ObesityHelp

Just thought I'd give a little history on myself and how I'm doing.

I always had a weight problem, and when I was 14 I went to the children's hospital for testing.  They had me on 900 cal./day and physio exercise 2/day.  I stayed there for 3 months and lost a total of 8 lbs.  The doctors summed it up with I had no medical complications, just a very slow metabolism and would have to face the fact, "you'll always be overeweight".  I was around 180 then and sort of gave up. 

Fast forward a couple years, I had my gall bladder removed at age 18 and for the next 4 years, watched my weight steady increase.  I tried other diet methods, and follow the one from the hospital but nothing worked.  I took a look inside myself and realized at this rate I would be on my way to 300lbs in no time.  I was at a weight of 240 (size 24, 44 inches at the waist) in 1991 and decided to have WLS to stop the madness.  I met up with my Surgeon and he said I wasn't really overweight, and tested me to see if I was looking for an easy way out or if I truly had an obesity problem.  He actually told me I had to gain another 5 lbs to be considered 100lbs over weight and for MSI to cover the surgery costs.  I did just that, (strange to think I had to gain weight to lose weight), and in June 1991 had the surgery.  I had VBG with absolutely no problems and followed the doctors orders. (eat small bits till full).  At 10 mths, I had lost 78lbs and 12 inches off my waist.  And then I sort of hit a plateau.  I was happy with this I now weighed 167lbs down to size 12 (32 inches at the waist).  Looked good, felt great.  And didn't bother trying to lose more figuring that was as far as it would go. 

In October 1992 I had a tummy tuck to remove the excess skin and lost an additional 6 or 7 lbs.  I was so pleased with myself.  Finally had confidence and pride. 

I got married 2 years later July 1994 and pregnant by that October.  Gained only 17lbs during that pregnancy and lost 22 the day my son was born!  At this point I probably weighed 165lbs.  And stayed again without worrying about losing another pound. 

Three years later, got pregnant again, this time I gained 23 lbs with our daughter and lost about 11 when she was born in 1998. 

Again, I maintained this weight for the next couple years.  The only thing that reminded me of my WLS was the fact I had to chew a lot.  With so much going on in my life, I kind of forgot I had a weight problem. I maintained (although it was above me ideal goal of 155 lbs) and never paid attention to my body.

The weight started slowly creeping back.  I wasn't eating normal for a WLS patient.  I could eat a little more (and I thought that was great), and I was hungry all the time, so I found out cheesies were excellent for grazing.  I could eat them and not get full.

I kept up this routine and next thing I know I was buying clothes size 17 at Christmas 2006.  I started to get concerned but couldn't get motivated.  I thought, here I go, back to gaining weight and already had WLS, it's not working and now I'd have to try and beat the diet I did in the hospital when I was 14. 

Just 2 weeks ago (February 25, 2007), I got into it.  I decided I was going to have to work hard and figure out something I was now at a weight of 215lbs. So, I started working out with the treadmill I had collecting dust for 3 years and lifting weights with our home gym.  I still didn't know what to do about my eating habits though, I still had in the back of my mind, that my stomach stapling should take care of it. 

It all boils down to the fact I never had proper counselling after my surgery.  I never really understood the principal of the surgery.  I thought it was a permanent fixture.  It did the job for me.  I know better now.

I surfed the net and stumbled across this site.  I found out that my stomach stapling and band are only "tools".  That I am the one that has to change the eating habits,   And to pay attention to getting full the proper way during meal time.

I always drank water with my meals as I found it made it easier to swallow my food.  Now I realize this is probably what was causing me to eat more and still be hungry 20min after. 

Thanks to whoever posted the Pouch Guide for Dummies!  I read that and am now "awake" to my body, my surgery, my commitments, and realistic goals.  It wil be tough, but I learned that just because I have regained, doesn't necessarily mean I failed the surgery.  I will be going to my family doctor tomorrow to discuss this and make sure I don't actually have mechanical problems inside with some tests.  And in the meanwhile I have taken on the task of water loading 30min before meals and eating just until I feel the slightest sensation of full.  I am also cutting out the carbs and will increase my protein.  Before I did just the opposite, I ate very little protein and loads of carbs, cause they were easier to eat.  I was eating for comfort and not weight loss because of lack of knowledge.

I am going to try to keep a log of my progress and hopefully this will help someone else who is going through this too.  I have no intensions of doing a revision.  If I need repairs, yes, I'll have that done, but I don't need to try another procedure, I just need to get back to basics!  I know I can do this and I'm excited about it!