Hunger 3 years post op, Regain

[MAAANYC3 11]

I had my gastric sleeve done in October ‘16. On the day of my surgery I was 207 lbs and by July ‘17 I was 144. I loved that weight.

Initially after surgery I had no hunger. I could barely consume 200 calories a day for the first 4 months. For a long time after that, I struggled to get to 800 calories. My surgeon wanted me to increase my caloric intake bc I wasn’t eating enough. And honestly I really didn’t want to eat solids.

Fast forward to Spring ‘18. I was ravenous. Still am. I’m hungry all the time. I’ve had some regain. Currently I’m 160, and I’m 5’1”.

Not exactly obese but not as lean as I used to be. Based on my physiological composition 135 is ideal. This took a long time for me to accept as according to the BMI chart for someone my height, my weight should be between 97- 132 lbs.

133 lbs was my goal, but I would be happy to be back at 144lbs.

Any advice? What can I do to stop the hunger pangs?

I’ve begun Keto, but have found the dairy keeps me looking and feeling bloated.

Atkins? And can we eat as much as we want until we feel full? Or do we still have to adhere to small servings like during post-op stage 4?

Also, I feel so guilty I can now eat a lot more than during my first year post-op, I feel like I don’t have the restriction, and I’m scared to come to terms with this. I definitely don’t serve myself the way I did pre-op, but I’m guessing that’s just bc I’m in fear of gaining more weight.

Could I have stretched out my sleeve?

Any feedback from this amazing community would be so useful!

Thanks everybody :)

[elcee 3,341]

Go back to basics.

Protein first, don’t drink with meals, cut out carbs especially the “ junky” carbs, plan your meals, don’t graze, serve your portion on a small plate etc.

All the things that were second nature immediately after surgery that tend to slide the further out we get.

Your BMI is in the obese range, you need to take this in hand before it gets worse.

You can do it.

[GreenTealael 25,350]

Throw in some clean salads too!

[Pearldrop 164]

You are doing the right thing by taking back control. Reread the information and advise you were given at surgery. Check your Water intake, are you drinking enough? Be mindful of what you are eating, time, amounts and Snacks. Eat tasty salads and Soups for your veggies and eat your Protein first.

youve got this, be kind to yourself.

you may also want to check in with a nutritionist, Keto/Atkins ect aren’t always good for everyone

[AchieveGoals 46]

Just curious, do you suffer from GERD being 3 years out? Thanks

[MAAANYC3 11]

@AchieveGoals, yes I do. Never had an issue with it pre-op. Some days are better than others and your diet is contingent to its severity.

[AchieveGoals 46]

4 minutes ago, MAAANYC3 said:

@AchieveGoals, yes I do. Never had an issue with it pre-op. Some days are better than others and your diet is contingent to its severity.

On your worst days how would u rate it from 1-10 10 being the worst

[FluffyChix 17,415]

[MAAANYC3 11]

Thank you @FluffyChix 😊

It is the hardest part to reset. I am ravenous all day!

I can’t drink Water by itself unless it’s icy cold and I add some cranberry juice to it, not for flavor but for color 🤦🏻‍♀️, I know, I know 🤯

The reason I have gone back on this app is bc my surgeon relocated last year and her partner, I just could not get on with him.

I don’t have my post-op instructional binder (long story)

I did get the instructions from obesityaction.org, but there’s nothing there for someone who’s 3 years out.

So I can’t wait to hear what the veterans have been upto 🤓

[Rainbow_Warrior 996]

20 hours ago, MAAANYC3 said:

Could I have stretched out my sleeve?

Any feedback from this amazing community would be so useful!

It's entirely possible.

Have you tried the recommended "GASTRIC SLEEVE RESET"?

Here is a cut 'n' paste:

Complete Five-Day Bariatric Reset Diet

The Five-Day pouch reset is a "reset" diet for people who have had gastric bypass surgery and might be starting to regain weight.

Step 1

Drink only liquids for the first two days of the five-day diet.

You'll need to drink at least two litres of Water in addition to low-carb Protein Shakes. You can drink as many shakes as you want; the point of the first 48 hours is to take a break from your eating habits. By getting all of the nutritional needs from liquids, you'll be forced to pay attention to how often you were eating, snacking or simply grazing. Remember: The goal during this phase isn't weight loss, but mentally re-setting your habits. You can't make your pouch smaller through changes in diet, but you can learn Portion Control.< /span>

Step 2

Eat only Protein the next three days.

On day three, you'll eat "soft protein" such as eggs and cottage cheese.< span>

On day four, you'll eat "ground meats" -- such as meatloaf and hamburger.

On day five, you'll eat "solid proteins" such as chicken breast or a piece of fish.

Limit Condiments, such as salsa or Mayonnaise. Foods should be as dry as possible -- which will help you gauge how full you are.

