bariatric failure

Question
I was amazed to find my exact question answered when I stumbled upon your website. I, too, feel like a post-surgery failure. I have gained 32lbs. in the last 2 years. I know for sure that I am an emotional eater.(I have had 3 major deaths, and an "ex" that married a much younger woman in those same 2 years, so no real surprise there!)I do not want to buy a bigger pair of jeans! The main difference between now, and when I first had the surgery, is that I was afraid to eat then. Now I am not. My choices do include a lot of snacky items and lots and lots of carbs. So, my question is this: Do you have a basic recommendation for dieting post RNY? I am interested mostly in how many grams of protein, etc. that we would need to stay healthy with our particular nutrient needs. I know the rest is up to me, but I would love to have a "jumpong off place". Thanks so much.

Answer
Dear Vicky,

First, you are not a bariatric "failure" at all.  No way.  

I'm glad that you found my website helpful and it answered a question for you.  I hope you'll check it out and consider it a resource for yourself.

As you saw from my website, I experienced a weight regain myself after maintaining my weight easily for over three years.  It was shocking, disappointing, frustrating and I felt as though I'd failed at wls too.  However, I didn't and neither have you.  Weight regain is unfortunately very common for many weight loss surgery procedures, especially common with RNYers.  

My basic recommendations are to take an inventory of what you're currently doing and compare it to what you did previously.  I know you were afraid to eat then and that fear isn't an issue for you today.  However, let's go a little further to develop a possible strategy for you.

For example, are you eating less protein than you did when you were earlier post-op, say a year to 18 months post-op?  Are you drinking a minimum of 64 ounces of water?  Are you grazing?  Are you eating simple carbs such as snacky, sugary or salty foods?  Are you eating junk fast food or eating at restaurants more?  How is your activity and exercise level?  The questions I've asked are the top ones that are usual contributors to regaining weight.  Whichever ones you answered to are the ones we need to focus on.  Usually I find with my clients the most common ones are grazing, turning to carbs and drinking with meals.  

With my weight regain, my weight loss surgery was tested during an emotional time of transition in my life.  I thought I had my healthy habits in place.  However, during a difficult time, I turned to what had worked for me in the past and that was emotional eating.  With even one of the events in your life, that would be very difficult much less all of what you've undergone.  It makes sense to me that emotional eating would be a preferable coping mechanism.  I mean after all, it worked for many years for us.

To answer your question, without knowing any specifics as to your particular body size, weight and any other details, I'll give you general answers.  As a rough way to determine protein intake, take your weight (if under 250 pounds), divide it in half and use that number as your goal for protein grams.  If over 250 pounds, then use 125 or depending on your activity level 140 grams.  Another example is if you weight 180 pounds, your goal would be 90 grams of protein.  If you are very active in your job or weight lifting, your grams would increase slightly.  That could be a "jumping off place" for you.

Also, your water intake.  Make sure that you're consuming a minimum of 64 ounces and not drinking with your meals.  Water is a natural appetite suppressant.  Many times when we think we're hungry, drinking water will help suppress the hunger.  It needs to be water and not soda.  

Make sure you aren't drinking with your meals.  That can be a hard one.  When you drink with meals, you're essentially flushing the food out of your pouch.  You want your food to sit in your pouch to give you the sense of satiety for as long as possible.  

Another thing that I think is important and why I became a coach is the issue of emotional eating.  You can do all these things but if you don't determine the reason why you eat emotionally and develop personal strategies to help you cope with emotions rather than food, food will continue to be a challenge.  Recognize head hunger versus physical hunger.  It is key to resist the urge and cravings of emotional eating to obtain the full success of your surgery.

I hope this is helpful.  Just remember, you lost it once and you can do it again.  It will come off slower the second time around but IT WILL COME OFF.  You can do it just as you did it before.

All the best of luck to you.

Believe In Yourself,
Cathy, CLC
Certified Life Coach, Weight Loss Surgery Coach
Certified Back On Track Facilitator

1. Prev:musa
2. Next:cant seem to lose anymore weight