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Weight regain...I don't know where to start.



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I'll be 7 years post gastric sleeve in December. I never reached goal, but lost 80 lbs. I managed to keep most of it off for about 4 years and slowly the carbs crept back into my life and the weight gain began. I gained 35 lbs back and I'm so disgusted with myself. It took me so long to get the courage to finally have WLS. I was so nervous and afraid that I swore if I put myself through surgery I would never gain all my weight back. I've tried Keto, and did really well for about a year and a half until I was no longer losing and just couldn't commit to the lifestyle. It seems I've lost any will power I may once had and I really don't want to get a revision if I can help it. How do I restart my weight loss? I know I've probably stretched my pouch. Do I go back to drinking shakes? Has anyone had any success in losing their significant weight gain without having to have a revision, or is a revision in my future?

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I was on a call with my nutritionist tonight and someone else on my call asked about it and she said that anyone in this situation should do a 10 day liquid diet re-boot. I've seen several on this site, but since my nutritionist recommended it, it's what I would try.

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I had same issue but I had full hysterectomy 3 months after witch sent my hormones every where . I really had to work out 5 days a week to keep weight off . Once we shut down from covid I gained 38 pounds .Had an EGD done and they said sleeve was causing my stomach to twist . They either had to go in and staple it down or do the full byspass surgery . I chose the byspass 2 months in from revision oh forgot to say sleeve gave hernia acid reflux and gerd.

Edited by nicole4sees

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Oh wow, I'm sorry the sleeve gave you so many problems. I guess I was blessed that I never had any complications what so ever from my surgery. Other than after hitting my plateau, I starting feeling sorry for myself and slowly started grazing on things I shouldn't have. I need to retrain my 'tool' and mindset. I wish I never gave into those temptations because once I did the floodgates opened! Good luck with your revision!

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I can totally relate. I'm 2 years post sleeve and gained 10 lbs back with COVID and am working now on getting it back off. It's working! I can tell you that it's possible. I am eating like I did at the beginning with focus on Protein of 60 g or more per day, getting in my 8-10 glasses of Water a day, limiting carbs to fewer than 10 g per day. I haven't exercised yet. I've been back on the "reboot" for 2 weeks and lost 4 lbs so that's encouraging. My stomach hasn't stretched because I can still eat very little during a meal, so that's good news. My downfall was eating sweets all the time. I'm not doing that now. I think you can do it if you just remember why you had WLS in the first place and focus on the basics. Good luck!

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I know several people who swear by Weight Watchers (easier to sustain for longer periods of time than Keto is, because there are fewer restrictions), but some just go back to the way they were eating that first year. Not all the way back to shakes, but how they were eating around months 6-12 - Protein first, then non-starchy veggies, and then, if you have room, maybe a small serving of fruit or whole grain carbs. If you're no longer tracking your food intake, than start doing that again as well.

not everyone recommends calorie counting, but I really monitor my calories if I'm trying to lose a regain. I can maintain my weight if I eat in the 1500-1700 calorie a day range (but that's going to be different for everyone - you'll have to experiment to find your range). If I need to lose weight, I'll eat at the lower end of that range, or just below it. And I step up on my exercising. It's slow, but it works.

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Thank you Lauren for such a detailed and informative response. I've heard so many people say when they started eating plant-based diets they really lost the weight. I know I won't give up meat completely, but I am going to try to concentrate eating more plant based foods. Thank you again for your help! :)

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8 hours ago, catwoman7 said:

I know several people who swear by Weight Watchers (easier to sustain for longer periods of time than Keto is, because there are fewer restrictions), but some just go back to the way they were eating that first year. Not all the way back to shakes, but how they were eating around months 6-12 - Protein first, then non-starchy veggies, and then, if you have room, maybe a small serving of fruit or whole grain carbs. If you're no longer tracking your food intake, than start doing that again as well.

not everyone recommends calorie counting, but I really monitor my calories if I'm trying to lose a regain. I can maintain my weight if I eat in the 1500-1700 calorie a day range (but that's going to be different for everyone - you'll have to experiment to find your range). If I need to lose weight, I'll eat at the lower end of that range, or just below it. And I step up on my exercising. It's slow, but it works.

