Hi. I'm one year out. The weight lost has slowed down. The fact you are working on the gain is awesome. If you need a friend to help just let me know. Good luck with it. Start with drinking your water. My doctor told me soda can stretch your stomach so stay away from them.

Hello! Your story sounds very similar to mine. I am 50 years old. I had the surgery in the fall of 2002. I was 5'6 and 298 lbs. I reached 133 lbs, but I did not stay there too long. Honestly, I felt like that was a little too thin for me. I felt best around 145. Unfortunately my weight has crept back up to 167. I am here looking for support and inspiration too!

I am new here. I had RNY June 2002 and went from 340 to 110. I was up to 240 by 5 yrs. out, which kept steady until about 5 years ago when I started a very stressful time. I was up to 282 on July 29, when I decided I needed to do something. I am now 275. I did 1 week fast on Almased and lost the 7 lbs. but the past 3 days have decided I need food. My reason for doing Almased was it was a liquid protein meal replacement, and I was trying to go back to basics and simulate my eating after the surgery. It was pretty difficult and I had NO energy, but it broke the carb cycle for me and made me grateful for healthy food. So now I am eating Almased for breakfast and lunch and then a salad with protein and a little grain for dinner. I am a teacher and want to try this until I go back to school Aug. 18, then transition to a shake just for breakfast, then real food for both meals.

I have been doing some research to understand how my weight got so out of control again after surgery. I knew I was eating pretty much all day, and really fear my new stomach has gotten much bigger because I can eat a lot now. When I am being honest I see the types of things I have been eating have mostly been refined carbs, and I have been eating them addictively. I saw recently that those are like total sabotage for us because they go down so easily we don't get satiety, and it's easy to just keep eating. I am trying to get back to basics and give my new stomach a chance to help me, but am filled with fear that the tool doesn't work any more. I am also sure there have been new findings in the field since the last time I paid attention, and I would like to learn new tips that may have been discovered.

Truthfully, right now I am struggling to get back in touch with what the basics actually are....Like a lot of protein, a little carbs mostly from vegetables, and a little fat. Is this right? Also not drinking for an hour after a meal. Am I missing something?

Susan

Truthfully, right now I am struggling to get back in touch with what the basics actually are....Like a lot of protein, a little carbs mostly from vegetables, and a little fat. Is this right? Also not drinking for an hour after a meal. Am I missing something?
Susan

*** Susan, when I read what you posted it sounded like you were talking about me. I am 7 years post op . I had the gastric bypass, starting out at 304lbs and when I basically gave up, I was at 178. Now I have regained weight & I am 228lbs. I have chronic regional pain syndrome in my right leg and foot as the result of a botched hip surgery about 8 years ago. Because of this any type of exercise even walking has been extremely difficult. I have all of the fears that you do as far as if my stomach is so stretched out & I have ruined it. My basic problem is that I snack all day from boredom, pain, depression etc. I don't eat allot at a meal but i may as well have because I have snacked all day. I also have zero willpower.
Anyway, your post resembled my life. I wish you luck. If you want to check in with each other from time to time, I am game.
Kathy

Your story encourages me. I'm 6 years post op, maintained beautifully until I got pregnant. I had a very pregnancy and was placed on a special diet where I was basically force fed. Old habits woke up and now, after 2 pregnancies, I'm carrying around an extra 50lbs. I started today, going back to basics and coming across your post gives me hope.

Welcome! You came to the right place! It's great to hear from someone who is years out from surgery, and to be reminded of the possibilities. You know what you need to do to get the weight off, and who knows, maybe you will hit that "dream goal"!

I am 18 months out and have lost 116 lbs, but have 40 more to go to reach the absolute top of my goal range. The last 2 months I have been pretty been at a stall, and the few months before that was SLOW like molasses. I see myself making more questionable choices as the days go by and I know this is why things are not moving along like they could be. I am determined not to re-gain ever, but I know I need to buckle down to do this.

So, while I am still a newbie compared to you I am here with you. I came to the forum to post my "intentions" and found this thread.

I need to incorporate one shake into my day again (afternoon snack), drink more water, drink less coffee (like Pat, I am a serious addict who has let it dominate my liquid intake like it did pre-op), increase my protein, and cut out the junk! (carby snacks) It's all my choice, and I know it, but my dang co-workers snack on the worst crap. Especially the girl whose desk is next to mine. Ugh, crackers, chips, candy, seriously! I have the power to ignore it, yes I do!