Calling all vets. Need help 4 years post op

[scarlet333 386]

I haven't been on these forums in about 2 years but decided I needed serious help and was hoping to be inspired again as I was 4 years ago when I had surgery. The bottom line is I've fallen back into old habits. I've regained almost all the weight I lost. Have had many false starts. Can't seem to stick with anything. I'm eating like a truck driver (no offense to truck drivers). Feel out of control. Weighed myself this morning. Refreshed my fitness app with new goals and started reading here. Words of advice much appreciated.

[gpmed 623]

I'm 19 months out. If that's not far enough out for you, I totally understand and you can let this go in one ear and out the other.

I recently lost 15 pounds, bringing past my stretch goal. That was after maintaining at a higher weight for months. I believe that months-long lull came partly as a result of the honeymoon phase ending. (I could be wrong. Maybe it gets even worse...haha.) Anyway, my point is, losing that last 15 was pretty hard and took really focused effort.

I tracked my food using myfitnesspal and activity using my Fitbit. I set both to the goal of losing two pounds a week. I set a goal of exercising every day. That way, I ended up exercising at least six days a week. About half of my workouts burned about 500 calories and the other half about 300. I did my best not to eat back all of the calories I burned through exercise.

I went off the rails twice, but I got right back on track immediately, like the very next day. I also tried really hard to notice when I became susceptible to off-plan food. For example, was I getting cranky/hungry in the afternoon? Then I'd bring an extra protein-filled snack.

This worked for me. YMMV.

Now I'm just deciding whether to be done losing weight or go after my extra stretch goal...

[Julie norton 2,850]

My take is just to try fresh everyday. Some days are great. Some not so much. Hope the good days well outnumber the oops days
You just have to start sometime....
a short walk and lots of Water and a Protein Drink and bar can help me some days ....
I also do not keep bad foods in the house. I sure am not going out in the dark to get anything!!
But this is just me and we are all so different...
Banded 12/06

[scarlet333 386]

Thank you both for your replies. So sad to see so many veterans, myself included have left these forums. Everything is dated from so long ago. The weird thing is throughout my 2 year weight gain I regularly e exercised which proves to me that diet is much more important than exercise. The points of not keeping bad foods in the house is a good one for me. I researched macro nutritional goals (which I had forgotten) and set up my fitness pal again. Went to the grocery store and only bought ice cream flavor and Snacks I don't like for the rest of my family. Carried my Water around all day and sipped all day. Thank you for the advice. Love to hear more if any other veterans want to participate.

[OutsideMatchInside 10,166]

Diet is more important than exercise. You can't out train a bad diet.

What is easiest for me is eating fatty dense meats like pork chops. The fat and flavor keeps me satisfied and the density keeps me full.

I'm 21 months, not 4 years, but I can already see how easy it is to regain. There are so many tasty slider foods out there, more than I thought were possible.

All the real vets are gone, so good luck hearing from any of them.

[funinthesun00 154]

I am 4 years 3 months out. I had some regain and got it way under control starting in January. I am super happy to report I am back down to my goal weight (124 lbs this morning)! Anyway, I had started drinking soda again. For me, that led me to crave so many carbs. Once I eliminated that from my diet it was much easier. By the way, I had gotten up to 150 lbs, and once I applied myself and went back to high Protein low carb, the weight came off way easier than it ever did pre-surgery!

Good luck to you!

[scarlet333 386]

Some dense Protein Breakfast ideas? I usually eat eggs and turkey bacon or Greek yogurt.

[glitter eyes 1,398]

I am almost three years out and it can be challenging at times to maintain my weight. I gained about 10 pounds at Christmas- ate way too many sugar Cookies and cakes[emoji30]. I was struggling to get it off and a friend who also had Bariatric surgery told me about a website called Bariatric Eating. They have a face book page that you can join called no Bariatric regain. They sell Protein powders called Inspire. Their website talks about how to get back on track. It's four to five shakes a day and one Protein meal. I ordered their shakes and love love them!! I started doing the shakes all day and a protein dinner and the weight started coming off. It was easy to stick too once I got in the habit and kicked the carb cravings. I lost my ten pounds and another 10. I am 10 below my lowest weight.

You could check it out and see if it is something that might work for you. The Facebook page is private, but you can go to their website and get added. It is very supportive and there are so many people who have regained and are losing their regained weight. It's a very positive uplifting Facebook page.

Good luck to you- you can do it!!

