Rara

What a phenomenal story! Thanks and congratulations!

RNY April of 2012, so that makes 9+ years out. My surgeon no longer practices bariatric surgery and most likely isn't even in my state any longer. I have had to make due with visits to hematologists, psychologists, primary care docs and more recently, went to a different WLS center for a consult and also to an endocrinologist to address the weight creep up that has taken years to put on--really can't blame the Covid, but rather letting a combo of sloppy habits and less intense exercise run the course to the expected outcome: the dreaded regain.
To complicate matters, I have been so exhausted that I have been trying to get to the bottom of that as well. Ruled out anemia (I have had to get Iron infusions three times), ruled out thyroid (although I do take NP thyroid and the endo upped the dosage a little bit), and while menopause is a factor, I got on bioidentical hormones to try and feel better. Somewhere in the middle of this, I had the brilliant idea that perhaps I should wean myself off antidepressants because they might have contributed to the weight gain as well. Uh. This is not the year to get off antidepressants, being all stressed out at work with all the students back to in-person learning and no clear direction about how to distance kids who seem determined to sit on top of one another, etc.
After the new bariatric consult, where I was basically told that because I had open gastric bypass and then had incisional hernia repair and fleur de lis abdominoplasty, my insides are too messy to do any kind of revision, with the adhesions and all. But what I NEEDED to hear was what I have been doing: back to basics. Push that protein--90 grams. Watch the carbs and fat. Exercise. And eat less calories. 1200-1400. Since that visit I have tracked my intake on MFP and gave myself one day a week to have a higher calorie day and some kind of splurge. The rest of the week I do two very high Protein Meal Replacement shakes, a Greek yogurt, a couple of hard boiled eggs and something small but proteiny and veg for dinner. I have to say, keeping it boring has kept the appetite at bay. And so far, so good. Nearly back to Onderland again, and I plan on keeping going until I get back to my lowest weight, which hilariously still has me in the overweight category according to the BMI.
In addition, since not crawling into bed as soon as I get home is one of my major goals, I went back on the antidepressant, at a little higher dosage after explaining my symptoms of exhaustion. All this to say that the work is never done and I wouldn't have it any other way! This is my first post and I figured I would just throw it all out there and include the juice, since that is what it is all about for me and I have been very much enjoying reading all the posts here. Didn't want to be a freeloader with nothing to contribute

I'm finally coming back to the boards after a very long hiatus. Yes, I've had some dreaded regain between health issues, Covid, etc. and decided I need to do some sort of "therapy" even if it is socializing on here again. I admit that one of my main reasons for avoiding coming back here is exactly what you are posting about. I kept telling myself that all I'm going to here is go back to what you used to do, drink water/take vitamins/protein-protein-protein. All goes back to WLS being a tool and if your head isn't in the game you're boned. I know I'm not alone in this, and yes, it's so frustrating, embarrassing, and infuriating to be going back up after all the progress I've made. The elephant in the room is that deep down I know 90% of my struggles are mental. When you've spent 40 some years struggling with bad food relationships that crap doesn't just go away with a smaller stomach.

Most of the veteran posts, lets face it.... are "Help, I've regained!"
And the response I see over and over and over and over is...
"Go back to basics...starve yourself at 1000 calories a day (or less)...start drinking protien shakes....do keto...blah blah blah"
I don't mean to criticize heartfelt advice...and I know some of ya'll are genuinely trying to help.
But why in the world would you tell someone to do the same thing over again....that didn't work the first time?
It seems nuts to me.
My two cents: see a bariatric therapist. Stop the self punishment. Stop the self sabotage. Stop the self harming extremes.
Get down to the real reasons you're addicted to food, what you're medicating with it...and work on fixing those issues.
If you do....making slow reasonable changes to your diet that have slow but steady results....will work.
You don't have to starve. You don't have to do very low calorie diets that hurt your metabolism, your bone density, and your muscle mass.
You don't have to be so freaking EXTREME.
Breathe. Make reasonable changes you can live with for a lifetime. No crash diets. They don't work. You know this. How many years experience do you have KNOWING that this approach doesn't work? Stop running from the real issues.

