Hi everyone..

Hoping for some advice.

I had my sleeve done in March 2013..and lost approx 66 pounds....I had done really well up until about 6 months ago where I have just been on an eating road to destruction.

I can now eat so much more...which is my downfall.I am snacking between meals now because I "think" I'm hungry...and now I get occasional hunger pangs which of course I never had initially after surgery.Up until 6 months ago I would get warning signs that I was full but now when I do get them it's way too late and I feel ill.I've been reading the tiny amounts people are still only able to et at 3 years post surgery,but I can still eat good sized meals.

I don't eat meat..and after surgery I had a lot of Protein shakes to keep my protein up,but thats also stopped too.I do eat fish and chicken but not that often.

I had started exercising before Christmas..after no exercise after surgery..just keeping busy with incidental exercise but fell off the wagon,so currently do not do any form of exercise except for a job that keeps me moving a fair bit.

I've also stopped taking Vitamins,not intentionally..but wonder if they make a difference?

I've tried rebooking into my surgeon but they have no appointments until April.

I've been under a lot of stress lately and have reverted back to my comfort eating which is what got me to the point of surgery in the first place.

Do anyone think i should go back on the Optifast VLCD as a kick start?

I was thinking if I did that for a few weeks for Breakfast and lunch and just have a regular meal for dinner?

Any input would be really appreciated.

@@lemonpoppyseed2013

Hey there,

I was instructed that Vitamins will be taken for life. Surgery can cause nutrient malabsorption. You can always get back on track. Back to basics. Track food get your Protein and Water requirements in. Find what works to make you feel full. I eat my protein and 1 1/2 to 2 cups of vegetables with my meal. The Fiber keeps me full. I'm eating 6 to 8 small meals a day. 2000 to 2200 calories. I know many have gone without exercise and lost weight. I'm not so lucky. I have to exercise to loose weight and maintain.

Book an appointment in April. Might be a good Idea to check with your team.

Some of the vets have mentioned the pouch reset.

http://www.obesitycoverage.com/the-pouch-reset-losing-weight-after-weight-regain/

I know vets will post more information than what I have off the top of my head tonight.

I do take my vitamins when I remember but they always make me feel nauseous...and I was told they were for life too.I have gone without exercise and still lost weight,but I guess the stomach has stretched now so I can't rely on no exercise.

I have a good Multi..its a PreNatal..Iron,Magnesium,Vitamin D..and a thyroid health one.Yes I don't always have my protein first...maybe I need to consciously get the protein in first.

I have done the pouch reset a few times in the last 2 years and it does make a difference..maybe I need to do that again.

Definitely need to rebook and appointment and get back on track.

Sounds like you know what you are doing wrong and just need to find a way back on track. Maybe a couple days back on the pre-op liquid diet would help to restart things. I did that a couple of times and it made me feel a lot more restriction when I returned to full foods. Also, if you know what you are doing wrong, but you keep doing it, it sounds like there might be some self-sabotage going on there. I know I struggle with that from time to time. There are lots of books out there that can help. I can recommend a couple if you like. Or, what I found is that therapy helped me a ton. I know I would have regained a lot if I wouldn't have gotten a hold of the underlying issues as to why I started eating badly.

Thanks for your advice.Yes it's the getting back on track that's hard.I think going back to the surgeon who includes therapy,and nutrition will be good.I guess unless you get to the root of the issues they stay with you forever.I know I am a comfort eater..and I've had a lot of things going on of late...and I guess food is my comfort.Doesn't help that I am around food all day at work.What does the therapy do?I did have one session initially after my first surgery and it was over before I knew it..of course you have a different frame of mind when you have had surgery initially and CAN'T eat the amounts you used to.

I guess it does come down to basics.

High protein is a big one..and yes after my surgery I did that and the weight did come off easily.

I have to get back on track...I know the sleeve is only a tool...it comes down to me in the end.

I do find I snack but I guess that's obviously because whatever I'm eating hasn't filled me up to satisfy me till my next meal.

Thanks for your support everyone..XX

One therapy session isn't how therapy works. Therapy's sort of like "eating well," in that one healthy meal doesn't make you healthy. It's a process.

I've been seeing a therapist for the last 21 months (mostly once a month) -- started two months pre-op. I've found a great one -- he works with bariatric patients (although not exclusively), so he knows the WLS and obesity territory. I don't know that a therapist without that kind of experience would be all that helpful to someone in our situations.

Oh ... and my surgeon told me pre-op when I asked him what does he think distinguishes best between those patients who lose all their weight and keep it off from those who don't, "Bottom line, those who don't lose touch with us, who always keep all their appointments, are the ones who do the best."

Very best to you! Your future is in YOUR hands.

I think I see your problem:

YOU'RE GRAZING … I am snacking between meals

YOU'RE EATING TOO LITTLE Protein … I don't eat meat..and after surgery I had a lot of Protein shakes to keep my protein up, but thats also stopped too. I do eat fish and chicken but not that often.

