4+ year post-op and gaining? need accountability partner?

Hi,
Anyone out there 4+ years post-op and finding that they are regaining because old habits have started making their way back into your life. If you are new - don't let this post scare you. Surgery was the BEST thing I ever did. But over the past year I have gained so much weight back - why? not because the surgery didn't work - but because I stopped working it! I have slowly allowed myself to eat chips, drink sweet tea and I stopped working out. I feel the weight physically and mentally & it SUCKS!! I'm desperate and wondering if any other veterans that are would like to be accountability partners. I'm starting over right now!! Anyone want to join me and try to get back on track together?

Replies

ruqayyahsmum

I'm almost 4 years out and half way through dealing with a regain
I gained weight after having my son. I developed hypoglacemia when I was pregnant and was forced to eat hourly. Biscuits, cheese on crackers, even chocolate were all forced on me during pregnancy and the months afterwards.

The hypoglacemia seems to be resolving but the biscuit habit is harder to crack, I can go all week on whole foods and then snap

ruqayyahsmum

Oh and I've had to stop most of my exercise as I've slipped a disc and hiking was my main exercise with my son on my back, even walking across the room is leaving me in pain, I can't go back to being nearly immobile the way I was pre surgery

shrinkingkathy

I'm 10 years out and have regained quite a bit due to bad habits and then surgery on my ankle that prevented me from walking, which was my main form of exercise. I have stayed at my current weight for about a year, so no more gaining thankfully, but I really need to concentrate on exercise and keeping up with my food diary to start losing. I'd be glad to be your accountability partner. I need one, too!

melissaglover5823

I am 4 years out and have gained and now I am back on track. One day at a time one pound at a time. Feel free to add me!

pattycakes726

I'm almost 5 years out and regained 30 pounds in year 3 - same reason - took my eye off the ball. I've lost 21 sand am trying to get rid of the last 9. It's coming off so slowly this time around! Feel free to add me.

garber6th

I am a bit over four years out. Something about that three year mark, I gained 35 lbs back of the 202 I lost and now I am back with the program and losing again. It definitely feels like it's coming off more slowly now, but I am seeing results by applying the same principles/requirements my surgeon laid out for me in the beginning. As I have said before, it's shocking how quickly and easily regain can happen. Feel free to add me too!

ellenoneal1027

I'm not 4 years out but I am 3 years and 4 months out and have been slowly gaining too by allowing old habits to slip back in. Started Saxenda injections to help with appetite. I'm going back and reading all my post-op food diaries and all the instructions and pretending I'm just coming off surgery. I also joined Gastric Sleeve Support group on FB that is mostly newbies and by helping answer their questions and concerns, it's actually helping me to "get back in the groove." What I'm learning is that I will never be able to just let go and be normal -unfortunately. That I'm going to have to fight this and log calories and act like this forever. A little sobering but I can do it and you can too!

jnmalsch

HERE... I had my surgery in Feb 2014 was 330 went down to 199 in September 2014 I started gaining slowly and then faster. I was back up to 299 last week and this week 295. I need someone on my side too

janetr7476

TryingTeresa wrote: »

Hi,
Anyone out there 4+ years post-op and finding that they are regaining because old habits have started making their way back into your life. If you are new - don't let this post scare you. Surgery was the BEST thing I ever did. But over the past year I have gained so much weight back - why? not because the surgery didn't work - but because I stopped working it! I have slowly allowed myself to eat chips, drink sweet tea and I stopped working out. I feel the weight physically and mentally & it SUCKS!! I'm desperate and wondering if any other veterans that are would like to be accountability partners. I'm starting over right now!! Anyone want to join me and try to get back on track together?

Yesssss, here I am!!!! I'll be four years post surgery in December, I lost 125# in 9 months. I gained five back over the next two years, no biggy. Then I had to be on steroids for four months and gained 10 more. Got discouraged and now up to a total 25# gained back. And I'm Back to late night snacking, ugh.

