Just curious and wondering

I have been reading a lot about weight regain with RNY after a few years.  The stats say about 30% regain with in 2-5 yrs after the surgery.  Once I read this I began to compare the stories and the stats.
I know every one is differnt and cir****tances are always a factor.  However, I wonder how much of that 30% that has the weight regain has it because they have unresolved issues with food.  Because I do know that no matter what type of wls surgery you have , the issues that you have before the surgery are still going to be there when you wake up from the ansteasia. 

Does this mean that if you do every thing every thing your doctor tells you to do faithfully that you will not have weight regain? 

I am just curious and wondering

Hello and I have that question too . I am trying to learn all I can and have got several books from my libarary to read. They mention the stats and this has me even more confused.
                                                                                                                   Julie

Lori -

The simple answer is....there isn't one.  Weight loss varies from individual to individual, and although RNY patients GENERALLY lose more quickly, lap-banders who stay on top of their fills have success because they're having a renewed honeymoon period, and people with the sleeve have the benefit of their type of surgery being a cross between the two.

The problem with ANY wls is that during surgery, ONLY our stomachs are operated on, NOT our brains.  Some people can do it without therapy, some need therapy to deal with it, and some just don't care.

At almost 4 years out, I STILL have issues with food, and sadly, think I always may.  However, I've made great strides in trying to get back on the wagon, and that's a major part of the battle.

See?  Simple!  Sorry!

Tia

Interesting question.

I believe I look at it this way (as a pre-op I'm not sure my insight makes a big difference):

WLS is a tool just like any other tool we are given.  What we do with the tool is our choice.

I know that Weigh****chers works if I follow it.   it's a tool  (lost over 60 pounds many years ago stopped following the program and gained it all back and then some)

I know that south beach diet works if I follow it  it's a tool.  (lost 80 pounds between May 2006 and August 2008 and then stopped following it and gained back 50)

I believe that if we work the tool properly eating what we are supposed to eat, drinking what we are supposed to drink when we are supposed to drink it and moving like we are supposed to, that any program or tool will work.

Lori,

I am 21 months out from surgery and I will be honest with you.....it ain't easy...at least for me it isn't. I was in therapy for many years prior to surgery and it never helped with the food problems. It helped in other ways...just not with the food. When I was about 9 mos to a year out I tried therapy again at The Center for Eating Disorders to no avail. I have a physical addiction that I do not believe therapy can deal with. Like Tia, I know this is a life long battle for me. Some days I even question whether I should have had the surgery at all. I am again afraid to get on the scale as I feel my clothes getting tighter than they were last summer. It would be humiliating for me to gain the weight back. There are people out there that do not gain weight back. I was hoping I would be one of them but sadly, I am not.  I have tried every weightloss program known to mankind and if I could never lose weight and keep it off why did I think that wls would really be any different.

Please take what I have posted as my own experience and no one elses. Everyone is different. I know I have a disease of addiction and the only way for me to heal is to abstain from that which I am addicted to.I also know that I am not doing all the necessary things that you are suppose to do(exercising, drinking water, etc.) to keep the weight off. Take it from me...before you have this life changing surgery, know that this is not an easy way out or a miracle cure.

Gail:

Thank you for that very heartfelt and honest response.  I have been kicking these thoughts around for some time and just now decided to voice it.  I personally and terrified of what will happen if I don't do the surgery.  My mother was dead at 57 from a heart attack and her health problems didn't begin until she hit 50.  Well I just turned 51 two months ago and have had several weight related co morbidities show up in the last 2 months.  I do not want to follow in her food steps.  I have to much I want to do and to offer this world .  I don't want to check out just yet. 

I to have an addictive personality
I have thought about this surgery for more than 5 yrs and researched it for 4 and now I am just a few strokes away
from it happening. Hopfully my fight with the insurance company won't be too bad.


Ciao

lori

I wish you a lot of luck in getting your approval without any problems. Yes, we all have a lot to live for and you will do great.

I agree with the fact that everyone is different but the one thing we all have in common is a very unhealthy relationship with food. I knew for myself that WLS was not going to work for me, until I started to learn why I had that relationship. WLS is a fantastic tool, but if you don't work it, it isn't going to work!!! I know I didn't just go to bed one night and wake up the next morning obese. Being Obese was something I hated, but I got to a point where food controlled me, instead of me controlling the food!  SO, FOR ME, having WLS, exercising and going regularly  to therapy has proven to be a winning combination. And like they say.....You take one meal, then one day at a time! I hope all of you can find your winning combination!  Good Luck,  Leslie