Uterno

Wow, @cocobeau13!!! Your post knocked the wind out of me. I came to this site for the first time in months. My experience post-op has been disappointing, starting 1 month out when my slow progress got even slower. I eventually lost motivation and stalled for over a year. In the last 4 months I have actually gained 14 pounds, very easily.
I was feeling depressed and defeated. So I signed in here, and was just about to search "regain" to look for inspiration when I glanced down the list of posts and saw yours. We have the same surgery date (5/29/18), which is what took my breath away!
I'm going to take our surgery twinning and your recommitment as a sign that I can do this, too. Good luck to you, and thank you!

Wow, @cocobeau13!!! Your post knocked the wind out of me. I came to this site for the first time in months. My experience post-op has been disappointing, starting 1 month out when my slow progress got even slower. I eventually lost motivation and stalled for over a year. In the last 4 months I have actually gained 14 pounds, very easily.
I was feeling depressed and defeated. So I signed in here, and was just about to search "regain" to look for inspiration when I glanced down the list of posts and saw yours. We have the same surgery date (5/29/18), which is what took my breath away!
I'm going to take our surgery twinning and your recommitment as a sign that I can do this, too. Good luck to you, and thank you!

Wow, @cocobeau13!!! Your post knocked the wind out of me. I came to this site for the first time in months. My experience post-op has been disappointing, starting 1 month out when my slow progress got even slower. I eventually lost motivation and stalled for over a year. In the last 4 months I have actually gained 14 pounds, very easily.
I was feeling depressed and defeated. So I signed in here, and was just about to search "regain" to look for inspiration when I glanced down the list of posts and saw yours. We have the same surgery date (5/29/18), which is what took my breath away!
I'm going to take our surgery twinning and your recommitment as a sign that I can do this, too. Good luck to you, and thank you!

Wow, @cocobeau13!!! Your post knocked the wind out of me. I came to this site for the first time in months. My experience post-op has been disappointing, starting 1 month out when my slow progress got even slower. I eventually lost motivation and stalled for over a year. In the last 4 months I have actually gained 14 pounds, very easily.
I was feeling depressed and defeated. So I signed in here, and was just about to search "regain" to look for inspiration when I glanced down the list of posts and saw yours. We have the same surgery date (5/29/18), which is what took my breath away!
I'm going to take our surgery twinning and your recommitment as a sign that I can do this, too. Good luck to you, and thank you!

Wow, @cocobeau13!!! Your post knocked the wind out of me. I came to this site for the first time in months. My experience post-op has been disappointing, starting 1 month out when my slow progress got even slower. I eventually lost motivation and stalled for over a year. In the last 4 months I have actually gained 14 pounds, very easily.
I was feeling depressed and defeated. So I signed in here, and was just about to search "regain" to look for inspiration when I glanced down the list of posts and saw yours. We have the same surgery date (5/29/18), which is what took my breath away!
I'm going to take our surgery twinning and your recommitment as a sign that I can do this, too. Good luck to you, and thank you!

Wow, @cocobeau13!!! Your post knocked the wind out of me. I came to this site for the first time in months. My experience post-op has been disappointing, starting 1 month out when my slow progress got even slower. I eventually lost motivation and stalled for over a year. In the last 4 months I have actually gained 14 pounds, very easily.
I was feeling depressed and defeated. So I signed in here, and was just about to search "regain" to look for inspiration when I glanced down the list of posts and saw yours. We have the same surgery date (5/29/18), which is what took my breath away!
I'm going to take our surgery twinning and your recommitment as a sign that I can do this, too. Good luck to you, and thank you!

I’m 6 years out and I not only regained but I gained double what I lost. It took from 2017 to Nov 2020 to get back to a size 8 at 170lbs. I use to be a size 6 at 170lbs. I can’t get any smaller and I’m okay with that. My point is you can do it. Start by eliminating the problem foods one by one. You don’t have to swear them off just only eat them on occasion and if they make you go off track find a healthy option to replace them. After a while your sleeve will kick back in to action. It takes longer but remember the sleeve is only a tool and we have to use it in order for it to work. I went from about 300 lbs to 170 this time around. So I know you can do it too! After yo-yo dieting for a year. I went vegan for a year and lost a ton of weight. After a year I went back to meat. I even supplemented one to two meals with ensure plus and I ate a regular dinner. I have my restriction back. I’m just trying to maintain now. My best friend is now motivated to get back on track. She’s now lost 15 pounds. She doing shakes and Portion Control and healthy choices. It’s different for us all. Find what works for your life so you can really maintain it. If you don’t like what your doing or it’s too restrictive it won’t work. Try new recipes really get into the lifestyle. Milk Street recipes are really fun and takeout taste but way healthier. Try it. Have fun!! You can do it and we will Celebrate every success with you! ❤️

