fitdrea30

Well, I PM'ed Alex just two short days ago asking him to consider a regain forum, and well, here we are!
He asked me to start the first thread.
So here goes...
I am 27 months post op and have gained 20 lbs from my lowest. I have had a massive personal loss (stress eating) and took a night position that I LOVE (but snack all night) so 20 lbs and here I am.
Plan:
1. Came back to bariatric pal and owned my gain. admitted to it and moved forward.
2. Seeing a new doc and nut next week. Changed insurance due to job change and have an incredible new clinic/doc/nut and getting established with them wednesday.
3. Started 5 day Pouch Test and trying to re-learn restriction.
4. Found the coordinator of the support group associated with my new doc. called the coordinator. announced myself. now they are expecting me, so I have to go and face it.
5. ordered Slim in 6 program from Beachbody since i have not exercised like I should in a LONG time so that's a pretty mellow start.
6. bought all sorts of proteins-new flavor shakes, Soups, Quest Cookies and Cream bars etc because variety will keep me going.
So...there it is. My truth. I have gained. Yes, I have regained. But through the loss of my dad, my grief, a new career path I am in love with, and learning how to balance a night job with my eating I have also regained perspective.
I regained some weight. Now I regain control. Then I regain my life.

I am shocked you were only told 50 oz. of Water. The recommended amount of Water for anyone, weight loss or not, is 64 oz. As a WLS patient and someone who is, hopefully, exercising regularly, you should be getting even more than that. I usually get well over 100 oz. a day.
As for calories, that shouldn't be your primary concern right now. While it is important to be getting ENOUGH calories to avoid slowing your metabolism, you probably aren't at risk for getting too many calories. You should be focusing on Protein. Aim for at least 80 per day, though my NUT told me to try to get up to 100 as quickly as possible post-op.
I think you should definitely add in some Snacks to increase your calories and Protein. I was instructed to eat 5-6 times per day. My "typical" day during my weight loss phase looked something like this:
Breakfast: protein bar/shake
Morning Snack: string cheese
Lunch: leftover meat from a previous dinner
Afternoon Snack: Greek yogurt
Dinner: meat (whatever the protein was from what my husband cooked for dinner)
Evening Snack: protein bar/shake
That got me up to right around 100 grams of protein and about 1200 calories.

One year ago today I made the biggest decision of my life thus far. There are only a handful of people that knew and to this day, only close friends and family. I made the decision to get healthy for not only myself but for my future husband, our future children and our overall life together. I was a serious yo yo dieter, constantly up and down with my weight. So in August of 2015, after months of research and doctors appointments, I had gastric sleeve surgery. To this day, I haven't told many people out of fear of judgement, embarrassment and being told "why didn't you just eat right and exercise like everyone else". Well, I had and couldn't lose the weight. So no, this most certainly was not the easy way out, it was by far the hardest thing I've ever done.
Happy to say as of today, one year ago I started my journey at 234 lbs and today I weigh in at 145 lbs for a weight loss total of 90 lbs and I've never felt better, inside and out. I'm finally excited to see myself in my wedding dress in 2 weeks.  

I am having gastric sleeve in October and I am now experiencing some of these comments from my own family. My mother recently gained weight and now weighs 160 pounds compared to me at 240 pounds. She told me she was already jealous and worries I will be smaller than her and I have sister saying the same thing. What they are not saying is "I can't wait until you feel better". I keep reminding them it has nothing to do with vanity. This is for my health. I am already not included in some family activities because I can't always keep up and I don't quite fit on the kayak. I remind myself they do not have a weight issue and don't understand how unhealthy I feel and they don't know how hard I have tried on my own only to receive little victories and then gain all the weight back. At this point all I can do is stick with the positive support network I do have and hope they come around when they see I can take longer walks without having to take a break and see the other positive health benefits that are coming my way. I am proud of you for taking that step or for anyone taking this step. It is a difficult decision no matter what type of WLS you are choosing. Cheers to us all!