Janetr OKC

Trailtramper74

janetr7476 wrote: »

TryingTeresa wrote: »

Hi,
Anyone out there 4+ years post-op and finding that they are regaining because old habits have started making their way back into your life. If you are new - don't let this post scare you. Surgery was the BEST thing I ever did. But over the past year I have gained so much weight back - why? not because the surgery didn't work - but because I stopped working it! I have slowly allowed myself to eat chips, drink sweet tea and I stopped working out. I feel the weight physically and mentally & it SUCKS!! I'm desperate and wondering if any other veterans that are would like to be accountability partners. I'm starting over right now!! Anyone want to join me and try to get back on track together?

Yesssss, here I am!!!! I'll be four years post surgery in December, I lost 125# in 9 months. I gained five back over the next two years, no biggy. Then I had to be on steroids for four months and gained 10 more. Got discouraged and now up to a total 25# gained back. And I'm Back to late night snacking, ugh.

Janetr OKC

Yo can totally get back on track. You haven’t let it go too far.

janetr7476

Thanks for the encouraging words. Tomorrow I'm going with a friend to a support group that my surgeon's group offers. I think it will help to have others to talk to.

LAF910

I had my surgery on 2013. I have gained some but I am trying hard to get back on track. Please feel free to add me. I think encouraging each other and getting some tips and ideas would be great! Liz

JudiMoving2

Would like to be a part of this group. May 2015 was my surgery, was down to 184. Recently an emotional breakup with long term SO has me up 30 pounds. My sorrows turn to food. So I am back here, back to tracking, back to the program, back to finding me again. Thanks for the post! Happy to meet you all.

Judi

Trailtramper74

Welcome!

melissaglover5823

Please feel free to add me! I fours post op! Lost 100 pounds gained 35 back been back on track 20 poundsto reach my goal!

sarimc01

I am almost 4 years out (VSG). Had some regain and wanted to lose 10 pounds prior to my knee surgery on 12/6 (Wednesday!!).

The BARIATRICEATING.com site and FB page has really helped me. I like their plans and recipes but don't use their products.

I have been following a combination of their Back On Track (BOT) and Bariatric Eating Easy (BEE) plan for about 20 days. I feel great and have lost the weight. It is about going back to the basics from the beginning of our weight loss journey. Just support, info, and in your face accountability if you want it.

Friend me if you want.
Continued luck on your WLS journey.

clcmfp

sarimc01 wrote: »

I am almost 4 years out (VSG). Had some regain and wanted to lose 10 pounds prior to my knee surgery on 12/6.

Good luck with your knee surgery!

cmcm789

I am in the same boat, bypass in December 2014 lost over 120 lbs and have regained about 40 back. I have tried to go back to basics of protein shake for breakfast and one for lunch with a sensible dinner. It was easier to stick to pre op. Stress has lead me to fall back into those bad eating habits. And what is so sad is that those bad eating habits, that for stupid reasons were my go to too relieve stress, have created more Stress. I have tried the support group from the Drs office but they tend to focus on those getting surgery or who have just gotten surgery. I feel guilty that I had the opportunity to have had the surgery lost the weight and now I am blowing it. Family and friends that know I had the surgery look at me and shake their heads, I know they are thinking that I have failed. I am sorry to see so many struggling, but also glad to hear that it just isn't me. A support group is needed for the long term post ops, so that we can succeed. What is the key to getting back on track, to having that feeling of success. I really am finding that it is harder now then before the surgery. I think prior to the surgery I know I needed to lose to reduce fat on my liver, and after surgery whatever hormone was shut off, made it easy to not want to eat and I felt so good about me losing the weight. I don't feel so good about me anymore.

loveshoe

cmcm789 wrote: »

