Slightly off topic

There's something that's been bothering me recently...I've seen a couple of high-profiled celebrities who have had gastric or lap banding and have gained some or all of their weight back.  How is this possible? I know slipping back into old habits is a part of it, but since our new pouches are only so big and can't handle high fat, high sugar foods, why does this occur? I'm so fearful of gaining my wieght back and am trying to do everything I can to not fall into that trap.  I'm even thinking about getting a personal trainer to help so I can get my last few pounds off. I'm so puzzled by this and just wanted everyone's input. 

Well when I first started researching WLS, I looked at all types before making a decision.  I didn't want the lap band because it was to easy to cheat with. You don't have dumping with the band and if you choose not to adhere to the change of diet you will not loose any weight.  You could drink McDonald's Milk Shakes all day long taking in 3,000 cal. or more.  I went with RNY it had the greatest potential of curing diabetes and was a stronger tool then the Band.  Notice I said Tool!  Because all the research I've read it is possible to stretch your pouch to 1/2 the size of a normal stomach, also not everyone goes through dumping, most do.  But even then if your dedicated to FAIL you can continue to dump and your body will finally adjust allowing you to eat sugar without dumping.  This were the physiological aspect comes in the "I'm not worthy to be thin" the self destructive part that a lot of people with low self esteem go thru.  The point is to recognize this as soon as it happens seek help either support group or professional.  But don't assume you can handle it on your own because if history is any indicator you didn't handle well before.  I was never big on support groups until WLS, but I definitely see the advantages, it helps keep you honest. You see others struggle with the same issues as you so you feel less isolated.  Your FEAR of re-gaining is a good thing, you can use the fear to keep you on track.  I hope you understand in writing this I used "you" alot not inferring you just "you" as anyone going through what we are going through.  Hope thats as clear as mud.  C' Ya Bob

There would be several reasons.  Like Bob said, it's a tool and some people can eat around their tool.  Not everyone has dumping or at least not to the extent of others.  Like me, I really didn't have much problem with dumping (con or pro, you decide).  I am more sensitive to sugar now that I'm pregnant and the further along I get, the more dumping episodes I incur (if I misbehave).    Also, a lot of people think "sugar-free" and think that means they get to eat all they want.   Sugar free still has calories and fat and carbs.    I think most people  get tripped up because they think WLS is the answer to everything and it will just automatically happen.  We all know that's not true, you have to work this weight loss, just as you do with any other type of program.  As long as you remember that those examples CAN be you, if you don't follow the "rules", as long as you are consious of everything you put into your mouth and the activities you do or don't do, will help to keep you on track.  Of course, we will all have our ups and downs, but the key at this point, is to catch the downs before they get out of hand and end up right where we started.  We have to always be aware, alert and consious of ourselves.  We can't put our lives on automatic pilot and coast our way to good health.  We wouldn't be here in the first place if we were able to do that.   Personally, I don't think that is a problem with you.  At least not at this point.  You are very aware and concerned and doing what you are supposed to do.  Don't get caught up in comparing your achievements to that of others.  You will set yourself up for disappointment every time.  I know, it's easier said than done.  Compare yourself now to your old self, not to others.  You have come a long way and had great accomplishments.  Do not beat yourself up over a plateau or even a slight gain.  Work with what you have and work your tool to the best of your ability.  You look fabulous, your health is much better and in time the issues you have, you will able to get a handle on.  Keep up the great work and focus on YOU!!!!      ~~Elena

I think people are fooled or misconceived into believeing they can "NEVER" eat as much or eat certain things. That is just not the truth about RNY. For a lot of people, after a certain period of time (like over a year) your dumping habits go down. So, you can eat more sugar or "bad" food and not dump as easily as you did when you first were out of surgery. Your body learns to adjust. Thats not for everyone but even some people never  ever dump. I have always been too scared to try to push my limits because I do not want to dump. But I have pushed it to like 30 grams of sugar at one time and had no reaction. I am too scared to try more and I really don't want to. I try to stay away from sugar snacks anyways. I won't even do the normal glucose test at the Drs for the pregnancy because it is 50 grams of sugar and I just don't want to attempt that. Mostly because I may dump and if I don't dump, I don't like the knowledge of knowing I can go up to 50 grams without dumping. That is a lot of tempation that I don't need! And a lot of people never dump or get sick on fried foods or carbs. I don't do good with fried foods personally. It causes me to get sick. And, you can eat a lot more after a year and half. So, yes, if you eat the wrong things and eat snacks all day long and not eat healthy, you can regain weight. No matter how big your stomach is, you can always eat 3,000 plus calories a day just be eating the wrong things and eating more times a day. Even sugar free snacks are high in calories and offer no nutritional value and can become addictive once you learn about them. Luckily, I didn't learn about them until I was 8 months post-op or so and once I did, I messed up and binged on them. I learned real quick that they sugar free doesn not necessarily mean healthy. So, I eat them more sparingly now. This is a tool to learn a new healthy eating plan and life. Hopefully, most people learn good habits during that 1st year so afterwards when they can eat more and can eat different things (including bad things), they don't want to.  You have done great and you have an appreciatation for your new life and eating plan so don't stress yourself out about it. Celebrities have to be in the lime light and deal with the stress and struggles of their weight in front of the world. I am sure that effects their success as well as probably all the bad eating habits from traveling so much and the people around them not being supportive. You just can't compare your success to anybody elses. Everyone measure weight loss success in a different way. Hopefully, even the people who gain some weight back are in a much healthier place than they were before surgery.