Regain...yep, I let it happen.

[Kindle]

I've been MIA for awhile, but I'm back for my dreaded confession. Yes, at 3 1/2 years I finally failed my sleeve and climbed 10 pounds above what had become my new normal. I got super slack, particularly in the alcohol department (which is in itself, a whole other issue for me). I was indulging in too many bakery items and chocolate. None of the lessons I Learned in therapy were working. Old habits were alive and well and gaining momentum. The final straw was failing to properly prepare for my most recent vacation. Typically, I do a preemptive strike by getting to the bottom of my bounce range to help accommodate the weight I know I'll gain when I'm on vaca. But this time I went in to it at the top of my bounce range since I just couldn't seem to stay on plan. Went home for a wedding for 5 days and unexpectedly spent 2 of them with my dad in the hospital. The wedding celebrations and stress of my dad's illness were not conducive for smart choices. Overall I drank nearly a liter of Malibu, much wine, several shots of ??? at the wedding, had waffles and French toast for breakfast, strawberry shortcake, mom's homemade cookies, etc.....you get the picture.

So I stepped on the scale when I got back to work and it said 150!!!! Ugh! The thought of giving up and remaining on the path of carb decadence was looking somewhat appealing. I was far too embarrassed to come on here and share the results of my stupidity. But once I pulled on a pair of jeans and discovered just how snug they had become I came to my senses. Apparently I hate shopping for new clothes more than I love carbs. I immediately went into carb detox mode and back to PROTEIN PROTEIN PROTEIN and FLUIDS FLUIDS FLUIDS. Took a couple weeks, but yesterday at work the scale showed 140 again. WHEW!!!

So yes, it can happen, yes, it does happen. But if it does, you CAN stop the madness and reverse the consequences. It always comes down to basics.

[Sandra3]

Hi Kindle!

Welcome back! I was wondering about your silence, thinking you were enjoying a few weeks of honeymoon with your boyfriend...

You are very hard on yourself, it's just ten pounds!! and you had reasons (hospital plus wedding) for being stressed.

It's ok to regain sometimes, the most important is to react to regain and not let it pile up, and you did bounce back ....so no worries! our weight does fluctuate, it's normal, so does our lifes.

You know I was raised on carbs (with stupid diets in between) so I still have a hard time to stay away, cravings do come back . Even if I took years of nutrition classes at uni....I mean I know what's good for me, I still want cake sometimes!! even if I know I need to avoid sugar...

At the end of the day, I think it's better to have a little slice here and there (no more than twice a month!) instead of being completely off and then have three slices when you can't stand it anymore. My best way to handle it is moderation.

But we all have our demons...my best approach is to know their faces, sometimes they do wear masks...

Take care my friend!

[Pear62]

Congrats on your willpower to pull it together and get back down to 140! I have a question about drinking. Do you allow yourself any wine or cocktails now? I am (was) a daily drinker. Primarily wine. I stopped 3 weeks ago in preparation of my surgery. I realize I won't be drinking for a while but wondering if Ill be able to have my wine a few nights a week, rather than my daily habit I was used. I would imagine any alcohol will slow the weight loss down. Just curious. Thanks

[Sandra3]

Many surgeons advise us to stay away from alcohol for at least one year.
I was never really a drinker, had wine three times a year...but at 18 months out, I still can't stand alcohol.
We all react differently to the sleeve, a few in here have been enjoying a glass per week as soon as 3 months post-op...

[Shirl]

I've been MIA for awhile, but I'm back for my dreaded confession. Yes, at 3 1/2 years I finally failed my sleeve and climbed 10 pounds above what had become my new normal. I got super slack, particularly in the alcohol department (which is in itself, a whole other issue for me). I was indulging in too many bakery items and chocolate. None of the lessons I Learned in therapy were working. Old habits were alive and well and gaining momentum. The final straw was failing to properly prepare for my most recent vacation. Typically, I do a preemptive strike by getting to the bottom of my bounce range to help accommodate the weight I know I'll gain when I'm on vaca. But this time I went in to it at the top of my bounce range since I just couldn't seem to stay on plan. Went home for a wedding for 5 days and unexpectedly spent 2 of them with my dad in the hospital. The wedding celebrations and stress of my dad's illness were not conducive for smart choices. Overall I drank nearly a liter of Malibu, much wine, several shots of ??? at the wedding, had waffles and French toast for breakfast, strawberry shortcake, mom's homemade cookies, etc.....you get the picture.

So I stepped on the scale when I got back to work and it said 150!!!! Ugh! The thought of giving up and remaining on the path of carb decadence was looking somewhat appealing. I was far too embarrassed to come on here and share the results of my stupidity. But once I pulled on a pair of jeans and discovered just how snug they had become I came to my senses. Apparently I hate shopping for new clothes more than I love carbs. I immediately went into carb detox mode and back to PROTEIN PROTEIN PROTEIN and FLUIDS FLUIDS FLUIDS. Took a couple weeks, but yesterday at work the scale showed 140 again. WHEW!!!

So yes, it can happen, yes, it does happen. But if it does, you CAN stop the madness and reverse the consequences. It always comes down to basics.

I used to hate shopping because I was always going to find something to accommodate my gains, I suppose that will always stay with me and luckily I'm still slowly losing lol! And actually, shopping for smaller single digit clothes (size 8) for ME, and not my daughters, sure was fun I tell you!

