CowgirlJane

I have lost (re)15# since Halloween - and doing it without being hungry! It seems so slow, but you know, I am still 15# less than I was before the holiday season so that is something !
I know it is very hard, but at some point I think it is helpful to get past the obesity induced shame, and focus more on living life, paying attention to healthy habits without being so hard on ourselves. Regain happens to many after about 3-5 years out, it's what you do about it that matters.

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 am currently working off a gain - about 15 down; another 25 or so to go... I am 6 years post revision to sleeve.
First, you do still have a sleeved stomach and I think it is possible to leverage it even now. For me, it takes FOREVER to lose weight now but I just can't care about that - I just have to keep losing or maintaining, not gaining. I am also working out and just getting toner, so I feel better. If I don't eat like a sleever, you wouldn't think I have a sleeve. I have always eaten half or less portions, etc - but I still have had regain that I am now turning around.
food wise, high Protein (dense protein first), veggies and really don't eat traditional carb sources like rice, bread, noodles. Don't eat alot of processed foods, skip fast foods, make your own meals and freeze them ahead. Find favorite easy to make "go to" foods - and keep the junk, sliders and carby food out of the house, or at least out of sight. Some people find food journaling helpful. Make sure you aren't drinking your calories.
Truth of the matter is that people regain post RNY also, after a certain amount of time it is less about the surgery and more about "compliance". I hate that, but it is true. I think your plan to tackle this is a good one, just don't be discouraged at the much slower weight loss this time around.

Here is what is working for me. Make a plan and follow it. So, more specifically, if I plan for (and have on hand ready to go) dense Protein and vegetables that I split over approx 4 meals it cuts the cravings and snackings way way back. I don't really have room for much else.
Last night I came home from the gym STARVING and my son had a nice fresh out of the oven pizza - not on my plan. I almost attacked it, but remembered my premade meal - plop it in the microwave, add some lettuce and Tomato and voila - delish dinner on plan.
If I don't do that sort of thing, I give in to food I don't really want, it's just easier...

I lost about 150# post sleeve. I still felt fat, I felt like I looked old (hadn't seen my real face in decades, so it was a shocker). It took awhile, counseling, supportive friends etc for me to realize that I am finally pretty normal. Our brains aren't sleeved, sometimes you have to find other ways to help with that part of this whole deal!
Some people find support groups helpful. I did counseling - and started living life to the fullest and my brain slowly slowly changed. Now I think I look pretty damn good.

There is already a huge long thread dedicated to before and afters.. but it is such a fun topic I don't mind repeating!!
This is what losing 150 pounds does for you! A girlfriend of mine said the sweetest thing "I didn't know you had a teenage daughter"...LOL. I do feel like I look younger being trimmer.
Taken within the last few weeks

This was taken in December i believe - I think I was 20# away from goal,back when I was a bit curvier. I was feeling pretty good, but, I like how I look better now even if my T&A disappeared since this photo was taken.

This is my before picture at over 300#. I don't have much to say about it but I KEEP looking at my befores to remind myself how far I have come.

Sleeved Dec 11 2011 and in most ways I strongly identify as a WLS patient.
Many people in my life either aren't aware or it was so long ago it isn't really important to them, but I feel different. Again, I felt "different" as a high BMI woman too, this is just a different kind of different.

I am currently working off a gain - about 15 down; another 25 or so to go... I am 6 years post revision to sleeve.
First, you do still have a sleeved stomach and I think it is possible to leverage it even now. For me, it takes FOREVER to lose weight now but I just can't care about that - I just have to keep losing or maintaining, not gaining. I am also working out and just getting toner, so I feel better. If I don't eat like a sleever, you wouldn't think I have a sleeve. I have always eaten half or less portions, etc - but I still have had regain that I am now turning around.
food wise, high Protein (dense protein first), veggies and really don't eat traditional carb sources like rice, bread, noodles. Don't eat alot of processed foods, skip fast foods, make your own meals and freeze them ahead. Find favorite easy to make "go to" foods - and keep the junk, sliders and carby food out of the house, or at least out of sight. Some people find food journaling helpful. Make sure you aren't drinking your calories.
Truth of the matter is that people regain post RNY also, after a certain amount of time it is less about the surgery and more about "compliance". I hate that, but it is true. I think your plan to tackle this is a good one, just don't be discouraged at the much slower weight loss this time around.

