First, great on you for reaching out here.

I have some online WLS friends who are 3-4-5 years out and are at goal -- but they've relost some weight after regaining it. I've also read posts by other WLS patients who've regained -- and not relost.

So what are some differences between these two groups? People who re-lose the weight they've gained seem to:

* Stay connected -- online, in person, with their surgeon, etc. So get back in touch. It's only going to get worse if you don't go see your surgeon.

* Tackle the regain early -- when it's only 10-20 pounds, not when it's 50-100 pounds. You think it's bad now? Ha! You really don't want to have to deal with this when it's 4-5 times that much weight you have to re-lose! If fear works for you, then let it fuel you.

* Consider (please, really, consider it) finding a therapist who can help you address with whatever's undermining your behavior. Sure, I could say, "Just do it!" But that's not a sufficient prescription for everyone. Sometimes, people have to uncover what's at the heart of their self-sabotage before they can get back on track.

* If you feel paralyzed with fear and can't grab the reins back, then take up meditation to reduce your anxiety so you can better accept where you are right now. Why that's important is that you have to accept where you are in order to move away from here.

* Get your ass in gear. Walk ten minutes today. Walk eleven minutes tomorrow. Walk twelve minutes the day after that.

* Start tracking what you eat and drink. You know what you're supposed to do -- at least 60 grams of protein (maybe jack it up later). At least 64 ounces of water. Eat healthy veggies. If you don't have any, go buy some. No slider foods. Zero. Nada. None. Get them out of the house. All of it. Throw that crap in the garbage.

* If you're not taking your supplements, get back on them immediately. And take them on time. Protip: Not taking your antacids will make you feel hunger when you're not hungry.

* Start posting here frequently. Read. Make new friends. It's true that most of your old sleeved friends here are not hanging out here often -- or maybe they're just lurking.

* Make a big old long list of all the things you like about being slim and healthy. You need to fall in love with all those goals again. Focus. Refocus. And focus again.

Good luck to you. Losing 12 pounds is so not outside your grasp. At all. Your sleeve is still there, waiting for you to use it.

I totally understand. I am 2 years 6 moths out and have gained back the 10% from my lowest weight. I feel lost. I don't eat alot, and when I write the dietitian she tells me to just pay attention to my protein and everything else will fall in line. That worked for awhile....but not anymore.

I'm frustrated...but not giving up. I still want to get down to 150 somehow.

I haven't gained anything back, but I haven't lost anything either which is so frustrating. Although it is completely my own fault. I need to get back at it, but I am not sure why I keep sabotaging myself.

Wow...Revisiting same post, but now I am 2 years and 2 months out...I have not corrected my unhealthy behaviors! Now I am at 157 - Holy moly I am so scared!!!

Thank you for your response! I've gained back about 10%. What's so weird is that I only want to lose 12 lbs, but I feel more desperate about losing this 12 than I did when I had about 100 lbs to lose! I will look into the book - thank you!

I was sleeved recently, but my doc did mention that a weight gain has to be expected between month 18/24. It's supposed to be around 5%. If you are in that range, don't panic! if you are higher, well, it's not too late to change your food intake.
There is a really interesting book called "A pound of cure" by Dr Weiner, he also has lot's of video on youtube. He is a bariatric surgeon but his approach of nutrition is different, mostly based on vegetables, I'm trying to follow it as much as possible.

Hopefully someone who's longer into the process will be able to give you some helpful feedback.

Good luck and take care.

Amazing story, many blessings to you and your family on their journey.

Friends, family, and acquaintances told me I was too thin. My doc was very happy with my progress. However, most didn't know me when I was thin. It's so funny...People feel free to talk behind your back when you are too heavy, and then still talk about you when you get thin...Busy body know it alls!
Anyway...It isn't so much that I feel heavy, it's the bad habits returning that I have allowed that I am concerned about. With the exception of bad choices, I am very healthy!
Thank you for the feedback

Poji, welcome back.

Yes, who suggested you needed to gain weight? And why?

Was it a doctor who said you needed to put on a few pounds?

Stay here!! we need you too and we need each other!! you can do this..look how far you have come!!

It looks like you have done extremely well with weight loss and it's great that you are stopping this early!

Did you check with your bariatric surgeon could be many things of course. If it is acid reflux might try prescription prolesic. I would get perhaps a leak test, could your stomach be leaking? Perhaps a stricture? Ulcers? could be alot of things, best to get that second opinion and i'd do it right away.

