Bariatric Surgery Patients Best Tips for Long-term Weight-Loss

Continued from Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3. Read Part 1 here.

 “My meals and snacks are at least 50% of my entire intake for a meal.  If it's not protein then I only eat it after I've finish a reasonable amount of protein.  As we are aware the protein fills us up so if we eat it first there isn't much room available for anything else.”

“I'm 10+ years post-op, and still down about 115 pounds.  I did have some regain, but I'm very happy where I am, and have been stable here, even after having a third child.  My keys to success:  Crossfit 4-5 times a week and generally following the Primal/Paleo way of life.  It is essentially what most doctors put us on as a post-op diet, and there are so many amazing resources out there for great recipes and keys to success.”

“What works for me is at least 100 grams of protein a day and 100 oz of fluids.  I don't drink 30 minutes after I eat.  I avoid refined carbs, sugar and gluten.  I've never been much for exercising but I enjoy riding my bike, especially when the weather is nice like lately.  I don't consider that exercise, though.  It is just doing something I enjoy.  My main motivation is more for mental health then physical since it helps with my depression.  I weigh myself daily because when I was gaining weight I avoided the scale and that kept me in denial.  I swear when I saw my surgeon again before my revision I would have sworn I weighed about 195 lbs since that is what I had weighed the last time I got on a scale.  I weighed 220 lbs.  I wore stretchy, baggy clothes (well they got less baggy over time) and was able to fool myself.  So as long as I get on the scale I know I won't be able to lie to myself.

I also visit ObesityHelp daily and post whenever I feel I can be helpful. Thankfully I haven't needed to post for advice too much lately because things are going fine but I try to help when I can.

This is my third summer that I haven't been obese, a record for me.  I weigh about the same as I did nearly 2 years ago, also a record.  I don't believe I ever stayed a normal size for any length of time before.  I was good at losing weight and great at gaining but for me the challenge is doing neither.  This is the first time in my life that I have people in my life who never knew me as obese and haven't seen me go from small to large in a matter of months.

I know that things can always change so I try not to be complacent.  I am one bad decision away from going back to old habits so I am aware of my choices all the time.  I know that one cookie will cause me to regain my weight but I also know that one cookie today will be two tomorrow and  before I know it I am back to eating a boxful every day, wondering how I let myself go there again.”