VooLivre2017

I have seen people on here who have gained back 30 or 40 pounds and they have been able to lose it. Your restriction should still be there. You most likely have just changed WHAT you are eating throughout all of those stressors. Change it back to your post surgery plan and you should lose. It will be a little more difficult because you probably have your appetite back but you can do it. I am saying all this for myself too as i have gained some back and I’m struggling to lose. I have an appointment set with an endocrinologist because I thought something may be wrong with my hormones because I didn’t think I was eating that bad but my husband told me last night he thinks maybe I have been splurging more than I realize (don’t quit tracking folks). I’m still going to make sure but I’m thinking that I’m right there with you.

I have heard of people going all the way back to their liquid diet but idk if that extreme is necessary. I was thinking of going back to my liver shrink diet. It sort of detoxed me from all the junk and mine wasn’t too bad. Actually the more I think of it it kinda looks the same as the post surgery regular diet. It was mostly lean meat and veggies (just a little more veggies) with a couple shakes as best as I can recall. I guess what it really amounts to is just getting back on plan 100% for dinner with a couple shakes a day to cut calories a bit further. I am expecting the loss to be slower this time cause I can eat more now and I have my appetite so I can’t cut calories AS much but I’m hoping it will still come off eventually. I will be rooting for you too. We can do this.

I'm embarrassed to admit that I have regained all 40 pounds that I lost. The weight gain started with the pandemic, add to that some very serious health issues with my child, and menopause, and numerous other excuses, here I am. I just don't know what to do at this point. Every single day, I wake up and say it will be a brand new day, but again, here I am.
Help me please...

I am 3 weeks post-op and I feel hungry all the time. I have pain when I eat, maybe from eating too quickly, but even with those, I'm hungry. I don't think it's head hunger - it feel like how it used to feel if I went 8 hours or more between meals before surgery. Everyone keeps telling me I'm NOT hungry, but that just feels like gaslighting. It's possible it's GERD, but I'm taking 20mg of omeprazole every day...

Hello everyone!

So just to give details, I had surgery 5/29/18 and lost 95lbs originally post surgery. However since, I gained back 35lbs and have been depressed about it. I’ve lost the 35lbs then gained it back (and the cycle repeats). I’ve tried Keto, Vegetarian, Whole30, the works! And it seemed as if my stomach stretched out and I was back to eating almost all the way normal.

This time around though, I figured I would go back to what I learned pre-op and make the lifestyle changes I made 2 years ago to lose the weight.

I restarted about two weeks ago, eating my food slowly, listening to when I was actually hungry, taking my supplements, drinking my water, eating protein first, getting active each day and eating 3 meals without snacks.

Two weeks later, I’m already down 6 pounds and now it seems like I’m eating the portions I was eating 2-3 months post-op! Even the dumping sensations I felt when I eat too much came back (something I TRULY didn’t miss lol)

I realized that I was seriously overeating and not utilizing the tool I’ve been given.

All of this to say, if you are someone like me, going through regain loss and have been a ways out from surgery, don’t overcomplicate it. Go back to basics and use your tool.

It hasn’t stopped working. It hasn’t stretched out. It’s just not being utilized. And you can pick it back up again.

We got this! Don’t give up.

As a two time weight loss surgery patient, you truly don't understand why people gain weight?
Everything you just posted could have been said about you or any of us. Didn't we all hear "Just eat healthier. Just exercise more."? How did it feel when you encountered that type of attitude pre WLS? Was it helpful or motivating in any way?
Even in Rants and Raves, what is the reason behind this post? The only point I can see is to feel superior to others. Reminds me the the post from earlier this month, "STOP MAKING EXCUSES." It's the same myopic point of view and lack of empathy towards others who may be struggling.

This is the exact reason why I am back on here after a few years of just doing whatever. I’m in the same boat but add wine to the equation. That was a few I months ago. I’ve lost 20 pounds and feel better. Hang in there. You got this

Remember your why. Why did you want this back in 2014? For me it was not only my physical looks but other things. I couldn’t bend down and tie my shoes without having to breathe in between. Bending down like that cut off my breath. Another thing and this May be TMI, but I couldn’t hardly wipe my butt when I went potty. I remember sitting on the toilet crying because I couldn’t reach.
I couldn’t walk or stand more than just a few minutes without my lower back burning and aching. Diabetes and high blood pressure run in my family. These are my whys.
So you’ve gained 40 back. Thank God it’s not the 101, right? Start back with the protein shakes, maybe substitute a meal a day for one and when you’re comfortable with that substitute two meals a day with a shake. I lost 26 pounds in 3 months prior to surgery from that alone. When you want a snack in between, have one. But make it something healthy and filling like a banana or cottage cheese. You’ve done this before. You know what to do. All you have to do now is, just do it. Sending you positive vibes and hopes for your success!!! ❤️