I started to respond "Yeah, COVID is really surging here too" and then I looked at your profile on the side panel. I'm in California too, so yeah, LOL. 😂
I'm in a similar place as you - I've reached my weight loss goal and now I'm experimenting and learning how to maintain. I used to say I'll never be thin but then I woke up one day and I was pretty thin! LOL I have excess skin on my tummy and until I get that removed I won't really feel thin, but the rest of my body really is. Sometimes I don't recognize myself when I catch sight of myself in a mirror. I walk 1.7 miles every day and I strength train three times a week. I occasionally allow myself a treat but I mostly eat clean from day to day. I still weigh myself regularly because I've seen so many people say they started to gain in their second year. So I'm staying alert but so far, all is well! Happy new year!
Edit to add: this is my silhouette in the window. Sometimes I think my reflection is someone else!

I am 10 years out from a sleeve. Sleeved at about 300 lbs. Started at 320. 5'3" and I was 54 years old. I lost total of 150 pounds to 170. Then life happened. Lost my mom, then my younger brother then my dad.... and divorced and single parenting and moving and working and well.... I gained back to 220.
About a year and a half ago I decided I needed to make changes. Small ones. and little by little I got control back. I didn't do a major diet, I didn't do a fast or liquids only. I just started eliminating one lousy food and then another... and replacing one bad habit with a good and positive one. No cheap chocolate. Only good expensive chocolate. And one or two pieces is enough when it is really good chocolate. No potato chips. Air pop popcorn. Salads. fruit. Veggies. Protein. More Water. I have never been a soda drinker so that was not it for me. Just rebuilding good habits. I lost 45 pounds in 14 months. Not fast. But steady. And I took breaks to see what it would take to maintain that weight. Since September when I got back to 175 I have lost another 2 pounds. I will be 65 in two months. I know I will never be THIN. I don't need to be. But I am stronger, healthier, happier and maintaining my weight at a level that I can for the rest of my lifetime. Eating well. Moving more.
You can do this. Figure out what will work for you. Then do it.

Hello,
I had my surgery in October 2014. I went from a 14/16 plus size and 244lbs at 5’5.5” to a size 6 170lbs. In 2015 I became disabled and depressed. I lost my career and independence, social life... I was put on many medications that caused me to gain 60lbs in two months. After 1 and A half years I weighed over 300 pounds. I was disgusted. The medications were damaging my liver so my husband suggested to go vegan. Three years Later I’m a size 8 and I weigh 169 pounds. I don’t even know how I did it but I did and I wanted to share it with you all. Because you can do it to! Just never give up and make small changes and soon the small changes will become your new habits. I was only vegan for one year. Then I started ensure plus and cooked a healthy dinner. My health problems do interfere with my appetite so I guess that helps a little. But I have my restriction back and my latest report from the doctor was that all my labs are normal including my liver. The picture shows me in July 2017 and me in December 2020. I’d like to stay in touch with the others who are striving to maintain your health. I’m looking for a support system because I don’t have anyone else who’s been through what I’ve been through but I know you’re out there.

