I'm embarrassed to admit that I have regained all 40 pounds that I lost. The weight gain started with the pandemic, add to that some very serious health issues with my child, and menopause, and numerous other excuses, here I am. I just don't know what to do at this point. Every single day, I wake up and say it will be a brand new day, but again, here I am.

Help me please...

I had VSG over a dozen years ago. Started at 320. 5'3" and 49 years old. Had surgery at about 300 lbs (sorry, don't remember exactly !) But I count EVERY DARN POUND ! I lost to 165; but never could hold that. No plastics or skin removal. Maintained at 175 to 180 for many years. Then had major surgery, lost my mom, younger brother.... working, raising my own child, and caregiving. I gained to 220. After losing my dad.... I kind of gave up trying....for a while. 5 years later, I decided to lose 10 pounds in a year. That was about 4 years ago. I lost the ten and then another and kept going.... but slowly. Every 5 pounds I would stop and just figure out how to maintain that loss. Because I realized what I missed.... in all those years was HOW TO MAINTAIN - I could lose, but not MAINTAIN where I got. So I would add in a small piece of cake as a treat. Did that do it ? NOPE. A small treat every day ? NOPE. I had to learn what would add a pound or two.

We have to adjust to our new insides, and to our bodies and to our new ages and stages of life. We are not static. We change. Our medical needs change. See your doctor. Meet with a nutritionist from time to time. Pay attention to not feeling well. Get it checked out and bring up your surgery and what you are eating and drinking.

I did lose back to 173 -175 and kept it there for more than a year. Spent the last 6 months losing another 10 to 12 pounds. For whatever reason it has come off easier this time. I haven't weighed under 165 since college in the late 1970's. I am almost 67.

You can get through this. Slowly and do not compare yourself to anyone else. Put on those pants you wore when you started the journey and see how big they are on you now. YOU HAVE moved forward. You ARE doing it. On your own time. Which is always the RIGHT TIME.

What an inspiring post! Thanks so much for sharing and giving us hope and encouragment. It is true, our bodies change, our medical history changes, we all gain and lose according to what stressors are going on at the time. I'm donw 55 pounds, would like to lose 15 more pounds, I'm almost 1 year out from sleeve surgery. I know my doctor said to lose as much in the first year during the Honeymoon phase. But I had to get thru insulin resistance, I'm 64 and have limited mobility. Would love to get back down to 120 pounds, but I'm happy if I can get in the 150's. You have to adjust to what stage of life you are in, like you said.

Great for you, I'm happy and proud of your courageous approach.