Need Advice from WLS Gurus!!

[brownas5]

Hello all,

So I haven't been up here in a while but like to check in for advice here and there. So here's my dilemma..... I had the sleeve 10/29/14 and went from 232 to 160 within the first 6 months or so. After that I stalled and stayed at that weight but thought nothing of it because I knew I was cutting corners in my eating. Now I am 1.5 years out and actually gained 15 to 20 pounds putting me at 175 to 180. I am 5'1 with a goal to reach 130 so I know this can't be it. I literally can eat anything nothing makes me sick and while there is still restriction I can eat more now. It seems I can eat more than a cup of food, whole sandwiches/burgers, crave sweets and all. At this point I am starting to think I failed at the surgery and won't lose anymore weight and that frightens me. Is it possible that I just may have to diet for the rest of my life? Or did my surgeon screw up? Who else is 1+ years out and stopped losing weight? What did you do or recommend? Where's tinman when you need him? Lol

[WANAGL]

Welcome back!

PM Tinman!

Best of luck as you continue your journey!

[cowgirljane]

I am 4 1/2 years post sleeve. I went from over 300#/BMI of around 52 and now maintaining a healthy/normal weight and wear single digit clothing sizes. I am half my former size.

What you are describing is pretty typical actually. The sleeve (and other WLS too) essentially gives you a jump start by severely restricting capacity and reducing hunger - at first! In the beginning, the surgery is doing the work for you. Over time, the tables turn a bit and it becomes much more about you the person maintaining that loss or losing more. I view it that the surgery put me in a spot where it is actually possible for me to maintain my weight loss as long as I behave similiar to other slim, middle aged women.

Like you, I can eat and drink alot more than anyone in their first year realizes is possible. I remain diligent - I am not perfect nor do I deny myself pleasures, but on a day to day basis I eat small, I eat healthy, I remain active and it is the only way I know how to make this work.

What I would do in your shoes is do a "restart" and go back to basics. Weigh, measure and track food. Protein first. Lots of water. Daily exercise (walks are great!) and reduce late night eating etc etc etc.

Hang in there - this isn't easy!

[Bufflehead]

I agree with cowgirljane -- go back to very basics. Set your daily goals for calories, carbs, and protein. Measure and weigh your portions. Track carefully. Really cut down on your carbs -- cut out grains, sweets, starchy veggies, and most fruit. Limit dairy and beans. Focus on lean protein, green veggies, tree nuts, and healthy fats. The first three days will be miserable but after that it gets easier!
Will you have to diet for the rest of your life? No, but you'll probably have to be very careful and mindful about what you eat. My surgeon says, there is no one over age 30 -- NO ONE -- who can maintain a healthy weight without working at it. And those of us who have been morbidly obese for a significant period of time, yes we do have to work at it harder than others. It sucks, life isn't fair, etc. Good luck!

[SomeGuyJeff]

im just over a year out. slowed down a lot in the last 2-3 months but that may have been to not following the rules.. making sure i have protein first, enough water, etc...

i havent had a burger or sandwich in forever and i exercise regularly. not saying the diet is perfect but i sure as hell dont lose when thats the case.

i know it can be done - my wife is 5'2" and wavers around 115

[tinman]

I'd be glad to help if I can. PM me with your questions and issues and lets see if we can work through this.

[Kindle]

I'm not going to tell you what to do because everyone is different. But seems to me Whatever you were doing to lose that first 70 pounds is what you need to do again. Whatever you've been doing to gain 20 pounds is what you should stop doing.

And yes, at 2 1/2 years out I have less restriction than that first year and yes, I can eat absolutely anything. And yes, if I ate as much as my sleeve allowed, I would gain weight back, too. And yes, I have cravings and I've found ways to either shut them down or deal with them without a lot of collateral damage. I found my personal formula, I stick with it, keep tabs on any gains so I can nip them in the bud and am still maintaining 10+ pounds below goal. You just need to be mindful of what you are eating, find what works for you, and stick with it.

[Pam G]

I dunno about the dieting for life. To me, it seems like everyone here that has been successful at maintaining, is "dieting" still. (Except for Tinman!).

I'm pretty sure that in order to maintain, because of our genes or whatever, we will have to "watch what we eat"( i.e. Diet), for the rest of our lives.