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!

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

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?

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.

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 less