Who is gaining weight and not reached goal??

I have not reached my goal and I got on the scale today for the first time in a loooong time and gained weight...
I know I have NOT been an angel, but it still hurts to see the scale go up.
Next question is should I go back to square one?

Depends what you mean by square one ...

What you need to do is go back to the lifestyle you should be following (for life!) - eating a protein first diet 80gm +, cut out the simple and white carbs - eating complex carbs wherever possible, drinking plenty of water (none for 30 mins after eating) and exercise ...  This is what we signed up for when we had WLS and it's not for a finite amount of time - it's necessary to follow these rules forever to maintain our health and weight loss.  

I trust you are taking your vitamins and getting your labs done regularly?

You don't need to go on any "diets" liquid or otherwise - what you need to be doing is preserving and hopefully enhancing your metabolism by eating good food and keeping moving ...

Great minds!!!!

Depends on what you call "square one".

No, you should not go back to eating the way you did the first weeks after surgery.  That ship has sailed....you are no longer an early post-op.  I also do not recommend "fad" diets like the 5 day pouch test....you don't need to "test" your pouch.  You have one.  You need to use it wisely.

First, make sure your goal is realistic.  Is it reasonably close to "normal" BMI?  Even if it is more, that is often okay.  The goal here is good health....not to be rail thin and sickly.

YOU know what you should and should not be doing......now put on the big girl panties and do what you need to do.

I recommend the following:

Read this:  very interesting and illuminating
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/01/magazine/tara-parker-pope- fat-trap.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all


1) Begin tracking everything you put into your mouth.  You can do that here on OH in the Health Tracker or use an app for your phone like MyFitnessPal.

2) Determine your RMR http://www.caloriesperhour.com/index_burn.php

3) Set your daily caloric level at your RMR - 500.  This will set you up to lose 1 lb per week, which is the safest level to shoot for AND it will give you enough food so you don't feel deprived.

4) Make 100-120 grams of protein per day your goal.  I eat a 6-7 oz chicken breast grilled every single day.  That alone is 53 grams of protein, and it is real food so I feel full.

5) Eat 6-7 small meals each day.  This will keep your blood sugar level and will keep you feeling full.

6) Exercise.  Everyday.  At least 30 minutes.  If your heartrate is up and you are sweating, you are good.

7)  Follow the rules of your surgery.  Do not drink with meals and do not drink for at least 30 minutes afterward.  Limit simple carbs and sugar, but don't completely eliminate them.  If you do, you'll feel deprived, and we all know how well that has worked for us in the past.......

8)  Come here for support.  We are here for you.

Bottom line-you've done this before and you can do it again.  We can inspire you, but motivation is internal.  Find yours!  You are worth it.  

Although I'm doing really well with my WLS, I'm glad you replied to the original poster. I really LOVE the links you supplied. They were informative and supplied information I hadn't seen before. Thanks!
Kat

Typically we lose in year one, maintain in year two and gain starting in year three.  Notice how few people on the site that are 3 years out or longer.  The "Back on Track" program is spreading across the country in bariatric clinics.  VSGs are being done more frequently.  Check out the revision and WLS failure forums.  Often dumping (if you ever did) is more infrequent and you can generally eat more. 

Not to worry though.  You still can diet easier than before surgery.  Some people do Adkins type, Weigh****chers, 5 day pouch test etc.

I was in the Restore Trial (a revision trial that failed).  We all had large stomas and/or pouches.  The control group did as well on the "diet" as the participants.

The Restore lifetime diet:

2 to 3 fruits per day
2 to 3 grains or starches per day (1 slice, 1/2 cup pasta, brown rice, potato, yam, cold or cooked cereal)
6 oz. of lean protein or low fat cheese or cooked beans per day (an egg = 1 oz;1/4 c ff cottage cheese=1oz)
2 servings low fat milk products per day
2 servings of vegetables per day...1/2 cup cooked
(they didn't specify the amount of fat but it usually is 150 calories: 1 tsp. of oil is around 50 calories)
48 to 64 oz. non calorie, non carbonated, non caffeinated liquid

I've been doing this for a while now and I am losing slowly and steadily around 18 lbs. since Thanksgiving.  Not real fast but I feel very healthy and full of energy.  The variety of foods is endless so it is not boring.

And of course exercise   

Good health to you, Tri