Tamarita

Hi just now seeing this. I went pack to basics and intermittent fasting. The two Protein Shakes and one meal is what you have to do to get weight moving. Also you can never eat regular again to maintain the weight loss. That’s what I found works for me. I keep my calories around 1000 or less per day and I’m fine. If I splurge one day I only eat a little of the bad item. Also no leftovers of not good food choice items

Well, down four pounds so far! Only 25 more to go LOL.

I'm almost 13 years out and have faced my fair share of regains (including 2 pregnancies along the way) but have managed to nip them in the bud in the 10-15 lb range. I honestly think regains are just part of the process and we all face them to some extent and i'm sure i'll face them again in the future, so this post is a good reminder for me as well! So here are my go to moves to get rid of regain:
My go-to moves are:
Eat Meals (don't graze) - don't skip Breakfast, even if it's small Eat Real food, not processed slider foods like chips and sweets Stop eating after dinner - get away from the kitchen after dinner. Evenings have always been my toughest time and so i make myself a cup of Decaf coffee, take it upstairs with me, and don't go back to the kitchen under any circumstances. Focus on the food, not exercise - 80%+ of weight loss comes down to food Move for Mental Health - aiming for 10K steps works for me and calms my urge to stress eat Talk to someone about mental health - overeating for me is a sure sign that's i'm heading on a downward spiral and the weigh gain and guilt and shame associated just makes it worse...see a doctor, find a medication that works for you, find your way back to a good mental health state Things i that haven't worked for me:
liquids / Protein Shakes - it's not sustainable (and really hard for even a few days...how did we do it pre- and post-op?), it makes me unbearably grouchy, and the minute i stop the weight comes back on Counting Calories - that is a trigger for me after a LIFETIME of dieting and i don't want to go there! Excessive exercise - it's too hard to outrun a bad diet with exercise and getting hurt would be a sure way to halt my progress. One more change that has truly been life altering for me is something i did after my last regain in 2018. My weight creeped up to 161lbs. That was 20lbs over my usual set point of 140lbs, which i had maintained for 10 years post-op (i'm 5'2" and started my journey at 200 lbs). It was starting to scare me and i knew i needed to do something.
I went back to all the things I listed above but i also did something i never had done before, i started eating plants for Protein. I cut out the meat first and then the dairy (which seemed overwhelming until i found all my own plant based substitutions), and i started focusing on vegetables! I didn't think about portions (after all, i'm a WLS patient, how much could i really eat) and i found myself shedding weight effortlessly!
Not only did i lose the 20 lbs i had gained, but for the first time in 12+ years post-op, i hit a new set point of about 122lbs which i've been maintaining with ease for the past year! I didn't start a diet, i didn't ever go off a diet. I just focus on plants and i feel great and have never been lighter! And i know what you're thinking...where do you get your protein??? But there is more than enough protein in plants for anyone who's at least 6 months post op! The funny thing is, i eat more than i have in years, but i finally feel like i'm living the healthy life i wanted and it's easier than i ever though it would be.
Anyway, sorry for the long post, i'm just so happy with how this has been working and i know it can work for others too! Feel free to message me if you have questions. Keep fighting the good fight!!

I share this story in hopes that it may help someone to never pick up a drink after VSG or to at least be hyper-vigilant about the dangers of drinking post weight loss surgery.
I was sleeved in August of 2015 @ 310 lbs. Quickly lost most of the weight needed and began running 5k. Not really setting the world on fire, but it was really good for me. Prior to surgery, I had always enjoyed drinking with friends. Typical guy stuff - couple beers @ a football game or watching the game on Sunday, meeting for drinks after work, etc. Never an issue or problem. Never anything that i had to have.
My doctor warned me against alcohol, sodas, and transfer addictions, but I thought "never me". WOW, was I wrong. I remember the first couple times I had a beer after the surgery (I waited 6 months), it was very fizzy and uncomfortable. I convinced myself that it would get easier, and unfortunately it did. Next came the rum and coke zero. Wow, that tastes great, and I get a buzz very quickly.
That fast buzz turned into getting very drunk, very quickly. Our new bodies absorb the alcohol in 1/2 the time that a normal internal system would. Over the last couple yeaars there have been many episodes of drinking way to much, blacking out, and not remembering what happened. I have had to apologize for my behavior more than once after a night of drinking. I even started drinking every day. I would make a drink as soon as I got home each day. 1 turns into 2 or 3. Just like lays potato chips you can not have just 1. Alcohol consumed my every thought. When can I have a drink? How can I make sure I can get a drink? It amazed me how I was able to justify that if Creamer was good in my morning coffee, how great would Rumchatta be (it's damn good, by the way).
I am living proof that transfer addiction is a real thing. I am now in counseling for my alcohol addiction.
Transfer addiction is definitely a real thing. Prior to VSG surgery I was over 300 pounds because I had an addiction to food, and all the wrong kinds of food. My new addiction is alcohol and it's best friend is food addiction. what goes with beer = chicken wings, or nuts and pretzels, what goes with a margarita = tacos, etc.
Alcohol also makes it impossible to lose weight. So if you are really dedicated to clean eating but you drink, your weight may stay the same, but it surely will not go down. I have packed on 60 lbs of the 120 that I lost. And, I am slowly changing behaviors to get back to where I want to be.
It is a journey,, but I am worth it. I will overcome.
Addiction is sacrificing everything for that one thing !
Recovery is sacrificing that 1 thing to have everything !

