Weight Gain

[Guest guest]

Hello,

I have to post because I am feeling distressed. The shorts that I was

wearing last summer no longer fit. I had RNY WLS two years ago and

lost 175 pounds and over the last year have gained back 25 pounds. I

read many posts over the last year about the possibility of and

reality for some of gaining weight and I just didn't think it would

happen to me.

In many ways I feel like I have lost my edge. I now crave foods and

eat foods that I would not have a year ago. I fear weighing 350

pounds again and in some ways my current weight of 200 pounds feels

like 350. I hate feeling that my clothes are so tight that I can't

breathe or that the buttons are going to pop off. I hate having

terrible gas (smelly) from overeating and dumping when I eat sugar.

Intellectually, I tell myself that I have done great, 150 pound loss

is a great accomplishment but emotionally I am feeling like I have

failed.

Have any of you been able to lose weight after gaining some back? I

feel that I need an attitude adjustment and a boost of positive

energy. Thanks.

[Guest guest]

,

I know how you are feeling. I have a few pair of pants from last summer that

are tight, and it is bothering me a lot. We both started at the same weight,

and I am now 2.5 years out - I've gained 15 pounds from my lowest. I am

struggling, but determined not to gain any more. I'd like to lose back 5

pounds. My goal is to lose 1 pounds a month - an amount that in the past

would have felt ridiculously low. Now, I know that diets won't work for me.

Instead, I'm determined to increase exercise and cut back just a bit on what

I've been eating. I'm confident that I can lose 1 pound a month with no

problem, and it feels less threatening and overwhelming to look at it that

way. I've done it for the past two months, and did lose two pounds, without

feeling deprived, without a " diet " , and in truth, without a huge amount of

effort. I do believe we can continue losing after 2 years. I know with me,

the only thing stopping me is that I'm eating so much more than I was 1 year

ago. Going back to the water, protein, exercise, low carb approach works

well, and if I'm losing slowly now, it's no big deal to me. I'm so much

happier here than I was at 350 pounds!

Helene

RNY 12/22/99

350/165

> I have to post because I am feeling distressed. The shorts that I was

> wearing last summer no longer fit. I had RNY WLS two years ago and

> lost 175 pounds and over the last year have gained back 25 pounds.

[Guest guest]

I know we can lose weight (WLS or not) for as long as it takes to get

normal and healthy! I am 3 1/2 years out and haven't stopped losing yet!

Over the past year or two I lost 40 more pounds AND I don't diet and I wasn't

able to exercise and I am a short proximal RNY with little or no macro

malabsoption issues! (If my weight loss numbers seem more or less somethimes

it is because I don't really care too much about the numbers, just the

improvment in health they represent.) I eat for body hunger and not as a

hobby or because it is time to . . .I don't care if its 2 am or 12 noon, if I

am physically hungry want " lunch " I will have it! I never planned the pounds

I would lose as that is not really in my control . . . what I can control is

my habits of behavior. Eventually whether it takes 6 months or 6 years our

physical being will reflect our dialy usual habits. I nourish my body the

best I know how to. I listen to it and honor it. There isn't any food or

craving that I don't allow myself . . . and most importantly I know I am

doing well because I feel good when I do!

When it comes to post op regain, it really helps to know what caused

or is causing it. There is one basic reason in that more calories are coming

in than you need, but you need to know why. If you ate too low of calories

in the weight loss phase, then your metabolism was compromised and normal

amounts of fodd cause the weight gain. The solution to that and getting the

metabolism back to speed is frequent small amounts of food. If you eat small

amounts every time you are physically hungry you will get hungry again sooner

AND your metabolism will speed up. Not recognizing and/or ignoring physical

hunger causes the metabolism to slow. The solution is to eat and be patient,

the weight will come off agian slowly as your metabolism recovers. The

second reason people rebound gain is because they overeat! The reasons for

overeating range from the psyco-social to just plain old mechanics . . .just

plain old not knowning what or when to eat! I never had rebound gain

because I had to get my eating in order before I could even get to goal!

During the past 3 1/2 years I have healed my metabolism, learned the

mechanics/behavior/ habits of healthy eating, and faced and changed the

emotional demons that made food compulsive for me. I hate when I hear of

people losing to a bottom weight and then gaining, even though it hasn't

happened to me, It did on diets in the past and I remember the helplessness

that accompanied the regain. It was so painful that it was easier to play

ostrich and not see it until it was all back and I was committed to " getting

it off, " once again. I think for those of us that had WLS, any regain is

harder than it is for any dieter becuse there doen't feel like there is a

next step to take if this doesn't work! There is . . . take a deep breath,

see what's going on and then be patient as you correct it.

Never ever be willing to play ostrich again . . I believe that as long

people are here or somewhere posting, giving and getting support live or

online, then they can't get too far off track. When people quit posting and

go into hiding, abondon support groups live or online, that is when they gain

and go out of control. I have seen too many quit supporting others and then

have major weight gains! What really gets me is when you see them, the first

thing that pops out of their mouth is some reason they have gained weight and

that we shouldn't worry!

I think you plan is solid Helene, except for the time frame . .

..control the habit and behavior and the weight will take care of itself in

time. Eat and behave like a 1XX woman and eventually you will become her!

