Struggling... - Page 2 - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

Phoenixfire · 03-03-2009, 08:50 PM

Glad to have another long-termer here. Seems I've gotten more inclined to focus on that part of my WLS: being a long timer and how that is the reality of my life.

First, I drank beer for awhile and packed on 15 lbs. I QUIT completely and dropped the weight quickly. If you haven't quit the drinking then you have to do it now. Completely. It worked for me so I figure it should work for others (as in I'm not some exception or anything)

As another person said, DO THE FIVE DAY POUCH TEST AGAIN, and maybe make it a 7 day test since you had a bad rebound with food after you did it before. What do you think? It can at least reveal what's up with your pouch. And I hear it's like getting a new pouch all over again. I'd like to hear back on this thread of yours after you do it (I'm bookmarking it!).

Know that there are other long termers here, not a lot but enough of us that stay connected to some degree so we don't lose track of our WLS reality.

I want to thank you (selfishly) for posting. It's a reminder I need right now to keep my eye on the ball. But do know this: you still have the tool. You just need to get back to feeling it. The 5 day test really can help (as others have said after doing it). I really hope it helps you. And I hope you come back for support. There's nothing worse than feeling like a "failure" after having WLS.

I worried about it when I drank beer and gained, but when I quit drinking and then lost the weight (and checked myself on my food intake of course) I learned something powerful: I AM in control of my weight. Finally. After years of NOT being in control.

I want that for you too, and for all other WLS patients that are 2 years or more postop.

Please know you can PM me if you would like some support. One longtermer to another.

Cinerbelle · 03-03-2009, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phoenixfire

Know that there are other long termers here, not a lot but enough of us that stay connected to some degree so we don't lose track of our WLS reality.

Please know you can PM me if you would like some support. One longtermer to another.

I didn't want to be rude to the "newbies" that posted to this Thread, but I was thinking that they really don't understand how different it is as a "longtermer". It was great for them to show support though! I definitely need to stay in touch with those further out because our reality is really different. Thanks for reminding me of that!

ScootRider · 03-04-2009, 04:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phoenixfire

First, I drank beer for awhile and packed on 15 lbs.

This is where I am at right now. I have a very stressful life right now and will not go into details but the drinking has definitely added back some weight. I was at 175 and now I am at 195.

I don't expect to really get back dowm to 175 but 180 is where I would like to be. I need to quit this damn drinking and get out and walk.

Hope everyone is well...it has been forever since I came here. I needed to read some of these threads. It helps.

Claire-in-Texas · 03-04-2009, 11:09 AM

Throw out everything that is in your house that is not good for you. Fill it with things that are. So many great sugar free puddings, fudgicles, etc.

If you live with others, ask them for their indulgence while you get your head on straight. It clearly won't hurt anyone to eat well.

Eat often - every 1.5 hours. Look at the clock, and follow the clock's time. Plan what you will eat before each day, in its entirety, and then check it off.

You know it isn't about dieting, it's about making lifetime choices. You don't have to feel deprived - too many good things out there that taste good (in small quantities).

You can do this!!

Phoenixfire · 03-04-2009, 03:18 PM

Trust me Scoot, you won't regret completely quitting drinking. I really don't miss it a bit. AND it was the biggest "look what I can do!" experience, because it had nothing to do with the surgery, it was all self-control and the power of my will.

I hope you find a different way to handle the stress you are under that's leading you to relax with empty calorie drinking.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScootRider

This is where I am at right now. I have a very stressful life right now and will not go into details but the drinking has definitely added back some weight. I was at 175 and now I am at 195.

I don't expect to really get back dowm to 175 but 180 is where I would like to be. I need to quit this damn drinking and get out and walk.

Hope everyone is well...it has been forever since I came here. I needed to read some of these threads. It helps.

Jennimaria · 03-04-2009, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phoenixfire

Please know you can PM me if you would like some support. One longtermer to another.

Thank you

It's so nice to see that there are great supporters out there.

Seriously, thank you to everyone.

I've made a lot of good changes in my life as far as what I eat. For example, I've switched to items that are whole wheat instead of white, I've quit using butter and use butter spray instead, we eat only turkey and chicken. My problem is mostly just sticking to things which I'm sure if A LOT of people's problem.

As far as the beer thing. Now looking back, that was my BIGGEST mistake. I was drinking stuff that was horrible for me like Dos Equis, Blue Moon, Hefeweizen. This stuff is LOADED with calories. I haven't completely given up beer, but I drink one or two maybe every 3 weeks and I've switched to the Miller Genuine Draft Light 64 calorie stuff.

Olusha · 03-05-2009, 06:36 PM

For me too, when I was drinking, I'd get so hammered off of a little bit of alcohol that I wouldn't care WHAT I was eating! It's insane how much food you can eat when you're a couple of years out if you're not watching it. I'm sure I had days where I hit 4,000 calories easily back when I was drinking.

I stopped too and definitely recommend for anyone who's had surgery to just not do it, but especially if you're having problems with weight gain. Not that you mentioned this, but smoking pot is the same thing. Lordy, the munchies are the same, pouch or no pouch! lol

I'm sorry to hear that you're having problems. I had gone up about 15 lbs. from my lowest weight and flipped my lid when I realized it. I totally understand the birth control thing too, I had to stop taking it altogether because it just messed with me. It sucks.

Claire-in-Texas · 03-06-2009, 05:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Olusha

For me too, when I was drinking, I'd get so hammered off of a little bit of alcohol that I wouldn't care WHAT I was eating! It's insane how much food you can eat when you're a couple of years out if you're not watching it. I'm sure I had days where I hit 4,000 calories easily back when I was drinking.

I stopped too and definitely recommend for anyone who's had surgery to just not do it, but especially if you're having problems with weight gain. Not that you mentioned this, but smoking pot is the same thing. Lordy, the munchies are the same, pouch or no pouch! lol

I'm sorry to hear that you're having problems. I had gone up about 15 lbs. from my lowest weight and flipped my lid when I realized it. I totally understand the birth control thing too, I had to stop taking it altogether because it just messed with me. It sucks.

It's a familiar story. I have an acquaintance who appeared to be morbidly obese when I met her. Soon after she confided in me that she had had gasric bypass in 2000, and, after losing ALL her weight, turned to drinking wine every evening because of a stressful job situation. She gained almost all of the weight back (we're talking at least 125 lbs).

Whether it's a sip now and then, or full fledged drinking, or anything in between, it is not a good fit for a post op.

Jennimaria · 03-07-2009, 12:06 PM

I am starting the 5 day pouch test today and am going to try my hardest on it and not binge after I'm done. It's better for me to start it on the weekend so that I can lay down if I feel tired or get headaches.

Wish me luck!

pummychal · 03-07-2009, 12:55 PM

Good luck, Jenn!!