Help... surgery in 2008....and I am lost ...need help getting back on track

I had a gastric bypass in 2008 I weighed 328,  I did excellent and found myself under 200 within a year. My problem is this in 2010 my weight had leveled off at 210 more than I wanted but better than 328, except I was falling a lot and feeling very dizzy, being an accountant I hid this pretty well to make a long story short I finally made an appointment to my MD.  she was concerned and ordered a cat scan, then an MRI nest thing I knew I was seeing a Brain surgeon at Barnes. They found a brain tumor and what they originally thought was MS was finally identified as a series of strokes. Well the next 18 months was a series of test, doctor visits and physical therapy. FIRST let me be very clear my surgery had nothing to do with my brains problems. There was talk of surgery, chemo and radiation. Well I am a single mom at the age of 40 my sons father left before he was born, so I decided I need to raise my son on my own, I worked full time +, and went to get my MBA. After working so hard to build a life for us, the whole stroke brain tumor came as a serious blow to my ability to look challenges in the eye and concur them. My mentality was oh poor me I have worked hard and now people with my type tumor have life expectancy of 4 weeks to several years. Needless to say I turned to my old habits and now I am carrying about 40 lbs. I need to lose, I never thought this would be an issue .....but here I am almost 4 years since they found my tumor still alive and actually enjoying life. In the last four years I have learned that what starts out to appear to be a crisis with God in control is actually a blessing. I was working myself to death. with my medical issues I retired, and now since I am not immediately terminal  I need to drop this weight. since I appear to have no real self control I have thought that I might try the pre surgery diet and see a counselor for my food issues. HOWEVER, since part of my issues has cost me my memory I can not remember the diet......so I am hoping one of you might allow me to review the pre op diet you are on....please   

Hugs!.. Many many hugs!!!. 

So, you are a survivor determined to get back on track.  Congratulations. !!!.

IMO- if you did not have recent lab work- very detailed, you may need to start with it now. Sometimes poor vitamin  or mineral level may cause cravings, low energy.  I know that when my iron -ferritin is below 30 - there is not much i want or can do. Same with B12, or B1...low protein, also leaves me tired and unmotivated. Low vit D3 - you guess- low energy, depression , or frequent cold. 

So as long as your lab work is good to very good, then 2 things work for me: changing my diet - higher protein, low carbs (decarbing) and gentle movemnts (i personally do best with walking and yoga)

My Back On Track Diet:

1. Journal food (MFP) so i really know what and how much i eat...

2. Journal my feelings.- so i know my triggers that sabotage my diet

3. Good real food - and a veriaty of it - so i dont feel deprived.

 

As for my diet - this what works for me:

Eliminate all grains, and limit straches  (i can't  have a bite -they triger my cravings)

Dense proteins - meat, fish, eggs.. (I am allergic to dairy - but cheese or yogurt would be lovely)

Drastically limit any artificial sweeteners (they may cause issue) -but i tolerate stevia

No limit on Non strachy veggies - my pouch limits how much i can have after i had my 3-6 oz of proteins..

Healthy fats - butter, bacon, avocado, coconut oil, nuts and seeds. (Fat makes my body happy, makes my feel full and allows me to stay on plan).

Check our BOTT group - read some old posts to see what and how much some of us who are losing weight are eating.

http://www.obesityhelp.com/group/backontracktogether/discussion/

Small goals/ short challenges help me when i get discouraged. 

Calorie cycling (a few days really low followed by one day of refeeding - still eating same type of foods - but maybe a more qty - like nuts, nut butter, maybe adding some 85% chocolate?, or berries..)...

Hala had an excellent response. You are a survivor!! Celebrate!!

Protein first, then veggies, and a little fruit. No crappy carbs- bread, rice, crackers, potatoes, etc. Weight and measure your servings. Track your food somewhere like myfitnesspal.

You have a lot of living left to do. You can do this!!