I am in the same boat, bypass in December 2014 lost over 120 lbs and have regained about 40 back. I have tried to go back to basics of protein shake for breakfast and one for lunch with a sensible dinner. It was easier to stick to pre op. Stress has lead me to fall back into those bad eating habits. And what is so sad is that those bad eating habits, that for stupid reasons were my go to too relieve stress, have created more Stress. I have tried the support group from the Drs office but they tend to focus on those getting surgery or who have just gotten surgery. I feel guilty that I had the opportunity to have had the surgery lost the weight and now I am blowing it. Family and friends that know I had the surgery look at me and shake their heads, I know they are thinking that I have failed. I am sorry to see so many struggling, but also glad to hear that it just isn't me. A support group is needed for the long-term post-ops, so that we can succeed. What is the key to getting back on track, to having that feeling of success. I really am finding that it is harder now then before the surgery. I think prior to the surgery I know I needed to lose to reduce fat on my liver, and after surgery whatever hormone was shut off, made it easy to not want to eat and I felt so good about me losing the weight. I don't feel so good about me anymore.

Gaining weight after WLS isn't blowing it, however, I do understand how you'd feel that way. Think about what success you have achieved. You could be looking at a total regain plus some extra weight. Prior to surgery every diet I ever did I would lose then gain back weight. The surgery has helped you with your success. The surgery stops the total regain and gives you an opportunity to get your act together.

For some reason the regain after WLS seems to be harder for nearly everyone. I'm not sure if it's harder or just slower. Set small goals of 1 pound per week. I understand that's slow but in less than a year you'll lose the 40 pounds. Also, if you think your family and friends are talking about your regain, "own" it. Tell them all you've gained 40 pounds and you are working to lose it. Tell them you need their support. True friends will ask what they can do to help and well family is family and may or may not help but at least they will know. Struggling alone isn't fun and it's isolating. Get some cheerleaders. You can do this but it does take time and planning. Just know that all of here are cheering you on everyday.

duffslove

Sleeved 3-4-15...I gained back 30 lbs and never made it to my personal goal....HW 272 SW 265 LW 178 RegainW 207 CW 201.6...I let go and started having things I knew I shouldn’t...carbs, pizza, nuts, alcohol...all things in moderation right? Because my Nut said it would be ok to have a glass of wine a month or handful of nuts or few bites of potato a week or that I should eat the slice of a pizza not just the meat and cheese topping, because that won’t keep me satisfied... Nope, found out the hard way again it doesn’t work for me, it’s as simple as that...if I let it in my body in a small amount, I’m gonna like it too much and take it to the next level. And I did abuse it badly over the last 9 months

It’s my own fault, I listened to her words but instead of stopping at 1 slice a month or 1 glass on a special occasion, I slowly worked my way around my sleeve, and there I was in Nov 2017 with 30 extra nasty lbs of regain I thought I got rid of for good the 2 years before that. I stopped logging because I knew I was screwing up and didn’t want to admit it to myself, let alone everyone else.

Anyway, I found the bariatric eating no regain Facebook group that’s so helpful and made for gastric patients...it’s changed my accountability and the way I’m thinking about what I’ve done to myself and what I’m wanting and doing to make it happen. The Admins don’t sugarcoat anything because they’ve all been in the same spot as all of the members with regain battles. It’s def working for me, I’m back on track finally.
If you want some extra support and accountability plus some yummy recipes and ideas you could try them out:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/noregain/

Good luck with your continuing journeys , you can add me if you’d like.

