lemonpoppyseed2013

Hi everyone.. Hoping for some advice. I had my sleeve done in March 2013..and lost approx 66 pounds....I had done really well up until about 6 months ago where I have just been on an eating road to destruction. I can now eat so much more...which is my downfall.I am snacking between meals now because I "think" I'm hungry...and now I get occasional hunger pangs which of course I never had initially after surgery.Up until 6 months ago I would get warning signs that I was full but now when I do get them it's way too late and I feel ill.I've been reading the tiny amounts people are still only able to et at 3 years post surgery,but I can still eat good sized meals. I don't eat meat..and after surgery I had a lot of Protein shakes to keep my protein up,but thats also stopped too.I do eat fish and chicken but not that often. I had started exercising before Christmas..after no exercise after surgery..just keeping busy with incidental exercise but fell off the wagon,so currently do not do any form of exercise except for a job that keeps me moving a fair bit. I've also stopped taking Vitamins,not intentionally..but wonder if they make a difference? I've tried rebooking into my surgeon but they have no appointments until April. I've been under a lot of stress lately and have reverted back to my comfort eating which is what got me to the point of surgery in the first place. Do anyone think i should go back on the Optifast VLCD as a kick start? I was thinking if I did that for a few weeks for Breakfast and lunch and just have a regular meal for dinner? Any input would be really appreciated.

I do take my vitamins when I remember but they always make me feel nauseous...and I was told they were for life too.I have gone without exercise and still lost weight,but I guess the stomach has stretched now so I can't rely on no exercise.I have a good Multi..its a PreNatal..Iron,Magnesium,Vitamin D..and a thyroid health one.Yes I don't always have my protein first...maybe I need to consciously get the protein in first. I have done the pouch reset a few times in the last 2 years and it does make a difference..maybe I need to do that again. Definitely need to rebook and appointment and get back on track. In the past, when I have taken a single vitamin that has a megadose of vitamins and minerals, it has made me nauseous. Now, in addition to just a regular multi-vitamin, I take different supplements. None of them make me nauseous. Have you tried different vitamins? No I haven't tried any different supplements..I guess because they are in bulk I really don't want to throw them out LOL.I'm going to start having them with meals as I usually wait and have them mid morning on probably an empty stomach.

Thanks Alex.Just in the last few days I have changed my diet by adding protein..I have already lost over 6 pounds.That's proof that the high protein diet works to help keep focused and not graze.I will add the Vitamins because of course they can't hurt.

I think it's important to find one who specialises in WLS.I know my problem is when life and things don't go my way..I get annoyed and eat...I always have.I'm trying to make changes..and hopefully this year I will.My surgeon had a package with so many visits to the Dr,nutritionist and physiatrist ...it was more like a revolving door to get us through..nothing specialised I thought.They're very busy these days and trying to get an appointment is near impossible.Once these are finished I'll find one closer to home.

I guess it does come down to basics. High protein is a big one..and yes after my surgery I did that and the weight did come off easily. I have to get back on track...I know the sleeve is only a tool...it comes down to me in the end. I do find I snack but I guess that's obviously because whatever I'm eating hasn't filled me up to satisfy me till my next meal. Thanks for your support everyone..XX Will keep you posted.

I guess it does come down to basics. High protein is a big one..and yes after my surgery I did that and the weight did come off easily. I have to get back on track...I know the sleeve is only a tool...it comes down to me in the end. I do find I snack but I guess that's obviously because whatever I'm eating hasn't filled me up to satisfy me till my next meal. Thanks for your support everyone..XX

Thanks for your advice.Yes it's the getting back on track that's hard.I think going back to the surgeon who includes therapy,and nutrition will be good.I guess unless you get to the root of the issues they stay with you forever.I know I am a comfort eater..and I've had a lot of things going on of late...and I guess food is my comfort.Doesn't help that I am around food all day at work.What does the therapy do?I did have one session initially after my first surgery and it was over before I knew it..of course you have a different frame of mind when you have had surgery initially and CAN'T eat the amounts you used to.

I do take my vitamins when I remember but they always make me feel nauseous...and I was told they were for life too.I have gone without exercise and still lost weight,but I guess the stomach has stretched now so I can't rely on no exercise. I have a good Multi..its a PreNatal..Iron,Magnesium,Vitamin D..and a thyroid health one.Yes I don't always have my protein first...maybe I need to consciously get the protein in first. I have done the pouch reset a few times in the last 2 years and it does make a difference..maybe I need to do that again. Definitely need to rebook and appointment and get back on track.

