Folks, I cringe to read the title of my own post. I think it's every Baratric patients nightmare. The mix of embarrassment, guilt and resentment that I feel is horrid. Especially because my lapband failed and the Sleeve was supposed to work.

Now I'm not saying it did not work, I'm saying that I have seriously fallen from grace and need your help and compassion to get back up again I was doing great, working out North of an hour a day and loosing weight steady eddy! At my 4 month appointment my doc could not be prouder, he told me to keep doing what I'm doing and he'll see me in another six months...by month 6 I'd lost a total of 69lbs, and at 204lbs's I was just 1 lb shy of the big 70, and 4 lb's shy of the amazing Onederland that I have not seen in 16 years...life was good. And with my new found confidence, I finally made a move and took my dream job, that is a mix of stay at home and travel, and that was the tipping point...

Although the best career move ever, my new regimen of working from home (moving less), but even worse the travel, with the pitfalls of constant restaurant eating, company functions and buffets, I let my guard down! One carb led to another, and the travel accompanied by sedentary tiredness, socializing and pressures of breaking in and fitting into my new job left me with less focus on my bariatric journey and not much will power to dedicate.

In a short month (between month 6 and 7) I blinked and even though I maintained workouts (albiet no so intense), on sheer food alone, I gained back 10lbs!!!!!!!! Woa? How could this have happened? Surely it's Water or monthly hormonal gain, but who was I kidding...the weight stuck! In complete panic, I cut out the obvious crap that I know I was doing wrong in the carb department, and cut out the diet sodas that crept back in etc, and have lost 3 of the 10lbs in the last few weeks...but it's slow and painful and I'm so down trodden about it. How could I actually GAIN at a time when I should be in loosing honeymoon? I mean I expected this perhaps a couple years out, but the sheer ferociousness with which the lb's jumped back on is beyond scary!

So here's my problem...I've cut out the crap and I'm back to my old workout routine, BUT I'm constantly craving carbs and although I'm eating the right things...I know I'm eating too much of them and in the wrong quantities.., I get full on more than what should fill me...then 30mins latter I'm hungry again, so I pop another Protein bar, or bowl of cherries, or low at mozzarella cheese stick with a wassa cracker, or cup of lowfat yoghurt and fruit., or some nuts..you get the picture, and on some mornings I can do all of the above slowly via grazing. But I just get SOOO hungry. What happened to all the Grelin being gone?? I also eat late at night as it is when the kids go to bed, I hop on my laptop to catchup on work and I like to have a nice hot cup of tea and something to munch on.

Pals, Iike I said, I know I have only myself to blame and I feel horrid about it ...I've avoided even coming on Bariatric pal (did not want to move my ticker 6lb's UP, which I just made myself do!!!), I want to hide like an Ostrich and pretend this is not happening, I should be loosing, not regaining and trying to loose what I regained!!! ..but...I need you, and if I'm not accountable and if I don't plug into a source of help, well...I don't even want to think where I'm headed for. So any thoughts, encouragement, similar situations, advise...ANYTHING, would be so much appreciated in this time of disappointment in myself.

PS: I called my docs office after re-gaining the first 5lbs...I don't live very close to them. The nurse told me to track all I eat for 3 days and said I'll be fine "you know what to do! You got this!". But then I suddenly had to travel for work events involving TONS of the hardest to resist food, and the 5lb's became 10lbs (3 of which I have spent the last 2 weeks loosing). It's like my stomach can eat so much more now and it's constantly wanting more...I'm quite embarrassed to call my doc's office and tell them I'm further in the hole.

Edited June 3, 201610 yr by ellie123

I recently started eating Protein bars, and even though I changed nothing else they sent me into a complete tailspin. Constant cravings and hunger. I'm actually close to where you were, 64lbs down, 204lbs in weight. Once I removed the processed stuff (bar replacements etc) back out I was able to get a grip on my headstuff again and weed the cravings out.

I have a Protein shake to supplement my intake every day (I've just switched it to adding some unflavoured protein to a green smoothie) and the shake mix doesn't give me those same cravings, I think because they are very low carb rather than starting higher with fibre and sugar alcohols to cut down to the 'net carb' level. The smoothie has taken my carbs up to 35-ish grams a day (usually 20-25) and even with the extra carbs they're not driving me crazy, so it's definitely a case of where those carbs are coming from that affects me. This may be something to consider when you look over your food logs.

A friend of mine recently did one day of all liquids and it brought the restriction right back, so you could try that, but you have to get the grazing under control (something I think you know). I think if you can stick to dense Proteins and away from protein 'snacks' (bars etc), you'll find it easier to keep your intake down.

