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.

@@Pandora Williams, well said. Thanks for sharing your great story and perspective.

Great article with an eye-catching title. I am glad to see some realistic expectations set about loose skin!

I had weight loss surgery for my health. I figured I'd look better and be able to wear cuter clothes, but that was a side effect/bonus. The minor health issues I had quickly resolved, and then it became more about how I looked, and the clothes/looks became a focus, along with the numbers - a healthy BMI. Then it became about feeling "done". I just felt like I was halfway home. I looked fine in clothes, but there was a constant reminder and feeling of unrest. So I had lots of plastics, and honestly it was the best thing I could have done for myself, outside the sleeve. It's not as much about vanity as you might think, though that's certainly a component of it. It's more about accomplishment to me. The plastics changed my life in ways I hadn't expected, or even realized needed improvement. I was literally shocked at how much easier it is to move. It makes me want to move more, because I love the feeling of FREEDOM. I didn't realize I felt so bogged down by the excess skin. Plastics have been physically difficult for me. I have scars, but they are pretty faded, and not "hideous" as someone suggested. I am 53, and look/feel better than in my 30s. So I do not think I was too old. I am perfectly good with my age, and not trying to be young. I do call myself Plastic Barbie Grammy, though, lol. It's not for everyone due to cost and physical pain and risks, but for me, it was the right thing to do. It was worth every penny and painful day it cost.

@@Olarance75 I think you hit the nail on the head - it's as much about getting our minds straight as anything!

I lost a lot of sizes, and went through several wardrobe sizes. Getting a wardrobe at the thrift shop or consignment store is much easier said than done. I tried to do that and never had luck in my town. I think there are some places that have better selection, but I would have had to drive a long way to get to them. After a few attempts, I gave it up. I didn't like having to dig and search and search, just to find nothing. I have a professional job and have to dress a certain way. I also don't have a lot of extra time. So I tried to be pretty basic in shopping. I bought about 3 pairs of basic slacks, and paired them with different tops and jackets. I really only had about 15 items in my closet at any one time, but it was enough to get me through 2 weeks without repeating, for work. (Obviously I washed and repeated the pants). I also always made sure I had one casual outfit for weekends. I bought things a little snug, and then wore them until they were a little too big. I shopped only clearance items, and got things really inexpensive - like I mostly paid around $10 for the pants, and less for shirts, a little more for sweaters or jackets. Now that I've been the same size for over a year, I'm starting to build a big wardrobe. I LOVE being thin for that reason. I still am a bargain hunter. There is solace in knowing I don't have to grab what I can when I see it and pay full price, like when I was fat. I used to do that, just being thankful there was something that was sort of cute and fit ok. Now I know that I can wait for things I like to go on sale, and if it never does, oh well. There are a million more things out there in a size 8 that I'm sure I'll love

All good advice. It's easy to buy and wear the wrong things because we finally can buy any style we want. It's important to find the right style, particularly in a professional environment, and I think the message is good.

@@sweetcheeks14 If you were asking me if I exercise, I have to admit that I do not, currently. I did religiously for the first year during weight loss, and sporadically most of the second year. I walked, lifted weights, and did the ski machine and elliptical. I had some plastics in the fall and during the holidays, so I've not exercised since. Once things are fully healed, I'll go back. I was just getting into yoga, and also I want to swim.