Did you read it too?

Prevention magazine had an article on 3 sisters and their WLS.(gastric bypass) The story about the sisters is inspiring. However there was one statement in there that was an eye opener to me. Five years out, 85% of WLS patients gain back 50% of their weight loss, the other 15% gain back even more. (according to this article). I knew going into this WLS that weight re-gain was possible but I didn't realize to what extent most WLS patients regain. I've lost nearly 100 pounds without exercise, but yesterday (after reading this article) I went back to the gym. (Last month is the first month I did not LOSE weight, I have maintained though). Do you think these statistics are true? Has anyone heard different statistics? You may have already discussed this issue...unfortunately, I don't get on the boards very often. I NEED to though as I'm sure group support is one way to prevent weight re-gain.

Ellen, I've not read the article, is it in this week's issue? In terms of your question, these stats do not surprise me. I realized at about 7 months out that there is no difference in what I'm doing now as compared to what I would have to do with any other method of weight loss and maintenance -- work out religiously to stay fit and to burn calories; and be extremely health-conscious of what I am eating, and in what portions. There is no reason to hold on to any sort of false sense of security that this SURGERY provides; the surgery was only a catalyst, a jump-start to losing the weight. The fact is and will always be -- if we don't do the hard work every single day for the rest of our lives, we will regain our weight. I know I have this small pouch right now, but that pouch will stretch and grow and adapt to whatever volume of whatever types of food I decide to dump into it. I try to look at the positive here -- I try to concentrate of physical well-being, on the pure joy and happiness I feel from just plain moving my body -- walking, playing, dancing, working out, lifting weights -- rolling over in bed, for God's sake! That used to be such a chore for me! I truly believe that continued success and maintenance lies in taking responsibility for our choices and being accountable for them -- and LETTING GO of the SURGERY aspect of it all. I'm grateful I had it; I'm grateful I have had no serious complications. But in the final analysis, I am solely responsible for my continued success -- or inevitable failure. Thanks for bringing this up and I hope your post is fodder for a great and necessary discussion here. All the best, Maureen

AMEN, Reenie. You said it well. We're not "cured" - we've just hit the "reset" button to give ourselves a fighting chance. I don't know what the article's source was for those statistics, I take things with a grain of salt unless I read the study in a medical journal. But the truth is, it IS up to us, and the more aware of that you are, the less likely you are to become unhealthy again. We have to use this time to break our old cycles and incorporate healthy eating and excercise. Best of luck to all of us, Jen

Maureen, I like what you said about "letting go of the surgery aspect". I knew I would have to work at keeping the weight off but I think I was deluding myself that it wouldn't require as much work as in my previous dieting experiences as I did go through MAJOR SURGERY,after all,to help correct my obesity! I now realize that was crazy thinking! I don't know where Prevention magazine got their statistics. The article is in their current (March) issue. I was just surprised at the percentages. 85%..that's alot! But I just need to slap myself (so to speak) and as you said so well, accept full responsibility for success or failure. I choose success. And I wish you every success too!! Thanks for replying!

I hadn't seen that specific article, but I had heard similar statistics. I don't know how accurate they are, but I am properly challenged and determined that it won't be my fate. I have said that before though when I was just dieting normally, so I hope I can keep it in check. It is indeed scary and I don't intend on letting it happen to me. Not many people do though. But I think the ones who gain it back might be more inclined to sit back and let the pouch do all the work. I don't want that to be the case with me. I hope I keep my perspective about it in the future! Dina

I've always said that this surgery just puts me on a level playing field with everyone else, it's not the easy way out and it's not a magic bullet. It's an opportunity. These days, I sometimes forget that I've had surgery when people compliment me on my weight loss. My response is usually something to do with diet and exercise being hard work. Connie

If this was the case than 100% of people who have WLS would gain back 50+% of their weight that they loose. I don't think that this can be true because if it were then I don't think that they would even approve the surgery. Nick

You are exactly right, Nick! I went back and re-read the article. It does state that 85% re-gain "about" 50% of the weight back in 5 years. So some COULD gain LESS than that. As I said before I don't know where they got those statistics from. I always thought Prevention mag provided accurate, researched information though. Guess that may not always be the case. Bottom line, I don't plan to be a part of their "100" % of weight re-gainers. Know it's up to ME. Thanks for the response, it definetly makes sense!