I had my surgery in November 2009. I spent 5 weeks in the hospital due to complications with a previous gastric banding (Molina Band).

During that time I could not eat anything, was on TPN almost the entire time. Everything came out fine, I managed to lose 100 pounds, down from 238 to 138. Now, after 2-1/2 years I am gaining, gaining, gaining. I don't know how to stop it. I have considered OA, just to try to understand how I could have gone through all that I did with the surgery and then gain the weight back. Sometimes I panic and sometimes I just think I should let it go. I am going to be 50 years old in September . Can't stop myself and I really need some help from someone who has gone through this. HELP!

I'm bumping this up...can't believe no one has responded yet....there are so many supportive people on here, we need to get you some!!!

All I can say...go back to the basics. Get your Protein in first. Eat only 4-6 oz of food at a time (protein first, then veg, then fruit) at a time and 5-7 times a day and each time, walk away from food and do something else after eating the food.

AND - EXERCISE, exercise, exercise...get away from food. Take a little stroll when you want to eat something. If you can't get out and go for a long walk, just walk. Do circles around outside of your house, your apartment complex, your neighborhood, your office, etc. MOVE!!!!!! Also, do some weight bearing exercise - you don't need weights use your own body weight.

Put your mind set as if you just had your surgery and you are all excited to be losing weight. Take pictures of yourself....I know I can't barely stand to look at my photos before my vsg surgery.

YOU have the power and only you can control you and only you can control your choices. We, this entire community, are behind you and I'm certain you could contact any of us for reassurance and empowerment.

One Love.

Oh thanks for the help, you don't know what it means to me. I CAN do this!!! Keep the comments coming.

Have you talked to your doctor? It could be hormonal too, so I would clear out any physical reason for your rapid weight gain.

I had my sleeve done in Dec 2009. It is easier to gain weight now if you are not careful. The main thing I do is stay on top of my exercise. I'm obsessive about it. Exercise, exercise, exercise. For me it's about paranoia. I don't want to gain the weight back. Exercise allows me to maintain. If I were to quit then I'm confident the pounds would begin to come back.

You can do it. Just start walking. Frequently. Every day. Run if you like. But get going. You don't want to wait any longer. Start today. You know what you need to do. Do it!

And good luck.

Get your thyroid checked too. I agree with the back to basics post. Drink water & go back to proteins first. Search diva's basics boot camp on this forum- she has tips on that thread. It's a new day - just forget anything gained - don't dwell on that - just start fresh with clean eating today & you'll see progress.

Hi DPFeffer,

I would repost this in the post op thread or the support thread. I think you might get more responses there.

I am so sorry to hear you are struggling. I agree with the tips I've seen so far, esp. for adding exercise and following Diva's bootcamp. Not sure if your program has a psychologist, but if it does, you might be able to get an appt to discuss. I also like going to a face-to-face support group for WLS. Not sure if you have one of those available.

One tip I've used is instead of just giving something up (overeating), substitute something. So instead of just saying "I won't eat Snacks while watching TV after I eat dinner" go with the game plan "Instead of eating after dinner, I am going to paint my finger nails while watching TV and then have a cup of tea" Instead of "I won't eat a candy bar after lunch" go with "I will eat an orange after lunch instead of a candy bar". It's worked for me sometimes :-) If it worked all the time, I wouldn't have needed WLS

Also, if possible, clear your house of crap. You can't eat what's not there.

Love and best wishes on getting back on track!

Lynda

I'm sorry to hear about your struggles! I am only 8 months out, so I can't talk from experience. But I agree with what some other's have said. Back to basics!! Focus on Protein and Water and exercise. And in the meantime, make sure that nothing else is going on. I also think its a really good idea to talk to a counselor or psych to help with any emotional eating. I think this is really important for ANYONE. Mental health IS physical health IMO, because of how strongly it can affect you. If I'm stressed out, I do NOT lose. At all! So it would make sense if something was off, that you would turn to food and gain a bit.

You're sleeve is still there. It is just waiting for you to ask for help again! Take care of your sleeve and it will take care of you.

Please keep us updated!

((hugs))

p.s. Happy Birthday! (you mentioned it was soon!)

I Was also sleeved late 2009 i m strugling not to gain back i have gone from 127 to 135.

I have gone back to basics but i stumble to sliders Foods very easy . It takes work and determination no matter the surgery we all went through.