YOU'RE NOT EXERCISING … I had started exercising … but fell off the wagon, so currently do not do any form of exercise ….

YOU'RE NOT TAKING YOUR Vitamins … I've also stopped taking Vitamins ….

YOU'RE EATING SLIDER FOODS AND SELF-MEDICATING WITH food … I've been under a lot of stress lately and have reverted back to my comfort eating

Every single person who does what you're doing now will not lose weight. And most people who do all that will gain weight. You didn’t eat like this when you were post-op in months 1-6. And that’s when you lost weight.

Instead of doing something unusual, why can’t you just go back to WLS basics? Eat at least 80 grams protein daily. Eat protein first at every meal. Eat 3 meals a day. Drink 60-70 ounces of Water daily. Do not drink before (15 minutes), during or after meals (30 minutes). Chew your food fully and wait between bites – to eat more slowly. Take your vitamins daily. Move more than you’re moving now, e.g., buy a Fitbit and get in 10,000 steps a day. Do all those other things you knew you were supposed to do right after WLS.

I have lost 100 pounds and kept it off for a year now. I didn’t do anything wild or weird or crazy. I just did the basics. And I’ve kept on doing them.

Oh, and since my WLS 19 months ago I’ve had four deaths in the family and my husband now has cancer. S**t happens to us all. We can’t avoid it. IMHO, we should just plan on it happening and accept it. What we can do is do what we can – which is make every day the best day we can.

P.S. I have used (and still use) My Fitness Pal. It's a great tool. You don't need a special WLS app -- just go back to basics and log all your food and drink.

"Eat more chicken" [like the commercial says].

You don't eat steak, etc., so I think you should eat as much fish, chicken as possible for a bit. Protein only. You need to break your carbs completely. Cold turkey. No carbs. No sugars (not even in fruits, etc)

I don't lose weight, and didn't do well, with the shakes or anything with Splenda/sucralose in them. Maybe cut those out and see how you do.

But you've activated your carb-craving cycle and it can be a bear to break it. (I had a potato chip thing for a good bit; still fight with them when driving long distances).

Fill up on water, tea, etc., and protein flesh. A few days of steack and bacon sound good to me, but that's not your thing; so fish, crab meat, chicken, eggs. No CARBS. NO SUGAR. Water, tea.

I have the same issue. I started "grazing" & I have stopped logging in my food. I've gained back about 20 lbs! I have put myself back on protein shakes for a few days & then will do this 1 or 2 days a week. I'm also trying to get back in the habit of logging in my food. I'm almost 2 years post op & I've worked to hard to lose weight & I'm not going to start gaining it back! Good luck with your diet. At least you know what the problem is.

Definitely sounds like you know what you need to do, based on your original post. Going back to protein shakes alone isn't going to solve anything. You need to get back to putting protein first, taking your vitamins, not grazing, not drinking your calories, not eating and drinking at the same time, pre-measuring your food, tracking your food, and exercising. Switching back to shakes, might be a good "jump start" but it won't change all of those other behaviors long term.

I guess it does come down to basics.

High protein is a big one..and yes after my surgery I did that and the weight did come off easily.

I have to get back on track...I know the sleeve is only a tool...it comes down to me in the end.

I do find I snack but I guess that's obviously because whatever I'm eating hasn't filled me up to satisfy me till my next meal.

Thanks for your support everyone..XX

Will keep you posted.

One therapy session isn't how therapy works. Therapy's sort of like "eating well," in that one healthy meal doesn't make you healthy. It's a process.

I've been seeing a therapist for the last 21 months (mostly once a month) -- started two months pre-op. I've found a great one -- he works with bariatric patients (although not exclusively), so he knows the WLS and obesity territory. I don't know that a therapist without that kind of experience would be all that helpful to someone in our situations.

Oh ... and my surgeon told me pre-op when I asked him what does he think distinguishes best between those patients who lose all their weight and keep it off from those who don't, "Bottom line, those who don't lose touch with us, who always keep all their appointments, are the ones who do the best."

Very best to you! Your future is in YOUR hands.

I think it's important to find one who specialises in WLS.I know my problem is when life and things don't go my way..I get annoyed and eat...I always have.I'm trying to make changes..and hopefully this year I will.My surgeon had a package with so many visits to the Dr,nutritionist and physiatrist ...it was more like a revolving door to get us through..nothing specialised I thought.They're very busy these days and trying to get an appointment is near impossible.Once these are finished I'll find one closer to home.

I would love to know which books please. We can always use that. My surgery isn't till summer but trying to feed on helpful info. Thanks.

Sent from my SM-N910P using the BariatricPal App

@@lemonpoppyseed2013,

Good for you for wanting to get back on track! I don’t think weight loss shakes are necessary to get you losing weight again. What will get you losing weight again is hitting your calories, hitting your Protein, and cutting out the bad habits like grazing.

If you feel like a liquid diet will get your mind back on track and help you get back to good habits, then it’s a good idea. Otherwise, healthy foods will do the trick, too.

