I feel exactly the same - 2 years out and have gained back 13 of the 130 I lost. I am working out, feel great and am proud of the work I have done, but like you said - have not changed all I need to...I NEED to break the sugar habit..am definitely frustrated with my lack f control, but trying to reel it in, at least stop the gaining trend...going to my 2 year appointment next week - hopefully get myself back on track!

I had the sleeve (4 years ago), so no dumping. If I want to eat fat, sugar, white foods and pizza, I can.
But I don't, at least not very often, and when I do, it's very small amounts and I'm right back on my plan again. I've come too far to mess this up.
One thing I notice is when I stick to my proteins, then veggies, then very few low glycemic carbs, I don't get head hunger, I don't get the cravings, I don't have to deal with my body wanting junk.
If I have a piece of pizza once a month, because I like it, I know it will be 2 days of head hunger before I get out from under the carb hangover. That helps me keep that kind of meal few and far between.
It seems to me that regularly snacking on small candies and cookies just keeps feeding your carb hunger, creating more problems for you....like an alcoholic trying to have 1 drink per day. Maybe try going without for a fixed time, say a month, and see how you feel?
The surgery didn't fix our heads, so we still need to do the work, and it's definitely worth it to do the work.
Congrats on losing 80 lbs. Don't forget to celebrate that!

Also had gastric bypass 1 1-2 years ago. Is 13 the magic number? I went for my 6month check up and gained 13 lbs. I am so mad at myself and truly don't cheat any sweets, icecream, but my new treat are rice crackers and cereal. Too many of them. I have been finding myself hungrier than normal or is it in my brain. I definitely don't want to keep going back up but I feel like I'm loosing my will power. I have a foot injury and cannot put pressure on it to try to do any exercising. Suggestions, don't want to balloon again.

Hey I am scared to cheat cause I can dump just from eating to fast. But I am gaining weight and I am not happy. I keep asking myself why. I put myself through so much to get this done, to gain again? I lost 100 lbs, gained back 13. Not happy. I go back to the dr. in 3 more weeks, (the fat police) to ensure that I get back on track. I have compensated all the sweets with cereal and rice crackers. My cravings are for crunchy things. Any suggestions? I feel like I'm drowning and have a hard time drinking my water.

I'm kinda relieved to see it's not just me - I'll be 2 years out in March. 133lbs down then 10lb back. I am unlucky/lucky that after my gastric bypass I rarely suffer dumping and can still eat just about anything (apart from spicy food it seems). So it falls down purely to my will power which became questionable over Christmas.

I like to justify myself by saying, well I was sick over the whole summer. My weight dropped rapidly as a result and I'm sure that my recent re-ability to eat has resulted in this gain.
But it's no real excuse, I just need to jump back on the band wagon, so to speak, and get into better eating habits again. While exercise is important, diet is the key in all this. We can get back on track!

Has anyone tried seeking treatment of some sort for their sugar addiction? I'm debating doing something but I'm not sure what. I don't think my will power alone is gonna cut it...

I had RNY in May of 2013. I do eat healthier and smaller portions for sure but I have let sugar creep back in. I can eat a small amount without dumping which scares me because I was addicted to sugar before surgery and hoped that I wouldn't ever have a taste for it! I am trying really hard to get back to the basics again after the holidays. I lost 107 and gained around 10 back but I needed to. I was 15 pounds under my dr's goal and I looked too thin. I actually feel better with the 10 pounds on. I'm so afraid that I'm going to keep putting weight on though... I know I need to exercise more and am just plain lazy about it! I walk every day but that's about it.

So I've been shuffling about the internet in a quest to find tips on curbing sugar addiction and there are lots of sight out there. One woman claims coconut oil is the answer - http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/sarah-wilson/how-to-stop-sugar-cravings_b_4642664.html - I'm a tad skeptical about it being a genius way to loose weight but still an interesting read.

I found this 'cheat sheet' interesting - http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/beating-sugar-addiction-for-dummies-cheat-sheet.html. Some ideas of how to replace the sugar habits.