I'm almost 13 years out and have faced my fair share of regains (including 2 pregnancies along the way) but have managed to nip them in the bud in the 10-15 lb range. I honestly think regains are just part of the process and we all face them to some extent and i'm sure i'll face them again in the future, so this post is a good reminder for me as well! So here are my go to moves to get rid of regain:
My go-to moves are:
Eat Meals (don't graze) - don't skip Breakfast, even if it's small Eat Real food, not processed slider foods like chips and sweets Stop eating after dinner - get away from the kitchen after dinner. Evenings have always been my toughest time and so i make myself a cup of Decaf coffee, take it upstairs with me, and don't go back to the kitchen under any circumstances. Focus on the food, not exercise - 80%+ of weight loss comes down to food Move for Mental Health - aiming for 10K steps works for me and calms my urge to stress eat Talk to someone about mental health - overeating for me is a sure sign that's i'm heading on a downward spiral and the weigh gain and guilt and shame associated just makes it worse...see a doctor, find a medication that works for you, find your way back to a good mental health state Things i that haven't worked for me:
liquids / Protein Shakes - it's not sustainable (and really hard for even a few days...how did we do it pre- and post-op?), it makes me unbearably grouchy, and the minute i stop the weight comes back on Counting Calories - that is a trigger for me after a LIFETIME of dieting and i don't want to go there! Excessive exercise - it's too hard to outrun a bad diet with exercise and getting hurt would be a sure way to halt my progress. One more change that has truly been life altering for me is something i did after my last regain in 2018. My weight creeped up to 161lbs. That was 20lbs over my usual set point of 140lbs, which i had maintained for 10 years post-op (i'm 5'2" and started my journey at 200 lbs). It was starting to scare me and i knew i needed to do something.
I went back to all the things I listed above but i also did something i never had done before, i started eating plants for Protein. I cut out the meat first and then the dairy (which seemed overwhelming until i found all my own plant based substitutions), and i started focusing on vegetables! I didn't think about portions (after all, i'm a WLS patient, how much could i really eat) and i found myself shedding weight effortlessly!
Not only did i lose the 20 lbs i had gained, but for the first time in 12+ years post-op, i hit a new set point of about 122lbs which i've been maintaining with ease for the past year! I didn't start a diet, i didn't ever go off a diet. I just focus on plants and i feel great and have never been lighter! And i know what you're thinking...where do you get your protein??? But there is more than enough protein in plants for anyone who's at least 6 months post op! The funny thing is, i eat more than i have in years, but i finally feel like i'm living the healthy life i wanted and it's easier than i ever though it would be.
Anyway, sorry for the long post, i'm just so happy with how this has been working and i know it can work for others too! Feel free to message me if you have questions. Keep fighting the good fight!!

I wanted to share a "time lapse" of pictures of my transformation over the past 3 years 7/2017 - 5/2020. I have lost weight, exercised and I have my life back and I am living it again. All of us are here to fight this demon and I wanted to show my pictures as encouragement to show it can happen. Will I be a size 2? Probably not, but I am happier than ever with my life and myself. I am currently pursuing removing my stomach skin with my original surgeon due to recurrent abdominal and navel infections. We shall see what the insurance says about it all.
💗

It's really hard to lose the weight when you're stuck at home and don't use the calories you normally use running around all day. I've gained a few pounds. I do Pilates and run most every day. But I agree, the struggle can be very hard. If anyone is about to tell me to work on my food addiction, save it.

Hi,

I didn’t really have issues with emotional eating until I was about 2 yrs out from my surgery. Emotional eating has been a battle my entire life. It wasn’t until I started introducing sugar back into my diet that I knew I had issues. Sugar is my go to and always has been. I struggled with it for about 2 yrs after introducing it back into my diet. I had to figure out a way that I could have a little, but not completely fall off the band wagon. I knew I had to keep my mind busy cause for me it’s a total mind game. I started introducing new things into my life to keep my mind busy..exercising, hobbies, reading, volunteering. It has helped me a lot with keeping control of my cravings. As long as I’m busy I’m ok.

It took me all day, since 8 o'clock this morning, but between meetings I perused this entire thread. And all of you ladies are wonderful, beautiful, stylish and confident! I love it, and want to be like you all some day soon.
Congrats! You all slay!!!

Count every calorie**

Thank you everyone! And you're right - I have failed at my tracking so I will definitely be doing that again immediately. Seeing it in writing does make a difference so thank you!

there's a reason I call her my better half.

This is very important to contact your surgeon. You need a CT scan when it's happening with contrast. Cuz you are likely having either a volvulus and have an internal hernia where the bowel is getting temporarily twisted and then untwisting. Or you may have a intercusseption (sp? Sorry don't know how to spell this). Or you could just be full of poop and need a great big dump. Or it could be gall bladder problems, or an ulcer, etc.
Any way, you need diagnostics beyond an xray.

