MAAANYC3

Yes I totally understand where everyone is coming from. My issue has always been the sweets and whenever I begin eating sweets again I regain and I’m so disappointed in myself. I will say I Started a vegetable and Protein diet reboot back in March of 2020 and by June I was down the 40 lbs that I had gained as well as I had finally gotten below my smallest size. When I first had the surgery I stalled at about 243 and then maintained for four years at around 250-260. When I started this reboot diet March of 2020 ( five years post op) I was about to get down to 229 and that’s lower than I had ever been. So I say from my experience that you can do it if your body will respond! Go for it and if it doesn’t work that’s when you may need to reach out to your Bariatric doctor for redirection. I honestly thought that I wouldn’t be able to get the weight off again. I feel so blessed! I have recalls struggled these past few years after having my kids with keeping myself on track and caring for my sleeve. I want to make it my focus again! Who’s with me?!!!

Nope for my insurance I had to have 2 visits and BMI 30 or GERD. Then one visit w psych. That’s it.

Hello! I was sleeved in 2012 and lost 105! My acid reflux started getting worse. Especially at night too woke up w sore throat from the acid and tried diff medications. I got the bypass for acid reflux AND weight loss. More the acid I just want it gone. I’m 1.5 weeks post op. Had my bypass 11/2. I’ve lost 10 pounds so far in the week I’ve been home lol I’m feeling great. I will say the pain for this revision was horrible. My friend had bypass and didn’t have this much pain. Today I’m able to get around a lot and even house clean. I’m on protonix for 3 months but I was thinking I would not need it hmmm not sure but I do feel acid if I have Gatorade zero. Hopefullly it’s just because it’s so soon after surgery. But you will lose. Well I think so, I am. SW230, 2 week 1,000 cal diet low carb=216, after surgery 216. 10 days later I’m at 206. Goal 170. good luck!

Hello,
I had my surgery in October 2014. I went from a 14/16 plus size and 244lbs at 5’5.5” to a size 6 170lbs. In 2015 I became disabled and depressed. I lost my career and independence, social life... I was put on many medications that caused me to gain 60lbs in two months. After 1 and A half years I weighed over 300 pounds. I was disgusted. The medications were damaging my liver so my husband suggested to go vegan. Three years Later I’m a size 8 and I weigh 169 pounds. I don’t even know how I did it but I did and I wanted to share it with you all. Because you can do it to! Just never give up and make small changes and soon the small changes will become your new habits. I was only vegan for one year. Then I started ensure plus and cooked a healthy dinner. My health problems do interfere with my appetite so I guess that helps a little. But I have my restriction back and my latest report from the doctor was that all my labs are normal including my liver. The picture shows me in July 2017 and me in December 2020. I’d like to stay in touch with the others who are striving to maintain your health. I’m looking for a support system because I don’t have anyone else who’s been through what I’ve been through but I know you’re out there.

I have a very similar story, am 6 yrs post VSG. Had regain about 2 yrs out and it took getting some ugly medical news to get me back on track for good. I went strict Keto, lost all the regain, lost about 20 more and am doing good. But it's always going to be a fight for me.
I had to commit-LITERALLY, FINALLY- to giving up a lot of foods that I'll likely never eat again and that was a huge mourning process. I've been about 3 yrs strict Keto and love the lifestyle, but it's not for everyone. And it can be a challenge. yes we can have all that fat, but it's still really hard knowing I'll likely never eat most 'regular' foods again.
Pre-surgery I had hoped I would be able to eat all things in small amounts again someday- but that got me on a slippery slope leading to the regain. So I have to stick to what works. I've found that when it comes to staying on track, I do great with total abstinence but really BAD at moderation.

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 had same issue but I had full hysterectomy 3 months after witch sent my hormones every where . I really had to work out 5 days a week to keep weight off . Once we shut down from covid I gained 38 pounds .Had an EGD done and they said sleeve was causing my stomach to twist . They either had to go in and staple it down or do the full byspass surgery . I chose the byspass 2 months in from revision oh forgot to say sleeve gave hernia acid reflux and gerd.

