I am a WLS imposter

 I have a shake for breakfast since I am not a big eater in the morning.
For lunch I will have something like ricotta bake or chicken and 2 rye crackers.
For dinner I have something like a salad with chicken or some other meat with a vegetable.  For dessert I have pudding mixed with protein (I call it a shake, I should just say a protein dessert but I'm just trying to keep it short) 
If I go out to dinner I usually order some kind of meat or shrimp or chicken with a salad and vegetables and skip the dessert.
Before I go to bed I have another protein shake to hold me over until morning.

 The somewhat frustrating thing is that in the beginning we can eat anything we want.  So that is pretty easy when we have no appetite and have such a limited capacity for volume of food.  As time goes on, it gets easier to eat more foods.  Both more volume and more variety.  

We start eating more calories and for many of us eating full fat, full sugar and high carb again.  Still the weight loss stays pretty consistant until the bounceback weight phase happens.  My surgeon advises us to use the honeymoon phase to get to goal and then to get to 20 or 30 pounds under goal.  Even though that might not look as good as goal weight does, it gives a big advantage to have that weight margin when the body starts its regain phase.

I was 10 pounds under goal when regain started at 30 months out.  I gained that 10 pounds back in three months, even though I was still being extremely careful about what I was eating.  I stopped the protein shakes because I am able to get plenty of protein from food.  I work out at least five times a week for between one and two hours.  I also weigh myself every morning and stay aware of what I eat.  If I eat high carb foods, then I want more and more of them.  As long as I stick to a menu like what you are eating now, my weight has been under control.

 Many people do outeat their surgery.  The statistic that I keep uppermost in my mind is that 50% of RNY post-ops regain 50% of their lost weight by the of five years.  Many people regain 100% or more of their lost weight.  The lowest post-op weight is usually reached right at 24 months.  Almost everyone regains some of their lost weight.  

During the first two years, many people are worried about how to make the weight loss stop.  Unless there are serious complications, it is extremely rare for someone who is more than three years out to be underweight.

I ate that way from day one, minus the protein drinks, and I'm at goal.

Yes, I've battled regain TWICE; both times, I ate around my surgery due to stress (losing my Mom; husband relocated to our new hometown 9 months ahead of me and left me to sell house, etc.). But I was able to get back to goal by stopping grazing, focusing on protein and healthy carbs, stop eating crap on a regular basis (yes, I ate candy and icecream and chips and YUK!!) and being more vigilant about small weight gains. Honestly, I don't even remember exercising, although I do that now. I also got back to OH and local support, which keeps me mindful of my surgery (it is so EASY to forget what we went thru to become thinner and healthier) and is what I believe is my #1 key to continued success.  I've also put in place some other habits that help: having my "goal weight window", a 5 pound range where I keep my weight; weighing daily; being pretty structured in my eating M-F and allowing myself some indulgences (beer, shared dessert) on weekends; etc., etc.

I disagree with those who say to be a "successful" WLS person you must "eat bariatric" for the rest of your life. I don't know about you, but for me that would SUCK. You gotta find what works for you. If what you are doing is working, keep doing it. If that changes, than reassess and move forward. But you MUST be vigilant.

Good luck.

MarilynT
thanks so much for sharing that information,I've been away from this site so long!I'm depressed,I've gained 60 lbs from my smallest weight.I myself did not reach goal,well not my goal my doctor said I looked great all my other issue were under control gone:) but I still wanted the numbers to be less.So now I've got a battle ahead of me to get this extra back off then an extra maybe 30lbs to be at goal for myself.I need the support of this website and any others out there that may want to offer it.I have so many body aches pain,sadness,just everything that got me in the obese situation I was in in the first place.Today is a new Day I have to tell myself step up to the plate n take responsiblity for myself and my actions.....I no longer have some close friends that helped me thru hard times,no they haven't passed but just have their own issues and don't comunicate with outside people any more(only their families)so Please! HELP ME GET BACK ON TRACK ,Bug me,knock knock Pam wake up and get your tail in gear!!! 

Thanks marilyn.  I appreciate it.  maria

I eat lots of meals and full fat for some things and I'm no where near gaining all my weight back. (I lost more than 100% of my EW and am maintaining just fine at 2.5 years out.)

First of all, I don't believe eating fat makes you fat. There isn't any scientific evidence to support this idea. Secondly, some people do better with several smaller meals than with a few big ones. It keeps their blood sugar more even.

I think we all have to find what works for us and that is going to be different for different people. Some foods and some eating patterns are troublesome for some people but not for everyone. If they aren't troublesome for you, then it doesn't matter if they don't work for others.

In the end, what matters is calories in vs. calories out.

There is one thing you have to worry about as someone with RnY. At some point, your malabsorption is going to be gone (or close enough). So eating the exact same thing as when you had full malabsorption will cause you to gain weight. Therefore, as your malabsorption lessens, you need to lower your calorie intake or increase your calorie burn or both in order to maintain.