I am two years post op and I feel a lot of shame when it comes to my weight gain since surgery. I feel like I have failed and that once again food is winning and my waist line is losing. After weight loss surgery gaining weight is quite terrifying. I feel like I am slipping down a rabbit whole and the other side is all too familiar. There isn’t a single person that has weight loss surgery that doesn’t promise themselves that this will NEVER happen again, and for some of us it does happen. I suppose for me the first thing I need to do is stop punishing myself because that has never helped me gain control of my eating, the second thing is to take stock of why it has happened. For me that is very simple, I didn’t work on my head, I only worked on my body, I didn’t unfriend my toxic friend food! We are still in a dysfunctional relationship. The surgery limited my food intake, but it didn’t equip me with new coping mechanisms and unfortunately food still plays an important role in helping me relax, sooths me when I’m down, occupies me when I’m bored and helps me hide from the world when I don’t want to be seen.

I have gained 15lbs since my surgery 2 years ago and some may even say that’s normal, but I know my eating is out of control.

I have gained 10 lbs. in the last two months. For those of you that have been post –surgery for a long time, and have successfully maintained, how did you fix your head and your relationship with food?

I know this is an old response but what is a 5 day pouch test?

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On 6/4/2015 at 7:16 AM, Jb1176 said:

My Bariatric nurse is a bypass patient several years out from surgery. She does the three month checkups and discussion groups before we see the doctor. She admitted she fell off the wagon and gained 45 lbs last year. She described how she went back to the basics and started with the routine we all went through post op - liquids, puréed food, soft Protein, 4oz solid protein, 1/2 C veg, 1/2 C fruit, no Snacks, getting in her Water, eliminating caffeine and alcohol to reset her body and her mind. She admitted it was very difficult because the rest of the family was eating a typical diet and she had to adapt what they were eating to her own needs. I guess it might be helpful to get back into a support group or visit your nutritionist to help reset your motivation. We all know we have a tool for weight loss but we have to allow the tool to work and to get back on the plan for a healthy reset.

This is what I need cause I just found out I have hiatal hernia,dilated pouch. So Dr say do liquid for a week but it's so hard cause I looooovvvve coffee...

5 hours ago, Yardiegurl said:

This is what I need cause I just found out I have hiatal hernia,dilated pouch. So Dr say do liquid for a week but it's so hard cause I looooovvvve coffee...

Is hernia from weight gain?

23 hours ago, Deactivatedfatgal said:

Is hernia from weight gain?

No he said it can just happen and can also runs in family but they notice the weight gain and the test shows the dilated pouch. So i have to watch what I eat and how often I eat and consider working out a bit won't hurt he said.

I think the good thing is that you know you have gained and that you realize you still have an unhealthy relationship with food. I don't know what this means for you. For me, I used to eat when I was happy, sad, excited, anxious, you name it. Food was my emotional crutch. I am now over 2 years out from surgery, been under goal weight for over a year. I am now pregnant which I do have a small concern of gaining weight, but I am working with my NUT to help with diet.

Your question is how to heal the mental part. Well, I will tell you that it is easier to control the physical part, at least at first. Go back to basics...log EVERYTHING, portion control everything, make sure to get protein and water, etc. You know the drill. Also, find something you really like to do. After I got to goal weight I started running. I have run 4 half marathons in the past 6 months. Have to stop right now due to growing a baby, but I still walk everyday, go to zumba class, and do weight training.

As for the head part. Find a good friend, therapist...someone you can really talk to. I have found that food no longer holds the temptation it once did. I still get excited for food, but when I am full, I am just done. I spend my time enjoying life not having life pass me by. I found a love of sewing, crafting, soap making, and spending time with family.

On 6/4/2015 at 10:34 AM, Beachbum2017 said:

I have to stay 900 calories or under or I gain. Doesn't matter that it's good healthy food that we are supposed to eat - if I go over 900 (I'm talking like 1100 or 1200) - I gain weight and it comes back very quickly. I've decided that I've messed up my metabolism so bad it doesn't know what the heck is going on. But if I gain a few lbs - I go back on 2 Protein shakes and 1 meal a day until it disappears. I never did reach goal - lost really well for 8 months and then it stopped - totally. I track everything on my fitness pal and doctor and nutritionist say that this is just the way it is for some people. Very discouraging sometimes but at least I know what to do now!! I'm almost 2 years out.

I am exactly like you! I go over 900 calories and I gain weight and it comes on very fast! I actually was sticking to around 600 to 800 calories, was doing great, losing and maintaining nice until a friend was talking to me about eating. I mentioned what I eat and immediately got the "you're eating too little, you're starving your body, eat more!" lecture. So I bumped up to 1200, and WHAM! in a few months, I have packed on nearly fifteen pounds. I saw my weight loss surgery team for my eighteen month post surgical exam and talk to my doctor about it. She said that more and more studies are coming out that people don't need as much calories as they previously thought. Everyone is different. I told her of my issues and she said that she would be comfortable with me eating in the 900-1000 calories range, but if that was too much, and I was not losing/gaining again, go back to my 600-800 range. So now I am struggling to lose this regain, even those I am still at a normal weight for my height, my clothes are tight, I look bloated, and I am miserable. I am 5'7" and maintained around 130lb-135lb, now I am pushing 150lb. No longer listening to others, working on getting back on track... solid protein, green leafy produce, and water. I measure and weigh my food, making sure to keep my meals between 6oz to 8oz.

Edited October 8, 20178 yr by KristinaF

On 10/8/2017 at 7:40 PM, KristinaF said:

She said that more and more studies are coming out that people don't need as much calories as they previously thought.

Do you happen to know what studies she was referring to? I would love to look more into this, but Google isn't coming up with anything!