Anyone else wingin it?

Whoa!  Having WLS does not give you carte blanche to eat  "pretty much anything and a lot of it".  Most of us were given guidelines that were meant to be used.  At 4 months out I was eating (per plan) just 400 calories a day.  Yes, that's very low but it worked fine for me. So if you know 11 WLS patients who've all gained weight back, let that be a good example for you. WLS requires discipline and hard work to be successful long term.  I had surgery 5 years ago and I do know the struggles.  A dear friend had it twenty eight years ago and she definitely knows that struggles, but she's still at a healthy weight, and at 65 looks fabulous!

WLS will work great if you work it as intended.

Ann

Thank you all for your feedback.  I think a few of you hit the nail on the head.  I have been treating this surgery like a magic cure that would replace dieting.  I have really lost control lately.  Life has been crazy & as I have always done I have made myself feel better with food. 
  I appreciate everyones honesty & willing to say what those around me couldn't. I need to get a grip on this & now.  I did not have this risky surgery just to gain it all back.  The diabetes is gone & my feet are all healed.  I need to thank god I was able to get the surgery & use it as the tool it was meant to be.
  I am starting a food journal today & I am deep cleaning my house this week to make room to pull my treadmill, weight bench & recumbant bike out of the garage.  I know I know I should have been using them all along.
  I hope to meet some people on here to share struggles & successes with.  So far just a few posts have me realizing my errors & great ways to fix them.  Thanks a bunch. xoxo Misty

I just wanted to add that (in addition the things Susan already said) i am concerned that so may people around you have had WLS and NOT been successful with it.  I don't even know 11 people second-hand or third-hand who have not been successful, so my concern (sorry-- occupation habit, since I'm a counselor) is that those people may be contributing to your approach to the surgery as a magic bullet, may be contributing to you not following the eating regimen, and may in some ways be sabotaging your efforts.

I don't know which surgery you had, but if you had RNY, the Weigth Watchers program does not have nearly enough emphasis on protein for your needs.  GO back to basics from when you were first post-op: protein first, then fruits and veggies as you have room; WATER!; vitamins; exercise.

I know you can do this!  You do not have to be "number 12"!  You just need to go back to following the rules and adjust your approach.

Lora

   I had the RNY Bypass.  I come from an obese family so many of them have had the surgery & most of them are heavy again.  I considered weigh****chers to learn portion control since I pretty much don't feel restriction.  I can eat plenty to gain weight.  I have never had self control which is why I got heavy & now I don't feel much different than I did before surgery.  I drink a gallon of water a day easy.  Out of habit from having diabetes.  So no problems getting my water intake.  
  My struggle is having the control to stop even though I still feel hungry.  I have always had this problem & I just had hoped the surgery would take that away to make portion control easier.  At this point the surgery was a tool for me to get the weight off.  It is up to me to find a way to keep it off.
  Thanks for your feedback.

You are saying all ELEVEN people you know who had RNY have gained their weight back??? AND that you had the surgery anyway?
I am really speechless. I know several people who had surgery, and none *****gained all their weight and only 1 who is struggling with some weight gain.
Your surgeon has a duty to see you for aftercare, so I suggest you make an appointment.
Is something wrong going on? It seems that you are eating anything and everything without regard to what you SHOULD BE EATING.
You should be eating meat, eggs, poultry, fish, and cheese. Add some firm veggies, not soft mushy foods, and you will be full longer. Don't drink with meals. Stop eating junk, no bread, rice, potatoes, noodles or cold cereal for now. No cookies, chips or any other junk.
Why don't you ask your sister EXACTLY what she is eating on a daily basis. Joining weigh****chers may help, but you need to eat protein first, veggies last. Period.

I had the surgery despite being against it most my life, to save my feet.  I got sever diabetes & had to do something to save myself.  I don't think I went into it with the right attitude in retrospect.  My dr has the personality of a doorknob & is of no help.  Driving an hour & paying $150.00 to have him weight me & stare at me blankly is pointless.  I am seeking the help of a nurtitionist & some support on here.  Thanks for your blunt reply.

I had my surgery for the same reason..diabetes out of control, with nerve damage in my feet making it almost impossible to sleep at night.
But we can end right back where we were unless we get our mind into the deal. You should really talk to your sister about her diet. If you find she is eating anything, then don't follow that lead! The main thing to do is eat protein first before any other food. And to clear your home of all food that is going to make it hard for you to eat healthy.
I wish you the best of luck.