I'm 14 months out and I'm struggling.

[Chelly 364]

I need words of encouragement.

I'm having troubles eating to much popcorn, Protein Bars and Protein.< /strong>

I stopped exercising because of problems with health.

I need words to help me get back where I should be in watching myself and maintaining.

I haven't been eating any sugar or fat things.

At least that's a plus.

Any encouraging help would be appreciate it.

[James Marusek 5,244]

Generally people gain back some of the weight after they bottom out. If you are at 14 months, I suspect that you have worked through the loss stage and have entered the maintenance stage. Individuals tend to gain weight back because they graze. This allows their pouch to grow and thus there is weight gain. Focusing on carbohydrates does not tend to fill one up and promotes grazing. So I suspect grazing on popcorn could be a problem. Consuming sugar can also be a problem but in your case, you have limited that from your diet. Grazing on Protein is good.

In my case, I have included fats back in my diet. I am 18 months post-op from RNY. Fats take away hunger and I use fats to control my urge to graze. For example I drink one cup of coffee each day and I top it with home made whip cream. I also use real milk, butter, meat that is not lean. I also use Adkin's treats. I was diabetic prior to surgery and pay a lot of attention to reducing my sugar (processed sugar) to next to nothing. But generally I can satisfy my sweet tooth with Splenda and Stevia.

Exercise is important. If you are not up and about doing normal daily activities, it is important to try and get back on some sort of exercise regime. Walking is good.

Edited November 17, 2014 by James Marusek

[Chelly 364]

I forgot to mention that I have to eat more often because I have reactive hypoglycemia as a result of my surgery.

When I eat popcorn it's a normal serving according the package and I always have it with Protein.

I only eat it twice a day for like lunch and maybe a late night snack and again always with Protein.< /strong>

The Protein Bars I have more of then I probably should but I have a hard time getting meat protein down a lot of times so I compensate with the bars.

I need to go back I think to having more shakes like I used to.

Well thanks James for your input.

The exercise I do get is going up and down the stairs at least a dozen times a day so i'm not totally immobile.

I suffer from osteoarthritis, RSD, fibromyalgia and stenosis of the spine so exercise recently has been more difficult to go to the gym but I have confidence I'll get back there.

[microdot 28]

Hi Chelly!

I am currently in "maintenance mode", and I am 1 year and 9 months post op. Maintenance is definitely a challenge! I think going back to shakes for a short time, and kind of starting over, may be a good way to go. I have done a ton of recipe searching, and there a lot of good bariatric recipes out there. Poultry can be difficult for me to get down and I do not eat red meat (by choice), so I eat a lot of yogurt and cottage cheese. I also have almonds and the very occasional Protein bar. Could you speak to the Nutritionist? Sounds like you just need a little guidance getting back on track, and some help with food alternatives.

I know it's hard, but none of us would be here if food was easy for us! You have come really far and gone through a huge life change...keep it up!!