I was on a call with my nutritionist tonight and someone else on my call asked about it and she said that anyone in this situation should do a 10 day liquid diet re-boot. I've seen several on this site, but since my nutritionist recommended it, it's what I would try.

I cut out all sugar and fat and was very low carbs from day1.
I actually lived off shakes for months and I felt great you have to be committed and focused on your goals you cannot give in to cravings.

I am 6 years post VSG. I can tell you that every person has a very different experience. There are some that have 100% success. Some that have very little.
Hang in there. I have had ups and downs. I lost about 90 total, had some regain and got refocused- and lost it.
What I would tell you is to keep consistent with follow up appointments with your surgeon. I have a friend who went through VSG and had similar small losses as you.
She was considered a 'non responder' to VSG and her insurance OK'ed RNY and she lost 90 lbs without effort after that. Now 5 years out she's down over 100 post RNY and feels great.

Yesterday, Thurs, Oct. 18- Maintenance: CW 132.8lbs/56y/F
B1- 3 Protein lattes Decaf (4oz PP)
B2-1 hb egg + HEB black forest ham + salad (baby spinach, cabbage, raw sauerkraut, 3zeros italian)
L-chicken salad (canned brst, grn on, dill pick, 2% cott ch, dijon) + baby carrots + Twin Peak parm garlic protein puffs
AS-chicken salad (canned brst, grn on, dill pick, 2% cott ch, dijon) + cucumber slices
D-blackened basa + shrimp + garlic broccoli + avo/tom salad
BS-almonds + 1 square Lindt 95% Dark chocolate + decaff
Daily Totals: 90g protein; 55g fat; 40g carbs; 12g fiber; 28g net carbs

@FluffyChix, thank you for that explanation. I never thought of that. You are so wise! I will up my Water intake, minus the cranberry juice 🥤

Same. 3 years out and still losing hair. Lots of thinning at the hair line and temples, ugh 😔

Same. 3 years out and still losing hair. Lots of thinning at the hair line and temples, ugh 😔

@Torriluv02, thank you so much for such detailed account! I’m so happy to be back on the app and taking everything in. Everyone’s response has helped me sooo much in getting focused and remembering why I had the surgery in the first place. Not an excuse, but it’s been so hard with work and family and life happening. No one knows I’ve had Bariatric surgery. I have kept it a secret because experience with my people has taught me its best this way.

I swear if you give it 4 days, with Water only and unsweetened black coffee and unsweetened tea...try to minimize the sweet--then also go Keto. You will feel such sweet relief from the hunger. It takes 3days to 2weeks for some...
But once you feel that absence of hunger...man. It's a no-brainer! I still have times when I have to do that...

@FluffyChix, thank you for that explanation. I never thought of that. You are so wise! I will up my Water intake, minus the cranberry juice 🥤

@Torriluv02, thank you so much for such detailed account! I’m so happy to be back on the app and taking everything in. Everyone’s response has helped me sooo much in getting focused and remembering why I had the surgery in the first place. Not an excuse, but it’s been so hard with work and family and life happening. No one knows I’ve had Bariatric surgery. I have kept it a secret because experience with my people has taught me its best this way.

You are starving all day, cuz you are on a slow drip of sugar (aka cranberry juice). It keeps your insulin elevated and keeps you starving. Which do you want worse? To be thin without constant hunger? Or to not be able to comply with your plan and continue to see your weight go up. It's a very simple option.

I'll be 3 years out October 5th. My lowest was 140lbs. I didn't stay there long. Ive been in the 170s for MONTHS. I notice tho. If i eat dense Protein, weigh it out and my veggies. That's all i can eat. If that's all i have room for, i can't even think if drinking anything for over an hour sometimes. The less carbs i have the less cravings i have. If i just do dense protein with veggies 3 times a day it's hard for me to get to 1000 calories. It's at night when my sweet tooth gets hella triggered. But im realizing if i keep my tummy full of dense protein i can't risk the heartburn and slimes and everything else that comes with over eating. I have to overcome my mind at this point. Get back in the gym and fix my Water and sleeping schedule. My only saving grace is my restriction. It's why i think i haven't gone back to 200lbs. That and my resolve. Ive been pretty easily maintaining in the 170s but i hate it. Im still in the obese range for my height and it upsets the hell out of me. Just know i know the struggle. Your restriction im sure is still there. You probably haven't triggered it with the right foods. Beef and chicken i can only do about 2.5 oz of if i eat them with 1.5oz of veggies. And I'm full for over an hour and satisfied for several. The denser the protein, the less i eat, the less hungry i feel. Reading that makes the lightbulb go off for me lol. I hope i was able to make you feel a little more at ease. It's not as hard most times as we make it for ourselves. Im here for an ear. I really have no one to vent to without feeling guilty and whiney lol. Sorry for the life story lol.