I am 6 years post conversion from band to sleeve. I lost over 150# post sleeve and am currently dealing with a partial regain. I had also gotten out of the habit of regular intense exercise (I have remained walking etc. but gave up the higher intensity stuff I used to do).
I have tried all year to use the various maintenance strategies I had learned, but I could not sustain it. A month ago, I joined a "small group personal training" gym that has a whole new approach. They are all about reducing bodyfat percentage and firing up the metabolism. The workouts are all HIIT, and short duration. The food plan is actually too much food (I had to have them modify it for me) but I will say I have not been hungry. It is lean Protein and veggie focused, with very controlled and properly timed healthy carbs and healthy fats. (My new fave Breakfast is pancakes made from rolled outs, egg beaters and zero fat cottage cheese - delish and moderate healthy carb)
It's been 4 weeks, I have lost just shy of 12# and just over 3% reduction in bodyfat percentage. Not setting the world on fire, however, my belt is in a couple of notches, I am working out hard 3X a week and filling in with at home workouts another 2X a week. I am sleeping better, my appetite has increased (that is part of the idea in this program-heat up the metabolism) but my cravings are in pretty good control.
I am only sharing this because my personal experiences were that low carbing, intermittant fasting and other techniques that I had big success with in the past, just don't seem to be sustainable. IF, which I love the results, seems to trigger massive anxiety in me so sadly that option is off the table for now. I guess the takeaway message for me is that maintenance is an ongoing thing, go with the tried and true (ie what works for you) but then when that stops working - be open minded to try something else. Who knew that eating MORE food (but different focus - like no cheese, no higher fat Proteins etc.) would be what I need right now, today.

Here is what is working for me. Make a plan and follow it. So, more specifically, if I plan for (and have on hand ready to go) dense Protein and vegetables that I split over approx 4 meals it cuts the cravings and snackings way way back. I don't really have room for much else.
Last night I came home from the gym STARVING and my son had a nice fresh out of the oven pizza - not on my plan. I almost attacked it, but remembered my premade meal - plop it in the microwave, add some lettuce and Tomato and voila - delish dinner on plan.
If I don't do that sort of thing, I give in to food I don't really want, it's just easier...

I am currently working off a gain - about 15 down; another 25 or so to go... I am 6 years post revision to sleeve.
First, you do still have a sleeved stomach and I think it is possible to leverage it even now. For me, it takes FOREVER to lose weight now but I just can't care about that - I just have to keep losing or maintaining, not gaining. I am also working out and just getting toner, so I feel better. If I don't eat like a sleever, you wouldn't think I have a sleeve. I have always eaten half or less portions, etc - but I still have had regain that I am now turning around.
food wise, high Protein (dense protein first), veggies and really don't eat traditional carb sources like rice, bread, noodles. Don't eat alot of processed foods, skip fast foods, make your own meals and freeze them ahead. Find favorite easy to make "go to" foods - and keep the junk, sliders and carby food out of the house, or at least out of sight. Some people find food journaling helpful. Make sure you aren't drinking your calories.
Truth of the matter is that people regain post RNY also, after a certain amount of time it is less about the surgery and more about "compliance". I hate that, but it is true. I think your plan to tackle this is a good one, just don't be discouraged at the much slower weight loss this time around.

I am currently working off a gain - about 15 down; another 25 or so to go... I am 6 years post revision to sleeve.
First, you do still have a sleeved stomach and I think it is possible to leverage it even now. For me, it takes FOREVER to lose weight now but I just can't care about that - I just have to keep losing or maintaining, not gaining. I am also working out and just getting toner, so I feel better. If I don't eat like a sleever, you wouldn't think I have a sleeve. I have always eaten half or less portions, etc - but I still have had regain that I am now turning around.
food wise, high Protein (dense protein first), veggies and really don't eat traditional carb sources like rice, bread, noodles. Don't eat alot of processed foods, skip fast foods, make your own meals and freeze them ahead. Find favorite easy to make "go to" foods - and keep the junk, sliders and carby food out of the house, or at least out of sight. Some people find food journaling helpful. Make sure you aren't drinking your calories.
Truth of the matter is that people regain post RNY also, after a certain amount of time it is less about the surgery and more about "compliance". I hate that, but it is true. I think your plan to tackle this is a good one, just don't be discouraged at the much slower weight loss this time around.

My scars aren't even visible. stretch marks were worse, but even those are very faded now.

