4 years post op. Need Help

Hello everyone,

I'm 4 years post op (in March) and am slowly watching the pounds creep back on.  I've recently gone back to the gym, but since I let my eating go, I don't know where to start.  Is anyone in the same boat that can help me?  I didn't go through all of this for nothing, and I want to get a handle on things before I end up back at "the point of no return."

I'd appreciate any support/ideas.  Thanks!

I hear ya ! The point of no return& all that we've been thru ! Don't want to go there ! I started with the 5 day pouch test to get back on track www.5daypouchtest.com  just a couple weeks ago or so & I am now feeling in control again & a lot better. Reading the other posts & keeping in touch here has helped me the most.  Hope things get better soon for ya...they are for me & they will for you too!!!!!!! I'm 5 years out & know the feeling. Same boat.  

There's also a daily Accountability thread in this forum...we track our foods on www.fitday.com or www.sparkpeople.com and post them for reflection and encouragement.  Some are maintaining, and some of us are losing, but we all take control and responsibility of our food choices daily!

Thank you both so much for your responses.  It's tough when no one you knows has "been there done that".  I'm grateful for this online community.  I saw on another post about the "5 day pouch test" and promptly went out today and got everything I need to get back on track.  It reminded me of shopping when I was preparing to be a post op.  Just working towards that mindset again has been helpful! It's good to know that I'm not the only person who has fallen off the wagon.  Thanks again!

I am facing three year anniversary in March.  I am struggling.  I am also facing PS revision in 10 days, so who knows how things will go with facing surgery.   I still do a lot of protein drinks.  I am sure they have helped me a lot, but I have gained about 8 pounds from lowest. Good luck and hang in there. Patricia rny 3/11/2005 262/133 5'1"   

I am almost five years in Feb and I have gain 13 lbs.  I am on my 4th day of the 5 day pouch test...And I too feel a lot better.  Hang in there and take one day at a time.

Cheryl, You have already received some great advice here on the board from other members. I just want to reiterate the message of those who have suggested to keep a log of your intake (fitday, sparkpeople, etc). I COMPLETELY AGREE that this is the most important thing you can do right now. It is basically the process of stepping back and taking an inventory of what's going in, when, and why. Things that I have my clients include in food logs are time you eat, what you eat, where you were and what you were doing when you ate (are most of your meals on the run?), how many calories, hunger level (1-10),  and how you were feeling (mood). Think about this as a temporary exercise in self-exploration. Be your own scientist. Start to look for clues and patterns, things like, what are the trouble spots during the day? Are there hidden calories adding up? Are you going too long without meals? Are you getting enough protein? Do this for at least one solid week, but ideally, as long as it takes to get back on track.. Once you get some good information about what is going on, then set some small achievable goals (for example, add more protein snacks, cut out mindless eating, plan lunches, etc.) I find that the biggest issue long term after surgery is the picking, nibbling and grazing mindlessly rather than eating planned meals and snacks. I HIGHLY recommend the  book Mindless Eating by Brian Wansick. www. mindlesseating.org Whatever you do, don't let the word failure enter your mind or beat yourself up about this. Weight regain after surgery is more common than not and requires a strong, deliberate committed effort to gently get back on track! I think many WLS patients are experts on Dieting and Losing Weight but don't get a lot of guidance on the weight maintenence piece, especially a few years down the road when you are able to eat more like a 'normal" person rather than a "Postop." Good luck to you and let us know if you have other questions! I'd love to help.

Thanks to everyone for your advice.  I don't remember how much was bypassed, but I do know my pouch is (was) 8 oz. I know what my trigger areas are:  I do a ton of travel and I work in a profession where slowing down is not an option. I also run a very busy team, so more often than not, it's my time and meals that are thrown by the wayside. I stopped being strict on my intake and my exercise.  I was a fiend about it prior to this job.  It's just time to get on track again.  I know I'll never maintain a food journal, strictly due to the time it takes.  I do agree however, that once we get a few years into this, we need some maintainence help.  That's why I come here. :)  Y'all are the best!