mi75

Seriously, if eating small portions and moving more were do-able long term, most of us would NOT be here/post op. Phen can stretch your Pulmonic valve and give you pulmonary hypertension, a very REAL and serious condition that requires bilateral lung transplant to survive it. Yes, a lot of people get it from diet drugs. Honestly, if my husband didn't support me then I would have him watch one of the episodes of My 600 lb life or Fat Doctor or something similar. I think these shows can give some idea of what the caregivers are in for long term. I'm not trying to insult anybody, please people don't think that. I just know that for ME, when I was 5'3" and 240 lbs I felt very similar to the people in those shows. I couldn't jump up out of a chair, I couldn't breathe right, I couldn't sleep right, I couldn't do ANYTHING with my kids. Hell, I could barely function at work all day. I'd come home and collapse in a chair and stay there until bed time. I didn't cook, clean or anything extra. And long-term, if I would have continued down that path, I would have kept gaining and needed my hubs to help me do EVERYTHING, including toileting and bathing. Maybe seeing a show will help your husband understand that you don't want to get to that point or depend on him for basic care functions. Ultimately, in the long run it's your decision to make about your own health and well-being. Good luck!

I work nights. I had my surgery while working a day job and no problems. I took a night job and for the first 3-6 months i had a terrible time with adjusting. I only work 3 nights a week (nurse) so there is this constant work/sleep disruption. At first, I packed hard boiled eggs, baked chicken, shakes, etc. All good bari foods. Then about 9-10 months into the job I started slipping. I started drinking diet Vernors. Then I started nibbling and snacking at work. Now I'm up about 20 lbs and struggling with the regain. I am still on nights but have finally adjusted my body to it. I take prevacid every morning around 8am, and if needed i'll take it around 9-10 pm. For exercise, if I work the night before, then i will just walk the following night. if i'm not working, then I do my Beachbody DVDs when the family is gone during the day. I just take Vitamins when i take my prevacid, and Calcium when i wake up OR at dinner, so there's a time gap. Working nights is definitely a challenge in general, but I feel like being a bari patient at night is extra tough because if I eat during the day to maintain my blood sugar swings, then eating during my shift is just extra calories. During the stretches that I do work back to back shifts, I eat probably 300-450 more calories during that 24 hour period than I should. Thus, the regain...i'm on a pouch reset right now. we'll see if I can get control back!

Now that I'm back on track and focusing on losing my regain, I really want some sort of attainable measurable goal to work towards. I generally do better with all things when I have something to work toward. I have never really been athletic but was a runner with my hubs many years ago. I blew out my leg/ankle area and can't run anymore. I am looking for something that would help me become strong and won't break the bank. not sure if that involves lifting, swimming, martial arts, etc. But I would love something that is beginner-friendly AND involves some form of competition to eventually get involved with (again, running isn't my thing anymore). I was told that warrior dash was fun, but that involves running in mud and i'm afraid i could fall and blow out my leg again. any suggestions?

yes, good point. I saw my orthopod last year. after I had lost a lot of my weight and he didn't make any specific reference to the strength of it, just that it looked good. Initially when I broke it almost 20 years ago, I was told I would probably not be able to run again.

I see a RD that is associated with my original bariatric surgeon (changed insurance, changed practices, then went back and paying out of pocket). I too am a nurse, and I will just say this. I am a heart nurse. That means that I KNOW cardiac. I've been in every avenue of cardiac nursing for well over 25 years (inpatient, outpatient, cath lab, electro lab, stress lab, tilt lab, transplant team). But, if you ask me about chemotherapy or pediatrics, it's like a deer in the headlights. I see Nuts and RDs the same way. Yes, they have all been to school. RDs have pretty much all been through the BA program that gives them proper education and certification. However, they all specialize in something different. I have only encountered ONE RD ever that is a specialist in bariatric medicine. So...if the RD isn't specially trained in bariatrics, they are going to give you textbook advice. I would follow your surgeon's recommendations to a T. My surgeon emphasizes heavy Protein diet for quite a while (really no grains or fruit for a LONG time). But again, every program is different, so it's best to consult with your provider.

