RichardVST

I am 2 1/2 years out. Weight loss was fast, relatively easy, and for two years was always down. Then something happened and I am now gaining weight - up 20lbs. Yes I am not eating perfectly, but the really scary thing is that I feel like something major has switched. Before if I strayed my weight would go sideways and then easily return its downward direction if I got back to eating right. Plus, my old, life time struggle with cravings and "needs" to eat and deprivation that was so beautifully on hold after surgery, seems to be back and like it was my whole life before surgery. Now no matter how little or much I eat, my weight will at best be flat but more than likely go up... That whole pattern of starting every day with the promise that I am going to eat right today, followed by uncontrollable craving and eventual snacking, and then feelings of hating myself and actual weight gain is back, like I never had surgery. I am really sad and discouraged. Two things that have changed that could be a factor but not really consolation are (i) I have been having insomnia for months which I hear (sleep deprivation) can effect hunger hormones, and (ii) I have been having regular abdomen pains, like hunger pain, gnawing feelings that docs say is acid - yet I am on tons of acid blockers (double dose prevacid, have tried tons of prilosec and others)...docs don't know what this is or what else to do - for me it is not normal heartburn, actually only thing that helps is eating...? I am seeing docs about this for past year, but they don't seem to have a clue. I exercise every day, a lot. I have cut all alcohol out since before surgery. What is happening? Is this just the way it goes after a few years? I have tried restarting everything, going back to basics, doing food diary and then with no improvements after days and uncontrollable cravings (like pre-surgery), I go back to snacking. I am getting into a very bad pattern and worry if I am just doomed to go back to where I was all my life. Plus - for the 1st time, I have gone up a notch on my belt and my cloths are getting tight....YUK! HELP....

HelloSweetie, Thanks for the reply. Interesting idea about the fan. I was thinking along those lines - maybe just running the cpap to see if the white noise helped. I suppose I could direct the airflow toward my face as well. I'll let you know. Appreciate the help. Take care. Richard

Question - I've lost 150lbs and according to my sleep doctor, I am cleared to go off CPAP. Problem is I cannot sleep without my CPAP anymore. I am using the lowest pressure setting, but for whatever reason I am so programmed to use the CPAP, I cannot sleep without it - even though technically I don't need it anymore. I hate the CPAP. Nothing would make me happier than to get rid of my CPAP - especially when I travel. Any recommendations on how I can train myself to sleep without my CPAP? I am a lousy sleeper anyway and rely on sleep meds - another issue... But how can I wean off the CPAP? Any help or similar experiences and solutions are greatly appreciated.

Thanks for the article. Question - I've lost 150lbs and according to my sleep doctor, I am cleared to go off CPAP. Problem is I cannot sleep without my CPAP anymore. I am using the lowest pressure setting, but for whatever reason I am so programmed to use the CPAP, I cannot sleep without it - even though technically I don't need it anymore. I hate the CPAP. Nothing would make me happier than to get rid of my CPAP - especially when I travel. Any recommendations on how I can train myself to sleep without my CPAP? I am a lousy sleeper anyway and rely on sleep meds - another issue... But how can I wean off the CPAP? Any help or similar experiences and solutions are greatly appreciated. Thanks

I am 3 years post surgery, lost around 150lbs. I have settled on a meal plan that is not overly neurotic about all the stuff they said we must do at the beginning. I eat 2 - 3 meals a day. I try to eat mostly Protein - meat, fish, chicken. I don't eat much vegetables and I eat no fruit - it upsets my stomach too much. I will eat carbs when I feel like it, including sweets, and when my weight moves I adjust accordingly. I gave up all alcohol completely. My weight has gone up a max of 10 lbs, but I easily got it back in line. The whole attraction to the sleeve was that it simply gave me a smaller stomach, hence smaller ability or need to overeat. Supposedly us sleevers don't have to worry about all the mal-absorption issues of bypass surgery. Supposedly we can eat like normal people and as long as we eat a balanced diet, we should get all the nutrition we need. Which is why all the obsession over tons of protein, tons of Water, doesn't make total sense to me. I am not sure how much protein I get every day. If I had to guess my protein intake, I would probably say 40 to 60 g/day. I just eat my 2 to 3 balanced meals and I watch my weight, which has been relatively stable - certainly more stable than any other period of my life. By the way, I do aerobic exercise (elliptical) 45 min x 5 days/week. I do drink the required daily water. All seems good, except for uncontrollable heartburn, but that is another issue - maybe related, but all my doctors have given up on the heartburn. Anyway, my hair all of the sudden (last 2 months) is seriously thinning. I figured that this was probably just my time to lose my hair - I am a 58 year old male. But I have always had very full hair and never had any signs of receding or thinning. I didn't have any hair loss after surgery. In just two months, my hair is falling out rapidly and my hair thickness is visibly different. I'd hate to say I was wrong about my laid back approach to my eating - because, I really found it tedious to obsess so much about every little thing I ate, but I do like having hair! I guess what I am saying is that I would go back to the obsessive diet route prescribed by all the Sleever experts if it would get me back and keep my hair, but if there is no way that 3 years post surgery my new hair loss is from my diet, I'd rather stick with a diet that seems to be working for me. Could this be about too little protein? Or is it wrong to say that us sleevers don't need to think about mal-absorption and not sufficient for us to eat like normal people is smaller portions. Thoughts? Thanks

