CowgirlJane

Have you been checked medically? Could you possibly have a stricture or some other issue that is causing this? All that aside, about 3 years post op I stopped eating. I didn't want to stop eating, I just couldn't eat. I was losing weight like crazy and got thinner than most people thought made sense. I bruised so easily that I had bruises just from sleeping (pressure points). The skinnier and grosser I felt, the more attention I got from men and it was a big emotional rollercoaster. I thought it was physical, and the doctor asked me a lot of questions that led us both to the conclusion that I was lonely. The less I ate, the more my stomach shrunk and the less I COULD eat. I had to work to dig myself out of that. I am not saying any of this applies to you - but I do not think it is normal to be struggling this much, so many years post op and I would strongly suggest that you investigate the root cause.

I didn't have a supervised diet before surgery, but i did receive very clear post op instructions as well as a lot of in person follow up. If I could give advice to any pre-sleevers (or other bariatric procedures) it would be to choose a surgeon/ surgical center AT LEAST as much on their support, education and follow up as any other factor. This bariatric thing is no joke, it's a lot of work and you may very well need the support in the long run.

When I was sleeved, I had a week by week plan until I was fully on solid foods. Did your surgical office provide this for you?

It's a good thing! My "taster" eventually returned to normal, but it was a good chance to be less focused on food as pleasure when everything tasted odd.

So good to hear from my sleeve pals! I am FINALLY losing some regain and not starving all the time. It feels so slow, but even after 6 years (my 6 year surgiversary was monday Dec 11!) I am still working on the "head trip". I don't NEED to lose this weight quickly, what I need and want is to lose it while being able to live a good life, improve my health and keep working toward long term health. I actually found myself in my old diet thinking for the last year or two and guess what - all I did was keep regaining. Goes to show I apparantly need my brain sleeved! Anyway, looking forward to talking more - and I will be back to read this whole thread when I have more time.

I had my sleeve surgery at 308 - I too am 5'5". My quality of life, health and fitness is sooo much better being in the normal size/weight range. The freedom to run up stairs, the not worrying about flimsy chairs, the feeling like one of the girls when I go out...etc. I don't think you need to hate yourself to have WLS . If I were you, at 32, I would be thinking what does all that weight do to me in 10 years, 20 years - and what do I want my middle age/older years to be like? I am enjoying being active and way healthier.

It sounds like you had something other than a lapband - they have ports where they enter and remove fluid to adjust it. There were other types of bands too... I had a lapband for 10 years and it didn't work well for me - food got stuck, puking etc.. I revised to sleeve 6 years ago with very good results - removal was a few months before the sleeve due to scar tissue. Many people have it done in one surgery (someone else asked about this!).

You have received some great input... it takes awhile for the brain (self image) to catch up.

Nice to hear from you too! similiar frustrations - like all the old tools to work off a tiny regain just.did.not.work. I think there are multiple reasons, but it is what caused me to switch it up completely. The approach I am following is very new to me. The idea is to do things to jazz up the metabolism, and according to this place, under-eating does not support that goal. So it is a combination of HIIT (which combines strength and aerobic) with a generous portion of very lean protein and veggies, small portion of carb and healthy fats. I am going to continue following this because I see the people there having amazing results, but it is counter intuitive to me. I will keep giving updates, I have a ways to go to get back to where I want to be - but I finally have some optimism on the point!

I think we should also recognize that some of the protocols are refined/changed based on studies, feedback etc. Someone who is many years out is likely working under "old guidelines". However, the basics and the headtrip stuff are probably all about the same.

I know this is old, but it is useful information. I have a belief system (lifetime of obesity and maintaining as a 6 year post sleever) that I need so little to eat. I am doing a 6 week transformation through a local gym - and they want me to eat more than I think I should. However, when you actually stick to it - a person really isn't hungry, weight loss is slow but steady and it supports working out and building muscle and fitness since the protein is very focused on lean proteins, green veggies and limited but healthy carb and fat choices. I know there are exceptions, but once you are maintaining, I don't think most people need to live on only 1000- 1200 calories a day or something. I think we try to stick to that kind of restrictive diet but then have days where more is consumed, via either drink or food. I doubt it makes that much difference, but other than consuming workout supplements, I avoid eating 2 hours after an intense workout with the thought it might make a slight difference. During that 2 hour window, presumably the body is driven to convert fat to energy (And I currently have some extra fat).

The best time is the time you will do! According to personal trainer there is no concrete evidence that time of day makes a difference in the calorie burn. His point is just do it - do what suits you best!

The advice I got was to just sip sip sip small portions all day long to stay hydrated. I couldn't stand water so I switched to warm (not hot, not cold) herbal tea - for some reason I could drink that. It does get better, but those early weeks were rough for me too. I am sorry you are going through this - I remember how hard it was.