Ive just found an app called Baritastic..ive downloaded that to check it out.Yes whoever makes an app for weight loss after surgery will be onto something..lol

I've gained 13 pounds in the last 6 or so months.I was sleeved exactly 3 years ago. It's not easy...and it's so easy to fall back into bad habits. I'm curious as to what size portions are your meals? I do snack..and after dinner I crave something sweet. My portions are definitely not what they once were after surgery..and I know I'm guilty of never leaving food on the plate!!

Hi Smallbird...I feel your pain.I have come to the forum today because I too have gained 13 pounds in the last 6 or so months and don't know what to do with myself. I'm hoping for some advice too. I'm glad you have made the first step of going back to your surgeon.I can't get an appointment for mine till April which I'm not impressed about. Sounds like there could be more to your weight gain as you are following all the rules and exercising without any luck. I hope you get some more replies...hopefully someone can help you overcome this stumble.. Good luck :-)

Thanks Inner Surf Girl. I somehow thought it was so you wouldn't stretch your sleeve.I have already lost about 2.6 pounds just from returning to Protein first.So am sticking to this for a while :-) Good luck with your surgery

Firstly I know this is a question for the Veteran page but for some reason I can't post on there. I was sleeved 2 years ago and have lost in total 59 pounds. I'm finding that I have recently put on 6 pounds since Christmas.How do I get back on track? I've done the 5 day Pouch Test about 6 months ago which I found kind of got me back on track..but somehow I have slipped into old habits. My biggest problem seems to be snacking after dinner at night.I'm always looking for something sweet...and usually end up with chocolate,dessert,ice cream...or anything that I have baked(since I love baking). I don't measure my food,but have switched to smaller bowls,and side plates for all my meals. For Breakfast I usually have a small bowl of Cereal with almond milk or baked Beans on toast or 2 eggs on toast. lunch is usually a sandwich(and I usually can't finish it) with turkey or tuna and salad and cheese.Sometimes it's left overs...sometimes sushi (usually 1 roll) I don't have morning or afternoon tea.Usually a few espresso coffees through the day with one sugar. Around 5 pm I get ravenous and start the unhealthy snacking like Peanut Butter pretzels,crackers with peanut butter whilst I wait for the family for dinner. Dinner is fish and veggies or chicken and veggies...sometimes pasta(not very often though).I will occasionally have a few sips of coconut Water or water with my meal...yes I think I already know this a BIG NO NO. After surgery I strictly followed the 3o mins before and after meals liquids regime. I also usually finish my meal in about 5-10 minutes. I haven't found anything that I can't eat,except I don't eat red meat. Then around 8pm I start looking for sweets.I've always had a sweet tooth but after surgery I never had any room for snacking now 2 years out I'm finding the sweets too hard to resist. The other thing I'm not so sure about is the sipping of water.After I had surgery I was told to sip,sip, sip...was this meant to be only after surgery...or something to follow forever? I'm fortunate that when I feel like I have had enough I get the unusual symptom of my nose starting to run...which must be my bodies way of saying you've had enough...and it happens often and I can simply stop eating. I have never been into exercise and didn't start any exercise programmes after my surgery...I work as an air hostess and this keeps me pretty active....though I do walk a lot when I'm away for work. I haven't been back to my surgeon in over a year. Should I just go back to basics?

I never did any extra exercise after surgery...as I loathe exercise. That said i walk a lot and I like to keep busy. I'm 2 years sleeved....but what I do regret is that I didn't do MORE. I'm older than you...but I have yucky thighs and a bit of excess skin under my arms. Advice to my younger self would be to not waste the opportunity again and get in and do more exercise. I'm not saying go and run for 2 hours on the treadmill but definitely do more toning exercises.My Dr did advise me to do this but I though I knew better. I also think to lose it slowly is the best way too...it's not a race.:-) Good luck :-)

I actually had the Gastric Sleeve. I was actually thinking of going back to my surgeon...I haven't been back in over a year.

This surprises me. Does everyone with a WLS experience a noticeable lessening of their restriction over time? I'm only 10 months out but I still feel full on portions that would have been an appetizer pre-surgery. Almost 2 years out. I can eat 1/4 -1/2 cup max. That is amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm probably eating 1.5-2 cups?

I'm so glad you posted this question. I am exactly like you...2 years out and I too have gained a little weight..nearly 7 pounds I feel like I can eat so much more and it takes me longer to feel full. Are you a snacker? I'm finding that at night time I am always going looking for something sweet. I also sometimes have a few sips of something to drink with my meals at night time. Can you pinpoint exactly what you are doing differently? I've also just had a months vacation which I think mentally has given me the green light to overeat.