FieryPhoenix

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

Hi! I haven't posted in several years. I'm 5.5 years out from my sleeve surgery, and maintaining at about 10 lbs above my "perfect weight" goal. Still down 105, though, and trying to exercise the ten pounds back off. So I consider my journey thus far to be a major success. I eat everything I want EXCEPT sugar and white stuff. Period. That's my secret. No refined sugar, ice cream, fruit juices, alcohol, bread, rice, potatoes, Pasta, and rarely fruit, corn and peas. Other than that, I eat whatever I want.
So here's my best tip: If you decide that you will NEVER eat any of the foods listed above, then you never have to decide whether or not to eat something. If it's on that list, it's a NO. If it's not, it's a YES. Every food decision is pre-made. How simple is that? And once you leave those foods behind for a while, you don't miss them anymore. As long as you don't ever open that door, the boogeyman can't tempt you.
Two other tips: Get your 64+ ounces of fluids in every single day, and ALWAYS HAVE A PLAN whenever you're away from home. I never go to a party, get-together, or even a long drive without bringing my Crystal Lite iced tea and a bag of almonds. Those two items can carry me through any situation. (And they have, many times!)
So that's my system. It's worked for over 5 years with excellent results, so I don't see any reason to change it.
Good luck to all in maintenance!!!

I DID IT !
I hit MY weight goal. NOT my surgeon's goal 10 years ago when I started this advent....that was to weigh145 pounds. Then he agreed that having started at 320, (and then 5'3" ) that a more logical goal would be in the area of 160 to 170. The lowest I ever got was 175. And I did not maintain that for even a moment. The the next 8 years of losing my only sibling to the Flu at the age of 49 (please get your flu shot) and then my surviving parent a few years later... personal illness and drama.... and creeping weight gain....
14 months ago at 220 pounds and 63 years old I got my act back together.
I went back to eating Protein - first and foremost - protein, healthy vegetables and fruit, and a smattering of healthy whole grain carbs and healthy fats.
I ate mindfully - and intentionally to fuel my mind and body.
I ate a treat daily
I slowly changed HOW I eat, what I eat, and when I eat it.
I did not announce it, I did not talk about it. I just did it.
I lost 45 pounds in the past 14 months. Not fast weight loss, but steady
And I may decide to lose a bit more. Or not.
Thank you for being my sounding board. Thank you for being here for support.
Today I am thankful for my sleeve, for saggy baggy hanging skin and not caring. And for being healthy !

I am 10 years out. 64 years old. I went from 320 - 300 at surgery - to 165. I could never hold on to 165; but held on to 170 to 175 for about 5 years. Overweight, but had lost more than 70% my excess weight, and my doctors were VERY pleased; and so was I.
A year ago I realized I was 220 pounds and freaked out. Decided to try to lose 10 pounds in a year. Nothing drastic. Once I started eating less, eating mindfully, intentionally, and using my VSG by eating Protein first, increasing healthy fats, lowering carbs.... but keeping a daily treat.... changing HOW I ate, what I ate. I have lost an average of 3 pounds a month for the last 13 months. 41 pounds gone. I have some medical/physical challenges exercise is limited. No "working out" for me - but I swim during summer, do active gardening and dance in the living room when it is only the dog and I around.
I only work on one pound at a time. I reset my personal goal at where I was comfortable.

So, I am nearly 15 years (yes years) postop. I started at 315 and plummeted to 142 within 10 months of surgery. I was super happy but I was also sick. I didn't have energy, I looked sick...but I was SKINNY! For the first time in my adult life, I wore a SMALL! I loved and hated it at the same time. Then I was told to gain weight because due to all the excess skin, I was really underweight and it was NOT healthy for me.
Well, long story short...I can eat pretty much anything and not dump. Then my portions started growing and my snacking came back. I gained, I lost, I gained, I lost...you all know how that goes. I got back up to 230 and was miserable again. I started doing VERY well earlier this year and lost nearly 25 pounds of regain, then COVID-19 struck and has me working from home. This led right back to horrible habits and not as much movement (I didn't even have to walk to my car!).
The company I work for has wonderful programs to help get motion and nutrition back on track. Well, that is if you are able bodied (I have bad knees and am just trying to keep replacements at bay as long as I can) and can eat like a normal person. The PT and nutritionist had me doing things that just didn't work for me...not once but TWICE. I told them over and over I couldn't exercise on my knees nor could I eat the portions they were assigning to me.
Frustrated, I started researching revisions. I found one I was seriously contemplating, regardless of insurance coverage (I was THAT desperate). I was on the verge of calling my GP for a referral when I thought, "What about going back to basics"?
So, about two weeks ago, I found some sites (this is one of them!) with bariatric specific meal plans, food, Vitamins, gadgets, etc. I took the plunge and ordered Protein powders, protein Snacks, Meal Replacements and changed my Vitamin routine to the 1 A Day on here. I bought shaker bottles for my shakes, 15 minute increment Water bottles to make me drink my water (if you knew me, you would know I HATE water), and I also cleared two shelves in my pantry for JUST ME.
It's now been just over a week and I am down 4 pounds. I have so much more energy that my husband was like "who are you and where is my wife"! I have already noticed a difference in some of my clothes - no more dancing routine putting on my yoga pants!
It's not easy, but I have to remember where I was and where I want to be once again!
Sorry this was so long but I started typing and couldn't stop!

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 think many of us have had some regain in one form or another. For ALL of us, once the surgery stops working it's completely up to us.
Post op 7 years next week, when I was losing I thought I was invincible and had no fear of regain. But I lost a parent, changed jobs, changed jobs again, went to night shift, went to grad school, dealt with all kinds of things, and the 'eat all things in small amounts' went out the window.
I had to fully commit to a very specific PERMANENT very low carb lifestyle. I lost all my regain and more, but I have eaten only a ketogenic level lifestyle for the last 6 years. I am not one of those patients who loses their weight and can resume eating all things just in tiny amounts. I have to work at staying very low carb, no sugar, almost no fruit, no starchy veg, no bread/rice/pasta/oats/grains etc. I basically eat meat, green veg, eggs, cream/butter, and a high Protein Shake with Water or almond milk daily. it's a tight regimen but it works for me.
Remember your WHY. find it and recommit. you totally got this!

I always go back to shakes. The only ones that taste good to me and keep me full for two hours is Ensure plus. Has 5G more sugar than recommended but it’s lactose free so it doesn’t hurt my tummy. I gained my weight back x2 and lost it with shakes, good food choices, Portion Control and normal activity. I went from a 24/22 to a loose Size 8. Took a few years but now it’s just the way I eat. Occasionally I have a naughty week but I always get back on track.

This is so worth a full quote!

I had my appt with my psychiatrist last week and he confirmed that, for me, there should be no issue. Regular Prozac is not extended/delayed release and I am getting the sleeve. He did say, though, that it would be wise to keep an eye on things as fat stores estrogen, which can impact emotional/mental health, as well as just the sheer size of such a dramatic life change. Often times, things can get a little wonky post-op, so best to be prepared and have a plan in place. Proud of all of us for doing the hard work to have healthy minds and bodies!