JamesAztec

So I've been following this thread and thought I'd add my two cents. My highest weight was 403 in Feb 2014. When I had VSG in March 2015 I was 360. About a year later I was in the 220's. I never really set a hard "goal weight" but in the back of my mind I thought "if I could get to 220ish that would be SWEET

". In October of last year I developed shingles and gained a few pounds. I was at home a lot and wasn't walking much because it was on my leg. In November when I got the OK from doctor to resume exercise I started walking (and then running) everyday and cleaned up my diet by further reducing highly processed foods, specifically refined carbs and sugar. Over the next several months I lost another 30 pounds without really "trying" and now I've been in the mid 190's since July (for perspective, that's about what I weighed in my late teens). I last weighed on November 1 and don't plan on weighing again until January 1. Below is a link to my weight history from when I met the surgeon in Jan 2015 @ 394lbs.

https://trendweight.com/u/366d57a9670d41/

I'm convinced that if we change our HABITS there doesn't have to be significant weight fluctuations throughout our lives. I'm sure we'll all gain some as we get older but I think the big swings can be avoided if we're more consistent with our eating and exercising. I know many of you eat fairly low calorie (1000-1500) but I honestly don't think that needs to be the case. Our bodies burn calories differently the more the food is processed. So even if it's a protein shake or a healthy protein bar it's still not the same as eating veggies or fruit or eggs or meat, etc. I eat A LOT of food, throughout the day, and I'm NEVER hungry. Honestly I probably average 3,000 calories a day. Yes, I walk everyday. And yes I run regularly but I'm not obsessed with exercise or calorie burn. Those are fun habits I've developed. Some days it's more of a hassle but most days I just work it in.

For any of you consistently hungry throughout the day or feel this is going to be a lifelong struggle I would highly suggest trying to eat more whole foods. The best thing I did was reduce the "junk" food. I have no "off-limits" foods but try to focues on eating minimally processed or whole foods that I cook for myself. I don't know what my health is going to look like a year or more down the road but I'm fairly confident that I'll still be at a decent weight and overall healthy. I think that can be the case for most people who have bariatric surgery.

One more thing. Everybody that frequents these boards to give/get support should be proud of themselves. Think of all the bariatric patients out there that just let their health slide and end up regaining much if not all of their weight back. Just look at the THOUSANDS of people that are in this group. And only a few dozen post regularly. My guess is most of the people who aren't on here anymore are probablyl not as healthy as they'd like. I've gotten a lot out of reading the posts in here. And hope to continue to thrive by getting and giving support. Happy Holidays!

loveshoe

Aztec4Life wrote: »

One more thing. Everybody that frequents these boards to give/get support should be proud of themselves. Think of all the bariatric patients out there that just let their health slide and end up regaining much if not all of their weight back. Just look at the THOUSANDS of people that are in this group. And only a few dozen post regularly. My guess is most of the people who aren't on here anymore are probably not as healthy as they'd like. I've gotten a lot out of reading the posts in here. And hope to continue to thrive by getting and giving support. Happy Holidays!

So true!!

karmahealer

Looks like I have found what I was looking for here today, kindred spirits. I have not logged on in so long..found it so depressing to keep adding weight to my progress not losing it. I had sleeve surgery 4 years ago (can it really be that long?). Even from the start, I didn't lose as much I had thought I would. From my highest weight...90 lbs, from surgery 60. It was enough for a much needed Total hip replacement. Unfortunately, I had many complications and spent the next year in and out of the hospital, 4 surgeries in 6 months, 2 month long stays at a rehab center, still on heavy antibiotics today. I never use my reality as excuses, it is simply where I am TODAY!!

I will admit it was hard logging because most of my friends here had surgery when I did...and the ones still logging have lost so much weight. I am thrilled for them, but it is just really hard not to be celebrating with them. Could really use some new friends who are in that starting over/in the fight place. Let's encourage each other

