rapid weight gain - after 2 years - Gastric by pass

I was wondering if anyone is experiencing the same thing I am. I had my gastric by pass surgery July 2006. I lost 120 pounds. It has been great. All of a sudden I have started to gain weight back. Quicker than normal. I was not concerned at first but now I am getting worried. I have gone from 167 to 177 in less than a month. Recently I was back down to 173 and then in 3 days I am back up to 177. (BTW, I was 288 and a waist 50 when I had the surgery. I am now a waist 33/34.) I plan to call the Dr. and see what he says but thought I would throw this out to all of you. For some history of eating: I have not changed the way I eat or the amounts I eat. So what gives? I am getting a little worried. I do not want to start gaining weight back. Thanks, TP Please feel free to email me at: [email protected] if you have an answer.

I wonder if you are becoming a more efficient absorber?  If that were the case you'd start absorbing more calories even if the about stayed the same. Here is what would do: 1)  Excercise more (cardio) if possible 2)  Keep a true food log for a week and look for "dangerous trends" 3)  Eat exactly like you did 6 months after surgery.  For me, that would be about half of I currently eat. I've seen 4 pound swings in poop and water retention.  I mean, after all, to gain 4 pounds in three days did you suddenly consume 12,000 extra calories?  I think not.  Even so, keeping a 10 pound upper limit and making changes early rather than later is good thinking.

Thanks so much for the advice and replying. I just spoke to the Dr. office nurse who is GREAT. She is having me come in to see the Dr. for some blood work to be sure all is OK there and then to see the dietican who is familiar with Gastric By Pass patients as well as diabetics. (I am diabetic but have not had to take any meds since the surgery - get low blood sugar though at times). I plan to take your advise. Excercise more. Keep a log. Cut back to what I was eating (amounts) after 6 months. I would not be so concerned with the up and down if it was the same. If I was going up a few then down a few every week or so that would be OK. But up 10 pounds and it is still going up! Need to get it corrected NOW. Thanks again and have a great week. TP

tp: i am not a grad yet but my dh had his surgery 1 month before you.  he thought his food habits were the same but his weight jumped up 8 lbs this winter. we realized he had added white chili for lunch every day. made with half and half and real cheese.  We figured if it was 900 calories per day, he WAS getting over 5400 extra calories a week. he quit the chili and his weight went right back to where he has been maintaining. i bet the food logs will open up your eyes. congrats on your sucess and way to nip this in the bud! regain is such a big fear for me and I always want to AVOID the scale. good luck! judi

I have experienced the same thing for the last year!  I had my surgery 8/18/04 and lost 130 pounds.  I had gotten to my goal of 150 - and then went lower to about 147.  All of a sudden, with nothing changing in my diet or exercise, it started going up.  My surgeon says my bloodwork is normal and my diet is good and he doesn't understand it.  All I have been able to figure is that I am going through menopause and maybe the hormonal changes is doing - but I guess that's not a problem for you !  I have cut calories, upped exercise - nothing changes.  It's very disheartening!!  And I have always kept a food journal so I know nothing has changed.  If you get any good answers, please let me know!!!!!  Best of luck to you!!!!!!

I am having the same problem.  Weight gain in my butt and hips suddenly.  I'm 47

I am a month behind you, and recently I suddenly shot up 5 pounds. It has happened a couple of times in the past too. When I log my food on sparkpeople, I can usually find the culprit. This last time it was peanut butter. I was surprised that I was eating about 500 calories a day worth of peanut butter. I'm still eating the same amount (and some peanut butter, just not as much), and the scale came back down. I bet some of your problem is fluctuation, and if you've been exercising more you may have some muscle weight. I always blame mine on extra muscle weight. Whatever it is, I'm sure you'll find the answer because you're obviously determined to keep your weight off. Please let us know what your nut and doctor do for you - I'm sure there's lots of us in the same boat.

Thanks to all *****plied. I have an appt. with my nut and Dr. on June 2nd. After I talk with them will get back with all of you and let you know what they said. Thanks for being out there and the support. Keep up the good work. All this stuff is WELL worth the effort and even the issues. I went from taking 14 pills a day to taking 4 a day. Had a heart attack in 2002 and had to get 4 stents put in. Cardiologist is elated at my weight loss and health improvements. Talk to all of you soon. Tom