Thanks for all the comments, except for maybe (slightly) sarcastic but probably well-intentioned "FocusOnMeNow". I'm fine going bald eventually. When it occurred to me that it was a relatively quick onset, thinning all over, and not classic male pattern - I thought maybe worth exploring, especially since if sleeve related, it could be a sign of nutritional deficiency. Just wondered if this was normal old man stuff or something related to my sleeve. As I mentioned, my heartburn problem is a big bummer and limitation. Vitamins and most food really aggravate my discomfort. My last physical and blood draw was about 9 months ago and everything was fine then. I plan on working on my Protein, and will check with my Primary. Thanks again for the good advice and support.

2 1/2 years post gastric sleeve. Been having heartburn-like pain since and before surgery. Its not the normal reflux, acid coming up my throat. More like intense hunger pains. Gets worse on an empty stomach, eating makes it feel better. Not sensitive to spicy foods or any particular food in general. Bothers me all day and even wakes me up at night. GI doc has me on very high dose prevacid - 30mg 2x/day. Tried prilosec and nexium. Doesn't seem to help, although it gets much worse if I stop. Had an endoscope which came back negative for anything, ie no ulcer or irritation. Doctor's diagnosis is that I have "Functional Dyspepsia." Which I believe is sort of a catch all for they don't know what is wrong and possibly it is psychosomatic, ie stress or in my head...! He even went so far as to suggest that I try antidepressants.... Anyone have experience with my symptoms or diagnosis? Thanks

Thanks Cielle92 - I too thought that removing a big hunk of my stomach was supposed to remove a big part of the area that produces hunger hormone. I was/am gravely disappointed in that I too am as hungry as I was before surgery. The problem for us overeaters is that we are missing some gene that properly regulates the amount of food we actually need and tells us constantly that we are hungry. My surgeon said that would be fixed with this surgery. Instead, I am still always hungry and while it is good news I CAN'T eat as much as my body craves - the bad news I still feel all those cravings and feelings of being hungry. I get a "FULL" feeling, but full is a physical sensation and is different than feeling like I have satisfied my hunger. A BIG DIFFERENCE. Good luck.

I'm 2 1/2 years out and haven't had a drink since surgery. I really, really miss alcohol. I quickly lost 150lbs, but at about the 2 year mark, the weight loss stopped and I have gained back 10 lbs and I now feel like I did before surgery where everyday is a struggle to watch my diet. Now eating at levels where 1 year ago I would lose 4 lbs a week, I now gain weight! It is very unsatisfying and scary. It feels like I now gain weight at calorie levels where before I would lose. That all said, I just don't see how I or anyone can fit in the extra calories of alcohol and have any hope of losing or maintaining weight. Of course you can have a sip or a drink or two, but if you are like me, a sip or a drink will soon turn into a few, and then you'll have to cut back somewhere else, and then the whole struggle starts all over...? Maybe that is too pessimistic, but for me that is what I had to do, and I am learning even that is not enough. Good luck.

Thanks CowgirlJane. I did watch and found it helpful... I have made major changes in my life style - I exercise religiously 5x/week for an hour each. I have given up all alcohol - not that I was an alcoholic, but I know that I can never afford those empty calories. I eat a very healthy diet, good foods etc. And now I occasionally eat bad things. My portions are in fact larger than they were and obviously I am getting, and sadder am able to eat, too many calories - which unfortunately brings me back to where I was before surgery - namely in a hopeless struggle every day to simply eat less. What has changed?

