Gained 12 pounds, need help to get it off!

I never thought of it as a diet either, but last month I and my wife meet with my surgeon Dr. Jeffery Landers. He was trained at the famous Cleveland Clinic and had just came back from a refresher there with some of the countries most advanced surgeons working in WLS. HE SAYS (NOT ME) that the surgeons are now to advise patients that this IS a diet because of so many people who think once the honeymoon time is over they can go back to the were eating. Many clinics and hospitals are now setting up special sessions for people who have slipped back into bad habits because they were under the mistaken impression that once the weight is lost they no longer have to watch the DIET they were told to live on for the rest of their live. I agree we could call the word for diet anything you want, but still it is a regimental style of eating. My surgeon calls it a diet and I have no problem with it. I intend to eat as I am told by the guy who did the modifications on my body. You may know more, but I trust him. So I am not arguing with anyone, but I think my surgeon knows as much as any OH user no matter how long they been out. 

thinking thin 2011 - you've recognized that you need to do something since you are gaining wt and that is the first step.  It doesn't sound like the "bounce back weight" that we read about since you admit to eating the wrong foods so you should be able to take the 12 pounds off when you start eating correctly.  

I accept that  I can never eat the way I did when younger and thin if I want to remain this healthier weight. Thank you for your post as it reminds me to stay diligent in eating protein first with the rest of the basics we are taught with WLS.   It is easy for me at this point as I am still in the honeymoon stage.  However, I have watched friends regain after WLS and know that the battle never ends for the majority of us so we have to stick to our post op plan for life.

Although I do know several that have done the 5 day pouch test, I honestly don't see how it would be of much benefit in the long run.  It seems that getting back to the basics remains the best course of action.  I can eat anything so have to make the choice to avoid white flour, pasta, rice and sugar.  I am positive that I will regain all the wt if I start consuming these products again as protein will cease to be my first choice and I already have problems trying to get in the required amount on a daily basis.  For me, it is much easier to grab the wrong foods.  Thus my lifestyle change involves not taking the easy way which means that I have to take the time to plan what I will put in my mouth with each bite.  I hope that in time this will become automatic or second nature to me.

I personally stick primarily to water as my choice of liquid because I use to drink nothing but soda.  I kicked that habit almost 5 yrs ago when banded.   I use to have to go to the bathroom several times during the night and this greatly lessened when I  switched to water, as well as, heartburn and stomach upset stopped.  We have chosen a lifestyle change with our relationship to food.  I like feeling "in power" over what I am putting in my mouth.  It is undeniable that the benefits outweigh the drastic changes we have chosen to make.  Personally it has meant getting off most of the prescription medication, feeling lighter on my feet and a happier digestive system.  I have Fibromyalgia that doesn't flare as much.  I have Chron's disease that went into remission and has stayed in remission since the first surgery in 2008.  I have plantar fasciitis that was greatly relieved with Electric Shockwave Treatment and wt loss.  I continue to suffer with arthritic joints but get around much easier now that I am under 200 pounds.        

I often look at food and remember the saying " Nothing taste as good as thin feels".   It is certainly true for me.

Keep us posted on your success!