getting back in control

I agree that everyone is very different. For me, many foods that I used to enjoy still do not taste good~I don't enjoy bread, pasta or potatoes at all. They just don't sit well. I had the craving for an Arby's Roast Beef sub for a long, long time so I finally got one~boy was I disappointed when it tasted terrible to me! (maybe that was a good thing though, LOL) On the flip side, I always hated tuna and now I like it!  I think we gain weight back for many reasons. Grazing has caused me to pack on a few pounds several times in the past. Not following the "rules" of protein first, no drinking with meals, etc. Also, just feeling normal again and enjoying that a bit too  much~holidays are tough for me b/c I just want to enjoy all those foods that I don't eat any other time of the year. Allowing sugar back in has been a downfall of mine too~I try to limit it, but there are times when I want to emotionally eat and the sugar monster gets the best of me. These things will happen from time to time the further out that you get, but the important thing to do is just try to gain control again as quickly as possible.  The  pouch will naturally stretch some over time. At about 18mths it seemed that I could suddenly eat WAY more than before. I still stick with 6 mini meals thoughout the day. I probably eat about 1-1.5 C of food per meal~sometimes more sometimes less depending on what the food actually is. Chicken breast fills me up quickly and sustains me, yogurt slides thru easily and doesn't hold me over as long.  As far as dumping goes, I never tested the waters with sugar and/or fats for the first 18mths. After 18mths I did allow sugar back in and only ever had 1 true dumping episdose~it was terrible so I NEVER did that again! Some people dump forever and others never dump at all. Anyway, hope this helps! If you think of any other questions, feel free to email me! Good Luck to You!

THanks for the response.  It seems everyone is so different.  Yet you hear about some that gain weight back and for us newbies it scares the s****t out of you to think of going thru all this and learning everything you need to know that old hunger or feeling of it can come back again.  I love hearing though how the veterans figured it out.  Support is obviously the key also.

Yep, i've been in your shoes, I was a newby not to long ago, and a pre-op just before that.  I told my surgeon that I am constantly afraid that I will balloon back up and this will all be for naught..and he said..and i quote "the majority of people who have a constant fear of re-gaining their weight are the most successful of post op bariatric patients."  Not to say that folks who are fearless and confident that they will keep the weight off are ntoe successful as well..but he made me feel alot better about my constant obsession. :)

I think this happens to all of us from time to time. I just try  to get back to eating sensibly~push protein, cut back on the carbs, up the water and exercise~I always feel better physically and mentally when I get back to eating properly. Good Luck and keep us posted on how things are going!

Thank you, Tracy.  It used to happen to me from time to time, but this time I can't seem to get it off.  I'm not really trying.  That's the problem.  I've been letting the food demon take over my body and take total control.  Next thing I know, I was shoving twinkies down my throat, eating chips, cookies, whatever I could get my hands on.  I realize that I lost control and that is what I am trying to do is get it back.  I went and bought some food scales and started measuring my food.  The funny thing is that I can't eat but about 4 to 6 ounces of food (if it is mostly protein).  ...but I can eat a whole bag of chips at one time!  (that is the kind of crap I did before surgery)  Anyways, as of today I started my low carb diet and measuring my food and I have done great so far.  It is about 5:00 p.m. where I am at and the day is almost over.  If I can continue to do good today, tomorrow, and Monday, it will be a breeze to continue.  The hardest part is the first 3 days from trying to get the carb drugs out of me.  I thank everybody for responding to my post.  Please keep me in your prayers.  I know it is just 15 pounds, but that 15 could turn to 50 in a blink of an eye.  May God give me strength to take back control over this food demon! 

I will keep you in my prayers. You're off to a great start and I agree, the first 3 days of decarbing are the hardest so hang in there! ((((HUGS)))))

I'm so sorry you're struggling..............but wow, that's great that you've only regained 15 lbs and that you caught it before it got totally out of control so please take some credit for that:-)  Many folks just stick their head in the sand and before you know it, the weight is back and then some!  Just eating meat will not hurt you however the issue is that you've lost your way on the path to healthier eating for your lifetime, is it not?   So yeah, those 15 lbs might come off pretty quick, maybe not......but if you don't change what caused the weight to creep back up in the first place then you are doomed to repeat the mistake.  I would suggest journalling everything that you're putting into your mouth for three days, then plug that into a program that will show you how many carbs, protein grams, fat grams, etc you're consuming.  That may tell you all you need to know about the changes you'll need to make in your overall eating plan.  My personal ratio is 75% protein, 25% healthy natural carbs....and I'm still losing weight.  I have 4.4 lbs to meet my original goal weight of 200 lbs lost.  I'm 18 months out from my RNY surgery.  I hope this helps and again, it's great that you caught it quickly I think:-)   Carol J HW 350/CW 154.6/GW 150

Hi Curlysue,  I am praying for you.  I was about 3 years post-op when I asked myself that same question. You may not agree but I think that your writing this post is your first step to gaining control. You realize that coming to this forum and being open to suggestions will help you tremendously. Please check out my profile to see how I lost 28 of the 42 pounds I gained back.  You probably heard it a gazillion times but I truly believe that going back to basics and committing to the wls lifestyle really works. Specific diet plans never worked for me before surgery nor did they work for me when I started trying to lose the weight I re-gained. This is not a put-down for those who want to try a no-carb, lo-carb, hi-protein or any other structured diet plan to jumpstart their weight loss again. Please read my profile and be encouraged.  You can do this.  I am praying for you.   Many Blessings, Char