Ran in to a bariatric patient *****gained

I was at a Christmas party over the weekend and my step-aunt, who had surgery about 6 years ago, and she has regained all of her weight and more. This is of course my worst fear! I wanted to ask her about it, but just couldn't. I have heard that the old style of bypass cut the stomach in a way that allowed it to stretch back out considerably, but the way I had it done does not allow it to ever regain anywhere near the post-op size. Has anyone heard anything about this or know of anyone who had a similar experience? It has made me really nervous!!! As I get closer to goal, I just wonder how I will maintain this for the rest of my life...

I work at the hospital that specializes in this surgery. We do ALOT of revisions of the old gastric bypass surgerys. Because people gained back their weight. I think with our surgery its possible to gain back SOME weight, but I have never seen anyone regained all of it back. There is a couple nurses that had it at work and they have gained back between 20-50lbs. Why cause they have gone back to old habits. The one eats M&M's and drinks Mt. Dew. It is VERY common for someone to go below goal and bounce back up 10-15lbs. Gotta remember this is a tool... and a lifetime change. I weigh EVERYDAY... cause I will NEVER gain more than 5lbs at a time. I'm like you I AM NOT going back there. If I feel like Im having trouble losing, I'm right back in the doctors for help. Also... I have read over and over... people that stick on these boards and get the support that they need have a better success rate of maintaining their weight loss. I know BOTH the nurse's at work that have gained DO NOT get any support. Hope this helps a little... Keep focused!!! You doing great!! Stacey

Isabella, Stacey was right on target. I have talked with my doc about how older surgeries are different than newer surgeries like we have had. Sadly, some practitioners are still doing older surgery methods. That is why it is so important to investigate your surgeon before surgery. My doc said that some weight could be regained but not all of it. He also said that at about 3 years at goal, most people regain about 10%-15 of what they lost--not their total weight. For instance if someone weighed 250 pounds and lost 100 pounds they might expect to regain 10 to 15 pounds not 20 to 25. There is no study as to why but it is assumed they get comfortable and eat too many carbs substituting things like chips, spaghetti and bread for protein. I agree that regaining is my absolute worst fear. I can see how easy it is to fall back into habits that don't support health. I am losing quickly again after coming off a two month stall that was because I was eating smaller amounts of whatever I wanted and not being discerning about my choices. I have set aside the simple carbs and my weight loss is moving down again. We have to always remember this surgery is a tool and we have to use it correctly. I think it is good to worry a bit because it keeps us vigalent and mindful. I would love to not ever worry about what I eat but that is absolutely not possible. If you look around almost everyone is concerned with what they eat if not because of weight then because of health (i.e. cholesterol, heart disease, etc). I look at it as growing up and being responsible. I can choose to be a grown up or I can behave childishly. The choice is mine. I am confident that since you are concerned you will get to goal and maintain it. I know it is important to work out maintenance with your doctor and/or a nutritionist familiar with weight loss surgery. Thanks for posting this thread. Hugs, Katy B

that's one of the reasons that I weigh myself everyday, I will not go back to the person I used to be. That is such a fear of mine too. I think it's good though that we are thinking of this and fear it, that's what is going to keep us motivated to stick with the plan.

I agree- I'm thinking that since we are so concerned about the regain that we will be more aware of any gains and changes in our behavior. I have let myself run wild and I think i could easily put the weight back on- so I have to be very careful. I keep telling myself habits- habits- make them habits. I also stopped doing the exercise I hated and have adopted more of what I actually like and this will hopefully keep me more inclined to do it!! Holly

I saw an interview with Carnie Wilson last week on ET, and she has regained all of her weight plus a little more also. The only answer she could come up with was that she's an addict and will always be an addict. Not sure which version of the bypass she had, but it will always be possible to go back to our old ways and we have to be very careful not to fall back into old habits that cause us to regain. Surgery is not a cure it's a tool and I think we will all have to remind ourselves that for the rest of our lives. My prayer is that I never get that big again, but like everything else, my choices will have a lot to do with that. We must press on!

Wow... thanks for the responses. I am glad that I posted this and got the responses that I did. It just made me really sad for her that she did something so drastic, put her body through so much, and then failed. I just don't want that to happen. I refuse to even think it might, but I am sure she felt the same way... 130 pounds ago.