Yesterday was the 5th anniversary of my sleeve surgery. I am so glad I did this, and wish I'd done it years ago! It hasn't been without struggles, and I had hiatal hernia surgery in June 2021 because my sleeve had "slipped" up into my chest cavity. Still... all is good, I am SO MUCH BETTER since having the hernia repair, and I have kept all my weight off. I am just happy, and want to say to those with doubts... YOU CAN DO THIS!!

That is fantastic!! Congratulations!!

Crossing my legs!

I no longer have to wear wide shoes or plus size clothes.

Its hard to believe it’s been 6 months since I “went under the knife”. What a 6 months it has been. From nervousness to excitement, from regret to happiness. The emotions have been all over the board. It definitely hasn’t been easy and it’s really only just began.
I wanted to share a little of my journey thus far for folks that are considering the surgery, just had the surgery or anybody else that can relate or possibly get/stay motivated.

Like most, the beginning was very difficult. I did a ton of research before the surgery. I thought I was prepared. But as the old adage goes, “you don’t know until you do it”. I struggled with drinking enough water/fluids, not getting enough Protein, feelings of despair as I could only eat a tiny amount of food, total regret of having the surgery and wanting to call up Doc Brown to see if I could borrow the Delorean to go back in time. But around the 6 week mark, it seemed that everyday my attitude got a little better. I started to walk a little bit to clear my mind. I started just walking around the block. It’s about all I could do and I was a little paranoid of doing too much (silly in hindsight). I tried to really stay focused on sticking to the plan and just taking each day as it was and not look into the future. I started incorporating fish into my diet and nuts and I started walking around the block twice. I just kept telling myself that things will get easier. And before too long, they did.

Fast forward to today and I’ve lost 164 lbs. I’ve lost 33% of my highest body weight. My BMI has gone from 58.3 to 38.9. I’m now walking 5 miles at a time, about 5 days a week. I eat mostly fish, salads, veggies and nuts. I actually eat carbs and some stuff that they probably don’t want me to but it’s limited and I’m burning so many calories exercising that I can handle some extra calories and not worry about it. I think I’m most proud of the fact that I’ve consistently lost weight every single week except in week 3 (seems like this is the week everybody tends to stall). I’ve learned to give myself a little credit instead of giving it all to the surgery. The procedure definitely deserves most all of the credit but I wouldn’t be where I’m at now had I not stuck to the plan, pushed myself to stay mentally strong and built a routine of exercise. Giving myself that little bit of credit has helped me in so many ways.

I’m still about 80 lbs from my goal. I have a long way to go to get to that goal and of course even longer for a lifetime commitment to being healthy. I know whoever reads this has heard the line “if I can do it, anybody can”. I hate to use that but it’s so true. I used to lack motivation to get out of my Laz-E-Boy to even walk around the block. To put down the soda, stop eating a large pizza by myself, fries, Chinese food, burgers,wings, you name it. I found something inside me that clicked to get curious about the surgery. Then to actually go thru with it. Then to implement and execute the plan to improve my life. I wish I could say that I’m 110% confident that I’ll never gain weight again. That I’ll never binge eat again or go off the rails. I’m confident right now that I’m fully committed to a new lifestyle. I’m only 6 months in. I’m still not even that hungry. I can still only eat a little bit. At some point, those things will change. But I know that I never want to go back to what I was. I haven’t changed as a person in the last 6 months. But my attitude, goals and purpose has. For that I’m grateful.
I wish all who reads this much success in your journey. Know that it will be different from mine and all others that you come across. There will be many similarities but your journey is your own just as mine is for me. If I can do it, anybody can. 👊🏼✌🏼

From what I have read on this forum, this is def not the norm.
As a sleeve patient myself (3 years post op) I average 1800-2000 calories a day, and have been maintaining my current weight for over 2 years (and I'm 5'2", 115 lbs)
Everyone will have different maintenance calories depending on a whole slew of factors. Each person needs to figure out what that is for their own individual set of circumstances.

