Veterans: How do you keep it off and avoid regain?

Wow from walking with a walker to running... all while being a grandma- kudos to you! keep up the great work :)

Just to clarify, I did 1 5k as it was on my bucket list. I knew if I continued to run it would lead to knee replacement surgery sooner than later. I stayed away from running and I am happy to report 15 years later no knee surgery.

Hey there, had my surgery on 4/10/06, so I guess that qualifies me as a long-term vet. On the day of my surgery (RNY), I weighed 417 pounds (I was almost 500 pounds at one point in the mid 90's). 14 months later I was down to 185. 13 years later, I hover right around 200 pounds. I maintain by sticking to a very low carb/high protein diet, and I go to the gym 4 to 5 times a week. I've been up in weight a few times during the 13 years, never substantially, and for various reasons, but always get myself back on track. Good luck to you.

Great job. Keep up the good work. Thank you!

You set a goal weight and when you reach that goal weight, you work to lose an additional 20 pounds as a cushion for bounceback regain. You might be lucky and never regain an ounce, but 99% of us do.

The average regain is 20 pounds between the end of year 2 and the beginning of year 4. It is nice if you were prepared for that happening. My regain started as month 30 and I gained a pound a week for 14 weeks. Then I went back to Weigh****chers. I never got completely down to my lowest weight again, but stopped the regain.

You weigh yourself everyday and you monitor what you eat and drink. You engage in as much physical activity as you can handle. Weight loss surgery is something that helps but you have to do the work.

Oh man. I'd better work on getting to goal and then factoring in that cushion... and oh yes White Dove I've read a ton of your posts... forgot to mention you up in mine! Thanks for answering and keep up the great work :)

Great OP and a great thread. Best wishes to the OP, and thanks to all *****sponded.

I'll be five years post-op in four months. Although I had a sleeve, not RnY, I'll chime in because I think many challenges and aspects of maintenance are similar for most WLS patients.

I don't know any WLS patient who doesn't gain at least a few pounds from time to time. Therefore, being able to gain control as soon as possible after regain is important. It's easier to lose 5 pounds than 15, easier to lose 15 pounds than 50. Etc.

What is working for me so far is that every day (unless I'm traveling) I weigh, count calories and macronutrients, and record those metrics on My Fitness Pal. Every day I take my prescribed Rxs and supplements. I walk a lot and take yoga classes and have a home yoga practice. I see a therapist once a month. Annually I have a comprehensive blood panel and see my WLS surgeon and my GP. Those behaviors and accountability resources are a great help in helping me maintain and remain healthy.

A final thought: Work hard to stay at your goal weight as long as possible to get very comfortable with the eating / exercise lifestyle that works best for you. And then be willing to go back to the basics when you need to lose some regain.

FYI, I'm losing some regain now after spending three months this past winter in New Orleans (yowzah!). After three weeks back home and going back to basics I've got only 6 more pounds to lose before reaching my goal weight, which I am confident I'll achieve in the next 5 weeks.

Thank you for chiming in. Looks like what you're doing is similar to what RNYers need to do. What is OP by the way? Keep up the good work. 5 weeks will be over before you know it!

OP means both "original post" or "original poster."

I love getting up in the morning and making my exercise the first best thing before dawn.

1. I love to swim and speed skate blade but my first go-to is gentle backwards posture stretches neck rolls and gentle walking to music.
2. Then ... and only if I want more and have the time for it do I do the real sports ( speed skating, or swimming a mile )
3. Because I walk I can eat what I like ( I hate fat but love gourmet fresh made food) and wear what I like .