You may want to also come join us for our online weekly support meetings face-to-face. It's a great group of people who really help you work through your struggles and help you do the head work. And we have great ideas for getting back to basics. PM me if you want the deets. (It's in addition to getting back here to BP and staying active and engaged.)
We will always be pre-disposed for regain because of our disease. WLS only puts that disease into remission. After that remission is determined by our gut/head/fork. (hugs) Sorry, but it's true for the largest majority of people in this world. Only a short few are blessed to never have to revisit the risk of regain. But I've seen SO MANY tackle their regain (100+lbs) of it and be victorious by strapping on the brass balls, rollin up their sleeves and getting back to basics!! It can be done. You guys can do it! @catwoman7 is living proof and so many others like @healthy_life2 (not tagging for some reason).

Thanks so much everyone. Really appreciate your compassion. Some good advice here and it’s good to hear that some have successfully got rid of the regain. I’m gonna increase my water this week, and do a shake for breakfast, track everything. Have to push past this in my head too.

Why would you want to go back to a deprivation-diet that will most likely induce bingeing in the near future? It's good and normal that you have that mental block when thinking about deprivation diets.

Most likely it won't work so you're right to be afraid of the plan of going back to shakes and "the basics". It's a deprivation diet that will cause reaction-bingeing now that your body is capable of it so you have to be way smarter in your choices. Cutting out too many foods you like won't work in the long run for most of us. Unfortunately many, if not all of us, were fed the mantra "moderation won't work" a bit too often.
Back in the days of "protein shakes and basics" we were all newly out of surgery which meant that appetite was reduced in many of us because of having been cut into out intestines and because of general anesthesia. Many foods we couldn't tolerate anyways, let alone big portions of it. But these immediate post-op day are simply gone. The situation has change and you have to take that into consideration when planning dietary changes.
Also keep in mind that you were not able to stick to your former post-WLS diet so it makes more sense to try a different approach this time than to repeat what didn't work for you in the first run.

I’m 3 years out and gained 22. Feels really shitty. Beating myself up because it’s my fault. At the start things were easy. I ate a teaspoon or three bites of whatever I wanted and could tolerate. I nibbled chips, half a cookie took 3 days to eat but I did. All this from month 3 after surgery. At year 1, I discovered I could eat pizza and bread again and that changed the whole situation.

Now I look in the mirror and I’m back to self loathing. I know I “can” do a reset, go back to protein shakes and salads etc. But I can’t seem to get through the mental blocks. I feel afraid that it won’t work.

Don’t know what I’m asking here. I just wanted to share in a space with other who had bag and struggled all their lives with weight issues.

I’m 3 years out and gained 22. Feels really shitty. Beating myself up because it’s my fault. At the start things were easy. I ate a teaspoon or three bites of whatever I wanted and could tolerate. I nibbled chips, half a cookie took 3 days to eat but I did. All this from month 3 after surgery. At year 1, I discovered I could eat pizza and bread again and that changed the whole situation.

Now I look in the mirror and I’m back to self loathing. I know I “can” do a reset, go back to protein shakes and salads etc. But I can’t seem to get through the mental blocks. I feel afraid that it won’t work.

Don’t know what I’m asking here. I just wanted to share in a space with other who had bag and struggled all their lives with weight issues.

I posted a while ago about my weight loss, and regain and taking control again.
Started at 320 or there abouts 5'2" and 54 years old 10 years ago. VSG. Lost weight and got to 180 pounds. Over 8 years I regained to 220. Started slow weight loss / getting back into control in mid July this past year. I have now lost 30 pounds. Back to 190. I started my weight loss with a BMI over 54 in the 300's. I am still considered obese at 190 and a BMI just under 34; but darn it, I am so flipping proud of myself.
Yes, I am 64 years old. No, I can't really exercise ... but I do some short walks and I garden and vegetable garden, take care of my chickens. I had to get a local teen to help me lift 40 pound bags of feed this year; but I can still haul the 25 lb bags.... and I continue to work full time in my career. Life is good.
In my weight loss journey this time out, I stopped at 20 pounds lost and took a break. I experimented with adding in more foods, and balancing out what I needed to do to maintain that 20 pound loss, and did that for a month, then decided to lose some more. I think that i never really paid all that much attention to how much, what kinds of foods how I Prepare them.... and exactly how my body reacts to it. I use very little salt at home. When I eat out, I gain weight from the added salt. Yes, it is water weight from the salt; but being on lock down at home and working from home, with no lunches out for meetings.... going to have to find places to lunch that cut the sodium out !!! Going to continue what I am doing. Taking breaks, slow weight loss and maybe make it down to overweight, or not.... but will be pleased to keep that 30 # off !!!
Still using my VSG. 10 years later.