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You look amazing!!

That doctor is out of line. She has to separate her personal feelings on recommending the best health outcome for you.

With that said, definitely look into what @GreenTealael suggested. I have no knowledge this is done, as I’m the only person I know that has had WLS.
Definitely also bring up your primary care doctor’s lack of cooperation into your care to your psychiatrist and how it’s affecting you.
His recommendation based on how this is affecting you may trump your primary care doctor’s decision. It will be a process, just be patient.
Do everything you can to favor a surgery date for you!
You are your own advocate.

Good luck!!

That doctor is out of line. She has to separate her personal feelings on recommending the best health outcome for you.

With that said, definitely look into what @GreenTealael suggested. I have no knowledge this is done, as I’m the only person I know that has had WLS.
Definitely also bring up your primary care doctor’s lack of cooperation into your care to your psychiatrist and how it’s affecting you.
His recommendation based on how this is affecting you may trump your primary care doctor’s decision. It will be a process, just be patient.
Do everything you can to favor a surgery date for you!
You are your own advocate.

Good luck!!

Hello, I'm the original poster - Latest update. Well last week I raised such cane with my dr's office and the insurance company. I decided to take control rather than let them rule my life. Today I get a call from the insurance company. They received my appeal and did research. it turns out there were some errors in the plan docs which caused confusion. They said "Congratulations!" I am covered and it DOES not have to be an IOQ, although they prefer it. Whoo hoo. But then they told me I had to get with my dr's office to tell them to resubmit with the clinical information showing I went through all of the steps. So I happily sent an e-mail to the business office and told them what to do. I blind copied in my surgeon because I just don't trust them.....(They were so quick to give up on me) I told them to kindly re-submit and gave them the person's name (RN) to reference. I basically hand delivered their job.....happy, I went on with my day....
then......... 5 minutes later........
The insurance lady I just spoke to called me back...and said...Oh I meant to tell you..... I did mention your surgeon and hospital doesn't have to be an IOQ but if an IOQ is available in your geographic area you have to use them. I went to my handy google maps. IOQ is 6 miles from my house but the surgeon I selected and have already paid $4200 is 28 miles. So.....I guess there is a chance insurance could deny again.. The funny thing is when I was first searching for doctors, I checked out Orlando Health (the IOQ) and they never called me back.....
arghhhhh...the confusion and agony of waiting. Meantime the hurricane was coming and i have been stress eating here in Florida.

Thanks for listening...

Hi Guys, I'm the original poster and I have an update. i sooo appreciate everyones comments. You have helped me more than you know. I hear you about not bothering to appeal but my sense of justice is rearing it's head, lol. I'm so mad and am just going to give it one more shot. I called Aetna and found a special concierge associated associated with my company. I work for a company with 50,000 employees worldwide. They actually found the paperwork where they originally told me the "IOQ" was not required. They seem to want to help me to get this surgery. I also think they are embarassed I've already spend $4200 out of pocket just on my pre surgery stuff. I also wrote a firm e-mail to the business office about how shocking it is for them to give up on this so easily and dismiss me as a patient and how it's bad for business. I copied in my surgeon. The Surgeon, who is amazing, called me back right away and told me he he has been made aware and the hospital's office is doing everything they can. He said even if they end up not covering they will help me find another surgeon. He even took the time again to talk to me about the surgical options and thinks I'll have better results with bypass, due to finding out I have some GERD on the upper GI.
Anyway....more to come. I feel like I made a little traction yesterday.