Failing at Maintenance

[MrsDeLaCruz2020]

Hi everyone! My name is Lauren, I had my sleeve done in October 2013. I started my journey at 268 pounds and hit my goal a little over a year later. Lowest weight was 166 lbs. As I stepped on the scale this morning I weighed in at a whopping 216 POUNDS! 50 pound weight gain.... HOLY HEAVENS!! I feel like a total failure... I seem to have lost all self-control. I haven't forgotten the weight loss surgery Rules but I totally disregard them. I am going to have to start at the beginning... in the mind. Back to basics people! P.s. PLEASE with all my heart to each of you... don't think for one minute that once you hit your goal weight you can splurge on the sweets and old strongholds that you once had. NOTHING good can come out of it! The Carb monster is real and he will take you DOWN!!!!

SO.... starting out fresh and maybe might have to get the bypass. Doctor wants me to see the nutrisionist again (appointment on 10/4) and from there see what will be best.

Blessing to all! Feel free to share with me your stories!

[sraebaer]

First of all, you are still down 52 pounds, that's a lot. Think positive! If you go back to eating how a sleever should, you will lose the weight again. I don't think you need the bypass, you still have a small stomach, you just need to get back to the basics and use the tool you have. I'm sure you know the rules.

I had surgery the same year/month as you. I've maintained by weighing myself every morning (sounds like you hadn't weighed yourself in a while), exercising (a lot), and sticking to the plan the majority of the time. I'm not always perfect with the eating, but I probably exercise more than the typical person, so it balances out for me. I've maintained my weight loss for over 2 years now. It doesn't hurt that my husband loves to cook and always follows our "rule of two," a protein and a veggie.

Good luck, you can do it!

[Muted_Tummy]

Thank you for sharimg. Good reminder this is a life long commitment to diligence to keep it all off. Good for u for getting back in there. Why not just back to basics and use ur sleeve rather than put body thru surgery again? By passers re gain, too.

[Ann2]

Lauren,

If I may be a bit nosy, what's going on in your life that is keeping you from getting back on track?

Also, have you considered seeing a therapist (if you're not already seeing one)?

[Pam G]

Do you still feel full on less food? I always get cocky when I lose weight and slip back into old habits and playing the same mind games.

I have a carb monster in my house, too, but I sure miss hanging out with him! Lol

[JLPSch]

Before surgery, I always thought it would be a "before and after" experience. Three years later I've realized it is a "before, after and the rest of your life" journey. Keeping yourself healthy physically and mentally is an ongoing challenge. It's hard to get back on track, but you can do it! Best wishes!

[Sandra3]

Hi Lauren,

Thank you for sharing your experience!

But you are not a failure!!!
Like others said you did lose a lot, and gained back half of it...ok....but look at the glass half empty: you already had your surgery, your stomach will help you with portion control, you are meeting soon with a nutritionist, that's perfect! You need to get back on the horse!

Most sleevers do regain between 5 to 15% of the weight between 12 and 18 months post op. My surgeon did warn me about it and I did read it in multiple publications. So it's not just your food choices, for many people it's also how the body copes with such a huge weight loss in a short time! give your self some credit! May be not all of it is bad food choices...

Plus...a bypass...with the malabsorption, I know it is not an option for me.
Of course many surgeons do say that if the sleeve is not working any more, the bypass is the other option. Of course it will work for the first year, but what about later?

You can try to change your diet again! this time for good!
Before having the sleeve I did lose more than 60 pounds on my own, it took me almost a year. I was most of the time hungry, I have eating my protein etc...but my stomach was just empty. I stopped my diet when we moved, sold our house, changed country again... between the stress, living in hotels for two months, restaurants...I gained a lot back, 2/3 of it.... That's when I decided to get the sleeve because I knew I needed help for portion control, after fighting obesity for 20 years, so many diets... that one year diet was really the best I could do and I knew I needed help.

You have that help now.
So give yourself at least six months, meet the nutritionist, have a blood test to see if you have vitamin deficiencies. When I was low in iron I could eat a cow! and I did have sugar/carb cravings!

Start fresh : track your food, try to eat a balanced diet, meet your scale once a week and in six months you can make your decision. Don't feel bad about yourself, if you do look at those 50 pounds gone forever! they are not coming back. You can lose the other 50!! it is doable! Try to exercise a little every week, you will feel better too!

Stay positive, that's the post important!
Take care

[cathbas]

i am sorry Lauren, you have to do what works for you...but before you go to another surgery..try to get back to basics and see where that takes you...more surgery..can lead to more despair if you dont fix what is holding you back. i know with me..i was all gung ho in the beginning..and got stuck and never got unstuck..is it emotional..yep...do i need counseling..yep...sometimes there is more holding us back and going to other things other than the carb monster..he lurks when we just cant do it any longer..so on i go to work on this..and more loss will be in future..but this has been with us for our lives..it is not an overnight thing..our sleeves..as you know is a tool...the rest is us..
and if you go to a bypass.it is just another tool....so get to the root..then the tools will work for you..much love and hope sent your way...

[MrsDeLaCruz2020]

My portions are very large now. I even have as much as my husband. And I can get it all down without the full feeling. And truthfully I can and do most of the time push past the full feeling and continue eating more. I have to get this in check.

[MrsDeLaCruz2020]

Lauren,

If I may be a bit nosy, what's going on in your life that is keeping you from getting back on track?

Also, have you considered seeing a therapist (if you're not already seeing one)?

This plays a huge part... unfortunately my therapist moved on to her own practice out of town a few months back and I haven't taken the initiative to fiND someone else. Well I am now seeking but nothing yet. I am going through a LOT right now! I know this part of my life needs to be addressed and fast!! Thanks for reminding me of its importance. It gives me the boost I need to search more diligently! ����

[Pam G]

Before surgery, I always thought it would be a "before and after" experience. Three years later I've realized it is a "before, after and the rest of your life" journey. Keeping yourself healthy physically and mentally is an ongoing challenge. It's hard to get back on track, but you can do it! Best wishes!

EXACTLY! to me, it's a constant battle for.ev.er! (which, in my mind, is also called "dieting" forever). The sleeve just helps with hunger and a bit with portion control.

[Pam G]

My portions are very large now. I even have as much as my husband. And I can get it all down without the full feeling. And truthfully I can and do most of the time push past the full feeling and continue eating more. I have to get this in check.

I find myself doing that, too. Pain doesn't stop me. I'm only 4 mos out and I know I need to get a grip on this.

[Lee6Lee]

My personal opinion (unprofessional) on your post would be to get your surgery redone. If you can eat that much. Last night I ate some beef and thought I was going to die. I'm 2 1/2 years out. My stomach let me know it's still there and still working.

[tealwings]

My personal opinion (unprofessional) on your post would be to get your surgery redone. If you can eat that much. Last night I ate some beef and thought I was going to die. I'm 2 1/2 years out. My stomach let me know it's still there and still working.

That's what I was wondering. How can you eat that much with the sleeve? On one forum I'm on they say you can't stretch your sleeve out but I've heard you can. I don't know what to think. But if you can eat as much as you did before the sleeve then something must have changed.

[Pam G]

That's what I was wondering. How can you eat that much with the sleeve? On one forum I'm on they say you can't stretch your sleeve out but I've heard you can. I don't know what to think. But if you can eat as much as you did before the sleeve then something must have changed.

you eat through the pain. and do a lot of snacking on high fat/sugar foods.