I am happy to pitch in on this thread. I had VSG 10 years ago next month and have regained all my weight after successfully losing it but I do know why- First mistake was to do it prior to my pregnancies, both my pregnancies had medication associated which also increased weight and after the two kids I had gained back 40% of my weight loss. The second mistake was just not sticking with the lifestyle changes needed to maintain. I kinda bottomed out today so joined back on (I was a member in 2009!!!) to meet others who are struggling with this- my advice is not to be too harsh on them, they are probably hard enough on themselves.

quite simply, you gotta get really real with yourself. Have a serious come to Jesus moment. What's more important? THIS is the moment where you either sink or swim. Seriously.
I had gradual regain. I KNEW I was eating the wrong stuff but I ate small amounts and figured i'd 'deal with it later'.....after some scary health news, I got myself focused and back on track.
It was that day when I realized that sadly, this is a DAILY battle for me. For many WLS patient, they lose their weight, they move on, and they have a 'regular' life. Not me. For ME, this is still a battle. 6 years out. still a battle. But my health is worth it.

I can't believe I'm in this place again! I was sleeved in December 2014 and lost 101 pounds. I was thrilled and kept the weight off for 5 years. Then slowly but surely I began to gain... I have been eating whatever I want, not exercising, and basically just being a slug. I finally got the courage up to weigh myself and see the damage, and I've gained 40 pounds!! I have tried to return to the basics but feel constant hunger. I am depressed and pretty hard on myself. I don't like the way I look and I feel like a loser (not a weight loss loser either). I guess I'm just looking for advice, encouragement, and tips to get this weight back off. Thanks community

I’ve been there. I had gained back 75 pounds after 6 years. I had enough. I still had the tool, and started making drastic changes. I went back to basics. I started my all liquid diet again and went from there. I started logging all my food again and drinking only water. Also weighing myself daily. To me when the food is logged I cannot run from it. I started getting conscious of my snacks. I know at work there is always temptation and at home as well. I got back in touch with my surgeon and got the kick in the bud I needed. I was re-educated on my daily needs, as well as getting back on a good bariatric multivitamin. It can be done, the tool never go away. In June 2019 I was at 168 after losing 20 pounds gradually over 2 years. I saw a picture of myself and knew I wasn’t happy with myself. I went though surgery hell with all my complications and was so mad at myself. In June I decided to start, like I said, with the basics. I have now lost 40 pounds in 7 months. To say my tool is still there is an understatement. I also started on my head work, and realized I had to grow there too.

You can do this. You are here and that’s the first step. Come here for support. My real life people don’t understand my food issues. Here there is always someone with good support and advice.

Good luck in your new journey.

I strongly recommend the thread “the importance of doing the head work”. Although someone said this regain is likely a nutrition problem, I suspect it is likely an eating/food intake/food choices problem!
Some doctors sell this surgery as ‘set and forget’ but it isn’t! The initial weight-loss phase with a new small stomach is just a chance to start in with new habits - less addictive sugar, more veggies and grains etc.
All is not lost! Can you reset now, go back to your original diet plan? It will be hard at first, but in 3 weeks you’ll be in the groove and losing again...

I would go back to your surgeon to make sure everything with your sleeve is still OK. Most likely it is, but it's still good to check. If it is, it should still work - it'll just take longer this time to lose the weight. Go back to basics - protein first, then veggies, then, if you have room, a small serving of fruit or "good" carbs (like whole grains). Watch your portions. Log everything that goes into your mouth. Exercise regularly. You know the drill.
it takes work to maintain a weight loss. This isn't a "set & forget" kind of deal - the surgery is a strong tool that serves as a strong tail wind to get you where you want to go, but it also requires a lot of work on your part to keep it off. At almost five years out, I still weigh/measure most things and track everything I eat. I have to stay within my maintenance calorie range or my weight starts heading north pretty quickly. Yes there are days I overdo it, but then I'm back on track the next day. I CAN'T let it get out of hand or I'll wind up gaining it back. I also weigh myself daily (although once a week is fine, too, if the daily fluctuations bother you). When my weight starts to creep out of my "acceptable" range, I'm back on it. It can be a pain sometimes, but then, I never EVER want to back where I started!!!
good luck to you. You can do this!

