4 years post op

[janasmith]

Hi
I had the surgery November 2012 managed to lose 50 kilos ( 110 lb) first year but it has been a struggle to keep it off. I was wandering if there is anyone there who had the same problem. I have put on nearly 35 lb over the last year or so few ponds here and there but the ponds have come back. I don't know anyone else who had the surgery and most posts/blogs are people who are about to have the srgery or just had it recently and are in the "honeymoon period".It would be helpfull if I could talk to people who had it 2/3/4 years ago or longer to see their tactics and how they manage to maintain the weight loss

[Kindle]

I am a little over 3 years out, I reached my low weight (10 pounds below goal) and have maintained within a couple pounds. I maintain pretty much the same way as I lost it....high protein (80+g/day), moderate fat and low carb. I drink 100+ ounces/water a day and although I don't work out or excercise, I have a physical job and active lifestyle. I don't weigh everyday (don't even own a scale) but monitor with how my clothes fit and what I see in the mirror. If I perceive any gain, I verify with the scale at work and IMMEDIATELY cut back to basics....protein and veggies only until I'm back to the bottom of my low range. I may even do a 3-5 day liquid protein "preop" diet before a vacation or holiday to cut the weight I know I'll gain from eating off plan. I nip the 1-2 pound gains in the bud so they don't turn in to 10-20 pound gains.

I guess for me it's about being diligent, mindful, sticking with the eating habits that allowed me to lose 100 pounds and avoiding the behaviors that made me fat in the first place. I saw a therapist who helped me develop new coping mechanism so I don't default back to food and alcohol when I'm stressed or depressed or even happy. Learning to accept and deal with my emotions (feel them, don't feed them) has been key to the mental side of this never ending struggle.

[Ann2]

I'm not as far along as you (the OP) or Kindle. I'm 2 years, 7 months post-op, have lost 100 pounds, and have maintained that weight (135 pounds) ever since. My maintenance tactics are similar to Kindle's and include:

* Weigh every morning and record my weight on www.myfitnesspal.com

* Track on www.myfitnesspal.com every day what and how much I eat to keep myself focused and accountable to myself

* See a therapist monthly (for the last 3 years)

* Average 80 grams of protein daily

* Eat at least 5 veggies/fruits daily (my 2017 target is 7/day), whole grains (I also eat some treats, but focus first on getting enough nutritious food every day)

* Exercise 5 times a week (walking, aquarobics, yoga)

* Participate in online WLS forums, where I continue to learn what works and doesn't work for long-time WLS patients

* Take my required vitamins/minerals/supplements/Rxs every day

* Get all my blood work panels done on time (they're now only annual events) to make sure my supplements are still working OK for me

* When I gain a couple of pounds (during vacations, trips, cruises, holidays) I drop my daily cals 200-300 by deleting the less nutritious foods from my daily menus until I have lost the regain (I don't yo-yo diet anymore)

* Attend all my appointments with my bariatric surgeon's team (the first year post-op those were more frequent; now they're only annual)

* Stay extremely focused on all the reasons why I had WLS in the first place -- to improve my mobility, to keep my husband from becoming my caregiver, to vastly improve the quality of my life, to be happier and enjoy life more, and to regain my self-respect

* Try not to obsess about life's ongoing stresses, which everyone has whether we're skinny or fat, by meditating on the "Serenity Prayer" and the meme "Not my circus, not my monkeys" and by taking one slow gentle inhale and one slow gentle exhale over and over

Practice doesn't make us perfect. But it helps us get better. And better.

[Kindle]

Thanks for your reply, Ann. Glad you brought up the supplement/blood work aspect. That's a big one for me, too, I just take it for granted and often forget to mention it. Same with that internal motivation behind why I had the surgery in the first place. Never lose sight of the NSVs!

To the OP..... listen to this gal. She's gone through a lot and continues to be successful. Fortunately Her post is much more detailed than mine so it may be more helpful to you. And although our methods differ in many ways, we also have similarities. One big thing to realize is there is not just one right way to do this. There are several ways to get where you want to be and embracing what works for YOU is the key. Finding the reasons behind your regain and addressing them straight on is a good place to start. Then you can work on a long term plan that works for you.

Good luck!

[Pam G]

"Not my circus, not my monkeys" I LOVE THIS PHRASE!!

[Pam G]

the biggest thing I've noticed with people who keep the wt off is that they jump on those first 3-5 pounds with a venegance when they first notice them....and don't let 5 turn to 7, then 10, then 15, and so on. It's soooooooo easy to ignore "just" 5 pounds.

Thanks for your reply, Ann. Glad you brought up the supplement/blood work aspect. That's a big one for me, too, I just take it for granted and often forget to mention it. Same with that internal motivation behind why I had the surgery in the first place. Never lose sight of the NSVs!

