Weight gain at 3 Years Post Op - WHAT TO DO?

[stefaniwg 172]

Let me start off that I have not been a model sleever for the past 3 years but in 2014 I reached my goal weight of 130 in less than an year. I was able to maintain it with eating clean/ low carbish diet for awhile until my weight settled around 135-138, and I was ok with that. Over the last 6-9 months I have gained 10-15 pounds and am not happy about it. I started to get more strict on my food with no increase of activity for the first 6 months. Never did exercise much from the beginning just here and there and I could drop 5-7 lbs quickly before. What changed? Now Im super serious about losing this weight. For the past 4 weeks I have worked out for 30-45 minutes 3-5 times per week. My food has been on point with one allowed cheat meal per week, which would consist of grilled chicken, green Beans and mashed potatoes for example. I have not lost one freaking pound! This is extremely frustrating!!! I cannot figure out what Im doing wrong?? BTW i start off my reset with a 3 day liquid diet. Could my metabolism be broken? Has my weight just settled here now? The things that I have always done just don't seem to work anymore. Even with increased exercise.I still eat very little and on a saucer or salad plate. Is anyone else going thru again similar? I really don't want to spend the money on a personal trainer and nutritionist but it's looking like i may.... TIA

[fat_free 463]

Following....same boat, different Water

[Recycled 2,182]

It seems the new research shows that our metabolism has undergone a permanent change and is going to bite us in the ass if we get off track even a little. Why am I not surprised.

It wasn't enough that we had to go to this extreme to get it off, but we have to now live by even stricter rules to keep it off.

[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

Let me start off that I have not been a model sleever for the past 3 years but in 2014 I reached my goal weight of 130 in less than an year. I was able to maintain it with eating clean/ low carbish diet for awhile until my weight settled around 135-138, and I was ok with that. Over the last 6-9 months I have gained 10-15 pounds and am not happy about it. I started to get more strict on my food with no increase of activity for the first 6 months. Never did exercise much from the beginning just here and there and I could drop 5-7 lbs quickly before. What changed? Now Im super serious about losing this weight. For the past 4 weeks I have worked out for 30-45 minutes 3-5 times per week. My food has been on point with one allowed cheat meal per week, which would consist of grilled chicken, green Beans and mashed potatoes for example. I have not lost one freaking pound! This is extremely frustrating!!! I cannot figure out what Im doing wrong?? BTW i start off my reset with a 3 day liquid diet. Could my metabolism be broken? Has my weight just settled here now? The things that I have always done just don't seem to work anymore. Even with increased exercise.I still eat very little and on a saucer or salad plate. Is anyone else going thru again similar? I really don't want to spend the money on a personal trainer and nutritionist but it's looking like i may.... TIA

Congratulations on your tremendous success so far.

If you are not happy with where you are, why not make an appointment with your NUT to talk about your goals and challenges? You talk about eating very little but don't mention Protein. Are you eating enough?

In the meantime, go back to basics.

Track your food.

Make sure you are getting at least 64 oz of Fluid a day.

Eat Protein first and make sure you are reaching your protein target. (What is your protein target?) Mine is 100 grams a day.)

Avoid added sugars (especially high fructose corn syrup), starches, and fried foods.

Take your Vitamins and supplements. Have you had any blood work recently?

Practice eating mindfully. Eat slowly, take small bites, and chew thoroughly.

Try changing up your exercise. Are you doing any kind of weight training or resistance exercise? Maybe consider having your body fat and muscle composition assessed and talking with a personal trainer about your goals.

Get enough restful sleep.

Eating enough protein with frequent small meals and Snacks, staying hydrated, exercising (especially preserving and building muscle), and getting enough restful sleep will all help keep your metabolism running effectively.

[stefaniwg 172]

Recycled, I for sure think that my metabolism is broken. I eat low carb high Protein daily. A few months ago I could tighten up on my food and lose weight and now that doesn't work anymore. I refuse to have to starve myself in order to lose weight. That's no way to live.

