Regain Realization

[cocobeau13 23]

Hello everyone!

So just to give details, I had surgery 5/29/18 and lost 95lbs originally post surgery. However since, I gained back 35lbs and have been depressed about it. I’ve lost the 35lbs then gained it back (and the cycle repeats). I’ve tried Keto, Vegetarian, Whole30, the works! And it seemed as if my stomach stretched out and I was back to eating almost all the way normal.

This time around though, I figured I would go back to what I learned pre-op and make the lifestyle changes I made 2 years ago to lose the weight.

I restarted about two weeks ago, eating my food slowly, listening to when I was actually hungry, taking my supplements, drinking my Water, eating Protein first, getting active each day and eating 3 meals without Snacks.

Two weeks later, I’m already down 6 pounds and now it seems like I’m eating the portions I was eating 2-3 months post-op! Even the dumping sensations I felt when I eat too much came back (something I TRULY didn’t miss lol)

I realized that I was seriously overeating and not utilizing the tool I’ve been given.

All of this to say, if you are someone like me, going through regain loss and have been a ways out from surgery, don’t overcomplicate it. Go back to basics and use your tool.

It hasn’t stopped working. It hasn’t stretched out. It’s just not being utilized. And you can pick it back up again.

We got this! Don’t give up.

[GreenTealael 25,622]

Congratulations ❤️

[Uterno 41]

Wow, @cocobeau13!!! Your post knocked the wind out of me. I came to this site for the first time in months. My experience post-op has been disappointing, starting 1 month out when my slow progress got even slower. I eventually lost motivation and stalled for over a year. In the last 4 months I have actually gained 14 pounds, very easily.

I was feeling depressed and defeated. So I signed in here, and was just about to search "regain" to look for inspiration when I glanced down the list of posts and saw yours. We have the same surgery date (5/29/18), which is what took my breath away!

I'm going to take our surgery twinning and your recommitment as a sign that I can do this, too. Good luck to you, and thank you!

[kellym1220 474]

Great post! I'm only 6 months out, but I will definitely keep this in mind!

[Ksan24 3]

I needed to read this today! I had my surgery on 5/18/19 and lost 77 lbs, I stopped losing after 6 months but maintained around 195 which though it wasn’t my goal I was happy with now covid came along, I stopped exercising, started eating like crazy out of boredom and I’ve regained 19 lbs. I felt like I could almost eat as much as I did prior to surgery.
Something changed last night though and I woke up ready to get back on track and I was shocked that after starting my day with a good amount of Protein I felt full faster and ready to tackle the day.
You’re right this is a tool and it’s time to start using it again! I’m rooting for you!

[brittu 42]

I lost all my excess weight after being sleeved in 2010 and got 20 pounds below my original goal: 256 >> 155 >> 132. A few years later I settled in at 155ish and maintained there until menopause when I had to work with my doctor fight back to 155 from about 170. I stayed 155ish until injury + anti-depressents followed by Covid and I ballooned up to 195. Yikes!

Like others have said, getting back to the basics with Protein first and no slider foods reminded me what a great tool a sleeve is. I also decided to do intermittent fasting which works great for me since I have very little hunger. Since I can't eat much, only eating during a 4-6 hour window every day motivates me to eat healthy and keeps my calories low. It also keeps my insulin low so I burn fat well and my metabolism and energy are high.

I wasn't happy about all the regain but I'm so glad I had my sleeve to lean on to get me back to eating well and losing. A very good reminder to not let things go more than 5-10 pounds. Hopefully I've learned my lesson!

Edited February 16, 2021 by brittu

[MathBoo 1]

This year marks 7 for me. I lost 152 pounds but have regained 60. I am totally down on myself but my state of mind during this pandemic has not helped. I know it is very unhealthy to eat fewer than 40 carbs per day. I cannot fathom liquids again. Any advice appreciated.

[meathead 5]

I can't fathom drinking 8 8oz glasses of Water. Wish I could help you. I'm here sort of for the reasons you are. Down on myself. When I began preparation 2 years ago I lost weight w/o the surgery. Lost enough to see if I could continue losing w/o surgery. Here I be, back to where I was. Trying to prepare for surgery again and am struggling. Can't find the motivation or the willingness to sink my teeth into making the changes. Don't know why, so here I am.

There is something brutal about this whole thing. I am recovering from a few very difficult, cell level, addictions and they were tough. In fact, I thought 1 would kill me withdrawing from it.

I'm older, more physical problems, limitations, exhaustion is my constant companion. Am doing what I am supposed to for the narcolepsy ( it turns out ) and sleep apnea with CPAP, but my fatigue persists. Going for a walk seems like a lot of work now with little benefit. Feeling self-pity I guess. Whatever this phase is, it is the pits because I don't know what I can do except keep on, keeping on, trying to make changes.

I want to have the surgery, wake up 60lbs lighter, 40 years younger, full head of hair, and exploding with energy and a positive outlook with gobs of confidence and not think about how little time I have left on this planet.

I don't enjoy heading down the homestretch. I want the mother I didn't have to wrap me up in her arms and assure me all is well and not let go for a long time. Embarrassing but true.