Welcome back
You are not alone in having a gain year’s out. Working weight back down can be done.
Some of us change up diet plans – Whole 30, paleo, intermittent fasting, vegan etc. Others do pouch reset. It does not shrink your pouch, it may help to feel restriction more and get back into healthy habits. Whatever plan you choose -Go back to basics: Log your food in an app (myfitnesspal) – stay within your weight loss calories and macros, exercise/activity and hydrate. Get temptation out to the house and go shopping for foods on your plan Years out most of us have extra sleeve space. With all foods allowed on your plan…Eat dense protein sources and as much veggies as you want until full. Veggies will keep your calories low. The bulk and fiber will help you feel more satiated. Keep healthy items on hand for sweet and salty cravings Adding extra carbs and real sugar causes you to crave them more. Detox off them. It will help with hunger. Getting your head back in the game can be a struggle. Here is a link to doing the head work.
We have a monthly weight loss challenge/motivation/accountability thread on this site. Link below.

Hello all,

Been a long time since I was here. Lots going on. on 20 Oct 2019 it will be 3 years since my RNY surgery. I have a checkup with my bariatric surgeon today. It is supposed to be every year, but since the emergency surgery last year it has been every six months. I have stopped going to support group (I think it is great but I am not getting anything out of it). I am still about 155 lbs and am pretty happy. Still have sugar issues, but everything else is ok (per blood tests). I get to go next month for the MRCP on my pancreas (I am hoping the IPMN hasn't grown).

I flew from Detroit to Pharr, TX a couple of weeks ago to pick up a Mazda MX5 (my dad gave it to me, he can't drive it anymore), and drove it 1700 miles back to Detroit. Then a little over a week later my wife's brother was killed in an automobile accident. I drove about 500 miles (from Detroit to Carthage, NY) last Thursday (so I could be at his service) and got up the next morning and drove about 500 miles back to Detroit.

Not really feeling it anymore, this is probably going to be my last time seeing my surgeon. I don't need to pay him $40 to have him tell me I am doing fine. I know how I am doing.

I hope everyone is doing well.

Hi, everyone!
I posted this in the veterans forum, but I thought y'all might really benefit from hearing/reading this, too.
Today (1/3/19) is my 14 year surgi-versary, and I wanted to Celebrate by sharing the gift of knowledge with anyone who may be a few steps behind me.
1. Be kind to yourself. This journey is long and hard and most definitely bumpy - but it's yours to do with as you see fit. Don't settle, but don't beat yourself up for a misstep. We did that for too long before surgery, k?
2. Be strong. You are your own best advocate. You know your body, and you know when something is not right. Push for answers. Assert yourself. Fight for what you need.
3. Be vulnerable. Cry, scream, punch pillows - do whatever works and won't get you in trouble, hurt or arrested. Be emotional. Keeping those feelings stuck deep inside is what lead many of us to overeating. Don't give feelings back that power.
4. Be open. Ask for help. Seek help. It may feel weird and strange and icky, I know. But take care of yourself. Self-care isn't selfish. It's totally selfLESS. We can't do anything for people that need us if we fall apart, so flip the script and practice recognizing self-care as the greatest gift you can give others.
5. Be grateful. Every day. Even for something small. Each time we wake up, it's a reminder that we get another opportunity to make a change in ourselves and the world.
And above all else...
BE YOU. [emoji175][emoji175][emoji175][emoji175]
~SW: 278 CW: 165~
RNY 1/5/2005
"What got you here won't get you there."

I to am sorry to hear it.
All I have to say i that what he told you is just a lie, and excuse to cover his actions. I for one am an adamant supporter of every story having two sides but his story just plain stinks. When you need him the most he ups and fools around on you.
Only you can make the decision of what you want out of it, to heal or not. Otherwise just dump his sorry ass and move on. Sorry to be blunt but I just really, really hate people who play games and lie.
I've been married 30 years and there has been a LOT of times it would of been easy to stray, opportunities have presented themselves or I could of MADE an opportunity. I have NOT strayed as I value my marriage, my wife and the solidity that it gives both of us.