MichiganChic

Hi, your story sounds a little like mine! I am 8 years out, had great success, and then life got in my way, too. My highest was 325, and I was 306 on the day of my surgery. I’ve been struggling for the last 3-4 years to get back to goal, but the truth is that I am hanging around 215, and I need to be at 175 (my lowest was 160, but it was shockingly thin on me). Anyway, over The winter I ballooned up to 132, and in the last 10 weeks I’ve lost down to 212. My first goal is 199, and then 185, and then we will go from there. I even went to my surgeon to see about a revision, which he will do. For the moment I’ve decided against it because as long as I restrict my eating, I don’t have as much trouble with reflex, and clearly, I can lose weight. I just don’t want another surgery if I can avoid it. The hard reality for me is that I have to remain ever vigilant and keep my calories consistently 1000-1100 for slow loss, and more like 900 to see the scale move at 1-2 pounds per week. I would love to connect with you and support each other, and anyone else who wants to join in!

I think your examples really show how life does happen, and how common regain is, as well as how normal it is! I was also a success story, keeping off most of everything I lost for years. But there were pockets of time, tragic life events that proved to be too much for me to cope with, and I hate to admit this, sent me spiraling into stress eating. When I was caring for my husband in his 50s with early onset dementia, and his subsequent death at 62, I actually made a conscious decision to just let my focus on my diet go. It really takes a lot of focus and energy for me to stay on track, and I just didn’t have that left. Then came dealing with grief and then pandemic....blah blah blah. The 5 and then 2 and then 10 pounds here and there really add up!! Anyway, while I’m finding it very difficult to do, I agree with you, it possible to lose the regain. I’ve finally gone back to the way I ate when I lost the weight, (low calorie, low carb, high protein) and it is starting to come off. I really have to keep check on my expectations. I want to lose 2-3 pounds/week, and that’s just not going to happen for me. Remembering that time goes on either way and the 0.2 losses add up over time help to keep me focused. Wishing you much success on your continued journey to health!

Every. Single. Day. 100% of the time when I stop weighing, it’s because I don’t want to see what it’s going to say. As a result, over the past 3-4 years I’ve gained 60 pounds, in 5-10 pound increments during periods of not stepping on the scale. Sigh. So, I’m back to daily weights.

Wow, I could have written that! I’m 8 years out, and my stats are very close to yours. I’m currently up to 223...which is down 10 pounds from 3 weeks ago. I’ve started watching carbs, and I do count calories, too. I stay around 1100-1200 calories and 30-50 carbs. Basically eating the way I did to lose the weight. I’m also good about working out and staying active. I just am so aggravated I let this happen, but that’s a waste of energy. You’re so right, we have to figure out what works and stick with it.

I am 7 years post VSG. I lost 145 pounds and kept it off 3-4 years, had plastics and looked and felt great, and then life happened. I cared for Sick parents, husband with early onset dementia and dearth subsequent death, a year of grieving....then one day I woke up and faced the truth of a 55 pound weight gain. September 2019 I began focusing on my health and goals again, and I’ve lost 22 pounds. I had a barium swallow which revealed I have a normal capacity stomach, so really, no restriction. I never had the restriction others describe. Anyway, as much as I hated to do it, I joined WW. I basically eat like a Bariatric patient, using WW as guardrails. I also have increased my exercise and am totally in the Peloton “cult”, which is great because I am loving exercise for the first time ever. I never thought I’d be here..yet here I am, living proof that stomachs DO stretch and even smart, determined people can end up with regain. I believe it will take me until June or July to get back to goal, but every pound lost is a great feeling of accomplishment.

