I'm post-op from the Richmond Bariatric program, and had my sleeve done several years ago. I lost most of my excess weight the first year, and the next 2 - 3 years were relatively easy to stay on-track. Last fall, I began to get cocky and started letting the bad habits return. Slowly at first - a bit of bread here, some chocolate there, and sure, why not some chips while watching TV? I felt a bit invincible, as I was pretty sure I was staying under 1,500 calories everyday. Maintenance numbers, right?

Nope.

Luckily, I've never stopped weighing myself a few times a week and slowly found the scale moving up. It was only 8 lbs, but I'm 4'10! 8 lbs is closer to 14 on my frame. I laughed it off and began lowering my cals to 1,200. I figured the lbs would just melt back off.

Again, nope.

Over the last 6 months I've driven myself crazy trying to get back to my low weight. I lost 5 lbs eventually, but have discovered that 1,000 - 1,200 seems to be my maintenance. It leaves no room for error if I want to eat enough to feel healthy but not gain.

My point is that getting cocky and thinking I'd permanently won the battle was a learning lesson. I won't do it again.

I thought I didn't need post weight loss support. I was wrong. I'm considering getting involved in a local support group but not sure that any exists anymore. I'm a life coach, however, and would be happy to start one.

Just wanted to share and jump back in here. This forum has always been amazing.

Edited July 11, 201610 yr by Cindi_Augustine

I'm post-op from the Richmond Bariatric program, and had my sleeve done several years ago. I lost most of my excess weight the first year, and the next 2 - 3 years were relatively easy to stay on-track. Last fall, I began to get cocky and started letting the bad habits return. Slowly at first - a bit of bread here, some chocolate there, and sure, why not some chips while watching TV? I felt a bit invincible, as I was pretty sure I was staying under 1,500 calories everyday. Maintenance numbers, right?

Nope.

Luckily, I've never stopped weighing myself a few times a week and slowly found the scale moving up. It was only 8 lbs, but I'm 4'10! 8 lbs is closer to 14 on my frame. I laughed it off and began lowering my cals to 1,200. I figured the lbs would just melt back off.

Again, nope.

Over the last 6 months I've driven myself crazy trying to get back to my low weight. I lost 5 lbs eventually, but have discovered that 1,000 - 1,200 seems to be my maintenance. It leaves no room for error if I want to eat enough to feel healthy but not gain.

My point is that getting cocky and thinking I'd permanently won the battle was a learning lesson. I won't do it again.

I thought I didn't need post weight loss support. I was wrong. I'm considering getting involved in a local support group but not sure that any exists anymore. I'm a life coach, however, and would be happy to start one.

Just wanted to share and jump back in here. This forum has always been amazing.

Hi - it's helpful to read your message - simply because I haven't had the surgery yet - still looking for a surgeon - and knowing that you must stick to a plan after is important - and is a good thing. You had told me about the surgeons in Richmond (I'm orig from Vanc) and I did contact them but have to be resident of BC and 2 year wait. I finally saw my doc last week and she referred me locally - but referral was declined due to the fact the surgeon doesn't do sleeve - just band. Not interested in that. So until I hear back from my doctor about other possibilities I may have to go to Montreal after all. She didn't like the idea as no after-care and I agree. There are topics online about all the people going out of province or country for this surgery and then coming back home and having to fall on the system without having a local surgeon to help if there are issues. Quite confused now - I don't want to wait 2-3 (and that's the lowest wait, Alberta has longest waits in Canada I believe) so want to do self-pay. I don't think the Richmond clinic does self-pay. How are you doing with the surgery now? Do you feel back to normal? Has it been difficult?

Come visit the Vet Forum for sure! I am three years out and have been having good luck with intermittent fasting. Seven pounds down in two weeks. There is also a thread about 5:2 dieting which has been really successful for so many. Both seem to bring back that restriction and since starting, I have a lot less desire to eat.

Good stuff!

Thanks, I will check out that forum. Sugar cleansing has helped for sure.

I'm post-op from the Richmond Bariatric program, and had my sleeve done several years ago. I lost most of my excess weight the first year, and the next 2 - 3 years were relatively easy to stay on-track. Last fall, I began to get cocky and started letting the bad habits return. Slowly at first - a bit of bread here, some chocolate there, and sure, why not some chips while watching TV? I felt a bit invincible, as I was pretty sure I was staying under 1,500 calories everyday. Maintenance numbers, right?

Nope.

Luckily, I've never stopped weighing myself a few times a week and slowly found the scale moving up. It was only 8 lbs, but I'm 4'10! 8 lbs is closer to 14 on my frame. I laughed it off and began lowering my cals to 1,200. I figured the lbs would just melt back off.

Again, nope.

Over the last 6 months I've driven myself crazy trying to get back to my low weight. I lost 5 lbs eventually, but have discovered that 1,000 - 1,200 seems to be my maintenance. It leaves no room for error if I want to eat enough to feel healthy but not gain.

My point is that getting cocky and thinking I'd permanently won the battle was a learning lesson. I won't do it again.

I thought I didn't need post weight loss support. I was wrong. I'm considering getting involved in a local support group but not sure that any exists anymore. I'm a life coach, however, and would be happy to start one.

Just wanted to share and jump back in here. This forum has always been amazing.

Hi - it's helpful to read your message - simply because I haven't had the surgery yet - still looking for a surgeon - and knowing that you must stick to a plan after is important - and is a good thing. You had told me about the surgeons in Richmond (I'm orig from Vanc) and I did contact them but have to be resident of BC and 2 year wait. I finally saw my doc last week and she referred me locally - but referral was declined due to the fact the surgeon doesn't do sleeve - just band. Not interested in that. So until I hear back from my doctor about other possibilities I may have to go to Montreal after all. She didn't like the idea as no after-care and I agree. There are topics online about all the people going out of province or country for this surgery and then coming back home and having to fall on the system without having a local surgeon to help if there are issues. Quite confused now - I don't want to wait 2-3 (and that's the lowest wait, Alberta has longest waits in Canada I believe) so want to do self-pay. I don't think the Richmond clinic does self-pay. How are you doing with the surgery now? Do you feel back to normal? Has it been difficult?

Normal is a relative word, but I am happy with my new normal. Family and friends have also adapted well, and there are no issues about how much I eat. They accept the small amounts on my plate. My health is great, I'm sorry the waits though, because I agree that not having aftercare is rough.

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