@ Veronica Page 200squats!! You are a bad ass! Just reading that my legs shriveled way to go!! I still can't do 3 without giving up! New goals! I just felt the need to pat you on the back that's amazing! Keep up the great work xoxo

Hi Buddies!
I'm sorry to hear that some of you are struggling. Can you believe we are 20mo out!??
My weight leveled out around 150lbs ( 10lbs under surgeons goal.) I was able to get under that but had to work out for hours and hardly eat. Not ideal lifestyle.
Now I'm 20wks prego with my 2nd baby and doing pretty good! I def have a bigger appetite and struggled majorly during the first 16wks with severe nausea. I've put on about 10lbs but my OB is happy and says I'm well within normal range and my labs are good. It's a serious mind trip to be gaining again ( even prego!) and I'll be excited to have this baby and get my body back.
Eating healthy and exercise is the best thing we can do for our bodies! Start there and limit those portions. Remember lifestyle pays off; not extreme dieting.
Best of luck to you

Love my GENEPRO especially the small serving size and can't taste nor smell it in foods!

yeah ive posted this as well. I literally have at least one a day.
I prefer the Matrix Cookies and cream, or half and half with chocolate. I have a 5lp bag of the mint cookie due to arrive today ao i wil try that out. I havent tried the Peanut Butter yet but i am dying to.
basically the recipe is the following.
1. ! scoop ( or more if youre in maintenance etc ( i use two now). Matrix Cookies and cream Protein powder.< /p>
2. 1/8 teaspoon of baking powder ( or double if doubling the Protein etc.
3. Non-dairy Creamer or almond milk if you like. I havent tried with real milk. but i hear it works.
Mix Protein Powder baking soda and creamer in a microwavable mug. ( i prefer one with straight sides, it make mixing easier.)
Stir well and use enough creamer ( I use the sugar free coffee mate Italian sweet creme, it really makes a difference)
add enough until all the powder is worked in to the consistency of a thick concrete or mud. then place in microwave on high ( smaller microwaves need a little more time like 10 to 15 seconds) for 45 seconds or so.
I top my morning one with a teaspoon of sugar free maple Syrup, but i have thought of using sugar free preserves or the like as well. could be good.
***be very careful, it can be hot***
This weekend i will make a video of this for people. It is not exactly a cake per se, its very cake like, but closer to a dense bread pudding, like the center of a stack of pancakes ( my favorite part by the way)
ENjoy!

Thanks, everyone.
I've copypasta'ed it below:
When I want something tasty, I eat Protein cake in a cup. It is delicious, totally not cheating, and gives you 25 grams or so of Protein. One scoop Protein Powder, a 1/4 teaspoon baking powder, a couple tablespoons each of sugar-free Syrup and milk, stir until it is all wet. Microwave in large cup for 45 seconds or so. Delicious tasty warm cake! I have one most days and it feels like a treat, but really is not.

Anxiety and worry doesn't help. Please don't take this wrong, but are you still in treatment for anorexia? You are thin, you can stabilize and your life will be so much happier when your mind catches up to your reality.
I was overweight or obese from age 6 to about 48....and I have been maintaining a healthy weight for a few years now. I have faith you can too.
Diligence, accountability (tracking for example) not anxiety is the key.
Hang in there and have a little faith in yourself.

Who's ready to kick 2016 booty ! Finally maintaining my weight at 115 to 118 and have over an in h of regrowth of hair and new tatas

Veronica,
You can do this! We have all had struggles. That is why we are going through this process. Weight loss is HARD!! Each day is a new day & take the opportunity to make good choices for that day & that moment! We are here for each other!

Moment of truth --- I ate like total crap over the holidays! Way to many sweets and my workouts weren't as often as they should have been. Gained 3lbs! ???? ( probably would have been more if I didn't go to the gym.)
BUT -- one week of eating by the rules and several miles of running and those pesky lbs are gone. This is the victory of the sleeve! You can reign yourself right in and get back into good habits.
I've been in maintain mode for about three months and working on building more muscle. It's so great, BUT still important to stand on that scale and keep myself in check. I can eat 1,800+ calories (easily) any given day ( and workout days, I'm so hungry!) but with good food choices and my lovely restriction, it keeps me right where I want to be.
How are you all? Check in please! I love to hear all your success! And if your struggling then you REALLY need to check in

thanks @bewell. I'm getting over it. I was whining and wishing I could cool breeze it til goal but I was heavier than most who started when I did so I can't really beat myself up. Where I haven't lost weight recently I have gain muscle and look a lot leaner then I did. 2016 is my year to get to my personal goal and make my life what I want it to be. 25 more pounds and I'm having my stomach done, I never wanted to really be thin as I want to be healthy and I think that is where I stand. I feel like I have 5-8lbs of excess skin on my tummy and some on my inner thighs. I gained 2 inches in my booty due to the 200 squats I do a day and I feel pretty good. I need to have my kitchen on lock down after 7 cause thats when I start roaming it like a rodent eating things for no reason. So weird how I never wanted to eat to now I really want to eat again. Stinks and wish those desires were cut out with my stomach. On the best side my skin and hair looks amazing and I feel pretty for once!

