I'm frightened after reading some of these posts. Stalling made me give up losing weight in...

I think people with significant/complete regain are way more common than those of us *****gain and lose.

Most of the peers I keep in touch with have either never lost their excess weight or have regained and then some.

Never underestimate the long term successful veterans here - they are not typical in our population.

The OP is wise to be mindful of the very real possibility of not being successful in the 5, 10, 15 ++ long term

I completely agree. My local peer circle is similar.

I know some people here think I am harsh, but I know what to do and can see the red flags in others. I really do want other people to be successful. I think all of us long-term veterans do or we would not still be here!!

Hi Laura, I have not been on OH in a long time. It is wonderful to see you are still giving support to the community! I hope you are well. Best, Cheryl

Preach.

Losing 220 pounds was much easier than the 4+ years since maintaining that loss.

Believe the vets. It's work, effort and commitment.

I am so with Kim's and Laura's opinion here...

You just 1.5 years post op. You are talking about the experience you have here and now. I think you may get a rude awakening as the times go.

In my first 2 years, actually 2.5 years I had a problem stop losing. I got 10 lbs below my goal. And I was eating more. I had to eat more to maintain.

And then came year 3 post op and not doing anything different to what I was doing, I started gaining. I wanted to gain 10 lbs, but in almost no time I gained over 35 lbs. It then took me 6 months to lose 20, and then another year to reach my goal.

I am close to 12 years post op, and I know hat and how much I need to eat to maintain or lose. And what almost always guarantee I would start gaining.

I know one a couple of people IRL ( who are maintaining their weight (not counting people 5+post op here on OH). I know bunch of people IRL *****gained, and regained most if not all, or even more than they lost. Those people returned to eating the same things what they ate before WLS, and just eat less of it. They are gaining. some gain slowly than if the were before WLS, but after a few years it is visible.

You are very wise, both to recognize that WLS is not foolproof and in recognizing your personal difficulties. This gives you a massive advantage over those who think they've got it licked before and soon after surgery.

Rocky's reply above gives you great insight into what is expected and what you will need to succeed.

There are several long term successful vets here on OH who are here to both give and get support - that need never disappears. They have lived this surgery anywhere from 5 to 30 + years and they really have BTDT, so are able to guide, advise and kick ass when necessary. Use and appreciate this resource - it's maybe the only group that doesn't encourage hand patting or smoke blowing. Too many groups out there are lessons in failure.

So while those posts about not making goal, stalling and regain worry you, they are doing you an awesome favour by giving you an opportunity to consider ALL sides of this life changing decision.

You have a good reason to worry. Long term it is so easy to gain. Just 100 cal extra per day above what our body need may result in 10 lbs gain per year.

in 3 years - that may grow to 30 lbs.

just 100 calories extra can be "good food" like protein shake per day.

Getting grip on what we are doing and how diligent we need to be is critical.

Surgery gives you about two years where losing is quick and easy. But the body is smart and it learns how to get back the weight that it feels you unfairly starved it of .

Think of your body like a person working at a job. Every week they expect to get paid and have money to spend. But one day the body is doing its same work, but the food is suddenly cut to almost nothing. It has to work with far fewer calories and loses weight.

Then it gets better and tells you to give it back all of its food. And by the third year after surgery, you can eat all of that food again.

The trick is to continue on the diet plan even after you are able to eat as much as before. Take the first years to learn new habits and then continue those habits and you will never have to worry much about regain.

I am on a diet and I will be on a diet every day of my life. If I quit the diet, I will gain the weight back.

The "average" weight loss is 100 pounds. Almost 100% regain 20 pounds by the end of year three.

50% regain 50 pounds by the end of year five. Some regain 100 pounds by year 10 or sooner. Some end up heavier than they started. We were taught to lose weight and then go to maintenance. With weight loss surgery, there is no maintenance.

Unless you watch your diet carefully and do not eat more than you burn you will regain the weight.

Obesity is not cured, just put into remission. You can easily go back to it.

"Obesity is not cured, just put into remission."

This is a harsh reality. I guess I probably knew that, but to read it from someone else... thank you.

I am also an alcoholic, so I have put alcohol aside with the same knowledge that it is not cured only in remission as long as I do the work.

I've been to some OA meetings, but have not found them very helpful really. Do you do any groups outside of this online group?