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[stefaniwg 172]

Inner surfer girl, I don't to the same exercises each day as I know better. I sleep 7-9 hours a night, I eat probably 70 grams of Protein. No starches or sugar unless on a cheat meal. Only snack on low carb foods and fruit. Drink at least 64 oz of Water. All the things that I have always done. It's just not working anymore. I recently had blood work and all my levels were good. I'm just thinking my metabolism is shot.

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[Christinamo7 4,042]

I would recommend tracking everything to make sure you are not eating too little, as well. Sometimes we go all gung ho when we get serious about changes. Also, choose some work outs where you push yourself, hard and others that are gentle and relaxing to reduce cortisol. and, as always get plenty to drink and be patient with your body.

Also, I recommend epsom salts baths and massage as a way to help your body realize you aren't trying to kill it.

[KristenLe 5,979]

@@stefaniwg How many calories do you get? I am pre-surgery so I could he wrong but maybe you need more Protein and some healthy fats. Be sure to watch sodium levels. Track your food and weigh yourself daily to see what may be going on.

[stefaniwg 172]

I've been consistently eating around 1200 calories. These are all the things I have always done. But I'm wanting to know if this is an issue with those that are 3 years or more out from surgery.

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[Babbs 14,681]

Almost two years out here. What you are going through is very common, if that makes you feel better. Statistics show that there is a 5-10% "bounce" that happens around 2-3 years out that most people go the through. Without doing anything too differently (seemingly), we will gain some weight and it's harder to get off than before. I have almost inexplicably gained 3 pounds, and after trying for a month, it's NOT coming off. I'm afraid my 5-10% is on its way, but I'll fight it the best I can in the mean time.

I think this is where people make the decision to either accept it as long as they are maintaining and be thankful they still aren't where they were before, or fight super hard ( like you said, practically starving yourself) to get back down to their lowest. It's up to you.

My husband had RNY 10 years ago, and gained 20 pounds from his lowest weight, but has pretty much settled and maintained that weight for 10 years with a couple of gains here and there that he manages to get back off. I honestly think our bodies just settle where they are most comfortable weight wise (whether we like it or not), and as long as we keep it at the healthy range, there's nothing wrong with that. It's still hard!

[Andrew0929 1,101]

I'm 2.5 years out and have followed your exact pattern. At goal in 9 months and up 10 pounds after about 26 months.

I consulted with my surgeons staff and they said it very common to bounce off your low at 2 years out.

I was actually up 13 pounds from my lowest weight but have reduced calories and carbs as well as increasing exercise and am now about 5 pounds above lowest weight .

I continue to measure and log all food and exercise.

[stefaniwg 172]

Thank you for your responses. I hate that this is happening but it does make me feel better that I'm not alone. That this is "normal" as much as it sucks. I won't give up as I can NEVER allow myself to get back to where I was before. Maybe it was just easy before and now I have to fight. It's hard pill to swallow but I will continue to fight!

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[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

Inner surfer girl, I don't to the same exercises each day as I know better. I sleep 7-9 hours a night, I eat probably 70 grams of Protein. No starches or sugar unless on a cheat meal. Only snack on low carb foods and fruit. Drink at least 64 oz of Water. All the things that I have always done. It's just not working anymore. I recently had blood work and all my levels were good. I'm just thinking my metabolism is shot.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Try increasing your Protein and your fluids.

Have you talked to your NUT?

Have you talked to a personal trainer?

[Recycled 2,182]

I'm two and half years out and have experienced the bounce and weight gain as well. It's hell getting it off.

And to all those newly sleeved or early on offering advice.........thanks for the well intended advice, but it's not the same as at the beginning. We know and have already tried all the usual stuff.

I feel for @@stefaniwg and what she is going thru. It is frustrating this far out when we think that we already KNOW what to do and then no matter what we do, it no longer works. I was at my wits end trying to lose some extra pounds, when I got sick from some unknown bug and lost 12 pounds. I'll take it however I can.

Now I watch the pounds even more closely to avoid gaining.

So, just food for thought newbies.......it may not be easy street farther out.......pay close attention.

[gpmed 623]

Veterans, thank you all once again for helping those of us with less time under our belts understand what struggles might be ahead for us. And OP, I wish you all the best as you deal with this!