Is "rebound" inevitable?

I'm sure we have all heard the stories about our bodies "over-shooting" during our weight loss and to expect about a 10% regain of what we lost.  At my lowest weight, I was 129 from a starting weight of 315 (186 pounds lost).  As of this morning, I'm at 145 for a regain of 16 pounds.  If the surgeons are correct, then I have regained the "expected" amount.  My question:  is this regain inevitable?  Have any of the grads maintained their lowest weight without experiencing this regain?  And more importantly, have any of you grads regained your 10% then successfully lost it again?  I don't like the way my clothes are fitting, and I don't like the way I feel inside my own skin.  I have begun all the things we say to each other about upping exercise and protein as well as decreasing carbs.  But I'm interested in other's experiences with the "expected regain" issue. Kris 315/145/130

Hi Kris. That's an interesting question. I started at 328 and got down to 150~I am 5'9". At 2.5yrs post op I am currently 154lbs. I allow myself to bounce around in the 150's but so far have refused to allow 160 back onto  my scale. If I wanted to maintain at exactly 150lbs I would be hard pressed to do it~I can get back down to my lowest number with diligence and hard work, but its VERY hard to maintain my lowest weight. I have swung up all the way to 159, but like you said, I didn't like the way my clothes were fitting or how I felt at that weight so I had to buckle down and take a few pounds back off. I'll be checking back later to see what responses you get b/c this is a great question!

Hi, Kris!  I don't know if the regain is inevitable for everyone.  As in many things related to medicine and surgery, all we can go by is "averages."  With WLS, I'm sure it's been determined that "on average" patients will regain 10% of their weight.  This means that there will be some who don't regain any, and others who will regain more, and the average works out to about 10%. 

For myself, I think it would be extremely difficult to get back to my lowest weight and stay there.  I went down to 160, and have regained 25 pounds, so I'm at about 185 right now.  I would dearly love to split the difference and settle at around 175, but even doing that is proving very difficult for me.  At least I have stopped gaining, and I believe that is because I began exercising regularly in January.  I do feel more strongly now, though, that I can maintain this weight without too much difficulty.  If I were to really "work hard" at it, I might be able to lose 10 down to 175, but I'd have to make some major adjustments to my dietary plan. I think what upsets me most is seeing folks here beat themselves up for having regained a few pounds, when it may not be anything they can control.  WLS is still a relatively new breakthrough in the world of medicine, and we still don't really know all the outcomes and expectations.  We are told in literature and by our surgeons that "most" people experience regain.  Even being told this, many of us here still look at it as a personal failure.  I feel that is unfair and that folks are being unduly hard on themselves.  Naturally, if you know you're doing a lot of things wrong, then you can expect that you might regain.  But I have known many others who did everything "right" and still had the regain - really not their fault, is it?  And also, if you look at the broader picture, if you lose 100 and regain 25, you're still 75 to the good and in much better shape health-wise and appearance-wise, right? Thanks for the great post and question.  I will be checking back to see what other responses you get here.  Also, congrats on your tremendous success!!! Carlita

I don't know if rebound is inevitable I think there are always exceptions.  But I do think that it takes alittle while to realize when we hit our goal that the maintenance sometimes takes more effort (exercise and food diligence (sp?)) than losing.  So we bounce up until we figure out what to do about it or decide that the rebound is ok. Carla

I do not know the answer to your question, but I am working every day to stay at goal.  I do not want to regain.  I think I am perfect for my age and body frame.  I would sure would like to stay here. 262/130 5'1' 62 age RNY 2 years ago

I am 5'8" and started at 268 and went down to 145, to low for me. I am now at 153-155 I have been at this weight for over a year. I do work out 1 1/2 hours 3 times a week and eat almost anything but I am very careful on portion size. I know if I take one bite to much I will be sick even at 2 1/2 years out. It is not as bad as it was at the start of all of this but bad enough to know I don't like it and don't like going there. I would like to stay closer to 148-150 but can't seem to get out of the 153's. I wear a size 8 jean and never in my lifetime did I think that could happen to me. I have still have the middle roll that I would like to have gone and not have to wear something to hold it in. I don't like it rolling over my jeans but I am not sure if its a little fat roll or if it's just extra skin. My arms are great nothing hanging there but my stomach area is where I have the extra stuff left over and I am not sure that will go away with out surgery and  I don’t want to pay for it. So the only option is to wear something to hold it in. I try not of focus on it to the point it makes me crazy so I am happy in my skin now. It was a long road and I use the tools I have gotten to hopefully keep it going. Kim 268/153 11/2004

This is a really good question.  I too dropped below what I felt to be an acceptable weight for me but in spite of myself, I couldn't put any on for about six months....then in the last two months, I've gained 10 pounds (I'll be two years out in July).  They are a good, healthy ten pounds for me so I'm not complaining - however, I'm watching to be sure it doesn't get any higher than this. I do struggle with the mental part - as well as feeling a little snug in my smallest clothes!!!!  At the same time, I remind myself that I do look much healthier now. Sharon

I actually had this conversation with my Surgeon last nite. I have never had a "real" gain (I get weighed once a month at his office which is my official weight- one month it might be up one but next month down one) Ive been pretty steady no matter what I do it seems.  I have never quite made it to the goal set by him. I started at 360 (9/03) and have been bouncing around 200-201 for almost 2 years now. If I up my workouts, water & protien and drop sugar it stays the same. If I stop exercising, eat YUMMY sugar it stays the same. I truly dont understand why but its how I am.  My surgeons says I am his only patient (of the ones who stayed in touch with him ofcourse) that has not gotten below goal, then bounced up,and then lost some and then kinda stayed that way (5-9 pound range in his opinion is maintaining)     after year 2, everyone I know that has had WLS has put on 10% from their lowest weight. one friend had lost 300 pounds & sure enough put on 30 and one who only lost 80 (didnt need the surgery in my opinion) put on 8. Its too common not to have some truth. just my 2 cents Diana RNY 9/17/03 Dr. Roe 360/200/aiming still for 180

My lowest was 143, but I usually teeter between 146 and 148.  Down from 282.  I expected some regain, but I know now that I would not be happy about it.  I feel like when I hit 148, I buckle down and cut out the treats and get a little stricter with myself because I know how easily the weight can creep back on. To answer your other question about losing regained weight, I have read many posts from people who have gained weight (like 30-60 lbs) and decide to get back on track and get back to basics and have success, so I do think its possible to keep the weight off.

I maintained my lowest weight of 126 for about 13 minutes one morning until I took a deep breath and gained 5 lbs.  I now weigh 131 and I stay within 5 lbs of that always with minimal effort at this time. (furiously knocking on wooden table here)  I am over 4 years post op, I am almost 36 and I am 5'9" tall.  I do believe that many of us lose below the "norm" for us and thus the rebound.  Lots of interesting perspectives here to gain insight from. Traci 303/131