Mine does the same...sleeved July 23rd..wife says I could never sneak up on anyone anymore after eating

I meant gurgly tummy...not grisly!🤦🏼‍♀️

Okay, this is gonna sound cheesy as all get out, but I’m so happy I found this site and forum. Just glancing around when I have the time the one HUGE thing I notice is how well this community does to support each other, and help each other up during slumps, or fears of backsliding, calming those questioning choices, changes, tips, etc. It’s becoming where I come at the end of the night after my 3 kids are finally sleeping to kinda get to know the site more and all of you. There’s so much incredibly helpful knowledge & support you all give on here, and that the site puts out there.
I know I’m a totally giddy, nerdy, newb, not even close to a surgery date, but truthfully, I tried forums over the years for mom stuff, marriage stuff, obesity sites, but this site feels different, like a safe place to be real about hard body truths, and more... Not having to be all “laughy” fat girl, like how I am with my close friends, it’s like being a jokey fat ghost. When my fat butt breaks every dang stupid plastic cheap lawn chair I own, which truthfully is seriously funny (yes, and sad, but also very funny)... I just wish it was a skinnier butt of mine breaking my lame, cheap chairs so the nagging feeling that I may be one step away from a heart attack would abate. I don’t want to be a ghost floating through life anymore, or a sad stat anymore.
I want to be my clumsy self, but healthier, ya know what I mean? I really do love making a fool of myself in close company. I want my kids to see that side of me more, when I’m not so whooped trying to survive it all. I want to be present in the here & now with everyone, instead of hiding most me in my head, while leaving the fat me on the outside. I want my kids to know life is complete horse dung sometimes, but it’s all about getting back up on that dang horse, and falling right back off into that dung, but never quitting. Failing is how you learn to succeed, and I have had one hell of a funny, messed up life, perfecting the art of the fail. My kids are my world, they are the 3 planets that orbit my fat axis, and keep me balanced, and crazy too hahaha! Raising kids isn’t for the faint of heart, but it’s why I want to make my heart and health priorities to enjoy them before they’re all embarrassed to openly love their mom during their teen years... My mama always said Karma was waiting for me after my teen years bahahaha! 😬😳 I want to be there with them as support. I want to watch them grow into whoever they are going to be. I want to teach them the art of laughing in a pile of dung.
I seriously do enjoy making fun of myself, namely, but now, there’s some scariness behind my butt busting cheap lawn chairs that I can’t shake lately. All I can say is I don’t even know if this will all work out for the surgery, I’m hoping with all hope it does, after jumping through the insurance hoops. But one thing that has already come out of this starting path is finding a place here that’s nice to be truthful about the funny and crappy things that come along with obesity. In the end, I hope we all have success, whatever that means to each person here. Good luck and thank you for coming to my rambling TedTalk about being so welcoming and kind on here! 🤓💚☺️

How kind! (The glow is probably down to the Prosecco!😉)

I am on the Autism spectrum and my surgeon did know this along with my entire medical history but I was also very straightforward and clear in my intentions on fighting for weight loss surgery. I did have assistance from my mother with all the phone calls with doctors and staff to make sure they got all the vital information for insurance and such. They said I didn’t need psych clearance. But because of childhood experience with the gamut of psychiatrists and psychologists I have not been seeing anyone and cope the best I can manage with my mother occasionally being somewhat of an interpreter. Or I write things down I need to explain. If your psychologist knows that you understand the surgery and exactly what is expected of you afterward than maybe they might be more supportive? I might be on the spectrum and not very well functioning socially and my post op has not been easy but I did ensure the surgeon that I could and would follow rules and knew this was simply a tool to help with my extreme difficulty losing weight with metabolic disorders and such.
Sorry if I’m not good at my explanations but being on the spectrum should not hold you back unless you yourself don’t believe you can follow post surgery guidelines in changing your eating habits.

In clothes I am looking good, but I have so much extra skin now. I would rather not have all the hanging skin, but I would rather have all the empty skin than the fat that it once contained. I won't be able to afford the plastic surgery to get rid of it, so I look at it as dues paid for years of weak will and over eating. I choose to be proud of my saggy skin.