2bbetteremma

Hi I'm the same almost 4 year post op. Unfortunately I got very poorly after vsg ended up with malnutrition and thiremeane deficiency after being sick so much which has left me with brain damage so basically can't exercise all that well as I'm constantly dizzy and eyes move up and down even more so when I move, sight vertigo. Sorry for the sob story lol but being so poorly as have you I have got so much muscle wastage! I need to find a way to move more and get protein in as I have totally fell of the wagon unfortunately I gave into comfort eating but today is my first day of trying to be in control so far so good. I think my body used muscle and little fat to burn so need to switch that but I'm baffled by how I'm supposed to eat in a way regarding muscle I have no help

loveshoe

2bbettermma, Given you've had medical issues I feel you are currently under a doctor's care so I'm not going to recommend you see a doctor. Instead, take it one meal at a time to make small changes while following your healthcare providers advice. Make a list of foods you like high in protein and try to sneak in an ounce here and there. When I need more protein I have chicken for breakfast or high protein yogurt. Just make tiny changes rather than trying to make the big leap. Every little bit helps.

Go to youtube and search for sitting exercises an chair yoga. Depending on the level of your vertigo you may find some chair exercises you can do.

Also, did you mean Thiamine deficiency?

2bbetteremma

Hi loveshoe yes thiamine oops! Well I was under doc for a bit but because they noticed too late what was wrong there’s permanent damage so basically it was I’m sorry there’s nothing more we can do. Bariatric team discharged me 2yr post op I rang and asked for help but nope! My aim is definitely now to focus on protein need muscle gain and fat loss which seems so daunting but can only try, thank you for replying really helps x

ccruz985

Five years out, I regained 50lbs. I was working two jobs, 80 hours a week, and relied on soda and all manner of junk food just to stay awake. My one day off, Sundays, the farthest I traveled was from the bed to the couch to the fridge and back to the couch. I cut back to 70 hours and started forcing myself to hit the gym, then changed my eating habits. I cut back to 60 hours and started working out at home again (those are my favorite workouts). The only thing I can say is that while it was hard, it was still a lot easier than I know it could've been because of the surgery. I also felt (and still feel) so much better physically after actually adopting a new lifestyle of eating. I wish I could say there was some magic way back because we had the surgery but the only thing I can say is that we (or at least, me, I did) see our progress faster so it's more of a motivator. I lost the weight in 6 months, increased my calories, did not decrease my workouts. Exercise and monitoring what I eat is a part of my life as much as brushing my teeth. Good luck, I know you can do it.

loveshoe

2bbettermma, thanks for the clarification on the thiamine. I take thiamine daily because my first labs after surgery showed low thiamine. I have labs again in February and I'm hoping all will be well. This is a good group to be with. Everybody seems to understand we're all in this together and I don't see any judgment at all. At almost 3 years post surgery I still have a daily protein drink. I don't always have the full drink but enough to make sure my protein level is between 65g and 70g per day. The protein drink was at the recommendation of my nutritionist because she said it's hard to eat that much protein each day.

amberm912

just got my sleeve on 12/14/17! Please add me too

jcavanna2

Agree with what everyone here has said. I am a little over a year and a half post op..down about 74 lbs but been playing with 12-14 lbs since March. Have had my fair share of health issues including vertigo since July which hasn’t fully subsided so I understand what @2bbetteremma is going through. I would recommend loading up on a super b complex, and b12. I also was taking lipoflavanoids for a while which helped..also Yu and get to the chiropractor if you can and that also may help the vertigo subside some.

I agree with what @Aztec4Life says about eating more Whole Foods - I definitely feel more full and satisfied when I focus on those types of foods. Personally I keep going to WW meetings so that I have accountability on a weekly basis. Their new plan focuses more on Whole Foods as well. Yesterday I went a little overboard with some processed foods and my stomach was in so much pain that I went to bed at 7:30..I couldn’t deal with the pain.

I did some meal prep on Friday so that I have some healthy options ready to go for when I am back at work. Hoping my lungs feel well enough (I am just getting over pneumonia) so I can get my butt back to the gym. I just joined an amazing new club that opened a few weeks ago but haven’t been able to work out due to illness.

I think we all have been there in some way, shape or form BUT so long as we are self aware and wanting to get back on track then I would consider that success. Focus on the weight you have lost, not what you have gained. Good luck and happy new year to all!