People gaining weight after RNY

How is that possible? Do they overeat and stretch their pouch out? Maybe they don't dump and eat carbs/fats? I know of 2 people here in town that got real skinny and now have gained it all back and then some. No way would I ask them what happened, don't know them well enough. But it's really scary to me that it seems that easy to fail. Does anyone have any answers as to what would cause such a huge weight gain after losing so much and when your pouch is so tiny? Thank you.

Laura, it is possible to regain and something most of us will have to be diligent in fighting for the rest of our lives. RNY gives you a tool and a jumpstart to get to a normal weight, but yes - some folks don't dump on carbs and if they eat them - sugar, white flour, starches - empty calories - in quantity they will gain.  The pouch doesn't even need to be stretched for them to do so.  It's kind of like a little funnel.  So, crackers, milkshakes, ice cream, candy all will go down quite smoothly.  Dumping provides some behavior modification, but if you have an eating disorder you have to work on the head side of the game in order to succeed.  There have been times when I've eaten things even knowing I was going to dump.  There have been times when I have eaten too many calories just eating the "good food" that is all legal on my diet.  It's a battle for me, because I suffered/suffer from a randomly occuring binge eating disorder.  Even so, I am very grateful for how far I have come and I am continuing to work my program of diet and exercise and I won't give up until I reach my goal. Even then, I won't give up.  I'll work to maintain it.  My husband managed to gain 40 pounds back in this last year - his second post RNY.  He won't log food and plan - therefore has no idea what goes into his mouth.  That refusal to plan causes problems since he doesn't know how to adjust.  It will always be a battle for some of us.  But that doesn't mean everyone will fail.  You have to choose failure, just as you choose sucess.  Of course, there will also be those folks that have medical conditions that could cause their regain too - like thyroid, or having to take steroids, or other reasons I'm not aware of.  This is my own personal experience.  Hope it helps a little.

Thank you so much for the info.  By planning, do you mean each morning you plan what you will eat all day?  How far ahead do you plan?  I am praying that I do dump, as I am a complete carb addict.  What sort of exercise do you do? Should I be seeing a counselor to help w/ my eating issues? I want to do everything right and be proactive and gather all the information I need to be successful in this journey.  So I really appreciate anything you may be able to share with me!   I got the call today that both my insurances have approved my rny surgery  w/ Dr RoseMarie Jones.  I'm waiting for the bariatric center nurse to call and schedule my preop testing and class.  Thank you again for your info!!  Sincerely, Laura :)

HI Laura,

I can tell you what happened to 2 of my sisters.  My oldest sister weighed 400 pounds when she had the surgery 10 years ago.  She lost 150 pounds.  So really not even close to goal.  She did good for about 5 years.  Then the pounds started creeping back on.  She does not follow any diet at all.  She eats sweets and grazes constantly.  It seems the the sugar dumping goes away after awhile for some people.  She is now at 300 pounds and we are all worried she will keep gaining unless she gets her eating under control  She still only eats small amounts at a time but it is all wrong choices.

My next sister had her surgery 7 years ago.  She started at 358 and got down to 228.  So not at goal but pretty good.  She maintained that for several years and then pretty much did the same thing as my oldest sister.  She was drinking 3 regular caffeine free Pepsi a day and grazing on poor choices.  She got all the way back up to 275.  Now that I am having the surgery next week, she is dieting again.  Neither sister were even taking their vitamins or calciums.  So I sort of got on them about it. 

So what it boils down to is "choices".  I have a niece who had the surgery 7 years ago and she is doing wonderfully.  She has kept her weight off but she really watches what she eats and counts calories and works out. 

Little amounts of "junk" food all day long add up to a ton of calories.  So after a  year or two, I don't think the size of the pouch (size of a baseball) really matters.

Thanks so much for the information.  My problem has never been quantity, but quality of foods.  I'm really hoping I do dump severely if I ever eat the sweets/fats.  You seem to be really well informed and ready for this wonderful journey!  I've been on the boards since July 09 and I'm really trying to learn all I can.  I think knowledge is definitely power in this instance.  I am so grateful for everyone's help and any input you can give me!  Got my 2nd insurance approval today, so the rny is a definite go now!  Waiting for the bariatric center nurse to call and schedule my preop testing and class.  I am so anxious to know about everything I need to buy and learn about what I need to have on hand for when I come home.  There are alot of good videos on YouTube about rny.  Thank you again and wishing you all the success in the world!!  Sincerely, Laura :)

Thanks Laura, congratulations on your approval.  I bet you are really excited.  I've been in "information" overload myself.  I just decided to have the surgery in July.  My daughter, Stephanie,  told us in July that she was having it and that sort of spurred me on to have it also.  Things have moved along very fast.  She had her surgery last Wednesday with Dr. Inman.  So we will be exactly 2 weeks apart.  (I have Dr. Inman also) It's been nice comparing notes on everything we both have learned.  I'm on-line all the time and love OH too.  I asked a lot of questions at the Nutrition/Nurse class.  I also learned a lot going through everything with Steph last week.  She did struggle a bit in the hospital with pain and is still finding it hard to get in her liquids and protein but I think each day will get better for her.  I live in Fort Wayne and she lives in Westfield.  So we can't go to support group together but it is nice for us to have a place to stay which is really close to the Bariatric Center when we have to go down. 

My problem has always been quantity over quality.  I hate fast food and junk food.  I love "fresh" homecooked healthy food.  Unfortunately I have a huge appetite.  I'm diabetic so sweets are not a problem as I limited them for years.  So I think this operation will be perfect for me.  I've kept off 70 - 90 pounds for 10 years with Weigh****chers.  So I am going into this surgery 70 pounds down.  I just keep gaining and losing the same 20 pounds.  I knew without the RNY, I would never get to goal.  Hope you get your dates soon.  Pam

Hi Pam, I hope your daughter is doing better each day!  I'll be thinking of you on Wednesday!  The bariatric nurse still has not called me to schedule the testing and class.   I know that everything happens in good time, though.  I'm just anxious!  You take care!  Laura

HI!  thanks, I'm really ready for this to happen.  I really think the waiting in the beginning is the hardest part of it all.  Who is doing your surgery?

Steph is doing better every day.  She finally has gotten in 65 proteins and 55 - 65 fluids every day.  She lost 7 pounds after about a week.  She has had a lot of problems gagging on protein shakes.  Seems everyone can only tolerate a few and it's just trial and error finding the ones you like.  It's good to get samples.  There is a good list of places to get samples on Bariatric Foodie and also Pam Trembles blog. 

Let me know when you get your date.  Blessings, Pam