Question:
14 months post op and I need help with my diet!

I am 14 months post op and lost 105 lbs. I have gained 10 lbs in about 1 1/2 months. I am scared of gaining anymore. It is said to say but I have not learned anything from this surgery. While I can of course eat less I still eat all the wrong foods. I need to learn to eat more healthy. I can eat anything and not get sick. I know for a fact that I stuff myself when I eat because I get very sleepy after eating most times. Does anybody have any suggestions of how I can get back on track? I saw Oprah yesterday and saw a man named Peter. He lost 560 lbs. He is such an inspiration! I will begin to journal my journey. Thanks!!! Tracy - post op - open RNY 1/10/02    — tracyr (posted on February 11, 2003)

February 11, 2003
You sound EXACTLY like me. I will be a year post op in March, and I have lost 104lbs. But the last 3 weeks, I have eaten everything in sight. I, too, can eat anything. I look forward to hearing everyone's answers. I also posted almost the same question today! I haven't yet read the responses. Perhaps they will help you too. My problem is, I KNOW what to do, I just don't seem to have the will power to do it. I still want to lose 50 more lbs.! Good luck to you!
   — Kay W.

February 11, 2003
I don't think you mentioned if you were done losing or not. I've lsot 104lbs. in 8 months and am still losing, much slower. But my appetite has returned and is fierce! I feel the same way you do, I eat alot loss, but I don't feel like I'm eating the right things. Granted, I eat veggies and fruit everyday, when before I hardly ate them. But I still feel like I'm eating unhealthier foods. And although I can lose now,o once I'm at my goal weight (about 15lbs. away) I feel like I'll be in trouble. Do you exercise at all? I joined a gym a few weeks ago, and feel alot better doing so. I don't feel as guilty when I eat things now b/c I know I'm burning alot. What I try to do also is cook grilled chicken one night, and I can have it leftover for like a week. Because healthier foods seem to take more work, right? It's so easy to melt some cheese on like 3 nachos or something along those lines. Maybe you can try to see a nutritionist, not sure if insurance pays for it, I know they might be expensive otherwise. I wish I had more advice for you, but you're definately not alone! Oh, unfortunately, I missed the Oprah episode on Pete, but he is a member of AMOS! Goodluck to you!!
   — Lezlie Y.

February 11, 2003
Hi Tracy- I am a year post-op and struggling to keep the weight loss going. What is happening to you is not unusual. This surgery is just a tool, and I wish more people would realize that before they elect to have this surgery-too many think that they will lose the weight without effort and keep it off forever and ever. Many long term post-ops will tell you that it takes work to keep the weight off and the smaller pouch is a great help, but it is still work. If you are eating the wrong foods and know it, you will continue to gain weight unless you decide to reverse this. I'm sure you know what foods are healthy foods, so if you have to stuff, try stuffing with healthy foods. Remove the junk from your house-out of sight, out of mind. And are you exercising? EXERCISE is truly the key. If you can force yourself to work out for 45 minutes or so, 3 or 4 days a week, it will help enormously to keep the weight down. Journaling helps some (never did for me). You have to find what works for you. Do you have a support group? If not, find one. There is power (as in will power) that you will find through the help of others who are going thru the same thing. Tap into it, and good luck!
   — Cindy R.

February 11, 2003
Wow - I could have posted this question myself...was glad to see others are in the same boat. I had open rny 4/12 and I am down 95 pounds - but, in the last couple of weeks I started craving (and caving in to soda) and everything else. My old habits seemed to have returned. I am trying to up my protein again and I KNOW I need to start walking again everyday. If you want to support each other - just e-mail me at [email protected]
   — Lisa J.

February 12, 2003
If you are interested in more about Pete, go to his website: http://www.bigpete803.com/index.php I have the same doctor as him, I have met him, and he IS an inspiration! Good luck to you!
   — wiggie34