I may as well not dieted as I could stay at 162 with no
effort before. I'm so discouraged I don't know what to do anymore. :(
— Danmark
April 21, 2004
Hi there! Today Iam 15 months postop. Iam 5'4 and started out at 294. I
currently bounce back and forth between 144 and 147. When I get my tummy
tuck done I hope to lose another 5-10 lbs. Iam right on the border of
being overweight and normal weight range according to my BMI, but Iam big
boned so 144-147 looks pretty good on me. Some of my relatives in fact
think Im too skinny, but I think I look ok. Iam very aware of the
possibility of regain, and grazing is a problem for me, especially around
the holidays. For me personally, in order for my weight to stay steady, I
have to watch fat grams and exercise and make sure to drink my water. I do
watch carbs a little, but for some reason with me if I cut them way down, I
actually regain a bit. I dont regret having this done for one minute! I
feel so much better and have so much more energy now. Good Luck to you
all!
— Kris T.
April 21, 2004
Hi I am 3 1/2 yrs post and just had hernia repair and panniculectomy. I am
doing great! love this life! I've lost 140 lbs.
— Mylou52
April 22, 2004
A little over 2 years post op and maintaining my loss. My profile is
updated and I also have a lessons learned section that I posted on my 2
year anniversary. To remain successful, I weigh daily and give myself a 3
pound window. If i go over the window (and I do) I have a plan for getting
it off. As Bob Haller said, it is easier to diet as a post-op and I have
found it easier to take it off while its just 3 pounds rather than 10 or
20. My best advice is to have a plan. Whatever works. I have learned how
to have my daily sugar treats, eat healthy meals, exercise regularly and
maintain my weight loss. And the 2nd tip is to choose a reasonable goal
weight. So many post-ops lose too much because they can that first year,
then lament when they start eating more and can't maintain the weight. As
you lose, keep in mind that wherever you end up, thats the # of calories
you will need to maintain. Go too low and you get to eat less or move
more...
— Cindy R.
April 22, 2004
Hi there,
3 years, 3 months since surgery and it has been wonderful. Last month I
started the GRAZING thing and it is driving me crazy too. Until then, I
was still throwing up at least once a month and not able to eat more than 1
cup of food, now POOF ... I can eat more and am hungry/nibbling all day. I
did join a health club last week and am going daily, hopefully this will
help. I really have to talk to myself to keep myself from eating all day
long. I had a tummy tuck in December and I highly suggest it to anyone
wanting to do it. I am so grateful to have my life back and realize that
this weightloss, though great can be fragil unless I keep on top of it
daily. Best to all.
— Kathy J.
April 23, 2004
4yrs. as of 4/25! have lost 120 pds. and have never felt better.it's still
easier to digest carbs instead of protein so i have to be very, very
careful.
best decision i've ever made!!
— 2PUGS
April 24, 2004
Here's one who has been hiding!!! Loving life and all the energy that I
have rediscovered since surgery 18 months ago. Still am not at goal--but
still losing slowly and am absolutely THRILLED to be where I am at. I
really feel vindicated that I was a no/slow loser before surgery and have
proven again such post-op from this drastic step--see that it isn't just
"she eats too much"!!!! I am hitting a bump in the road though
if any of you long termers could help--seems I have developed a sweet
tooth--not a problem pre-op--but has really reared it's ugly head the last
3 months. I'll post above to the general questions. Wishing all of you
faithful, loyal, trusted fellow "obies" much joy in your lives
and peace of mind I have come to enjoy. Thank you for all the support
(Cindy Rubin, Bob Haller my most credible resources and they don't even
know it!!!!)Keep up the good work!!!!
— Wannabe A.
June 16, 2006
Hi everybody! It's been a Very long time since I last posted, but that
isn't to say I don't lurk. In december I will be 5 years out, and it has
been one hell of a rollercoaster. I have kept off most of my lost weight.
I started at 230 and my smallest was 127 but only for 5 days. That being
said my smallest size was 4-6. My normal wt. was usually 135 steady now
though I am at 145. The biggest thing I stopped doing was exercise as that
kept my metabolism reved all the time I need to get back there. Also I
have become a Gasp- grazer, which I don't recomend to anyone. Really
though it's just a matter of finding my head again and that elusive belief
in oneself that is so ironically easier to lose than the weight. My advise
to anyone that want's to know how to keep it off is this- sugar is evil
don't reintroduce it as that dumping syndrom will subside and eventually
you loose it all together so all newbies out there don't TEST yourself the
demon is not worth the weight. Also I have done alot to educate myself on
our bodies and I have learned a great deal, so any questions please contact
me as this is only a tool and with disuse I have seen people regain all
their wt. so really keep it going. Peace and life is great Tara
[email protected] email me I will try to help
— ktmckg
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