Question:
11 months post-op, scared to death I have stretched out, can I fix it?

Ok... I am 11 months post op. I had lost 150 pound and have gained 12 in the past month. Looking and anylizing everything, here are the circumstances. I have recently went off birth control and feel very bloated and moody and such. Since weighing a week ago, I have watched what I ate, upped my water intake and stated in on my vitamin regimin again. I consider myself to be able to eat what I would think would be too much for me. At least 1 cup..if not 2 at a meal. I am horrible with snacking. Here's my plan... Start my day with lots of protien, cut out the snacking...if I absolutely positively HAVE to, then snacks will be beef jerky or soy nuts (something with protien). Up the water to at least 64...goal of 100. Make sure I am taking my vitamins. If I have stretched out my pouch, can I shrink it again by doing a fast diet (liquids, protien shakes, etc)? Is this possible or will I have to have a revision? Is this a good plan? Does anyone else have any other suggestions on how to fight the snacking urge and make sure I am eating less? I have come to the realization that I have worked too hard and come so far to make this a failure!    — sammygirlwpc (posted on July 17, 2003)

July 17, 2003
Are you transected? It could be as simple as the surgery is failing you, not you failing the surgery. If you are transected, perhaps you need to be revised to a distal procedure? You don't state what procedure you had, and it makes a difference. See Vitalady for more resources, or contact me directly. Its not your fault, we have a disease.
   — sandieguy

July 17, 2003
Leslie, I read somewhere that going back on a high protein liquid diet, yes, like the one you were on immediately post op, will help to shrink things a bit. I will tell you that my surgeon says that by 1 year post op, you should be able to eat a cup of food but no more. Good luck to you! Shawna G 445/371/175 Surgery - 5/2/03
   — SMG I.

July 18, 2003
Slow down and don't panic, when in your life before did you panic at 12 lbs.!? It's good that you noticed it right away, but it is within your control at this point. You are right to start with the water and protein only for snacks, but also realize that going off birth control is a change in your hormones, there may be some fluctuation, but stay in control. I think considering a revision at this point is quite early, have you checked out the support groups on yahoo groups? I believe that there are some specifically for longer term post ops that start to yo-yo a bit. Maybe you need to buy some new cookbooks and change the flavors of your foods more often to keep the taste buds happy with flavor. Sometimes I notice that I tend to feel a little deprived if I stay with the same routine. Try changing things a bit. You also didn't mention excercise, do you have a work-out routine? Three days a week for your health and 3-5 times per week for weight loss. Good luck!!
   — Dana B.

July 18, 2003
Yes, slow down. Take a breath. You'll be OK. You said that you are a snacker, and have vowed to cut out snacks. It's good that you have vowed to eat protein if you must snack, but if you are a snacker, I encourage you to think about incorporoating snacks (healthy, protein-based ones) into your daily food plan. You may do much better, feel less hungry and less deprived, if you eat a little less at your meals, and plan a couple of snacks in the day. I know that my 3:30 p.m. snack saves me from being ravenous by dinner, and then grazing all night. Try it, and see if that strategy works for you. Also, I don't want to preach, but for the sake of your long-term health you MUST take your vitamins and supplements and drink 64 ounces of water EVERY DAY for the rest of your life. That is not for weight loss (though water does help weight loss); it is to keep you from developing other serious health problems. Promise yourself that you will never slip on those. It's that important. (And, relax, you're going to be fine.)
   — Vespa R.

July 18, 2003
First, congrats on 150 in 11 months- that is absolutely awesome and a testiment to your hard work! Leslie, hate to tell you this, but it is a calories game, and if you have gained weight, you are taking in more calories than you are expending. I don't see anything mentioned about exercise. I have found that exercise(consistent, heart pumping cardio), lots of water, and cutting down on the snacking is truly the key to not only losing weight but keeping it off. My suggestion is to eat more often but smaller amounts,in other words, do not let yourself get hungry enough that you will overeat or make the wrong choices, but have enough to make you feel comfortable. I'm not a fan of liquid diets. As for revision, revisions are usually for those who have technical problems with their surgeries and not for those who KNOW why their weight is going up. I think if you put a plan together and follow it you'll see those 12 pounds leave quickly. If the plan is too overwhelming, try breaking it into small tasks and tackling one at a time until your comfortable with the whole plan.
   — Cindy R.