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....

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.

Hi Richard,
First, congrats on the weight loss. I'll answer your question, as I am also a sleep professional.That said, I am not a doctor- your sleep doctor (pulmonologist/cardiologist/etc) may have a unique tip. For some people who have difficulty transitioning off of CPAP, having a fan near the bed with the air pointed directly at their faces has helped. If you find that you still wake throughout the night, I'd recommend talking to your doctor about having another sleep study.
Best of luck!

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.

So a quick Google search tells me that the minimum recommended Protein intake is 0.36 grams per pound of body weight. If your profile is current and your weight is 213, you need 76.68 grams of Protein per day. That's for a sedentary adult male though and it sounds like you aren't sedentary. This same article says "If you have a physically demanding job, you walk a lot, run, swim or do any sort of exercise, then you need more protein."
https://authoritynutrition.com/how-much-protein-per-day/

I agree with everything @@JamieLogical said.
I'm not as far along as you. I'm 19.5 months post-op. But I do take my Vitamins / minerals / supplements daily. I push hard to eat my veggies and fruits, but I can't get as many down as I once did pre-op. So eating fewer of them (even if there's no malabsorption) nets me fewer of those kinds of nutrients.
And I probably average at least 90 grams of Protein each day. I don't know what else causes baldness (could be lots of things), but not enough Protein is one thing that does contribute it.
BTW, your elliptical exercise regimen sounds great. Congratulations!

Are you taking your Vitamins?
It's true that sleevers don't have to worry as much about malabsorption, but reduced food intake means reduced nutrient intake. You may be fully absorbing all of the nutrients you eat, but if you aren't eating enough of them, that's no better than malabsorption. You said you don't eat many fruits and vegetables, which is why bariatric multi-vitamins are critical.
You should probably aim for closer to 80 grams of Protein a day minimum. Your stomach size was reduced, but your Protein requirement wasn't. The daily recommended allowance of protein in the US is 50 grams, but conventional wisdom is that is on the low side because our food pyramid is a joke, putting way too much emphasis on carbs.
Have you had blood work done recently? That would be the next logical step.

there are other reasons you could be loosing hair - and I think I would want to speak to my PCP about it.
at this point I would not think it had anything to do with the weight loss surgery.

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.

@@RichardVST please watch that video. What you are experiencing is NORMAL. the key is to keep 20# regain from turning into 200#.

My point of view is from a patient who lost all the way down to 23 BMI and then regained EVERYTHING with the band partially due to the failure of the band and partially due to my own fault. I think that we all get complacent and forget that obesity is a life long battle which will never ever be over. Our body will always want to go up to the pre-op weight (I am an example of this) Have you tried Nexium for the acid?

Hi Richard. Just here to let you know you are not alone. Many many people come off the honeymoon stage between 6 months and 1 1/2 years or so, to find they have more hunger, cravings, can eat more and have a hard time maintaining or losing. This is the Non-Honeymoon period..... sad but true. Maintinance is harder than loosing. Now is the time to really use what you found worked at first.... Protein first, log your food, sounds like you do plenty of exercise already, Water restriction after meals, but lots of it the rest of the time.... I am on the pouch test right now, the first time in 4+ years, and the Water weight is dumping off... 5 pounds in two days.... its really about the Protein first and lots of fluids. Im hoping to get a kick in the butt away from excess carbs. I took three years to get to goal... so it wasnt ever that easy, 5:2 got me to goal in end... (the end is when you die, so really not the end yet...) Chin up.... do what you can to feel better, get sleep and such... just don't quit, its an ongoing battle. Best of luck to you.

Hi Richard the 5 day pouch test is for all weight loss surgery patients - Lapband, bypass and vertical sleeve. Link to the site is here where it explains what you need to do is here:
http://5daypouchtest.com/plan/theplan.html
I also purchased the ebook from Amazon just in case the web site disappeared as i had read this happening to a number of people and those that tried the 5 day pouch test all started seeing movement with weight loss. The ebook was around $10-11.

Wow, didn't know they had a card for post weight loss surgery. I've heard the expression that Americans eat with their eyes. Considering how big Europeans are also getting, I can proudly say thank you McDonald's for being such a big success in France.
Back to the topic at hand, I hope that this brain stomach disconnect is just a temporary thing. It seems that gaining back some weight can happen quite easily if you still feel hungry despite feeling full.