I've actually been thinking of joining WW just for the accountability itself. My problem is I love sweets and have fallen into such a bad habit of snacking (cookies, donuts, crackers, chips, etc). I think I need to start monitoring and keeping track of what I'm putting into my mouth with a tracker. Thank you for your support and information!

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8 hours ago, catwoman7 said:

I know several people who swear by Weight Watchers (easier to sustain for longer periods of time than Keto is, because there are fewer restrictions), but some just go back to the way they were eating that first year. Not all the way back to shakes, but how they were eating around months 6-12 - Protein first, then non-starchy veggies, and then, if you have room, maybe a small serving of fruit or whole grain carbs. If you're no longer tracking your food intake, than start doing that again as well.

not everyone recommends calorie counting, but I really monitor my calories if I'm trying to lose a regain. I can maintain my weight if I eat in the 1500-1700 calorie a day range (but that's going to be different for everyone - you'll have to experiment to find your range). If I need to lose weight, I'll eat at the lower end of that range, or just below it. And I step up on my exercising. It's slow, but it works.

10 hours ago, GradyCat said:

I can totally relate. I'm 2 years post sleeve and gained 10 lbs back with COVID and am working now on getting it back off. It's working! I can tell you that it's possible. I am eating like I did at the beginning with focus on Protein of 60 g or more per day, getting in my 8-10 glasses of Water a day, limiting carbs to fewer than 10 g per day. I haven't exercised yet. I've been back on the "reboot" for 2 weeks and lost 4 lbs so that's encouraging. My stomach hasn't stretched because I can still eat very little during a meal, so that's good news. My downfall was eating sweets all the time. I'm not doing that now. I think you can do it if you just remember why you had WLS in the first place and focus on the basics. Good luck!

I really do need to get back to basics. Protein, vegetable, small amount of carbs. You guys have given me hope and motivation! :) Thanks GradyCat!

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I have a very similar story, am 6 yrs post VSG. Had regain about 2 yrs out and it took getting some ugly medical news to get me back on track for good. I went strict Keto, lost all the regain, lost about 20 more and am doing good. But it's always going to be a fight for me.

I had to commit-LITERALLY, FINALLY- to giving up a lot of foods that I'll likely never eat again and that was a huge mourning process. I've been about 3 yrs strict Keto and love the lifestyle, but it's not for everyone. And it can be a challenge. yes we can have all that fat, but it's still really hard knowing I'll likely never eat most 'regular' foods again.

Pre-surgery I had hoped I would be able to eat all things in small amounts again someday- but that got me on a slippery slope leading to the regain. So I have to stick to what works. I've found that when it comes to staying on track, I do great with total abstinence but really BAD at moderation.

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I just wanted to thank you for posting this. I'm still well into the 'honeymoon' period but worried about this even before the surgery. I think it's really important to be aware that you always need to control what you eat and the surgery alone isn't enough for a lifetime. Posts like this are so motivational and helpful for life.

Especially helpful to know that regain will happen, even if just a small amount, in the future years and it just needs to be nipped in the bud. Really so helpful and thank you!

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I was looking for this forum I just joined today. I am 2 years 2 months post gastric bypass . I only had regain like for 2 to 5 pounds and that is where I was not accountable like hanging with people who introduce the foods to me and I was tempted to indulge so most times I remind myself why I did this surgery and remove myself from the situation and get back on tract. Since the pandemic I haven't gain any weight because I am vigilant with my food I do a lot of exercise like waking and work out with a trainer but now we close down again so I do from home. I find that dairy especially yogurt cause the scale not to move. Getting in my Water, Protein and Vitamins really help me so much. I find that snacking doesn't help at all the scale goes up when I snack. Also I will try to do the no meat and see if it will help me to. You are so right nutrition plays a big role in this journey. Keep working hard at the regain it will go. Good luck