I actually did the math and took it to my surgeons office asking exactly how did they expect me to do it!? I further explained I'd have to drink right up to bedtime and sleep was just as important in the healing process, so if I drank just before bed..I'd be getting up several times in the night. I was told they "know right out of surgery there is no way to get in the entire Water requirement." They just want you to try.
My math (basic because I suck at math):
Average "day" (excluding time for activities you can't be actively drinking water i.e. driving, showering, different tasks at work): 12 hours
No drinking water 30 mins before and after and during a meal: 90 mins+-
90 x 3= 270/60 = 4.5 hours per day you aren't allowed to drink
12 hrs a day +- - 4.5 can't drink. = Leaves you 7.5 hours to get down 60+-oz each day
7.5 hours to get down 60oz each day @ 2oz. max each "drink" = .12 to get your sip in. In other words not real easy or possible if you also add nauseous! This isn't taking into consideration snacks (which I didn't do and still don't).
Needless to say they found me funny. I wasn't going for "funny!" Said they'd never had a patient break it down before. I told them I'm a Histologist who manages a laboratory measuring in microns/millimeters/centimeters etc. everyday what did they expect?..
Perhaps they should have done the math before asking patients to do something! I asked who has time for that!? That's when they said to work up to it, its not expected for awhile, to just try..its a goal to shoot for. Eventually you'll be able too. So no worries, just do the best you can!
😆

this is me before I had plastic surgery - with my tons of excess skin. See what I mean about it being easy to hide in clothes? No one knew it was there but me (well, besides my husband and doctor). (I tried to insert this into my above posting, but it kept wanting to drop it in the middle of my text. ARGGH! Must be something with Mac (I just switched from PC). Anyway, here I am - excess skin and all:

Had to share my before and after 3 years later
I’m still changing and it makes me happy to see the change
I no longer have sleep apnea
and I don’t snore at all now.. I’m silent when I sleep
lost 90 kgs (198 pounds).. I’m greatful for everything
even my hair color changed during these 3 years it feels like I’m a completely new person(note that I had this hair color when I was younger.. then it got darker when I became obese.. and now it’s lighter again)!

before and after pics inserted.

This is crazy .... I've taken my dog to the dog park every day for the last 2 months. We walk around the edge of the 4 acre park. (Some days I'm panting harder than the dogs when I'm done walking .LOL) Took the dog to the vet -- he lost 2 pounds !!! I stepped on my scale - haven't lost an ounce in the 2 months we've been going there !!!! It's not fair !!!!! LOL
Okay - I just had to rant about it in this forum

Need help, I gained almost all the weight after 5 years.

I'm on day 13 of the pre-op diet and believe me it gets easier after around day five (still sucks though). Luckily, I'm allowed cream type Soups so at least there's that. Hang in there and make your remaining days count!

Quit watchin My 600lb Life and you will be much happier. When was the last time you ever lost 16lbs in 3 weeks? Congrats.

Yes, I'm cold all the time! I didn't think this would start until I lost a substantial amount of weight. I'm sitting here with two blankets and a shawl on and sleep with an electric blanket on at night.

Yes, I'm cold all the time! I didn't think this would start until I lost a substantial amount of weight. I'm sitting here with two blankets and a shawl on and sleep with an electric blanket on at night.

You are not done, you can still lose some weight.
Though you are at a lower BMI now, and with your height (and without now your age or incidental activity level) your maintenance calories (before adding in any exercise calorie requirements) would be quite low, and wouldn't leave a lot of scope for slip ups. If you haven't already determine your calorie requirements for maintenance based on your age, gender, current weight, height...from there you can deduct an amount to allow for weight loss (maybe 500 per day?).
If you aren't already make sure you are weighing your foods, eyeballing volumes doesn't cut it, and don't rely on 1/2 cup or cup volumes as calories will vary greatly as contents settle etc. Weigh everything, buy some food scales if you don't already have some.
My fitness pal site can help calculate weight loss calorie requirements, you could also track your current food intake for a week see where its at and where it can be tweaked. If you prefer not to use MFP, start with determining daily calorie requirements. https://tdeecalculator.net/

Is anyone else cold more than usual since surgery?
I'm always hot, I don't know how to feel about being cold...I will adjust, but brrrrr...

