Keeping it off long term

I have RNY and I'm still working on actually getting my weight off. I was wondering how hard it is to keep it off once we get to goal. I don't regret my RNY at all but the flare up over the DS on the other board made me look at the DS board. They seem to be able to eat alot more stuff. Not sure if I want that power but to know that if I screw up once in awhile, I won't gain weight is comforting. Can you even gain weight with DS? Just curious. I am afraid I will gain my weight back if i am not perfect about my eating, which i never have been.

People can out eat RNY or the DS.  Just graze throughout the day. Perfection isn't required.  There are many post-ops and non-ops who eat what they want on occassion.  The key is to keep the eating healthy the good majority of the time.  It all boils down to calories in versus calories burned. Kathy

Hello, my name is Kersha. I live in Danville,Va. I am about to under gastric bypass surgery on Say May 10,2008. I am no nervous, I am just mainly excited. I have been overweight mot of my life. I am ready for a new life and new chances that I never had when I was fat I have been exercise since Jan08  and have been trying to learn how to ear right before. My insurance company actullay had a lot of programs that I didn't know was avaible to me. They have a fitness & exercise programe that will pay for my gym membership.They also had a program where some one will come to your house and teach you how to read labels and cook healthy foods in a non-fating way. I am going  to take full advantages of those things once the doctor tells me it is o.k. to exercise again I really want to be a sucessful weight loss surgey person. I know that with the support of Obesity Hellp my famil and friends I will accomplish all three goals I have set for my self. Keep me all in your prayes. Love  Kersha formerly fat & fabulos and soon to be just fabulos - the fat part lol

You are most definitely fabulous!  And never forget that! Good luck on your surgery.  You have a great attitude.  Make the most of those early post-ops days.  Get into really good habits so that you aren't in a dieting mindset but in a new lifestyle mindset. Best wishes, Kathy

I think a lot of people, myself included come to realize that all the Weight loss surgeries are not magic...They are for a year or two and the rest is up to us.  It's not that hard to realize how much easier life is, being healthier and thinner either. That alone gives me the will to overcome my bad days...I have them...but it means so much more to me to be healthy than to go back just so I can eat whatever I really want to eat. I can't buy that stuff or I will eat it. I'm not that strong...But I'm very determined to buy the right foods so I don't mess up (not too often anyway) So I allow myself to do that now and then...and I watch it the rest of the time. It's not always easy...and DS might be great for most people...It wasn't for me.  But I might have enjoyed a little more freedom in my menu, because I am definitely a foodie...I love eating anything! LOL It reminds me of raising children...Some people spoil their children and allow them their hearts desire...That's DS to me...I'm not saying it's wrong at all. Not all spoiled children are total brats...There are times I want to give my kids everything they want, but I fear the recourse of that. So I make them work for some things rather than just give it to them. Maybe DSers are very vocal because they want others to see how great it is to spoil yourself and still be small and healthy. I can certainly understand that! I'm even envious and amazed at how great they have it and how much they want to share it. I would too probably. When I find something great I'm the kind that wants to share it...So are they. After all they have been MO just as us RNYers have. We all understand MO all too well. Some people need strong discipline and structure and rewards and punishments...That is RNY to me.  I'm an RNY person.  Maybe I don't feel I deserve to be spoiled or I'm afraid of it...I don't really know...but strict is also how I raised my kids and how I was raised...It's my personality and it fits me.  I spoil my kids too...but moderately!  I'm naughty and I have my moments of total unrestricted naughtiness!  That's me too...I could go both ways I think. It's all a matter of what fits your personality...DS sounds like an awesome surgery...If I had known of it before I had surgery I might have given it thought rather than RNY because having DS doesn't mean you HAVE to eat anything and everything unhealthy...I mean, I'm sure most DSers try to eat healthy too...But they can have cake and icing if they want!  LOL  Well so can I, but I am limited to how much and how often.  I rarely dump on anything except dairy and a little too much sugar.  All I am saying is wls is just a tool as you have probably heard over and over again.....and no ...it is not the easy way out...some surgeries are easier than others, but they all have their limitations and flaws and the possibility of gaining weight back...You chose RNY...now you have to stick with being that strict parent to your pouch.  A little pampering is fine...Jus****ch it and enjoy your health or you will gain weight , no doubt!  I've learned how to beat RNY and gain...I'm a grazer...but I graze mostly on good stuff...with the occasional set back...My mouth still wants to be overweight...as well as my eyes and my mind...Big old fat head!  But I refuse to let it get to me because I love being healthy and thinner so very much more than food...Don't you?  Don't worry about other surgeries...You haven't even lost your weight yet and already are thinking of what other surgeries are out there?  That's almost a recipe for disaster if you don't refocus on the surgery you had ...So it's a little harder...but we can do this!!! I've done it for four years! I gained some lost it back...have set backs and get it all back under control...Life is ups and downs...You gotta roll with the hills or you run into them!  

I am almost five years out and am working on the last 15 lbs. I did regain 32 lbs from my lowest point from not eating the right foods, drinking with meals and not exercising. I got back on track and have lost 15lbs of the regain.  No one expects perfection but you do have to follow the rules most of the time.

I'm not quite 2 years out and haven't had any significant regain yet, but it's taking a lot of work and I can see that it will get harder. I know lots of people who have had RNY and most of them have been successful after many years. I know a couple that had DS, and one has done great and the other gained it all back. It can be done with any surgery. The RNY will help you tremendously. You don't have to fail. Just keep an eye on your habits and weight, and if it starts coming back on, make some adjustments to get it back off.

Hi Nicole Please forgive me if this is a stupid question,but want is DS?

The DS is one of the WLS options available, here is the link to the information on OH.  http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/ds/ I do suggest you read up on all options then proceed with what works best for you.  Many of us were/can be limited on surgery choice due to insurance restrictions, so keep that in mind also.

Nicole, no surgery is a fix all......the majority of us have an eating disorder so at some point we'll face challenges.  The thing to remember though is you have a tool and although we might slip up occassionally, we can still gain control and regroup to make our individual surgeries work. As for regain, yes it's a possibility....sometimes our faults, sometimes the surgery might fail a post-op.  Just have faith that the surgery you chose for you is what you need to live a much healthier, happy life.  IMO, it's all about health and feeling good about yourself. Good luck!