I am 2 1/2 years out. Weight loss was fast, relatively easy, and for two years was always down. Then something happened and I am now gaining weight - up 20lbs. Yes I am not eating perfectly, but the really scary thing is that I feel like something major has switched. Before if I strayed my weight would go sideways and then easily return its downward direction if I got back to eating right. Plus, my old, life time struggle with cravings and "needs" to eat and deprivation that was so beautifully on hold after surgery, seems to be back and like it was my whole life before surgery. Now no matter how little or much I eat, my weight will at best be flat but more than likely go up... That whole pattern of starting every day with the promise that I am going to eat right today, followed by uncontrollable craving and eventual snacking, and then feelings of hating myself and actual weight gain is back, like I never had surgery.

I am really sad and discouraged.

Two things that have changed that could be a factor but not really consolation are (i) I have been having insomnia for months which I hear (sleep deprivation) can effect hunger hormones, and (ii) I have been having regular abdomen pains, like hunger pain, gnawing feelings that docs say is acid - yet I am on tons of acid blockers (double dose prevacid, have tried tons of prilosec and others)...docs don't know what this is or what else to do - for me it is not normal heartburn, actually only thing that helps is eating...? I am seeing docs about this for past year, but they don't seem to have a clue.

I exercise every day, a lot. I have cut all alcohol out since before surgery.

What is happening? Is this just the way it goes after a few years? I have tried restarting everything, going back to basics, doing food diary and then with no improvements after days and uncontrollable cravings (like pre-surgery), I go back to snacking. I am getting into a very bad pattern and worry if I am just doomed to go back to where I was all my life. Plus - for the 1st time, I have gone up a notch on my belt and my cloths are getting tight....YUK!

HELP....

@@RichardVST

This can happen to any of us. With more time away from surgery the weight loss game continues. I'm sure it has you down. My hope is you find what works for you to get over your slump.You have recognized this and yes! Its a destructive pattern. I am very much the same way.

Not sure this will even help and most likely things you already know:

Its easy to give yourself permission to go to the bad choices when you are having health issues. Try to keep them out of the house give yourself healthy craving options. Don't deprive yourself if you have a salty or sweet moment. Find the health options that satisfy it. Appetite can increase with types of food you intake. Find what makes you feel satisfied and not sluggish.

Forgive yourself! If there is no struggle there is no progress. Hang in there my friend.

How frustrating! And I imagine also scary. We work hard to lose, and then the tools feel like they're failing and the loss seems to be reversing. I'm so sorry this is happening!

I'm only one year out, and have noticed a real slow-down to my weight loss AND that anything at all above my super low carb food and low calories will absolutely make me gain weight now. I hate it.

I've read several people have had good luck with re-activating their sleeve benefits by doing the 5-day pouch test. Do a search on this site and it'll come up. It might be worth a try anyway.

Wish i had something to suggest for the heartburn/acid issue. Ouch.Any chance of considering a homeopathic practitioner or acupuncturist? Both have helped me with other issues (sleeplessness with racing thoughts was improved a good deal with coffea cruda, and aching/body pain with arnica montana, acu for headaches in my case).

I'll keep a good thought for you as you struggle through this one - hope you find a way forward that helps!

Just a suggestion, have you tried going back to basics? Ie tried the 5 day pouch test?

Wishing you all the best with your weight loss journey xox

Are you having any depression or stress? For years I did not sleep.....2 hours and wake up...2 hours and wake up. I was always tired and my memory and thinking was foggy. After surgery they had removed me from all medication and I slept like a baby.....I was thrilled to death. Thought well this surgery had cured my insomia. Then I went through some problems and started back on Wellbutrin for depression....one in the morning and one at night......the insomia was back. I cut out the night one and it helped a little but I still got up couple times a night. I cut out the morning one and I'm back to sleeping all night... I don't get up to even use the restroom. Check out your medication and see if this could be part of your problem. You can do the 5 day pouch test to get you started back in the right direction. If that is too hard....do the 48 hour pouch test. https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?id=103328028732&story_fbid=10152874403078733

Anxiety causes insomnia.

Menopause causes insomnia. (Maybe Maleopause does, too?)

And guess what: Insomnia can quickly become a habit.

I'm a big fan of intermittently used Ambien. I use it maybe 1 out of 4 / 5 nights on average. But it really does help me break the insomnia patterns.

Just a thought.

