So off the beaten path, not sure if I can find my way back......

Although I've frequented this site for a couple of years now, I've never started a message thread, or to my recollection, even responded to one. I'm more of the observer type and maybe that's part of my issue, which is:

I had the VSG in October of 2011 and I'm not sure if it was done correctly or if I totally screwed it  up myself. (I'm leaning towards that latter).  I did well the first several month**** that plateaus, then lost another 15 lbs the end of last summer.  A total loss of about 50lbs.  Then I went through a divorce, and a year later I'm up about 30lbs. I know my mistakes, it's sugar.  And although I still cannot eat a whole lot at one time, I can eat more than I used to be able to.  Is it possible that the pouch can grow? and if so, is it possible to shrink it again?  I've been walking, but I feel so discouraged by not seeing any results.  Sometimes I feel like saying *F* it and just eat whatever, it obviously doesn't matter anyways.  Other days, like today, I feel like there is a solution, and I can figure this out and get back on track to losing the weight.  My doctor never really followed up with after the 6 month mark, and now with the divorce and all that, my insurance situation has changed. 

Has anyone else gone through anything similar, or have any advice?

While I'm not that far out, I understand what you're going through.  I'm almost 11 months out from my surgery and I"m 5lbs from goal but my weight loss has come to a complete stand still and it's because of me.  I'm not tracking my food, I'm eating crap more often than I should because it's easy and I'm lazy and I'm not working out at all.

I don't know the science behind the sleeve stretching or not stretching...over time though, most people can eat larger portions but you don't NEED to.  Just because you can, doesn't mean you should.  I've got to live by this as well because it is easy to forget.  We can still get by on smaller portions even though we can physically eat more.

I think you know what you need to do to get back on track.  Start small, track your food this week.  Make a plan for meals.  Then follow through the next week and add two more days of exercise in, etc etc.  You can do this (and so can I!) we just all need a little boost every now and then.  Good luck, friend.

Does someone need a spanking?

5lbs from goal and you stop now? That's like running a 99 yard kickoff return and stopping on the 1 yard line to wait to get tackled.

I have a couple little tricks to knock off that last 5lbs and some supplements that might help you over that hump, but you STOPPED?!?!?!?!?

Yup, just out right haven't given a lickety split the past two months.  A lot has been going on emotionally on the home front and while I am determined to get that last 5lbs off, and I will, I just needed a breather.  I'm always running around, my mind is always going, I just couldn't be on my game the past two months is all.  But things are passing and I'm jumping back on the wagon, don't fret too much :)

Its hard to do but it helps to separate the two things. This way emotions don't drive the eating and exercise part. Its just one more thing you have to do during the day.

Wow, sorry you are having troubles. Shake it off and get back in the game. I need some good players!

I know, it's just that when I'm in overdrive, I go into complete shut down mode.  I'll be making a post about it soon...thanks for the support as always :)

First let me start by asking you this simple question. If you say "F" it and just eat whatever you want, what does that get you?

It sounds like your VSG is doing exactly what it is supposed to do which is make you eat less. It does not stop you from eating bad things or more importantly sugar. That part is still up to you.

I hate when people say this because there is a bit more to it than this, but at the root, Calories In minus calories out equals weight gain/loss. If you eat 1800 calories per day of sugar because that is all your sleeve allows you to eat but you are only burning 1200, then you are GAINING weight. Doesn't matter what your metabolism is or your next day of low carb. This gets expounded over time, Calories in for the week minus calories out for the week equals weight gain/loss for the week.

The easy part was up to your surgeon. He made it so you could only eat a portion of what you could eat before. The rest, the hard part is up to YOU. You still have to eat right, you still have to exercise, you still have to keep yourself from saying "F" it, you still have to deal with life, divorce, dating, all the crap.

It is NOT EASY!

I can help you get back on track, but you have to be ready to get back on track. You have to want to get back on track. You have to get your head in the game. When you are ready hit me with a PM and I will give you some things to get you started. But I can tell you right now, there is not magic solution. The strategy is to eat right and exercise. Its the only way.

