4+ year post-op and gaining? need accountability partner?
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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!13 -
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!!
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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
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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 help7
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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?5 -
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 x1
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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.7
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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.5
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just got my sleeve on 12/14/17! Please add me too3
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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!6 -
Jcavanna2 So wired you mentioned chiropractor today I listened to a podcast about what I’m going through and they mentioned that! I also need to get some information on central vestibular rehabilitation as there has been great results so I have a little hope2
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Thank you. I don’t feel so alone2
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I'm feeling it, too!! Starting to feel so out of control. I've had about 15 pound regain and although it isn't a big amount, it has been way too easy to gain. I want to get back on track and FINALLY make goal! Let's do this!2
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Don't beat yourself up about a regain. It happens to the best of us. I never thought I would be going in the opposite direction, but driving an hour + back and forth to the city twice a week for my wife's Dr. appointments (high risk pregnancy), then driving up every day for two weeks to the NICU after the little guy was born didn't lend itself to healthy eating habits. It was gas station junk food and crap from the hospital cafeteria. Then, six weeks at home from August 15th through October 1st on baby leave from work spending 24/7 taking care of him with my wife helping but resting (she had a C-section) and topped off with Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas & New Year's and every day (it seemed) in-between with people at work bringing in tons of junk food....I went from 193 to 231. I knew it was happening as my work uniform was getting tighter.
So I refocused myself in early January and jumped right back on the wagon. Did a (mostly) liquid diet for a few days, then ate my calories to lose 1.5lbs per week. Last month (give or take), I've focused on getting lots of protein from my food, protein bars and shakes. I'm back down to 213. Once I cut out the junk food and friggin' soda (damn the Mountain Dew & Coke!), the weight started dropping again. I'm able to prep my food for the day again and have committed myself to not only returning to the 193 I was, but dropping an additional 20 on top of that to hit the "healthy" weight range.
Don't beat yourself up because you had a regain. Just refocus and start back on track!3 -
As I was eating my breakfast this morning, (and I've been eating the same breakfast for several weeks,) I really looked at it, and thought "why is this so large?" And I realized I have stretched my pouch, which explains why I've stalled in weight loss for the past several weeks.
Back to basics! Measure to ensure I have a small amount of food, eat 4 or 5 small meals instead of 3, and do a pouch re-set.
It's a lifelong journey, and a lifestyle.2 -
I wanted to check in and see how everyone is doing. It's been a crazy third year for me. I gained 15 pounds. The tried and true high protein low carb stopped working for me. I dialed in my diet to find where my body starts losing weight again. The weight loss was painfully slow. I'm happy to have it back under goal. June will be my four year mark. I still feel blessed that I have my health back.7
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Add me I'm 3 year out need motivation2
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I’ll be 2 years post op on 4/18. Went on spring break to Nashville last week and while we indulged some, we walked a lot and cooked our dinners at the cottage we stayed in. Today I went to the gym and my trainer made me weigh in which he never had me do. I hadn’t weighed for the last 2 Saturday’s and I was floored when I was up 6.8 lbs...was a bit frustrated because I told him I really didn’t want to weigh, just eating back from vacation and not having any expectation of getting on the scale this morning - after a large cup of coffee and some water.
He told me not to stress it and we will get me back on track but that my lack of sleep along with my stress levels are contributing factors. I have been super stressed with my work situation and it keeps me up at night and I wasn’t a good sleeper to begin with.
Yesterday I did meal prep and now tomorrow I have to go to a work lunch that I found out about this morning. I’m planning to have this salad I like with grilled chicken on it. Either way, I wish I could bow out but have to slap on a fake smile and go...really hoping that I am able to get myself back on track as soon as possible...
Needless to say I think we all have been there and I am trying to remind myself of all the weight I have lost and kept off and that I absolutely can lose another 15-20 lbs4 -
I realised I've been cooking a lot of slow cooked meat in sauce. It slides down too easily
Back to grilled meats and veg and I'm full on a lot less6 -
I guess I am what you would call an "emotional eater." I've lived with depression & anxiety disorder for as long as I can remember. My depression usually manifests in me getting angry. Zoloft has kept me most in control for a long time now (as well as other meds since my official diagnosis 18 years ago). I still get angry, I just don't rage out like the Hulk. And when I do get angry I start getting ravenous, seeking out comfort foods. Anxiety spells also trigger me the same way. Yay me. Not making excuses, but being stressed out during the pregnancy and every thing else going on contributed to my weight gain from June through Christmas. And the tighter my clothes got, the more I "eased my stress" with food. Vicious cycle.
And the whole thing is quite strange since I work as a Corrections Officer in a maximum security prison and don't really feel anxiety or stress at work. Go figure.2