5 years post op and 50 lb regain

welcome, i think i have to go with the advise from Lora & Kim, they have both posted the guidelines that you need for life, Regain does not mean the party is over, you just have to get back into the game, good luck to you , PS. have you been to a therapsit to help you figure out why you had regain? maybe a support group in your area?

You can do this!!!!  Your pouch still works.  Get back to basics...just like everyone says.  Protein first, then complex carbs like vegetables and whole grains.  Limit your fruit to one serving a day.  Fruit is high in sugar.  Make sure you drink at least 64 oz. of water a day.

As a side note...Did you know that a McDonalds hamburgr bun has 15 grams of sugar?  And that's just the BUN!  There is a reason fast food is addictive....all the ADDED SUGAR!  Stay away from McDonald's .  Wendy's chili would be the best fast food if you must grab a bite on the run.  High protein, low carb.  Good luck to you!

This is gonna sound harsh, but if I ate big macs and fries I would gain weight back too.  And I'm sure I could eat quite a bit of them if I tried

Exactly what are you eating in a day?  How many calories are you taking in?  Burning?  If diet is your problem (and it sounds like it is) then a revision is only going to forestall more gain.  Until you get back to eating what you know you need to eat to lose or maintain then it won't happen.

When you get far enough out it stops being so much about how much you eat... and more about WHAT you eat.  And I realize that you use the big mac and fries as an example, but eat a pouch full of that instead of a pouch full of chicken breast and vegetables and you are going to be in the same boat.  Even though you can eat equal amounts of either - it's the calorie and fat difference that get you.

Track your calories in and out for the rest of the week.  See where you sit - you might be surprised to see how far off track you actually are.  That's where you need to start.

Thank you all for the helpful advice.  I know I have slipped off the ledge of the bypass way, if I was a healthy eater and not addicted to food I would never have almost been 400 lbs.  I am fortunate to still have 100 of those lbs gone and I know I need to make a life change now.  It was an excuse 3 years ago when I was pregnant for the first time to just eat cause the baby wants it.  Well little did I know those habits continued after I had her and just spiraled down. 

I am going to take a few steps.  1:  See the bariatric doctor to get put back on track  2:  Not drink after I eat  3.  Focus on protein first and snack on high protein foods.  4.  Stop the fast food.  It is a horrible unhealthy habit that just works for a working mom on the run.  I know I will not be able to totally stop the fast food but I at least can make the healthy choices.

Again thank you all, and I hope to stay focused on the root cause!

 Wendy's chili is one of the very best fast food choices out there... Low in calories and high in protein!  I have it every other week.

Lora

I am 3.5 years out and also have the stomach capacity to eat a Big Mac, if I chose to. Sometimes I do, but not very often. i have not had any regain and plan to fight like hell to avoid it.

Thanks for sharing your story. You can do this!!

Laura