Guest guest Posted October 23, 2003 Report Share Posted October 23, 2003 I have the same problem. I had surgery (lap RNY, proximal) on June 29, 2001. I lost 162 pounds and got to a low of 190(from 352),for about one minute. During second year, I stayed around 194, but then stopped exercising as regularly as I had been (2 hours 5 days a week using weights and swimming/biking/running),and I started to eat more, and started eating more of the foods I ate pre-op. Things like pasta, pizza and cheeseburgers. Never in the amounts that I ate pre-op, but I still find myself snacking constantly, and some days it seems like I just can't stop. Other days, I can barely eat anything. I have gained 14 lbs, and seem to be staying at that weight. I have heard that there is " re-bound " weight that we gain in some cases, and I think I have done that. I am no longer scared that I will gain all of the weight back, because I know that pre-op, I would have already gained much more. One thing that stops me from overdoing it, at least during the day when I am at work or out and about, is seeing morbidly obese people. I know it might be cruel to think this, but I say to myself " remember where you came from " and it usually stops me. Maybe get a picture of yourself preop(if you have any) and keep it handy, so when you find yourself wanting to mindlessly graze, take it out and look at it. Remember how it was before your surgery. Remember how you felt! How awful it was. You are not a failure until you stop trying!! I was walking to lunch the other day at work, and I was determined to get a cheeseburger, or some kind of fatty food. I thought to myself " you can make at least SOME effort not to do this! " and it worked. Never beat yourself up, just try and be aware of what you are doing. I know it is always easier said than done, but you will be alright if you just try and be aware of what you are eating. Try and think about what is going through your mind; what are you feeling when you find yourself snacking endlessly? I usually find that I am trying to avoid something when I do that. So, then I ask myself what it is, and then I try to confront the situation and correct it, rather than hide behind food. It is never easy, and it probably never will be, but even if you can make it work half the time, it is better than none of the time. Best of luck to you! Deanna > I don't know where my willpower is lately, I think it's on > vacation. I generally do well during the day, but then at night I > become obsessed with snacking. I feel like I eat the right things > (most of the time) But I even over do them. I try to snack on > cottage cheese or pork rinds, but I feel like I overeat them. I am > able to eat ALOT more than I used to be, and it scares the bejeebers > out of me. I almost wished I was one of the ones that throw up, but > honestly I never have been. Maybe the first month and that's it. I > am terrified I am gonna weigh 311 again, or more. But it seems like > the more I think about NOT eating, the more I wind up in the kitchen > for " just a bite " of something. I've tried loading on water....does > not work. I've tried the " nothing after 6pm " ...does not work...I > feel like I am STARVING after 6pm. I know it's mental hunger, but > mental or not, it ends by me being in the kitchen eating something I > don't really need. I know you guys will be the ones to give me the > kick in the butt I need. I live alone, and there is nobody here to > see me when I " cheat " This is the lowest I have felt about myself > since my surgery (11/01) I've gotta do something fast. My nurse > swears that it is impossible for me to gain my weight back. But I'm > up 10 lbs, and I'm not sure that it's not gonna get worse. Please > help me. Thank you, Pam > > > > Homepage: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Graduate-OSSG > > Unsubscribe: mailto:Graduate-OSSG-unsubscribe > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 24, 2003 Report Share Posted October 24, 2003 In a message dated 10/23/03 9:52:15 PM Central Daylight Time, dixiedew@... writes: > My nurse swears that it is impossible for me to gain my weight back. ------------- That is one of the saddest pieces of misinformation I have ever seen. Shame on her for attempting to lull you into a fall sense of security and give you the green light to become complacent! I believe that your " gut " instinct on this is right on the money -- you can and will regain the weight if the unplanned snacking takes over. Fight like the devil. Have you tried things like raw veggies at night that are pouch fillers and can help keep you from eating other things? Also, I'm sure that many of the people here will be asking you how you're doing with your protein! One of the great ideas I have hear before about night time