Agree- I've always called my pop "my coffee" and at work I gather at the coffee counter with everybody else, I just have my soda instead of a coffee mug. However, I DO enjoy a good cup of flavored coffee too! As far as artificial sweetening- well I am a big fan of Stevia drops for most things. I figure the small amount of artificial sweetening that is in a tiny can of pop is probably not enough to do much- the studies of aspartame and brain dysfunction involved 3-4 LITERS a day.

i was a regular Mtn Dew JUNKIE. totally addicted. had at least 2 or 3 44oz fountain pops every day. i gave them up completely in my pre-op and did awesome until about 17 months post op. Then i started drinking diet Vernors, then slowly made my way back to the Dew. I'm once again totally addicted. i've started a wean off of it AGAIN and starting a 5 day pouch test monday so tomorrow will be the last of my pop again. i really need to stay away from pop in general- my kids and hubs love it too and if MOM has it, everyone has it. it's just terrible for all of us. I do like those little tiny 2 oz cans, i may consider getting those at some point once I am close to my goal and enjoying one daily, however it will be Coke Zero...

My doctor asked me initially, and actually let me dictate where I wanted to be, as long as the BMI was below the 'overweight' category. I picked a weight that was way too low and not really realistic for me. After about a year out, I picked a weight that I felt was WAY more attainable AND sustainable. Sadly, I've had some regain so now I have about 30 lbs to lose to get to that goal...

Yes, early on I was definitely an inspiration to others. Many friends around me became conscious of my progress and took their own journey to health (in some way). I also was told that I was an inspiration in my new workplace, because when I first went there I had lost my weight and was still really disciplined. Sadly, it was about 6 months into that work environment that I started back-sliding and had the gain. However, I'm very quietly digging in my heels and going to work really hard to re-lose my gain.

Yes, Alex is right. From here on, you are a bariatric patient and EVERYBODY seems to have an opinion. Yes, I dealt with this as well. I actually had a BMI BELOW 40 when I started the process, but had multiple co-morbidities (four or five, i remember). During my initial workup process, I let my eating go a little haywire and ended up gaining a few pounds because I was so stressed out and so busy with my life. Even then, co-workers made comments that I wasn't 'big enough'. One day I took all of my 15 pill bottles to work with me and lined them up on my desk. Ever so slowly, people started walking by and questioning. I very patiently and politely explained to them that it's not always your SIZE or your BMI, but your health is taken into consideration for surgery too. That was the last of the snarky comments.

Meeting me new team tomorrow and excited to see what they can offer me to start working this regain back off. Obviously I'm in for some serious work, which I'm willing to do. BUT I really want to get specific direction from the Nut and the doc both. I generally can do EXACTLY as i'm told IF i'm given a specific path/plan. it's just my personality. While I'm completely humiliated to meet this man and admit to my gain, i'm also relieved that there is going to be some light in sight. Wish me luck!

A week from now i'll see my new surgeon and get restarted on my journey. I am excited to see what he has to say and see the nut as well, and hopefully i'll be back on track in no time. also ordered Slim in 6 today from Beachbody because i haven't exercised in quite some time and i can do this at home. Got all my Soups etc ordered from bariatriceating.com, unjury proteink, and i'm READY to re-tackle this demon! wish me some luck!!!

saw the doc today. he couldn't offer me much as far as getting back on track other than a prescription for appetite suppressant which i'm not too keen on. Then the nut couldn't see me after all, so they want me to go back. I decided I'm going to see my original surgeon and nut in a couple weeks. i'll have to pay out of network for it but i really just need them to look at my original files/info/stats and give me some SPECIFICS to get this back on track. I see the nut first, then the surgeon like 8 weeks later. hopefully the nut will give me good info. in the meantime i'm going to attempt a 5 day pouch reset again (fizzled out after day 2 last time and the first two days are the worst!).

water????!!!!!

