Question

Hey Danielle! If you have not already figured it out from all the replies....you are not the only one who fears they'll regain! I think the most important thing you are doing is recognizing how you behave towards food. Honesty is truly the best policy in this case! I talk to obese people every day (I am a nurse) and the same lies keep coming up, like "I dont know how I got this big, I eat samll portions of healthy foods, " etc. You know how I got to 264 lbs???? I ate.  I ate everything and as much as I could shove in and then I repeated it the next day. I could eat almost a medium pizza by myself and then 3/4 of a pint of ben and jerry's.  I soothed my soul with food, sometimes I still do. But I recognize what I am doing now and know what the consequences are. I am a scale watcher, I know it's bad, but oh well, I am never going to go back to my previous life! I have times where I gain 6 or seven pounds in two weeks and then need to work hard to get them off.  I know I have the potential to gain my weight back and everyday I focus on stratagies to deal with it. That is the greatest difference in me now versus before RNY. Now I know there is nothing else to help me control my weight, it is all up to me. I control my destiny now. And you can too. I wish you all the best! You can do this! Bonnie

Wow!! You can tell from the "lengthy responses" that you have hit a hot button here!!! Yes, we're all concerned about re-gaining weight, because we know that it CAN happen. But, it does NOT have to. The best advice is to do EXACTLY what YOUR doctor tells you to do and follow the rules as closely as you can.  Yes, you will most likely "pause" now and again, but you also know that all is not lost when you do. You are actually "allowed" to "pause" occasionally and still not gain. Just NOT everyday. Please know that you will have to "diet" EVERYDAY for the rest of your life, but it is SO much easier with the tool. You will NEVER again be able to just "pig out" on cookies and cake and candy and pie and pasta and bread, etc. But that is a GOOD thing! You will soooooooo enjoy the freedom you have with your "new self".  I'm not saying that you will lose your desire for those things (I still haven't after 3 yrs. ), but it is SO much easier to fight the food demons with the "pouch". You are VERY wise for asking questions now. Best wishes in your pursuit. Stay in touch and let us know how you are doing. We care!!! Hugs,  Piggybabe

I'm 6 years out and haven't had a regain. I know many post ops who lose their excess weight and keep it off. Those that use their tool are successful. Those that go back to bad habits like grazing, drinking with meals, not exercising or eating the wrong stuff suffer. You have to have your head in the game before you do this. If you have eating or body issues - see someone before, during and after your surgery so that you can be successful. It's a tool and we all decide how to use ours. It's fantastic if you use it right, but if you slip, it's still there to use when you're ready to get back to following the rules. This levels the playing field - we can lose enough to be happy and healthy - then we just have to maintain. We can lose where we never could before. You are on the right track - good luck to you!

Wow, 6 years out and no regain.  Now that's what I call encouraging.  Great for you.  I'll be two years out in December, reached my goal at about a year and hope to maintain - but like I said hearing from you is very encouraging.