Kathy812

@@Melissayw816, yep I've regained 8# in less then two month this past summer and have been struggling to lose it. I, too, never made it to goal.

@@OutsideMatchInside, it was a machine.

@@OutsideMatchInside, my exercise physiologist gave me a print out and it stated 1200 calories. He "explained" that 1200-1400 would keep me at my current weight and recommended to lose, I would have to eat less. To answer your question, no, I personally didn't have the machine tested, I'm sure that's not an option. However, it may be worth it for me to repeat the test at another facility for accuracy.

I agree with your surgeon, I lost weight slowly and never made it to goal. I got as low 167 and wore a size 10. I am at my two year mark and have gained 8 pounds. I am working hard to try to lose the weight but it's extremely difficult. I am now in a size 12. But honestly, despite the slow weight loss and regain I am extremely grateful for this gift. I know without a doubt, had I not had the surgery, I would be larger than a size 20-22 ( my pre-sleeve size). I will say, however, there are people with underactive thyroid who have been very successful, everyone is different. My advice to anyone considering this surgery, especially someone with under active thyroid, is to make the first year really count. Follow your doctors orders and work out. Do not take the rapid loss for granted it will come to a screeching halt. Best wishes

@@Havasumoma, yes you are correct. It was explained to me that RMR measures the rate at which your body expends calorie at rest. So basically to maintain my weight, I believe it was between 1200-1400 . To lose, I have to eat less than 1200 calories.

@@Kiba, I can totally relate and sorry to hear you didn't get better results. At least now you know. Fortunately, with the sleeve , we can re-train ourselves to eat less and be satisfied. It won't be easy but the results will be well worth it.

I couldn't have gum until two months out, check with your bariatric team. Hang in there.

I, too, had the RMR test done. Prior to surgery, My test results reflected if I ate under 1600 cal, I should lose weight. I am now two years out and have regained 8# . I recently retested and it now shows to lose weight, I have to eat less then 1200 calories.

I started at 9.5 wide and about 4-5 months later I was down to a 8.5 medium. Love it! 2 years later, still 8.5 ( despite 8lb weight gain).

Congrats! 3 years and 160#, what an accomplishment !!

I am 53 and had the sugery when I was 51. I have hypothyroid and in menopause. I have had the same struggles most of you posted. Regardless of what diet I did, I couldn't lose more then a few pounds (if any) and if I did, I would quickly regain it, plus some more. I will admit, my thyroid and menopause did slow down my weight loss. My doctor also said it may be impossible to get to the 140's (my initial goal) because of age and menopause. I didn't believe him. However, when I got to 167, I wore a size 10 and quickly changed my mind and decided that 155 was the lowest I wanted to go. I didn't want to get smaller then an 8. To my dismay, between June and August of this year, I gained 8 pounds and went back up a dress size!! it seemed like it happened overnight. My doctor also explained to me around the two year mark, a lot of patients have a regain of 10-20lbs. Once again, he was right. Let me add, this doesn't happen to everyone. This is my journey. I am buckling down and trying to do the right things again. I will say with 100% certainty, if I did not have this surgery, I would weigh a lot more than I do now. I am so grateful for this surgery and have not regretted having it for one minute! I love all the things I can physically do that I couldn't do before. I am still off my blood pressure meds and sleep apnea machine and I am no longer pre-diabetic. Life is sooooo much better.

Absolutely beautiful! Thanks for sticking around & or coming back to BP to show us it's possible to lose and maintIn-years out. You are truly an inspiration to newbies and us vets, who have not reached goal. Wishing you continued success.

Next month I will Celebrate my 2 year surgiversary and I'm not happy with my current weight...but I am working on it. I've gained 8 pounds in less then two months. I am now wearing size 12. I was happy at size 10 but my goal size is an 8. I am not too concerned w/the numbers on the scale but more interested in the size I wear. Last week I had my 2 year f/u with my bariatric team and requested the RMR test ( basically this test determines how many calories I can eat to maintain and to lose weight). When I first had the test done I was at my heaviest and was told to lose, I had to stay under 1600 calories. I expected the amount of allowable calories to be less (since I lost weight) but to my dismay, it went down to 1000-1200 calories to lose and 1300-1600 to maintain. It was a significant drop, my exercise physiologist was also surprised and said it was more then he wanted. He was hoping for 1400 calories. I also lost more muscle mass. Admittedly, using weights was a hit or miss for me. After reviewing my exercise plan, turns out I was not working out at my target heart rate. He suggested I work out 3 to 4 days a week and make sure I stay within my target rate. Additionally, two of the four days should include weight training w/intervals of Hiit training. I've heard of target heart rate but had no idea how important it was nor did I realize how important weight training is to keep my metabolism revved up. I share what I've been told to help those battling regain. Takeaway: * be mindful of your target heart rate * incorporate weights It's definately not a one plan fits all but an option. I'm also curious if anyone has had a repeat RMR & what was their result?