[Delta_35 129]

I am five years out, and I know your pain. I gained about 15lbs of the weight back and now have started to get back on track with my eating. As previously stated, diet is more important than exercise. I work out on a regular basis but my eating was not on track as it should had been. Portion Control is key and you really have to kick carbs to the side. It goes back to eating to live, not living to eat mentality. It is very hard, and takes a lot willpower. Having a support group might help you, or another sleeve buddy may help. It really does come down to how bad you want to lose the weight you have regained. The first few weeks, you will fight head hunger and it will be a battle to get back to the basics of eating. Once you get your eating on track, start incorporating exercise. After so many years out, you will need to start working out and living a more active lifestyle. I am here if you need it, but a lot of this will really come down to willpower. Keep us posted, and I wish you the best of luck.

Edited April 12, 2017 by Delta_35

[coops 1,790]

I will be 7 years out in July and over the last year I have gained 10lbs - before then I was maintaining. Even though I never reached my target weight I was relatively happy with how I was feeling and looking. Now, no matter what I do; how I move or what I eat I am really struggling to lose those 10lbs! I feel frustrated but refuse to give up.

If I have a 'bad' day or eat the wrong foods, I don't beat myself up (I used to) I just get my head back in the game and get on with it. Whether I get to goal or not I am still fitter and healthier, more confident and focused on 'life' than I was 7 years ago. That has to be good, right?

[CBT 450]

I call that my U-Turn, Coops
I've had massive orthopedic surgeries in the last year and I have one more in a few months. The regain is real and it's a daily mental investment that I sometimes really have no control over. My recoveries are long and I depend on others to feed me. That gets really hard on them after say, 8 weeks! If I get weight focused, I will lose the war.
I just had labs. My lipids and fasting glucose are perfect. No Vitamin or mineral deficiencies. My BP is acceptable (I like it lower but MDs are happy). These are the true reasons for me to be on this journey. To live a long life. The weight will come back off!

[Julie norton 2,850]

My take is :
Sometimes we just have to be content with where we are weight wise. If it feels healthy and you can work out, Or climb a steep hill. And you feel good. That may be where you stay. Arguing with 10 lbs is a hellava lot easier than fighting 100 lbs!! I know this personally
Good luck[emoji122]

[ausmith 374]

I am 4 years 3 months out. I had some regain and got it way under control starting in January. I am super happy to report I am back down to my goal weight (124 lbs this morning)! Anyway, I had started drinking soda again. For me, that led me to crave so many carbs. Once I eliminated that from my diet it was much easier. By the way, I had gotten up to 150 lbs, and once I applied myself and went back to high Protein low carb, the weight came off way easier than it ever did pre-surgery!
Good luck to you!

My Husband and I are at 3.5yrs and he has regained 12-15 I go up and down by 5 but I'm starting to get very bored and starting to feel heavy which is crazy I know but I can see that we have started to let the carbs in and that's not good. I also had skin surgery Aug last year so it's even more important for me that I don't do anything silly because I will never be able to afford skin surgery again. So it's fantastic to read that you got it back under control well done

[ausmith 374]

I am five years out, and I know your pain. I gained about 15lbs of the weight back and now have started to get back on track with my eating. As previously stated, diet is more important than exercise. I work out on a regular basis but my eating was not on track as it should had been. Portion Control is key and you really have to kick carbs to the side. It goes back to eating to live, not living to eat mentality. It is very hard, and takes a lot willpower. Having a support group might help you, or another sleeve buddy may help. It really does come down to how bad you want to lose the weight you have regained. The first few weeks, you will fight head hunger and it will be a battle to get back to the basics of eating. Once you get your eating on track, start incorporating exercise. After so many years out, you will need to start working out and living a more active lifestyle. I am here if you need it, but a lot of this will really come down to willpower. Keep us posted, and I wish you the best of luck.

Wow I have been struggling to find real vets with real advice on this site lately with all the politics. Thank you for starting this thread and thanks everyone for the comments. Life def is easier if you can talk to people living similar lives.

[bellabloom 2,467]

I am three years out. I am at goal weight and have been maintaining just fine- although I didn't know exactly because in I longer weigh myself. All of my clothes fits. Sometimes it's tight and sometimes loose but it fits.

I decided I was done with dieting or caring about the number on the scale. I began Intuitive Eating And worked on my body image. Caring about my weight and dieting was ruining my life. I'll never go on another diet and now I am free.

I now eat whatever I want whenever I want, but because I am mindful this varies widely but mostly good foods. I don't deny myself anything or count calories or limit any type of food that I crave. I pay attention to my cravings and hunger signals- I stop eating when I'm full and eat when I'm hungry.

I don't weigh myself and I no longer care what happens with my weight. I focus on being able to be strong and active in my busy life and having the fuel I need to do so.

I'm 5'6 and I would guess I weigh between 125-130 lbs.