this is what works for me-how I am maintaining after 5 yrs

3In May it will be 5 yrs since I underwent gastric bypass surgery. I am happy to say I have saftely maintained my loss of 120 pounds the entire time. I do fluctuate between 150-155 all the time. What I think has helped me the most is keeping an eye on my daily calorie range(I never go over 1800 calories), writing down every bite I put into my mouth, at least 80 ounces of water everyday, and most importantly good BM's. I will tell you how I do this and this again is what works for me. Everyone is different but if what I do will work for someone else then my goal is complete. 

I get up every morning at 7:15am and since I have hypothyroidism I have to take my Synthroid  on an empty stomach and wait an hour before I can eat, in the hour period I drank 1-2 20 oz bottles of lukewarm water. After my hour is up I drink 2-3 cups of coffee (with caffiene). I sweeten with 1 pkt of truvia and 1 tablespoon of SF French Vanilla creamer. I am not a breakfast person but I LOVE my coffee. This will produce a very good BM for me which leaves me feeling cleaned out and refreshed. The caffiene will keep my hunger at bay till about 11:30> I drink another bottle of water and have either tuna salad with apple slices or a veggie salad with cottage cheese. I am a person of routine and enjoy eating about the same thing everyday with the exception of dinner. I drink more water at 1 or 2 oclock and have a snack at 3 oclock and it is usually cottage cheese and fruit or hummus and veggies, cheese stick and almonds, raisins and nuts, etc. I drank more water at 5 and eat dinner at 6 or 630.  Dinner varies for what ever I am in the mood for. I don't count protein or carbs. I only eat wholegrain products, no red meats. I love smoothies for after dinner sweets. I use lifeway kefir sweetened with 10 drops of Stevia liquid about a cup worth, one serving frozen blueberries, 1 half tablespoon of organic vanilla extract and wa la!   You can also add a vanilla type protein powder to this as well if you feel you need more protein.  When I have added up my daily protein amouts I have gotten around 60-80 grams.

As far as vitamins and supplements- I take a prenatal vitamin to get the extra iron, I take 1,000 mg of vitamin C twice a day, and 1 omega 3 supplement 3 times a day.  I also take AZO cranberry(2 tablets together) once a day bc coffee is rough on the kidneys and this keeps down bacteria forming and getting bladder infections.

Hope I have enlightened or helped someone today.

Have a great day-
Candy

starting weight-273
ending weight-143
maintaining at-150-155
5ft 6in

If you would like to talk email me, I am rarely on obesityhelp. [email protected]

I am sitting here re-reading what I wrote above and just want to clarify it is a cup of kefir for the smoothie not a cup of stevia. I also wanted to add that I do not exercise. I did the entire first year after surgery. I do notice that I feel stronger when I exercise but it always makes me gain and seeing a gain over 155 does a number on me mentally despite knowing the real reason for it. 

Also with my vits and supplements I forgot to say I do take citracal twice a day for extra calcium.

Candy

Congrats Candy on your success ...

I too am approaching 5yrs on 7 June...Wish I could figure out the BM thing (LOL) as you said it definately helps you to feel better and "refreshed" to have a healthy movement...I too drink 2-3 16oz bottles 1st thing in the morning and follow it with a 14oz cup of coffee or sometimes 2...While this keeps me hydrated and the kidney stones at bay ( had problems with those stones early out and don't want to repeat ) for me it does not help with producing a daily movement, still trying to figure that out and usually don't go but once every 4-5 days ( I know TMI )...

Do you like the Stevia?  I'm a Splenda person myself...I still exercise 3 days a week, nothing hardcore jus****er aerobics or the treadmill...I usually have to movitate myself to go but always feel sooo much better when the workout is done...

Wishing us both continued good travels down the road of success...

Dear Alesia:

Congratulations for getting and staying at goal.  That is something that I can't seem to do no mater WHAT I do.

I CAN tell you how I handle the BM issue.  In addition to getting in all my water,
Each evening (before bed) I take:
1 400mg Magnesium Oxide 
4  stool softeners (generic Colace)

I also take 2 probiotic each day, one in the morning and one before bed.  These help with the awful gas we can get.  I and everyone around me knows when I run out of these.....

This is wha works for me.  The Magnesium seems to be the clincher.  It may take more than one for you, but for me, more than 1 causes the opposite issue.

Good luck!

Thanks Dawn,

Is the mag oxide a pill? I've used the lemon-like liquid citrate in the past...Also, how long did you take the mag oxide before it kicked in?...I'm already of a prescribles softener from my doc Amitiza, it helps to keep things soft but not moving along...I usually drink 100 oz + a day of water so think I'm OK on that, plus other liquids like protein shakes & coffee...

Thanks...

The Magnesuim Oxide is 400 mg in a capsule.  They work within a day or two.  I recommend that you start with one and see how it goes.  When I first started taking them, I was given the opposite advise and started with 4-5 and BOY did it work! 

I get mine at www.vitacost.com , 200 for $ 6.69.

It sounds like you are doing everything right with water.  Some of us just have more trouble with this than others, I guess.

I am 2 years out and still have trouble with constipation and gas.  I am going to try the magnesium oxide. I drink water all day long and usually get in at least 64 -80 ounces everyday so I don't think hydration is an issue.  What kind of probiotic are you taking?  My surgeon had me try papaya enzyme tablets after meals but that is not helping.  The gas is really a pain and can be embarassing and it doesn't matter what I eat- I still get gas.

Thanks,

Kathy

Dear Kathy:

I am taking (VitaCost's house brand):
NSI Probiotic 10-20 -- 100 Vegetarian Capsules Item No. 835003004287  for $9.99.  I take one each morning and one before bed, so this is food for 50 days.
So far, it works for me, and if I miss even one, EVERYONE knows.

sounds like you are doing really well You are an inspiration to me and I thank you for sharing your success.  It's good to hear there are people who do maintain their weight loss.  I am out six years and have gained about 55 bls.  I am now at 162lbs and steadily gaining every week about 1 or 2bls a week.  I am 5ft so 160 is not ideal for me.  I have stopped working out all together and still struggle. Thanks Susie