Never give up, you can do this!

) Vicki

In a message dated 6/18/2002 6:31:12 AM Pacific Standard Time,

hwd.hwd@... writes:

> I am now 2.5 years out - I've gained 15 pounds from my lowest. I am

> struggling, but determined not to gain any more. I'd like to lose back 5

> pounds. My goal is to lose 1 pounds a month - an amount that in the past

> would have felt ridiculously low. Now, I know that diets won't work for

> me.

> Instead, I'm determined to increase exercise and cut back just a bit on

> what

> I've been eating. I'm confident that I can lose 1 pound a month with no

> problem, and it feels less threatening and overwhelming to look at it that

> way. I've done it for the past two months, and did lose two pounds,

> without

> feeling deprived, without a " diet " , and in truth, without a huge amount of

> effort. I do believe we can continue losing after 2 years. I know with

> me,

> the only thing stopping me is that I'm eating so much more than I was 1

> year

> ago. Going back to the water, protein, exercise, low carb approach works

> well, and if I'm losing slowly now, it's no big deal to me. I'm so much

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks to all for the advice re thyroid. My son is hypothyroid and my Mom

and hypothyroid. I keep insisting that I must have some tendencies toward

hypothyroid because of this but the testing always says no.

I'm going to cut down on the Neurontin and see if it helps.

I had a horrible crash this week due to GI problems.....I think I must have

had some type of gastro blockage.

I came back from a trip to visit my parents and it was a very emotional

visit. Since I generally run constipated....I actually filled two toilets (and

had

to unpugged them) 2Xs!!!

Then I ran dehydrated should have ran to the ER for dehydration (didn't want

to site in the ER for 4 hours waiting for help) and ultimately took 4 days to

recover. Still not up to par and feeling woozy. What is gastroparesis?

Could I have problems with my bowels causing some weight gain...? Lost 7

pounds

during the ordeal but would rather find another way to lose the weight!

P.S. To Alice....wishing you the best...

Carol

[Guest guest]

Carol, GI problems are quite common with mito. I too have

alternating constipation and diarhea along with reflux and

swallowing difficulty. I would highly recommend that you see a GI

specialist if you aren't already. Dehydration can be dangerous and

so can obstructions. Make sure you drink plenty of water and stay

away from caffinated drinks which make you more dehydrated. It's

also important to avoid drinks which contain a lot of sugar (that

includes natural sugar found in fruit juice). A GI doc would better

be able to address your specific needs and issues than your primary

care physician.

Most docs recommend a bland diet while you are having GI symptoms so

you don't increase inflammation. Chewing your food thoroughly and

eating slowly can somtimes reduce your chances of having an

obstruction. It's also recommended that you drink plenty of water

during your meal to help with digestion. Ideally, luke warm or warm

beverages assist in this process better. Cold beverages cause the

muscles to contract abruptly.

When you have severe diarhea as you mentioned you end up losing

electrolytes too. Sometimes this goes beyond what we can physically

replace by drinking water and you should go to ER or your primary

doc. If you lose too much potassium for example you can have a

heart attack. If you can tollerate chicken soup, this is one of the

best things you can eat to replace electrolytes and get you quickly

hydrated. I once heard that the Perdue volleyball team switched

from drinking Gator Aid to drinking chicken soup after games because

it rehydrated them much quicker. If you use canned soup make sure

there is no MSG and watch the sodium content too.

Best of luck,

bug

[Guest guest]

Another thing to avoid if getting dehydrated is coffee as it works like a

diuretic.

laurie

>

> Reply-To:

> Date: Sat, 17 Apr 2004 22:41:07 -0000

> To:

> Subject: Re: WEIGHT GAIN

>

> Carol, GI problems are quite common with mito. I too have

> alternating constipation and diarhea along with reflux and

> swallowing difficulty. I would highly recommend that you see a GI

> specialist if you aren't already. Dehydration can be dangerous and

> so can obstructions. Make sure you drink plenty of water and stay

> away from caffinated drinks which make you more dehydrated. It's

> also important to avoid drinks which contain a lot of sugar (that

> includes natural sugar found in fruit juice). A GI doc would better

> be able to address your specific needs and issues than your primary

> care physician.

>

> Most docs recommend a bland diet while you are having GI symptoms so

> you don't increase inflammation. Chewing your food thoroughly and

> eating slowly can somtimes reduce your chances of having an

> obstruction. It's also recommended that you drink plenty of water

> during your meal to help with digestion. Ideally, luke warm or warm

> beverages assist in this process better. Cold beverages cause the

> muscles to contract abruptly.

>

> When you have severe diarhea as you mentioned you end up losing

> electrolytes too. Sometimes this goes beyond what we can physically

> replace by drinking water and you should go to ER or your primary

> doc. If you lose too much potassium for example you can have a

> heart attack. If you can tollerate chicken soup, this is one of the

> best things you can eat to replace electrolytes and get you quickly

> hydrated. I once heard that the Perdue volleyball team switched

> from drinking Gator Aid to drinking chicken soup after games because

> it rehydrated them much quicker. If you use canned soup make sure

> there is no MSG and watch the sodium content too.

>

> Best of luck,

> bug

>

>

>

>

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