I am my worst enemy when faced with stressful situations, wish there was a device that would alert me when I'm about to do something stupid like order two scoops of ice-cream on a waffle bowl and forgetting that I won't be able to finish it because my head is cluttered due to exhaust and thirst and hunger.

I hope all is okay with your dad! And I am really happy to know we can still lose unwanted gains down the road.

Hugs!

[RehabNurse]

Thanks for your candor, Kindle. Congratulations on tackling the regain before it exploded into the point of no return.

It's been mentioned that we must admit to having a problem before we can resolve it. You acknowledged the problem and seem to have gotten back on track.

But yes, those carb-laden treats are hard to resist. It's difficult to stop after having one chip, waffle, cake, pie, bread roll, or buttery croissant! The slope is slippery for those of us whose brains are wired to feast on this stuff.

[Ann2]

Kindle, I admire you as much as I can admire anyone I've never met. Thank you so much for sharing this story. You turned around that 10 pounds, and I'm full of respect for that.

Yesterday (on another board) during a discussion among a dozen or so long-time sleevers (going back to WLS in 2009) about their keys to long-term maintenance success) one sleever said:

"For more than 40 years my weight and outward appearance has been a major driver of my behavior, self image and feelings of self worth .... Today the key to my long term eating choice success depends on my acceptance and understanding of who I am, what I fear, and what I wish to accomplish. Taking care of myself and making myself a priority and truly knowing in the depths of my being that I am worthy of self care, not being self indulgent or selfish, is what is going to be the key to my success."

This guy (who struggles with binge eating) also said something else that rang true for me: "I do not struggle with my weight. I have disordered eating issues. My weight is simply a symptom of my disordered eating that I am learning to understand and manage."

For me, my occasional lapses into eating mindlessly (I'm not talking about eating or drinking more than normal that's anticipated, planned for, and short-term) is related to tiredness and anxiety about my hubby's and recently my own health issues (he has cancer, and I recently went through a 6-week breast cancer scare that turned out to be benign). Happily, my weight is still in my happy place (134.4 this morning), but I'm planning a very serious conversation next week with my shrink about new, more, better ways to minimize those events and quicker recovery.

There's no way to remove all stress from life. But navigating stress in ways that include loving self care for myself is one of my biggest WLS goals. It's a little Stuart Smalley'ish to say it this way, but "Doggone it, I'm worth it!"

P.S. And, as always, no one is perfect. That's not required after WLS. But paying attention is, as is courage -- as much as we can muster at the time.

[Romandona]

You are so brave to share this story and also that you have overcome and come back to reality. So proud of you and your journey. Proves so much - that even after all this time, it could still happen.

I've was sleeved March 2016 and I've lost a little over 100, but can't seem to lose much more. I need to find a way to get myself under 200 pounds - let alone my goal of 155.

I would love any advice folks would like to share of things I can try. I have a 5lb range that I go through - 204-209. But when I see 209 - I totally revamp and get myself back on track. However, can't seem to get under the 204, unless it's a mental thing for me and I sabatoge it at 204? Help!!

But, I'm so proud of you!!
Thanks,
Romandona

[yolymarie]

Great JOB!! I WILL KEEP THIS POST IN MIND. I am early in the process and inching toward my goal of 140. I love that you shared such an honest post about how you gained the weight back, and how you were almost OK with it. It takes strength to get back on the the program and I definitely will keep this in mind when I have my first gain back!

[Ann2]

Sounds like you've answered your own question, Romandona. As you said, "Get on track," but then add one more thing: Stay on track.

The bigger question is, how badly do you really want to reach your goal?

[Luna354]

Thank you for sharing your story. You've always been an inspiration and role model for those of us sleeved after you and you continue to be just that. You've dusted yourself off, realized what was happening and are back. You are amazing!

[Pam G]

Wow! This first think that popped i to my mind when i saw the post title was, "oh no! Not Kindle!" Lol

but then i read on to see you got a grip and turned that ship around....whew! Crisis averted! You're one of my heros, along with ann2 and rehabnurse, and Shirl

i havent had an alcoholic drink in over a year, im afraid to. Not a bad fear, im guessing.....

[Pam G]

Find out what your "Demons" are and avoid them like the plague!

for Kindle, you saw that simple carbs and alcohol dont work in her life. These are the same devil foods for me. Ive had to cut bread, rice, pasta, potatoes and sugar completely. The times ive tried adding them back in slowly havent worked....i stopped losing, and i too would like to get to 155 ish.

You are so brave to share this story and also that you have overcome and come back to reality. So proud of you and your journey. Proves so much - that even after all this time, it could still happen.

I've was sleeved March 2016 and I've lost a little over 100, but can't seem to lose much more. I need to find a way to get myself under 200 pounds - let alone my goal of 155.

I would love any advice folks would like to share of things I can try. I have a 5lb range that I go through - 204-209. But when I see 209 - I totally revamp and get myself back on track. However, can't seem to get under the 204, unless it's a mental thing for me and I sabatoge it at 204? Help!!

But, I'm so proud of you!!
Thanks,
Romandona

[Ann2]

Pam, go for your goal!!!

[Pam G]

Still losing.....slowly, but stil!

Pam, go for your goal!!!