You're allowed to eat as much as you'd like and as often as you like, but you must stop eating 15 minutes after you start. Do not sit and eat for longer than 15 minutes at any point during the final stage of the diet.

Step 3

Do not drink any liquids 30 minutes before eating or with your meals.

Liquids can help push foods more quickly through your pouch, allowing you to eat more than you should. Many facets of the five-day bariatric pouch reset diet are similar to the post-op diet followed right after surgery.

Tips

Plan ahead because the diet restricts the types of food you can eat. Make sure you have the foods you need on hand. The goal of this diet is to make you conscious of your food choices and stop mindless eating.

Warnings

According to the National Institutes of Health, "bypass surgery alone is not a solution to losing weight. It can train you to eat less, but you still have to do much of the work. You will need to follow the exercise and eating guidelines that your doctor and dietitian gave you."

[Rainbow_Warrior 996]

21 minutes ago, MAAANYC3 said:

It is the hardest part to reset. I am ravenous all day!

I don’t have my post-op instructional binder (long story)

I know the feeling.

I swim 2+ hours most days and do gym/weights 3 or 4 times per week.

I cycle 35-65 minutes 4-6 days per week.

My energy burns make me extremely hungry, I have a lot of 1850-2300 calorie days when I should (logically) stick to 1100-1200 on my big days.

I have been around the 105-109 kilogram area now for five months.

A few messages ago I posted you the RESET DIET ... I should work at it myself. I actually restarted it Monday 9th Sept ... 50 hours ago.

Best of luck.

[MAAANYC3 11]

So amazing @Rainbow_Warrior!

Thank you!

So at this point of our post-op journey, as long as we don’t go over 1300 calories we’re safe?

I too have been going from 800-1000 this past week.

The biggest no no I never truly adhered to was not drinking with my food.

I’m learning so much.
I don’t take Vitamins or other supplements, I see everyone is on them. I honestly don’t know why we have to.
I’m forever cold. I have definitely asked my primary doctor why am I ravenous all day, he thinks it’s bc of the GERD, or that I might be anxious.

[Torriluv02 44]

So amazing@Rainbow_Warrior!

Thank you!

So at this point of our post-op journey, as long as we don’t go over 1300 calories we’re safe?

I too have been going from 800-1000 this past week.

The biggest no no I never truly adhered to was not drinking with my food.

I’m learning so much.
I don’t take Vitamins or other supplements, I see everyone is on them. I honestly don’t know why we have to.
I’m forever cold. I have definitely asked my primary doctor why am I ravenous all day, he thinks it’s bc of the GERD, or that I might be anxious.

I'll be 3 years out October 5th. My lowest was 140lbs. I didn't stay there long. Ive been in the 170s for MONTHS. I notice tho. If i eat dense Protein, weigh it out and my veggies. That's all i can eat. If that's all i have room for, i can't even think if drinking anything for over an hour sometimes. The less carbs i have the less cravings i have. If i just do dense protein with veggies 3 times a day it's hard for me to get to 1000 calories. It's at night when my sweet tooth gets hella triggered. But im realizing if i keep my tummy full of dense protein i can't risk the heartburn and slimes and everything else that comes with over eating. I have to overcome my mind at this point. Get back in the gym and fix my Water and sleeping schedule. My only saving grace is my restriction. It's why i think i haven't gone back to 200lbs. That and my resolve. Ive been pretty easily maintaining in the 170s but i hate it. Im still in the obese range for my height and it upsets the hell out of me. Just know i know the struggle. Your restriction im sure is still there. You probably haven't triggered it with the right foods. Beef and chicken i can only do about 2.5 oz of if i eat them with 1.5oz of veggies. And I'm full for over an hour and satisfied for several. The denser the protein, the less i eat, the less hungry i feel. Reading that makes the lightbulb go off for me lol. I hope i was able to make you feel a little more at ease. It's not as hard most times as we make it for ourselves. Im here for an ear. I really have no one to vent to without feeling guilty and whiney lol. Sorry for the life story lol.

Sent from my SM-G950U using BariatricPal mobile app

[FluffyChix 17,415]

On 9/10/2019 at 6:57 PM, MAAANYC3 said:

I can’t drink Water by itself unless it’s icy cold and I add some cranberry juice to it, not for flavor but for color 🤦🏻‍♀️, I know, I know 🤯

You are starving all day, cuz you are on a slow drip of sugar (aka cranberry juice). It keeps your insulin elevated and keeps you starving. Which do you want worse? To be thin without constant hunger? Or to not be able to comply with your plan and continue to see your weight go up. It's a very simple option.

[MAAANYC3 11]

@Torriluv02, thank you so much for such detailed account! I’m so happy to be back on the app and taking everything in. Everyone’s response has helped me sooo much in getting focused and remembering why I had the surgery in the first place. Not an excuse, but it’s been so hard with work and family and life happening. No one knows I’ve had Bariatric surgery. I have kept it a secret because experience with my people has taught me its best this way.