This week it'll be 5 years since my surgery. I was 265 before my RNY and my lowest weight was 185-190. I stepped on the scale yesterday and I'm 215.

The doctor/nurses croon when I had my surgery were never helpful and never helped after surgery with what I needed to do. supplements, food, nothing. They told me I could eat tums for my Calcium.

I have books, and the Internet, but for every thing I find "to" do, something else says not to do that or take that.

I badly need help. With everything. Is there a way to find someone to be like a sponsor or something? That I can talk to one on one to help me figure out what I need to do/take/eat/avoid and help answer questions if I have any? I'm going to look for support groups, but in the mean time... I don't want to wait to get back on track.

Are there any fb groups or anything? Anyone who can point me in the right direction?

I don't take any supplements, Vitamins, or anything. Any time I'd get what I thought I needed, I would be told it's the wrong thing. Always got the wrong snack /meal... Eventually, I got tired of wasting my money. Now I'm paying for it.

Please tell me not all is lost and I had the surgery for nothing... That I can turn things around... That it's not too late...

This week it'll be 5 years since my surgery. I was 265 before my RNY and my lowest weight was 185-190. I stepped on the scale yesterday and I'm 215.

The doctor/nurses croon when I had my surgery were never helpful and never helped after surgery with what I needed to do. supplements, food, nothing. They told me I could eat tums for my Calcium.

I have books, and the Internet, but for every thing I find "to" do, something else says not to do that or take that.

I badly need help. With everything. Is there a way to find someone to be like a sponsor or something? That I can talk to one on one to help me figure out what I need to do/take/eat/avoid and help answer questions if I have any? I'm going to look for support groups, but in the mean time... I don't want to wait to get back on track.

Are there any fb groups or anything? Anyone who can point me in the right direction?

I don't take any supplements, Vitamins, or anything. Any time I'd get what I thought I needed, I would be told it's the wrong thing. Always got the wrong snack /meal... Eventually, I got tired of wasting my money. Now I'm paying for it.

Please tell me not all is lost and I had the surgery for nothing... That I can turn things around... That it's not too late...

Not all is lost.

It is not too late.

You can turn things around.

I was sleeved so can share what works for me, but you probably need to talk with folks who have had bypass for more insight.

Here are the critical success factors to look for:

Find a good bariatric NUT so you can discuss your specific goals and needs.

Track your food. (I use MyFitnessPal.)

Drink at least 64 oz of water/fluid a day.

Find out what your Protein target is and eat at least that amount every day. Mine is 100 grams. 80-100 grams would be a good ballpark to aim for until you can talk to a NUT about your specific needs.

Take your vitamins and supplements. Again, a bariatric NUT and/or someone who has had RNY can help with developing a Vitamin regimen. At a minimum make sure you are taking: a Multivitamin, D3, calcium, B1, B12, C, K, and Iron.

Get your blood tested regularly to check your blood levels. This will also help you determine what vitamins you need to take.

For bypass, don't drink and eat at the same time.

Eat protein first.

Eat slowly and mindfully.

Avoid starches and added sugars.

Exercise regularly.

This is a great site for support, so participating on this site will help you keep your head in the game.

You also may want to see if you can find a good counselor or therapist, attend bariatric support groups, and/or 12-step recovery groups like OA.

A good book you may want to read is Eat it Up! by Connie Stapleton. She also posts on this site so you may want to read her posts here, too.

You have already had some great success without guidance, so with some structure you should do great!

Keep us posted on how you are doing.

This week it'll be 5 years since my surgery. I was 265 before my RNY and my lowest weight was 185-190. I stepped on the scale yesterday and I'm 215.

The doctor/nurses croon when I had my surgery were never helpful and never helped after surgery with what I needed to do. Supplements, food, nothing. They told me I could eat tums for my calcium.

I have books, and the Internet, but for every thing I find "to" do, something else says not to do that or take that.

I badly need help. With everything. Is there a way to find someone to be like a sponsor or something? That I can talk to one on one to help me figure out what I need to do/take/eat/avoid and help answer questions if I have any? I'm going to look for support groups, but in the mean time... I don't want to wait to get back on track.

Are there any fb groups or anything? Anyone who can point me in the right direction?

I don't take any supplements, vitamins, or anything. Any time I'd get what I thought I needed, I would be told it's the wrong thing. Always got the wrong snack /meal... Eventually, I got tired of wasting my money. Now I'm paying for it.

Please tell me not all is lost and I had the surgery for nothing... That I can turn things around... That it's not too late...

Not all is lost.

It is not too late.

You can turn things around.

I was sleeved so can share what works for me, but you probably need to talk with folks who have had bypass for more insight.

Here are the critical success factors to look for:

Find a good bariatric NUT so you can discuss your specific goals and needs.

Track your food. (I use MyFitnessPal.)