snacking is to take up a hobby that requires clean hands -- like cross stitching on white canvas ... it's pretty incompatible with eating. Beth Houston, TX VBG - Dr. Srungaram 05/31/00 - 314 lbs. 11/01/02 - Abdominoplasty 11/29/02 - 160 lbs. 5'10 " Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 24, 2003 Report Share Posted October 24, 2003 Dear Cindy, It's sounds like you've " been around the block with this. " I thought of all the things that have helped me adjust over the last 5 years. It's our journey. I've been in therapy for the past five years. I view it in the same category as having a trainer at the gym. Anyway, I found your post quite thoughtful. Thanks, in Austin RNY April 1998 Failing miserably > > Going through a big weight loss change affects everything in our > lives...our friends, spouses, children....it affects the way people see > us and how we see everyone else. To some of us who have been overweight > all of our lives, we have behaviors that have existed since childhood. > Food might have been the only way we knew to nurture ourselves...How can > we not look at and deal with all of the emotions these things bring > inside of us? > > Please, talk to someone about getting back on track. > Cindy > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 24, 2003 Report Share Posted October 24, 2003 Pam, First off, doesn't sound like you are " failing miserably " . I can definitely relate to what you are going through though. I too have found that at 22 mos post op I can eat alot more than I could a year ago. Although, there are days I can eat more and others where I eat less. I too have the snacking cravings at nite and live alone so it has posed a problem. Like you I have tried water loading and at times it has helped and at others it has not. Just hang in there. For me, I stepped up my exercise and have tried to get back to the higher protein and lower carb eating program. It has helped. The 3 lbs that I freaked at last week are now gone again and I am feeling back in control. Lap/RNY 1/17/02 Dr. Wayne English 399/188 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 24, 2003 Report Share Posted October 24, 2003 > I don't know where my willpower is lately, I think it's on > vacation. I generally do well during the day, but then at night I > become obsessed with snacking. I feel like I eat the right things > (most of the time) But I even over do them. I try to snack on > cottage cheese or pork rinds, but I feel like I overeat them. I am > able to eat ALOT more than I used to be, and it scares the bejeebers > out of me. I almost wished I was one of the ones that throw up, but > honestly I never have been. Maybe the first month and that's it. I > am terrified I am gonna weigh 311 again, or more. But it seems like > the more I think about NOT eating, the more I wind up in the kitchen > for " just a bite " of something. I've tried loading on water....does > not work. I've tried the " nothing after 6pm " ...does not work...I > feel like I am STARVING after 6pm. I know it's mental hunger, but > mental or not, it ends by me being in the kitchen eating something I > don't really need. I know you guys will be the ones to give me the > kick in the butt I need. I live alone, and there is nobody here to > see me when I " cheat " This is the lowest I have felt about myself > since my surgery (11/01) I've gotta do something fast. My nurse > swears that it is impossible for me to gain my weight back. But I'm > up 10 lbs, and I'm not sure that it's not gonna get worse. Please > help me. Thank you, Pam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 24, 2003 Report Share Posted October 24, 2003 Beth that is really a good idea..a hobby to do and the veggies. At night I notice it's hardest for me to not snack. So, I try to keep full on water and if i absolutely must chew: celery, carrots, sunflower seeds, gum Sherra Re: Failing miserably > In a message dated 10/23/03 9:52:15 PM Central Daylight Time, > dixiedew@... writes: > > > My nurse swears that it is impossible for me to gain my weight back. > ------------- > > That is one of the saddest pieces of misinformation I have ever seen. > Shame on her for attempting to lull you into a fall sense of security and > give you the green light to become complacent! > I believe that your " gut " instinct on this is right on the money -- > you can and will regain the weight if the unplanned snacking takes over. > Fight like the devil. > Have you tried things like raw veggies at night that are pouch fillers > and can help keep you from eating other things? Also, I'm sure that many of > the people here will be asking you how you're doing with your protein! > One of the great ideas I have hear before about night time snacking is > to take up a hobby that requires clean hands -- like cross stitching on white > canvas ... it's pretty incompatible with eating. > > Beth > Houston, TX > VBG - Dr. Srungaram > 05/31/00 - 314 lbs. > 11/01/02 - Abdominoplasty > 11/29/02 - 160 lbs. > 5'10 " > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 24, 2003 Report Share Posted October 24, 2003 But that's how our disease works. Not too hot for bfast for many hours (as I sit here, need to eat bfast, it's noon, don't wanna), then once we start with food, hard to slam on the brakes come evening. It's not a character flaw, it's part of the disease. Knowing that, I will eventually think of something that doesn't gross me out for bfast, and then try to cram 4 meals in by 9pm. LOL! But once dinner (whatever the last meal is) is done, no more food. Thanks, Vitalady, Inc. T www.vitalady.com If you are interested in PayPal, please click here: https://www.paypal.com/affil/pal=orders%40vitalady.com Re: Failing miserably > > > > In a message dated 10/23/03 9:52:15 PM Central Daylight Time, > > dixiedew@... writes: > > > > > My nurse swears that it is impossible for me to gain my weight back. > > ------------- > > > > That is one of the saddest pieces of misinformation I have ever > seen. > > Shame on her for attempting to lull you into a fall sense of security and > > give you the green light to become complacent! > > I believe that your " gut " instinct on this is right on the money -- > > you can and will regain the weight if the unplanned snacking takes over. > > Fight like the devil. > > Have you tried things like raw veggies at night that are pouch > fillers > > and can help keep you from eating other things? Also, I'm sure that many > of > > the people here will be asking you how you're doing with your protein! > > One of the great ideas I have hear before about night time snacking > is > > to take up a hobby that requires clean hands -- like cross stitching on > white > > canvas ... it's pretty incompatible with eating. > > > > Beth > > Houston, TX > > VBG - Dr. Srungaram > > 05/31/00 - 314 lbs. > > 11/01/02 - Abdominoplasty > > 11/29/02 - 160 lbs. > > 5'10 " > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 24, 2003 Report Share Posted October 24, 2003 Amen and a ((((((great big hug)))))!!!! Tigger Failing miserably > In the two and a half years since my RNY, I beat myself up because I > failed at getting anywhere near a normal weight. I've watched as people > who had surgery the same time I did lose a lot of weight, get plastic > surgery and think they had everything under control with their eating. > Then the food issues begin to pop up. > > My surgery failed me, I know that now....I didn't fail me. I know > something else however. . .The surgery does not fix our brains. It does > not take away the years of anger; pain and despair that become a part of > us when we live in a society we can't conform to. If we don't take the > time to look at who we are inside and deal with the emotional issues we > have surrounding ourselves and food, we will never find peace whether we > weigh 105 or 305. If we continue to push the envelope as we move > further and further from our surgery, testing the limits of what it can > do for us, we are fighting with ourselves a losing battle. Wherever we > fall, whether we're newbies or 5 years out, if we don't look at some of > our behavior surrounding issues of food, they will continue to pop up > until we learn what our bodies will and won't tolerate. > Going through a big weight loss change affects everything in our > lives...our friends, spouses, children....it affects the way people see > us and how we see everyone else. To some of us who have been overweight > all of our lives, we have behaviors that have existed since childhood. > Food might have been the only way we knew to nurture ourselves...How can > we not look at and deal with all of the emotions these things bring > inside of us? > > Please, talk to someone about getting back on track. Drink your protein > drinks which will help you cut down on some of the carb cravings. And > please, and this applies to all of us....talk to someone who can offer > support while we make these changes....We deserve to be happy and > healthy.... > > You are not a failure. You trip and fall just like the rest of us. The > important thing is that you make yourself aware of what's going on and > start each day all over again...You are learning, and you're gonna be > fine.... > > Cindy > > dixiedew70 wrote: > > I don't know where my willpower is lately, I think it's on vacation. I > generally do well during the day, but then at night I become obsessed > with snacking. I feel like I eat the right things (most of the time) > But I even over do them. I try to snack on cottage cheese or pork rinds, > but I feel like I overeat them. I am