No, never heard anything like this before. What about Diverticulitis? Has that been ruled out? Have you had a colonoscopy yet, or are you still under the recommended age?

Left side of your colon full of air---that's kind of what it feels like sometimes when I'm having an attack. But the awful pain is also on the lower left side of my abdomen. Does the pain come from your stomach area or elsewhere in your abdomen? Sure hope your docs find an answer.

Second opinion for sure!! I find it so annoying that doctors can't figure out what's going on.
I hope this goes away!

I have a worse problem with heartburn than I did before my sleeve. I had it before, but the nature of the discomfort has changed. Now it feels like my stomach is up in my throat, lots of crampy stomach pain & spasms. I was having nausea & other issues (will spare you all the gross stuff) that made it seem likely it was my gall bladder. Nope, my ultrasound showed no problems there.
I carry tums with me everywhere! Whether a quick errand or walking the dogs or going to a dance class. Don't go anywhere without them, they help a bit. I had to stop my protonix because it increases the chance of osteoporosis, & I already have spine problems. Taking ranitidine now, to be honest I was having heartburn before so I don't see a big difference.
My doc did put me on bentyl, and that helps. It is a smooth muscle relaxer, helps a bit with the abdominal discomfort.
Your situation sounds a lot worse than mine. I have only considered going to the ER once for stomach pain, it hurt so bad I was having trouble walking. Sat down, had a cup of tea and it subsided. I did have an appointment with my doctor about my stomach pain a couple days later though.
I think going to a different doctor for a 2nd opinion is actually a great idea. Sometimes a fresh pair of eyes, a different point of view - obviously something is wrong. Don't give up until you get some help for this!

Have you had an endoscopy? If not...request one.

I had an unidentified mouth pain of epic proportions. My dentist nervously prescribed one of those powerful, addictive painkillers (don't remembrr the name). It didn't help in the slightest. I don't remember how we came to figure out an antispastic was the answer. He prescribed a muscle relaxant that proved a cure-all. Apparently there are a lot of very small muscle groups, so small or strategically located that you can't see or palpate their contraction. Long story short, maybe you have an isolated cramp. I hope you don't have another episode, but if you do, see if a muscle relaxer alleviates your pain. Best wishes.

My gallbladder was removed before I even had my bariatric surgery.

I would certainly suggest a second opinion. That's sorta what you are asking for here. I assume you have spoke to your surgeon about this. Could it be gall stones or gall bladder issues? I'm sorry that you are having such horrible issues! I hope you find out what's causing it soon!

I haven't been on the site in a while - big mistake. All of your post were so encouraging. I had surgery Aug 2013 and I got stuck at around 157 (lowest) to 163 for the longest. I admit, I wasn't doing anything to lose - it was like I was playing with fire. Well, the fire has caught up with me. I just got back from a 7 day cruise and I gained 7 pounds. I am so depressed. What should I do? I'm so lost. I got divorced, completed nursing school in 1 year and I moved away from my surgeon. I'm scared - 213 is not that far away from 170.

I was a year in October and have found maintenance easy. (I'm weird, I thought losing 76 pounds was easy too.) For the past 6 months I am never more than 2 pounds up or down from my goal weight. When I say too easy, I do feel like I am sometimes eating things I shouldn't without any weight gain. My biggest fear is regaining the weight, so I do still weigh myself daily.

I agree - I hit my goal today and I have to continue to stay the course. I felt this way at New Years..for the first time in 41 years weight loss was not a resolution.

Keep up the great work - what a wonderful life we have - ENJOY

Just had my one year surgiversary. Got bloodwork done this week and everything looked great (actually my calcium and folate were a little high, which is OK since they can potentially be deficient postVSG). I lost over 100% of my excess weight and have been maintaining within a 4 pound bounce range, well below goal for about 5 months. Like you, I'm always concerned about long term, but so far I've found maintenance quite easy. I make sure I get my 60-80g protein, at least 64oz water, take my vitamins and eat a healthy, balanced diet including veggies, fruit and whole grains. As for accountability, everyone knows about my surgery and I'm not about to be the failed WLS story. Besides, I cant afford another new wardrobe!

That's amazing ! Congrats on that 98%!

Congratulations! I am in the same boat as you--my one year anniversary is in 3 days!

CONGRATS!

So happy for you poji!!!

Gratitude makes me cry too. Congratulations!!

Happy Anniversary! You look great!