I am 2 1/2 year out. Unfortunately I think that gaining it back could be very easy. For the first 24 months, while it was tough eating what my stomach would allow, I didn't have the super crazy cravings that plagued me my whole life. Post surgery I never felt satisfied after eating, but my stomach would get full and I had to stop eating or else! And the weight would just keep coming off. Then at somewhere around the 2 year mark, something changed. MY cravings came back with a vengeance. I would feel so hungry after each mini-meal, yet my stomach would have the "full" uncomfortable sensation. IT was only natural that at least for me, this was a set up to cheat - for a few months I would cheat with Snacks here and there. My weight didn't suffer at the beginning. But I have found that the snacks were giving me satiation that I was so missing with my prescribed meals and the snacks were not coming with the terrible "full" feeling that I always got when eating my shitty 3 oz piece of Protein. Eating right was unsatisfying and left me feeling shitty and hungry, and snacking was wildly satisfying and didn't leave me feeling overly full/sick. That is how this miracle surgery unwinds...! I am obviously in a bad place, discouraged and desperately trying to figure this out. I lost 150 lbs and have now gained back 20lbs.

Thanks all for the very helpful words, support and advice. I am discouraged, but appreciate everyone's help and concern. Take care.

Interesting question. I am 2.5 years post surgery and am having a tough time with what I think you are describing. I dont know if my brain and stomach have ever matched up...and that has been a big problem/struggle ever since surgery. Early after surgery when I was "good" and would eat religiously per WLS guidelines, my stomach would give me that full feeling, but I was always super unsatisfied, super hungry, not satiated. I would eat the 4 oz Protein and my stomach would feel bloated and uncomfortable, but I never felt satisfied like I would pre surgery after a giant meal. As time has gone by, I have had to stray from the plan to just get some satisfaction and that is not good. That wasn't a problem (as my weight went down month after month - 150 lbs) for all but up until a few months ago, but lately it is becoming a problem (gaining 20 lbs). I am back to craving food, craving Snacks, hating myself for not following the plan, for gaining weight, for eating sweets etc. I feel like I am back to my bad relationship with food that I had all my life. I am discouraged with myself and with the surgery. No one ever told me that while smaller stomach meant full feeling, that isn't the same as feeling satisfied.

Hi BBtravel - That is what I thought. I cant figure out any other alternative! I had gone to GI specialist 2 years ago and they did a zillion expensive tests and ruled out everything from their perspective and gave me no help other than just telling me to continue with acid blockers - even though they only helped a little. Out of desperation I asked my Primary MD to just treat the H Pylori and she refused. I went back to another GI and he said that H Pylori is impossible for adult to catch. 2 years ago GI performed endoscopy and I tested negative for H Pylori. MY primary ran a lab test for H Pylori and that was negative as well. I have read that False Negatives are not impossible, but it is at best a very long shot. But I have been on very high doses of acid blockers for a long time, which cant be good? Frustrating.

Hi VSGAnn2014 - Insomnia is a real bummer. My sleep pattern sucks. I fall asleep ok, but stay asleep only about 45 minutes, then wake for 10, back and forth all night. I have taken Ambien for years and gave it up for 3 months. My sleep wasnt that much worse without it, but since it was marginally better with it, I have gone back to using it every night. I feel very sleepy during the day. The Ambien helps, but its not the miracle solution. Thanks

Hi TexasLady - thanks for the post. Yes I have had depression issues, but I think they are under control...? I am actually off all medications except acid blocker Lansopralol, and ambien. I gave up the ambien for 3 months but that didn't work. Could you clarify your comment - you think that Wellbutrin was keeping you awake? Which it is known to do...but you are saying that depression issues can cause insomnia as well...Not sure what point you are making get drugs for depression or be careful of depression drugs? I read about the Pouch test - but sounds like it was made for Lapband people? I can give it a try it it helps Sleeve patients? Thanks again.

Interesting. To be clear, are you saying that the hard tablet is working better for you, that the hard tablet melts faster in the stomach vs the plastic like capsule that you are saying flows through the stomach too fast and is thus not as effective? I have had gnawing stomach pain ever since surgery, not of the heart burn type. It is like hunger pains...? I have had heartburn and regurgitation before and this is not that... Doctor says that it is all the same. Mine feels like an empty, hungry stomach. Spicy foods don't bother it. In fact eating is the only thing that seems to provide temporary relief. Doctors solution is to take more acid blocker. I was on 20mg Prilosec 2x day and that didn't work. They switched me to Lansopralol (prevacid I think) 30mg 2x/day and that helps very slightly. I don't know what is going on but I am not encouraged that doctors are going to find an answer.

