three years later

[k_jo35]

I had my surgery three years ago march 28th and have gained 20+ lbs back ,has anyone experienced this and if so what have u done to get rid of the extra pounds gained I can't seem to get it going Zhao. Please let me know .anyone thank you.

[Truebody]

I'm really sorry to hear this. It is, I guess, what we all fear and you are in a unique position to tell us what it is like to live with the sleeve over time. Putting myself in your shoes for a moment - my instinct is to seek assistance with both a dietitian or a psychologist who specialises in eating disorders. Both sound like more solution than the problem needs, but I reckon along with losing the weight again - I would want to be absolutely certain it doesn't come back.

All the best - but failing the above, back on track with either a 5 day pouch test or keeping a food diary and examining your eating habits.

[Rubyficient]

how and when have you started gaining it back?
I think you need to write more info so others can help.
I was just talking to my doctor's assisstant, I was so worried that I would never be able to eat again and be malnutritioned..blah..blah..blah
She laughed a bit and reassured me that quite the oppostite after a few years I will actually be eating normally again and I will have to control myself. She said they have a lot of people coming in after 2 or 3 years aasking the doctor to make them stop eating or some come wanting to redo the surgery!!!
Obviously after hearing that ( I was really shocked in the beginning) but I realized that the sleeve is only but a tool to give you an excellent head start to where you want to go. Staying where you've reached will require stamina and a healthy lifestyle just like a normal thin person who didn't have the sleeve. You eat you gain just like everyone else.

On another note I was just reading instructions left in a really long post. It said not overdoing it the first 6 months is essential for long term success as this allows the sleeve to stay tight and stabilize on this small size. Iff you push yourself to eat you will gradually stretch it out.
You have to have a pouch test as mentioned by truebody to see where you're at?

Best of Luck!!
I am sure we all fear this and would appreciate you sharing your experience so we can learn from it.

[spangebabe]

Hi rubyficient, oh that is really interesting your nurse said that, that is my fear also, is years down the track being malnourshied etc etc i have not had my surgery yet but they have drummed into me that the first year after the sleeve is your cruical time to "reset" your self, it gives you that time to get rid of the weight, reset your bodys set weight and tackle the problem, but its refreshing to hear someone have the same concerns as i do! I feel kinda silly bringing it up with my bariatric nurse, she thinks i am neurotic about it, i suppose i am, but hey its my body, my life and will be be really affected by malnutrtion etc etc, but it quite reassuring hearing what your nurse says about that, I am in NZ and the support system here is not a big system and i am finding the global forums alot better!

[Munchkin]

I gained a few pounds over Christmas. I had to work really really hard to get rid of it.

1. Exercise. Do you do any? If not, start walking. If you already exercise, make sure you do some weight training in addition to cardio.
2. Diet. Track all your food. Focus on protein and water. Don't drink after you eat. Eat lean protein first in each meal. Cut out all bad carbs (simple carbs).

It is not easy to lose 20lbs when you are so far out. But don't let 20lbs turn into 40lbs. You can do this.

Make an appointment with the NUT.

[LaffeyTaffey]

Most sleevers gain a small percentage of their weight back. No big deal If you look up info about the surgery it'll say it right there for ya. Try the pouch test and switching up your exercises. One day strength training and the other should be cardio. Goodluck!!