When the Post Gastric Bypass Wagon Wobbles ….

Since having my gastric bypass I have met and become friends with lots of people who have also had similar surgeries. I really treasure these new friendships and the support networks we have created because being able to share an experience such as this makes it easier. We can easily relate to each other and it’s great to be able to learn from each others experiences.

I don’t know what it is but a few of us seem to be struggling to stay on the wagon lately. I myself haven’t been fantastic over the last couple of months. With the stress of going away with a pre-schooler on my mind then actually doing it I wasn’t taking care of myself and my diet in the usual quite focussed strict way I normally do. I was starting to want to eat more and was struggling to say no to things I knew I shouldn’t and honestly deep down knew I didn’t want to eat.

When I reached my goal weight I lost a few more kilos before my body started to settle. My weight hasn’t often gone back up over 65 kilos again and if it has it has been short-lived. This buffer has been good in this period of being unfocused because while my weight bounces around anyway it had started staying up near the top end of my buffer range and I wasn’t happy with it.

This week I really refocused and started getting back to what I should be doing. No snacks, no chocolate, no lollies, absolute minimal carbs, heaps of water and making sure that I meet my protein goal everyday. Because I was ready to get back to basics it actually wasn’t as hard mentally as I thought it was going to be. Within a few days my interest in food and my ‘hunger’ went away and I am back to where I should be with my eating and water intake.

I find it really interesting that carbs and sugar really drive my feelings of ‘hunger’ and as soon as I largely take them away I find it so much easier in terms of controlling cravings. I put ‘hunger’ like that because I know it’s not real. I seem to be a bit of a weirdo and I still haven’t had physical hunger return over 18 months after my gastric bypass. I still sometimes think, “Oh I’m hungry,” but I know its head hunger and isn’t an actually physical need for food. While it’s normal for hunger to vanish after surgery it’s usually come back by this point for most people.

I think it’s really important to recognise that when things get tough that you will try to return to old habits even if at times it makes you feel like shit in doing so. Also I think a part of human nature is testing limits and bending the rules and we are at some point and to some degree going to see what we can get away with. The difference now is knowing how much you have gained back in your life and how much easier things are and not letting anything to get in the way of that.

Getting to your goal weight may feel like you have finally won the battle you have been fighting your whole life and its an amazing feeling. We just need to remember that while we have won the battle we need to keep standing our ground and fight to keep what we have achieved. Never let your guard down, keep up the fight and you will continue to be victorious!

It can be hard to admit that you’re not doing what you should for fear of being judged but by speaking up you may find a supportive ear and someone ready to cheer you on. If anyone does have a less than supportive response to you telling them you are struggling then find someone who will be supportive, not judgmental of you to confide in. Comment below and let me know what you do to get that wagon back on smooth ground.