Ask Tiny Tank: Restriction and Back on Track

I thought I might share a couple of the recent questions I’ve received. My Ask Tiny Tank volume has been booming lately. Lots of great people asking good questions. I think it may be from the my new Facebook Page. We are all so lucky to have this online community available to us. Facebook. Twitter. Blogs. When I had surgery there was my hospital’s support group and it was a struggle to get to it since it was more than 20 miles away.

I did connect with two women who had surgery around the same time as me and we kept in touch for a while. Neither lived all that close to me. We met up once a few months after surgery. We emailed each other and as things happen we lost track of each other.

I think of them often and wonder how they are doing. I sometimes think, Hey maybe I’ll see them on Facebook! On to the questions.

I’ve selected two questions to share:

Question: “Hello, can I ask do you still get as full as quick as in earlier years?”

My Answer: I wrote, “My tiny tank still keeps me in check!! So as you get out in years you are more able to eat what are called slider foods. Foods that easily pass through our tiny tanks. So the trick as you get out farther is to stick with firm proteins! I can eat 1 cup of solid, firm food and feel full. Sometimes I can’t eat it all. I had soup tonight and a cup made me very full. Also don’t drink with meals, drinking liquids washes the food through your tiny tank. You want the food to stay there for a while. I hope this helps!”

Restriction is something I think 1-2 year out post ops start to worry about. They start to think, “hey I can eat a lot more than I use to!” It’s mostly because we are eating foods that are tiny tank friendly. Why wouldn’t we? Our stomachs give us so much trouble that we learn real quickly what works and what doesn’t. And that can become a “con” too. It is so important to fill our tiny tanks with firm protein first! Things like hard boiled eggs, chicken, beef, and pork. I can hear many of you new post ops shrieking! Hang on. I’m not telling folks to eat things that hurt there stomachs. I’m just saying don’t snuggle up to the graham crackers because they go down so easily with your tea.

New post ops have a tender stomach to pamper, but as it heals and you begin to get into your 1 year, 2 year, you will need to find your firm proteins. Ones that you like and that fill you up!! Make those your staples and save the graham crackers for a special occasion.

Tell us what are the firm proteins you like best and what are the sliders you try to avoid?

Ok here is the next question I thought I’d share. It came from my website.

Question: “I’ve recently came across your site on Facebook. I find your site very informational and inspirational. I had my RNY in 2004 and initially lost 120# and at my lowest I was 115#. I’m extremely saddened to say that as of this morning I am at 191.4 uggggggg. I was doing really good until 3 yrs ago I had to have a complete hysterectomy and slowly my weight has been going up. I’ve asked my family Dr. for help but he just doesn’t understand the issues with my problems. We moved last yr so I’m away from my bypass surgeon now. I truly believe that most of my issues are caused in some way by the hysterectomy but not sure what to do. I’ve decided yesterday to do my best to get back on track, but am really feeling alone. Ive got myself working out almost everyday, I’ve joined Jazzercise and have a YMCA membership. I would truly appreciate any advice or help you may be able to give me because I just can’t keep going the way I am.”

Ok this question hit home for me because I too walk in these shoes.

My Answer: I wrote, thanks for your email! I always love hearing from my blog followers.

I can relate to your situation. As you may have read in “my story” on my website, I lost track after having my son. I completely neglected myself. It was almost like I was living like a person who never had weight loss surgery.

Then I decided one day (after years of kind of trying) to get back on track! I went out on the web and found other wls people! When I had surgery there were no wls people on the web! I found YouTube and started listening to videos! Videos from other wls people.

1. I started surrounding myself with others who have had wls!! that was critical for me. I had been living for many years post wls and most of the people in my daily life didn’t even know I had had wls. In fact my husband never knew me when I was obese! I’ve been active and communicating with other wls people online now for 2 years and I have been blogging for a year on my own site. I hope you will subscribe to my blog posts (see the fancy box on the right column of my site)

2. I found the 5 Day Pouch Test. Basically it is a way of getting your food back in order in term of how wls patients should eat. Check it out on the web. The main focus is removing processed carbs from your diet and reducing your portions. Getting back to “The Rules” we all followed in the beginning. I thought my pouch was broken or I had stretched it. But in fact after the 5 days I had restriction again.

3. I started exercising again daily. It sounds as if you are on board with this already. Good for you! I personally think it is the hardest part. One thing I struggle with now as I am trying to lose my regain is the days I run I am hungrier so I have to make sure I am not over eating. I want to lose so I need to stay a little hungry. And then there are days when you just need more and I don’t deprive my body of what it needs. I’ve been running since the fall and next week I am going to start some weight training at the gym. I know for me I have to start slow with exercise. I can’t take on too much or I just won’t carry through. So do only the exercise routine you think you can continue as a lifestyle

4. I went back to eating my food from small plates and bowls. no drinking at meals! Go back to the beginning and try again.

5. Get your blood work drawn and make sure you are not deficient. If you are it will make losing harder. Get the results and send it to your WLS program. Ask them to review it. Or you may be familiar with how to read results and make sure all your levels are good. You know B-12, Iron, Vitamin D etc.

6. Get back on a vitamin routine.

So I can’t give you my input on how your body has changed since your hysterectomy but I can tell you that I am 46 yrs old and losing is harder for me now. But the weight is coming off.

Are there any wls programs near you now? If so head on over and check in with them. If not delve into this online community and stay in touch with your previous nutritionist etc. Don’t be ashamed of going back… they are there to help. You are not alone! And you can lose your regain! We can do it together!!”

I’m a bit chocked up when I reread this correspondence. When I got this email it was way past my bedtime but I had to respond and respond fast. It was so important to reach out as this friend was feeling alone. One thing I know for sure now, WE ARE NOT ALONE. There are many of use battling regain and it doesn’t matter how much. We need to stick together and reach our hands out to each other. Pull each other up. Share information and share kind, encouraging words.

So tell me what do you do when you are feeling like you need to get back on track? Who do you reach out to? Where have you found the best support? Please share!!

I had to share just one picture from today! We had another finished Lego creation and there was much delight in the air. You’ve got to love this picture. This one just makes you smile.