Hi all,

I am a 30 year old male. I previously had a gastric sleeve surgery 5 years agobut due to the massive regain of weight, I had a revision gastric bypass in February 2019.

Anyways, since my lowest recorded weight and initial weight loss success in June 2019, I have since gained 7kg to date and feel like I gaining 1-2kg a week. Specifically, I have regained 6 kg since early Dec 2019 to date. Over the past 3 weeks, I have regained at least a 1kg a week.

I feel like I can eat just as much, if not more, then my first gastric sleeve surgery 5 years ago.

I know that the bypass is a tool only, but I am shocked in the amount I can eat and want to eat. I can easily eat a plate of pasta or a whole wrap with chips from KFC (I know I should be eating healthy and not these type of foods, but it is easier said than done!).

On a normal day, I drink at least 5 cans of sugar free coke zero and at least a box of paddlepop icecream. I'm super addicted to sweet and sugary food and I know this is the issue. My issue is I pretty much have to eat sweet sugary food. Luckily and thankfully, I am not diabetic (not that I know of anyways!)

I've read stories of people who were much bigger than me who initially had the surgery who now eat a few bites and get full and they don't really ever feel like icecream and other sugary food. Yet I am always hungry and even after I eat food, I still crave sugary food. My old workmate who had the gastric sleeve never used to eat! They were never hungry or craved anything, yet I am completely the opposite.

Anyways, my question is can anyone on here following their gastric bypass surgery still eat a plate of food or even close to? I just can't comprehend how following 2 surgeries without any complications (thankfully ) I still am able to eat so much food.

Look forward to hearing from anyone.

Edited January 25, 20206 yr by yesno789

I have a few follow up questions: 1. Have you done a pouch reset? Like go back to the main diet of protein shakes and soups for a week. I also recommend highly doing a Whole30/90 to really commit to whole, nutrient dense foods and detox your body and make yourself aware of allergies/reactions.
2. It is clear from your post that you struggle with food addiction and sugar. Are you attending counseling? Have you spoken with your surgical team or dietitian? Vitamin and blood work ok?
3. Detox sucks and takes work. The first week without junk and sugar are really hard, but as it clears your system you'll feel better and stronger. Do you have a friend/buddy who could do it with your or be an accountability partner?
4. How's your hydration? You need to make sure you're getting enough plain fluids. Head hunger vs.real hunger vs. Thirst are all signs that are important but difficult to learn without practice.
5. Finally, exercise. Are you moving consistently for 30-40 min. A day to get endorphins up and move your muscles? Close to 10k steps?

Just some thoughts, not trying to be preachy or rude. Background: 16 months post op vsg, down 170 pounds. EMT and coach, counseling background, former college athlete. I got the surgery due to complications from Cushing's disease but know a lot about addiction and nutrition.

Ummm KFC pasta soft drink and you wonder why you're gaining weight???? Icecream...

Why even ask a stupid question is not the bypass its your bad choices....

You know what you're doing wrong even if you can eat a plate how about a plate of fresh veggies or tuna salad or make your own chicken breast; there's plenty of healthy options..

34 minutes ago, Superman84 said:

Ummm KFC Pasta soft drink and you wonder why you're gaining weight???? Icecream...

Why even ask a stupid question is not the bypass its your bad choices....

You know what you're doing wrong even if you can eat a plate how about a plate of fresh veggies or tuna salad or make your own chicken breast; there's plenty of healthy options..

Thanks for making me feel more **** about it than I already am.

35 minutes ago, MusicalKate13 said:

I have a few follow up questions: 1. Have you done a pouch reset? Like go back to the main diet of Protein Shakes and Soups for a week. I also recommend highly doing a Whole30/90 to really commit to whole, nutrient dense foods and detox your body and make yourself aware of allergies/reactions.
2. It is clear from your post that you struggle with food addiction and sugar. Are you attending counseling? Have you spoken with your surgical team or dietitian? Vitamin and blood work ok?
3. Detox sucks and takes work. The first week without junk and sugar are really hard, but as it clears your system you'll feel better and stronger. Do you have a friend/buddy who could do it with your or be an accountability partner?
4. How's your hydration? You need to make sure you're getting enough plain fluids. Head hunger vs.real hunger vs. Thirst are all signs that are important but difficult to learn without practice.
5. Finally, exercise. Are you moving consistently for 30-40 min. A day to get endorphins up and move your muscles? Close to 10k steps?

Just some thoughts, not trying to be preachy or rude. Background: 16 months post op vsg, down 170 pounds. EMT and coach, counseling background, former college athlete. I got the surgery due to complications from Cushing's disease but know a lot about addiction and nutrition.

Thank you for the positive and constructive feedback. Will look into the pouch reset.

the further out you get, the more you can eat. I could definitely sock away 3000 calories a day if I let myself. It's a constant struggle. To lose the weight and keep it off, you really have to restrict your portions, make healthy choices, and monitor your intake for the rest of your life.

It might not be a bad idea to check back with your dietitian and counselor to help get you back on track. I kept losing weight until i was 20 months out, so it's definitely not too late...

P.S. I, personally, could not go back to shakes for a week (although some people can), but another option is just to go back to what you were eating (or should have been eating) when you were a month or two out - protein first, then non-starchy vegetables. Then, if you have room, maybe a small serving of fruit or complex carb, like some whole-grain item. And log what you eat. It's when I quit paying attention - like logging my food and weighing myself - that things start to go south for me.

Edited January 25, 20206 yr by catwoman7

I don't want to be rude or abrupt, but as you've already failed on your VSG 5 years ago, why are you not fully invested in this second chance?? All WLS stomachs stretch out over time and it seems like you are blaming it for your gain, when in fact that's a natural process and it'll certainly be sped up if you continue to make terrible nutritional choices. The only person who can stop you eating KFC is you. I am 18 months post op sleeve and everyday I record my nutritional intake, because I am an ADDICT but there is no way I'm going back. I was so miserable, and I am completely free now. The VSG just gave me the push out the door, I have to do ALL the work. Forever. That's the deal. Exercise and eat well. I still have treats... like a chocolate date. Not pasta!

I would suggest you take a long hard look at yourself, and realise that you're the only on who can change this. You need to acknowledge you have issues around food and not blame your surgery for your failure. Seriously. Get some support around you, TRACK your food using a calorie app religiously, start exercising and get yourself to a psychologist pronto.

You say you have to eat sweet and sugary food!

Really, why?

The thing to realise here is that surgery is only a tool. It doesn’t choose what you put in your mouth and doesn’t make unhealthy choices. You do. You buy the food and you eat it, not your sleeve and not your bypass. The only person that can make this work or not is you.

You need to remember why you had these surgeries , what you hoped to achieve and refocus. Go back to basics. Use a small plate, eat protein first then healthy veg. No grazing. If you want something sweet have a small piece of fruit or yogurt with stevia and cinnamon or a cracker with low sugar jam etc. Track your food, including any sweets.

Go and see a psychologist, get help.

But above all refocus, take responsibility and take charge.You can do this

Seriously, you should ask your surgeon(s) about drug treatment. I remember my group telling me there are cases where even after WLS, they prescribe drugs to eliminate cravings.

you are obviously addicted to the sugar/carb - opioid effect and will probably require drug intervention to fix it.

Or not and just blow up again, and your life will be exactally as you started.

luck!