Phenomenal job !!

sorry to say this, but your husband is exhibiting major jerk-like behavior. That is awful. Even if he disagrees with you getting the surgery, refusing to drop you off and pick you up from the hospital sounds very juvenile.
I'd probably enlist the help of a friend if it were me. I did tell a couple of close friends whom I knew I could trust about my surgery. Or do you have a family member who could do it? If not - yea - the home health idea could work...
sorry you're dealing with this. You don't need to deal with his juvenile behavior on top of the stress of going through major surgery. UGH.

I lost over 200 lbs and had a TON of excess skin. I've since had it removed. It was easy to hide in clothes so no one knew it was there except for me and my husband, but I didn't like the way I looked naked or the way it slapped up against me when I exercised.
and no - it is NOT worse than weight loss. I would have taken that loose skin any day of the week over weighing almost 400 lbs again. ANY DAY.
here is a picture of me BEFORE I had the skin removed. Do you see it? Nope - easily hidden in the right clothes (long-ish slightly oversized shirt to cover the abdomenal skin, 3/4 length (or longer) sleeves to cover the batwing arms, and a very supportive bra).
and no, you are not too old. I am in my 60s.

I am 5 months post sleeve. Was doing great, felt great, no complications, was working out at gym, hitting protein/ fluid goals, almost seemed easy. Had a gall bladder attack and had to have it removed last week even with that no regrets. Just continuing one day at a time, one pound at a time.

RNY here. No regrets whatsoever. I'd do it again in a heartbeat. Should have done it years ago.

All not a.
I may have lost weight but I still have fat fingers and can't type. Lol

Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

All of my pics are in my profile under the 'gallery' section.....if you would like to view them!

I would think it was more about the volume rather than weight. If you are concerned speak to your dietician or surgeon.
Given that your profile shows you are in a good place so you must be doing right regardless of the weight of the food you are eating.

@ Elizabeth having the sleeve: I had the same concerns when I was sleeved last August at age 68. I came through with no issues and have had a slow but steady weight loss. My snacking habit is rearing it’s ugly head and slowing down my progress. It is super difficult to maintain my focus!!. I never thought that I would have to even consider Weight Watchers or a”pouch reset” or whatever. Overall I am super pleased that I got this tool.

Hi Elizabeth! I was sleeved a year ago at 67 and feel better than I have in many years. I had a smooth recovery and continual weight loss, although very slow at this point. Slow and steady wins the race (well, not in the Olympics). Good luck, and ask any questions!

I'm sorry for the loss of your father. I lost my mother during the pandemic and I know exactly the mental state.

But give yourself some grace. The weight gain isn't who you are, it's something that happened in response to some insanely tough stressors. Anyone who judges you doesn't deserve your company—people who truly love you just go, "That's my friend Thunder7, he's awesome," not some Mean Girls "zomg did you see Thunder7?".

You know what you need to do to lose it, because you did it once before, and you've already started. Just know it isn't going to happen in two months, and it's gonna take work. Get the beer out the house right now, and don't go to bars. (Probably sage advice anyway in much of the country given the spread of the virus...)

As for the loneliness factor... I get that too. I joined a small gym where everyone is very friendly and made friends there. Or if you're into singing (or anything else), just join activities and friendships will follow.

Congrats on your almost one year surgiversary! And you're close to your goal already! It took me 18 months and 1 day to get to my goal weight lol, but I did get there (though I'm actually trying to lose another couple pounds if I can, before I hit maintenance. I want to get to 175 or even 170 if I can). Snacking, I think is something many people have issues with (I know I do). Trying to talk yourself out of eating something you know you shouldn't, but you really want is hard and sometimes I give in to those cravings (generally this is during my period though, when I'm most miserable lol). I'm sure you'll reach your goal very soon at the rate you're going!

Wow. What a change! Great job! Thanks for sticking around to continue to mentor newbies.

What a phenomenal story! Thanks and congratulations!

I’m ten pounds from where I’d like to be but overall have had a good year. My constant issue is snacking junk but I do have my positive habits (exercise, Water, protein) intact. How you doing?