Almost 15 years since I got my sleeve
I was sleeved in 2010 as well. I gained a lot of my weight back as well. About the same weight, 211 lbs. However, my sleeve still works. When I eat "real" food, I'm restricted, the slider foods I can eat all day. However, a good way to reset your sleeve is fasting. That is the only thing that works with bringing restriction back with all foods, especially a 24-36 hour fast.
Hey there! It's inspiring to hear about your initial success and the challenges you've faced since. So many people can relate to the impact of stress and difficult times on weight management. I don't have personal experience with sleeve tightening, but I've read about others who have had success adjusting their eating habits again, focusing on portion control and mindful eating. It might be worth revisiting some of the initial post-surgery strategies that worked for you. Sometimes a little fun distraction helps too - I find myself enjoying something simple like Snow Rider 3D when I need a mental break. Wishing you all the best on your journey!
Hang in there!
I am 12 years post op and Covid was what did it to me as well! Lots of eating and drinking and NO exercise. I started at 300 lbs lost 160 in the first year and kept it off for about 5 years with great restriction (could not even eat a full piece of pizza or plate of pasta) but gained back about 50lbs after Covid. Also with 2 bad knees needing replacement, was unable to walk or do much exercise and gained another 30 making it an 80lb regain! I have decided at my age (turned 60 this year), I will be very happy to just lose 50 lbs.
I too was worried about not having restriction but what worked for me was intermittent fasting (my version). Nothing difficult, I just don't eat after 8pm and never before noon (even if I am not following the plan and am overeating or eating too many carbs/sweets, it just seems to keep me from gaining too quickly). I also started working out on a recumbent bike four times a week for about 45 minutes (had to work up to that much time, starting with 15 minutes).
The MOST important trick is that I make sure I do the workout in my fasting window (BEFORE I eat my first meal at noon).
What that does, is force your body to burn the excess fat from your fat stores because you have not eaten for 16 hours and are exercising so your body has to get fuel from somewhere. What that did for me is really help my hunger and restriction. I am really not that hungry when I do eat and when I am being super diligent with my plan, I stay away from carbs, but I had to give up carbs to lose the original 160 lbs, my body just stores them so I can't eat them if I want to lose weight
So in about 6 months I have lost 30 lbs, so I have another 20 to go but I have to tell you, my restriction is a lot better! I can still eat more pizza and pasta then during my first years post op, but the restriction is pretty good. And when I exercise and fast, I don't really want to eat much. I also try not to eat snacks in between lunch and dinner (except for tea). The very best part about the intermittent fasting is that you really see the fat come off around your mid section, it's like it melts off your belly!
Lots of people are leery when they hear the word "fasting" but all i am doing really is skipping breakfast and fooling my body into burning its stored fat by exercising on an empty stomach. I feel great and am not being super strict, I have days that I eat more or don't go to the gym, but I aim to do the best i can, and I was super relieved to find the restriction return, at least to a level that keeps me from overeating. I am sure I could lose more and maybe faster if I was more diligent but this easy gentle approach is good enough for me.
This is not the solution for everyone and may not appeal to you but I wanted to let you know my story in case it's something you want to try. I wish you the best of luck in your journey! :)
