4 Years and 4 months post op - turning myself back into the group for support

[aglb]

My 3 year anniversary was Nov 4. I started this journey at 233, my lowest weight after surgery was 139 (for a day!) I have regained 18 over the last 1 1/2 years even though I am still pretty good about what I put in my mouth. My problem is I am always hungry - always, always. I fill up really quickly so the surgery works - even three years later - If I go out for a burger, I eat 1/4 and take the rest home so I get 4 meals out of it - if I eat protein (chicken, beef) I fill up super quick and feel full but an hour later I am hungry again. I eat a lots of hard boiled eggs - sometimes 2 a day. I am on my treadmill 3-5 days a week. My old way of eating is gone and yet I still have seen the scale inch up. I am currently not being obsessive about it but really trying to stay away from much carbs as I do love fruit. Pre-surgery it was all about sugar - and I do have desert occassionally, but now I think it is just alittle of this & that still apparently adds up to more than I need - even if it is all "healthy" food. I check back here when I need a "pep talk" too! I find myself jealous of all those that are in the honeymood phase of the first year & still losing though.

[Pam G]

My 3 year anniversary was Nov 4. I started this journey at 233, my lowest weight after surgery was 139 (for a day!) I have regained 18 over the last 1 1/2 years even though I am still pretty good about what I put in my mouth. My problem is I am always hungry - always, always. I fill up really quickly so the surgery works - even three years later - If I go out for a burger, I eat 1/4 and take the rest home so I get 4 meals out of it - if I eat protein (chicken, beef) I fill up super quick and feel full but an hour later I am hungry again. I eat a lots of hard boiled eggs - sometimes 2 a day. I am on my treadmill 3-5 days a week. My old way of eating is gone and yet I still have seen the scale inch up. I am currently not being obsessive about it but really trying to stay away from much carbs as I do love fruit. Pre-surgery it was all about sugar - and I do have desert occassionally, but now I think it is just alittle of this & that still apparently adds up to more than I need - even if it is all "healthy" food. I check back here when I need a "pep talk" too! I find myself jealous of all those that are in the honeymood phase of the first year & still losing though.

have you tried tracking your intake? All those 'little bites' here and there can really add up! A packet of Splenda has TWO carbs...ugh.

[aglb]

I haven't tracked the last few months but am completely aware of how even healthy calories add up. Wasn't aware splenda had carbs but now I will check the stevia I use! Yes, just pointing out to the newbies on the site that weight slipping back on happens to many, many of us -even though most of us vowed to never let it happen again. When you think about how little you were able to eat in those first few months it is no wonder we lost the weight quickly. Still can't eat much at a sitting but yes, grazing (as my doctor called it) can still add up to more calories then you need, even if it is healthy food. If I learned anything during the first few months after surgery, I learned how truly little the body "needs" to survive - eating more is not only acceptable but encouraged. I share/split all meals out or eat them for two days! The serving sizes are enormous when eating out - Sometimes it is hard to track a half of this & half of that - need to get back into do that. Will also continue to check back for the motivation and support - good luck to us all as we continue this lifelong journey!

[Pam G]

I haven't tracked the last few months but am completely aware of how even healthy calories add up. Wasn't aware splenda had carbs but now I will check the stevia I use! Yes, just pointing out to the newbies on the site that weight slipping back on happens to many, many of us -even though most of us vowed to never let it happen again. When you think about how little you were able to eat in those first few months it is no wonder we lost the weight quickly. Still can't eat much at a sitting but yes, grazing (as my doctor called it) can still add up to more calories then you need, even if it is healthy food. If I learned anything during the first few months after surgery, I learned how truly little the body "needs" to survive - eating more is not only acceptable but encouraged. I share/split all meals out or eat them for two days! The serving sizes are enormous when eating out - Sometimes it is hard to track a half of this & half of that - need to get back into do that. Will also continue to check back for the motivation and support - good luck to us all as we continue this lifelong journey!

I lost about 60# once on WW, and logged every day....then, when I slacked off writing everything down, I gained it all back. I'm worried it might happen again if (more like when) I stop tracking.

[Sandra3]

I lost about 60# once on WW, and logged every day....then, when I slacked off writing everything down, I gained it all back. I'm worried it might happen again if (more like when) I stop tracking.

Tracking was driving me crazy! one year of diet to at the end regain 2/3 of the weight loss in only a few months....and I was not even eating sweets!! with the sleeve at least, if we are focused on quality and know we can't have more than one cup per meal, it's so much easier! I just hope I will keep the same restriction I have now...crossing fingers!

[ProHeadhunter]

It works...but I find ways around it. Eating bits all day. Sugar goes in easily. However, last night I was starving, probably in my head. Got Chinese take out for my family. I had two pieces of cut up chicken and 2 pieces of BBQ pork and I was done. I was frustrated because I really wanted to dive in but my sleeve stopped me. Accccceeeeeeppppppptance. But to my previous point, I could nibble for hours on naughty food and that's the trouble.

[Ann2]

It works...but I find ways around it. Eating bits all day. Sugar goes in easily. However, last night I was starving, probably in my head. Got Chinese take out for my family. I had two pieces of cut up chicken and 2 pieces of BBQ pork and I was done. I was frustrated because I really wanted to dive in but my sleeve stopped me. Accccceeeeeeppppppptance. But to my previous point, I could nibble for hours on naughty food and that's the trouble.

Thank you so much for this post. Grazing on slider foods is the road to perdition. I believe it!

I'm not as far along as some of y'all (2 years, 3 months post-op). I'm working on Year Three now. So far, so good. But posts like y'all's truly helps me stay strong during maintenance to the VSG weight loss rules I learned in the beginning:

* Keep protein intake high and eat protein first
* Eat other healthy food (fresh veggies and fruits and whole grains)
* Eat actual meals
* Don't graze
* Don't go overboard on sweets and other slider foods
* Use alcohol only in moderation
* Don't drink with meals
* Exercise regularly
* Stay hydrated
* Take my supplements
* Stay positive

Those are the big, big rules that work for me. So far. I understand very well that this trip will never be over!

I'll add one point of encouragement about maintenance that's true for me (may not be true for everyone): The longer and more consistently I follow the rules listed above, the less damage I do (less weight I gain) on family vacations, holiday meals, etc. when I do celebrate and diverge from the rules. I am also very clear with myself that when vacation is over, it's back to the basics.

I almost feel "normal"!