weight gain after 19 months?

I had RNY in April of 2007.   I went from 335 lbs to 210 in 11 months.  After that, I didn't loose anything for 5 months and then the last two months I've gained weight!  I am so upset this has happened and I feel so discouraged.  

I do have to admit that it's all my fault I have gained the weight.  I'm up to 227 and I'm scared to death!  I'm embarrassed to tell people I've had WLS because I'm still so fat.   

This week I started recording all I'm eating again and started working out again.   I am also being faithful with my vitamins and water again.   It all feels good.  Physically I have felt much better since I started putting my health first on my list again.

I'm sticking to 1100-1200 calories a day and 90 oz of water with 80 grams of protein.  

What I'm struggling with is my doubt that you can loose weight after the "honeymoon period" is over.   I guess I've been under the impression that after 18 months it is nearly impossible to loose weight again.  Is this true?   Since I never met my goal weight of 168, I am even more concerned about this 17 lb gain.

I am sorry if this has been asked before (which I am sure it has) 

If anyone could tell me how they continued to loose or have lost their regain after 18 months that would be so encouraging!   Also, any encouragement would be greatly appreciated.

My biggest pitfall the last 2 months has been the mindless eating, eating while watching tv, slider foods and drinking during meals occasionally.  Also re-introducing fast food and sweets has been a huge mistake.   Even though I can't eat a entire fast food meal,  it's still half of a 900 calorie meal!    NOT GOOD!

This week I've put my health first again and have found it has made my physically feel better.  But I wonder if my weight will ever change again.


Thanks for reading!

-Shakeira
 

Hi Shakeira, nice to see you on the mb!  I was very distressed to have had a 10-15# regain over the past summer.  Carol said 'this is the bounceback we told you about, it is normal' but that is little comfort.  Personally, I don't recall ever having been told to expect bounceback.  Were you told about that?  It was a huge shock and disappointment and has really given my self-esteen a hit. 

And mine was from too  many healthy carbs, lack of sleep, grazing and baking too many sugar free treats for myself.  All healthy foods but those calories still added up to too many and I gained.  I absolutely don't believe that there is no additional weight loss obtainable after the 18-month window but at that point it has to come from self-discipline and not the surgery.  At support group, Carol has a phrase she uses to describe the timeline.  As a matter of fact, I had just e-mailed her last week to get her to repeat it for me cause I can't remember but it boils down to the results being attributable to the surgery like 100% the first few months, then less and less as time goes.  Hope she will have time to send a reply. 

At this point out for you and me it is up to us to make it happen.  Good for you getting back on track and reworking your food plan!     Keep up that hard work and you'll get that gain off and more if you want. 

My 2-yr follow up is in a couple of weeks and I am trying so hard to stay on track and get rid of as much of my regain as I can.  The ultimate goal would be to get back into my size 4 jeans but I am so discouraged that it doesn't feel possible.  Maybe those feelings will change, I am working at it!

Hugs!
Molly

Thanks Molly!  It's good to hear from you.   I wish those meetings where closer to me. The two hour commute to them as well as finding childcare just makes them really hard to get to.   I'm thankful for OH though and will use it more now that I'm getting back on track.

Talk to you again soon, your a HUGE inspiration to me. :)

-Shakeira

Shakeira,

Your story sounds a lot like mine.  I started at 315, lost to 212 in about a year.  Maintained that for a while, then decided I wanted to be "normal" again.  Before I knew it I'd gained 20 lbs.  For almost 2 years I've maintained within a 5 lb range.  So I'm nobody's poster child for RNY!  

I've read a lot about people who have lost their regain and went on to lose from there.  I've come to the conclusion that several things are necessary, most of which involve going back to basics.  Protein first, No drinking 30/30, journaling your food, getting your water and vites in and increasing and/or changing your exercise routine.  The one thing that seems to be the greatest success factor is the one thing I just can't get myself to do.  That's to totally cut out all white carbs!

So congratulations on the success you've achieved!  Yes, you can lose more!  It takes a lot of determination, but you have the tool, use it!

Best of luck-- to both of us! 

Michele

Wow, you do sound like me!  You look great though and it is encouraging to know I'm not alone in this battle.   Thank you for your encouraging post!

-Shakeira

Unless you have some kind of metabolic issue, even after your "window", it's still a matter of consuming less calories than you spend. Regain becomes slightly easier as your villi in your intestines become more efficient at absorption again...which is why they tell you to expect some bounceback.

Have your RMR tested. If you know how many calories your body uses at rest, it's easier to plan a lifestyle that should work for you.

I wondered about my Thyriod,  I'm still VERY cold all the time and my cycles are crazy (they never where before).  I think I will go in and get some blood work done to check my thyriod.  Also, where can I get my RMR tested?  I live in a small Rural town,  do they normally do that at doctor's offices?

That would really be great to know!   Because I've been told I can't have more then 1100 cals and somedays this week I've felt wiped out and I wondered if I'm not eating enough.

Thanks again!

-Shakeira

Hi Shakeira,

It is possible to lose beyond the 18 month time frame. I will be 4 years out on January 3, 2009 and I have not gained any weight. I lost the last 35 pounds over the summer and I am at goal weight. Here is how I acheived my weight lost over 3 years. I realized that WLS is a journey and not a destination. So there is no stopping point for this trip that I am on. I learned to crawl, then walk, and now run. So I took my time to learn and understand my weight loss process. I follow my doctor's rule 100%:

Portion Control of food (4 to 5 ozs at a time)
I Planned and prepare all meals and snacks at home.
I take my lunch and snacks to work everyday.
No Sweets

No sodas

No fried foods

No drinking liquids while eating

No eating fast food

I participated in every fitness Challenge at my Gym this year. I would  do 1 to 2 exercise classes a day. At Launch I would do 3 classes on that day. Each class was 1 hour long.


1. Body Pump

2. Dance Class
3.  RPM spinning class  (This class really toned my legs)

4.  Body Step


Add exercise to your regime and you will see a big change. Exercise will jump start your weight loss.


Best Wishes

Tammie

Tammie, what a great motivational post!  thanks for your inspiration!!  i too am at goal and have maintained for the past 20 month, but slack on things like exercise from time to time. 

thanks again for your insight!  :)

WOW!  What a awesome post.  Thank you thank you thank you!  I'm going to save it for future motivation.   I have a gym in my home with all the equipment I'll need, no excuses.   It's good to hear this CAN be done!  

-Shakeira