Drink at least 64 oz of water/fluid a day.

Find out what your protein target is and eat at least that amount every day. Mine is 100 grams. 80-100 grams would be a good ballpark to aim for until you can talk to a NUT about your specific needs.

Take your vitamins and supplements. Again, a bariatric NUT and/or someone who has had RNY can help with developing a vitamin regimen. At a minimum make sure you are taking: a multivitamin, D3, calcium, B1, B12, C, K, and iron.

Get your blood tested regularly to check your blood levels. This will also help you determine what vitamins you need to take.

For bypass, don't drink and eat at the same time.

Eat protein first.

Eat slowly and mindfully.

Avoid starches and added sugars.

Exercise regularly.

This is a great site for support, so participating on this site will help you keep your head in the game.

You also may want to see if you can find a good counselor or therapist, attend bariatric support groups, and/or 12-step recovery groups like OA.

A good book you may want to read is Eat it Up! by Connie Stapleton. She also posts on this site so you may want to read her posts here, too.

You have already had some great success without guidance, so with some structure you should do great!

Keep us posted on how you are doing.

@@_Laura_

I would be happy to share my experience and knowledge. If you are interested, message me directly. I have some ideas that might help get you started.

@_Laura_. No all is not lost, it's pretty common that there were not good post-op support programs years ago. If the truth be told some programs are still better than others. You have about 30 pounds to lose to get back to where you were. That's doable and it begins with going back to the basics of weight loss with RNY. First, I would recommend accepting if this is something you are ready to do and follow the advice of the ladies above. We are all here for support at different stages in our journey but it's a lifelong journey none the less. I am also here for your support if you need it.

@_Laura_ I'm pre-op (March 21st), so I can't say as I relate exactly to what you are going through, but there are a couple of things I wanted to share.

First off, you can do this. I totally can relate to the fear of regain as it's something a lot of us worry about (even pre-op!). But you have only 30 pounds to your lowest weight. That's a heck of a lot better than 80-100 pounds! And break it down it it helps, shoot to take off just 15. You would have to feel pretty good if you were only 10-15 pounds over your lowest weight 5 years out, and that's just 15 pounds away!

I second what others said about getting your blood work. Get blood work done by someone with experience with RNY. If you don't know one, call a local bariatric doctor and explain your situation and ask for a referral. From there they should be able to advise you on Vitamins you need no problem.

Lastly, I completely hear you on conflicting information on the web. In fact, every doctor approaches nutrition differently it seems. Being a professional dieter, I have read every "theory" of dieting over the years, and it is always so conflicting. That being said, I can tell you that my doctor has authored a book called "Pound of Cure" (you can find it on amazon, it's very inexpensive). This is the diet he wants me to follow for life. I started it just about 4 weeks ago, and have taken off 35 pounds in that time. It is based on primarily eating fruits, veggies and Protein (with emphasis on non-animal protein, although he absolutely allows animal protein everyday if you desire). There is no calorie counting, and you never need to be hungry. If you're hungry, eat veggies or fruit. In fact, he suggests at least one pound of veggies a day, and prefers two. That's a lot of food!

Is this the best diet? I have no idea, but I imagine that eating a lot of fruits, vegetables and legumes really can't be bad for me. I'm never hungry, and it works. The hardest part about this diet is being prepared. It's not easy to just grab something on the go aside from a salad (with no dressing). If you are interested, you can go to his website, he has a lot of videos on this particular diet where he explains he views. The videos are well done and very interesting IMHO. Just google Dr. Matthew Weiner in West Bloomfield, MI.

Best of luck, and keep checking in so we know how you're doing.

Wow. Hang in there. I had RNY DEC 12 2015. So far I have lost 74 lbs. I just had my 6th Month post op check up.

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Does your Bariatric team have any follow up support and or education after surgery? I guessing I would be lost too if they weren't there for me. Please seek out a bariatric nutritionist for help.

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Happy to help, message me directly and o can offer some guidance. Robin

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Sent you a message

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@@_Laura_,

I don't see where you have posted anything since your initial post. How are you doing? Have you been able to find the help you need?

Let us know how you are doing.

I had the RNY done. I stopped loosing and regained 20lbs, my blood pressure went up. I'm sure this you understand.

They scoped me and found that for what ever reason my new pouch opened and reattached to my main stomach. They say that I'm one in thousands that this happens to.

I will be going in August 2 for revision surgery, same thing, RNY.

I am sure with the right doctor you will find out what is wrong.

I have new doctor and hospital. I am here if you need support.

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I could have written your post myself! My doctor actually got fired a month after my surgery, and then the nurse practitioner left to go to another hospital. I had a one year check up with a doctor I had never met, then I was left to flounder on my own. I had initially lost 60 lbs (not great) and have gained almost 40 back. If you need a buddy, message me! Maybe we can figure out some of this crazy stuff together!

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