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.

Following.. as I can relate.. 3 years out

I would suggest counseling. It sounds like you buried some issues that won't stay buried. Time to bring them out into the light of day and examine them.

I am really glad this subject came up. I'm a year out & struggling - big time. I have been fighting the same 3 or 4 lbs going up & down for over a month & it's getting irritating. I'm glad some of you mentioned the 5 day pouch test. I had not heard of that before. I've been worried about "stretching" my stomach. liquids I can consume about 7 to 8 ozs & solid food it's more like about 5 or 6 ozs. If I eat to much it makes me VERY uncomfortable. When I fill up I get the hiccups but I'm hungry again in about 2 hrs. I had my 1 year checkup with my surgeon & she has happy with my progress & told me to go "fast" 1 day a week & just drink Protein shakes. Hopefully this will break my stall.
Good luck everyone. Thanks for the good information.

Anxiety causes insomnia.
Menopause causes insomnia. (Maybe Maleopause does, too?)
And guess what: Insomnia can quickly become a habit.
I'm a big fan of intermittently used Ambien. I use it maybe 1 out of 4 / 5 nights on average. But it really does help me break the insomnia patterns.
Just a thought.

Are you having any depression or stress? For years I did not sleep.....2 hours and wake up...2 hours and wake up. I was always tired and my memory and thinking was foggy. After surgery they had removed me from all medication and I slept like a baby.....I was thrilled to death. Thought well this surgery had cured my insomia. Then I went through some problems and started back on Wellbutrin for depression....one in the morning and one at night......the insomia was back. I cut out the night one and it helped a little but I still got up couple times a night. I cut out the morning one and I'm back to sleeping all night... I don't get up to even use the restroom. Check out your medication and see if this could be part of your problem. You can do the 5 day pouch test to get you started back in the right direction. If that is too hard....do the 48 hour pouch test. https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?id=103328028732&story_fbid=10152874403078733

Just a suggestion, have you tried going back to basics? Ie tried the 5 day pouch test?
Wishing you all the best with your weight loss journey xox

Hello Lisa’s Hope!

I was one of your caring supporters during your darkest days when you first lost your husband. It is so good to see your post today! Most importantly—although it might not feel like it to you, you HAVE made tremendous progress in clawing your way back from your devastating loss. I know sometimes I get so tired of people telling me how “resilient” I am. Do you ever feel that way too? But, I personally believe that our lost loved ones want us to honor them in the best way there is, and that is to live out our lives joyfully in peace, and in the present day, not stuck in the past or in what could have been.



OK--about your weight regain. YOU ARE NOT A FAILURE! Thousands upon thousands of people who go through far less traumatic experiences than you have REGAIN much more than 38 lbs. Some people LOSE a lot of weight during major emotional trauma. That’s who we are. Emotional humans. It doesn’t make us failures.



I just want to share some of my thoughts with you because you've been through so much and I just wish you future happiness and contentment in your WLS life. Your post was really just venting and you didn't really ask for this advice, so I hope you don't find my post offensive.



Have you thought about paying more attention to the negative talk you are telling yourself? It can really keep us weighed down (no pun intended) emotionally. Just a couple thoughts as you try to get yourself "Back to Basics:"



The FIRST step to reclaim control of your eating habits is to BE KIND TO YOURSELF.

The SECOND step is to focus on TODAY’s eating only. Not what happened yesterday.

The THIRD step might be to actually sit down and make a written list of the exact foods that you KNOW are the biggest culprits that are most contributing to your weight gain. (This is a tough get-real moment for a lot of us). It might be that you need to go “cold turkey” and totally eliminate these foods until you reach your desired weight. Get them out of the house. Meanwhile, you find some acceptable substitutes for these foods so you don’t feel deprived. (Write the healthy substitute next to the culprit food.) For instance, you mentioned Fudgesicles—maybe find a recipe for frozen Greek yogurt drops. If you are near a Sams Club or Sprouts market, Fresh N Easy, check out Enlightened frozen bars—a satisfying 3.5 oz bar for Cal=80, Fat=2.5g,Carb=15g, Fib=5g, Sug=3g, Pro=9g.