Seems to be two main camps - one is go cold turkey and avoid sugar like the plague (This would never work for me.), two is replace with healthier snacks or something so sweet you can't stand it. Anyway hope this helps a little :)

I am only two months out .... Just something I read recently Wheat Belly the new edition. It is not in your head the carb and coming off of them takes about a month to 6 weeks. Real withdrawal because there is an opiate type of protein in the wheat and all the other grains. It is interesting and may be worth checking out further. Pretty much the dr. in Wheat Belly says there is not such thing as Healthy grains because it is a grass and human can not digest it properly.

I think the important thing is that you're recognizing what you're doing in your patterns I don't think having a little bit every once in a while he is a bad thing as long as you're aware of how often in the port your portion sizes.

I had my surgery in July 2012 I lost 150 and fluctuate about 7 pounds but I've stayed about that consistently for a year and a half now are you exercising? I know that's one thing that I have to step up a little bit because I would like to tone and get a few pounds off. I am at 140 but do fear that I'll put weight back on I still do eat some of the so-called forbidden foods but I am super conscious of my portion size and how often I eat them.
I do not dump that is not necessarily a good thing because I can tolerate anything. So it requires me the willpower to restrict those bad choices.
Good luck I'd say just watch out for what you're eating and most of the time practice the good habits and be conscious of the weight creeping up on you and try to get some working out into your schedule.

Yes, I've completely changed my eating patterns. I absolutely eat healthier. I haven't had a Diet Coke (or any caffeine) for over 5 years. I don't plan to ever have either of them again and I'm at peace with that decision.

My 5 year surgiversary is February 10th. I lost 175 lbs and have maintained the loss (I also have a 7 lb range). I know my way isn't what most people do, but it works for me.

I have a very limited diet. I don't eat sugar. Ever. I don't eat most white foods (rice, pasta, bread, flour, sugar, etc). I do eat popcorn and potatoes. I start every day with a double-scoop protein shake. I usually have a protein bar for either lunch or dinner. I don't do artificial sweeteners (they make me crave carbs). If I feel like I absolutely have to taste something I don't eat, I will... but, like a professional wine-taster, I don't swallow it. Just a taste is enough to stop my "craving."

Research indicates people get "decision fatigue." Our willpower decreases as we are forced to make decisions (one of the reasons why grocery stores put "impulse" merchandise by the check register. I decided once not to eat certain foods so I only have to make the decision once. I don't have to re-decide every time I'm faced with foods I don't 'do.'. Some people may see that as depriving myself. I see it as saving myself from returning to being super-morbidly obese.

Totally worth it!!

JJ

So JJ, tell us more, so you don't eat any real food besides the shake and protein bar until later in the day? What do you eat for dinner, what protein bars do you eat? What do you put in your shakes? You seem to have been very successful long term and I'd like to hear more. I do exercise, am close to three years out but am struggling to not gain. If I gain 3-4 on a vacation, I can't seem to get it back off. Do you adhere to the drinking rule, half hour between?

I am in the same boat!! I eat very good sometimes then very bad sometimes. I am Maintaining, but I still need to get off about 15 more pounds. My eating habits have change. I do not eat any fried food or grease food. It will make me sick. The biggest issue for me is sugar. I tried to eat sugar free. To be honest, my sleeve handle junk food better then healthy food. So I have to be very caution what I eat. I take one day at a time.

over 2 yrs out and unfortunatley all I stuck with is NO soda. Haven't had one since before surgery. I WISH it would make me sick to over eat but when you spread your food out thru out the day...you cheat very easily. I am disappointed in my self and the will power I lack. Today I am trying to get back on track - any advice? how do I give up the carbs - going cold turkey - HELP

What I ask myself is this...

"Are you getting the results you what with what you are currently doing?"

If I answer that with a no, then time to adjust my sails...

JJ is right... it is different for each of us what works. I've lost 145 ish lbs and have kept it off for over 6 months now. I went from a size 24 to size 6 ish (Depending on brand). I do not eat like JJ... Its perfect for her, not for me. So, we each must find our own definition of success and and what works for us to get there, then hang onto it :)

P.S.

JJ - I LOVE YOU! :) :) :)