I am really glad this subject came up. I'm a year out & struggling - big time. I have been fighting the same 3 or 4 lbs going up & down for over a month & it's getting irritating. I'm glad some of you mentioned the 5 day pouch test. I had not heard of that before. I've been worried about "stretching" my stomach. liquids I can consume about 7 to 8 ozs & solid food it's more like about 5 or 6 ozs. If I eat to much it makes me VERY uncomfortable. When I fill up I get the hiccups but I'm hungry again in about 2 hrs. I had my 1 year checkup with my surgeon & she has happy with my progress & told me to go "fast" 1 day a week & just drink Protein shakes. Hopefully this will break my stall.

Good luck everyone. Thanks for the good information.

I would suggest counseling. It sounds like you buried some issues that won't stay buried. Time to bring them out into the light of day and examine them.

Following.. as I can relate.. 3 years out

Hi TexasLady - thanks for the post. Yes I have had depression issues, but I think they are under control...? I am actually off all medications except acid blocker Lansopralol, and ambien. I gave up the ambien for 3 months but that didn't work.

Could you clarify your comment - you think that Wellbutrin was keeping you awake? Which it is known to do...but you are saying that depression issues can cause insomnia as well...Not sure what point you are making get drugs for depression or be careful of depression drugs?

I read about the Pouch test - but sounds like it was made for Lapband people? I can give it a try it it helps Sleeve patients?

Thanks again.

Hi VSGAnn2014 -

Insomnia is a real bummer. My sleep pattern sucks. I fall asleep ok, but stay asleep only about 45 minutes, then wake for 10, back and forth all night. I have taken Ambien for years and gave it up for 3 months. My sleep wasnt that much worse without it, but since it was marginally better with it, I have gone back to using it every night. I feel very sleepy during the day. The Ambien helps, but its not the miracle solution.

Thanks

Anxiety causes insomnia.

Menopause causes insomnia. (Maybe Maleopause does, too?)

And guess what: Insomnia can quickly become a habit.

I'm a big fan of intermittently used Ambien. I use it maybe 1 out of 4 / 5 nights on average. But it really does help me break the insomnia patterns.

Just a thought.

Hi BBtravel -

That is what I thought. I cant figure out any other alternative! I had gone to GI specialist 2 years ago and they did a zillion expensive tests and ruled out everything from their perspective and gave me no help other than just telling me to continue with acid blockers - even though they only helped a little. Out of desperation I asked my Primary MD to just treat the H Pylori and she refused. I went back to another GI and he said that H Pylori is impossible for adult to catch. 2 years ago GI performed endoscopy and I tested negative for H Pylori. MY primary ran a lab test for H Pylori and that was negative as well. I have read that False Negatives are not impossible, but it is at best a very long shot. But I have been on very high doses of acid blockers for a long time, which cant be good?

Frustrating.

Exact issues my cousin was having for 2 years. Finally diagnosed with H. Pylori. Feeling MUCH better.

Hi Richard the 5 day pouch test is for all weight loss surgery patients - Lapband, bypass and vertical sleeve. Link to the site is here where it explains what you need to do is here:

http://5daypouchtest.com/plan/theplan.html

I also purchased the ebook from amazon just in case the web site disappeared as i had read this happening to a number of people and those that tried the 5 day pouch test all started seeing movement with weight loss. The ebook was around $10-11.

Hi Richard. Just here to let you know you are not alone. Many many people come off the honeymoon stage between 6 months and 1 1/2 years or so, to find they have more hunger, cravings, can eat more and have a hard time maintaining or losing. This is the Non-Honeymoon period..... sad but true. Maintinance is harder than loosing. Now is the time to really use what you found worked at first.... Protein first, log your food, sounds like you do plenty of exercise already, Water restriction after meals, but lots of it the rest of the time.... I am on the pouch test right now, the first time in 4+ years, and the water weight is dumping off... 5 pounds in two days.... its really about the protein first and lots of fluids. Im hoping to get a kick in the butt away from excess carbs. I took three years to get to goal... so it wasnt ever that easy, 5:2 got me to goal in end... (the end is when you die, so really not the end yet...) Chin up.... do what you can to feel better, get sleep and such... just don't quit, its an ongoing battle. Best of luck to you.

My point of view is from a patient who lost all the way down to 23 BMI and then regained EVERYTHING with the band partially due to the failure of the band and partially due to my own fault. I think that we all get complacent and forget that obesity is a life long battle which will never ever be over. Our body will always want to go up to the pre-op weight (I am an example of this) Have you tried Nexium for the acid?

Thanks all for the very helpful words, support and advice. I am discouraged, but appreciate everyone's help and concern. Take care.