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Hello,

I had my surgery in October 2014. I went from a 14/16 plus size and 244lbs at 5’5.5” to a size 6 170lbs. In 2015 I became disabled and depressed. I lost my career and independence, social life... I was put on many medications that caused me to gain 60lbs in two months. After 1 and A half years I weighed over 300 pounds. I was disgusted. The medications were damaging my liver so my husband suggested to go vegan. Three years Later I’m a size 8 and I weigh 169 pounds. I don’t even know how I did it but I did and I wanted to share it with you all. Because you can do it to! Just never give up and make small changes and soon the small changes will become your new habits. I was only vegan for one year. Then I started ensure plus and cooked a healthy dinner. My health problems do interfere with my appetite so I guess that helps a little. But I have my restriction back and my latest report from the doctor was that all my labs are normal including my liver. The picture shows me in July 2017 and me in December 2020. I’d like to stay in touch with the others who are striving to maintain your health. I’m looking for a support system because I don’t have anyone else who’s been through what I’ve been through but I know you’re out there.

5A03ADF5-42C9-4DDA-B4AE-01BACC758C33.jpeg

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    • Prdgrdma

      So I guess after gastric bypass surgery, I cant eat flock chips because they are fried???  They sell them on here so I thought I could have them. So high in protein and no carbs.  They don't bother me at all.  Help. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        It's possible for a very high fat meal to cause dumping in some (30% or so) gastric bypass patients, although it's more likely to be triggered by high sugar, or by the high fat/high sugar combo (think ice cream, donuts). Dietitians will tell you to never do anything that isn't 100% healthy ever again. Realistically, you should aim for a good balance of protein, carbs, and fat each day. Should you eat fried foods every day? No. Is it possible they will make you sick? Maybe. Is it okay to eat some to see what happens and have them for a treat every now and again? Yes.

    • NovelTee

      I'm not at all hungry on this liquid pre-op diet, but I miss the sensation of chewing. It's been about two weeks––surgery is in two days––and I can't imagine how I'll feel a couple of weeks post-op. Tonight, I randomly stumbled upon a mukbang channel on YouTube, and it was strangely soothing... is it just me, or is this a thing? 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        I actually watched cooking shows during my pre-op, like Great British Baking Show. It was a little bizarre, but didn't make me hungry. I think it was also soothing in a way.

    • Clueless_girl

      How do you figure out what your ideal weight should be? I've had a figure in my head for years, but after 3 mths of recovery I'm already almost there. So maybe my goal should be lower?
      · 3 replies
      1. NickelChip

        Well, there is actually a formula for "Ideal Body Weight" and you can use a calculator to figure it out for you. This one also does an adjusted weight for a person who starts out overweight or obese. https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/68/ideal-body-weight-adjusted-body-weight

        I would use that as a starting point, and then just see how you feel as you lose. How you look and feel is more important than a number.

      2. Clueless_girl

        I did find different calculators but I couldn't find any that accounted for body frame. But you're right, it is just a number. It was just disheartening to see that although I lost 60% of my excess weight, it's still not in the "normal/healthy" range..

      3. NickelChip

        I think it's important to remember that the weight charts and BMI ranges were developed a very long time ago and only intended to be applied to people who have never been overweight or obese. Those numbers aren't for us. When you are larger, especially for a long time, your body develops extra bone to support the weight. Your organs get a little bigger to handle the extra mass. Your entire infrastructure increases so you can support and function with the extra weight. That doesn't all go away just because you burn off the excess fat. If you still had a pair of jeans from your skinniest point in life and then lost weight to get to the exact number on the scale you were when those jeans fit you, chances are they would be a little baggy now because you would actually be thinner than you were, even though the scale and the BMI chart disagree. When in doubt, listen to the jeans, not the scale!

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      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Now that I'm in maintenance mode, I'm getting a into a routine for my meals. Every day, I start out with 8-16 ounces of water, and then a proffee, which I have come to look forward to even the night before. My proffees are simply a black coffee with a protein powder added. There are three products that I cycle through: Premier Vanilla, Orgain Vanilla, and Dymatize Vanilla.
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      · 0 replies
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