It has been my experience, that all negative side effects can be traced back to behavior - I realize not everyone is that fortunate. I was suffering from reflux/heartburn this last summer but it miraculously reduced when I cut back/cut out on coffee and wine (and ended a toxic relationship - coincidence?, maybe!). I am currently doing a 6 week transformation and I am so not hungry on that program - ha. It is like all very lean protein and veggies with small portion of healthy carbs 2x a day (with breakfast and lunch). It seems like so much food, but really it is the type of food that is so satiating - it has been a good reminder to me that following bariatric rules actually works (including for people who have not had WLS!)

Hi -long time no see!. I dont know about retreats but i just joined a 6 week fitness transformation challenge for similar reasons. It is kinda fun to have comraderie.

I am 6 years out, i definately experience hunger and managing it is very much about food choices. My experience is that maintenance got tougher, in terms of hunger, at about 3 years post op. As far as restriction goes,i can eat alot Compared to early years-post op, but if i follow the guidelines I don't feel the need to.

Early months/years post op I really didn't enjoy food as much as I used to. I made a conscious decision to not spend my time energy on food, making it taste better etc. to try to change that relationship with food. Others have had much success post WLS and developing their cooking skills!

I just joined a 6 week body transformation - it is a food program plus high intensity workouts. It's a different approach, and I am only a week into it, so I am not sure I can recommend it yet. Bottom line, a lot more food - the idea is to prevent the hunger/binge on the wrong food cycle. It is heavy on very lean protein, green veggies, healthy carbs (small portions) and small amount of healthy fats. No cheese, no wine - ha. For 6 weeks it is an abstinence approach to sugar, alcohol and most fats. Anyway, I had to have them cut my portions because it was too much food, but I have stuck with it beautifully, because it is very satiating. I know that is way different approach that many of us have taken in the past. Week 1 I lost 4 pounds with zero hunger, but my bodyfat % did not change which was a little disappointing, but lets give it more time.... I will keep you posted.

I too am a Premier protein fan (and Syntrax too!). My main advice is don't stock up too much, some of us found our tastes changed ALOT post sleeve. It did return to normal though.... but it took many months.

I know this is an old post - but very relevant. It is hard to sustain the focus! I am nearly 6 years post conversion from band to sleeve so I have a cumulative 16 years of failing and succeeding post bariatric surgery (my goodness, how time flies). For me, the only way I can maintain is to maintain diligence; or to regain diligence quickly when it inevitably weakens a bit. It can be depressing, BUT, I am lucky that as a horsewoman I have friends who tend towards fitness. As they age along side me, it seems they struggle about the same I do - I am just more fatigued...haha. Also, I probably could be 300-350# again if I let it get that far out of control, and that consequence is unlikely for them. So, I think for me, the consequences are bigger - more life and death. I just joined a 6 week body transformation along with a bunch of other desk job types who have no concept of morbid obesity. I feel so normal - ha - struggling over the pounds along with everyone else!

Dating sucks at any size. I just ended an 18 month relationship a few months ago, and for now the idea of "dating" turns my stomach...lol

Nice to hear from you Kathy - maybe we need a virtual celebration/party in December! I guess the reality of it is that I expect t have to battle with weight issues forever. I am about 30# over my fine skinny self and am currently engaged in working it back off.... I don't consider it a struggle or failure - hell, I used to be 150# overweight so this is just ongoing maintenance/reset that I will need to do. Even obese people assume that all obese people got fat by stuffing the face with candy - well, in my case, overeating just a little bit continiously allows me to slowly let the weight creep back on. It is clear that I just don't need as much! Anyway, I completely dislike OH - not crazy about facebook for support, but due to circumstances around here - doesn't feel like a great fit either. The disappointment is that this place was such a source of inspiration and knowledge for me before, and I just don't see where to get that from over the longer haul. I don't take it personally, but all this talk about how rude and mean veterans is offputting to me. I personally would be quite happy with a veterans forum and I can avoid responding to non vet posts if that is what people really want. I frankly don't really get it, but okay. Wow - you have done great. Plastics (especially going out of country for it!) was for me scary, but life changing. I feel more beautiful now in my 50s then I ever remember feeling in the past. Plastics didn't make me feel beautiful, but it was like trading in the 3X pair of sweatpants for a more flattering, fitted look! I am so glad I was able to share my story that helped you create a wonderful success story you too can share! I am working off a small regain right now - and I have tried and failed at this a few times this year. I am trying something quite different now - I think I will wait to see how successful I am at it before reporting out on it. Maintenance, for me, got much harder at the 3-4 year post op mark BUT I am still a normal sized woman, in good health - and THAT is my victory at the end of the day.

My highest size was like a 28 or 30W. I think when I had surgery I must have been around 26W. My lowest post weight loss size was a 2. That is artificially small for me (typical to lose low and then regain some back to a normal). A good healthy pant size for me is about a 6. Sizes are WAY bigger than they used to be.... I wore a 10 when I was in college and I was slim.

I am such a smart mouth - I am sure I would have said something to embarrass HIM back. If I am in the right mood, I am Princess Grace and just ignore the rude and ignorant as though the words were never said...

Oh, I NEVER told anyone at work how much I lost - none of their biz.