able to eat ALOT more than I used > to be, and it scares the bejeebers out of me. I almost wished I was one > of the ones that throw up, but honestly I never have been. Maybe the > first month and that's it. I am terrified I am gonna weigh 311 again, > or more. But it seems like the more I think about NOT eating, the more > I wind up in the kitchen for " just a bite " of something. I've tried > loading on water....does not work. I've tried the " nothing after > 6pm " ...does not work...I feel like I am STARVING after 6pm. I know it's > mental hunger, but mental or not, it ends by me being in the kitchen > eating something I don't really need. I know you guys will be the ones > to give me the kick in the butt I need. I live alone, and there is > nobody here to see me when I " cheat " This is the lowest I have felt > about myself since my surgery (11/01) I've gotta do something fast. My > nurse swears that it is impossible for me to gain my weight back. But > I'm up 10 lbs, and I'm not sure that it's not gonna get worse. Please > help me. Thank you, Pam > > > > Homepage: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Graduate-OSSG > > Unsubscribe: mailto:Graduate-OSSG-unsubscribe > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 27, 2003 Report Share Posted October 27, 2003 Just to AMEN what Dave said, I have had a work out buddy for several years now. We met at a gym and just instantly liked each other. We began to plan on being at the gym when the other one was and then made a plan to work out together. It's been a literal life saver for me- at the times when I was just too bone lazy to make the effort to work out, she nagged me into coming just to meet with her and " keep her company " while she worked out. Of course, I worked out with her and now the shoe is on the other foot and I am dragging her lazy behind to the gym. We have a personal trainer that we share one day a week. It's much more affordable if you can split the cost a buddy session than a private session and the trainer helps us shake things up. So the moral of this story is that if you can find a person to work out with it will make it soooooo much easier to " just do it " . And I didn't even mention the friendly competition between us, pushing just a couple more minutes on the stair climber, just a couple more reps with the weight.......well, you get the picture. Alice The Loon RNY 12/28/00 .....I realized that a training " buddy " would have the same effect of getting me to the gym.......If I was supposed to meet someone at 7am and didn't show up, I'd feel really bad in Austin RNY April 1998 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 27, 2003 Report Share Posted October 27, 2003 Betty, Dave and others, it really does help keep you accountable to have a workout buddy. I mostly work out at home on my treadmill, just more convenient, but a few times a month I either accompany my hubby to his gym or another WLS friend will invite me to workout with her at her gym. I find a greater intensity of effort in my workouts, longer length of workout time, and the luxury of the variety of machines, all as added benefits. It provides that little shake up to an otherwise " normal " routine. The important part, of course, is to just do it, whether at home or at the gym, but the benefits of having a workout partner, or the occasional personal trainer are sooo worth it. Cindy in VA lap RNY 2/8/02 > ....I realized that a training " buddy " would have the same effect of > getting me to the gym.......If I was supposed to meet someone at 7am > and didn't show up, I'd feel really bad > in Austin > RNY April 1998 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 27, 2003 Report Share Posted October 27, 2003 This has been a very interesting thread to follow. We all struggle daily with food and nutrition issues, body and self-image issues, and a host of other things that vary based on our individual life experiences. But, overall, we are not all that different from non-WLS people. They have the same negative thoughts and self-doubts that we do, just a little bit different as they've not had the same life experiences (i.e., obesity and surgery) that we have had. This goes back to my comment a little bit ago about counseling and support groups. In addition to our WLS tool, we need other tools to get us through this complicated thing called life. Sometimes we can't identify the things that we need to help ourselves, and it takes someone who has some training in this area to show us what these tools are. While groups like this are helpful for basic support and compassion, I think that professionals are key in helping us get to the next levels of our lives. - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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