The FOURTH step is to be ready to commit to doing what it takes to consume your healthy 3 meals/2 Snacks per day, within your calorie/protein allotment. Do you have good bari recipes? Maybe visit www.theworldaccordingtoeggface.com for starters. Yep, preparing 3 meals and 2 Snacks is a lot of work, but we learn to be smart about it by planning ahead, cooking ahead, freezing portions, etc. Makes it almost painless!



It is never too late to get rid of your old unhealthy eating habits and create the new, healthy habits and lifestyle that the long-term WLS patients use to maintain their weight. You most likely did not have the time and dedication to establish those good, solid habits back then because you were in the throes of dealing with your husband’s illness. So, now is YOUR time.



(Fad) DIETS don’t work! (No disrespect to those who post on here who use the 5:2. I know many of you find it very useful—I’m not calling it “fad”).



We had WLS so we don’t have to be on DIETS for the rest of our lives.

I've found that the formula for WLS eating is really pretty simple:



Use food as fuel and medicine for the body.

Our bodys' cells and systems know how to process real, whole foods to keep our health and weight in balance. It does not know what to do with all the processed junk food that we feed it, and the results are very predictable (weight gain; potential for disease).



You mentioned that you thought the sleeve would help you for the rest of your life. It does and it will always, and it is sitting there ready to help you. But you have to hold up your end of the bargain for the rest of your life. I’m four years out, and like you, I can definitely eat as much as I could before surgery. Yes, I am surprised about that. Yes, I get hungrier than I thought I would. No, I didn’t think that’s how it would be. But I also know that if I eat junky carbs (sugar), my appetite goes way out of control immediately for days after. So, it’s just plain not worth it to me. It IS a CHOICE that we all ultimately must make for ourselves. Do we want to consciously control our food choices for the rest of our lives—or—don’t we?



You can replace your fear, Lisa, with your POWER, and you can begin to practice removing “I can’t” and “if only” from your vocabulary! YOU CAN. Period. I know there are so many people here for you...

How frustrating! And I imagine also scary. We work hard to lose, and then the tools feel like they're failing and the loss seems to be reversing. I'm so sorry this is happening!
I'm only one year out, and have noticed a real slow-down to my weight loss AND that anything at all above my super low carb food and low calories will absolutely make me gain weight now. I hate it.
I've read several people have had good luck with re-activating their sleeve benefits by doing the 5-day pouch test. Do a search on this site and it'll come up. It might be worth a try anyway.
Wish i had something to suggest for the heartburn/acid issue. Ouch.Any chance of considering a homeopathic practitioner or acupuncturist? Both have helped me with other issues (sleeplessness with racing thoughts was improved a good deal with coffea cruda, and aching/body pain with arnica montana, acu for headaches in my case).
I'll keep a good thought for you as you struggle through this one - hope you find a way forward that helps!

@@RichardVST
This can happen to any of us. With more time away from surgery the weight loss game continues. I'm sure it has you down. My hope is you find what works for you to get over your slump.You have recognized this and yes! Its a destructive pattern. I am very much the same way.
Not sure this will even help and most likely things you already know:
Its easy to give yourself permission to go to the bad choices when you are having health issues. Try to keep them out of the house give yourself healthy craving options. Don't deprive yourself if you have a salty or sweet moment. Find the health options that satisfy it. Appetite can increase with types of food you intake. Find what makes you feel satisfied and not sluggish.
Forgive yourself! If there is no struggle there is no progress. Hang in there my friend.

Ooooh, I sympathise, have had the same problem. Yes, it's a lack of fat and muscle in your butt that's the problem.
I have almost sorted it through Pilates and targeted and repeated exercise for building muscle in my backside. It takes a bit of time but it does give you some relief. I also sat to one side and with one leg over the other to shift my weight on to one cheek rather than sit directly on my tail for long periods ( we have the strangest conversations on here....) On long haul flights, I also took a little padded sheepskin pad to sit on. It all helped because once your tail gets inflamed, takes a while to calm it down.
Might also be worth a chat with your PCP....