About vitamins: they’re not for weight loss per se. Taking them or not taking them probably won’t show up on the scale, except for maybe very indirectly like if you’re Iron deficient and have anemia and are too tired to exercise so you gain weight. But for general health, you really should take them. Some deficiencies will show up sooner, others will show up later, and some can be long-term or permanent. So take them!

Good luck with it!

it sounds like you are not following the dietary plan at all! no wonder you are in such a pickle.

I don't think you need shakes, they are not a magic bullet, just know that tomorrow is a NEW day, move your body and nourish it with good food and Vitamins. You're worth it.

@@lemonpoppyseed2013

Hey there,

I was instructed that Vitamins will be taken for life. Surgery can cause nutrient malabsorption. You can always get back on track. Back to basics. Track food get your Protein and Water requirements in. Find what works to make you feel full. I eat my protein and 1 1/2 to 2 cups of vegetables with my meal. The Fiber keeps me full. I'm eating 6 to 8 small meals a day. 2000 to 2200 calories. I know many have gone without exercise and lost weight. I'm not so lucky. I have to exercise to loose weight and maintain.

Book an appointment in April. Might be a good Idea to check with your team.

Some of the vets have mentioned the pouch reset.

http://www.obesitycoverage.com/the-pouch-reset-losing-weight-after-weight-regain/

I know vets will post more information than what I have off the top of my head tonight.

I do take my vitamins when I remember but they always make me feel nauseous...and I was told they were for life too.I have gone without exercise and still lost weight,but I guess the stomach has stretched now so I can't rely on no exercise.

I have a good Multi..its a PreNatal..Iron,Magnesium,Vitamin D..and a thyroid health one.Yes I don't always have my protein first...maybe I need to consciously get the protein in first.

I have done the pouch reset a few times in the last 2 years and it does make a difference..maybe I need to do that again.

Definitely need to rebook and appointment and get back on track.

In the past, when I have taken a single vitamin that has a megadose of vitamins and minerals, it has made me nauseous.

Now, in addition to just a regular multi-vitamin, I take different supplements. None of them make me nauseous. Have you tried different vitamins?

@@lemonpoppyseed2013,

Good for you for wanting to get back on track! I don’t think weight loss shakes are necessary to get you losing weight again. What will get you losing weight again is hitting your calories, hitting your Protein, and cutting out the bad habits like grazing.

If you feel like a liquid diet will get your mind back on track and help you get back to good habits, then it’s a good idea. Otherwise, healthy foods will do the trick, too.

About vitamins: they’re not for weight loss per se. Taking them or not taking them probably won’t show up on the scale, except for maybe very indirectly like if you’re Iron deficient and have anemia and are too tired to exercise so you gain weight. But for general health, you really should take them. Some deficiencies will show up sooner, others will show up later, and some can be long-term or permanent. So take them!

Good luck with it!

Thanks Alex.Just in the last few days I have changed my diet by adding protein..I have already lost over 6 pounds.That's proof that the high protein diet works to help keep focused and not graze.I will add the Vitamins because of course they can't hurt.

@@lemonpoppyseed2013

Hey there,

I was instructed that Vitamins will be taken for life. Surgery can cause nutrient malabsorption. You can always get back on track. Back to basics. Track food get your Protein and Water requirements in. Find what works to make you feel full. I eat my protein and 1 1/2 to 2 cups of vegetables with my meal. The fiber keeps me full. I'm eating 6 to 8 small meals a day. 2000 to 2200 calories. I know many have gone without exercise and lost weight. I'm not so lucky. I have to exercise to loose weight and maintain.

Book an appointment in April. Might be a good Idea to check with your team.

Some of the vets have mentioned the pouch reset.

http://www.obesitycoverage.com/the-pouch-reset-losing-weight-after-weight-regain/

I know vets will post more information than what I have off the top of my head tonight.

I do take my vitamins when I remember but they always make me feel nauseous...and I was told they were for life too.I have gone without exercise and still lost weight,but I guess the stomach has stretched now so I can't rely on no exercise.

I have a good Multi..its a PreNatal..Iron,Magnesium,Vitamin D..and a thyroid health one.Yes I don't always have my protein first...maybe I need to consciously get the protein in first.

I have done the pouch reset a few times in the last 2 years and it does make a difference..maybe I need to do that again.

Definitely need to rebook and appointment and get back on track.

In the past, when I have taken a single vitamin that has a megadose of vitamins and minerals, it has made me nauseous.

Now, in addition to just a regular multi-vitamin, I take different supplements. None of them make me nauseous. Have you tried different vitamins?

No I haven't tried any different supplements..I guess because they are in bulk I really don't want to throw them out LOL.I'm going to start having them with meals as I usually wait and have them mid morning on probably an empty stomach.

You definitely need to take most Vitamins with food. No wonder you have been nauseous, especially if you are taking a megadose on an empty stomach.

Talk to your surgeon or PCP if you need strategies for taking vitamins successfully. My surgeon gave me a whole page with a recommended schedule, dosages, etc.