almost 5 years out and I'm gaining

[lbenavides]

Hey guys I had my sleeve on 6/26/08. The best thing i have ever done. However i have been gaining some weight back and my blood pressure is spiking. I just joined the gym again last night and plan on going faithfully. However i need some help with food choices. I was doing those frozen WW or Lean Cuisine's but the sodium is not goo for me. I would appreciate any recipes and gym techniques.

[Its_Me]

I am newly sleeved so I'm not totally qualified to offer this advice, but you said it the convenient frozen meals are very high in sodium, maybe cut back on those (and I think they are ok for a once a week thing to grab on the go quick) and see if it helps.

How about going back to basics and focusing on the protein?

Best of luck to you, I am sure you will turn this around

[relkins2]

Not sleeved yet, keeping my fingers crossed!

As for the gym, cardio for 30 minutes per day, 3 days per week is for maintaining. Crank up the cardio to 45 minutes per day and add a day per week. Also, if you haven't already, incorporate strength training a few days (lifting weights will help you continue to burn calories after your workout). You should be able to do an upper or lower body lifting day, in about 15-20 minutes. That added to you 45 minutes of cardio should be about right.

[jknox65]

Do a sleeve test and get a personal trainer who will focus on long term excercise practices. Yes getting it off today si good but how to maintain it off.

[niamh]

Heya - thanks for coming and posting as a person who's several years out. I know lots of us are keen to hear from those who've been sleeved for longer.

I'd go back to unprocessed whole foods that you prepare yourself rather than those meals. Lean protein and small amounts of non-starchy veg. Protein rich snacks like yoghurt, low fat cheese etc, low GI breakfasts - e.g. oatmeal/porridge, beans, eggs. If you do have carbs make them little and wholegrain/high fibre.

Find exercise you like - if gymming isn't your thing can you consider doing exercise that you enjoy and has a social aspect (e.g. team games, playing tennis with friends, going bike riding with friends etc).

Good luck!

[Lucy61]

How about back to basics
5 oz of food 4-5x a day - 80% protein, 10% carb & 10% veggie
Put the food scale back on the counter and use it
Journal your food - protein should be 10g per 100 calories & drop back to 800 cal a day
Exercise more
Because there isn't a 2nd chance with the sleeve, it is what it is

Good Luck, you can do this!

[EJ2012]

Hi, possibly couldn't hurt to have a check up with your surgeon who will likely run a few blood tests etc to check all is well with your thyroid and the like. After such a long period of being sleeved having a thorough check up might be of use.

[Truebody]

This is a scary post for me. Considering a sleeve - and then learning it can all come back on! Yikes.

Couple of questions:
What's a sleeve test?
With a sleeve - do you just diet for the rest of your life with a little tummy acting as a safety net?

There is no going back - and if doesn't work in the long term - What's next?

[Shrinky Dink]

Great to hear from someone who is so many years post op...It's def. the sodium in the meals...and that would be what is spiking your blood pressure.. My experience isnt through the sleeve as i have just had the op but its through working in the medical field for many many years. I think if you go back to your basics as in the 4-6 weeks pos op for a week or so it will kick start you again and lower your carb/sodium levels, you will be right as reign good luck and thanks for sharing.

[Munchkin]

For weightloss, I do this

B - protein shake 6-8oz
S - 2 oz protein (beef jerky, nuts, deli meat, hardboiled egg, etc)
L - 4 oz protein or 3oz protein + 1oz veggie (meat, veggies)
S - 2 oz protein (same as above)
D - 4 oz protein or 3oz protein + 1oz veggie (same as above)

Eat protein first in each meal. Wait at least 30 mins after each meal before sipping water.

If you are over 40, you may need to workout an hour a day, at least 5 times a week. Start out with walking and then build up.

[leesooim]

This is a scary post for me. Considering a sleeve - and then learning it can all come back on! Yikes.

Couple of questions:
What's a sleeve test?
With a sleeve - do you just diet for the rest of your life with a little tummy acting as a safety net?

There is no going back - and if doesn't work in the long term - What's next?

Weight can come back with ANY bariatric procedure, unfortunately. A lot of people find they gain after they've lost most or all of their excess weight. My surgeon explained in his seminar this can be for one or several of the following reasons:

-Pregnancy
-Other health issues that occur post-surgery
-Lack of exercise
-Wrong food choices
-Grazing

The bottom two reasons are the TOP reasons why patients find they regain all or some of their weight. As we become more accustomed to the sleeve and once healing is complete, we may find ourselves snacking more in between meals, or thinking "oh, I've done so well with my loss it won't hurt me to go out tonight", and then that thought pattern becomes a weekly or even daily habit and slowly, slowly the pounds come back. The sleeve is a tool, and it definitely makes it easier to physically control your portions and thus makes weight loss much easier to achieve than diet and exercise alone, but you still need to be mindful of what you eat and how much you eat with ANY bariatric surgery, because it will only help you so much. Constant vigilance is the key to being successful in keeping the weight off, whether you've had surgery to assist you in achieving that goal or not

I don't think you have to diet for the rest of your life, but I think keeping things in moderation and mindful eating are key to ensuring lifetime success. If you find yourself regaining, you could always do any or all of the following: consult with your doctor and/or a nutritionist, hire a personal trainer, go back to square one with eating and exercise, etc.

[Texas Girl]

Couple of questions:
What's a sleeve test?

Surgical Weight Loss 5 Day Pouch Test

[jerzeygirl]

I tend to agree with Lee. I don't think of my eating patterns as "dieting", because I've never succeeded on diets before, and I will succeed long-term thank to the sleeve and the new lifestyle I've come to love. I used to watch thin people eat, and model my eating habits after them, while developing my own healthy habits. I now treat each meal as something that will help me live better, longer, and healthier. I concentrate on the proteins, try not to graze (except for planned snacks, and just move forward each day. I also think the frozen dinners (which I haven't used since surgery), are chock full of sodium and are contributing to the spike in blood pressure you're experiencing. I try to exercise daily, even if it's just running up and down the stairs at work and home a few times a day. I am not a gym person, but do enjoy walking when the weather isn't freezing; and this really helps keep my weight in check. "Back to basics" might be the key for you, but just recognizing it's time to change it up; is the first step. Continued success, and let us know how it's going

[lara0280]

i just try to eat the best as we can only have small portions so if our body is just having small portions its fair to give us the best quality food for example

[GUNPHRIES]

Very well said. Welcome and good luck.