@@Veronica Page
You have done amazing! And you've lost over 100 pounds. Incredible! Congrats on your planned reduced tummy. I'm way too chicken-Xhit for that. And my apron is pretty gross but I've come to like it, much smaller and so jiggly. Now my girls....yikes they are nearly down to my belly-button. Still big cuz there is so much excess skin. I might do the girls.
And I totally get it! When I feel so good now and look so much better (still a big girl tho) it's harder to find the same life and death motivation I had pre-WLS. But like I said early.....I had to get over it! It's hard for everyone.
With you too on the toning. It was weird when I was not losing weight I did lose inches and it gave my body, skin and my head a chance to catch up to the change.
I've done better the past few days and feel pretty good.
Best to you and so happy you keep posting. You've really kept this Jan 2015 alive. Thank you.

thanks for the words of encouragement I really want to beat this fight of the bulge. I did think the honeymoon would be over so fast and that it would get so hard. I will keep trying cause I deserve it and I think that if I could just remember that I will win!

Thank you for this article.
I can't argue that Bariatric Girl's lifestyle has helped her maintain a normal weight for many years and has obviously given her life great purpose.
But these statements give me pause: She "volunteers 80 hours a week" and "... [hasn't] had cake, pie, Cookies, candy in 13 years ...." and " ... [doesn't] know very many [WLS patients] that can [maintain their weight by eating these foods in moderation]".
Her rigid views and the behaviors that work for her, which she recommends for other WLS patients to be successful long-term, make her an inappropriate role model for me. I sincerely hope that my ability to maintain a healthy weight won't require a Bariatric Girl lifestyle. I should also note that I don't see myself as a "food addict," so her needs and mine are more than likely different.
Instead, this article motivates me to build a different lifestyle that invites balance, intuition, and mindfulness, while leveraging the power of planning, discipline and metrics. I'll be sharing this article with my therapist and telling him it has helped me understand better his concerns about my control issues.
Best wishes to us all.

I was a slow loser, especially near the end. It took me exactly 1 year and 7 months to hit goal, which was from 237 to 129, or 108 pounds. If I divided it out, this works out to 5.68 pounds a month. At a year out I was down from 237 to 153 which is 84 pounds and works out to 7 pounds a month. At 7 months, I was 67 pounds down, which works out to 9.5 pounds a month roughly. So...my loss did slow significantly over time. It took me from December 2014 to April 2015 to go from 134-129...the last 5 pounds were a beast. Since then I've dropped an extra 3 pounds and I seem to fluctuate between around 126-129.

Today I am officially 100lbs DOWN from my highest weight! Sleeved 1/20/15 and just bought my smallest jeans sz 8 ! Whoop whoop! Thanks for the support and guidance my bariatric friends! You are amazing!

Great job Veronica!

ok just jumping on the thread to say I lost my 100 lbs and I'm thrilled. It has been really hard lately with all the stress but I still stick to the program and work the heck out of it! I hope everyone is doing well and I'm cheering for everyone daily !

@@Veronica Page
Stick with us. This is the time we need each other the most.
The honeymoon is over for me, it is harder and I can eat more, have more hunger.
Stay off the scale.
Having lost 100 lbs 20 yrs ago, I know I can lose it BUT can I keep it off?@&^%&*%!!!!!!
I am allowing a few sliders to creep in and that is bad news. Got rid of the crackers tonight and Back off sugar.
And I did lose inches even tho I didn't lose pounds.
It's a lifetime challenge but the rewards are so worth it!

so I don't know about you ladies but my monthly cycles were really off and CRAZY heavy so I called my surgeon and he told me since I was having rapid weight loss to go see my ob/gyn and get the depo shot to hold off my periods until I was almost at goal and my body would regulate again. So I went today and I have pcos which is not uncommon but she is like hey you are just bleeding to bleed you are not able to ever get pregnant again cause your uterus is twice the normal size ect ect ect. Great, awesome, oh that explains the slow weight loss and who knows what else...good thing is I did get my shot and shouldn't get my monthly anymore. Ugh just annoying!

You do know vanity sizing has changed things, right? I am 135 and wear a current size 4, but I have a dress size 12 from the year I got married 20 years ago and it's only barely too big for me!

@@Aprilhoffman78 wow your progress is great and I'm so happy for you having lost all that weight and hit goal is such a small amount of time. I love buy jeans when I've lost some weight great reward!@@mduffield Thanks for the encouragement, I'm trying not to even focus on it this journey has just been so long and hard already that after years of messing up and regaining ect. I just want to win for once. I'll push through. Venting here helps cause no one else in my life understands what its like to work so hard and not always have it go my way! have a GREAT week guys and you are all my strength!