I have not been to the doctor....but I guess that I ought to!

Apologize, but I have posted this before - hoping to get some new feedback. Every since my surgery in February '13, my tailbone/butt is killing me! It really hurts to sit for any length of time. Wahh! Forget hard chairs or benches, but cars, airplanes, soft chairs, couches...bicycle forget about it! I have never fallen or injured myself - could it really just be the lack of fat that I was used too. I have lost 150lbs, but have been stable for 6 to 9 months. I would think that at some point I would adapt. I do lots of exercise to build up the area - squats etc. I had to give up stationary bike. Would love some help - why has this happened, how can I make it go away, what can I do to live with the pain? I have a chance to travel internationally, but am seriously considering not because I know I would be miserable.... Thanks for any help.

Thanks for the input and support. I ordered a cushion from Amazon - I'll post if it helps. Won't that be fun dragging my butt cushion on the plane!!! Still better than not fitting in the seat and having to get seat belt extender! http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JWI3K9O/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Appreciate any exercise recommendations.....

I searched the forum and see that I am not the only one with an aching tail bone! What is the deal? It is so painful and just seems to get progressively worse. I am 1 1/2 years out, lost 155lbs. I haven't fallen or hit the bone...it just hurts. Anyone else? Any suggestions? Thanks

Wondered if anyone might take a look at this again....MY butt hurts so much. I traveled overseas, in coach, and was so miserable I had to pace the aisles the whole time! Anyone else have this experience? Any recommendations for getting it to heal? Any recommendations for special pillows? THanks

Can anyone explain this...? Why is it that one of the biggest warnings/recommendations pre & post surgery from all the professionals (ie doctors/nurses/nutritionists, etc) is that "WE MUST STAY HYDRATED...!" We must drink a minimum 8 Eight oz glasses of Water...! It seems like it is THE most important issue facing sleeve patients. If anything is wrong, if we don't feel right or have any complaints - the 1st question from the professionals is have I been keeping hydrated? I know hydration is important - it always is. But, seriously - the whole idea behind the sleeve is that it is less intrusive than the RnY, more effective, more natural, etc etc etc. Better absorption...nothing is really changed, except a smaller, more normal stomach size. SO Why then is water all of the sudden so much more important. I guess I am a little jaded and disappointed in my doctors, and thus have a healthy (?) skepticism about anything coming from my doctors. But if we just have a smaller stomach, why do we need more water? With a smaller stomach foes water absorb less, hence an increased risk of dehydration...? I would love an unbiased scientific answer to this question. That said - I have been successful with my surgery - down about 150lbs in 18 months. I am stalled and a little discouraged/worried that I will start gaining. Especially since my cravings seem about the same as pre-surgery...I do drink alot of water, but am not obsessed with it as my doctors would advise. I have been having constant headaches, feel kind of jittery and easily/always get head rushes when standing up.... What is the downside? Are the professionals hyping the water so much to trick us into replacing all our pre-surgery bad food with more healthy water. Not that that would be a bad thing, but I just would prefer a more transparent/honest approach from my doctors. Look forward to feed back. Thanks

Had surgery 1 1/2 years ago, lost 155 lbs, and at 6' 220lbs am pleased with my new body... probably still about 20lbs overweight and despite working out 5x/week still have a lot of loose skin. It was pretty easy losing the weight, but it was torture the whole time. Post surgery eating was a horrible experience - nothing tasted good, I never felt satisfied and I always felt sick after eating and extremely hungry all the time. It was brutal. The good news, though - was that the weight just seemed to melt off. The bad news was that to survive, I would cheat with candy, cake, Cookies etc on the side because they didn't make me feel sick and they felt satisfying, and it didn't seemed to slow my weight loss. Now, the sick feelings after eating seems to be easing. I still have to eat slowly or I will feel terrible, and I still have to have small portions, but my weight loss has completely stopped and I have actually gained 7 lbs from my low. No matter how careful I am with my calories, at levels where before I would steadily lose weight, now causes me to stay flat at best or even gain. Yuk. This is kind of depressing. BTW I have cut out all alcohol now for 2 years, which is very boring and I eat very little, exercise a lot - and am now gaining - yuk, yuk. I feel like I am back where I started, ever day I wake up and say to myself I am going to try to eat even less and exercise more so that I can lose more weight, ie DIET. This doesn't feel sustainable and doesn't feel good. Any words of encouragement/advice or similar experience? Thanks

Congrats to you Livvsmum. That reset sounds like a really good idea! I think I'll give that a try. Thanks for the help.