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2yr PO surgiversary 4*18*24

Dee.Emm

Dee.Emm

Newbie
Surgery
Gastric_Sleeve
Date
Apr 18, 2024
Start Weight
230 lbs
Goal Weight
120 lbs
Currently
160 lbs
Progress
64%
Heyy... So I'm new here. Never been apart of no support group but I need some advice. I got my surgery 2 years ago went from 230 to 150 my lowest. The last year has been so stressful lots of old habits creeped back in and I'm up to 162 atm. I do so good all day hitting my nutritional goals n water intake but at the end of the night I find myself feeling "snacky" n reaching for empty calories and slider foods. The worst part is this far out of surgery I'm able to take more in and I'm afraid of stretching my pouch! I've done resets time and time again but since I plateaued it's like it's impossible to lose anymore. I'm nowhere near my goal weight and it seems like an impossible goal. I can't afford glp-1 n I feel like that's going to be my only option to jumpstart my weight loss again. How did you all deal with this general situation? I can't be the only one please send tips, advice, encouragement anything helps!
 
Hi Dee, I feel like I am going through the same thing. Life has been very stressful and I am struggling as well. It's a hard thing.
 
Dee.Emm and LinAnn62, you both have done great with your weight loss! I am 5 years post sleeve and sometimes I worry that my pouch is stretching because there are times I eat more than usual, but my stomach is not bothered at all, which does not seem right. My nutritionist helped me with this by asking how many eggs I could eat. My answer was 1-2, because at one I'm still hungry but if I finish two I feel uncomfortable and full. She said that was right on track, and with the sleeve you should feel full at around 2 eggs. I'm sure it is a little different for everyone and your nutritionists may have a different way to measure pouch stretching, but I took comfort in her egg method.

I found the bariatric reset to be a great tool when I feel myself getting snacky and want to break the habit. Going back to the pre surgery diet for 2 weeks is not that hard and I know I can do it because I have in the past. People do it differently. I did it in January with a friend and I only had protein shakes and protein water for two weeks but she added in yogurt and cottage cheese for the last week. There is no wrong way to do it, whatever works best for you and what you can stick with.

This may sound crazy but what if you both did a reset together? You each had the sleeve around 2 years ago, have the same starting weight, almost the same current weight and both feel as though you are struggling and want to stop old habits from creeping back. I know from experience that a reset is easier when you do it with someone else and it helps a lot to curb cravings and snacking.
 
StephT said:
Dee.Emm and LinAnn62, you both have done great with your weight loss! I am 5 years post sleeve and sometimes I worry that my pouch is stretching because there are times I eat more than usual, but my stomach is not bothered at all, which does not seem right. My nutritionist helped me with this by asking how many eggs I could eat. My answer was 1-2, because at one I'm still hungry but if I finish two I feel uncomfortable and full. She said that was right on track, and with the sleeve you should feel full at around 2 eggs. I'm sure it is a little different for everyone and your nutritionists may have a different way to measure pouch stretching, but I took comfort in her egg method.

I found the bariatric reset to be a great tool when I feel myself getting snacky and want to break the habit. Going back to the pre surgery diet for 2 weeks is not that hard and I know I can do it because I have in the past. People do it differently. I did it in January with a friend and I only had protein shakes and protein water for two weeks but she added in yogurt and cottage cheese for the last week. There is no wrong way to do it, whatever works best for you and what you can stick with.

This may sound crazy but what if you both did a reset together? You each had the sleeve around 2 years ago, have the same starting weight, almost the same current weight and both feel as though you are struggling and want to stop old habits from creeping back. I know from experience that a reset is easier when you do it with someone else and it helps a lot to curb cravings and snacking.
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Hi Steph, you mentioned a nutritionist. I only spoke to a nutritionist 2x before surgery and that was it. I feel I didn't get that support. 1 1/2 hrs from me they offer so much more and it's the same hospital. But the surgeon I had I feel he does the surgery but that was it. I was thinking of going to a weight. Loss center to get more support. Any ideas?
 
Will your insurance cover dietician appointments? Before I even considered the surgery, I started seeing a dietician once monthly, virtually. She was nonjudgmental, supportive, very knowledgeable, and encouraging. Once I started my checklist from the bariatric surgeon, I met the bariatric dietician who I need to meet with for at least three months before surgery and at least one year after surgery. I called Premera to ask if I should stop seeing the first dietician. They actually said that I could see both if I want to, as often as I want to, because this is something they cover with no limits on visits. Weird, but cool. The bariatric dietician seemed irritated and said it was overkill to see both of them. I felt disheartened and cancelled my March and April appointments with my original dietician. I see the bariatric dietician on May 1 and June 3. I know I need to meet with and work with her, but I think I may still keep seeing the other dietician, too. Like other doctors, nurses, etc...some are kinder, more compassionate and helpful, and more devoted to our best outcomes than others... unfortunately. Please see if your insurance will cover dietician appointments if that's something you're interested in. The appointments are 30-60 minutes long.
 
My surgeon had a nutritionist on staff and meetings were part of the pre and post surgical care. My surgeon moved his practice to another state and their services stopped being covered by insurance. I found a new gastroenterologist whose practice includes a weight loss clinic and he has a nutritionist on staff. We meet virtually every other month. LinAnn62, you mentioned another clinic, maybe they have a nutritionist you can see and could possibly offer virtual services. You could also search for weight loss clinics in your area, I think that is a great idea!
 
Thank you for the suggestions. I have looked up weight loss centers and think I will call them. They sound like they provide alot of services. I am just disappointed in the surgeons office that he didn't provide what drs from the same system do. As they say be your own advocate. Thank you
 
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