Glad you got the testing done. I didn't read this whole thread but here are a few thoughts (I am over 6 years post revision band to sleeve).
Acid sometimes feels like hunger - are you SURE your excess acid is under control? I took a PPI first several months even though I wasnt aware of feeling excess acid, it is just so common my surgeon wanted to prevent it. All these years later, it reared it's ugly head and has caused significant problems for me, but that is a different story.
Also, grazing is both a habit, and a state of hunger. 6 years out, grazing can really really catch up with me - I tend to do it I when I am feeling stressed (daily at my job!). It's so easy for me to fall into just having a little of this, a Protein Drink or whatever... frankly, to comfort me. None of its junk, but it adds up to too much food. What works best for me is to eat by the "scale and clock". My program called for 5 mini meals; I decided that 4 mini meals worked better and I settled into that rythem. It meant that I didn't eat outside those "meal" times. At first I weighed/measured everything and then I switched to eating until "absence of hunger" and then STOPPED, until it was time for the next mini meal. Best advice I ever got "do not seek the feeling of being full, eat until absence of hunger"
Anyway, hope they rule out any mecanical problems with the sleeve - keep on going, this isn't easy but it is SO worth it!

I would suggest eating like 2 bites less with each meal. I wonder if your body is telling you that you are eating too much or too fast.

There is a reason that I took over a year off from these boards, and now read very very very few posts.... at some point, it just isn't value added.

There is a reason that I took over a year off from these boards, and now read very very very few posts.... at some point, it just isn't value added.

There is a reason that I took over a year off from these boards, and now read very very very few posts.... at some point, it just isn't value added.

There is a reason that I took over a year off from these boards, and now read very very very few posts.... at some point, it just isn't value added.

I am currently working off a gain - about 15 down; another 25 or so to go... I am 6 years post revision to sleeve.
First, you do still have a sleeved stomach and I think it is possible to leverage it even now. For me, it takes FOREVER to lose weight now but I just can't care about that - I just have to keep losing or maintaining, not gaining. I am also working out and just getting toner, so I feel better. If I don't eat like a sleever, you wouldn't think I have a sleeve. I have always eaten half or less portions, etc - but I still have had regain that I am now turning around.
food wise, high Protein (dense protein first), veggies and really don't eat traditional carb sources like rice, bread, noodles. Don't eat alot of processed foods, skip fast foods, make your own meals and freeze them ahead. Find favorite easy to make "go to" foods - and keep the junk, sliders and carby food out of the house, or at least out of sight. Some people find food journaling helpful. Make sure you aren't drinking your calories.
Truth of the matter is that people regain post RNY also, after a certain amount of time it is less about the surgery and more about "compliance". I hate that, but it is true. I think your plan to tackle this is a good one, just don't be discouraged at the much slower weight loss this time around.

I am currently working off a gain - about 15 down; another 25 or so to go... I am 6 years post revision to sleeve.
First, you do still have a sleeved stomach and I think it is possible to leverage it even now. For me, it takes FOREVER to lose weight now but I just can't care about that - I just have to keep losing or maintaining, not gaining. I am also working out and just getting toner, so I feel better. If I don't eat like a sleever, you wouldn't think I have a sleeve. I have always eaten half or less portions, etc - but I still have had regain that I am now turning around.
food wise, high Protein (dense protein first), veggies and really don't eat traditional carb sources like rice, bread, noodles. Don't eat alot of processed foods, skip fast foods, make your own meals and freeze them ahead. Find favorite easy to make "go to" foods - and keep the junk, sliders and carby food out of the house, or at least out of sight. Some people find food journaling helpful. Make sure you aren't drinking your calories.
Truth of the matter is that people regain post RNY also, after a certain amount of time it is less about the surgery and more about "compliance". I hate that, but it is true. I think your plan to tackle this is a good one, just don't be discouraged at the much slower weight loss this time around.

I have lost (re)15# since Halloween - and doing it without being hungry! It seems so slow, but you know, I am still 15# less than I was before the holiday season so that is something !
I know it is very hard, but at some point I think it is helpful to get past the obesity induced shame, and focus more on living life, paying attention to healthy habits without being so hard on ourselves. Regain happens to many after about 3-5 years out, it's what you do about it that matters.

I have lost (re)15# since Halloween - and doing it without being hungry! It seems so slow, but you know, I am still 15# less than I was before the holiday season so that is something !
I know it is very hard, but at some point I think it is helpful to get past the obesity induced shame, and focus more on living life, paying attention to healthy habits without being so hard on ourselves. Regain happens to many after about 3-5 years out, it's what you do about it that matters.

I have lost (re)15# since Halloween - and doing it without being hungry! It seems so slow, but you know, I am still 15# less than I was before the holiday season so that is something !
I know it is very hard, but at some point I think it is helpful to get past the obesity induced shame, and focus more on living life, paying attention to healthy habits without being so hard on ourselves. Regain happens to many after about 3-5 years out, it's what you do about it that matters.

Okay, you just knew the title of this one was going to bring some specatators. hahaha