I’m 7 years out, and gained about 60 pounds over 3 years. Life was stressful and pretty terrible, and I just didn’t have the bandwidth to focus on my diet. Now that life has settled into a new normal, I began putting energy back into weight management. For me, it’s pretty consuming and takes significant energy on a daily, sometimes minute to minute, basis. In addition, i had a UGI and my stomach is the size of a normal person, so I don’t even have sleeve restriction to help. 3 months ago I joined WW online. I really didn’t want to do it, but it has helped a lot. I have lost 25 pounds, so I am feeling better. I focus on eating Whole Foods and avoid processed foods, (WW really helps this for me) I avoid chemicals like artificial sweeteners. I also limit bread, rice and pasta. I don’t eat before noon, so I do intermittent fasting I increased my exercise, but not over the top I track every bite, and am brutally honest about it I do not graze As @mcfluffington said, expect it to go slow. For me, it’s just like before weight loss surgery. I have to fight for every pound lost. Motivation comes from within. It really is one of those “just do it” things. The good news is that you have the power and you CAN do it.

Thanks for your response! That must have been awful. How close to goal are you? I saw my stomach and it looks pretty normal. As in like didn’t have surgery. I never felt restriction like others describe. However, I lost a significant amount of weight and felt really good. I’m afraid I will end up with strictures if I have another surgery. But I’m more afraid of being fat!

This is an interesting thread to me. I originally lost about 150 pounds. I never reached a BMI of less than 26, but I wore a size 8 and looked and felt good. Now almost 6 years later, I’ve gained 40 pounds that I can’t get off. I saw my surgeon and he is willing to redo my sleeve because it’s so big. I never felt like I had much restriction, but I was super careful and under ate, which is how I was successful. My doc has never never performed a repeat sleeve because he said he never had anyone with a stomach big enough to need it, but mine is. I’m on the fence about it...but I sure hate the weight I’ve gained. @Lainybee1987 experience a,es me nervous!

I still check in once in a while. It’s been 5+ years for me.

Just thought I’d circle back. I have to say I’m still loving that bike! I had regained some weight, and it is helping me get control of my health again. I’ve ridden steadily 4-5x weekly for 13 weeks, and I have lost 10 pounds (mostly diet) and have toned up. But the biggest bonus for me is the way that intense exercise helps manage stress, as well as the improvement in my strength and endurance.

Just thought I’d check in and see how everyone is doing? I’m still fighting the good fight, and maybe winning a little. Long way to go, for sure. My stress level is lower in the last month than it was in the last two years, and man, does that make a difference! Life isn’t easy, but it’s certainly better. I’ve started exercising again, not for weight loss, but for cardio health and stress management. Some days I convince myself I love it, lol! Anyway, I pretty much went back to eating like in the early days. Lean protein, nothing processed, few vegetables, rare fruits, and very low calories and lowish carbs. I don’t count carbs, but avoid bread, rice and pasta. Probably the biggest change was giving up coffee creamer and skinny caramel macchiatos from Starbucks. It’s a boring diet but it works, lol. At the moment, boring isn’t bothering me. Anyone? What’s working/not working for you?

I think we get used to the restriction, and over time, it does loosen up some. At 5+ years out, there’s no where near the same restriction I had at 12 months. But as the others said, grazing allows you to eat way more than you should. For me, it is a lifetime of diet and intentional restriction. I spent the last two years in an incredibly stressful and difficult situation, and part of the time, didn’t have the energy to devote to diet. My sleeve is relaxed enough to allow me to eat enough to gain. Even when I did manage to not overeat for a few weeks, the stress hormones must have been working overtime. I put on about 40 pounds in that time, and nothing I did helped. Now my stress level is down, and I am able to focus on diet and exercise, and the weight is coming off. Even though I know it’s a fact, I’m shocked at the way stress affects weight.

I just a 20 minutes ride-sort of. I’m still trying to adjust the bike for comfort and fit. But that seat is hideous! I can’t stay seated for more than a minute or two. Even still, I’m prepared to love the bike someday!! [emoji23][emoji23]

I bought one, and just got it. I had a total knee 8 weeks ago, so my leg muscles are pretty atrophied. So.....I’m finding it more than a little challenging to even get started!! Glad to hear you like yours. Words of wisdom?

I'm considering buying a Peleton exercise Bike and just wondered if anyone has one. If so, how do you like it? Do you think its worth the cost? Thanks!