Hello my friend,

I guarantee you are NOT alone.  People are always on the message boards asking if they have stretched out their pouch.    Do you still have insurance?   If not try to get a job that will provide insurance for you.    You need to have the size of your pouch stretched.    ALL these WLS are not a "easy fix" to losing weight.    Trust me....I am almost 8 yrs. post op and I struggle everyday.    Read my today's " Monday Grateful Post".   I confessed to lots today.   Today I am getting back on track and going to get my 20 lb. re-gain off.    I am a Support Group Leader here on OH too.   It IS possible to stretch out the pouch but I have been told it is VERY hard to do.    More and likely you have been not exercising and stress eating ( that's what I have done ).    My stress eating is not for the same reason as yours....but still I've done the same thing.    Don't EVER GIVE UP !!!!  We are talking YOUR HEALTH !!!!   Get back on the horse so to speak and you can do this......We will do it together !!!!   There is a solution....go back to basics......I know it is not what you want to do but go back and do things like you did right after surgery.    Remember don't eat and drink at the same times 30 min. between eating and drinking....no sodas.....no junk foods or fast foods.   Protein first ....then veggies.   If you need something sweet....a piece of fruit.    Most of all....exercise...this is the KEY to getting it off and keeping it off along with wise choices.   You CAN do this and I know there are probably many more that will do this with us.     Good luck to you my friend and I am so sorry that your marriage ended in divorce.

Hugs and blessings ~~~ Vivian

Life sure can throw us for a loop.  Sounds like you are an emotional eater, I am too, and have had much stress and probably loneliness.

You CAN get back on track.  Your pouch can work for you still.  There is hope and it is possible.

We all plateau.  This is a continual learning process for us all.  What works, what doesn't, how do we react when we feel derailed.  Do we get back on plan or say forget about it.  Sounds like you cannot forget about it, so you need to make a plan.

Go back to basics.  Track your food, lean protein first, then veggies, then some lower carb fruit.  Get the sugar out, as much as possible.  It does derail you, it increases cravings, you can eat way more simple carbs than anything else, at least I can.

Recognize your triggers and combat them with another activity, prayer, exercise, a blessings list, calling a friend, emailing someone.

Counseling, all I can say, I would have been lost without it.  It gave me a new perspective on taking care of the body God has blessed me with.  In doing that, I am able to do what God has set before me each day, instead of staying in my house, feeling sorry for myself because I cannot live the active life I want.  Wanting to stay hidden, that is why we subconsciously hide behind the layers of weight.  Somehow, we think that protects us, in some ways it does.

Go back to your original eating plan, if you did not think it worked, find another, lots of advice on these boards.  My advice would be to use myfitnesspal or hand write out your food journal.  1200 calories, 80 grams of protein and keep the carbs on the lower end.  I do not have a number regarding carbs, but many others will.  If you do protein and veggies first, the carbs automatically stay lower, if you are honest on your calorie count.

You can do this, you can still feel nourished.  You do not have to feel deprived.

Blessings on your journey!

If you truly want to do this you CAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Go back to basics.  You need to be logging your food to know exactly what you are eating and the make up of the food.  You say your problem is sugar but could it be that you also eat a lot of carbs and not enough protein?  Start logging your food and amounts, eat your protein first and don't drink 30 minutes before or after you meals.

This is only a start because you really need to know where you truly are.  Try to make sure you are eating your protein first and getting a minimum of 60 grams of protein but higher is better.  See if the scale starts moving for you.  If it isn't then look at what your carbs are and start adjusting.  When you snack, snack on protein.  It will take you a while to get back on track but you can do it.  Keep walking, you are building muscle and while muscle and fat weigh the same, muscle takes up less space than fat.  Also take you body measurements so that while you are transitioning back into a healthy lifestyle you have another way to measure your success.

You can do this and yes it will be work but you can do it!!!!!!!!!!!