Well, i had my appt. i was a bit disappointed. since this surgeon doesn't really know me, or my history at all, he did tell me that i may benefit from an appetite suppressant. i'm not all that interested in diet pills. Then the nut couldn't see me after all, so i'm supposed to go back. but i've decided to go back to my original surgeon and nut for at least some guidance (and they know my entire case). all i really need is a kick in the pants and a specific plan on WHAT to do. i think i have a pretty good idea, i've been through it once! appt in 10 days.

wow, I have never even heard of this. It would make a HUGE difference for me, since I'm also 2 years out and generally have little to no idea what to do at this point. i would love to know more as well!

Wow, to the OP- I can relate very much. I lost my dad just about 4 months ago and it has been incredibly difficult for me (a stress eater). Combine that with having started a night job about a year ago and I am up TWENTY pounds from my lowest. i wasn't even at goal yet so I have a lot of work to do. Wow, to all the responders- your messages are inspiring and thoughtful. It is great to see so much support here without judgement. Only those who have walked this path can TRULY understand. For anybody interested, there is a new Regain forum under the GENERAL WEIGHT LOSS topics. Some good threads getting started there as well!

Always be sure to clarify with your nut on YOUR specific plan as they are ALL different.

maybe try a very short 'reset' approach? I did the 5 Day pouch reset but that was to regain some feeling of restriction. www.bariatriceating.com has a great 2 day reset approach that is awesome too and boosts your burn a bit. OR...maybe just try going back to immediate post op for a few days (same concept)? anything to get a little metabolic burst! good luck and welcome to the Regain forum.

Do the right thing and get back on track now. it's just easier than being where some of us are, and having to lose a lot of regained weight. good luck!

Quest. hands down, the very best. I get mine from GNC, although I see Wal-mart carries them now but they cost more there! They are a little more costly than most store brands but totally worth it (if you get a good GNC sale they're about 1.85 each). My fave- Cookies and Cream. I keep them in the fridge and they are super chewy and awesome. 21g Protein, 3 net carbs. tons of Fiber. AWESOME. most vets here will recommend them.

good luck to you! i'm planning on seeing the trainer at my Y, since we have a membership there right now and at least getting a weight program started. my membership to the local Y ends in April and we probably won't renew it (due to costs, it's over $1200 per year!). at that point I plan to find either a crossfit gym OR hire a personal trainer who is into lifting/fitness competitions and seeing what they can do for me. I figure I have about 6 months to get started on my own with my Slim in 6 DVDs at home, plus utilizing the trainer I have available, AND see the new doctor this week. Between all those things I WILL be successful. First I will be realistic and focus on LOSING, then TRAINING.

i agree with the above advice. do NOT slip backwards. use the tools you have. if necessary, make an appointment with your doc or nut to keep some accountability. for ME, that was a large component of my regain. i had no follow up after 3 months, just a 1x/year appointment. Now that i have new insurance and had to transfer to a different doctor, i'm happy to find out that he sees his patients every three months forever, AND you see the nut every time too. stay the path your are on. good luck!

I just wanted to let everyone know that I've PM'ed Alex to see about starting a 'regain' forum since that IS a real problem down the road for many people. if you might be interested, please PM with your support as well! Thanks

i tolerated everything too. at first it was awesome because i almost prided myself on being the patient that was the 'prize patient' and had no issues at all. because i COULD tolerate it all, i DID. i ate all foods. i didn't eat too early, i followed the post op plan i was given but it was only a guide through 3 months post and then i had no further follow up. so here i am 2 years post op, still eating most things and 20 lbs up from my lowest. i would give just about anything to go back and redo it at the 3-4 month mark and keep pushing as hard as i could. now i'm seeing a new surgeon this week and hopefully he will help me get back on track...