My surgery was cancelled this morning due to my doctor being ill today. I’m supposed to find out tomorrow when I will be rescheduled. Disappointed, but understand it could not be helped. Hoping for next week.

losing everything .. so lost now... job gone ... saved retirement gone,.... surgery cancelled ... not much now ... cant pay bills or see a way to catch up ... just want to fall asleep and never wake up ... what will become of us

Nope, you can't sleep, you have some work to do...
I watched a documentary earlier this week on Netflix about virus outbreaks and what can be done for prevention. There was a segment on what is being done with migrants as they enter the US. Don’t want to open a can of worms on this topic either for or against. The fact is if there are services for migrants, there are “services” available for US citizens who are in need. The problem is one must do a lot of research and fill out what seems to be a mountain of paperwork versus what gets simply handed out to those who are not even legal citizens.
Yes, life has thrown you a bad set of cards now, but all IS NOT lost. From your profile you’re in PA, get on a computer, do a Google search on “Support services and programs in Pennsylvania” and start researching your options. There are plenty, apply for anything and everything, state and federal level! Got turned down, apply again!
Assuming you have a roof over your head but can’t pay your mortgage or rent due to the job loss, that’s the least thing to worry about. Rent/Mortgage is the last thing you would be paying in a situation of extreme limited financial resources, the necessities come first. It takes months for a formal eviction to be legal and with the court systems in turmoil from CORVID-19 closings and most likely the Federal Government will be stepping in since many will be in the same predicament, you will have some extra time to get some assistance before worrying about finding a new place to live.

Well I hope everyone is surviving with this virus issue?
Here in Australia things are going ok just the issue of supermarkets being raided and hard to get toilet paper before everyone buys it all... But no quarantine or anything yet...
Umm I don't go online as much because I'm happy and doing things my way... Fired my useless dietitian months ago...
I started this diet journey 7 months ago pretty much to the day and I've hit 150LBS lost I cannot even fathom it.
I never ever thought I would even get this far or this low but this bypass just seems to keep working for me.
I started my journey at high weight of 322lbs and today I weighed in at 172lbs first thing this morning 😁
Some might say I've lost more than enough but I feel I'm going well just taking each day at a time..
Still experimenting with different foods I can tolerate but taking it slowly and doing it my own way.
Some days I'll still feel like a shake or two.
Some days I'll be real hungry other days no hunger at all...
I've been doing it my way not worrying about specific stages or phases really.
So yeah 150lbs gone and I feel amazing. I feel like a new man and I'm like where did all the fat go?
It feels great people calling me skinny and I weigh less than most of my mates now hahahaha
I know I'll eventually need to start weights and stuff but I'm in no hurry yet.
Love Mikey xo

My surgery was on the 3rd also and like you, I haven't lost anything for several days. I've been tired and taken naps for the few days but otherwise feel ok. I'm think I'm tired simply because of the low calories (I'm still on full liquids only). Maybe this is just part of the healing process.
It sounds like you're doing everything right. If you continue feeling run down or are concerned, I recommend to reach out to your care team. I hope you feel better soon!!

I'm about 10 weeks out and last night was the first time I had a bad interaction with food. I don't know if I ate too fast, ate too much or my stomach just didn't like what I ate but wow, I felt terrible. Immediate heartburn then a stomach ache and chills for about 2 hours. I'll definitely be more careful about what and how I ate for a while.

Congratulations! I'm on day three post-op and was wondering the same thing. I'm able to meet my Protein and Water intake goals. I've actually wondered if my surgeon performed the correct surgery (even checked my surgical notes to be sure). I've read that things change once we transition to regular foods in that we will be able to feel ful.

Had a complicated RNY on March 3rd. Doctor repaired multiple hernias, abrasions, and scar tissue as well as had to remove part of my stomach. Pain is pretty isolated to my packed wound (from where he removed my stomach). Looking forward to having a community that has gone through this at the same time.

I had my surgery on 3/2, it took me 4 days after surgery to start. Be sure to walk besides drinking your fluids it helps gets things going.

I'm not meeting the 64 ozs of hydration goals. I'm halfway there, but I'm getting closer to my Protein goals daily. Today, I'm extremely fatigued and feeling kind of lightheaded. Working on increasing the Water intake daily, I'm just too full to keep drinking. I've pooped, thankfully. The Prilosec and bariatric Vitamins are not that great, but I'm getting it down. Tomorrow if it isn't raining I will go for a walk. I'm tired of liquids, everything on TV shows food. I don't want the foods, it's the point that I'm restricted and that makes everything look good. Earlier this morning, I really wanted a pancake and a piece of Turkey bacon. I had a vanilla Premier shake and moved on. Tomorrow I'm going to get a better schedule for consuming the required fluids and nutrients timely. I'm also going to allow myself to get some sleep. I'm down from 242 to 236, since surgery day. Pajamas are my uniform, my stomach is still bloated and these incisions are itching like CRAZY!!!! Yes, I'm healing and I know these things will be distant memories soon. My new stomach is going to get a name, just haven't given her one yet. She talks, grumbles and rolls to beat of her own drum already and she's a Pisces, born on March 3rd, 3020...lmaooooo.