@@LisaMergs yes they did tell me to fast for 5 hours I could drink water only. Wow, didn't know the average is 20 minutes. I know for sure mine wasn't that long. @@higher I had mine done at my surgeons office/bariatric center.

I can only speak for myself, the regain is definately real. If you don't take anything else away from this forum, please remember to take advantage of the first year. Use this first year to adopt new behaviors, work on the mind and body (exercise and eat right). Some people are fortunate and have not regained or regained very little but it is definately a real possibility. I'm not certain if your doctors statistic is accurate but If you check out a new forum that started on BP (regain forum) some of us do experience this. Having said that, I am still very grateful for this tool. I can definately eat more ( two years out) but I do still have restriction. I have to recondition my mind to not eat until I'm full but stop at satisfied. Easier said then done but working on it.

@@simpsongrad,@@Havasumoma, @mi75. At my center, they attached a clip to my nose to keep me from breathing through my nose. I had to breath through my mouth, normally , into a hose (for lack of a better term) . It registered into a machine, which the physiologist interpreted. The machine analyzes the composition of your breath. RMR stands for resting metabolic rate. The test is non-invasive. I literally just sat in a chair & breathed in and out for 10 minutes. I did have to fast for 5 hours and pay $75, it was not covered by insurance but definately worth it to me. I have hypothyroid & weight loss has been a struggle. @@OutsideMatchInside, that's great. I'm slightly envious.

I, too, am struggling w/regain & went for my two year follow up on Friday. The exercise physiologist recommended Hiit training (this includes weights) two times a week and two days a week of aerobics ( I like Zumba). For my Hiit workout I absolutely love my DVD by Cathe Friedrich. Only 30 minutes. He explained it's not how long I workout but how effective I workout. He is specifically interested that I keep my heart rate w/i my target zone of 130-155. He is certain if I reduce my calories,start logging my meals again and being mindful of my heart rate, the weight should drop again. Here's hoping he's correct

I remember seeing your posts early on. It's nice to have you back! Congrats on the beautiful baby boy and your successful weight loss! You look great. I am battling regain, but love seeing post from those years out. It gives me hope. A few of the vets recently left the forum. I'm hoping they come back . Thanks for posting and wishing you continued success.

@@Jamburd1, I can't offer any advice because I am going through the EXACT SAME THING. Our surgery date is almost identical, same weight gain & thought process. It's almost as if you wrote what I've been thinking but was too scared to write. In the past two months I've gained 8 pounds ( and never made it to goal). Once we get our mind right we can tackle this gain. It is possible, I've seen many people post that on this forum. @@Smoaklas awesome advice that I will take for myself. @@Jamburd1 Hang in there and let's do whatever it takes to keep the 8lb gain from becoming 18 lbs. we've been through too much

I love water and sugar free iced tea from McDonald's and I add Splenda and lemon

@@OutsideMatchInside, I love Body by Victoria, very comfortable and well made. Just wanted to point out Victoria Secret has a big sake twice a year (online and in the stores) most of their bras were $19.99. My size went pretty fast(36DDD) but the smaller cup sizes seemed to be well stocked.

Love hearing from people years out, thanks for sharing and great job at maintaining. My take-a-way is to never stop doing what we were taught ( protein first, exercise, water..got it!)

@@LipstickLady, my oh my how I hope that works for ME. I just started the no carb thing yesterday. Hoping to have success. Other then walking in Vegas, do you work out a lot?

Like the others mentioned, just a few pieces at a time. When I got down to a size 16 ( I had started at a size 20 & some 22's), I got so excited because spring was coming so I bought more clothes then I should have. I was a 16 for LESS then two months. The tags were taken off the clothes, so I was unable to return them . A very costly lesson. Thrift stores and clearance racks are the best places to shop right now. Get a few basic color pants or skirts and keep repeating. tops usually can be worn a bit longer (more forgiving). Definitely get a couple pieces because I believe seeing yourself in smaller clothes is very motivating.

@@Essence46, Welcome back! Sorry to hear about your injury. Hoping you're cleared soon. I can definately relate to how it feels when you gain weight. At least you are prepared to do what it takes to get back on track.