To the OP..... listen to this gal. She's gone through a lot and continues to be successful. Fortunately Her post is much more detailed than mine so it may be more helpful to you. And although our methods differ in many ways, we also have similarities. One big thing to realize is there is not just one right way to do this. There are several ways to get where you want to be and embracing what works for YOU is the key. Finding the reasons behind your regain and addressing them straight on is a good place to start. Then you can work on a long term plan that works for you.

Good luck!

[jerzeygirl]

I'll be 6 years post op in July, and maintain the loss although recently through the winter, have gained about 8 pounds. I just returned from vacation and have "gone back to basics." I too cut the calories which is pretty easy since the calories I cut aren't in the "plan" of my day anyway, i.e., I stop peanut butter, carbs, and stick to high protein and low carb meals. I exercise pretty regularly, more so in the summer as I love to walk, but do exercise about 3 times a week always. I try to keep accountable to myself first and working in the bariatric surgery department of the hospital where I had my surgery, keeps me accountable also. These are my tips for maintenance, which is "no walk in the park,"

1. stick to basics, eat like I did the first year and not how I could let myself 6 years later (that scares me to even say it)
2. I weigh at least weekly on a 1,000 pound scale at work we use for our patients
3. If my clothes fit tightly, that's a sure sign that something is amiss, although through the years "the sand has shifted in my body"
4. Move my body in some physical manner daily, doing steps at work, parking farther in the lot, dancing around at home
5. Drink at least 80 ounces of water daily

These are my commandments and I stick to them religiously and try to be grateful each day that I had the surgery and feel so well now. Being a normal weight is liberating and since it took me 61 years before I got the surgery; I'm not messing it up now Continued success, and thanks to all who share their tips for success with other interested parties.

[janasmith]

Thank you for your reply. I seem to have derailed over the last year or so but it is good to hear your words of encouragement.Over here (UK) we don't tend to have any bloodwork done(not even sure what that is) on a regular basis and after the first year you never see your bariatric surgeon again.As for the protein shakes we are not encouraged to take those .The advise we are given is to stick to eating food rich in protein,veg,fruit . Vitamin supplement and protein shakes are optional but most doctors are not advocates of taking them.

[janasmith]

Thank you all for your messages.I seem to have derailed over the last year or so but your messages are encouraging and helpfull

[Kindle]

Thank you for your reply. I seem to have derailed over the last year or so but it is good to hear your words of encouragement.Over here (UK) we don't tend to have any bloodwork done(not even sure what that is) on a regular basis and after the first year you never see your bariatric surgeon again.As for the protein shakes we are not encouraged to take those .The advise we are given is to stick to eating food rich in protein,veg,fruit . Vitamin supplement and protein shakes are optional but most doctors are not advocates of taking them.

It's too bad you don't get any followup from your bariatric team. Heck, I had my surgery in Mexico and even my surgeon's office keeps tabs on me and consulted with my doctor back in the US to make sure I was taking the supplements I need to not develop deficiencies. Studies have shown that 90% of gastrectomy patients will develop nutritional deficiencies without the right supplements. Pretty sure it doesn't matter what country you live in! The biggest culprits are iron, B12, calcium and vitamin D3. If you can't find a doctor willing to check your levels, you should be taking all of those things plus a good multivitamin. B12 needs to be in sublingual or injectable form because we can no longer absorb the oral form. Iron and calcium should be taken at different times because they interfere with each other's absorption.

[Shirl]

"Not my circus, not my monkeys" I LOVE THIS PHRASE!!

I know right! I actually was texting with my mom and quoted Ann lol! Haha!

Wishing all y'all continued success as we figure this WLS journey together!

[bigdogluver]

Anne2 and Shirl,
I'm becoming your stalker. I love you both already. Thanks for all of the sage advice, kindness, and valuable info. I'm not blowing smoke up anyone's arse, I'm sincere. I'm just so glad that you both are active on this board and are willing to share your experience in a supportive manner. DON'T LEAVE THIS FORUM! LOL. Many thanks.

[bigdogluver]

Kindle, I'm stalking you, too. LOL (Just joking y'all.) Thanks for sharing your experience and knowledge, it really helps me.

[Shirl]

Aww! I stalk(ed) Kindle, Ann, Sandra, Jerseygirl, RehabNurse, Melissa and Teri and Sarcastic (where are you ladies??) and Tinman (even though I didn't know about him in the the start lol!)

I store bits, and sometimes tons, of advice from these folks and apply to my fairly new sleeve life.

Hugs!

[Christie13]

First of all, congrats on what you have lost and kept off. I am sure if you listen to Ann and Kindle you will have success. Good luck!