Bounceback

Ok, I have been wondering this for a long time and keep meaning to post the question so here goes. 

During the three seminars I went to pre surgery, at each one they talked about the bounce back weight.  I was just at a consultation at Hurley with my daughter and once again in their presentation, they talk about the '20 lb bounce back' after your initial weight loss. 
And I just ran into a co-worker this morning who had the surgery a month before I did and she said she'd like to lose 10 more so she has 'room for the bounceback'.

So....my question is does the bounce back happen to everyone?  Is there anything scientific behind it or is it because people become complacent with their eating and exercising once they are a few years out?  I'm just curious if it happens to everyone or is it possible to loss weight and reach your goal and maintain that loss without the '20 lb bounceback'. 

I'm getting real close to my goal (need to lose 12 more lbs) and my biggest fear in this whole journey is gaining the weight back. 

Thanks for your replies!

Nan

I've heard about it too and sad to say it happened to me....I've regained about 10-12 lbs, my initial loss was 115, so for me it was a 10% regain.

My initial goal was to loose 10 more than I wanted for the bounce back, but I never even got close to my original goal LOL!!!  But ultimately, I'm happier and healthier than I have ever been.

Your doing great Nan,

Edie

Thanks Edie!

I do great at dieting and losing the weight (I've lost more than 100 lbs four times in my life - gained it back each time plus more!)   I just suck at maintaining - LOL.  So as I get closer to hitting goal, I'm getting a little freaked out.  Like in my mind I will just naturally start gaining, because that's what I've done every other time when losing significant amounts of weight. 

I TOTALLY understand that....prob. everyone on here does.

Like I've said, I'm no saint, but I still stick to the rules over 90% of the time.  I remember I was talking to my boss pre-op and she said she was good 85% of the time.....I laughed and said "well that's my problem, I'm only good 15% of the time" LOL!!!

As long as your good 90% of the time, you should be good to go (that's what I'm banking on ;) )

Edie

Me too...oh wait..depends on what I am being good at...I originally lost 120 pounds..I have gained back 50. I'd like to lose maybe 20 of that 50. I was toooo
skinny at 118..now at 168..my joints would be happier with me a little lighter again...We are never satisfied I guess...

Nan,
That's why I want to get below the doctor's goal too, just in case I have the bounceback syndrome.  My cousin had the surgery 3.5 years ago and has gained back 30 pounds, but is maintaining that weight pretty well.
I've hit the doctor's goal, but my personal goal is 25 pounds lighter than his.  Now, it's about this hanging extra...
:)

Jan - that seems to be pretty typical from all I've been reading on it.  20-30 lbs.  I agree, I want to get below the dr's goal too for that exact reason.  I'm not sure my dr ever even set a goal, I think I told him where I wanted to get to.  I'll talk to them about a goal when I go in for my year check-up next month.  I'm about 12 lbs from my personal goal and boy, I'm having to work hard for every ounce that I lose now.

And I can relate to the hanging extra skin!  It's not as bad as it could have been but I bet it's at least 5-15 lbs worth!

Bounce back comes from our bodies incredible ability to heal.  WLS is controlled starvation.  our bodies fight it. 

The malabsorbtion lessens as the body becomes more efficient at squeezing calories out with the shortened intestine.  Eventually we lose that advantage altogether.

The pouch is expected to enlarge (rny speak, I don't know about the other stuff) from the size of a shot-glass to a half-cup or so.  If we lose that sensation of the stretch, we can, and do stuff more in.

Exercise is less efficient as our bodies get used to a routine because the metabolism adjusts.

The force of habit is strong in us, we KNOW how little we can live on but we WANT what we used to get, or at least what the person in the next booth is eating.

We get adventurous and push the envelope.  The fewer times we try pasta, pizza, french fries, cookies, barbecued ribs, the more likely we are to eat healthy.  I saw someone posting about how she could eat ANYTHING for a few months, and then saw her talk about how scared she was of how much she could eat.  Or wait, was that me?

Labels can still mislead us.  Foods that put Healthy or Lean in the name, often aren't suited to us. The cereal may not mention much sugar but says cane juice or high fructose corn syrup  instead.

Does it happen to everyone?  Almost.  Be ready for it.  The surgery, of any of the kinds, resets us to "normal" and then we have to use the same skills as anyone else at staying at that better weight.