If you don't work out anymore, try to reduce snacking, especially the Protein bars. They won't do any good as they are extra calories if your muscles are not recovering. Regarding traveling, I also move quite a lot and pack my bars that I use as dinner most of the time. You can always find good protein on salad buffet. I skip main course, because I am not hungry after salad, especially if I add tuna, boiled eggs or salmon. You can always get low fat dressing on the side. No dessert while traveling. You never know what is in there. If you can find a supermarket in the area, even better. Also, if you spend some nights out on trips, take the opportunity to use the hotel gym. Most of the chains have fitness rooms.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Update: All, wanted to check in and let you know your kind words of advice and honest scolding has been super helpful! With the exception of seeing a counselor I was able to implement it all. Substituting more real protein for bars, ramping up the workout, bring why I did this back into focus, resetting my sleeve with shakes, cutting out the obvious BS (3 days of tortured carb abstenace to gain back control), watching and limiting the Fruit, small meals, working out in hotel gyms (I never stopped doing that), focusing on protein protein protein, sipping on water all day etc. And I am

So happy to report that The results of these efforts have yielded a 7.7lb loss so far from the 10 gained, so I'm 2.3lbs away from lowest point I hit a month ago. A part of me wants to be mad... I should be loosing or at worst maintaining here! Not te-loosing previously lost pounds, but an even bigger part of me is just plain grateful... Grateful for being back on track, grateful to have been given Air in my lungs to have another day on Gods Green Earth, and grateful for you my dear journey mates, most of whom I will never meet, but who so faithfully and caringinly keep watch over each other and me. Thank you so much! I will continue to keep you posted!!

My next challenge is daughters birthday party this weekend... There will be custom gourmet cupcakes in so many flavors. What does one do on kids birthday?? How to get through this temptation and potential leftovers (there will be lots of pizza!!), does one not celebrate this event with their children?? and one more thing...more work travel next week, so far all weight loss has been while at home so quite nervous about restarting the travel...

Amazing!!

I work from home and also travel quite a bit. I've turned my desk I to a treadmill desk and when I'm away from home I track every bite and wear an activity tracker. Seems to help. Congrats on not just the pounds lost but realizing it and doing something about it!!

You've helped many by telling us your story. Thank you and I will remember when the same happens to me. Chin up and keep working at it . Thanks

Edited June 10, 201610 yr by IrishGermanRN

Update: All, wanted to check in and let you know your kind words of advice and honest scolding has been super helpful! With the exception of seeing a counselor I was able to implement it all. Substituting more real Protein for bars, ramping up the workout, bring why I did this back into focus, resetting my sleeve with shakes, cutting out the obvious BS (3 days of tortured carb abstenace to gain back control), watching and limiting the Fruit, small meals, working out in hotel gyms (I never stopped doing that), focusing on protein protein protein, sipping on Water all day etc. And I am

So happy to report that The results of these efforts have yielded a 7.7lb loss so far from the 10 gained, so I'm 2.3lbs away from lowest point I hit a month ago. A part of me wants to be mad... I should be loosing or at worst maintaining here! Not te-loosing previously lost pounds, but an even bigger part of me is just plain grateful... Grateful for being back on track, grateful to have been given Air in my lungs to have another day on Gods Green Earth, and grateful for you my dear journey mates, most of whom I will never meet, but who so faithfully and caringinly keep watch over each other and me. Thank you so much! I will continue to keep you posted!!

My next challenge is daughters birthday party this weekend... There will be custom gourmet cupcakes in so many flavors. What does one do on kids birthday?? How to get through this temptation and potential leftovers (there will be lots of pizza!!), does one not Celebrate this event with their children?? and one more thing...more work travel next week, so far all weight loss has been while at home so quite nervous about restarting the travel...

That is the spirit. Back on track. Just learn how to say no. I was at a birthday of my daughter's friends last weekend (30 kids loaded with sugar...) I just said no to cakes. She knows that Daddy had problems with his tummy and she understands I can't eat what she does. She does not mind at all. She prefers that I spend time with her dancing, playing, swimming, than seating and eating cake. Furthermore, I assume you will be very busy with your other guests, which is a great excuse for not eating cupcakes. Make sure you eat your meal too so you are not hungry during the party.

ave a drink with you all the time so you can sip on it. You can do this.

For the travel, pack your bars, eat at the salad buffet, watch your carbs and hit the gym. You are in control.

let us know how it goes!