Article about "Biggest Loser" regains with positive message about RNY

I thought I would share this story in The Atlantic.  

Usually, the media gives WLS a bad rap as "taking the easy way out" or something similarly as insulting/incorrect.  This article details regain for those on the popular show The Biggest Loser -- but what is different is that it asserts that WLS -- namely gastric bypass -- may be the best option for seriously obese patients.

"...gastric bypass might be a better bet for obese people than reality-showesque-stunts..."

Nice article, it's refreshing to read something positive about WLS.  

That Biggest Loser study is a hot mess.  Once again trotting out the set points and Minnesota starvation experiment.  What a bunch of baloney. It doesn't matter how fast or slow you lose the weight.  All of us who've had surgery have lost weight incredibly fast and it doesn't make any difference.  What does make a difference is muscle mass.  I know for a fact that even eating protein forward I've lost a lot of muscle and the only way I'm going to get it back is to lift weights.  The main reason why they are burning fewer calories is because they still have a high BF percentage.  I highly doubt there is metabolic damage.  It is nice to see something favorable written about WLS in the media though because most of the world regards us a cheaters.  Haters gonna hate, I say!

Jen

I don't agree with that. I don't think body fat % is as important as you think.  I hope that your approach will work for you, but from my experience - it never worked for me. 

I think muscle mass can affect a person metabolism, but in also believe a lot of BL winners ended up with a very low BF % and higher muscle mass - and still gained the weight back very fast. 

On my own body - being 8 years post op - I see how my body changes "weight set point". I call that a weight my body gets very comfortable in maintaining. It takes a lot of work to lose weight and then maintain it. But if I can do that and then maintain that for a few weeks - it seams my body adjusts.  Literally one lb at a time..  It also takes a while for my body to gain weight from that point-  If I eat"badly" I can gain 2-3 lbs, that I also can lose rather quickly when I start eating "right" after the "cheat day or 2.. And I noticed that if I gained - I am less "hungry" for the next few days.. 

With or without severe exercises. 

But dropping below that "range" requires a lot of good food days .. 

i.e. for a while my body maintained around 162... 160-167... it was close to impossible for me to drop below 160..  I was on it for 1 year... But this year- my body finally let go and i am down to 156.. (155-158.5) . I can stop here - but my goal is 155 max - so that is 3 more lbs... I will get there... 

Thanks Kat. As PP mentioned, some wonky stuff here, but finally someone mentions the only game changer! WLS is the only thing we have that offers real promise.